## **OpenDoors 4U CIO** **Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts Charity Number:** 1202532 **Financial Year Ending:** 5 May 2025 **Prepared by:** Valerie Simms, Trustee **Date:** 12 March 2026 ## **1. Cover Note – Late Submission Explanation** Dear Charity Commission, Please find attached the Trustees’ Annual Report and Nil Accounts for OpenDoors 4U CIO for the financial year ending 5 May 2025. ## **Reason for Late Submission** OpenDoors 4U CIO is a newly established charity, operating primarily through volunteers and inkind support. Due to circumstances beyond our control, including the ongoing setup of a charity bank account and securing a qualified accountant, we were unable to complete and submit our Annual Return by the original deadline. We have now prepared the Trustees’ Annual Report and Nil Accounts and are putting procedures in place to ensure future returns are submitted on time. ## **Activities and Public Benefit** During this period, the charity continued to provide workshops, arts activities, and community support for children and young people with learning disabilities and additional needs through volunteer support and partnerships with community organisations. OpenDoors 4U CIO has been supported by Arts Diverse-City, RoseBank Doctors Surgery Community Centre, The Venture (The Vibe Youth Centre), and we are developing future partnership work with Gloucestershire Gateway Trust, who now run the local children’s centres. We confirm the charity continues to operate for public benefit and in accordance with its charitable objectives. Signed on behalf of the Trustees, ## **Valerie Simms** Chair & Trustee 12 March 2026 ## **2. Trustees’ Annual Report** ## **Administrative Details** Charity Name: OpenDoors 4U CIO - Charity Number: 1202532 - Charity Structure: Charitable Incorporated Organisation (Foundation) Date of Registration: 29 March 2023 Registered Address: 1 Alvin Street, Gloucester, GL1 3EJ ## **Trustees during the period:** - Valerie Simms – Chair - Jennie Rutheva Watkins – Trustee - Philip McCormick – Trustee - Lloyd Gordon MCIAT – Trustee - **Resigned Trustee:** Dorcas Nzuzi Raphael ## **Structure, Governance and Management** OpenDoors 4U CIO is governed by its CIO Constitution registered with the Charity Commission on 29 March 2023. Trustees are responsible for governance and management, ensuring operations follow the charitable objectives and public benefit requirements. The charity is currently: - Seeking additional trustees - Seeking a qualified accountant - In the process of opening a charity bank account ## **Charitable Objects and Public Benefit** ## **Objects:** The relief of those in need by reason of disability, including those with learning disabilities, and their families and carers, for the public benefit in the United Kingdom, in particular but not exclusively through the provision of services, support, recreational facilities, access to the arts, advice and social events. ## **Public Benefit Activities:** - Arts and creative workshops - Cultural and heritage activities - Social and recreational opportunities - Support for families and carers - Activities promoting inclusion, confidence, and wellbeing Activities are free or low cost and accessible to children and young people with learning disabilities and additional needs. ## **History, Support and Partnerships** OpenDoors 4U evolved from the **Down With The Kids Project** , supporting young people with additional learning needs. ## **Partnerships & Support:** - Arts Diverse-City – in-kind support and guidance - RoseBank Doctors Surgery Community Centre – space for Friday workshops - The Venture (The Vibe Youth Centre) – partnership working - Developing future work with Gloucestershire Gateway Trust ## **Grants & Awards:** - 2022 – £5,000 UnLtd grant for workshop materials - 2024 – £500 Rotary Community Awards grant The charity works within Linden and Moreland wards in Gloucester, supporting young people who are out of education, waiting for EHCP assessments, or in hospital. ## **Activities During the Year** - Weekly Friday workshops during term time - Monthly Afro Arts sessions - Arts, music, drama, and cultural activities - Community events and partnership work - Support for children and young people with learning disabilities - Family and community engagement These activities were delivered through volunteers and in-kind support. ## **Financial Review** - Income: £0 - Expenditure: £0 - Bank Account: In process of being opened The charity operated through volunteer support and in-kind contributions. Funding applications are ongoing, including Barnwood Trust and National Lottery. ## **Future Plans** - Develop Youth Empowerment Hub - Expand arts, music, drama, and heritage programmes - Work with Gloucestershire Gateway Trust - Continue workshops and community outreach - Recruit additional trustees - Open charity bank account - Secure funding and grants - Support more children and young people with learning disabilities ## **Declaration** The trustees declare that they have approved this report and confirm that OpenDoors 4U CIO continues to operate in accordance with its charitable objectives and for public benefit. Signed: **Valerie Simms – Chair & Trustee** Date: 12 March 2026 ## **3. Receipts and Payments Accounts (Nil Accounts)** **Financial Year Ending 5 May 2025** ## **Receipts** ||**Income**
**Amount (£)**
Donations
0
Grants
0
Fundraising
0
Other Income
0
**Total Receipts**
0| |---|---| ## **Payments** ||**Expenditure**
**Amount (£)**
Workshop Costs
0
Materials
0
Administration
0
Events
0
Other Expenses
0
**Total Payments**
0| |---|---| ## **Balance Carried Forward: £0** ## **Notes:** During this financial period the charity did not operate a bank account and had no financial transactions. Activities were delivered through volunteers and in-kind support. ## **Trustee Declaration:** The trustees confirm that these accounts are accurate and prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011. Signed: **Valerie Simms – Chair & Trustee** Date: 12 March 2026 ## **4. Optional Comments (for Charity Commission online)** OpenDoors 4U CIO continues to develop services supporting children and young people with learning disabilities and additional needs through arts, culture, and community activities. During this period the charity operated through volunteers and in-kind support while establishing governance and partnerships. Workshops and activities were delivered through partnership working with Arts Diverse-City, RoseBank Community Centre and The Venture (The Vibe Youth Centre). Children’s Centres are now run by Gloucestershire Gateway Trust and OpenDoors 4U is developing partnership work with them. Demand for services has increased, particularly from young people out of education, waiting for EHCP assessments, and families needing inclusive activities and support. The charity is currently opening a bank account, recruiting trustees, and applying for funding to expand services and develop a Youth Empowerment Hub.