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2021-03-31-accounts

Gateshead Visible Ethnic Minorities Support Group (Registered Charity No. 1008100)

Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 March 2021

Registered Charity No. 1008100

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Contents

Title Page
Legal and Administrative Information 2
Trustees Annual Report 4-12
Independent Examiners Report 13
Statement of Financial Activities 14
Balance Sheet 15
Notes to the Accounts 16-20

Registered Charity No. 1008100

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Legal and Administrative Information

Name: Gateshead Visible Ethnic Minorities Support Group Charity No: 1008100 Principal Address: 89 Salcombe Gardens Low Fell GATESHEAD Tyne & Wear NE9 6UD Trustees: Councillor Martin Gannon (President) Mr Ashok Kumar (Chair) Mr A Singh Gill MBE (Vice Chair) Mr Fahim Manzur (Treasurer) Manjit Singh Dhindsa (Secretary) Michael Harte Birinder Singh Brar Angela Singh Governing Document: 2 November 1991, and is unincorporated. Bankers: HSBC plc 110 Grey Street Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 3JG Independent Examiner: Kate Tully FMAAT FICE AATQB 20 Ennerdale Crescent Winlaton Blaydon on Tyne NE21 6PS

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Trustees Annual Report

Objects:

To undertake activities which help individuals and groups to understand and learn about different cultures and to support them in their efforts to overcome ignorance, language barriers, disadvantage, prejudice and racism. We undertake a variety of activities and events to fulfill our vision of creating a multi-cultural all-inclusive community.

Achievements: Our Work:

Gateshead Visible Ethnic Minorities Support Group works with and for disadvantaged and marginalised Black Asian and Minority Ethnic, asylum seeker and refugee communities who face barriers on many levels, including personal, family, community and wider social and institutional contexts, and are at risk of isolation and exclusion. Through the work we deliver we support all communities in making representation to service providers and ensure they have equal access to the services they provide; we provide an opportunity for communities to raise issues of concern and take positive action; and develop effective links between organisations and other associations operating in the area, on matters of common concern.

Our projects contribute to strengthening the Minority Ethnic voluntary infrastructure through high quality activity, training and development, and capacity building.

Overall our projects increase community engagement amongst those who are at risk of exclusion and isolation, combating racism and discrimination, helping to strengthen community cohesion, and go towards achieving a reduction in race inequalities.

Through providing access to engaging, high quality activity, including training, educational and cultural activities, led by professional practitioners, support workers and volunteers, our programmes aim to provide our beneficiaries with the opportunity to:

We work in partnership with Gateshead Council, Northumbria Police, Community Safety Team, NHS, Public Health, Gateshead Carers, local schools, Citizens Advice Gateshead, Gateshead Interfaith Forum, Gateshead housing services, and Leisure/Cultural Services

In 2020/21 we have supported, engaged and worked with over 4000 people from across all age ranges, faith communities and ethnicities

2020/21 – Activities & Achievements:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on 23[rd] March 2020 the Prime Minister announces the first lockdown in the UK, ordering people to “stay at home”. This would have a profound effect on our local communities, society as a whole, and how our charity operates, engages with communities and delivers services.

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All face to face delivery within community and formal education settings was no longer possible. This meant that our regular Wednesday Drop in sessions, Feel Good Group, Lunch Clubs, Cricket Club, education, volunteering, Arts, Health and Wellbeing sessions were no longer able to take place at Bensham Grove Community Centre. As a result, from 1[st] April 2020 our Community Development Worker; and GemArts Projects Manager and Projects Assistant/Admin were furloughed. The charity claimed monthly from the Governments Job Retention Scheme. As from 1[st] September 2020 GemArts Projects Manager and Projects Assistant/Admin worked 2 days per week and furloughed for the rest. GemArts Director remained working full time throughout.

Our annual Vaisakhi, Diwali, Eid, Christmas and Mini Mela events, which we have been delivering in the Gateshead for the last 30 years, for the first time all had to be cancelled.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted Black Asian and Minority Ethnic communities and has amplified racial and health inequalities. With people from Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority communities 4.2 times more likely to die from Covid-19. We know that many people from our Minority Ethnic communities are feeling even more isolated, lonely, worried and vulnerable, which is having a negative effect on their physical, mental and social health and wellbeing.

Our organisation supports and works with some of the most vulnerable Minority Ethnic and wider communities and we have continued to do so during this COVID pandemic and adapted our delivery to meet the needs of our communities.

