2023-04-05-accounts - Arc Initiative

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Arc Initiative – Trustees Annual Report – August 2023

The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year 27[th] July 2022 to 5[th] April 2023.

Objective and Activities

a. Policies and Objectives

Arc Initiatives' goals are set out in our governing document.

To act as a resource for young people up to the age of 25 living in London by providing advice and assistance and organising programmes of CV writing, Interview preparation, personal development, and other activities as a means of:
Advancing young people in life and relieving unemployment through the provision of support and activities that develop their skills, capacities, and competencies, such as interview skills and practice, CV writing, job search, and job club facilities, alongside understanding the part they play to promote an inclusive culture at the workplace.

b. Activities for Achieving Objectives

In July 2022, Chidi O’Hanekwu started Arc Initiative CIO to provide a safe, inclusive space for young people to learn about Inclusion in the workplace, CV and cover letter writing and Interview preparation whilst also developing their skills.

Created to give young people from marginalised and disadvantaged backgrounds access to professional resources and direct contact with industry professionals and experts, Arc Initiative encourages young people to embrace their authentic selves when inducted into a programme, which will then boost their confidence and self-esteem in other walks of life.

Our personal development and mentoring programmes have been co-designed by our beneficiaries, volunteers, and industry experts to ensure accessible, easy-to-understand, fun and engaging programmes. The tried and tested programmes work for all learning levels.

Our young people receive professional industry-standard knowledge that enhances their skills and talents, making them more confident and ‘life ready’ for work and other opportunities.

Arc Initiative is determined to create an inclusive, non-judgmental, safe space that supports young people to be the best they can be, regardless of where they are from.

Creating opportunities
improving social mobility
Furthering equality and support within society
Increasing Respect and Empowerment

Arc Initiative

arcinitiative.co.uk

Current Programmes:

Be Your Best Self:

The "Be Your Best Self" program is an immersive and dynamic journey crafted to empower young people in their quest for meaningful employment. This comprehensive 3-month program equips participants with the skills and insights required to shine in interviews, stand out in job searches, and present themselves with confidence and authenticity.

Accelerating Your Potential:

"Accelerating Your Potential" is a dynamic and transformative personal development programme tailored for young people, providing essential tools to propel them into their desired careers and embark on a journey of self-growth. This comprehensive program cultivates skills, insights, and self-awareness across various impactful personal training themes.

Life Leaders:

The Life Leaders Mentorship Programme is a cutting-edge personal and professional development approach. This visionary initiative empowers seasoned professionals to engage with young people in a mentorship journey to foster growth, inspiration, and collaborative learning. Anchored in the values of authenticity and guided support, this program facilitates genuine connections, valuable knowledge, and network sharing.

Here are details of the courses we built over the last period.

Course Title	Date	Development Team	Total hours
Be your Best Self	July 22 to Apr 23	7 young people 9 volunteers	400 hours
Accelerating Your Potential	July 22 to Apr 23	6 young people 8 Volunteers	400 hours
Life Leaders	July 22 to Apr 23	4 young people, 28 volunteers	400 hours
Total Impact		17 young people 45 Volunteers	1200 hours

Mentoring : Founders and trustees provide in-house mentoring and match young people with appropriate industry experts to support and encourage their learning to maximise their potential, develop their skills and improve performance

Here are some examples of our great mentors at Arc Initiative.

JR, founder of SIRLUTE.
Shelly, Area Manager
Chris B, Director of Resourcing, Financial Institute.
Safia, Branch Manager
Spencer, Project Lead
Aisha, Senior Programme Manager

Work Experience : Opportunities for young people to work with us to gain valuable business experience. Within this period, young people will learn about communication and teamwork and build confidence in

Arc Initiative

arcinitiative.co.uk

interacting with adults professionally. Interview and CV support will enable them to demonstrate their motivation and commitment to future employees and prepare them for their entrepreneurial ventures.

Networking : We share our extensive network with our YP and teach them how to harness their own. We are proud of our business networks, including Nationwide Building Society, ELAM College, Canary Wharf Group and Ballymore.

Local community support : We work with businesses in the local community by loaning professional equipment and tools and providing professional spaces at affordable rates. We have joined several local businesses, initiatives, and charities during this period.

