2024-04-05-accounts - Info Latinos

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Info Latinos

Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements

for the year ending 5 April 2024

Administrative details

Charity Number: 1202483 Company Number: CE031812

Registered address: 18 Steward House 8 Trevithick Way London E3 3GE

Trustees at the time of submission and for the duration of the year: Ivonne Cantu - Chair (appointed 24 March 2023) Maria Ernestina Ferrey Maturana (appointed 24 March 2023) James Martin (appointed 24 March 2023) Nancy Caroline Rivera Connor (appointed 24 March 2023)

Independent Examiner: Accountability Europe Ltd Omnibus Workspace 39-41 North Road London N7 9DP

Bankers:

National Westminster Bank Plc Liverpool St Station (B)

Chatham Customer Service Centre Western Avenue Waterside Court Chatham Maritime Chatham ME4 4RT

Report of the Trustees for the year ended 5 April 2024

Info Latinos presents its first report and financial statement for the charity’s year ended 5th April 2024.

Info Latinos is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), registered with the Charity Commission.

The charity’s objects are:

The promotion of social inclusion of primarily but not exclusively Latin Americans, for the public benefit in the United Kingdom, who are socially excluded on the grounds of their immigration

status and social and economic position. This may include providing an inter-cultural buddying scheme; opportunities to build connections and relationships with UK residents and citizens to build self-worth and confidence, English language and employability skill building workshops and promoting cultural diversity in communities in the UK.

Mission and objectives

Our vision is to build an inclusive, fair and equal society where migrants can integrate faster and reach their full potential.

Our mission is to support disadvantaged migrants in the UK (predominantly but not exclusively Latin Americans) to integrate faster and reach their full potential.

We do this through a community platform that empowers individuals, including by offering advice, a buddying and mentoring scheme, coaching and networking.

We have a theory of change in place which we use to track the following:

Outputs: website reach (number of site visits), programme participants; volunteers; volunteer matches, advice sessions, coaching sessions, networking events.
Outcomes: improved confidence in English; sense of community and belonging; improved CV or better job; clearer goals in the UK; sustained relationship with volunteer mentor.
Impact: supporting disadvantaged migrants in the UK (predominantly but not exclusively Latin Americans) to integrate faster and reach their full potential.

We are in our fourth year of operation and first as a CIO and registered with the Charity Commission.

Activities in 23/24:

● Info Latinos ran 2 cohorts (cohorts 5 and 6) with 54 participants supported by 50 trained and supported volunteers who delivered the charity's programme to participants.

● Volunteers also acted as an important intermediary - signposting participants to receive additional support as and when they needed it. This included employment support, emotional wellbeing and access to local services.

● Our volunteers came from a range of backgrounds and we focused on recruiting bilingual English/Spanish volunteers - where possible with lived experience of the challenges participants faced.

Our values:

Anti-racist and inclusive

· We are actively anti-racist and inclusive, working intentionally to welcome and serve people from all backgrounds and identities

We are respectful, we treat others as they would want to be treated
We work together, we involve and we consult
Impact oriented
We ensure that what we do makes a real difference
We are proactive and solutions-focused

Empowering

We are empowering, we support others to achieve their goals
We are people-led, we listen and are responsive to the needs of our community

Quotes and stories:

“Volunteering with Info Latinos has helped me maintain a level of fluency in Spanish and connect with an amazing community. The conversations with each buddy have been unique and insightful. It doesn't take much to support a Latino as they transition to the UK!” Info Latinos volunteer

Fabby, a young Colombian based in Scotland, was frustrated at not being able to secure a stable job for 3 years and applying to countless jobs with no response. We connected her to the civil service, helped her work on her cover letters and prepared her for the interview. She also attended one of our group coaching sessions. Fabby now works at the Department for Work and Pensions as Learning and Delivery Officer, and is a volunteer in our current cohort, supporting a Venezuelan keen to get into the UK Civil Service too.