Befriending and Advice Service - As we could no longer deliver in person advice and support sessions at Bensham Grove we started to offer a telephone befriending and translation and interpretation service via Gateshead voluntary sector directory to Minority Ethnic communities and working in partnership with other local charities to give support and advice to those most in need.

Multi-Language Videos - To ensure that communities were accessing correct and up to date messaging Gateshead Visible Ethnic Minorities Support Group/GemArts worked very early on in the crisis in partnership with Gateshead Council and Connected Voice HAREF to create multi language Covid19 advice videos with our volunteers. Languages included Kurdish, French, Arabic and Farsi https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/15692/Multi-language-coronavirus-advice-videos-for-Gatesheadcommunities

We had fantastic feedback from communities, public, voluntary and cultural sector partners. The videos have been shared widely from our and partner social media platforms. They have been such a success that Gateshead Citizens Advice and Gateshead Council requested us to create some new videos with our volunteers to sign post vulnerable minority ethnic communities to additional support and help in Gateshead. We created 8 additional videos with our volunteers in Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Bengali, - - Kurdish, French, Arabic and Farsi. https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/15787/Multi language coronavirus-advice-how-to-access-support

Food Deliveries – starting in mid-April 2020 to January 2021 every Friday from Elgin Community Kitchen, based in Deckham worked with our amazing volunteers to cook hot vegetarian Indian meals and deliver fresh vegetable and fruit (donated by Fare Share) to vulnerable families and individuals in Gateshead. These were open to any vulnerable households as well as Minority Ethnic families.

Initially when we started the Indian hot meals we were cooking and delivering 40 per week. The demand increased very quickly to 100 per week as families faced food poverty. We also received referrals from local schools via their Family Support Workers during the summer holidays. Our charity was able to upscale and build capacity to meet this demand through funding from Gateshead Council and Community Foundation COVID19 Emergency Fund. International students from the Indian sub-continent also benefited from our food deliveries, as they were also facing hardship as they could no longer work in their part time jobs which subsidised their living expenses as all businesses were closed. We also delivered to key workers in local schools and care homes.

Our volunteers would check up on families and older people when delivering the food and communicate important information in a range of languages for those that needed, or just chat on the doorstep and find

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out if they needed any other help. Many older people and families, especially those who were shielding, were hugely grateful for the personal contact as they were feeling very lonely at that time, and particularly during the cold and dark winter months.

We delivered more than 3600 hot food deliveries and packages benefiting some of the most vulnerable and isolated people from Black Asian and Ethnic Minority communities in Gateshead, including South Asian, Syrian, Afghan, Kurdish, Iranian, African, refugees, and those seeking asylum and wider communities, without which many would be left struggling, hungry, and malnourished, ill informed, lonely, withdrawn, and impoverished. Especially, in cases where individuals have no recourse to public funds and cannot receive financial support from the Council, Government, public body, and some charities.

Collaborating with Gateshead Council and Public Health: Staff completed all Gateshead Covid Champions Training modules and have also been delivering Covid Champion Training to people and groups from local Minority Ethnic Communities in Gateshead. In addition, we have continued to work with Gateshead Council and Public Health to create culturally appropriate and relevant resources and information, including translated materials in several languages, to recruit more champions from Minority Ethnic communities. We have been able to create a safe environment where people with lived experience, and those facing cultural, social and economic barriers, can discuss with their communities’ legitimate concerns about the vaccine without stifling debate, and to challenge misinformation and receive reliable messaging about the programme.

Trustees and staff team have representation on and regularly attend meetings including Local Outbreak Engagement Board, Vaccination Inequality Group, Covid Champions Community Group and regional and national online workshops. This has enabled us to cascade the most current information down, as well as feedback concerns from the community, which have been acted upon immediately by Gateshead Council and Public Health, which has created greater trust and strengthening of relationships between the local community and stakeholders.

In response to our valuable work and insight with Black Asian and Minority Ethnic communities in Gateshead we have been awarded £37,000.00 through Gateshead Council and from the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Community Champions Fund, to build our capacity and employ a full time Community Development Worker to deliver on Gateshead Covid Champions programme.

Sector/Strategic Development:

GVEMSG has representation and contribute to the following boards and forums: Gateshead Council’s – Diversity Forum, GSP and Hate Crime and Tension Monitoring Forum Trustees, staff and volunteers are also trustees on other boards including - Bensham Grove Community Centre, Citizens Advice Gateshead and Northern Stage

GVEMSG has worked in partnership with local minority ethnic voluntary groups in Gateshead to provide advocacy and support

Volunteer Development

Volunteers support the aims of our charity and play an integral part in meeting our vision and mission. 50 volunteers have supported our charity this year, and we have provided a whole range of support and we value their contributions enormously.

