## ANNUAL REPORT
##
2021/2022
AWARENESS THROUGH ART
CARING CARING FOR FOR CARERS CARERS
- Page 4Page 4-5 5
Page 7
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Dr Otilia Popescu MD Dr O�lli Popesc D
**----- End of picture text -----**
## The **CHAIR** Reports
It has been an honour to have been elected Chair of Apna Ghar Minority Ethnic Women’s Centre in 2021 – 2022. As we emerged from the Covid pandemic, we face the challenges of a world where there is more domes�c violence and mental health problems, more poverty, and more child abuse, but also a wish to come together, to meet with friends and family and to live as normal. We have seen this reflected in the ac�vi�es that the Centre managed to provide throughout the past financial year. Thanks to our funders we con�nued to offer support to women from ethnic minori�es living in South Tyneside. Our Domes�c Abuse project con�nued and thanks to funding from Comic Relief we became involved in a partnership project aimed at promo�ng health and wellbeing, as well as awareness of Domes�c Abuse for BAME women across the borough. We started our Carers’ project, which is currently ongoing, and we hope to offer training and work opportuni�es to women who may be already carers for family members and now can access further educa�on and work opportuni�es. We also set up a support group to care for women who are unpaid carers, caring for loved ones with physical or mental health problems at home. Our Luncheon Club con�nued, improved and became an opportunity for women from different backgrounds to meet and share their love of food and good their help. cooking, as well as to improve their language skills. Our health promo�on _**Dr O�lia Popescu MD**_
ac�vi�es con�nued through educa�on sessions as well as our fitness programme. We invited health professionals into our Luncheon Club and carers’ sessions, and encouraged women to eat healthier alterna�ves through our Luncheon Club. Our Sewing Class proved popular once more, with women learning a new skill, as well as having the opportunity to prac�ce their spoken English and numeracy. ESOL classes are always in demand across the borough and we are pleased to have held three classes per week, as well as a conversa�on class for those aspiring to enrol onto our Carers’ courses. I would like to thank the staff who go above and beyond doing their duty, always with a smile on their faces, to the Coordinator who keeps the team together and ensures that all ac�vi�es are on track, to our volunteers, and to the Board members who supported me throughout. And, last but not least, a huge ‘Thank you’ to our funders: Comic Relief, The Na�onal Lo�ery, Police Crime Commissioner’s fund, Community Founda�ons of Tyne and Wear and Northumberland and Durham, South Tyneside Council, Ballinger Trust, Garfield and Weston Fund, Lloyds Founda�on, Coalfields Regenera�on and Rise North East, and many others who appreciate the work we do. Their support is paramount, and we could not help the minority women of South Tyneside without their help.
## **MANAGEMENT BOARD Members**
**O�lia Popescu** - Chair **Saira Malik** - Deputy Chair **Amina Hyder** - Treasurer - **Surajah Hunter** Deputy Treasurer - **Elaine Crompton** Secretary **Kishwar Haque** - Member **Asia Rahman** - Member **Shobha Srivastava MBE** - Member
## **The Apna Ghar Centre team**
**Susan Stevenson** - Projects Coordinator **Nasrin Begum** - Finance and Family Support - **Shellina Begum** Finance/ Community Support/ Domes�c Abuse **Farida Ansari** - Community Support/Domes�c Abuse **Akhi Azad** - Community Support **Rajwant Kaur** - Domes�c Abuse Officer **Naiema Ali** - Admin Assistant **Drupy Senanayake** - Volunteer Lead - **Huda Alnajjar** Community Support
**2**
## **It is our MISSION**
groups and individuals · Offering a range of voca�onal and non-voca�onal training opportuni�es · Respec�ng and valuing the diversity of cultures
Apna Ghar is a Minority Ethnic Women’s Centre, based in the heart of South Shields.
By providing a wide range of opportuni�es the charity aims to develop confidence and empower women to recognise their full poten�al whilst allowing them to maintain their cultural iden�ty.
## · & our **objec�ves** are:
To provide outreach and link workers support to the community To ac�vely promote the services of Apna Ghar to the community of South Tyneside To provide a culturally suppor�ve and safe mee�ng place To make the services more accessible to the senior ci�zen members of the community
-
## **Our strategic aims include:**
- Enhancing awareness of the · range of opportuni�es and services provided by Apna Ghar
-
- Extending the number of users who u�lise the services provided by Apna Ghar
-
- Promo�ng and developing effec�ve links with the community between a wide range of organisa�ons,
## **The project coordinator reports...**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Susan Stevenson, Projects Coordinator
**----- End of picture text -----**
must for a charity, not least of which now, when funding is tight and demand for our services in the centre increases.
