BRITISH SOMALI COMMUNITY
Financial statements & Trustee reports
For the year ending 31 March 2024 Charity Registration Number: 1099490
BRITISH SOMALI COMMUNITY
Contents
For the year ending 31 March 2024
Page
| Legal and administrative information | 1 |
|---|---|
| Trustees’ report | 2-4 |
| Independent examiner’s report | 5 |
| Statement of financial activities | 6 |
| Balance sheet | 7 |
| Notes to the accounts | 8-11 |
BRITISH SOMALI COMMUNITY
Legal and Administrative Information
For the year ending 31 March 2024
Status:
The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 18 December 2002 and registered as a charity on 19 August 2004.
Company number: 04620527 Charity Number: 1099490 Registered Office & Business Address: 7-9 Crowndale Road London NW1 1TU Trustees: Osob Mohamed … Chair Dr Sana Omar Zeinab Abdi Muse … Treasurer Hafsa Issa-Salwa … Secretary Sucdi Hashi … Member Rahma Mao … Member
Bankers: Natwest Bank, Camden Town Branch 166 Camden High Street London NW1 0NW
Accountants:
Issa Associates Chartered Certified Accountants 40a Maygrove Road London NW6 2EB
1
BRITISH SOMALI COMMUNITY
Trustees’ Report
For the year ending 31 March 2024
Objective
The objectives of British Somali Community are to support and develop educational achievements, cultural and recreational interests of Somali children and young people, to assist in health improvements, of Somali women, as well as to provide education and training facilities for Somali women to enable them to participate as active citizens.
Legal structure
BRITISH SOMALI COMMUNITY is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 18 December 2002.
Financial statements
The trustees, who are also directors of the charitable company, submit their trustees’ report and financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2024.
Policies:
Reserve policy:
The charity currently operates with general reserves account balances of £115,000, this was £65,000 for 2022-23. The trustees desired to increase the reserve funds due to the increased risks of livings costs and financial turmoil. The trustees are endeavouring to build up its donor base with a view to having sufficient reserves to sustain the organisation for 12 months or more.
Risk(s) review:
The trustees have recently reviewed the major risks faced by the charity. This has resulted in efforts to increase charity’s donor base.
Trustees Responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006.
The trustees oversee preparation of financial statements, select suitable accounting policies and make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent to give the true state of affairs of the charity. Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity. They are elected and replaced as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Activities and Achievements
Introduction - The BSCC charity is managed by 6 elected women trustee members and is currently staffed by 8 part-time employees as well as regular volunteers. BSCC is a small women-led, BAME charity entering its 30th year of delivering vitally needed services to underrepresented community in the heart of London. The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on the charity’s service delivery, finances, and staff wellbeing, as well the devastating impact and trauma it wrecked on the community the charity serves- a community disproportionately affected by the pandemic - resulting in uncertainty for the long-term future of the charity at time when the community’s needs were greater than ever and the charity’s support was more needed than ever.
2
BRITISH SOMALI COMMUNITY
Trustees’ Report (continued)
For the year ending 31 March 2024
Through great resilience and perseverance, the charity was able to work with its partners and close funders to rebuild and restrengthen in a post-pandemic world. The charity’s core provisions were restored to be fully public facing, expanding its reach and access to those in need. The weekend Supplementary School and parents sessions, previously held online to support family’s needs during the pandemic, was restarted out of the community centre, in great part due to the support of John Lyons Charity’s post-Pandemic Recovery Grant which helped BSCC to restabilise after Covid’s impact. The Recovery grant alongside grants from LB Camden Resilience funding and London City Bridge enabled BSCC to reshape its services through embedding thoroughly the trustees’ Strategic Plan. The Plan was an incredibly inspirational and collaborative endeavour, between the trustees and key BSCC staff, through extensive workshop sessions, concluding in a working document setting out the charity’s aims, ambitions, and vision over the next 3-5 years, particularly in ensuring BSCC continues its effective operation and provision of the educational and recreational activities for young people, parents, and the elderly. The strategic plan also focuses the charity on the need and pathway to providing an effective system for increasing fundraising and financial growth to ensure longterm sustainability.