Our volunteers and staff have done an amazing job during the pandemic and in such unprecedented and challenging circumstances, and we are truly grateful!

Impact of our work:

Quotes from beneficiaries:

"Thank you again, you have made this scary time so much easier for us all"

“My thoughts are filled with gratitude for all the kind things you all take the time to do”

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On a regional level our charity received a card from Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear expressing gratitude for the incredible support and service the organisation has given during the Covid19 crisis. We were also featured in the Connected Voice Autumn Magazine for our important work with Black Asian and Minority communities during the pandemic.

On a national level, Vikas Kumar, GemArts Director, was invited to speak at the All Parliamentary Group on Arts and Health Webinar Chaired by Tracy Brabin MP, Shadow Minister for Cultural Industries. Speakers talked from a range of perspectives about the context of Covid-19 and how the arts and creativity have been used to support people who are shielding and vulnerable in our communities.

GemArts is one of a limited number of National Portfolio Organisation funded by the Arts Council England, and is an award winning nationally recognised leader in the South Asian and diversity arts sector. GemArts creates and programmes high quality concerts, events, festivals, workshops and commissions with regional, national and international artists across all art forms. We specialise high quality culturally diverse participatory arts projects with Minority Ethnic and wider communities that are least engaged, and proactively disseminated best practice advances through regional and national networks and platforms.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had an immense impact on the delivery of GemArts programme, our organisation, the artists and communities we work with and for.

In line with government guidance GemArts postponed or cancelled all public performances and events on 16[th] March 2020 and all face-to-face delivery across participation and talent development stopped. GemArts honoured all artists contracts and paid in full for any cancelled contracted hours and projects.

The first few months were a period of stabilization, and all staff, apart from the GemArts Director, were furloughed in April 2020. As from 1[st] September 2020 GemArts Project Manager and Project Assistant/Admin came back to work two days per week and furloughed for the rest.

Due to lockdown and social distancing guidelines, ever changing laws and regulations nationally and those imposed locally GemArts has adapted our artistic practice and delivery to be responsive and meet the needs of our communities and artists.

The Director met regularly online with national South Asian artists, arts organisations, promoters and NPOs. These networks prided incredibly valuable to help digest and understand the ever-changing landscape, and as means for advocacy and supporting the sector.

The negative impact on all freelance artists and creatives has been huge in terms of loss of immediate income and anxiety about future work and earnings. We helped North based artists working in the culturally diverse arts sector, Black Asian and Minority Ethnic artists and those who have English as an alternative language to access Arts Council England emergency funds over the two rounds, and financial support from other funders. We gave advice and support to 18 artists, majority of the artists had never applied for funding previously. All artists were successfully awarded financial support

GemArts allocated funds from our performance programme to our Artists Development, RnD and Commissioning programme to ensure we continued to support and invest in artists at every stage of their career, especially during this time when our diverse freelance workforce is at most risk. The commissions all have a digital element and will be realised as live performance and exhibitions in 202223:

Narivad (meaning Feminist in Sanskrit) – Sofia Barton

An exploration of the Indian suffragettes who helped shape feminism on a global scale. With the use of matchbox designs inspired by those in her grandfather’s collection, Sofia Barton creates a homage of images to these influential figures. From small matchbox miniatures to large posters each piece holds colourful & intricate details to catch your mind’s eye.

Neelam’s Story – Rekesh Chauhan

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GemArts is thrilled to be supporting multi award-winning British pianist and composer Rekesh Chauhan. Rekesh is releasing a new music video production to highlight the impact of COVID-19 and its effect on the mental health of the South Asian diaspora whom are disproportionally affected by the virus. The music video production, kept in regional language of Hindi, widely spoken by the South Asian diaspora, opens with a true story of a young girl, Neelam, writing a letter to herself expressing her feelings and portraying a profound case study from the British Asian Trust, a charity whom as part of their portfolio work to end the stigma and transform support for people with mental health needs in South Asia. The video was released on 10[th] October 2020 - World Mental Health Day

Kattam Katti – Pragav Dance Compnay

Choregraphed by leading Kathak dancer Urja Thakore, Pagrav’s new work is set amidst the chaos, creativity and colour of the Uttarayan kite festival. Through tales of competition, danger, excitement and unity, Kattam Katti explores the parallels between this fiercely competitive event and deeply divided societies, echoing the current global climate.