SIRLUTE
ELAM College

c. The contribution made by Volunteers.

Arc Initiative values and recognises volunteering as critical to our work. Our expert volunteers assist with finance management, bid and proposal writing, web design, social media, marketing, risk management, transportation and more.

We work with individuals who share the same passion and vision to help support and guide young people through their development years of life. We seek people with proven track records who are well-informed on their specialist subject and passionate about inspiring, empowering and supporting our young people and charity employees. Our network and community are diverse, with different creative, educational, and corporate professionals who share our values and champion our work.

We support volunteers with safeguarding training and conducting DBS checks as and when required.

Below are a few examples of the volunteers we have worked with over this period.

Husky, teaching staff development
JR, business & outreach support & youth engagement
Spencer, Business management
Andre, outreach support, Marketing Strategy
Shelly, equipment support, Training material
Howard (Ballymore), business development, public outreach
Safia, Training Content

Achievements and Performance

a. Our Impact

Arc Initiative has worked with over 30 at-risk young people since its inception. We know we’re making a positive difference. Through monitoring, measuring and evaluation, we have tracked the progress made by our beneficiaries. We have noted increased confidence in taking on new opportunities, improved behaviour within a group setting, punctuality and task management skills and an improved attitude to learning. All of this profoundly impacts young people’s mental health and well-being, opening them up to more opportunities in their lives.

Arc Initiative

arcinitiative.co.uk

Here is a moving example of the impact of the Be Your Best Self (BYB) and Accelerate Your Potential (AYP) Programmes on a young person’s life.

“I wanted to say thank you so much for helping me with my interview. I appreciate it, and I am so grateful for your help! I feel like the interview went well. I’ll let you know when they get back to me” NP, age 18.

“I wouldn't be where I am today without the Arc Initiative. Their commitment to my personal growth and career advancement was so cool. If you want to positively change your career and life, I recommend the Arc Initiative's AYP program – it's a game-changer!" DJ, age 23.

Our young people have gained and developed many skills. Below are some of the other benefits they have taken away from our programmes:

Increased self-confidence.
Greater recognition of the value of their own lived experiences.
A more open attitude to embracing opportunities and challenges.
Established new supportive friendships with people they might not have met otherwise.

b. Key Performance Indicators

We don’t currently have reserves as we are a young charity, and our funding is mainly restricted to projects and organisational development. However, we aim to invest in our core team and build reserves for six months of running costs as part of our business planning, income generation and fundraising activities – to be reviewed by the end of 2024.

Financial Review

a. Summary

In the long term, we are working on strengthening our partnership with support agencies to ensure we are best equipped to help people who need our support. We are working to secure new corporate partnerships with organisations to fund our initiatives, extend our reach and provide ongoing stability. Finally, we have strengthened our team with accounting, Marketing, creative and business expert volunteers. We also plan to bring in some additional senior support and a Project Led to ensure we can successfully deliver change and support our growth.

Structure, Governance and Management

a. Constitution

Arc Initiative has a Constitution of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and is registered with the Charity Commission. (Charity number: 1199808). The principal object of the Charity is to advance young people in life and relieve unemployment through the provision of support and activities that develop their skills, capacities, and competencies, such as interview skills and practice, CV writing, job search, and job club facilities alongside understanding the part they play to promote an inclusive culture at the workplace.

Arc Initiative

arcinitiative.co.uk

b. Management Structure

Arc Initiative has a charitable board of three trustees. Our trustees all have unique lived experiences of the daily issues and battles our beneficiaries face. The skills of our trustees include finance, diversity and inclusion, fundraising, project management, marketing, Property Development, Caring for vulnerable people, well-being, and community building. Arc Initiatives Chief Executive reports to the board of trustees, and at least two trustees agree on all financial decisions.

Arc Initiatives' leadership team comprises industry experts with a wealth of business experience and the financial acumen to manage a successful charity.

Young people know us, trust us, and enjoy participating in our programmes. We have lived experience of the issues our young people face, and we continuously work closely and listen to our beneficiaries to ensure our offerings are relevant and responsive to young people’s needs.

c. Method of Appointment or Election of Trustees

The management of the Charity is the responsibility of the Trustees, who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Trust deed.

