UK Registered Charity No.: 1087726 Office: Office: Flat 8, 45 Augustus Road. SW19 6LW http://www.breacc.org.uk
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Objectives of BREACC (Brazilian Educational and Cultural Centre)
The primary objective of BREACC is to promote and preserve the Portuguese language and Brazilian culture among children and families living in the United Kingdom. As the oldest Portuguese as a Heritage Language (POLH) school in the UK, BREACC is committed to providing a nurturing and inclusive educational environment where children can explore their cultural identity through language, arts, music, literature, history, and traditional customs.
Founded and maintained by dedicated parent volunteers, BREACC aims to:
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Deliver high-quality Portuguese language education tailored to children of Brazilian heritage.
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Foster a strong sense of cultural belonging and identity through immersive cultural experiences.
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Support the social, emotional, and linguistic development of children in a bilingual and multicultural context.
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Strengthen community ties among Brazilian families in the UK through collaborative learning and cultural exchange.
BREACC operates through multiple learning stages, offering age-appropriate classes and activities that encourage creativity, communication, and cultural pride. The charity continues to evolve in response to the needs of its community, ensuring that future generations remain connected to their roots while thriving in a diverse society.
BREACC is a secular, voluntary organisation funded by members of the Brazilian community in the UK. The school meets at the Waldegrave School, Fifth Cross Road, Twickenham, TW2 5HL, and at the Anglo Continental School, 29-35 Wimborne Road, Bournemouth BH2 6NA, on Saturday mornings during school term times.
A full prospectus is available from BREACC's website www.breacc.org.uk; BREACC's official site provides information in English as well as in Portuguese.
Officers and Trustees of BREACC
The following served as Committee Members, and hence as Trustees in the year ended 31 August 2025.
Katia Nogueira Moraes Peixoto Fonseca – Chairman
Aracele Danize De Luca – Treasurer
Glayson Cunha – Secretary
Geovanna Celani – Trustee
All the above may be contacted c/o BREACC info@breacc.com or by post: BREACC, Flat 8, 45 Augustus Road, SW19 6LW.
BREACC Activities and Events Report: September 2024 – August 2025
Introduction
This report provides a comprehensive overview of the key activities and events undertaken by BREACC (Brazilian Educational and Cultural Centre) in Bournemouth and Twickenham during the academic year spanning September 2024 to August 2025. This period was guided by our continued commitment to promoting Brazilian language, culture, and heritage, building on the foundations laid in previous years and deepening our students’ connection to their Brazilian roots.
The 2024–2025 academic year once again presented significant challenges for the wider voluntary and charitable sector in the United Kingdom. Persistent cost-of-living pressures, elevated inflation, and economic uncertainty continued to affect many households across the country. These conditions had a direct impact on BREACC’s registered membership numbers, as families faced difficult financial decisions regarding discretionary activities including heritage language education. Additionally, the broader environment for UK charities remained challenging, with reduced grant funding availability, increasing operating costs, and growing demand for community support services. Despite these considerable external pressures, BREACC’s committee and volunteers remained resolute in their commitment to delivering high-quality educational and cultural provision for our community.
Annual Theme: As Artes Influenciando a Transformação Social
Building on the success of previous years’ themes, the 2024–2025 academic year was guided by the theme “As Artes Influenciando a Transformação Social” (The Arts Influencing Social Transformation) – a powerful and timely concept that placed artistic expression at the heart of our educational and cultural programme. This theme invited our students and families to explore how music, dance, visual arts, storytelling, and performance have long been forces for social change in Brazil and beyond, reflecting the country’s vibrant history of using culture as a means of building community, challenging inequality, and celebrating diversity. Through a carefully crafted programme of activities, lessons, and community events, students were encouraged to engage creatively with their Brazilian heritage and to understand the transformative power that art can have in society. By connecting artistic practice with cultural identity, BREACC empowered its students to see themselves not only as inheritors of a rich cultural tradition, but as active participants in its continuing evolution.
