## **Community Impact & Trustees’ Report** ## **Gjurme Iliriane Albanian Heritage Club** ## **1205201** ## **Reporting period:** ## 13 October 2023 – 13 March 2025 ## **Who We Are** We are a grassroots Albanian heritage charity created by the community, for the community. The charity was founded and developed entirely by six local trustees, supported by 18 volunteers, all of whom live locally and share a commitment to preserving Albanian language, culture, and heritage for our children. Our work supports over 114 children from Albanian ethnic backgrounds across the London Borough of Richmond and surrounding areas. ## **Our Purpose** Our aim is simple but vital: To advance cultural education for the public benefit by providing Albanian language, history, culture, tradition, and heritage through our charity organisation Gjurme Iliriane. We believe that when children understand their roots, they grow with confidence, pride, and a strong sense of belonging. ## **Our Community Outreach** Community outreach is at the heart of everything we do. Trustees and volunteers worked closely with families, parents, and community members to understand local needs and to ensure our school was welcoming, inclusive, and accessible. Outreach activities included: - Direct engagement with families and parents - Community events and cultural celebrations - Word-of-mouth support within the Albanian community This approach helped us reach families who may not otherwise access cultural education and ensured that our services reflect the voices of our community. ## **Gjurmë Iliriane Albanian Heritage Club** Our club provides: - Albanian language learning, - Albanian history and heritage education, - Cultural traditions, crafts, music, and storytelling, - Opportunities to connect with their identity and community, Children learn not only academic skills, but also confidence, pride, and a sense of belonging to both their heritage and the wider society. ## **Safeguarding and Children’s Wellbeing** The safety and wellbeing of children is our highest priority. During this period: - Trustees and volunteers undertook safeguarding training - Clear safeguarding procedures were introduced and followed - All adults involved understand their responsibility to protect children and create a safe learning environment We are committed to continually reviewing and improving our safeguarding practices to ensure children and families feel safe, supported, and respected. ## **Investing in Our Volunteers and Teaching Team** As a community-led organisation, our people are our greatest strength. We actively invest in the development and wellbeing of our volunteers and teaching staff by: - Providing training opportunities, including safeguarding and child-centred learning - Encouraging shared learning and mentoring between volunteers - Creating a supportive environment where everyone feels valued and included This investment helps build confidence, skills, and long-term commitment, ensuring high-quality support for our children. ## **Learning Together as a New Charity** As a new grassroots organisation, we learned as we progressed. Trustees, volunteers, and teachers developed systems, policies, and teaching approaches together through collaboration and shared knowledge. This journey strengthened our teamwork and reinforced our belief that community-led solutions are powerful and sustainable. ## **Funding and Resources** Our main income came from grant funding, which allowed us to: - Cover rent for learning spaces - Purchase educational resources - Invest in ethnic and cultural materials such as traditional crafts, flags and costumes. These resources helped create a rich, engaging learning experience that connects children to their heritage in a meaningful way. ## **Building Belonging and Identity** Everything we do is rooted in belonging. Through language, culture, and shared experiences, children develop a strong sense of identity while feeling proud of who they are and where they come from. Families tell us that the school has helped their children feel more confident, connected, and engaged with their heritage. ## **Looking Ahead** Our future priorities include: - Continuing to support and grow Gjurmë Iliriane - Expanding opportunities for children and families - Further training and development for volunteers and staff - Strengthening partnerships within the wider community We remain committed to growing carefully, sustainably, and always in line with the needs of our community. ## **Thank You** We thank our children, families, volunteers, trustees, and funders for believing in our vision and helping us build more resilient, inclusive and dynamic community for the future generation on ethnic Albanian people in the UK. ## **Signed on behalf of Trustees** Sanda Eglite Trustee 10 January 2025 ## **Gjurmë Iliriane Management Accounts** _**13 Oct 2023 - 13 March 2025**_ |**Income**|**Description**|| |---|---|---| |grant|Awards for All|£10,000.00| |grant|Tesco StrongStart Grant|£1,000.00| |grant|Richmond Council CommunityGrant|£5,000.00| |donations|Crowdfunder Campaing|£970.00| |**Total Income**||**£16,970.00**| |**Expenditure**||| |**Expenditure**||| |**Staff Costs**||| |Teachers|6 teachers|£4,820.00| |Volunteer expenses|18 volunteers|£820.00| |DBS fees||£504.00| |Project manager|done as volunteer|£0.00| ||**Total staff costs**|**£6,144.00**| |||| |**Lessons Costs**||| |Workshopresouces|vistingauthor workshop|£49.50| |Consumables e.g. art resources,fabrics,|craft supplies|£932.40| ||**Total lessons costs**|**£981.90**| |||| |**Overheads Costs**||| |Venue hire|rent|£5,500.00| |Print/Post/Stationery|certificates & workbookphotos|£1,049.94| |Phone/internet||£270.00| |Public LiabilityInsurance||£146.30| |Book keepingand accountsprep|done as volunteer|£0.00| |General office expenses,refrehments||£1,340.00| |**Total Overheads **|**Total overheads costs**|**£8,306.24**| |||| |**Total Income**||**£16,970.00**| |**Total Expenditure**||**£15,432.14**| |**Operating Surplus/(Deficit)**||**£1,537.86**|