The coming year is set to be one of worry and heartache for many as the cost-of-living crisis really hits home. We, as a charity, will strive to do our best to help those in need, be that as a listening ear, a warm place to retreat, or to signpost to those able to give financial or mental health support.
It has been a joy to see our service users feeling more confident about coming out of their homes after the pandemic. The many classes, courses, focus groups and events have helped build that confidence and for that we thank our funders, the management team and the hardworking team of staff and volunteers for their time and flexibility to support local families.
_he_ past year has been a busy year, one which has been dominated with _T_ reconnecting in person with organisations who are able to support the work Apna Ghar delivers to the BAME women of South Tyneside. Building and retaining relationships with all the agencies and funders is an absolute
## **Sharing our VISION**
**Apna Ghar was established more than 35 years ago with a vision as strong today as it was all those years ago. As the only Minority Ethnic Women’s Centre in South Tyneside ...**
**pna Ghar’s** vision is to remain a leading supplier of services for **Minority** _**A**_ **Ethnic Women** . It has the aim to enhance the services provided by con�nually reviewing and understanding the needs of its members.
Apna Ghar has a commitment to **funders, clients, members and the community** in which it serves. In the following pages, we look at some of the ways Apna Ghar has been transforming words into ac�ons over the past year.
**Apna Ghar wants you to know how they work and what a difference it makes to the women of the community in which it serves.**
**3**
## **Caring for Carers**
One of the focusses of the Asha Ki Kiran (Ray of Hope) project is to ‘Care for our Carers’. Support Worker Farida Ansari says: “Many women are caring for children or adults with disabili�es or special needs within their home.” Farida explains that many of these women are unaware of the help and support available to them.
Apna Ghar started the support sessions by invi�ng Jacqui Kaid, Strategic Carers Liaison Officer, who delivered informa�on to a group of six women, who are carers for family members. Jacqui delivered the contents of the Carers Handbook to the service users.
Farida Ansari explains: One of our carers was very astonished to know that there is help but she struggled so much with her first child. Her elder son has learning difficul�es and she struggled so much with him as she was new to this country and didn't know that she can get help. She is very pleased that she a�ends Carer sessions gaining knowledge about different kinds of help
## **Building English skills with Mary**
or intending to join one in a few months, so the goals are much clearer this �me.
**English Conversa�on Tutor Mary Thompson Owen-Smith reports on student’s progress:** The English Conversa�on class started in July 2021 and runs alongside the Level 1 and Level 2 Adult Care courses held at Apna Ghar. Students who are interested in joining these courses, but who need a li�le help with their English, can build up their language skills in a safe, confiden�al and hopefully fun environment. The aim is for the students to progress onto the Level 1 and Level 2 courses, or to develop their English while already studying Adult Care, if they and the teachers feel extra tui�on is needed. The first group of students
The students’ English levels range from complete beginner to pre - intermediate. The focus is on improving speaking skills and exploring topics like health, medicine, food and diet, fitness, etc., as well as prac�sing general grammar, making ques�ons and explaining vocabulary. Students with a higher level of English are happy to help those with a lower level, and recently a volunteer has joined the class – she herself has just completed the Level 2 course and is about to start work as a carer, so her input has been invaluable.
TUTOR: Mary Thompson Owen-Smith
had classes un�l March 2022. Some of the ladies were allowed to join the group simply to improve their English, while the others went on to enrol on the latest Level 2 Adult Care course. In the current group, all are either already on a Care course
**----- Start of picture text -----**
One of the service users enjoys the benefts of Yoga in Apna Ghar
**----- End of picture text -----**
**RELAXING BODY AND MIND WITH YOGA**
**Four blocks of 6 week Yoga sessions were held in the centre to help relieve stress, calm the mind and strengthen the muscles. Yoga tutor, Patricia U�ridge delivered the sessions in Apna Ghar to groups of women who were keen to learn about the benefits of yoga. One of our service users said: ''My doctor advised me to get some exercise, I a�ended Apna Ghars Yoga class and it has helped me quite alot. I have also met other lovely ladies who are in the same boat as me.''**
**4**
## **Level one carers achieve success**
## **On track**
All thirteen students, who have been studying the 17 module Adult Care Diploma Level Two, have been described as being ‘on track’ by tutor Lynne Sparkes. “Level 2 Group tutor Lynne said, “Each and every one of the learners have stayed on programme throughout, a few have actually already completed and moved onto suppor�ng others in the group to finish. They have all completed skills days to put their knowledge of what they have learned in the classroom, into prac�ce. We are really proud of how far they have all come and are excited to see what they can do in the future.”