“When I first arrived in the UK my English was very basic, I was studying online and working as a cleaner while I finished my studies. I came across Info Latinos which was - and remains - an important and useful community for me - giving me access to a buddy, mentoring, coaching and a social network. I got a job in reception at a charity then moved to the area of immigration support. I’m now taking my legal exams to requalify in the UK and giving back to Info Latinos by supporting others needing immigration and career pathway advice.” Info Latinos programme participant

“ Coming from Bolivia and having been in the UK for a couple of years, I wanted to help others feel welcome, and support them in their transition to the UK. When I think of Info Latinos I think of the saying: “A problem shared is a problem halved.” My mentee and I have built a very nice relationship and it’s been very rewarding seeing her adapt more and more to her life in the UK. I can definitely see how much progress she’s made and how her attitude has changed. She’s much more motivated now and appreciative of the little things of her new life here in the UK.” Info Latinos volunteer

Participants data: Demographics, Refugee status, Country of origin and location.


Demographics	Cohort 5	Cohort 6
Number	27	27
Age	28-60	35-60
Gender	Female 20 Male 7	Female 17 Male 10
Countries of origin	Colombia (10) Ecuador (6) Peru (4) Bolivia (2) El Salvador (2) Honduras(2) Nicaragua (1).	Colombia (9) Ecuador (6) El Salvador (5) Peru (3) Honduras (2) Nicaragua (1) Brazil (1).
Refugee Status	4	9
Living in London	18	16

Volunteers Data: Demographics, Country of origin and location.


Demographics	Cohort 5	Cohort 6
Number	26	24
Gender	Female 17 Male 9	Female 17 Male 7
Support one-to-one	648 hrs	648 hrs
Events Participation	28 hrs	66 hrs
Living in London	14	13
Latinos Helping back	2	5

Integration Success Metrics:

Participants enrolling in further studies or training after IL support : 3
Participants improving opportunities and changing jobs after IL support: 5
Participants finding jobs through IL network: 2

Partnerships and Collaborations

Referrals:

FEWP : Cohorts 5 and 6 (4 participants)

Breaking Barriers: Cohorts 5 and 6 (1 participant, 1 volunteer)

Care for Calais (1 participant)

Collaboration:

Micro Rainbow: Cohorts 5 and 6 (1 participant)

Sessions and events

Cohort 5: Online Sessions (1 hour per session) 5 Meetups (2 hours per session) 4

Life in multicultural Britain
Coaching session 1. Setting Goals
Coaching session 2: Overcoming your self-saboteur
CV Session
Pathways Session

Cohort 6: Online Sessions (1 hour per session) 8 Meetups (2,5 hours per session) 6

Learning zones (online sessions and new website content):

Multicultural Britain
Reaching your goals
Asylum seekers
Setting up a business
English learning tips
Managing my finances in the UK
Homesickness
Career pathways and CV

Website reach: 750 people have used our website in the past year (1257 site sessions)

Mailing list: 358 contacts

At the end of cohort 6, our survey found the following:

Participants:

87% improved confidence in English
80% better sense of community and belonging
73% better knowledge to get a better job

Volunteers:

70% felt part of a community
53% increased their knowledge of another culture

Public Benefit:

The trustees confirm that they have referred to the Charity Commission’s published guidance on the Public Benefit requirement under the Charities Act 2011 when reviewing Info Latinos’ aims and objectives and in planning future activities. The Trustees consider that Info Latinos’ activities are for the benefit of the public generally.

Organisational Structure:

The charity is run and managed by the two co-founders. Their work is overseen by the Board who is responsible for governing and directing the organisation ensuring that Info Latinos carries out its purpose for the public benefit. The Board consists of four trustees who attend at least four meetings a year. The charity's trustees were initially recruited by the organisation's two founders bringing together individuals with complementary skills and experience and an interest and understanding of the mission and purpose of the organisation. Two out of the four Trustees have been involved from the inception of the organisation as members of an advisory board which was a precursor to the current Board.

All trustees received an induction folder containing key information about the charity. Going forward new trustees will be appointed by existing trustees and positions will be advertised publicly and candidates interviewed for the position.

The organisation currently has three freelance members of staff, including the two co-founders who act as CEO and Programme Director, delivering work on a project basis. The programme and mentoring is delivered by volunteers.

Our areas of focus for 2024/25 are:

1) Core programme : continuing to run 2 cohorts per year engaging & supporting 100 participants and volunteers; strengthen our safeguarding, segment and strengthen our mentoring, monthly goal setting workshops and monthly meet-ups; better nurture, develop and recognise the work of our volunteers; support participants individually and signpost them to additional support as and when they need it.
2) Income and support: mapping our USP and focus on three fundraising streams (corporate, grants, and community) to raise at least £15,000 of unrestricted funding.

