unsung heroes
Gateshead Visible Ethnic Minorities Support Group
(Registered Charity No. 1008100)
Financial Statements
For the year ended
31 March 2024
Registered Charity No. 1008100
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Contents
Title
Legal and Administrative Infomiation
Trustees Annual Report
Independent Examiners Report
Statement of Financial Activities
Balance Sheet
Notes to the Accounts
Page
13
14
15
16-21
Registered Charity No. 1008100
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Legal and Administrative Information
Name:
Gatesheaj Visible Elhnic Minorities Support Group
Charity No:
Principal Address:
1008100
89 Salc<xnbe Gardens
Low Fell
GATESHEAD
Tyne & Wear
NE9 6UD
Trustees:
Mr Ashok Kumar (Chair)
Mr A Singh Gill MBE (VI￿ Chair)
Angela Singh ff reasurer)
Manjrt Singh Dhindsa (Secretary)
Michael Harte
Birinder Singh Brar
Ala Miah
Stuart Bell
Governing DocumenL
The Charity is operated under the rules of its constitution dated
2 November 1991. and is unincorporated.
Bankers:
HSBC plc
110 Grey Street
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE13JG
Independent Examiner.
Keith Blackett FMAAT
Beechwood Ac￿unting NE Ltd
80 Beechwood Gdns
GATESHEAD
NE11 ODA
Registered Charity No. 1008100
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Trustees Annual Report
Our Work:
Gateshead Visible Ethnic Minorities Support Group works with and for vulnerable and marginalised
Black Asian and Minority Ethnic. asylum seeker and refugee communities who fa￿ barrters on many
levels, including personal, family, community and wider social and institutional contexts, and are at risk
of isolation and exclusion and face racism and discrimination. We are an anti-racist charity. Through the
work we deliver we support all communities in making representation to Servi￿ providers and ensure
they have equal aC￿sS to the ServI￿S they provide" we provide an opportunity for communtties to raise
issues of concem and take positive action: and develop effective links between organisations and other
associations operating in the area, on matters of common concem. Equality, diversity, equity and
inclusion is fundamental to our work.
Our projects contribute to strengthening the Minority Ethnic voluntary infrastructure through high qualty
activity, training and development, and capacty building.
Overall our projects increase communty engagement amongst those who are at risk of exclusion and
isolation, combating raasm and discrimination. helping to strengthen ￿)MmUnitY cohesion, and go
towards achieving a reduction in ra￿ inequalrties.
Through providing access to engaging, high qualrty activÉty, induding training, educ2tional and cultural
activities, led by professional practrtioners. support workers and volunteers, our programmes aim to
provide our beneficiaries with the opportunÉty to:
Develop new skills & interests
Raise their Confiden￿ & self esteem
Experience working alongside professional practitioners
Identify and explore educational, volunteering and career opportunlties
Improve social, physical and mental heatth and wellbeing
Become more active and healthy
Interact wrth others in a creative, dynamic & enjoyable environment.
Mutual support and working together
Opportunities to examine issues affecting their lives
Giving a voice to culturally diverse groups to raise awareness of and ￿lebrate their own
cutturelidentity
We work in partnership with Gateshead Council, Northumbria Police. Community Safety Team, NHS,
Public Health, local schools and communrty groups. Citizens Advice Gateshead, Gateshead Interfaith
Forum. housing services, and Leisurelcultural Services
Memoriam of Founding Trustse Bahal Singh Dhindsa MBE (1110111923 - 0410912023)
Wrth deep respect and heartfelt gratrtude, we acknowledge the passing of Bahal Singh Dhindsa MBE on
4th September 2023, a visionary leader and dedicated founding trustee of GVEMSG. He played a pivotsl
role in shaping the mission and values of our organisation, leaving an indelible mark on our joumey and
impact,
Bahal ji's unwavering commitment. wisdom, and generosty were instrumental in laying the foundation for
creating an all-indusive multi-cultural society and to address racism and discrimination in all its forms.
His legacy continues to inspire us as we carry forward the work he held so dear.
We were honoured and blessed to have celebrated his 100 birthday, his life and incredible contribution
to the North East.
We extend our deepest sympathies to his family. friends. communty and all who were fortunate to know
and work alongside Bahal Ji. He will be deepty missed and fondly remembered.
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In honour of Bahal Singh Dhindsa MBE we remain steadfast in our commilment to the vision he helped
c￿ate.
2023124 - Activities & Achievements:
In 2023124 we have engaged, supported and worked with over 2000 people from across all age ranges,
faith communities and ethniclties.
The COVID19 pandemic, cost of living and energy crisis have disproportionalely impacted Black Asian
and Minorrty Ethnic communities and has further amplrfied racial and health inequalities. We know that
many people in our communities are feeling even more isolated. lonely, worried and vulnerable, which is
having a negative impact on their heafth and wellbeing - with women, older people, children and young
people at greatest risk. Digital exclusion is a major barrier faced by communrties we work with. We have
continued to do be responsive to communty needs.
GVEMSG has further developed the capacity of the organisation in tenns of govemance, operational,
monitoring, reporting and financial management system. We continue to provide our trustees. staff and
volunteers wtth appropriate training and development.
At our base in Bensharn Grove Community Centre in Gateshead we continue to deliver a range of
weekly support, advice and development sessions -
Mondays. 1pm-3pm - Feel Good Group: We deliver weekly Health and Wellbeing sessions supporting
and working with women from minority ethnic and wider communrties who feel isolated. The sessions
engage women in activities to overcome barriers and enable them to access cufturally relevant creative
leaming opportunities and to sooalise and interact with other women. The women in the group have
various physical and mental health issues, and the sessions offer an active, creative and safe
environment to build their own confidence, improve health and wellbeing, and support each other.