**EXAM SUCCESS: All ten students (above) studying for their level one Adult and Child Carers cer�ficate were happy to receive their cer�ficates in July 2021.**
said: “I feel very proud. I am excited and very happy.”
As well as receiving their level one cer�ficates, the students also received awareness cer�ficates for Demen�a and Mental Health **.** Fatema Irin said she found the course very interes�ng. “I learnt about Demen�a and Mental Health. I learnt so many new things during level one,” says Fatema. Both Lynne and Natalie gave us lots of informa�on about Adult Carers.
Tutor, Natalie New (above right) said: “The group were all so proud of themselves, but also of each other as they realised that they could achieve a lot. They were all really keen to move onto higher levels and look into gaining employment in the care sector.” Receiving her cer�ficates, Fatema Irin
## **Homework club for Carer students**
sessions was a great idea. In the beginning when she did her homework at home, she used to struggle a lot as there was no one at her house to help her, but when they started a�ending the homework session she was very happy as she could finish her homework the same day. Fatema also said that Natalie was very helpful and suppor�ve. Projects Coordinator, Susan Stevenson said: “A big thank you to the Training in Care staff who adapted the sessions for the students and ensured that Natalie New was on hand to help the women complete their homework.”
**Apna Ghar responded to** they have all come and are **the Carer students needing** excited to see what they can **�me and space to devote** do in the future.” **to comple�ng their homework by se�ng up a** A FEW HAVE **‘Homework Club’.** Students studying for their ACTUALLY level one and level two cer�ficates said that having ALREADY the �me at home to complete homework was COMPLETED AND very challenging. Apna Ghar formed a homework club by herself and o�en misses for the students. One of the her breakfast. She said, “I MOVED ONTO students, Rita Hossain said am very thankful to Apna the homework session was Ghar for the lunch that they SUPPORTING very helpful. “Natalie [New] provided to everyone. was very helpful and she Without food it wouldn't be OTHERS IN helped everyone with their easy to stay all day. She homework.” Rita explains enjoyed having lunch THE GROUP that as a single mother she with everyone and share finds it very hard in the the bonding. TO FINISH morning to do everything Fatema Irin said homework
A FEW HAVE ACTUALLY “ ALREADY
COMPLETED AND
**5**
## **Flu Jabs**
As well as promo�ng the Covid 19 boosters, Apna Ghar again hosted flu clinics in the centre ensuring more than 70 women got their annual flu jabs. Service users were keen to come to the centre for their jabs. One service user said, “I prefer having my flu jab at Apna Ghar as I know I will get help with language straight from the �me I enter the door. All staff are very helpful.”
## **Medical School Partnership**
Over the past year, Apna Ghar has partnered with Sunderland University to give placement opportuni�es to a group of year two medical school students. One of the students, Syeda Haque, who had a placement in the centre said:
“Thank you for your �me and allowing me to shadow your team at Apna Ghar. It was incredibly insigh�ul to be part of that. The community event you held for the Womens Together Partnership was greatly appreciated. I cannot tell you enough how much I learnt from everyone there.” Eight students had placements in the centre and learned about the local community and spent �me ge�ng to know about the services available. This helped give the students an understanding of how much service provision takes place outside of primary and secondary care and the differing popula�ons they may meet as future doctors.
## **Women Thrive with Luncheon**
**Lunch was back on the** and sharing recipes and this from around the world.” **menu thanks to a** has made all the difference Drupy explains: **partnership with WHiST** as we learn to eat and learn “It is a place where a single **and their Women's** about the different cultures mum or a lonely elderly **Thrive Project.** lady who eats alone at Since Apna Ghar was home can come together formed by its founder, once a week to have a Vimla Storey, more than 34
Since Apna Ghar was formed by its founder, Vimla Storey, more than 34 years ago, the luncheon club has been a place for women to meet, make friends, eat together and share stories.