With striking set design, and interaction between the dancers and musicians

Spy Monkey – ATMA Dance

GemArts will be building on our past relationship with leading Bhratnatyam Dancer and Choreographer Mayuri Boonham. I have the fullest confidence that Mayuri will build on her successful track record of producing work which is artistically excellent. This new work is unique and will make a significant difference to the development and presentation of professional Bharatanatyam dance that is made for children and families from South Asian and wider communities, re-imaging Indian epic narratives of Hanuman within contemporary settings.

Between Two Shores - Henna Asikainen

An artistic investigation which examines the inextricably intertwined issues of climate change and its contribution to the human migration and the human rights.

The work will include:

Waltzing The Blue Gods – Jaivant Patel

GemArts is supporting the ACE application submitted by Jaivant Patel for the R&D for his new production Waltzing The Blue Gods. The new work will build on our past relationship with Jaivant where we were seed commissioner on YATRA, and will enable us to once again support the work of a leading UK based choreographer and dancer. This new work is unique and will make a significant difference to the development and presentation of professional Kathak dance and South Asian LGBTQ+ work.

The Boy Who Grew a Forest – Payal Ramchandani

The dance-theatre production, a confluence of 3 dance styles- Bharatnatyam, Kuchipud and Contemporary is based on Jadav Payeng’s true story. Distressed by deforestation and erosion on his dying Majuli Island (one of the world’s largest river islands in the Brahmaputra River), little Jadav made a small effort of planting a small bamboo thicket that grew over the years into a 1,300-acre forest filled with native plants and animals. The work will take the audience on Payeng’s adventurous journey of impactful attempts to help his beloved land highlighting his defiance against all odds to nurture what he had planted, that grew into an unexpected sanctuary sheltering many.

In a typical year GemArts would normally programme around 35 live performances and events, plus our award-winning Masala Festival working with regional, national and international artists across art forms with regional and national venues partners, however this was not possible. GemArts international programme has been significantly challenged because of international travel restrictions to limit the spread of Covid, especially from the Indian sub-continent, and we envisage this to continue for some time. GemArts is exploring collaborations with national and international organisations and expertise to create high quality click and pay performances on digital platforms

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We did commission a range of pre-recorded digital performances, and some live performances which were streamed including:

As already highlighted, the COVID19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted Black Asian and Minority Ethnic communities and has further amplified racial and health inequalities. We know that many people from our communities during this crisis are feeling even more isolated, lonely, worried and vulnerable, which is having a negative impact on their health and wellbeing - with women, older people, children and young people at greatest risk.

Digital exclusion is a major barrier faced by communities we work with.

Prior to lock down, our artists were delivering weekly sessions face to face with participants in community settings. Very quickly we responded and adapted our delivery to meet the needs of our communities and those who are shielding, using our artistic practice to keep people connected, creative and improve their health and wellbeing.

In 2020-21 GemArts adapted and expanded our arts, health and wellbeing programme by creating a mixture of on-line and offline arts activities.

Cultural Threads - We worked with and commissioned artists, across art forms, whose work reflects creative and cultural diversity, to produce on-line content and sessions, as well as bespoke creative arts packs, which include arts materials, and we delivered these to individuals, families, community groups and schools across the North East. We delivered the arts packs with our weekly hot Indian meals to families in Gateshead. Creative content included Chinese block printing, Origami hearts, Bollywood dance sessions, dhol drumming, zine making, creating your own mandala, and Kathputli puppets from Rajasthan. https://gemarts.org/projects/138/cultural-threads-programme

“Thank you for your kindness. The food has been delicious, and I have loved making my origami hearts and sharing them with my family and friends” Participant Feedback

We created a Cultural Threads booklet which features the arts activities that were created for online, so that people who are digitally excluded can also take part. We printed 500 of GemArts Cultural Threads booklets and delivered these with our food deliveries as well as distributing them to wider vulnerable families and individuals via community partners including AgeUK, Gateshead Carers and Gateshead Council’s Community Hub.

Changing Perspectives - this creative programme aims to work with 60 women over 2 years to enable those furthest away from the labour market, to build confidence and develop skills to re-enter employment and/or take part in volunteering. GemArts are working with GVEMSG Feel-Good Group and lead artist Michelle Wood. The sessions would have normally taken place at Bensham Grove Community Centre on a weekly basis. Many of the women we work with have very limited IT skills, so we created arts packs which were posted out or delivered to them (140 packs so far). The group use what’s app to stay connected and share their creations, which we shared across our social media platforms. Arts activities included – Felt project with embroidered hearts, birds and flowers; Print stamp card making; Paper and fabric Origami hearts; Rainbow bunting, paper flowers and felt bowls; Diwali pattern concertina book making and Christmas card stamp printing.