Members come from drfferent faith and cultural backgrounds but find common ground in activities. The
group receives GP referrals of women who would benefrt from joining the group to aC￿sS support and
advice. The weekly activrties include visual arts sessions. movements. dan￿ and exercise sessions,
group outings to local areas of intertest, and providing training, as well as facilitating their progress
towards volunteering. employment and enterprise.
Between April to July 2023 as part of GemArts Cultural Threads creative heatth programme the group
worked with artist Pui Lee over 6 sessions to develop painting and paper folding skills" and after that
worked with artist Shiori over 7 sessions to develop Japanese dying, printing and embroidery techniques
called Shibori which produces patterns on fabric. These were displayed at GemArts Masala Festival.
October to De￿rnber 2023 the group participated in 11 sessions with artist Donna Cheshire to develop
textile skn'lls.
January- March 2024 the Feel Good Group worked wrlh artists Emma Sheridan to create a large scale
banner exploring themes of spring, new lrfe and new beginnings. They engaged in conversations about
learning, traditions. creativity and social chat while making their work.
The final banner was displayed at GemArts Holi celebralions on 30 March at Baltic. Exhibiting the work
in an intemational gallery for family, friends, wider communrty and thousands of visitors, created a real
sense of pride. achievement, wellbeing and belonging for the participanls.
Throughout year we delivered Tai Chi and Zumba sessions with the Feel Good Group and during our
Wednesday drop in sessions. The sessions have offered more than just physical exercise: they provide
a holistic approach to mental health and wellbeing. The Bollywood and Bhangra music. which the
participants chose for Zumba sessions. and energetic movements released endorphins, there was lots of
smiling and laughing. reducing stress and anxiety. Participants experienced a sense of community and
connection, boosting mood and self-esteem. The sessions fostered mindfulness, helping individuals stay
present and grounded. Overall, the structured yet fun environment enhanced both physical and
emotional wellbeing.
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Tuesdays. 10am-1 pm - English Classes: Zahra our Community Bridge Builder has been working with
people seeking sanctuary. We know a lack of English language skills pose significant barriers for many
people across the borough. Asylum seekers and refugees in their first 6-months after arrival are
particularly vulnerable in the current system of language skills provision. Zahra, has been delivering
English for beginners dasses, supported by Harpal, our Communrty Development Worf(er. The sessions
continue to be very popular with up to 30 leamers in each session and we have offered refreshmenlslhot
food and through funding from Lankelly Chase we cover their travel expenses to remove barriers to
attending. The sessions offer a whole range of additional help. support and signposting to other services
as well as supporting the mentsl health and wellbeing of individuals and families.
Wednesdays, 1 pm4pm - Drop In Centre: The sessions offer advice and support and signposting to a
range of services induding housing, health and wellbeing, cultural and creative opportunities, social
services, environmental services, education, volunteering, career opportunities, access to Police, we are
a safe reF)Orting centre. Our organisation is proud to be part of the #WarmSpacesNetwork across
Gateshead. Everyone who comes to our warm space is offered a hot or cold drink, snacks, hot food and
is welcomed by one of our staff members and volunteers. Our staff and volunteers speak various
communrty languages and help wrth interpretation and translation and filling in fomis. The drop in
provides an opportunity for social inclusion and cohesion. It is both popular and indispensable for
existing communities and new arrivals.
These sessions have been invaluable in keeping people connected. active, improving their hea￿h and
wellbeing, and creating a sense of belonging.
Sectorlstratsglc DevelopmenL
Trustees, staff and volunteers also contribute to other boards and forums including - Bensham Grove
Communtty Centre, Crtizens Advice Gateshead. Northem Stage, Newcastle University Court, Gateshead
Voluntary Sector Leaders Group, plus others.
GVEMSG has worked in partnership with local minority ethnic volunlary groups in Gateshead and Tyne
and Wear to provide advocacy and support
Volunteer Development
Volunteers support the aims of our charTty and play an integral part in meeting our vision and mission. 50
volunteers have supported our charty this year. and we have provided a whole range of support. We
are truly grateful for their passion and commrtment and value their contributions enormously.
GemArts
GemArts is one of a limited number of National Portfolio Organisation funded by the Arts Council
England, and is an award winning leader in the South Asian and diversrty arts sector. GemArts creates
and programmes high quality concerts, events. festivals, workshops and commissions with regional.
national and internalional artists across all art fomis. We specialise in high quality culturally diverse
participatory arts projects wrth Minority Ethnic and wider communilies that are least engaged, and
proaclively disseminated best practice advances through regional and nal'onal networks and plafforms.
In 2023124 GemArts delivered an ambitious and inspiring artistic programme across all strands of work,
collaborating with flagship venues, communrty spaces and national louring partners, supporting artists at
every stage of their career. ensuring Ihat talent and artistic excellence is diverse. thriving and celebrated.
As covid restrictions lifted we were able to re•establish our internalional programme of work. We
produced and programmed 34 performanceslexhibitions spanning traditional and contemporary works,
employed 177 individual artists. and attracted in excess of 24,000 live audiences from diverse
communities and 45.500 on-line audiences.