years ago, the luncheon A few words that have club has been a place for described this club “I feel women to meet, make fulfilled and happy when I friends, eat together and come and eat and talk to share stories. the ladies,” and “I miss the Volunteer Lead Drupy food when it's not on”. Senanayake says: “We have For more informa�on on ladies from many different the Luncheon Club, speak countries coming together to a member of the Apna **A group of ‘unpaid carers’ share** cooking their own cuisine **lunch together in Apna Ghar** Ghar team. **I FEEL I HAVE A FAMILY TO EAT WITH WHEN I COME HERE** “ **Ladies Rise to get into fitness**
Thanks to the Rise Together Fund Apna Ghar Service Users have been able to take part in fitness classes, targeted towards women of all abili�es. Circuit training, seated exercise, whatever the ability, it’s catered for. Toni Elwin delivers the course. Toni says: “The objec�ve of the class is not only to increase fitness, but to do it in a fun and accessible way, this has been aided by the wonderful new equipment of resistance bands and exercise bikes.” Many of the service users have told Toni that the class has encouraged them to con�nue exercising outside of the classes, many have done so by walking to the centre and performing the exercises at home. “I have inten�onally made the class a�ainable to encourage this con�nua�on at home,” adds Toni. If you’d like to take part, speak to a member of the Apna Ghar team.
6
**6**
## **This popular class is sew good**
Thanks to The Na�onal Lo�ery Community Fund, Apna Ghar were able to restart the Sewing Class this year.
Sewing Tutor Anila Maqbool said: “The majority of the students, who started the class this term, were novice but very keen to learn the sewing skills and how to use a sewing machine. Mainly the reason for them to enrol on the course was for them to be able to make their own clothes/garments, be able to do basic mending and understand different types of fabric. All students started with learning to use the sewing machines and discussed which one to buy for their personal use according to their skill level. Students also learned how to create a
## **ACHIEVING POTENTIAL**
Apna Ghar has hosted a wide variety of classes and sessions to help build women’s confidence and guide them either into work, or into educa�on over the last financial year.
**NEW SKILLS: Student’s are learning skills to make their own garments and discussed how they can create self-employment opportuni�es.**
sewing pa�ern using an old their pa�erns according to garment. Crea�ng their own their needs. sewing pa�ern was Students have shown preferred in order to dedica�on to the learning enhance students’ Maths throughout the course and and English skills. This will completed many projects. also allow students to save Some of the students also money by not buying discussed how can they use pre-printed pa�erns and will the newly learned sewing support their crea�ve skills to create selfthinking as they will be employment opportuni�es.” able to make changes to
Projects Coordinator Susan Stevenson says: “Working alongside agencies such as Northern Rights and Training in Care, women have been able to access a wide and varied range of classes and informa�on sessions to help them.” CV wri�ng and applica�on forms have featured highly on service users ‘need to know’ list. Northern Rights held an informa�on session in the centre, giving women the opportunity to register with them for future help when applying for work. One of Apna Ghar’s service users, Rita Hossain says: "I did my Adult Carers Level 2 course at Apna Ghar. This course was very interes�ng and useful. I need to do 150 hours placement to get my Cer�ficate. Training in Care was very helpful and gave me all the informa�on where and how to apply for the placement. Natalie who works for Training and care helped me to get a placement at Age Concern and I'm thankful to her. I am very thankful to Apna Ghar for giving me the opportunity to a�end Adult Cares Level 2 which was funded by Na�onal lo�ery. A big thank you to Na�onal lo�ery too".
## **THANK YOU APNA GHAR FOR HELPING ME FIND MY PASSION [FOR SEWING]** “
ESOL (English for Speakers of other languages) classes have been held in Apna Ghar by South Tyneside College over this year. Leyla AlSayadi has been delivering the course. Leyla says: “The course overall was very successful with five learners passing speaking and listening NOCN exams with a minimum of ‘sa�sfactory achievement’.
This result has been internally and externally verified. The learners were ac�vely engaged in lessons and the posi�ve group dynamic contributed to the progress made by each individual.
If learners can demonstrate commitment, I believe that next year holds even more opportuni�es for them as we change to the na�onally recognised Trinity Exam board.”
**7**
## **Partnership working for IT Classes**
## **Working in Partnership with local charity Bliss=Ability, IT sessions were delivered to service users in Apna Ghar.**
Some of the women are pictured receiving their IT Par�cipa�on Cer�ficates. IT tutor, Doreen Hudson says: “They have worked hard and made excellent progress most of them having no previous knowledge of IT. Some of them will be con�nuing their learning as this was a first step for them. They have gained confidence in themselves and have taken great pride in their work and achievements. BLISS=Ability wishes them the very best in all their future ventures. Well done ladies.”