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We provided some digital training with the women and began to deliver some on-line zoom sessions. Artist Michelle Wood delivered a card making collage activity, and the group also explored the Japanese Festival of Spring Hanami with artists Saya Rose Naruse, in collaboration with Dingy Butterflies 10x10 project. In this session the group created their own origami cherry blossoms for display.

Hyem (meaning Home in Geordie ): In September we launched our new participatory arts programme funded by Blue Stone Collaborative/Well NewcastleGateshead to engage with isolated and vulnerable minority ethnic and wider communities in Gateshead (Bridges Ward and Felling); and in the East and West End of Newcastle. The project will offer culturally relevant arts activities to improve health and wellbeing; and bring communities together to share and celebrate their creativity by exploring diverse narratives of Hope, Kindness and Home during the pandemic. We recruited the artists team who will be working with four groups over 12 months

Artist Emma Sheridan began working with the Cultural Exchange group in September, with women from asylum seeker and refugee communities settled in Byker. The sessions have focused on textiles, fabric and tile painting. The engagement levels have been very good and the group have found the sessions positive in terms of creative skills development and improving social wellbeing. Over the 2nd lockdown the project was adapted to a family project, to involve the children who were being home schooled. These sessions worked towards the project aims of school readiness and better mental health.

Children and Young People : Lockdown, not being able to attend school and meet freely with friends has had a huge impact on the young people we work with.

GemArts exemplar East by North East youth music programme has continued to engage young people living in challenging circumstances. We have delivered socially distanced sessions in community settings, as well as weekly on-line sessions, which have enabled young people to connect with their friends, and supported their musical, creative, personal and social development. We continued to support and develop a diverse music leader workforce at North Benwell Youth Project including hip hop, rap and gyspy folk music; and at Life Transformational Church young people wanted to focus on protest songs in response to BLM movement. The group learnt and performed Glory by John Legend, and a video was created which was launched in October 2020 during Black History Month. This is the first time they worked on-line and have created a brilliant performance video – see here --- https://youtu.be/GUmG zj1KNQ

‘The music sessions have been tremendous for the group, it has given them a focus and supported them during these tough times. It’s nice to hear them laugh, connect with friends and have fun!’ Support Worker Feedback

GemArts Schools programme from April 2020 was severely affected by the pandemic and lockdown. We were unable to deliver any face to face sessions this year. We offered creative packs to key worker children and have continued to innovate and created on-line digital content and resources for schools celebrating Diwali and Chinese New Year.

44 schools across Durham and 2 in Gateshead accessed the Diwali digital content; and 40 schools accessed the Chinese New Year workshop.

In March 2021 we also created content for the Express Yourself: North East Festival of Languages, which is a celebration of the diverse languages, cultures and communities in the region and our connections with the world. Over this week with provided the following arts activities presented with simple language phrases

GemArts enabled 22 young people to achieve Arts Award accreditation and supported 11 schools to maintain Arts Mark.

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GemArts demonstrates considerable depth of knowledge and understanding around complex issues related to cultural diversity and arts. GemArts participatory arts programme has continued to engage with thousands of people across all ages from diverse communities throughout the pandemic, we have offered culturally relevant arts opportunities and have demonstrated the positive impact of our artistic practice in keeping people connected, creative, reducing isolation and improving their health and wellbeing at this extremely challenging time.

GemArts exponentially increased our digital presence over the pandemic and reached over 107,000 online audiences engaging with our South Asian and culturally diverse arts programme. We contracted 107 freelance staff across all art forms in 2020-21

Sector Support and Development: We know that people from our communities’ face racism and discrimination. The murder of George Floyd and the subsequent Black Lives Matter movement further brought to light racial inequalities. We are an anti-racist charity. Inclusivity, Diversity and Equality is fundamental to our organization and creative practice. GemArts alongside regional artists and arts organizations are leading on Culture Against Racism , a collaborative network committed to creating an anti-racist culture, and creative sector, in the North East of England. In November 2022 our first on-line Town Hall event was held with 150 people attending from across the cultural, public, voluntary and private sector including artists, organisations and senior leaders and decision makers.