GemArts added to its crFtically acdaimed Riverside Ragas concert series at The Glasshouse, presenting
the very best in classical, folk and contemporary music. We delivered pre-Con￿rt talks, demonstrations,
workshops and masterdasses with academics, musicians and joumalists. induding online content
(podcasts). This was also a remarkable year for international programming. Amongst many highlights,
GemArts have brought to the region three of the world's most outstanding Sarod players of our
Registered Charity No. 1008100
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generation, Debasmita Bhattacharya, Prattyush BanerJ￿ and Abhishek Borkar who collaborated with
kathak dan￿r Saberi Misra: all of who were accompanied by the finest UK talent on tabla including,
Gurdain Rayatt and Pl Rajkumar Misra. In addition, tabla virtuoso Shahbaz Hussain accompanied
Grammy Award winner Pt Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, intemational sitar maestro Shakir Khan and UK based
sitarist Baluji Shrivastav to capaaty aUdIen￿S and to standing ovats'onsl
We continued to engage new audiences working in partnership with venues of drfterent size and scale
across the region. Wilh long term collaboralors Jazz North East, we programmed at Jesmond Refom
Church, spellbinding pianist and visionary composer. Zoe Rahman. who presented her new album
'Colour of Sound" featuring an all-star line-up to a full house. Then in November at Gosforth Civic
Theatre. Yorkston Thorne Ghatak explored the crossover worlds of Indian Classical, Jazz and Folk
music. At Culture Lab. Newcastle Universrty. GemArts presented legendry Khyal vocalist Pandit Sajan
Misra, accompanied by Pandrt Sanju Sahai on tabla, vocalist Swaransh Mishra and Kirpal Singh
Panesar on hamionium. Also, at Cufture Lab with NCLA we supported the launch of Chrtra
Ramaswamy's new book Homelands: The History of a Friendship in conversation with Sinéad Morrissey.
And at Northem Stage comedy theatre Happy Birthday Sunita was received joyfully by audiences.
Strengthening our partnership with Durham Universrty, GemArts collaborated on Ihe third edrtion of
Indian Spring Colours in March with a stellar line up of concerts over two days including brilliant sarangi
player Satwinder Pal Singh. vocalist Sanchita Pal and rising star and santoor player Eeshar Sigh.
GemArts commitment to supporting traditional and contemporary dan￿ was absolutely demonstrated
this year through an exceptional programme. In stage 1 at Northem Stage world renowned kath8k
dan￿r Aditi Mangaldas presented FORBIDDEN. outstanding new work exploring female sexuality. In
collaboration with Dan￿ City we programmed Akash Odedra's Little Murmur a dance theatre show for
children and families, featuring ground-breaking projection, an extraordinary soundscape and a blizzard
of paper and confetti. This stunning visual treat is an honest and heart felt conversation about the trials
and tribulations of living with dyslexia, facing challenges and overcoming the odds. GemArts was
delighted to ccFcommission and present Payal Ramchandani's The Forest Dream - a multi-styled dance-
theatre work highlighting dimate emergency to a capacrty audience.
GemArts' award-winning Masala Festival returned from 17th to 23rd July 2023, celebrating South Asian
cultural goodness! The festival opened wth Roshni by Sonia Sabri Company, a stunning fusion of dance
and live music at Dance Crty. Music highlights included Mitra at Cluny 2, blending blues and Hinduslani
sounds" and GemArts collaborated wtth BBC Proms and Sage Gateshead for a late night special of
exlraordinary music perfomied by tsvo leading lights of the British jazz scene - Yazz Ahmed and Arun
Ghosh. which was broadcast on Radio 3 reaching thousands of audiences and received fantastic 5-star
reviews. We were thrilled to announce a new partnership with Tyne and Wear Metro who will be our
headline sponsors. To celebrate we programmed an incredible dance and live music perfonnance event
at Monument Metro You&Me by Amina Khyam. Visual arts featured emerging artist Sajil Kaleem's
Fabricated at The Newbridge Project. while films like Rehana Maryam Noorat Tyneside Cinema and
Topographies at BALTIC showcased diverse South Asian landscapes. Workshops, Dabbawal's
delicious street food. and the Masala Fesb'val Mini Mela finale at Bensham Grove capped a vibrant week
of arts, creativty, and family fun!
For the third year GemArts delivered Holi Festival of Colours on 30th March 2024 in partnership with
Baltic where over 4000 people attended this EPIC event! We celebrated colour and the Holi tradrtion
through creative workshops, Henna stations, dance, music, food and a joyous colour throw on Baltic
Square attracting a diverse young and family audience. This has become a firm favourite in the North
East cultural calendar and we had fanlaslic coverage on local BBC and Tyne Tees news and media.
GemArts invested in R&D and encouraged artists to take risks, commissioning ground-breaking,
innovative projects. artist talks and productions to raise both the profile and qualrty of South Asian arts
and intercultural collaborations across England.
GemArts commissioned 3 new works.. The Forest Drearn by kuchipudi dancer Payal Ramchandani - this
multi-styled dance-theatre work explores the fine balance between human existence and climate
emergency", Masala Festival - Topographies.. Places and Faces at Baltic, a programme of short films
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takes us on a joumey through urban and rural landscapes across South Asia curaled by regional film
maker Sonali Joshi: and we commissioned Middlesbrough based artist Rumana Yasmin to produce a
Mini Book Fair at Masala Festival celebrating creators and characters of South Asian heritage in
children's publishing bringing 3 publishers together Bok Bok Books. AdiDev Press and Parakeet Books
for readings and workshops.
GemArts continue to nurture a new generation of creative artistslpractitioners from under-represented
groups, with a long-temi aim of diversifying senior management and leadership roles in the arts.
