Learn English Together in Merton ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE PERIOD TO 31 JULY 2024 A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISTION REGISTERED NUMBER: 1202110
Learn English Together in Merton~Annual Report July 2024 Report from the Chair of Twstees and the Director Learn English Together in Merton wos registered on 28 February 2023 as o Chorltable Incorporoted Orgonisotion. It wos fom?ed by the trustees of Merton Home Tutoring Service (MHTS)with the sole intention of toking over the activities ond5eNices previously pmvided by MHTS. The transfer took place with effertfrom l August 2023. The informL7tion contsined in this report covers the period from l August 2023- ond ony comparable figures given for the previous yeor to 31 July 2023 refer to the artivities corried out by MHTS. Activities This was our first year as Learn En8llsh Together In Merton ILEMMI. Thanks to the efforts of our staff and volunteers, and the 8oodwill of our funders, the transition from Merton Home Tutoring Service IMHTSI was seamless. We give a more detailed review of our services and artlvities in the body of thls Annual Report but in summary. the year contlnued to be an incredibly busy one with significant demand for our classes, across all levels. Our overall leamer numbers remalned hlgh at 2361224 learners accommodated In classe5 and 12 home learners}. We were able to run between 11 to 15 English classes each term, due to the support of our fijnders and through support from LB of Merton - Merton Adult Learnin8. During the year we worked In partnership with other providers to add more skills-based employability courses and Citizenshlp courses for our learners. The feedback from the learners shows that it has been a successful year and one that the entire staff and volunteer team can be proud of. We are grateful to all our funders- wlthout their support we could not continue our work. The Henry Smlth Charity provided 3-year fundin£ Starting in August 2022. We had a further year of support from Garfield Weston Foundation and in March 2024 City Bridge Foundation provided us with funding for an additional two years. We were also successful in securing an Awards for All grant from the National Lottery and a further grant {for two years) from Wimbledon Foundatlon Communlty Fund (part of The London Community Foundation). During the year we a150 received significant fundlng from the London Borough of Merton (Merton Adult Leamingl to provide ESOL classes and to provide the Learn English in Merton service. Thls contratt ceased on 31 July 2024. Changes At the start of this year, as we launched LEfiM, we hoped to be able to continue for many more yearsthe workthatwas started in 2010 by our previous charity, Merton Home Tutoring Service. Unfortunately. securing funding for small charities such as LETIM has been challenging for the last few years, and remained difficult. In April 2024 the trustees undertook a review of the longer-term funding prospects for the diarÉty with the primary objective of
Learn English Together in Merton-Annual Report July 2024 preserving the service we were currently providing to the migrant and refugee community In Merton. A declslon was taken to seek another charity with similar aims and better pr05perts of securing funding and with the scope to offer more opportunities for our learners to take over the service in Merton. We were fortunate in finding such a partner, Learn English at Home ILEAHI (registered charty number 11534251. LEAH provides free ESOL opportunitie5, through home learning and classes in the borou8hs of Kin8Ston, Richmond and Hounslow. The transfer of the assets and undertakings to Learn En81ish at Home{LEAH) took place on I November 2024. We are immensely grateful to our funders for agreeing to the transfer of LUII r_ throughout this process. The office, teaching and creche staff transferred to LEAH on l November 2024 and the classes and home tutoring service is continuing With no change to the sep4ice previously provided by LETIM. The trustees, staff and volunteer at LEAH uphold the same ethos. values and vision as we do. I know that the legacy that has been built up over the last 14 years wlll be treasured and the community in Merton will continue to be served by a carin8 and responsive or8anisation. A thank you to our stsff and volunteers. In June 2024 the Qualty and CuThiculum Mana8er, Mathew Ashcroft. left us. We thank Mathew forthe work he dld in updating and embedding our currlculum and in overseein8 the classes and learner Involvement. Linda Ulrich, a teacher who has been with us since 2019 retired in Aprll 2024. Linda was a very valued and respetted teacher. In this last year she steered the examination class to success in the English Speaking Board exams. Our Dlrertor, Heidi Shrimpton, left us in Au8USt 2024. Heidi has been an a55et to our charlty since she jolned us In April 2022. She supported the charlty through the transition of Merton Home Tutorin8 Service to LEfiM, Matrix accredltatlon and Its renewal thls year, the management and oversight of the contrart with Merton Adult Learnin& and the most recent transfer to LEAH. In addition to all of this, she built partnerships with our funders and with many local groups and organisations to allow us to offer more opportunities to our leamers. We wish her well in her new role with a local charity. On behalf of all of the trustees I want to thank everyone who has contrlbuted to the success of MHTS and LETIM over the past 14 years. There are too many wonderful volunteers and staff members to mention individually. but I would like to make special mention of the founder, Dr Ruth Dawson, who guided this charity from 2010 until her retirement in 2020. The success of this charity is due to hervlslon and commitment. ANNE WORLLEDGE Anne Worfledge- Chr 7Jonuory202
