**ANNUAL REPORT 2024 - 2025** 

**Supporting Children** 

**Empowering Strengthening Families Communities** 

Y U S R A J I N A A N . O R G 

**REGITERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1202481** 




## **Table of Contents** 

|**1.**|Message from our Chair|3|
|---|---|---|
|**2.**|Legal & Administrative Information|4|
|**3.**|About the Yusra Jinaan Foundation|5|
|**4.**|Working Together|6|
|**5.**|Our Impact at a Glance|7|
|**6.**|What We Did|8|
|**7.**|What Families Told Us|15|
|**8.**|What We Will Do Next|16|
|**9.**|Case Studies|17|
|**10.**|Looking Ahead|18|
|**11.**|Financial Review|19|
||||





## **1. Message from our Chair** 


As we reflect on another year of the Yusra Jinaan Foundation, I am filled with gratitude for the families, partners, trustees and supporters who have stood alongside us in our mission to create a more inclusive world for children with disabilities. 

This year has been one of listening as much as leading. Across Birmingham, Bradford, Rochdale and High Wycombe, we met with parents and carers who shared their experiences with remarkable honesty. They spoke of the challenges of navigating education, healthcare and social care systems, but they also spoke of resilience, hope and the power of community. 

## **Their voices have shaped everything we do.** 

Through communication workshops, focus groups, a national webinar and community research, we have not only supported families with practical knowledge and skills but also developed a deeper understanding of the barriers they continue to face. These insights are already informing our future programmes and strengthening our commitment to creating lasting change. 

We are especially grateful to **Islamic Relief UK** for supporting our National Communication Workshop Project and to every mosque, community organisation and volunteer who welcomed us into their communities. 

Together, we have taken important steps towards making our faith spaces more inclusive and ensuring that no family feels they have to navigate their journey alone. 

Although we are proud of what has been achieved this year, we recognise there is still much more to do. We remain committed to building stronger communities where every child with a disability is valued, every parent feels supported and every family can access the opportunities they deserve. 


## **On behalf of the Board of Trustees, thank you for believing in our mission and for helping us continue Yusra's legacy.** 


**Alaa' Al-Samarrai Chair of Trustees** 




## **2. Legal & Administrative Information** 


## **Trustees** 

**Our team of trustees bring expertise from a diverse range of sectors, including healthcare, humanitarian work, policy and advocacy, education, and the charity sector.** 



## **Registered Charity** 

UK Charity Commission Number: **1202481.** Registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), 24 March 2023 


## **Principal Address** 

International House, The Mclaren Building, 46 The Priory Queensway, Birmingham, B4 7LR 






## **3. About the Yusra Jinaan Foundation** 

The Yusra Jinaan Foundation was established to honour the life and legacy of Yusra, a remarkable little girl who lived with Joubert Syndrome, a rare genetic condition. Inspired by her resilience and the challenges experienced by her family, the Foundation exists to ensure that no family raising a child with disabilities feels isolated or unsupported. 

**Our vision is a society where children with disabilities and their families are fully included, understood and empowered to thrive.** 

## **Our work is centred around three key pillars:** 



## **CHILD** 

**We work alongside partners to improve access to healthcare, therapies, education** 

**and opportunities that enable children with disabilities to reach their full potential.** 


## **CARER** 

**We empower parents and carers through practical training, information, peer support and advocacy, helping them navigate complex systems with greater confidence.** 


## **COMMUNITY** 

**We work with mosques, schools, charities and community organisations to improve disability awareness, promote inclusion and create environments where every family feels welcome.** 


The Yusra Jinaan Foundation is proud to be a member of the **Disabled Children's Partnership** , joining over 130 organisations campaigning for better support for disabled children and their families across the UK. 




## **4. Working Together** 


We collaborate with trusted organisations to improve outcomes for children with disabilities and their families. 























## **5. Our Impact at a Glance** 


**190** 

**Parents and carers directly supported 4** 

**Communication workshops delivered 4 Regions reached** 


**63** 

**Parents and carers participating in focus groups** 


**101** 

**Families informing our research and future services** 


**4** 

**Parent focus groups facilitated 100% Workshop recommendation rate 115 Parents and carers attending webinar** 

## **400+** 

**Estimated immediate family members positively impacted** 


**1** 

**National webinar delivered** 


**75 Parents and carers attending workshops 38 Parents and carers completing community survey** 




## **6.What** 

## **We Did** 

## **Activities in the Year** 

This year, we delivered a range of programmes, workshops, research and community initiatives designed to empower parents and carers, strengthen peer support and improve inclusion for children with disabilities. 

## **100%** 



of workshop attendees would recommend the workshop to another parent or carer. 




## **Communication Training Workshops** 

Across the year, Yusra Jinaan Foundation (YJF) delivered four in-person communication workshops for parent carers, hosted at mosques and community centres in High Wycombe, Birmingham, Rochdale, and Bradford. 