GemArts Director Vikas Kumar was invited to speak and present at the following regional and national online conferences, networks events and webinars:

Thinking International 2020 - 15[th] July: the North East Perspective

Chaired by Ros Rigby this event explored how North East organisations might develop their international working in a post-COVID-19 world. GemArts alongside 2 other North East arts and heritage organisations with a history of international working shared both the impact of Covid-19 on their international work in recent times, and how they plan to work internationally in the coming months and years.

All Parliamentary Group on Arts and Health Webinar - 16[th] July

Chaired by Tracy Brabin MP, Shadow Minister for Cultural Industries. Speakers talked from a range of perspectives about the context of Covid-19 and how the arts and creativity have been used to support people who are shielding and vulnerable in our communities. This was followed by a Q&A with the audience

North East Culture Partnership Annual Forum 2021: Shifting Cultures – 29th January 2021: Stabilisation, Survival and Growth: How have organisations and independent creatives managed to stabilise over the last year? Where are the examples of positive change and growth? How have organisations survived? How can they continue to survive and thrive?

Northern Asian Power Mission: India, a virtual 5-day trade event 1 - 5 March 2021 : Northern Asian Power Mission: Creative Industries and Culture Masterclass – Vikas Kumar, GemArts Director was named in Northern Asian Power List 2020

At this time of extreme change, GemArts has shown exceptional leadership, innovation and resilience. Our successful funding strategy and established reserves gave us working capital to manage the early impact on the loss of earned and box office income, and sponsorship. Our strong community development approach and excellent participatory arts programme has enabled GemArts to access additional funding from trusts and foundations so that we can continue to work with and support communities that are least engaged and who are more likely to suffer long-term impacts and poor outcomes from COVID-19.

We would like to thank all our funders, trusts and foundations, donors, sponsors, and all our partners for their generous and continued support, and all our amazing artists, volunteers, staff, partners, trustees, communities, participants and audiences for their kindness, generosity and resilience during these unprecedented times. Covid-19 will continue to raise huge challenges in the coming year for our

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communities, artists and sector and we can only meet those by supporting one another and working together. www.gemarts.org

The trustees have considered the guidance produced by the Charity Commission on the provision of public benefit and they confirm that public benefit has been provided by the range of activities as described above.

Financial Review:

The financial position for the year shows net incoming funds of £227,946 and total outgoing resources of £125,255 with the balance from 2019-20 of £377,585 this leaves assets of £480,276 of which £268,637 are restricted funds and £130,500 are designated funds as per our reserves policy. This leaves £81,139 unrestricted funds. The Trustees consider the financial position of the organisation to be stable.

Risk Management:

The Trustees are examining the major risks, which the charity faces in relation to external factors, governance and management, internal operations and business. They are considering the likelihood and the impact of risks and reviewed what systems should be in place to control and reduce those risks. The systems are being designed to provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance against material loss or misstatement of loss.

Reserves Policy:

It is the policy of the charity to try to build up unrestricted funds, which are free reserves of the charity, to a level that equates to approximately 6 months expenditure plus redundancy liability which currently stands as £130,500. This will provide sufficient funds to cover redundancy liabilities, management and administration support costs and any emergencies that may arise from time to time, a designated contingency fund has been set up for this purpose.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ascertain the financial position of the charity and which enable them to comply with applicable law. The Trustees 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.

Signed on behalf of the Trustees

Name Mr Ashok Kumar Position Chair
Signature Ashok Kumar Date 24thJanuary 2022
Name Manjit Singh Dhindsa Position Secretary
Signature M S Dhindsa Date 24thJanuary 2022

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Independent Examiners Report

Report to the trustees/members of Gateshead Visible Ethnic Minorities Support Group on Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2021 set out on pages 13-20.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under regulation 3(3) and section 144(2) of the 2011 Act do not apply 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:

Basis of examiner’s statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with these records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the 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 statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination no matter has come to my attention:

Kate Tully FMAAT FCIE AATQB

Date 24[th] January 2022 Signed

acie association of charity independent examiners ~~—|~~

Kate Tully is a Fellow Member of the Association of Charity Independent Examiners and a Fellow Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians

Registered Charity No. 1008100

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Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities For the year ended 31 March 2021