**----- Start of picture text -----**
A group of students receive their IT
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **A lifeline for our service users**
le�ers/documents, immigra�on, benefit claims, social housing, council tax and Universal Credit. Referrals come from Jobcentre Plus with the majority accessing our English classes to develop their language skills, which will help them to access jobs in the future. IAG is a lifeline for some of our service users. Many would struggle to engage due to language barriers and low self-esteem
not receive the help and support they require to get on with their daily lives. “I am proud to be of service to improve the lives of these women. I would also like to add that Apna Ghar are grateful for the funding received from Coalfields Regenera�on Trust this year, who have supported us to con�nue this invaluable work for our service users and the BAME communi�es.”
**Family Support Worker Nasrin Begum reports on the delivery of the Informa�on, Advice and Guidance (IAG) service:** “Our engagements with our service users con�nue to increase and we are happy to report that over the year we have supported 127 clients. The main areas that we offer support have been accessing GP appointments online, educa�on, transla�ng
## **A SERVICE USER SAYS:**
“I lost my husband a couple of years ago, and it is through Apna Ghar that I have started to gain my happiness again. The support I received over the years have built my - self esteem and confidence. I a�end English class and have improved my English language skills.”
**8**
## **Support groups helping the survivors of Domestic Abuse**
urrently, we have 52 clients in our database, 30 clients seek help each month through 1:1, domes�c abuse group sessions, and **C** are encouraged to a�end classes and courses. Over the last year, the Apna Sahara project has received 15 new Domes�c Abuse referrals from external and internal agencies. The Apna Sahara project has provided informa�on and guidance to external agencies working with youths around DA and signposted them to appropriate youth agencies. We have given support around BAME and cultural abuse and supported external professional around this issue and support.
Apna Ghar has worked in partnership with Sangini through the Women Together Partnership to raise awareness around domes�c abuse and the importance of art and crea�ve therapy in promo�ng posi�ve mental health and healing from trauma related abuse. A service user who a�ended the sessions stated, she wanted to speak to someone about domes�c abuse but was unsure and uncomfortable un�l this space was given to them to explore their feelings around domes�c abuse.
## Domes�c Abuse Lead Raj Kaur says:
“ _We have had a busy and tempestuous year with the Apna Sahara project. It has seen many changes as we came to the end to our PCC funding for the project in October 2021. However, we have worked hard to maintain the support we had for our DA survivors by providing 1-1 Domestic Abuse emotional support, signposting to relevant agencies such as WHiST, Options, CREST, Impact, Changing Lives. Through the partnership work with Sangini, we have provided Domestic Abuse survivors with art therapy related support, which has a positive impact on the women. I am pleased to say that we have now secured additional three year funding from Northumbria Police and Crime Commission to continue to deliver this project.”_
## **A survivor’s story - a story of hope**
**Domes�c Abuse worker Farida Ansari shares a survivor’s story:** Client A has been married for 12 years and she didn’t realise that she had been a Domes�c Abuse vic�m for so many years. When she married, like any other girl, she had lots of hopes and dreams with the marriage. Her husband is a very controlling and orthodox. He tried to control her in every aspect of her life. She realised he was not the right person from the beginning but she wanted to give a chance to her marriage with the hope that he might change one day.
Client A is going through depression and seeking medical help for it. She always wonders where to seek help for her problem because she knew the life that she has been living is not a normal life. One day she a�ended one of the Domes�c abuse awareness sessions at Apna Ghar and learned about Domes�c abuse and its types and also where to seek help. She was very happy that she a�ended the session and got all the informa�on. Now she shares her problem with the Apna Ghar Domes�c Abuse team and decided to move out of the abusive rela�onship. She is very thankful to Apna Ghar and Comic Relief who have given hope to her and many other women within the BAME culture who are suffering in silence.
**9**
## The
## **treasurer**
## reports
**Apna Ghar’s Treasurer, Amina Hyder gives us a rundown of the charity’s finances for the year. Amina says:**
Once again Apna Ghar is able to celebrate its success in providing services to the community through the con�nued support of our funders. I list below grants received from a number of sources:
## **£80177** from Comic Relief Fund
working in partnership has been our major funder and helped us to maintain good control over expenditures throughout.
## **£38196** from the Na�onal Lo�ery
Community Fund for our long-awaited carers project and a sewing class.
## **£10000** from Coalfields Regenera�on
Trust for our valuable Informa�on Advice & Guidance sessions. £10000 from Garfield Weston received in March’21 will be carried over to the next financial year as part funding for our much-needed Domes�c Abuse project.