Learn English Together in Merton- Annual RekX)rt Jufy 2024 OUR CONSITUTION Learn English Together in Merton {LEfiM} wa5 registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 28 February 2023 and is govemed by a CIO Foundation Constitution, as amended on 7 September 2023. It was set up to take over the activities, assets and liabilities of Merton Home Tutoring Service IResi5tered tharity number 11391261, with effect from I August 2023. Thp TriirtppE 2nd rt2ff nf M•rtrn Hnmo Tiitntints (tsf41ifo )t7raoA +ha+ +ha IKAcv+A Y4 Urtsya Tutoring Service, no longer reflected the breadth of service that was offered and that we needed to be clearer about reflecting in our new name the wider range of English language provision we offer. The opportunity was also taken to become a Charttable Incorporated Organisation. Everything in terms of our vision. Strategy, 8ovemance, staffing structures and service delivery remained the same and we have continued to deliver English language support to the community in of Merton. The stated objectives of LEfiM are: i. To advance the education of adults living in the London Borough of Merton for whom English is a second language through the provision of English language teaching. to be delivered in a classroom setting or in their homes or other suitable venues. 2. Such other charitable purposes as the trustees shall from time to time determine. OUR VISION To give learners the opportunity to learn English for everyday use. To build confidence in the use of English and help to reduce social isolation, and to build independence. To help learners to understand more aboutthe UK. its systems, cultural customs, and people. To encourage all learners to move towards greater community integration. OUR STRATEGY Inte8ration and communlty cohesion: Supporting migrant communities and individuals to acquire the linguistic and cultural competences they need to improve their lrfe prospects in the UK. Demonstrating the value that mi8rants bring to the UK. favouring mutual cultural understanding and cohesion. Acce55ibility and increased learner reach= Supportin8 people m05t in need and least likely to receive support elsewhere. We want to provide an individualised approach to our learners, strengthening both the quality and reach of our services. Resilience and wellbeing: Empowering Indlmduals and communities to acquire the social and cultural capital they need to face adversity, combat i501ation. and thrive in society.
Learn English Together in Merton-Annual Reportjuly 2024 Excellence: Developing and supporting our staff and volunteers to deliver the best P05siblÈ outcomes for leamers. Partnership and collaboratlon: Workin8 proactivety with communities and other service provlders to brldge gaps In services for the benefft of our learners and the sustainability of their long-term outcomes. OUR AcfiviTIES LEfiM is a small tharty based In the London Borough of Merton, responding to demand for English lan8ua8e tuition for adult migrants and refugees who are unable to access more formal ESOL classes because of lack of local knowledge, isolation, chlldcare commitments, d15ability, povertyor health. We predominantlywork with learners who are Ilvln8 In the most deprlved wards of Merton or have recently arrived in the UK and are keen to improve their English language skills In order to Inte8rate into the local communlty. We alm for learners to reduce their social isolation. build their confidence and independence, understand more about the UK and its culture, customs and systems, and move towards communlty integration including volunteering and employment. Our work has been fvnded by a number of charitable foundations, local charleS and by Merton Council through the Merton Adult Learnin8 provlslon. We teach learners In small ESOL En8llsh classes taught by quallfied teachers. Some of the pre- entry classes or larger classes are supported by Classroom Volunteers. We provide free creche faclllt5es managed by qualified heakthcare workers, for most of our classes. Our provision ran8es from pre-entry (for people wlth no Eng115h at all), throu8h El-E3 and up to Level I Includin8 an exam class accredlted by the En81ish 5peakin8 Board, and one on-llne class In the evening. Each of our classes is a 2-hour session, 10 or 11 weeks each term. We provided one-ttrone teaching to 12 learners in their own homes or other venues. The home tutorlng tralning programme was revised, and two tralnlng programmes were run in the year. This revised tralning programme has been well received as it is more accessible for tralnee tutors, with home study and online recorded presentations as well as in-person sessions. Our strong partnerships and communty focus has allowed us to introduce our learners to further progre55ion. volunteering and employment opportunities across the borough enhancin8 their integration, well-belng and personal development. Our actlvities in the year. We provided a home leaming service to 12 leamers during the year (11 In 2022-2023)- a total of 108 one to one session5. During the year we were able to accommodate 224 learners in our dasses1215 in 2022-231.