In 2023124 our Crealive Associates Programme supported 16 artists whose work reflects creative and
cultural diversity through training. developrnental, participatory and perfomiance opportunities. Of those,
13 were music leaders from the region on our Youth Music funded East By North East programme; we
broadened the cohort to ensure gender equality across the programme. supporting artists to lead
complex projects with several partners working with young peopel living in challenging circUmstan￿s,
providing professional development, peer mentoring, training and sharing best practice. The programme
continues to evidence progression routes from participants, to young leaders, to volunteer and to
practitioners.
GemArts demonstrates considerable depth of knowledge and understanding around complex issues
related to cultural diversity and arts. In 2023124 we have continued to build on our excellent track record,
further collaborating with the public and voluntary sector to expand our artislic programme to provide
more opportunities for professional artists and Minority Ethnic and wider communities that are least
engaged to work with one another, co-create. sustaining the arts regionally, and addressing communty
needs and issues.
This year we have delivered a blended programme of face to face and on-line sessions across the North
East, employed and supported a culturally diverse workforce of 52 artists in participatory settings, and
delivered, in formal education and community settings. 715 sessions with over 18,300 participants (and
45,604 on-line) from minority ethnic and wider communities that are least engaged and across protected
characteristics and age ranges. Highlights include:
Cultural Threads - GemArts arts, health and wellbeing programme provides culturally relevant arts
opportunities with minority ethnic and wider communrties to reduce loneliness and isolation, keep people
connected, creative, improving health and wellbeing.
GemArts was awarded additional funding from Gateshead Communrty Mental Health fund to
expand our Cultural Threads programme in Gateshead.
Between May and July 2023, the programme included: Shibori textile sessions with artists Shiori
and the Feel-Good Women's Group, and willow lantern-making sessions with artist Saya Naruse
for people seeking sanctuary at Hillside Church. Final artworks were showcased at Mini Mela on
23" July.
From October to December 2023. activities included.. lextile workshops with the Feel-Good
Women's Group delivered with Donna Cheshire", artist Pui Lee delivered DIY magazine sessions
with Hillside Church participants, and painting and craft sessions with visual artist Jayamini and
women from the Millin Centre. Thirty-five craft packs by Yvette Ja were distributed, and a
celebration event on 20 December at Bensham Grove exhibited participants, work, engaging
100 attendees.
Between January to March 2024, artist Emma Sheridan led workshops with our Feel Good Group
to create a banner for GemArts Holi celebrations at Baltic.
Over Ihe programme we delivered Tai Chi and Zumba sessions with our FeekGood Group and at
our Wednesday drop in sessions. We worked wrth 320 parttcipants and engaged over 5000
audien￿ members far exceeding our target. We worked wth a totsl of 9 professional artists.
Participant backgrounds include those who are from Sudan. Ukraine, Russia, Albania, Rwanda,
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Kurdistan, Iraq, Guatamala, El Salvador, Iran, Kuwait. Pakistan. Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, India and
EnglandlGateshead.
GemArts Cultural Threads programme was highlighted in the Transfomialion in Gateshead- The
Story So far video htt s'.IlwwN.
outube.comlwatch?v=6u
Cultural Threads - NHS Sessions
GemArts continued our Cultural Threads programme to work with partners at NHS who identfy fronlline
staff from the whole of Ihe health and social care sector. We are working with staff members who are
battling COVID-19. and have fa￿d and continue to experience burn out, fatigue, trauma and
bereavement, be that their family, friends andlor colleagues. and when needed signposting NHS staff to
professional help and support, to improve their mental, physical and social health and wellbeing.
Final on-line Chinese Watercolour sessions with visual artist Chun Chao began in June 2023 on Monday
and Tuesday evenings. We delivered 12 sessions with 68 participants and the feedback has been
overwhelmingly posilive, and despite continuing to eviden￿ the irnpact the sessions have had on
improving NHS staff heath and wellbeing the funding has been pu15ed due to NHS cuts.
The feedback from participants has been incredible with 1000/0 reporting that the sessions have
improved their health and wellbeing through developing new creative skills.
Researchers at NHS have also evidenced that the Cultural Threads sessions are having the same
posrtive impact on staff s wellbeing as those being referred to clinical psychologistrtherapists.
Spring Bank Pavilion, Leazes Park
In partnership with Urban Green and The Newcaslle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust GemArts deliVe￿d
new set of Cultural Threads sessions between June- October 2023: 12 sessions wrth Lily Daniels on
nature textile dying: 1 session with Saya Naruse exploring nature print making; 3 sessions with Sofia
Barton creating nature rangoli and Gond Art., 2 sessions with Michelle Wood creating cOn￿rtinaS
booklets inspired by natu￿. We engaged with 60 participants. Lily also delivered a Willow tray
workshops on 16th September at celebratory event.
Culture Exchange Group. Byker
Visual artist Emma Sheridan worked with Barnardo's Newcastle Family Hub East, a group for refugees
and those seeking asylum. Over 7 weeks delivered a Recycling Decoupage project, followed by another
5 weeks focusing on textiles, sewing and mixed media. The women are from Sudan, Nigeria, Iraq, Syria,
Turkey and Iran. They all contributed to a shared piece of art work which is proudly displayed in the
centre as well as creating their own individual pieces to take home. The sessions also enable the group
to develop English language skills. networks and access to further services.
GemArts Cultural Threads programme continues to reiterate our knowledge that the need for culturally
relevant practitioners to deliver creative projects is significant. When working wrth historically
marginalised communities, rt is imperative to consider indusivity, accessibilrty, lived experience and a
sense of belonging within every aspect of the project to ensure that we are meeting the cullural and
personal needs of participants in relation to improving mental heafth and wellbeing.