Key Activities and Events
1. Carnival Party
Carnival holds a place of profound cultural significance in Brazil, representing a joyful expression of national identity, creativity, and community spirit. At BREACC, we honoured this cherished tradition through vibrant Carnival celebrations held at both our Twickenham and Bournemouth centres.
In Twickenham, the Carnival Party was an exclusive event for our registered members, bringing together children and parents in a spectacular celebration of costume, dance, and music. Many families showed remarkable creativity in making or sourcing their own costumes, turning the event into a deeply personal exploration of Brazilian cultural identity.
In Bournemouth, the Carnival Party was opened to the wider public, welcoming families from diverse backgrounds to experience the energy and joy of Brazilian Carnival first-hand. This open and inclusive approach reinforced BREACC’s commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding and sharing the richness of
Brazilian heritage with the wider Bournemouth community. The event was warmly received, with many new families discovering BREACC for the first time through this celebration.
2. Community Open Day
BREACC hosted Open Days in both London and Bournemouth during the academic year, providing a welcoming and accessible opportunity for prospective members and interested community members to experience our programme first-hand. These free events allowed children and families to participate in a variety of fun, educational, and culturally enriching activities, and to meet our teachers and committee volunteers. Each Open Day generated meaningful interest from new families, contributing to our ongoing outreach efforts and broadening awareness of BREACC’s mission across both communities.
3. Christmas Celebration
The 2024 Christmas Celebration brought together students, families, staff, and volunteers in a heartfelt and joyous occasion that marked the end of the autumn term. Children performed songs, recitations, and presentations in Portuguese, showcasing the language skills and cultural knowledge they had developed throughout the term. The celebration served as a wonderful opportunity to reinforce the bonds of community among our members, reflect on the achievements of the year, and share in a festive atmosphere that blended Brazilian and British seasonal traditions.
4. Festa Junina Celebration
The Festa Junina, or June Festival, is one of Brazil’s most cherished cultural celebrations, rooted in the country’s rural traditions and offering a rich expression of community, music, dance, and seasonal food. The festival honours Saints Anthony, John the Baptist, and Peter, and brings people together through the traditional quadrilha dance, forró music, distinctive costumes, and an abundance of traditional Brazilian foods.
This year, BREACC’s Bournemouth Festa Junina took place on Sunday, 29 June 2025, at the Anglo-Continental School, 29-31 Wimborne Road, Bournemouth BH2 6NA, from 12pm to 5pm. The event was open to the wider public and attracted families from across the Bournemouth community and beyond, as well as members of the Brazilian diaspora who were delighted to experience an authentic celebration of this beloved tradition outside Brazil.
The Twickenham centre also hosted its own Festa Junina on the 05 of July from 12pm to 5pm, similarly open to the local community, providing an equally vibrant and immersive experience. Both events featured traditional music, dancing, authentic Brazilian food stalls, and games, and were received with tremendous enthusiasm by all who attended.
The Festa Junina celebrations represent some of BREACC’s most impactful work, both in terms of cultural education for our students and in terms of community outreach, serving as a powerful bridge between the Brazilian community and the wider public. These events are a cornerstone of our annual programme and consistently demonstrate the joy and richness that Brazilian culture brings to our communities.
5. Pedagogical Development and Teacher Training
BREACC’s commitment to excellence in heritage language education continued throughout the year with investment in the ongoing professional development of our teaching staff. Our teachers engaged in training and collaborative learning activities focused on innovative approaches to Portuguese as a Heritage Language teaching, drawing on best practices developed within the POLH community across Europe. This investment in our educators directly benefits our students, ensuring they receive high-quality, engaging, and age-appropriate language and cultural education each week.