Note
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and Legacies
2
Charitable Activities
2
Other Trading Activities
2
Investments
2
Total Income and Endowments
Expenditure on:
Raising Funds
2
Charitable Activities
2
Other resources expended
2
Total Expenditure
Income less Expenditure before
transfers
Transfers
Total Funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Funds
Funds
Funds
£
£
£		 Total
Funds
2020-21
£		 Total
Funds
2019-20
£
0
0
1,000
0
220,106
6,840
0
0		 0
221,106
6,840
0
5,395
233,628
41,710
0
7,840
0
220,106		 227,946 280,733
3,654
121,601		 0
125,255
0
254,757
0
3,654
0
121,601		 125,255 254,757
4,186
0
98,505		 102,691 25,976
76,953
130,500
170,132		 0
377,585		 0
351,609
81,139
130,500
**268,637 **		 480,276 377,585

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Consolidated Balance Sheet

As at 31 March 2021

Note
Current Assets
Stocks and Work in Progress
Debtors
7
Investments
Cash at Bank and In Hand
Total Current Assets
Liabilities
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
8
Total Current Assets less Current Liabilities
Creditors: Amounts falling due after one year
Net assets or liabilities including pension asset or
liability
The Funds of the Charity:
Restricted income funds
Designated Funds
Unrestricted income funds
TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS		 Total Funds
2020-21
£
0
0
0
480,576		 Total Funds
2019-20
£
0
0
0
377,885
480,576 377,885
(300) (300)
(300) (300)
0 0
480,276 377,585
268,637
130,500
81,139		 170,132
130,500
76,953
480,276 377,585

Signed by one or two of the Trustees on behalf of all the Trustees:

Name Mr Ashok Kumar Position Chair Signature Ashok Kumar Date 24[th] January 2022 Name Manjit Singh Dhindsa Position Secretary Signature M S Dhindsa Date 24[th] January 2022

Registered Charity No. 1008100

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Registered Charily No. 1008100 Page16of21

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the period to 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020

1 Accounting Policies

Basis of Preparation

Basis of Preparation

These Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with 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) (effective January 2015) – Charities SORP (FRS 102).

Gateshead Visible Ethnic Minorities Support Group meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).

Incoming Resources These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when:

Donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.

Capital Grants are released over the economic useful life of the asset to which they relate

Resources Expended and Liabilities

Resources expended have been analysed using a natural classification.

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Registered Charity No. 1008100

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2 Funds

The Charity has 3 funds, an unrestricted general fund, a designated fund, comprising 3 months running costs and redundancy liabilities as per the reserves policy, and a restricted fund used for purchasing items of a specific: hence all movements on each fund are disclosed.

Restricted Funds
Fund Name
GVEMSG
MEMCO transfer
GVEMSG Total
GEM ARTS
Arts Council England NPO
Arts Council England Catalyst
National Foundation for Youth Music
Police & Crime Commissioner's Fund
Community Foundation - Cultural
Bridge Fund
Gateshead Council - ESF - CLLD
Middlesbrough Town Hall
HMRC JRS Grant
Arts Council England/Donations -
Culture Against Racism
GMBC - Gateshead Covid Champions
Programme
Community Foundation - Gateshead
Housing Company
Community Foundation - NET Covid
Appeal Fund
Bluestone Collaborative -
WellNewcastleGateshead
Sport England - This Girl Can
GEM ARTS Total
TOTAL RESTRICTED FUNDS
Designated Funds
Fund Name
Contingency and Redundancy Liability
TOTAL DESIGNATED FUNDS
Unrestricted Funds
Fund Name
GVEMSG - General Fund
GEM Arts - General Fund
TOTAL UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
TOTAL FUNDS		 Incoming
Outgoing
Balances b/f
Resources
Resources
Transfers
Balance c/f
£
£
£
£
£
2,051
0
0
0
2,051
2,051
0
0
0
2,051
44,726
92,208
(77,098)
59,836
45,688
30,000
0
75,688
57,136
0
(4,800)
52,336
1,196
0
0
1,196
461
0
(461)
0
9,605
23,778
(6,644)
26,739
9,270
0
(1,500)
7,770
0
22,565
(22,565)
0
0
9,455
(1,390)
8,065
0
9,250
0
9,250
0
5,000
0
5,000
0
9,900
(5,516)
4,384
0
14,000
(1,627)
12,373
0
3,950
0
3,950
168,082
220,106
(121,601)
0
266,587
170,132
220,106
(120,601)
0
**268,637 **
Incoming
Outgoing
Balances b/f
Resources
Resources
Transfers
Balance c/f
£
£
£
£
£
130,500
130,500
0
130,500
0
0
0
130,500
Incoming
Outgoing
Balances b/f
Resources
Resources
Transfers
Balance c/f
£
£
£
£
£
11,186
1000
(3,318)
8,868
65,762
6,840
(336)
72,266
76,948
7,840
(3,654)
0
**81,134 **
377,580
227,946
(124,285)
0
480,276