The National Centre for Creative Health (NCCH) and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health
and Wellbeing (APPG AHW) launched the report of the Creative Health Review
htt s./lncch.or
.uklcre8tive-health-review on 6th December 2023 where GemArts Cuttural Threads
programme is induded as a case study, in particular highlighting GemArts cufturally relevant arts
practi￿ to engage with minorTty ethnic communities. The Report highlights the potential for creative
health to help tackle pressing issues in health and social care and more widely, including health
inequalities and the additional challenges we face as we recover from Covid-19.
As well as rnany other sessions in community settings GemArts teamed up with Gateshead Art
Diamonds to deliver Emerald Explorer sessions to engage people of retirement age in creative
workshops during Masala Festival including Bollywood dan￿ with Breeze George, Mystical Tote Bag
Printing with artists Mani Kambo and make your own COn￿rtina Books in Boxes with Michelle Wood;
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and Tapestry Workshops wrth Sajil Kaleem. We also delivered a range of African drumming workshops
with musician Fanuel engaging adults and carers across Soulh Shields and Sunderland.
GemArts expanded the reach and depth of our rich cultural offer for Children and Young People across
the region within schools and community settings offering unparalleled access to high qualrty culturally
diverse arts opportunities. Wort(ing in some of the most deprived wards in the region GemArts schools
programme supported curriculum topics, diversity weeks, arts weeks, summer transition and contributed
towards SMSC development. We worked wrth 30 schools (primary and secondary), delivered 166
sessions, engaged with 5645 young people and supported 8 schools across the North East to achieve
and maintain Arts Mark as well as delivering creative CPD sessions with teachers in 2 primary schools.
GemArts supported 10 children and young people to achieve Arts Award (Discover and Bronze). From
experience, we know accessible, accredited leaming like Arts Award makes a huge difference to young
people from minority ethnic communrties and starts to address the balan￿ in attainmenl gaps.
Highlights indude:
Between May-June 2023 GemArts delivered a diverse range of artists residencies with the Roman Road
Primary in Gateshead working with all year groups and engaging 250 young people. Emma Sheridan
worked with all school years exploring collage. print making. collagraph, and painting; Fanuel delivered
African Drumming; and we commissioned Andy Morley to create a new Mural on a storage container
working with Year 6 pupils who have been researching and inspired by Brazilian artist Romero Britto. A
celebration event was held at in July where all the art work was displayed, and young people performed
with Fanuel to invrted guests, family and friends.
Richard Avenue, in Sunderland is a new school and GemArts was highly recommended to them. We
delivered South American percussion with David Olatunji and Tinku dan￿ sessions with Yuvel Soria
over 7 weeks to develop a performance at the end of the school year for a Carnival event wrth 120
pupils. Art teachers worked with pupils to create masks and costumes and received CPD from GemArts.
The feedback from the school has been excellent and teachers commented that our artists have also
engaged brilliantly with young people that have behavioural issues.
Working in partnership with the South Tyneside Music Hub we have collaborated with 6 schools (one of
them special school) across South Shields to deliver African drumming school assembly performances,
workshops and teachers CPD engaging with 550 pupils.
At Brighton Avenue Primary. Gateshead Mani Kambo worked with 6 dasses across Key Slage 2 (180
pupils) to ctrcreate an installation and banner to exhibrt at Masala Festival. We worked dosely with
teachers to achieve key curriculum objectives.
GemArts collaborated wrth Durham Council International Office to offer schools artists residenaes to
support them to work towards gaining accreditation under the British Counal's award scheme. We have
worked with 10 schools and delivered Capoeira. Steel Pans, African Drumming, World's Visual Arts and
Kuchipudi dance sessions. Many of the schools are in some of the most rural parts of County Durham,
very white working class wrth little or no access to cultural provision. The programme has engaged with
over 1800 young people and has had fantastic feedback from schools, artists, pupils and parents.
We continued to deliver Music Production and DJ'ing sessions at Woodlands PRU in Durham during
temi time with music leader Adam Cogdon every Wednesday. These are one to one session with 13
young people who are SEN. In addition, music leader April 05atunji is delivering vocal, choir and piano
sessions on Thursday and Friday's at Excelsior Academy wrth young people from diverse communities.
GemArts flagship East by North East youth music programme has continued to engage over 200 young
people each week strengthening partnerships across 6 host organisatsons (North Benwell Youth Project,
Lrfe Transformational Church. Excelsior Academy. Benfield School and Side by Side) in the west and
east end of Newcastle, and in Gateshead, to provide young people living in challenging circumstances
from Global Majority and wider communities to participate in high quality culturally diverse music making
opportunsties.
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The programme is young person led and includes regular weekly music sessions. accreditation,
progressions routes, sharing events and performances. In addtlion, a key element of the programme is
to further diversrfy the music skills and workforce of music practrtioners in the North East and we offer
CPD, training and development.
