## LANGUAGE UNLOCKED
Charity Number 1201029
Annual Report and Accounts 2024
Meirim Services
Financial Statements
Notes
Annual Report
## Vision
Our dual commitment is to steer young teens away from being at risk towards a meaningful path of unwavering achievement.
## Mission
We assist young teens to embark on a transformative journey, explore, build, and actualize their future aspirations, through a diverse range of interpersonal activities.
Meirim Services
Financial Statements
Notes
Annual Report
## Why Meirim
Meirim Illuminating Ltd originated as a parent support group five years ago, dedicated to assisting at-risk young teens. Over time, Meirim transformed into an official charity, formally established in 2022. The organisation has since evolved into a unique provision supporting educational learning, social action, personal growth and development.
Founded by compassionate professionals, including doctors, social services, and therapists, Meirim was born out of the necessity to help at-risk teens who were facing challenges such as homelessness, truancy, and defiance. These young teens deserved a second chance, an opportunity for success, and Meirim professionals embarked on this journey with warmth and kindness. By identifying the core issues and providing appropriate support, Meirim aimed to help young teens overcome their shame and fear of seeking help, ensuring that no one is left behind or abandoned.
The ultimate measure of success for Meirim lies in witnessing young teens navigate through difficult situations and eventually becoming alumni who are motivated to support other struggling youths. Each individual’s outcome is unique, seeing these young adults giving back to their community and helping others facing similar challenges, is the ultimate goal.
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## How Meirim
At-risk teens communicate in a different language - one shaped by hardship, survival, and struggle. They speak in actions, silences, and defiance rather than words. Where mainstream teens navigate structured pathways, these young teens move through uncertainty, pressing keys that don’t always function as expected. Meirim understands their language and helps them rewrite their story.
**TAB** -Finding direction, making new choices.
**SHIFT** – Developing skills, shifting perspectives.
**CTRL** – Learning self-control, taking ownership of their journey.
**ALT** – Exploring alternative routes through therapy and tailored support.
**BACKSPACE** – Stepping back, reassessing, and finding better pathways.
**ENTER** – Reintegrating, engaging, and stepping into their future.
Meirim doesn’t force young people to “fit in”— instead, we teach them to translate their experiences into resilience, growth, and success. With the right guidance, they don’t just learn a new language; they learn to write their own future.
Meirim Services
Financial Statements
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Annual Report
## Trustees Statement
Navigating life as an at-risk teen is like using a keyboard with missing keys—uncertain, frustrating, and disconnected. At Meirim, we don’t rewrite their story; we simply guide them in finding the right keys to press.
**TAB** – Creating space for growth, guiding young teens toward new opportunities.
**SHIFT** – Encouraging mindset shifts, emotional healing, and personal transformation.
**CTRL** – Empowering them to take control of their actions and decisions.
**ALT** – Offering alternative pathways through bespoke therapeutic support.
**BACKSPACE** – Helping them step back, reflect, and make healthier choices.
**ENTER** – Supporting reintegration, fostering confidence, and ensuring they move forward.
With 13 years of experience, our trained facilitators understand that at-risk teens don’t follow a one-size-fits-all path. Many have lost trust in authority, severed relationships, and struggle with passiveaggressive behaviors. We don’t judge their past—we invest in their future. Through individualised support, peer mentorship, and a unique team-led approach, we provide a space where they can reconnect, heal, and redefine their journey.
This year, we have successfully supported 36 teens, with 22 more on our waiting list—a clear indicator of the growing need for our services. Meirim remains committed to bespoke, impactful support, ensuring each young teen gets the tools they need to press Enter on a brighter future
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Annual Report
## The Meirim Distinction
**CAPS LOCK – Establishing stability, helping teens feel secure and ready to engage.**
**SHIFT –** Nurturing growth, guiding them as they adapt and transform.
**CTRL** – Equipping them with the skills to take control of their future.
**ALT** – Exploring new perspectives, building trust, teamwork, and social connections.
**ENTER** – Empowering them to step forward with confidence, ready to face life’s challenges.
At Meirim, we don’t just support at-risk teens - we help them unlock their potential, one keystroke at a time.