BSCC key initiatives - In the past year the charity has been able to strengthen its partnership working, through the establishment of co-operative models of provision with a number of multiagency services enabling it to support women, girls and families with expert health awareness and seminars and empowering young people and women to build confidence strong voices to speak out for violence issues against women and girls including Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and DV.
NHS small grant from 2022- 24 provided support service to people suffering Mental Health by Covid-19 lockdown impact as well as the community existing MH impacts of refugees experienced war trauma through provision of advice and guidelines, advocacy; community MH champions training as well as health wellbeing support for physical activities at BSC Centre and referrals to MH services. We have also focused on youth and adults’ unemployment as the pandemic and the turbulent job market led unemployment to rise among those in the communities we serve. We have increased our partnership work to Camden apprenticeship, Job Centres alongside training opportunities provision. The vital Youth Safety BSCC project funded by LB Camden Task Force came to end mid-year 2021 though the project made difference with the support needed to families against the disproportionate youth knife crime in the Somali Community slowly reduced in Camden but long-term provision to unemployment and youth disorder.
Cost Of Living Crisis – the cost of living has continued to detrimentally affect the families we serve, they are unable to afford the cost of eating and heating. With the support of local services and charities BSCC is providing relentless support to residents and families for the challenge they face from cost living crises through accessing cost living crises and related local support package, which has enabled low income families to survive, in particularly Camden Borough has been one of the forefront Councils committed to supporting their residents through the Covid and economic recession’s impact creating local massive of food banks and financial supporting partnerships.
Supplementary School – Core first BSCC project steadily growing and developing and going into it’s 30th year in 2025, with long standing education out school funding mainly from John Lyons , most of its alumni have obtained various career successes and represent community first role models.
3
BRITISH SOMALI COMMUNITY
Trustees’ Report (continued)
For the year ending 31 March 2024
The school provides various related activities as holiday activity , Mental Health as result of Covid impact and to pupils with SEND through extra specialist tutorial provision and sports session The school attracts also families from BAME back ground as Hon of Africa , Arabic and Asians though still higher proportion is from Somali origin users from children from Somali Community only to be a multi- ethnic Communities school due (Bengali, Arabic, East and Horn Africa). The school activities increased its partnership work with local schools with local primary and secondary schools in the local areas supporting children and parents towards education attainment and through behaviour and learning difficulties, truancy and other parents support from the community through self-referrals and partnership work. From spring 2024 the school expanded its provision with extra 3 hour of Boost Sessions on Thursdays after school aimed to provide extra support for GSCE levels funded by Camden Young Foundation.
Youth Football Project – is an innovative and exciting sports program tailored to only girls from 13 -25 years, the program is funded by GO London aimed to develop and enhance girls sports need in particularly the football it’s the first time girl from Somali Community had obtained this football opportunity and the sports area which was historically meant to be for only boys
Community Development Support Project – Post pandemic showed families needed more support as covid-19 impact pushed families to the edge as they were unable access necessary support service. BSCC has been successful for 3-year funding by City Bridge funded project to revive most valuable activities as ESOL and Sewing classes, IT Training; 1:1 advise; Health and exercise sessions, parents seminars, workshops by multi agencies working with young people and families towards employability pathway and community safety.
Warm Welcome Space
BSC as part of residents support saving energy package and cost living crisis impact we have set up Warm Welcome Space from 2022 at BSC Centre , it does not provide solely to keep warm with tea and coffee but variety of support services are available like cost living, welfare , debts , MH , housing , education and unpaid carers support. The weekly attendance exceeds over 50 users mainly women and elderly. This program has been successful and demonstrated as residents and community H u b .
Funding
Although BSCC has experienced financial challenges during pandemic , currently the charity is in a better financial situation as a result of the above main funding successes which enabled the recovery by Covid negative impact and leading towards sustainability. The trustees express their thanks to all funding agencies and individuals that have helped the charity to develop its services to the community and their financial support during and post pandemic. Special thanks to John Lyon’s Charity, Camden Borough, City Bridge Trust the NHS alongside James Wig Health Centre and to our partnership input by sharing resources and experience . BSC’s trustees, staff and volunteers with continuous long term determination ambition, resilience with a strong ethos for a well developed community organisation .