We advocate the beneffts of using music to break down barriers to social change and greater communty
cohesion; evidencing the personal, social and musical impact on young people's lives that the
programme has had. enabling them to build their confidence and trust by sharing their musical
genresftraditions, and empowering them to reassert their cultural identrty: promoting gender equality and
progression routes. The ￿lebratiOn and perforrnan￿ event at Sage Gateshead on 1" July 2023 was a
huge success, and we also had our annua5 festive sharing event in December at Life Transformation
Church where all the young people performed from across the programme induding youth led MC DJ-
Toby. Many of the long-tenn participants have developed into young leaders. volunteers. with 3
becoming paid artistslmusic leaders. Filip who was a young person on the project in 2015 when he was
11 years old, now 18 year he has now progressed to a paid position as a young leaderlmusician and is
being mentored by Fred and Adam at NBYP. We commissioned a new film to eviden￿ and demonstrate
the musical, personal, social and organisational outcomes of EBNE
htt s'.Ilwww.
outube.comlwatchTr=iJ OOUU5aEA
GemArts expanded our music provision to Petertee in County Durham in partnership with Creative Youth
Opportunities. Music leaders Adam Cogdon and Kema Kay delivered music production, rap and lyric
writing workshops for 6 weeks with young people to prevent anti-social behaviour. I n addrtion, we
supported Dhol Drumming session led by music leader Rosh Landa every Friday (term lime) at Diversty
Hub, Newcastle with 10 young people and 8 adutts.
Our Mini Mela at Masala Festival in July and at Caedmon Hall during February ha￿ term were both a
great su￿sS attracting children and family audien￿ of over 900 to both,. we exlended the Mini Mela
offer and programmed a full day of culturally diverse arts activrties at the Miners Picnic on 10th June at
Woodhom Museums, Northumberfand engaging wth 300 new audiences.
GemArts celebrated diverse cuftural and faith festival throughout the year. To celebrate Buddhas
birthday artist Jayamini delivered a full day of Visak lantem making workshops on 24 April at the
Oriental Museum, Durham. In November artist Emma Sheridan created Diwali Lanterns with participants
for a parade at Newcastle Hindu Temple's fireworks display where over 3000 aUdIen￿S attended. In
partnership wtth Durham Council for Chinese New Year 2024 Lip Lee and Pui Lee delivered visual arts
sessions to celebrate the year of the Dragon whilst Wendy Chan demonstrated Tai Chi engaging with
3500 audiences and parts'cipants.
GemArts participatory arts programme has continued to engage with diverse communities that are
marginalised and least engaged, 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 al this extremely challenging time.
Sector viide, GemArts has taken a leadership role in advocating the benefrts of creativity and diversrty at
a strategic level. GemArts has demonstrated exemplary practice and contributed to the development
needs of minorrty ethnic communities, artists, practrtioners, and leaders, enabling the organisation to
achieve and maintain the highest 'Outstanding' rating from Arts Council England.
We know that people from our communities, face racism and discrimination. We are an anti-racist
charity. GemArts alongside reginal artists and arts organizations are leading on Culture Against Racism,
a collaborative network committed to creating an anti-racist culture. and c￿ative sector, in the North East
of England.
Despite many challenges, GemArts has shown exceptional leadership and is adaptable, and
demonstrates resilience and innovation in working and meeting Socal, regional and national policy
agendas. Our work with local authorities, educational institutions, children and adu￿ servI￿s, cultural.
voluntary and public sector organisab'ons, continues to strengthen the reach and long tenn impact of our
Registered Charity No. 1008100
Page11 of21

work, enabling us to secure commissioning grants and funding from Irusts and foundations to meet wider
strategic objectives.
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.
communFties, participants and aUdIen￿S for their kindness, generosity and resilience.
emarts.o
The trustees have considered the guidance produced by the Charity Commission on the provision of
public benefrt and they confinn that public benefrt has been provided by the range of activities as
described above.
Financial Review:
The financial position for the year shows net incoming funds of £412,845 and total outgoing reSoUr￿S of
£300,768 with the balan￿ from 2022-23 of £586.130 this leaves assets of £698.207 of which £395,109
are restricted funds and £170,500 are designated funds as per our reserves policy. This leaves £132,598
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 extemal factors.
govemance and management, intemal 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. assuran￿ against material
loss or misstatement of loss.
Reserves Policy:
11 is the policy of the charrty to try to build up unrestricted funds, which are free reserves of the chaiity, to
a level that equates to approximately 6 months expenditure plus redundancy liability which due to
increased costs has increased to £170,500. This required an additional £30,000 to be transferred from
the unrestricted fund to the designated fund. 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 disdose wrth reasonable
accuracy the finanoal position of the charity and which enable them to aS￿rtain the financial position of
the chanty and which enable them to comply with applicable law. The Trustees are also responsible for
safeguarding the assets of the charity and hen￿ for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and
detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Signed on behalf of the Trustses
Name
Manjrt Singh Dhindsa
Position
Secretary
Signature
Date
Name
Angela Singh
Position
Treasurer
Signature
Date
Registered Chanty No. 1008100
Page 12 of 21

Inde
endent Examiners Re
ort
Report to the trusteeslmembers of Gateshead Visible Ethnic Minortties Support Group on Accounls for
the year ended 31 March 2024 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 audrt 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 responsibilrty to:
Examine the financial statements under s.145 of the 2011 Act.,
Follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission
under section 145 (5)(b) of the 2011 Act:and
Stale whether particular matters have come to my attention
Basis of examinef s ststsment
My examination was carried out in accordan￿ with General Directions given by the Charity
Commissioners. An examination includes a review of Ihe accounting records kept by the charity and
comparison of the accounts presented wrth these records. It also includes consideration of any unusual
items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees conceming 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 examinerfs statement
In connection with my examination no matter has come to my attention:
{1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
to keep accounting records in accordan￿ wrth section 130 of the 2011 Act" and
to prepare accounts which agree with the accounling records and comply with the
accounts'ng requirements of the 2011 Act . or
(2) to which. in my opinion. attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of
the accounts to be reached.