3) Strategic development: identify partnerships to amplify our impact e.g. with a life coaching school and a business incubator for start-ups
4) Marketing and communications: grow our online presence and reach; produce our first impact report and newsletter

Financial Review

Total incoming resources for the year 6 April 2023 to 5 April 2024 amounted to £43,391. The resources expended amounted to £10,779. This results in cash funds at year end of £32,612 (most funds raised came in at the end of the financial year and will be spent in 2024-25).

It is an objective of the Trustees to gradually build a financial reserve to provide sustainability for the future. The trustees have been particularly aware of building this up given the current cost of living crisis and its impact on the charity sector.

Info Latinos aims to build a minimum financial reserve to allow the charity's operations to continue in the event of unforeseen circumstances. The appropriate amount is determined by trustees and reviewed each year but aims to be 12 months of operating costs with a minimum of 6 months.

Funding

Info Latinos is funded primarily through grants from Trusts and Foundations and companies. In 2023/24 we raised grants from the British Red Cross, Local Giving (Postcode Lottery), Treebeard Trust and the National Lottery Community Fund.

Info Latinos would also like to take this opportunity to thank some of its previous funders Including Benchmark Holdings plc and the National Lottery Community Fund, who supported the organisation in its first years.

Statement of a Trustees’ responsibilities

Law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charity's financial activities during the period and of its financial position at the end of the period. ln preparing financial statements giving a true and fair view, the Trustees should follow best practice and:

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

● state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards and statements of recommended practice 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 business.

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. 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.

The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Approved by the Trustees on 10 May 2024 and signed on their behalf by:

Ivonne Cantu (Trustee)

	Charity Name: INFO LATINOS	Charity Name: INFO LATINOS	Charity Name: INFO LATINOS	No (if any) 1202483	CC16a
	Receipts and payments accounts
	For the period from	06/04/2023 Period start date	To	Period end 05/04/2024

Section A Receipts and payments
A1 Receipts	Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ 19,940 10,000 - 8,451 - - -	Restricted funds to the nearest £ - - 5,000 - - - -	Endowment funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - -	Total funds to the nearest £	Last year to the nearest £
National Lottery Community Fund	19,940	-	-	19,940	-
Treebeard Trust	10,000	-	-	10,000	-
British Red Cross	-	5,000	-	5,000	-
Other	8,451	-	-	8,451	-
	-	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-
*Sub total(Gross income for AR)*	38,391	5,000	-	43,391	-
	-	-	-
A2 Asset and investment sales,
	-	-	-	-	-
*Sub total*	-	-	-	-	-
*Total receipts* A3 Payments
	38,391	5,000	-	43,391	-
	5,779 - - - - -	5,000 - - - - -	- - - - -
Project Costs (Including staffing, volunteer, activites & running costs)	5,779	5,000	-	10,779
	-	-	-	-
	-	-		-
	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-
*Sub total*	5,779	5,000	-	10,779	-
	- -	- -	- -
A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table)
	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-
*Sub total*	-	-	-	-	-
*Total payments* *Net of receipts/(payments)* A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end *Cash funds this year end*
	5,779	5,000	-	10,779	-

	32,612	-	-	32,612	-
	-	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-	-
	32,612	-	-	32,612	-

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period	Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period	Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B5 Liabilities B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B3 Investment assets B2 Other monetary assets B1 Cash funds	Signature Details Details Details Details *Total cash funds* (agree balances with receipts Details	Unrestricted to nearest £ 32,612 - -	Restricted to nearest £ - - -	Endowment funds to nearest £
		32,612		-
		-		-
		-		-
		32,612	-	-
		OK OK Unrestricted Restricted to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - - - - Print Name Ivonne Cantu		OK
				Endowment funds to nearest £
				-
				-
				-
				-
				Current value (optional)
				-
				-
				-
				-
				Current value (optional)
				-
				-
				-
				-
				When due (optional)





				Date of approval
				10 May 2024

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Charity Name INFO LATINOS	Charity Name INFO LATINOS	Charity Name INFO LATINOS

05.04.2024	Charity no (if any)	1202483

9-10
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity for the year ended 05/04/2024. As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed: Name: Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address:		13/05/2024

	Aamer Shehzad

	FCA

	Accountability Europe Ltd
	Omnibus Workspace, 39-41 North Road
	London, N7 9DP