## **£7628** from Northumbria Police
and Crime Commission for our Domes�c
which is going from strength to strength. A welcome con�nuous award of
**£5000** from the South Tyneside Council to support our outreach work to the community.
## **£4000** Ballinger Trust has been very
suppor�ve over the years and granted us £4000.00 annually a contribu�on towards our running costs.
- Few smaller grants were received
- RISE North East for Fitness classes,
- Community Founda�on
- S&T Grassroot Fund for refurbishment and
- Women Health in ST for luncheon club
In conclusion I have to say the year ahead will be full of challenges as obtaining funding will be difficult but with the help of our dedicated staff, volunteers and Management Commi�ee we will con�nue to thrive. I would like to give our thanks to all our funders without their support our work would not be possible. Thanks, are also due to Nasrin our Finance Officer for looking
## Abuse project
## **What else?**
As well as all of the funders listed, we also extend our thanks to many organisa�ons for their support and guidance throughout the year, which is greatly appreciated by Apna Ghar.
**10**
## **- Our projects 2021/22**
**Here is a summary of service users’ a�endance at our classes and ac�vi�es for the year...**
## **- Ethnicity of members 2021/22**
**Here is a summary of service users’ ethnicity ...**
**11**
## **Acknowledgements**
**Apna Ghar Minority Ethnic Women’s Centre would like to thank all who have supported them during the 2021/22 financial year, including the following funders:**
## **Apna Ghar Minority Ethnic Women’s Centre**
124 - 126 Ocean Road South Shields Tyne & Wear NE33 2JF
Tel: (0191) 456 4153 (0191) 456 4147
Email: ag@apnagharwomenscentre.com Website: www.apnagharwomenscentre.com
**Registered Charity No.**
**Apna Ghar Registered Charity No. 1013583**
**Trustees' Report and Financial Statement for the year ended 31 March 2022**
## **Apna Ghar**
## **Apna Ghar**
Name: **Apna Ghar** Charity no: 1013583 Structure: Unincorporated association governed by a constitution. Trustees: Otilia-Ana-Maria Popescu Shobha Srivastava Saira Malik Amina Hyder Kishwar Haque Surajah Hunter Elaine Crompton Asia Uddin Drupathy Chernelle Senanayake Trustees are elected by the membership at each Annual General Meeting.
Address: 124-126 Ocean Road South Shields NE33 2JF Bankers: Lloyds Bank
Independent Mark Thompson MAAT Examiner: VODA Spirit of North Tyneside Wing 2nd Floor, Wallsend Customer First Centre 16 The Forum Wallsend NE28 8JR
## **Apna Ghar**
## **Review of activities and performance 2021-22**
All of our courses, sessions and activities aim to increase women’s confidence and self-esteem, with the target of leading more independent lives and to feel empowered to reach their full potential, whilst allowing them to maintain their cultural identity.
INFORMATION, ADVICE AND GUIDANCE SESSIONS: Daily sessions are held in the centre. Subjects most often covered are Universal Credit, Education issues, Housing, translation of letters and documents and immigration.
SEWING CLASSES: Women learn a new skills and practice their spoken English and use numeracy skills . ESOL: Accredited course with weekly sessions delivered by South Tyneside College tutors ESOL: Two weekly Accredited courses delivered by CECOS
ENGLISH CONVERSATION: Weekly English Conversation running alongside the Level 1 and Level 2 Adult Care courses held at Apna Ghar. Students who are interested in joining these courses, but who need a little help with their English, can build up their language skills
WOMEN’S LUNCHEON CLUB: This class is being run in Partnership with WHiST. Weekly session to socialise, learn how to cook healthier, budget meals and health related sessions to educate.
HEALTH: Apna Ghar again hosted two Flu Vaccination clinics and has promoted the Covid 19 jab. Health professionals invited to centre monthly to advise and educate towards healthier lifestyles
FITNESS CLASSES: Popular class, targeted at women of all abilities. Circuit training, seated exercise, whatever the ability, it’s catered for.
YOGA: Weekly sessions focussing on health and mental wellbeing in a safe and secure environment. SEATED YOGA: Sessions held for those unable to do mat work, focussing on the above.
LEVEL ONE CHILD AND ADULT CARE: Accredited course running throughout the academic year, delivered by Training in Care. The foundation to Level 2. Awareness sessions included and employability modules too. LEVEL TWO ADULT CARE DIPLOMA: A 17 module course aimed towards getting women into work, building confidence and tackling the shortage of BAME carers in South Tyneside.
DOMESTIC ABUSE AWARENESS: Raising awareness of what Domestic Abuse is, through Art Therapy and meaningful conversations.
