The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2022.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
Structure, governance and objectives
The charity is a company limited by guarantee not having a share capital and is registered as a charity.
The objects of the charity, as set out in its memorandum, are:
To advance the education of the public, and in particular young people at primary and secondary school level, by:
a. the study of and enquiry into acts of terrorism, conflict, extremism and radicalisation;
b. promoting good citizenship and the development of young people as responsible citizens as members of their local, national and international communities.
The perpetual care and maintenance of one or more public works of art relating to, or to honour all those who lost their lives in, the terrorist attacks on New York City on 11 September 2001.
Promotion of such other purposes being exclusively charitable according to the law of England and Wales as the trustees may from time to time determine.
Activities
The focus of the charity during the year was:
·The continuation of existing educational programme for UK schools to enable children to gain an understanding of the events, causes and consequences of 9/11
·The continuation of the charity’s outreach programme and working with various schools, local authorities and programme providers to provide workshops to schools.
·Continuing to keep the 9/11 artwork, “Since 9/11” at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
·Using the 20th anniversary and the release of the UCL Institute of Education report as a focal point to create a new strategy for the future of the charity.
After the twentieth anniversary event held in September 2021 and the simultaneous release of the UCL Institute of Education report, the Trustees of SINCE 9/11 used the renewed interest in the subject matter as a point to begin work on a new strategy for the charity, building upon what came before and looking towards the future.
Consultant, Joe Hayman, was brought in to work alongside Trustees to establish this new strategy by reviewing the current position of the charity and its potential. This work looked at all elements of the charity and resulted in several key recommendations being made and approved by the board, most notably a refined role for a new Charity Director, of which recruitment began in Autumn 2022.
Achievements and performance
Education programme
The education programme had one key area of activity in the year:
Reviewing the UCL Institute of Education report that aimed to improve our understanding of how schools are engaging with the teaching of Fundamental British Values and addressing extremism of all kinds. This report was crucial to the renewed strategy of the charity
As previously reported, the 9/11 education programme was launched in September 2011. The launch was the culmination of an extensive research period during which teachers, students and educational experts took part in workshops, surveys, focus groups and meetings. The research, which was conducted on behalf of the Institute of Education (one of our education partners), showed that student understanding of 9/11 was very limited, and that there was a need and a willingness to teach and learn about the events of 9/11, the causes and the ongoing impact.
The education resources are freely available to all through the SINCE 9/11 website and are designed to be used within five subjects: Art & Design, English & Drama, History, RE and Citizenship.
The resources are aimed at teachers and comprise lesson plans, factsheet and worksheets, and supporting information. The website also provides guidance on how to teach the topic, an interactive timeline, and image and video resources.
However, since the inception of the education programme the requirements placed on schools have changed significantly and some of the materials needed to be updated. To take into account an ever-changing subject resources have, therefore, continued to be improved and refined in line with the duty and needs of the education sector, as well as to take into account more recent global events.
Consequently, the world acclaimed UCL Institute of Education commissioned their report (as noted above) which was published to coincide with twentieth anniversary of 9/11 and, following consultation with them and the Department for Education updated the materials mentioned, which are now available to all secondary schools.
Artwork
Throughout the reporting period, we have also maintained the SINCE 9/11 artwork in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Through the funds donated we have been able to continue to support the necessary maintenance and insurance for the structure as well as disseminating leaflets within the Olympic Park to raise awareness of this commemorative piece.
Staffing and trustee membership
During the year, the charity operated with one part-time staff member.
Funding
During the year, donations of some £138,925 (2021: £75,837) were received to fund the charity’s activities, mainly from individuals. The trustees are grateful to the charity’s supporters for these generous gifts.
Following its formation, the foundation raised significant funds, which were applied to create the educational resources and to fund the creation of the artwork. The funds balance at 30 September 2022 is £174,938 (2021 : £129,176).
It is the policy of the trustees to retain sufficient funds in reserves to meet immediate and expected future commitments. The foundation does not enter into commitments to provide long term funding or support due to its dependence on the donations made to it. The level of reserves as at 30 September 2022 were modest, but acceptable, and subsequent to the year end, the charity has raised sufficient funds to enable it to meet its obligations as they fall due.
Risk management
The trustees have a risk management strategy which comprises:
an annual review of the principal risks and uncertainties that the charity faces;
the establishment of policies, systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified in the annual review ; and
the implementation of procedures designed to minimise or manage any potential impact on the charity should those risks materialise.
This work has identified that financial sustainability is the major financial risk for the charity, including the risk to the economy generally from the effect of Covid-19.
Future plans
By means of its FREE Education Programme, the charity will continue to focus on teaching the events, causes and consequences of 9/11 and subsequent similar atrocities in an attempt to create a better, peaceful and harmonious future.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year (or who were appointed after the year end) were:
The trustees confirm that they have had regard to the Charity Commission’s published guidance on public benefit.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report on the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2022, which are set out on pages 5 to 9.
The charity’s trustees, who are also the directors of Since 9/11 for the purposes of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:
examine the financial statements under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the next statement.
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and
to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities;
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Since 9/11 is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Botanic House, 100 Hills Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 1PH.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016).
At the time of approving the accounts, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus, the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts.
Unrestricted funds are those available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the charitable objects, unless the funds have been restricted.
Restricted funds comprise amounts which have been restricted in some way when receivable for specific purposes. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the accounts.
Voluntary income comprises donations and the gift aid reclaimed in relation to donations. Donations are credited to the Statement of Financial Activities on a receipts basis.
Expenses are included in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accrual basis. Liabilities are recognised as resources are expended as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates.
Where directly incurred, resources expended are allocated to either cost of generating funds, charitable activities or to governance costs. Indirect costs are classified as support costs and are apportioned to the various activities based on the estimated time spent by staff on the relevant activities.
Governance costs are those costs incurred in complying with legal and statutory obligations.
Education workshops
Artwork and similar cost
Event cost
Office cost
Wages and salaries
Governance costs includes independent examiner fees of £1,900 plus VAT (2021- £1,850 plus VAT).
None of the trustees received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.
The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxationof Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.
During the year the charity received donations from trustees of £27,500 (2021 - £55,000).
The charity had no debt during the year.