Keith Blackett FMAAT
Date
Signed
Registered Charity No. 1008100
Page 13 of 21

Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities
For the year ended 31 March 2024
Unrestricted Designated Restrlcted
Total
Funds
2023-24
Total
Funds
2022-23
Funds
Funds
Funds
Note
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and Legacies
Charitable Activities
Other Trading Activities
Investments
Total Income and Endowments
11,060
87,976
11,060
400,772
2,077
213,641
89,997
312,796
1,013
100.049
1,013
412,845
312,796
305,715
Expenditure on:
Raising Funds
Charitable Activities
Other reSoUr￿S expended
Total Expenditure
Income less Expenditure before
transfers
Transfers
Total Funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
52,596
248,172
300,768
284,017
52,596
47,453
248,172
64,624
300,768
112,077
284,017
21.698
(30,000)
115,145
132.598
30,000
140,500
330,485
170.500 395,109
586,130
698,207
564,432
586,130
Registered Charity No. 1008100
Page 14 of 21

Consolidated Balance Sheet
As at 31 March 2024
Total Funds
2023-24
Total Funds
2022-23
Note
Current Assets
Stocks and Work in Progress
Debtors
Investments
Cash at Bank and In Hand
698,207
698,207
586,130
586,130
Total Current Assets
Liabilities
Creditors." Amounts falling due bwthin one year
Total Cuffent Assets less Cunpnt ￿abilItieS
C￿ltOrS.. Amounts falling due after one year
Net assets orliabilrties including pension asset or
liability
300
300
300
300
697,907
585,830
The Funds of the Charity..
Restricted income funds
Designated Funds
Unreslncted income funds
TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS
395,109
170,500
132,598
698,207
330,485
140,500
115,145
586,130
Signed by one or two of the Trustees on behalf of all the Trustees."
Name
Manjrt Singh Dhindsa
Position
Secretary
Signature
Date
Name
Angela Singh
Position
Treasurer
Signature
Date
Registered Charity No. 1008100
Page 15 of21

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the period to 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024
Accounting Policies
Basis of Preparation
Basis of Preparation
These Financial Statements have been prepared in accordan￿ with Accounting and Reporting
by Charilies.. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their
accounts in accordance w5th the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic
of Ireland {FRS 102) (effective January 2015)- CharTties SORP (FRS 102).
Gateshead Visible Ethnic Minorities Support Group meets the definrtion of a public benefft 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..
the charity becomes entitled to the resources;
the trustees are virtually certain they will re￿1ve the resources; and
the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability
Donations are only induded in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the
resources.
Capital Grants are released over the economic useful lrfe of the asset to which they relate
Resources Expended and Liabilities
Resources expended have been analysed using a natural classification.
Liabilrties are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligalion committing the
charity to pay out reSoUr￿s.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
Registered Charity No. 1008100
Page 16 of21

Funds
The Charity has 3 funds, an unrestricted general fund, a designated fund, comprising 6 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 disdosed.
Restricted Funds
Fund Name
Incoming
ReSoUr￿S
Outgoing
Resources
Balances
blf
Transfers Balance clf
GVEMSG
MEMCO and Warm Spa￿s
GVEMSG Total
GEM ARTS
Arts Council England - NPO
Catalyst
National Foundation for Youth Music
Gateshead Council - ESF - CLLD
Hall
ACE - Culture Against Racism
GMBC - Gateshead Covid
Champions Programme
Bluestone Collaborative -
We1lNewcas￿eGateshead
Cumbria NHS
Lankelly Chase - Bridgebuilder
Lankelly Chase - English Language
Enquiry
GMBC- Gateshead VCS Communty
Health
Lankelly Chase - Deaf Festival
3,051
3.051
2,225
2,225
836
836
4,440
4,440
93,550
75,688
42.102
27.044
7,770
2,817
15,324
182,208
20,000
19,089
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
(173.525)
0.00
(42.039)
0.00
0.00
(300)
0.00
102,233
95,688
19.152
27.044
7,770
2,517
15.324
4.948
0.00
0.00
4,948
29,489
20,820
2,265
0.00
58.320
12,000
(3,144)
(12.952)
(4,081)
26,345
66,188
10,184
5.617
10.000
(8,423)
7,194
0.00
8,954
(2.872)
6,082
GEM ARTS Total
327,434
310.571
247,336
390.669
TOTAL RESTRICTED FUNDS
330,434
312,796
248,172
395.109
Designated Funds
Fund Name
Incoming
Resources
Outgoing
ReSoUr￿S
Balan￿S
blf
Transfers Balance clf
Contingency and Redundancy
Liability
TOTAL DESIGNATED FUNDS
Unrestricted Funds
Fund Name
140,500
30.000
170.500
140,500
30.000
170,500
Incoming
Resources
Outgoing
ReSoUr￿S Transfers Balance clf
Balances
bm
GVEMSG- General Fund
GEM Arts- General Fund
TOTAL UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
6,600
108,545
115.145
586,130
(60)
52,536
52,596
(300,786)
6,540
155,992
132,532
698.207
100,049
100,049
412,845
30,000
30,000
TOTAL FUNDS
Registered Charity No. 1008100
Page 17 of 21

Purpose of Funds
GVEMSG
a) MEMCO transfer
GemArts
a) Arts Council England, National Portfolio Organisation -The grant is towards core costs and artistic
programme
b) Catalyst - building fundraising capacity
c) National Foundation for Youth Music- The grant is for the delivery of a high qualrty participatory
arts project focusing on music with children living in challenging cirCumstan￿s. and
trainingldeveloping a diverse music leader workforce
d) European Social Fund: Gateshead Goes Global- The grant is for the delivery of a high quality
participatory arts programme with women furthest from the labour market to make progress
towards volunteering, employment, enterprise, educalion or training.