Each workshop was a bespoke, culturally sensitive session delivered by an expert trainer, covering communication methods and **strategies** including **Makaton** , **symbol languages** , and **assistive technology** . 

Every workshop was followed by a focus group to explore the specific challenges and needs of carers in attendance. 



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4<br>Communication<br>workshops delivered<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>





**75 4 100% Parents and carers Regions reached Workshop attending workshops recommendation rate** 





## **High Wycombe** 

## **Birmingham** 

**Rochdale** 

**Bradford** 



## **Focus Groups** 


Following each workshop, YJF held a dedicated focus group giving parents and carers space to speak openly about their experiences raising children with disabilities. 

Birmingham **(hosted by Masjid Al-Falaah) 16 attendees** Bradford **(hosted by Islam Bradford) 20 attendees** Rochdale **(hosted by Neeli Masjid) 17 attendees** High Wycombe **(hosted by Karima Foundation) 10 attendees, alongside a wider community survey of 38 respondents** 


## **Webinar** 

YJF also delivered a communications webinar with speech and language therapist, Iman Virji, reaching **115 individuals** , extending our reach beyond in-person sessions to families who couldn't attend physically. 



**115** Parents and carers attended the Webinar 







## **Peer Support** 

Following each workshop, YJF established WhatsApp communities to ensure parents and carers remained connected beyond the sessions. 

These groups have become valuable peer support networks where families regularly share advice, recommend local services, celebrate milestones and offer encouragement to one another. 

The groups have also enabled parents to organise community-led initiatives, including local SENDfriendly football sessions, helping children build friendships while creating opportunities for families to connect and reduce isolation. 

By empowering parents to support one another, these communities continue to extend the impact of our workshops long after they have ended. 






## **Research & Insight Work** 

The Yusra Jinaan Foundation continued to strengthen the evidence base for improving support for children with disabilities and their families by collaborating with research partners and contributing to studies focused on reducing health inequalities. 


**During the year, we supported the University of Nottingham's Value US Study, helping to raise awareness and encourage participation among families with lived experience of disability.** 


**We also partnered with the Born in Bradford programme, working alongside the NHS and the Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) Bradford Council to connect local families with research exploring health inequalities.** 


**Through our communication workshop in Bradford, researchers were able to engage directly with parents and carers, share information about the study and encourage participation from communities whose voices are often underrepresented in health research.** 


**Furthermore, we conducted a local area survey in High Wycombe (Autumn 2024), completed by 38 parents and carers, gathering structured data on access to services, leisure activities, mosque inclusion, and financial support, helping shape our ongoing work.** 

By supporting these collaborations, YJF is helping to ensure that the experiences of families raising children with disabilities are represented in research, contributing to better evidence and, ultimately, more inclusive policies and services. 




## **Support Box Project** 


Development work continued on the Support Box Project, with plans for future deployment in healthcare settings. Progress was delayed during the year due to significant staff turnover within the NHS Trusts originally identified to support implementation. 

Despite this, the Foundation remains committed to the project, and funds previously raised for this initiative remain available to support its future implementation and expansion as new partnerships are established. 



## **Partnership Working** 


The Foundation continued to develop relationships with organisations, professionals and community groups working in the disability and family support sectors. 



**Our Chair was invited to join Newlife’s Family Champions Board, to help shape the charity’s services.** 

**The Foundation also participated in the Disabled Children’s Partnership’s national ‘Fight for Ordinary’ campaign which sets out a vision for a reformed SEND system, whilst advocating for the protection of existing legal rights.** 




**02** 


## **7. What Families Told Us** 

Across our workshops, focus groups and community survey, parents and carers consistently described many of the same challenges, regardless of where they lived. While every family's journey was unique, several key themes emerged that will shape Yusra Jinaan Foundation's future work and advocacy. 

## **Navigating Complex Systems** 

**01** 


Parents consistently described education, health and social care systems as difficult to navigate. Many experienced lengthy delays in accessing Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), specialist therapies and appropriate school placements, while others found application processes confusing and overwhelming. Families wanted clearer guidance on their rights, support with appeals and practical help to navigate complex systems with greater confidence. 

## **Emotional Wellbeing and Respite** 

The emotional impact of caring for a child with disabilities was a recurring theme. Parents spoke openly about stress, exhaustion, isolation and feelings of guilt, while many highlighted the lack of accessible respite care. Families explained that even short periods of trusted respite would have a significant impact on their wellbeing. Fathers and siblings were also identified as groups requiring greater emotional support. 

**03** 

## **Inclusion Within Faith and Community** 

Many families felt that mosques and community spaces were not fully equipped to support children with additional needs. Parents called for greater disability awareness, inclusive madrassah (Islamic supplementary school) provision, sensory spaces, trained volunteers and accessible facilities to enable children and families to participate fully in community life. Several participants also highlighted the importance of reducing stigma and improving understanding of disability within faith communities. 

**04** 

## **Access to Information and Specialist Support** 

Parents frequently reported difficulties accessing reliable information about therapies, financial support, legal rights and available services. Language barriers, inconsistent communication from professionals and a lack of culturally appropriate information often prevented families from accessing the support they were entitled to. 