Communication and Engagement
BREACC maintained active and engaging communication channels throughout the 2024–2025 academic year. Our social media presence on Instagram (@breaccbournemouth and @breaccschool) and Facebook continued to be key platforms for reaching both registered members and the wider community, sharing news, event information, and highlights of our students’ learning journeys. Our official website, www.breacc.org.uk, continued to provide information in both English and Portuguese, reflecting our commitment to accessibility and inclusivity.
For registered members, a weekly newsletter remained a vital communication tool, delivering timely updates on events, activity calendars, and homework resources. We are grateful to our dedicated Marketing and Media Work Group, whose volunteer efforts are instrumental in managing and developing our communications.
Future Plans
Looking ahead, BREACC remains committed to expanding its reach and deepening its impact for the Brazilian community and the wider public. Our key priorities for the coming year include:
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Continuing to make our educational and cultural programmes as accessible as possible, with particular attention to families experiencing financial hardship, so that economic barriers do not prevent children from benefiting from heritage language education.
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Growing our membership base through enhanced outreach and community engagement, including further Open Days and community events.
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Strengthening our partnerships with local authorities and community organisations in both Bournemouth and Twickenham, to better support Brazilian families with education, employment, and social integration needs.
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Expanding our programme of public cultural events, including the Festa Junina and Carnival celebrations, to further promote cross-cultural understanding and bring the richness of Brazilian culture to an even wider audience.
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Continuing to invest in teacher training and pedagogical development, ensuring the highest quality of Portuguese as a Heritage Language education for all our students.
Acknowledgements
BREACC extends its heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated committee members for their extraordinary voluntary commitment throughout the year. We are deeply thankful to every individual, family, and organisation who has contributed to our activities and events, whether through financial support, volunteering, or simply through their participation and enthusiasm. We extend warm thanks to our existing members for their continued loyalty and support, and we warmly welcome all new members who have joined us this year. It is the generosity, energy, and dedication of our community that makes BREACC’s work possible.
We also wish to express our sincere gratitude to the Anglo-Continental School in Bournemouth and the Waldegrave School in Twickenham for their ongoing support and for providing the spaces in which our community gathers each week.
Conclusion
The academic year September 2024 to August 2025 has been one of resilience, creativity, and continued community impact for BREACC. In the face of significant economic challenges affecting families and the voluntary sector alike, our organisation has remained steadfast in its mission to promote the Portuguese language and Brazilian culture, foster a sense of cultural belonging, and support the wellbeing of Brazilian families in the UK.
Through our Carnival celebrations, Open Days, Christmas events, Festa Junina, and ongoing educational programme, we have continued to create meaningful experiences for our students and to build bridges between the Brazilian community and the wider public in Bournemouth and Twickenham. BREACC remains proud of its position as the oldest Portuguese as a Heritage Language school in the UK and is committed to carrying this legacy forward for future generations.
Katia Fonseca
Chairman
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF BREACC – Brazilian Educational and Cultural Centre
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 August 2025.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and independent examiner
As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Basis of independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the 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 those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair' view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which give me cause to believe that, in any material respect
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and
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content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Vanusa de Aveiro BA Hons IBM, AAT Accurate Complete Accounting Ltd The Pagoda, 30 Avenue Road Bournemouth, BH2 5SL 19[th] June 2026
| Statement of Financial Activities | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 |
2024 | |
| Income from | ||
| Charitable activities | 76,068 | 61,311 |
| Total incoming resources | ||
| Resources expended Charitable activities | 88,382 | 71,117 |
| Total resources expended | ||
| Net income | (12,314) | (9,806) |
Reconciliation of funds |
||
| Net funds brought forward at 01/09/2024 | 33,372 | 43,178 |
Total funds carried forward at 31/08/2025 |
21,058 | 33,372 |
| The Notes to the Accounts form part of these Financial Statements. | ||
| Balance Sheet | ||
| 31/08/2025 | 31/08/2024 | |
| Current assets | ||
| Cash at bank | 16,133 | 36,268 |
| Petty cash | 1,976 | 764 |
| Trade debtors | 6,328 | |
| Total current assets | 24,437 | 37,032 |
| Liabilities falling due within one year | 3,379 | 3660 |
| Net assets | 21.058 | 33,372 |
| The funds of the charity | ||
| Unrestricted income funds | 21,058 | 33,372 |
| Total charity funds | 21,058 | 33,372 |
| The Notes to the Accounts form part of these Financial Statements. | ||
| Approved by the Trustees on 19thJune 2026 and signed on their behalf by: | ||
| Katia Fonseca - Trustee | ||
| Aracele Danize De Luca - Trustee |
Statement of Financial Activities
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| (Unrestricted) | (Unrestricted) | |
| Income from | ||
| Charitable activities | 76,068 | 61,311 |
| Total incoming resources | 76,068 | 61,311 |
Resources expended Charitable activities |
88,382 | 71,117 |
| Total resources expended |
88,382 | 71,117 |
| Net income |
(12,314) | (9,806) |
| Reconciliation of funds | ||
| Net funds brought forward at 01/09/2024 | 33,372 | 43,178 |
Total funds carried forward at 31/08/2025 |
21,058 | 33,372 |
The Notes to the Accounts form part of these Financial Statements.