DOMESTIC ABUSE SUPPORT SESSIONS: Supporting domestic abuse survivors through one-to-one sessions, group sessions, signposting to our various classes and a holistic approach using our multi-lingual staff who have understanding of the cultures of the victims.
CARING FOR CARERS: Group sessions to help support women who are caring for loved one’s at home. Weekly/monthly sessions from professionals who are able to guide and signpost. IT SESSIONS: Classes held to deliver basic IT sessions – accredited course
PLACEMENTS: We have this year accepted 7 university students on placement in Apna Ghar, supporting their studies in Health and Social Care.
HOSPITALITY & HOPE: Staff have supported the charity to deliver food parcels to BAME during school holidays.
VOLUNTEERS: Re-recruitment of volunteers started with three new volunteers joining the Team.
## **Risks, reserves and investments**
The Trustees aim to maintain free reserves in unrestricted funds at a level equivalent to six months expenditure. This level would allow the charity to continue its activities for a reasonable period in the event of a sudden curtailment of funding. This would allow enough time for the charity to either obtain new funding sources or restructure its activities
## **Trustees' responsibilities in relation to the financial statements**
## **Independent Examiners Report**
||**Independent Examiners Report**|
|---|---|
|**Report to the**
**trustees of**|**Apna Ghar**|
|**On accounts for**
**the year ended**|**31 March 2022**
**Charity no**
**1090870**|
|**Respective**|The trustees of the organisation are responsible for the preparation of|
|**responsibilities of**|accounts; they consider that an audit is not required for this year under|
|**trustees and**|section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 and that an Independent|
|**examiner**|Examination is needed.|
||It is my responsibility to|
||• examine the accounts (under section 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 Act), and|
||• state whether particular matters have come to my attention.|
**Basis of** My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions **independent** given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review **examiner’s** of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the **statement** accounts presented with those 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 I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts. **Independent** In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention: **examiner's** 1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material **statement** respect, the trustees have not met the requirements to ensure that: • proper accounting records are kept (in accordance with section 130 of the Act); and • accounts are prepared which agree with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 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. **Signed: 24 August 2022 Name:** Mark Thompson MAAT **Address:** VODA Spirit of North Tyneside Wing 2nd Floor, Wallsend Customer First Centre 16 The Forum Wallsend NE28 8JR
## **Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2022**
|||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Total**|**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**Funds**|**Funds**|**Funds**|**Funds**|
|**Receipts**||**2022**|**2022**|**2022**|**2021**|
|Grants|2|1359|159613|160972|105055|
|Generated Funds||112||112|3317|
|Other Income||||0|0|
|Bank interest||||0|0|
|**Total Receipts**||**1471**|**159613**|**161084**|**108372**|
|**Payments**||||||
|Salaries|||53355|53355|45856|
|Other Charitable Activities||1709|71738|73447|40004|
|Governance|||450|450|450|
|Other Resources Expended|||||0|
|**Total Payments**||**1709**|**125543**|**127252**|**86310**|
|**Surplus / deficit for the year**||-239|34070|33832|22062|
|Transfer between Funds||**13869**|**-13869**|**0**|**0**|
|**Funds at 1 April 2021**||**137289**|**100892**|**238181**|**216119**|
|**Funds at 31 March 2022**||**150920**|**121093**|**272013**|**238181**|
|**Apna Ghar**
**Balance Sheet**
**2022**
**£**
**notes**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
6
**Current assets**
Debtor
Cash at bank and in hand
136,983
136,983
**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
**Net current assets**
Total assets less current liabilities
**Creditors: amounts falling due after one year**
**Net Assets at 31 March 2020**
**Represented By:**
Restricted Funds (Fixed Assets)
Restricted Funds (Current Assets)
**Total Restricted Funds**
Unrestricted Funds (Fixed Assets)
Unrestricted Funds (Current Assets)
**Total Unrestricted Funds**
**31 March 2022**|**Apna Ghar**
**Balance Sheet**
**2022**
**£**
**notes**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
6
**Current assets**
Debtor
Cash at bank and in hand
136,983
136,983
**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
**Net current assets**
Total assets less current liabilities
**Creditors: amounts falling due after one year**
**Net Assets at 31 March 2020**
**Represented By:**
Restricted Funds (Fixed Assets)
Restricted Funds (Current Assets)
**Total Restricted Funds**
Unrestricted Funds (Fixed Assets)
Unrestricted Funds (Current Assets)
**Total Unrestricted Funds**
**31 March 2022**|**2022**
**£**
135,030
**136,983**
272,013|**2021**
**£**
102,432|**2021**
**£**
135,749
**102,432**
238,181|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||136,983||102,432||
||||||
|||**272,013**||**238,181**|
|||52,655
68,438
**121,093**
82,375
68,545
**150,920**||63,524
37,368
**100,892**
72,225
65,064
**137,289**|
|||**272,013**||**238,181**|
The financial statements were approved by the following members of the Management Committee:
|Signed………………………………….|Position……………………………..|
|---|---|
|Signed………………………………….|Position……………………………..|
|Date||
## **Apna Ghar Notes to the accounts, 2022**
## **1. Accounting Policies**
- **a** The 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 1 January 2015) – Charities SORP (FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006
Apna Ghar 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).