Learn English Together in Merton- Annual Report July 2024 Terml Term 2 Term3 11 classes 115 sessions 15classes 128 sessions 13 cLqsses 132 sessions The majoriiy of our leamers were female -80% (aox In 2022-2023). The average aiienddllLe level over the year was 79%, and 88% of leamers achieved their learnin8 Outcomes. The exam class was successfvl. In Term I, eight students sat and passed the readlng exam, in Term 2, five student5 sat and passed the speakin8 exam, and in Term 3, three student sat the writing exam and two passed. In addltlon to our ESOL classes, In partnership with Merton College and other organisations we were able to Include a range of short"tasted sessions for our leamers. The aim of these sessions Is to bulld on some of the areas we cover in classes as part of the Skills for Life curriculum, and to introduce the learners to employability skllls and clt12enshlp: Term I Term2 Term3 Jobsfortheftrture 1rstroduciiontowor{1n lallhand 9xlal ¢ar8 Introducik)ntoeartyyearsedu¢atknn HeattlYJiLifestyts anejweilbelng Q4WrMng InterNlewsklits We successfully launched a new conversation class {Chatwell Conversation) which focusses on health and wellbeing. This class has been successful and wlll be continued in 2024-25. Volunteerlng We have 24 volunteers assisting us with the Home Tutoring service or as classroom asslstants providing additional asststance and sUPPOrt to learners or acting as mentors to students. The total volunteer hours in the year was in excess of 283 hours {excludin8 volunteer time by the trustees). OUR IMPACT How we measure and report our Impact and Ilsten to the learner volce Learning outcomes and progression analysis with teachers and learners. Confidential feedback reports from our learners. Learner evaluations each term. measurlng course impart on the learner. Matrlx accreditation review- our accreditation wa5 reviewed and renewed. Self-assessment reports prepared for, and monitored by Merton Adult Learning
Leam English Together in Merton- Annual Report July 2024 Sharing of best prartice and knowledge throu8h our networks within the London Borough of Merton and through organisations suth as NATECLA (Natlonal Associatlon of Teaching English and other Community Languages to Adults). L•arner Evaluatlon outcomes We received 213 reports from our learners overthe year157 in term 1, 80 in term 2 and 76 in term 31. The questionnaire asks a series of questions and ask respondents to grade their experience between 1-5 {3 to 5 being achievin8 some improvement or better, and 1-2 being little or no improvement). Repued 3or abo4E I can speak and understand English better slnce startlng my lessons I can talk more easli y to my neighbouts, GP. my chlld's teacher etc My lessons make me feel more al home In the UK I meet people soclally more often I flnd It easlet to travel on publlc transport My lessons have Improved my wellbeing 90% 90% 7896 92% 92%
Learn English To8ether in Merton- Annual Report Juty 2024 OUR TRUSTEES, LEADERSHIP AND STAFFING The Board of Trustees: Our charity is governed by a Board of Trustees with a range of experience from tertiary education lincludin8 higher Èducation). accountancy. law, business and the voluntary sector. We have trustees who are also volunteer tutors. The Board of Trustees meets fomially at least four times a year, with a further meeting to reflect on the effectiveness of the service and set the operational strategy for the followin8 three years. The trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefit from LETIM. The trustees who serrfed durin8 the period from 28 February 2023 to 31 July 2024 were". Anne Worlledge {Chairl Andrew Hight (Treasurer) Mary Moreton (Assistant Chair) Dr Danlela Wilks (Secretary) Dr Robin Goodchild {to 23 June 2024} Cathy Newbury Paullne Rozarlo Operatlonal Management: The management team MprISes. Heidi Shrimpton - Director {to 31 August 2024) Mlchelle Mason- Interim Office Manager {from l Au8USt 20241 Matthew Ashcroft- Quality and Curriculum Manager (to 30June 20241 Nicky Dalglish- Project Leader for Leam English In Merton. Emma Cale- Offlce Administrator. We have a team of 7 sesslonal teachers and 4 sessional workers for the creche. Unlt 18, Vestry Hall 336-338 London Road Mitrharn CR4 3UD Website . www.let.o Contact us at: info let.o .uk