Balance Sheet
| 31/08/2025 | 31/08/2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Current assets | ||
| Cash at bank |
16,133 | 36,268 |
| Petty cash |
1,976 | 764 |
| Trade debtors | 6,328 | |
| Total current assets | 24,437 | 37,032 |
| Liabilities falling due within one year 3,379 | 3,660 | |
| Net assets | 21,058 | 33,372 |
| The funds of the charity | ||
Unrestricted income funds |
21,058 | 33,372 |
| Total charity funds | 21,058 | 33,372 |
The Notes to the Accounts form part of these Financial Statements.
Approved by the Trustees on 19[th] June 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Katia Fonseca - Trustee
Aracele Danize De Luca - Trustee
Notes to the accounts
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The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 together with FRS102(2016) as the applicable accounting standards and the 2016 version of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities {SORP(FRS 102)}.
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1.2 There are no material uncertainties related to events or activities that cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
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Charitable activity expenditure includes:
| 1. Charitable activity expenditure includes: | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
Faculty Fees |
69,767 | 50,656 |
| Rents |
8,237 | 10,560 |
| Materials and Admin. |
1,532 | 1,798 |
| Insurance |
377 | 377 |
| Storage |
2,725 | 2,719 |
| Other |
5,744 | 5,007 |
| __ | _ | |
| 88,382 | 55,547 | |
| 2. Liabilities falling due within one year: | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Accruals for accountancy fees | 660 | 1,020 |
| Accruals for rent | 2,719 | 2,640 |
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In the year three Trustees received reimbursement of a total of £ 1,067.20 of expenses incurred on behalf of the Charity.
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Prior period comparative statement of financial activities
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| (Unrestricted) | (Unrestricted) | |
| Income from | ||
| Charitable activities | 61,311 | 56,346 |
| Total incoming resources | 61,311 | 56,346 |
| Resources expended Charitable activities 71,117 |
55,547 | |
| Total resources expended | 71,117 | 55,547 |
| Net income | (9,806) | 799 |
Reconciliation of funds |
||
| Net funds brought forward at 01/09/2023 43,178 | 43,537 | |
| Total funds carried forward at 31/08/2024 33,372 | 43,178 |
BREACC – Brazilian Educational and Cultural Centre
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of BREACC – Brazilian Educational and Cultural Centre (registered charity 1087726)
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF BREACC – Brazilian Educational and Cultural Centre
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 August 2025.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and independent examiner
As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Basis of independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the 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 those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair' view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which give me cause to believe that, in any material respect
• the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
- the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
• the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Vanusa de Aveiro BA Hons IBM, AAT Accurate Complete Accounting Ltd The Pagoda, 30 Avenue Road Bournemouth, BH2 5SL 19[th] June 2026