- **b** Grants received are accounted for on a received basis and credited to income.
- **c** Voluntary income is received by way of donations and gifts and is included in full in the Receipts and Payments Account when received.
- **d** Freehold property is stated at value, depreciation only listed when applicable. Fixtures & Fittings are depreciated at 15% reducing balance.
## **2. Grants receivable**
## **Unrestricted**
|**Unrestricted**||
|---|---|
|Lloyds BME Partnership|1359|
|**Total Unrestricted Funding**|**1359**|
|**Restricted Funds**||
|South Tyneside Council Outreach|5000|
|The National Lottery Community Fund - Sewing Classes|7542|
|The National Lottery - Carers Project|30654|
|RISE North East|2984|
|Coalfield Regeneration Trust|10000|
|Northumbria Police PCC|7628|
|Ballinger Trust|4000|
|Community Foundation S&T Grassroot Fund|1000|
|Garfield Weston|10000|
|WHIST - Luncheon Club|628|
|Comic Relief Fund|80177|
|**Total Restricted Funding**|**159613**|
## **3. Trustees, staff and related party transactions**
The organisation employed 9 members of staff during the period of the accounts. No payments were made to trustees’ towards salary costs for the year £53355
## **4.[Costs of financial services]**
During the year £450 was paid for the independent examination of the accounts. No other amounts were paid for financial services.
## **5. Restricted Funds**
Analysis of Restricted Funds:
|**(Fixed Assets)**
Awards For All
The Big Lottery Fund
South Tyneside Homes
South Tyneside Council Capital Fund
Early Years Fund
National Lottery Capital Fund
Northern Rock Foundation Capital
**Total Fixed Asset Funds**
**(Revenue)**
Coalfield Regeneration Trust
Comic Relief Fund
Ballinger Trust
High Sheriff Award
South Tyneside Council Outreach
The National Lottery - Carers Project
RISE North East
Community Foundation S&T Grassroot Fund
Garfield Weston
TNL Community Fund - Sewing Project
TNL Community Fund - Sewing Project (New)
Lloyds - BME Project
Community Foundation - Tampon Tax Community Fund
WHIST - Luncheon Club
Community Foundation - Ringtons Fund
Hadrian Trust
Lloyds - Covid React Fund
Northumbria Police PCC
**Total Revenue Restricted Funds**
**Total Fixed Asset & Revenue Restricted Funds**
**6**
**Fixed Assets**
Cost
As at 1 April 2021
Additions
Disposals
As at 31 March 2022
Depreciation
As at 1 April 2021
Charge for the year
Disposals
As at 31 March 2022
**Net Book Value at 31 March 2022**
.
Net Book Value at 31 March 2021|**Open Bal**
**Income**
**Expend**
**Transfer**
**End Bal**
3408
-3408
0
10173
10173
3200
-3200
0
14040
14040
4261
-4261
0
13442
13442
15000
15000|
|---|---|
||63524
0
0
-10869
52655|
||0
10000
9123
877
0
80177
38297
3000
38880
0
4000
4000
0
648
648
0
1503
5000
4638
1865
0
30654
23005
7649
0
2984
1928
1056
177
1000
177
1000
847
10000
847
10000
9103
9103
0
7542
7542
10062
10062
0
8523
8523
0
0
628
1059
-431
3894
3894
0
1000
1000
0
1611
1611
0
0
7628
7628
0|
||37368
159613
125543
3000
68438|
|||
||**100892**
**159613**
**125543**
**-7869**
**121093**|
||**Freehold Land**
**Fixtures &**
**and Buildings**
**Fittings**
**Total**
**15%**
130953
10808
141761
130953
10808
141761
6012
6012
719
719
6731
6731
**130953**
**4077**
**135030**
130953
4796
135749|