Sam* entered the Meirim youth group having been rejected from 4 schools. Sam developed a knack for avoiding authority to remain under the radar. However, for Sam school and social life were an absolute mess. Sam was personally challenged by his actions. Sam came to Meirim after being shifted from institution to institution, with a strong sense of suspicion and alertness. Our trained facilitators sensed deep distrust and aggressive attitude. For when Sam faced continued rejection, Meirim came to and illuminated his way. We proved to him that there is a way towards success. Meirim’s inclusive approach, helping young teens towards success, has been a proven success.
We were here for Sam, we are not here to dictate, rule or measure. We encourage healing, health and humanity.
Meirim Services
Financial Statements
Annual Report
## Meirim Success Stories
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I used to think no one got me. Every time I spoke, it was like I was pressing the wrong keys. Wrong words, wrong actions… just wrong.
Yeah, same. It’s like everyone expected me to just fit in when I didn’t even know where to start. But Meirim… they actually listened. They read between the lines—figured out what I meant even when I couldn’t say it.
At 15, Avi* had been expelled from multiple schools, each time for a different reason. He learned to shut down before anyone could push him away. At home, things weren’t much better—strained relationships, little communication, and a growing sense of isolation.
When Avi joined Meirim, he was skeptical. He wasn’t used to being heard, and trusting adults felt impossible. But Meirim didn’t try to force him into a mold. Instead, they gave him space to take control of his journey. Through mentorship and group activities, he learned teamwork, personal responsibility, and healthier ways to express emotions.
With Meirim’s support, Avi realized failure didn’t have to define him. Now 17, he’s training in gas safety and volunteers at Meirim, helping younger teens like him. No longer stuck in rejection, he has found purpose, connection, and a future he believes in.
Exactly. When I came in, I was stuck. Pressing the same buttons over and over, getting nowhere. They hit TAB for me—made space for me to breathe, to think. No pressure, just time to figure things out.
And then SHIFT happened. They showed me I wasn’t just stuck in one setting. I could learn new skills, think differently. I didn’t have to keep reacting the same way every time.
Yeah, and I realized I actually had CTRL over my life. My choices. My actions. No more blaming the system, the teachers, my past. Meirim gave me the tools, but I had to press the keys.
And sometimes? You need an ALT key. A way to do things differently, not just repeat the same cycle. Therapy, mentors, new routines - Meirim showed me the alternative routes when I thought I had none.
And now? I’m finally pressing ENTER. Moving forward, stepping into something real. I’m not just surviving anymore - I’m actually living.
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## Meirim’s Services
**Crisis Mentoring & Excursions Careers Physical Functional Arts and Intervention Therapy Clubs Training activities skills Drama and Job** Skilful facilitators provide bespoke provide gateways **Placements** offer a range of offer a wide offer a range of effectively assist mentorship and and holiday activities including; range of courses creative activities young teens in therapy assistance, experiences, offer careers exercise fitness, including IT digital including art, clay, times of crisis, including positive uplifting training and work swimming and tech and financial pottery, painting, striving to achieve a psychotherapy and time off to experience, in General health resilience, first aid, woodwork, music lasting resolution. counselling support. reconnect and placements where practitioner-led smoking prevention, and drama. boost young teens’ these young teens user groups anti-bullying, energy. are most likely to relationship succeed. development and stay safe sessions.
Our work shows the best results through Psychodrama, expression, and explanation. Communicating lived-in experiences in a supported environment increases the best learning outcomes.
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MEIRIM ILLUMINATING LTD TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2024
The trustees have pleasure in presenting their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 May 2024.
## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS**
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**
Reference and administrative details are shown in the schedule of trustees and professional advisers on page 1 of the financial statements.
## **THE TRUSTEES**
The trustees who served the company during the period were as follows:
Y Stroh P Benedikt B Stempel
Meirim Illuminating Ltd empowers teens and families in crisis through counselling, education, and financial aid. Our programmes span mental health support, education, sports, and economic development. With a non-judgmental approach, we rebuild self-esteem, fostering resilience in adolescents. Job placement assistance, community projects, and relief from poverty are integral parts of our mission. Life-skills development empowers them with confidence and self-esteem, improving their career prospects and job opportunities and general conditions of life.