This report was approved by the Trustees on 4[th] September and signed by Stephanie Nicola (Chairwoman) on their behalf.

Arc Initiative

arcinitiative.co.uk

ARC INITIATIVE (REGISTERED WITH CHARITY COMMISSION NO: 1199808)

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE PERIOD 27[TH] JULY 2022 TO 5[TH] APRIL 2023

ARC INITIATIVE

(Charity Commission Registration Number: 1199808)

Trustees’ Report for the Year Ended 05[th] April 2023

The Trustees present their report and the financial statements for the period ending to 05[th] April 2023.

A Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

The trustees are required to:

Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently.
Make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
State whether the policies adopted are in accordance with the Charities SORP and with applicable accounting standards, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the charity will continue in operation.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Aims and Objectives

The organisation was established to provide vespoke consultancy to young adults from underresourced communities to advance their careers and improve social mobility.

Financial positions

The attached financial statements show a shortage of £17,532 for the year and the balance sheet value of £17,532 as at 5[th] April 2023.

The trustees who have served during the year were as follows:

Stephanie Nicola (Chair) Craig Wright (Trustee) Conrad Benjamin (Trustee)

Signed on its behalf Stephanie Nicola

Chair

ACCOUNTANTS' REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ARC INITIATIVE

I report on the accounts of the Trust for the period ended 5[th] April 2023, which are set out on pages 4 to 7.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

It is my responsibility to:

Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
To follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner's report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

(1) Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
To keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act that have not been met; or
(2) To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Zaki Husein FCA FCCA

17 Plumbers Row London E1 1EQ

17[th] October, 2023

ARC INITIATIVE (REGISTERED CHARITY COMMISSION NO: 1199808) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES PERIOD ENDED 5[th] APRIL 2023

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE
INCOMING RESOURCES
Charities Trust
Main Grants
TOTAL INCOME
RESOURCES USED
DIRECT CHARITABLE
EXPENSES
OTHER EXPENSES
Costs of activities of Charity’s
objectives
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Accountant’s fee

TOTAL FUNDS USED
Net profit resources

for the year
Net movement in fund
As above:
Net excess income of the year
Balance b/f
_
Balance at 5thApril 2023

2023
£
10000
9978
19978
1246
1200
2446
17532
17532
-
______
17532

ARC INITIATIVE (REGISTERED WITH CHARITY COMMISSION NO: 1199808) BALANCE SHEET AT 5[th] APRIL 2023

Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 2 Cash at bank & in hand 3 CURRENT LIABILITY Creditors 4 NET CURRENT (LIABILITIES)/ASSETS	2023 £ 1992 17021 (1481) 17532 17532

Trustees:

Stephanie Nicoal (Chair) Conrad Benjamin (Trustee) Craig Wright (Trustee)

Approved by Trustees on: 17[th] October 2023

ARC INITIATIVE (REGISTERED WITH CHARITY COMMISSION NO: 1199808) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS PERIOD ENDED 5[th] APRIL 2023

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a) Basis of Accounts

These accounts have been prepared under the historic cost convention and in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the Statement of Recommended Practice of Accounting by Charities (SORP).

(b) Incoming Resources

These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when:

The charity becomes entitled to the resources;
The trustees are virtually certain they will receive the resources; and
The monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.

(c) Liability recognition

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources.
(d) No member of the Board of Trustees has received any remuneration for the year directly or indirectly from the charity's funds.

ARC INITIATIVE (REGISTERED WITH CHARITY COMMISSION NO: 1199808) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS PERIOD ENDED 5[th] APRIL 2023

2.Fixture & Fittings Addition Depreciation b/f Depreciation 3. Cash at Bank and in Hand Bank Cash 4. Creditors Other Creditors Accruals	2023 £ 2656 - (664) 1992 1992 17021 - 17021 (-) (1481) (1481)

ARC INITIATIVE (REGISTERED WITH CHARITY COMMISSION NO: 1199808) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS PERIOD ENDED 5[th ] APRIL 2023

Income Charities Trust Main Grants Expenses Accountancy Depreciation Domain fee Stationery and printing Subscription Telephone Traveling Net Profit	2023 £ 10000 9978 19978 1200 664 85 227 75 75 120 2446 17532