Purpose of Funds

GVEMSG

a) MEMCO transfer

GemArts

Registered Charity No. 1008100

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Analysis of Income and Expenditure 2020-21

Income and Endowments from:
Donations and Legacies
GEM ARTS
Sponsorship and Donations
GEM ARTS Donations and Legacies Total
GVEMSG
Box Office
Grants
GVEMSG Charitable Activities Total
GEM ARTS
Arts Council England NPO
Arts Council England Catalyst
Gateshead Council - ESF - CLLD
HMRC JRS Grant
Arts Council England/Donations -Culture Against
Racism
GMBC - Gateshead Covid Champions Programme
Community Foundation - Gateshead Housing Company
Community Foundation - NET Covid Appeal Fund
Bluestone Collaborative - WellNewcastleGateshead
Sport England - This Girl Can
Other incoming resources
GEM ARTS Charitable Activities Total
Other Incoming Resources		 Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Total		 Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Total
-
0
0
0
0
0
0		 0
1000 0
0
1,000
1,000
0
0		 1,000
92,208
30,000
23,778
22,565
9,455
9,250
5,000
9,900
14,000
3,950		 92,208
30,000
23,778
22,565
9,455
9,250
5,000
9,900
14,000
3,950
0
0
0
220,106		 220,106
1,000
0
220,106		 221,106

Total Income and Endowments		 6,840
0
0		 0
6,840
0
0		 0
7,840
0
220,106		 227,946

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Registered Charity No. 1008100

Expenditure on:
Charitable Activities
GVEMSG
Refreshments/Catering
Insurance
Rent/Telephone/Internet
Training and Development
Venue Hire
Volunteer Expenses/travel/transport
Community Worker wages
GVEMSG Total Charitable Activities
GEM Arts
Artist Fees PA, Materials & Production
Food Deliveries and Volunteer Expenses
Venue & Tech
Org Dev and Catalyst
Marketing/PR/Doc
Evaluation
IT and Equipment
Stationery/Printing/Postage
Insurance
Phone/Internet
Expenses
Wages
Other
Independent Examination of Accounts
Bank Charges
GEM ARTS Total Charitable Activities
Raising Funds
Total Resources Expended
Support Cost Type
GVEMSG
Community Worker wages
GVEMSG Total Support Costs
GEM ARTS
Venue & Tech
Marketing/PR/Doc
Evaluation
IT and Equipment
Stationery/Printing/Postage
Insurance
Phone/Internet
Expenses
Wages
Rent
Independent Examination of Accounts
GEM ARTS Total Support Costs
Total Support Costs
3,318 0
0
0
0
0
0
3,318
3,318
0
0		 3,318
19,503
2,833
200
1,510
312
0
300
45
1,265
477
1,848
92,878
336
300
130		 19,503
2,833
200
1,510
312
0
300
45
1,265
477
1,848
92,878
336
300
130
336
0
121,601		 121,937
0
0
0
0		 0
3,654
0
**121,601 **		 125,255
Fundraising
Charitable
Governance
Activity
Activity
Activity
£
£
£
3,318		 Total
Cost
£
-
3,318
3,318- 3,318
200
312
-
300
45
1,265
477
1,848
92,878
336
300		 -
200
312
300
45
1,265
477
1,848
92,878
336
300
97,661 300 97,961
100,979
300		 101,279

Registered Charity No. 1008100

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3 Staff Costs

Employees
GVEMSG
Salaries and NI		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£
3,318		 2019-20
Total
£
0
3,318
GVEMSG Total Employee Costs 0 3,318
GEM ARTS
Salaries and NI
Pension
Child Care Vouchers
Payroll Fees		 87,759
4,676
23
420		 87,759
4,676
23
420
GEM ARTS Total Employee Costs 0
92,878		 92,878
Total Employee Costs 3,318
92,878		 96,196

These costs were for the employment of 2 full time and 2 part time members of staff and include Employer’s NI. All other staff are casually employed tutors/facilitators. No member of staff was paid remuneration of £60,000 or more.

4 Trustees remuneration, benefit and expenses

There were none during this period.

5 Debtors

There are no debtors at this time.

6 Creditors

Independent Examination Fee Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£
300		 2020-21
Total
£
300
-
300- 300

7 Related Party Disclosures

There were no related parties during this period

8 Taxation

Due to the nature of its activities, the charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or s256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. Accordingly, there is no taxation charge in these accounts.

Registered Charity No. 1008100

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