## **RISK MANAGEMENT**
All major decisions are taken collectively by the trustees. The trustees are unpaid and details of any related party transactions are disclosed as applicable in the notes to the accounts.
The trustees have put in place systems to identify risks and review the systems regularly.
## **A REVIEW OF OUR ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCES**
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
The Trustees are satisfied with the results of this year.
The charity is constituted as a company limited by guarantee, and is therefore governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association.
The governors (trustees) administer the day – to – day affairs of the charity. None of the trustees have any beneficial interest in the charity.
It is not currently the intention of the trustees of the charity to appoint new trustees. Should the situation change in the future, the trustees will apply suitable recruitment training and induction procedures.
## **RESERVES**
The trustees aim to maintain free reserves in unrestricted funds at a level which equates to approximately three months of unrestricted charitable expenditure, and they feel fortunate in having been able to maintain that level of reserves.
## **PLANS FOR THE FUTURE**
## **RISK REVIEW**
The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the Trust, and are satisfied that systems are in place to manage our exposure to the major risks.
As part of our ongoing plans for the future, we are looking to carry on with our successful work and are constantly fundraising to cover our expenses.
Signed on behalf of the trustees
## Trustee
12 February 2025
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## TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2024
The charity’s trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
· select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 May 2024 set out on pages 6 to 10.
## **Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Independent Examiner**
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 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the Act;
- to follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the CharityCommission (under Section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act); and
- state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
· observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
· make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
· state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
· prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
## **Basis of Independent Examiner’s Statement**
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general directions given by the CharityCommission. 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 the 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**
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. The trustees 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.
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
a) 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 Charities Act; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
- b) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Js&Co Accountant Ltd 26 Theydon Road London E5 9NA 12 February 2025
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MEIRIM ILLUMINATING LTD STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for the year ended 31 May 2024
|**INCOMING FROM**
**Notes**
**Incoming resources from generated funds**
**Donations and legacies**
3
**Total Incoming resources**
**EXPENDITURE ON**
**Raising funds**
**Charitable activities**
4,5
**Support Cost**
**Total expended**
**NET INCOME**
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
**Total funds brought forward**
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**|Unrestricted
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£
Total 2024
£
Total 2023
£|
|---|---|
||536,079
26,000
562,079
158,405
536,079
26,000
562,079
158,405
11,005
0
11,005
29,105
520,947
26,000
546,947
120,571
7,022
0
7,022
5,587|
||538,974
26,000
564,974
155,263
-2,895
0
-2,895
3,142
3,142
0
3,142
0|
||247
0
247
3,142|
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MEIRIM ILLUMINATING LTD BALANCE SHEET 31-May-24
|**FIXED ASSETS**
Notes
Fixtures & Fittings
6
**CURRENT ASSETS:**
Cash at bank and in hand
**CREDITORS: Amounts falling**
**due within one year**
7
**Net Current assets/(liabilities)**
**NET ASSETS:**
**FUNDS**
Unrestricted funds
8
**TOTAL FUNDS**|2024
2023
£
£
£
£|
|---|---|
||35,700
0|
||35,700
0
5,368
3,802|
||5,368
3,802
-40,821
-660|
||-35,453
3,142|
||247
3,142|
||247
3,142|
||247
3,142|
The Charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 May 2024.
The trustees have not required the charitable company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2024 in accordance with section 476 of Companies Act 2006.
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for
a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Section 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and
b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Section 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with all the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relaiting to financila stataments, so far as applicable to the charitable company.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provision of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small charitable companies and with the Financial reporting Standard for smaller entities (effective April 2008)
Approved by the board of Trustees on: And signed on their behalf by:
Y Stroh - Trustee
12 February 2025
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 May 2024
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
Accounting convention
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (FRSSE) (effective January 2015). In preparing the accounts, the charity follows best practice as laid down in the Statement of Recommended Practice “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” (SORP) issued in March 2005. Where there is a conflict between the FRSSE and the SORP, the SORP has been adopted in accordance with paragraph 419ff of the SORP.