Learn English Together in Merton-Annual Report Juty 2024 FINANCE REPORT Finances Learn English Together In Merton (LEfiM) wos registered on 28 February 2023. and was inactive untill August2023 when the assets liabilities and (7Ctivities ofmerton Home Tutoring Service (MHTSJ were transferred. LEfiM also 055umed all legol ondfinoncial obligation5 for the stoff of MHTS under the Tmnsferof Undertokings (Protection of Employment) Regulations The financial information shown below shows the finonciol artivities for the year from I August 2023 to 31 July 2024. The results for MHTSfor the year to 31 July 2023 have been included (shaded green)for comparison. LETIM was very fortunate to have received the support of funders on the transition from MHTS to LEfiM. On l August 2023 MHTS transferred Restricted Funds of £40,952 and Unrestricted General Reserves of £98.850 (totalling £139,801} In the year to 31 July 2024 LETIM ralsed income of £241.857 (£227,024- 20221231. The costs for the year were £198,173 (£214,755 - 2022123). The total costs for the year decreased by £16,582 primarily due to reduced staff costs and room hire costs, and a reduced level of spending on IT and website costs. We were able to streamline the number of classes and creche provision by improved timetabling. Our insurance costs for this year include a payment made before the year end for the newfinancial year beginning on l August 2024. Duringthe year we also reduced the level of administrative staff support. Funding was challenging at the start of this financial year as the multi-year funding we had received from City Bridge Foundation and the National Lottery drew to a close. This has resulted in £17,220 of expenditure being met from reserves in the year. We were fortunate in securing additional funding from City Bridge Foundation later in the year and an Awards for All grant from the National Lottery. which reduced our reliance on our reserves. We closed the year with general reserves of £90,193. We are gratefulto all ourfunders. The Henrysmith Charity has been a significantfundersince August 2022 providing £60.LKK) each yearto support our work. We had £15,OOOfrom Garfield Weston Foundation to 5UPPOrt our classes. As mentioned above. in March 2024 City Bridge Foundation prowded us with funding for an addrtional two years, and we were successful in securÉn8 an Award5 for All 8rant from the National Lottery. We are also grateful to Wimbledon Foundation Community Fund (part of The London Community Foundation) for their support, and forthproVEd1ng a second two-year grant starting in l August 2024. Duringthe yearwe received significant funding from Merton Council {Merton Adult Learning) to provide ESOL classes and to provide the Learn English in Merton service. This contract ceased on 31 July 2024.
Learn English Together in Merton-Annual RertjuIY 2024 Restrictsd and Unrestricted funds B•lan¢e •t IN4y# ¢ome balance at 31 JuPT rrySTnith Charity Viiidor LB NlertoTr ty BriTw5t 665( 1,128 61(VJ 19.141 29929 555 12,726 14,779 33920 Th45 ltsttory The National Lottery- Awar(tsfor Garfieldweston Foundatio Wimble(knn Foundation Wimt4edJn Foundation Merton CMC Pride 1.250 15557 15m) 9,619 19,746 19.746 1310 40952 233295 93292 Gererdl ResÈNes 98850 )1 8563 241J58 17.220 19&174 90,193 183,485 Reserves Policy The trustees of Learn English Together in Merton have agreed that we should aim to have general reserves equivalent to 6 months of the annual running costs, plus any known liabilities. General reserves are funds held by a charity that are not restricted for a specific purpose so can be used to meet any of its costs and these reserves are to allow the charity to continue as smoothly a5 Possible when funding is uncertain. At 31 July 2024, a reserves poliry of 6 month5 of our expected running costs for the year to 31 July 2025 would represent general reserves of around £102,CMKI. The reserves at 31 July 2024 were £90,193. Significarit events after 31 July 2024. In April 2024 the trustees undertook a detailed review of the financial prospects for LEfiM for the medium to longer term. This review highlighted thatthe funding climate would become more challenging after this financial year as multi-year funding was due to end. and other funding organisations were ceasing to accept applications for funding whilst reviewing their own strategy and focus. The primary objective was to preserve the service in