**05** 

## **Building Connected Communities** 

One of the strongest messages throughout the project was the importance of connecting families with one another. Parents valued opportunities to share experiences, exchange practical advice and learn from others facing similar challenges. Many also expressed a desire for inclusive activities, peer support networks and opportunities for children with disabilities to build friendships within their local communities. 




## **8. What We Will Do Next** 

The findings from this project will directly inform the **Yusra Jinaan Foundation's** future programmes and advocacy. Based on what families told us, our priorities include: 


## **Delivering practical workshops** 

Delivering practical workshops on EHCPs, legal rights and financial support. 


## **Developing stronger peer support** 

Developing stronger peer support networks for parents, carers and siblings. 

## **Supporting inclusive communities** 


Supporting mosques and community organisations to become more inclusive through training, sensory spaces and accessible activities. 


## **Expanding opportunities for families** 

Expanding opportunities for respite, holiday provision and inclusive recreational activities. 

## **Working in partnership** 

Continuing to work alongside researchers, healthcare providers and community partners to ensure the voices of families remain at the centre of service design. 






## **9. Case Studies** 



## **Birmingham** 

## **Autism** 

Before the workshop, one parent avoided taking her child to the mosque, worried about judgement and a lack of support. The session's open discussion and cultural sensitivity helped shift her perspective: 

## _**"I was hesitant to take him to the mosque, but now I feel confident."**_ 

She also praised the sensory toys provided during the session: 

## _**"My children loved it."**_ 

## **High Wycombe** 

**Speech delay and communication challenges** 

A mother shared that before attending the workshop, she often found herself frustrated when trying to communicate with her son, which led to difficult interactions between them. Through the workshop, she learned techniques to support his speech development and manage her own responses: 

## _**"I've noticed a shift in how the message lands... I feel happier knowing he's able to register information, and I can keep the momentum going."**_ 

She also described the peer WhatsApp group as a genuine lifeline: 

## _**"Knowing that I'm not alone in my insecurities about my child's disability."**_ 




## **10. Looking Ahead** 



## **YJF will continue to:** 

**1 Parent support Strengthen inclusive faith 2 spaces** 

**3 Develop the Support Box Project** 

**Work with partners to reduce health 4 inequalities experienced by children with disabilities.** 







## **11. Financial Review** 

**For the period** 

**1 October 2024 – 30 September 2025** 

## **Trustees' Report** 

The Trustees present the annual financial statements for the Yusra Jinaan Foundation for the year ended 30 September 2024. The charity has continued its work in accordance with its aims and has managed its funds prudently. 





## **Income Overview** 

**£19,548.93 Total Income** 


**Donations** 100% **Grants (Restricted)** 0% 

## **Balance Summary** 

||**Description**|**Amount (£)**||
|---|---|---|---|
||Opening Balance|57,441.76||
||Surplus This Period|-1437.58||
||**Closing Balance**|**56,004.18**||
|||||
|||||







## **Income and Expenditure Statement** 

|**Description**|**Amount (£)**|
|---|---|
|**INCOME**||
|Donations|19548.93|
|Grants (restricted)|0.00|
|**Total Income**|19,548.93|
|**EXPENDITURE**||
|Costs|20,986.51|
|**Total Expenditure**|**20,986.51**|
|**Net Surplus**|**-1437.58**|



## **Notes to the Accounts** 

**01** 

## **Accounting Basis** 

These accounts are prepared on a receipts and payments basis. 


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## **Income Sources:** 

Income was entirely from donations in this accounting period. Donations were partly from a focused LaunchGood fundraising campaign and partly from regular monthly donations. Note that a restricted grant from Islamic Relief UK was partially received in the previous reporting period for the Communication workshop project and the remainder of the sum was due in the next accounting period. 

## **Expenditure:** 

The mainstay of the charity expenditure was toward the National Communication Workshop Project which was delivered in this period. This was budgeted for and covered by the Islamic Relief Grant. The remainder of expenditure was related to registration costs with the Information Commissioner Office, the Fundraising regulator and registered address fees. 




**04** 

## **Banking** 


Funds were held in a Lloyds Clubs and Societies current account and £5000 was held in a newly set up NatWest Charity Account both in the name of the Yusra Jinaan Foundation. 

**05** 

## **Reserves Policy** 

The charity continues to retain adequate reserves to ensure financial sustainability of its mission. 

## **Trustee Declaration** 

The above accounts have been approved by the Trustees and are signed on their behalf. 

## **Name of Trustee: _______________________________________** 

**Signature: _____________________________________________** 

**Date: __________________________________________________** 









## **THANK YOU** 

To all the families, partners, mosques, volunteers and donors - Thank you for standing with us and helping bring ease to the lives of children with disabilities and ther families. 


**@yusrajinaan** 

**hello@yusrajinaan.org www.yusrajinaan.org 0300 302 0087** 

**Registered with**