e) Town Hall - for the delivery of a South Asian music and perfonnance programme
Arts Council EnglandlDonations - sector supporvpartnership to deliver Culture Against Racism
g) GMBC and Department of Housing. Communrties and Local Government's Community
Champions Fund - Gateshead Covid Champions Programme
h) Bluestone Collaborative- Well NewcastleGateshead - The grant is for the delivery of 'Hyem'
high quality arts. health and wellbeing programme
i) Cumbria NHS - The grant is for the delivery of Cultural Threads an arts health and wellbeing
programme with NHS staff in Cumbria, Northumberfand, and Tyne and Wear
j) Lankelly Chase - Bridgebuilder funding to support wages and core costs
k) Lankelly Chase - to support Englsih Langauage Enquiry wrth people seeking sanctuary
I) GMBC - Gateshead VCS Communtty Health - The grant is to deliver Cultural Threads arts, health
and wellbeing programme in Gateshead
m) Lankelly Chase - to support a Deaf Fests'val
Analysis of Income and Expenditure 2023-24
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and Legacies
GEM ARTS
Sponsorship and Donations
Unrestricted Designated
Restricted
Total
11,IAO
11,CEO
GEM ARTS Donations and Legacies Totsl
11.060
11,060
GVEMSG
Box Offi
Grants
GVEMSG Charitable Activities Total
2,225
GEM ARTS
Arts Council England - NPO
National Foundation for Youth Music
Lankelly Chase- Bridgebuilder
Lankelly Chase- English Language Enquiry
GMBC - Gateshead Community Health
Lankelly Chase- Deaf Festival
GEM ARTS Charitable Activities Total
202,208
19,089
58.320
12,000
10,000
8.954
310 571
202,208
19,089
58,320
12,000
10,000
310 $71
Other Incoming Resources
87,976
87,976
87,976
Total Income and Endowments
Registered Charity No. 1008100
Page 18 of21

Expenditure on:
Charitable Activities
GVEMSG
Refreshmentslcatering
Bank Charges
Rent￿elephOnelln1ernet
Training and Development
Venue Hire
Volunteer Expensesltraveinransport
Community Worker wages
GVEMSG Total Charitable Activities
GEM Arts
Artist Fees, Materials & Production
Food Deliveries and Volunteer Expenses
Venue & Tech
Org Dev and Catalyst
Marketin￿PFuDoC
Evaluation
IT and Equipment
StationerylPrintinglPostage
Insuran
Phonellntemet
Rent
Expenses
Wages and Pensions
Payroll Admin
Independent Examination of Accounts
Bank Charges
GEM ARTS Totsl Charitable Activities
Raising Funds
60
60
60
60
52,536
88,833
4,226
6,520
3,625
8,019
141,369
4.226
6,520
3,625
8.019
1,892
255
1,116
1,892
255
1.116
2,475
1,808
127,571
526
300
62
248.172
2.475
1,808
127,571
526
300
62
300 708
52,536
Total Resources Expended
52,536
248.172
300,768
Support Costs
Support Cost Type
Fundraising
Charitable
Governance
Total
Cost
Activity
Activity
Activity
GVEMSG
Insurance
Rent￿elephOne1InterneI
Sessional Staff
StationerylEquipment
Training and Development
Volunteer Expensesltravelhransport
Community Worker wages
GVEMSG Total Support Costs
GEM ARTS
Venue & Tech
MarketinglPRIDoc
Evaluation
IT and Equipment
StationerylPrintintyPostage
Insurance
Phonellntemet
Expenses
Wages
Registered Charity No. 1008100
6,520
8,019
6.520
8,019
1,892
255
1,116
1,892
255
1,116
1,808
127,571
Page 19 of 21
127,571

Payroll Admin
Independent Examination of Accounts
526
526
300
GEM ARTS Totsl Support Costs
Total Support Costs
148,651
148,651
300
148,951
148,9S1
Stsff Costs
Unrestricted Restricted
Funds
Funds
2023-24
Total
GVEMSG
Salaries and Nl
GVEMSG Total Em
GEM ARTS
Salaries and Nl
Pension
Child Care Vouchers
Pa
roll Fees
GEM ARTS Total Em
lo
Total Employee Costs
lo
ee Costs
122,271
5,300
122,271
5,300
526
128.097
128,097
526
128.097
128,097
2023-24
Number
ee Costs
3 full time and 3 part time employees
These costs were for the ernployment of 3 full time and 3 part time members of staff and include
Ernployerfs Nl. All other staff are casually employed tutorslfacilrtalors. No member of staff was
paid remuneration of £60,000 or more.
Trustees remuneration, benefit and expenses
There were none during this period.
Debtors
There are no debtors at this time.
Creditors
Unrestricted Restricted
Funds
Funds
2023-24
Total
Independent Examinaiion Fee
3QXJ
300
300
300
Related Party Disclosures
There were no related parties during this period.
Taxation
Due to the nature of its activities. the charity is exempt from lax 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 rts chantable objects. Accordingly. there is no taxation charge in
these accounts.
Registered Charity No. 1008100
Page 20 of 21

Transfer
Due to increased costs there was a requirement to transfer additional funds to the designated
fund, to ensure that the reserves policy would be met.
Registered Charity No. 1008100
Page 21 of 21