## **Incoming resources**
Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:
Fixture and fittings -15% reducing balance
## **2. TRUSTEES REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS**
There were no trustees remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 May 2024
All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.
## **Trustees Expenses**
There were no trustees expenses paid for the year ended 31 May 2024
## **Resources expended**
## **3. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES**
Expenditure is accounted for on accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources
A list of donations and legacies received are available from the office upon request in writing.
## **Fund accounting**
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
## **Tangible fixed assets and depreciation**
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation.
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 May 2024
## INCOMING RESOURCES
## **Incoming resources from generated funds**
|**3. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES**
Total incoming resources|Unrestricted
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£
Total 2024
£
Total 2023
£|
|---|---|
||536,079
26,000
562,079
158,405|
||536,079
26,000
562,079
158,405|
## **4. EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES BY FUND TYPE**
|College expenditure
Fundraising costs
Support costs
Theraphy
TOTAL|Unrestricted
Funds
£
Restricted
Funsd
£
Total Funds
2024
£
Total Funds
2023
£|
|---|---|
||482,346
26,000
508,346
114,760
11,005
11,005
29,105
7,022
7,022
5,587
38,601
38,601
5,811|
||538,974
26,000
564,974
155,263|
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## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 May 2024
|**5. ANALYSIS OF SUPPORT COSTS**
**Communications and IT**
**General office**
**Accountancy fee**
**Governance cost -Legal and professional fees**
**Governance cost -Other finance costs**
**College costs**
**Food & disposables**
**Wages**
**Activities**
**Courses**
**Camp**
**Rent**
**Insurance**
**Repairs**
**Utilities**
**Cleaning**
**Depreciation**
**Books**|Unrestricted Funds
£|Restricted Funds
£|Total 2024
£|Total 2023
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||2,244
1,248
1,800
1,483
247||2,244
1,248
1,800
1,483
247|3,693
427
660
719
89|
||7,022|0|7,022|5,588|
||68,860
73,938
112,769
69,503
59,652
72,000
734
16,096
483
1,064
6,300
947|26,000|68,860
73,938
138,769
69,503
59,652
72,000
734
16,096
483
1,064
6,300
947|25,694
13,502
13,374
0
11,400
49,700
0
0
0
0
0
1,090|
||482,346|26,000|508,346|114,760|
**Average number of employees, during the year was as follows: 9 (2023: 2)**
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 May 2024
|**6. FIXED ASSETS**
COST
At 1 June 2023
Additions
At 31 May 2024
**DEPRECIATION:**
At 1 June 2023
Charge for year
At 31 May 2024
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 May 2024
At 31 May 2023
Tangible fixed assets and depreciation|Fixture &
Fittings
£|Totals
£|
|---|---|---|
||0
42,000|0
42,000|
||42,00|42,000|
||0|0|
||6,300
6,300
35,700|6,300
6,300
35,700|
||0|0|
||||
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:
Fixture and fittings - 15% reducing balance
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 May 2024
## **7. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
|Accruals
Other Creditors
**8. RESTRICTED FUNDS**
At 1.6.23
General fund
0
Unrestricted funds
General funds
3,142
TOTAL FUNDS
3,142
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as
Incoming
Resources
£
Restricted funds
General fund
26,000
Unrestricted funds
General fund
536,079
TOTAL FUNDS
536,079|At 1.6.23|2024
£|2023
£|
|---|---|---|---|
|||1,800
39,021|660
0|
|||40,821|660|
|||Net movement in
funds £|At 31.05.24
£|
||0|0|0|
|||||
||3,142|-2,895|247|
||3,142|-2,895|247|
|||follows:
Resources
Expended
£|Movement in
Funds
£|
||26,000|26,000|0|
|||||
||536,079|538,974|-2,895|
||536,079|538,974|-2,895|
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MEIRIM ILLUMINATING LTD TRUSTEES AND PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS
**Registered charity name MEIRIM ILLUMINATING LTD**
**Charity number Principal office**
**Trustees**
**Accountant**
**Bankers**
**1201029**
**3 The Approach London NW4 2HU**
**Y Stroh P Benedikt B Stempel**
**JS& Co Accountants 26 Theydon Road London E5 9NA**
**Wise Virgin Money**