Merton and the decision was taken to seek another charity to take over the service we were currently providing forthe migrant communlty in Merton. We were fortunate in findingsuch a partner Learn English at Home ILEAHI, (registered charrty number 11534251, currently providing a similar service and with the same ethos and values as LEfiM. LEAH is a ¢harity providin8 ESOL teachin& mainly home - based learning but with some classes. It is based in Kingston and is currently serving residents in the boroughs of Kingston, Hounslow and Richmond. The transfer of the assets and undertakings to Learn English at Home took place on I November 2024. We are immensely grateful to our funders for agreeing to the transfer of
Learn English Together in Merton- Annual Report Juty 2024 exlstlng and future funding commitments to LEAH and for the support they have given to us throughout thls process. The office, teaching and creche staff transferred to LEAH on l November 2024 and the classes and home tutoring service is continuing w¥th no change to the service previously provided by LEfiM. On l November 2024 LEfiM transferred to LEAH a bank balance of £164.090. being £75,867 of restricrea funaing ano £88,223 of general reserves. Balances at l November 2024 Wimbledon Foundation Clty Bridge Foundation Henry Smlth Chaty Merton Civic Pride 16,833.60 22W.51 21.631.89 2.220.fXI 12,601.01 75,867.01 88.223.19 164,090.20 LB Merton Unrestricted reserves ANDREW HIGHT Andrew Hlght FCA Hon. Treasurer 7 January 2025. io
Learn English Together in Merton-Annuèl Reportjuty 2024 Independent Examiner5 Report Independent emInerfs report to the tru5tee5 of Leam En8lish To8ether In Mgrton I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Leam English Together in MertOD (the Charityl for the period ended 31st July 2024. Responslbllltles and basis of rep(Kt As the charity twstees you are responsible forthe preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111'the ACVI. I report in respect of my examination of the Charivs accounts carried out under sertion 145 of the 2011 Art and in carrying out my examination I havè followed all the applicable Directions gtven by the Charity Commission under section 145151{bl of the A lftdependent exarninerfs ststement I have completed my examination. I confirni that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination 8iving me cause to believe that in any material respect: accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Art; or 2 the accounts do not accord with those records: or the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and Content of accounts set out in the Charfties (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2CK)8 other than any requirement that the accounts gwe a 'tnJe and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an Fndependent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connertn wth the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reathed. MARK BLAcELl Marf( Blackvlell ACMA MHR CONSULTANCY LTD Femeberga House. exandra Road Famborough GU14 6DQ
Learn English Together in Merton-Annual Reportjuly 2024 Recelpts and Payments Account forthe period from 28 Febnmry 2023 to 31 July 202 Merton Home TutorinE SeryKe Yearto P10d to 31JU2o24 FuThts 311uly2023 RECEIPTS Grants recelved Donations Fundrai%n8 IrKorY Other irKorne Interest TOTAL INCOME 233295 233295 775 219.851 T15 5K#JI 628 2.159 8.563 S.(K>l 628 2.159 241.857 2.613 425 Llgl 227.024 233,295 PAVNENTS FUndrain8C0sts 5.477 SA77 5.589 Staff costs Room rentsl for classesaTrJ crec HometutOT expen Books. Stationeryandleachl alds E%Entswith learrEt5 5.192 138.657 143*48 28.)2 47 510 151427 33.524 636 1954 1,813 47 427 L076 1.214 213 4,1(N) Sub5CriPtK)ns wete and IT cost5 Insurance TeleFknone and p05tsges Swdry eXnseS Payro11 costs Equirment Trovel Office ntaI 1reperxlet Ex4rnin6tioll andAGM 213 194 6.471 1.139 332 789 183 551 282 571 199 362 551 6.211 L062 TOTAL PAYMENTS 17.220 180954 .173 214.755 NETRECEIPT5 IN THE YEAR 1&657) 12.269 Fund5Tran5ferred fvommerton Homerutoring 5eEvice Transferol funds Cash funds attheyearend aKI.952 127.532 ,193 93292 I83.45 9,&11 ststernent of Assets and Liabilities at 31 July 2024 Merton Hom¢ Tuloring Seryice Vearto 31jU 2023 Ped 31jU 2024 Funds Funds Cash balarKes at HSBC .193 93292 183A85 127.532 LIalIties NetAssets .193 93.292 183.485 127.532 12