This report was approved by the board and signed on its behalf by:
Date: 04 September 2024
……………………………. Osob Mohamed (Chair) 7-9 Crowndale Road,
London, NW1 1TU
4
BRITISH SOMALI COMMUNITY
Independent examiner’s report
For the year ending 31 March 2024
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024, which are set out on pages 5 to 6.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the 1993 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 43 of the 1993 Act;
-
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 43(7)(b) of the 1993 Act; and
-
To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention, which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
-
To keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and
-
To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities have not been met;
Date: 4[th] September 2024
Issa Associates Chartered Certified Accountants 40a Maygrove Road London NW6 2EB
5
BRITISH SOMALI COMMUNITY
Statement of Financial Activities
For the year ending 31 March 2024
| Notes Incoming resources From charitable activities 2 Investment income 2 Total incoming resources Resources expended Charitable activities 3 Governance costs 4 Total Resources Expended Net resources for the year 5 Fund balances at 1 April 2023 Fund balances at 31 March 2024 |
Unrestricted funds £ 2,687 - 2,687 1931 - 1,931 755 56,375 57,131 |
Restricted funds £ 217,939 - 217,939 112,950 5,662 118,612 99,326 61,672 160,998 |
2024 2023 Total Total £ £ 220,625 96,996 - - - 220,625 96,996 114,881 88,063 5,662 3,341 120,543 91,404 100,082 5,592 118,047 112,455 218,129 118,047 |
|---|---|---|---|
6
BRITISH SOMALI COMMUNITY
Balance Sheet
For the year ending 31 March 2024
| Notes Fixed assets Tangible assets 6 Current Assets: Cash at bank and in hand Creditors:amounts falling due within one year 7 Net Current Assets Total Assets less current liabilities Funds of the charity: Restricted funds Unrestricted funds |
2023 £ £ £ £ 1,992 1,125 245,787 123,372 245,787 123,372 (29,650) (6,450) 216,137 116,922 218,129 118,047 160,998 61,672 57,131 56,375 218,129 118,047 2024 |
|---|---|
For the financial year ended 31 March 2024, the company was entitled to exemption from audit under s477 of the Companies Act 2006; and no notice has been deposited under s476.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with s386 and preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the financial year, and of its profit or loss for the financial year in accordance with the requirements of sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to accounts, so far as applicable to the company.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to small companies' regime. The financial statements on pages 1 to 6 were approved by the board and signed on their behalf by:
……………………………….. Rahma M. Mao Treasurer
Date: 04 September 2024
7
BRITISH SOMALI COMMUNITY
Notes to the Accounts
For the year ending 31 March 2024
1 Accounting Policies
- 1.1 Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, and have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities (Revised SORP 2015) and the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities.
- 1.2 Incoming Resources
Grants and donations are recognised on accruals basis.
Incoming resources are reported gross.
- 1.3 Resources Expended
Resources expended are included in the Statement of Financial Activities on accruals basis, inclusive of any VAT that cannot be recovered.
Expenditure that is directly attributable to specific activities has been included in these cost categories. Where costs are attributable to more than one activity, they have been apportioned across the cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of those resources.
1.4 Depreciation
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation.
Provision for depreciation of tangible fixed assets held by the charity is made at an annual rate of 25% on straight line basis.
8
BRITISH SOMALI COMMUNITY
Notes to the Accounts
For the year ended 31 March 2024
2. Grants and Donations
| GLA Go London Zurich insurance LBC Youth Choice Program Camden Careers 2. Investment Income Interest receivable John Lyons (Supplementary school) Rental income Young Camden Foundation L B of Camden James Wigg Practice Total Incoming Resources Other Donations LBC Resilience Award Somali Steering Group |
Unrestricted Funds £ - - - - - - - - - - 2,687 2,687 Unrestricted Funds £ - 2,687 |
Restricted Funds £ 26,729 49,900 9,804 93,531 21,810 12,755 2,790 - - - 620 - 217,939 Restricted Funds £ - 217,939 |
2024 Total 2023 Total £ £ 26,729 12,710 49,900 50,000 9,804 9,804 93,531 - 21,810 - 12,755 - 2,790 - - 12,000 - 6,000 3,800 620 - 2,687 2,682 220,625 96,996 2024 Total 2023 Total £ £ - - 220,625 96,996 |
|---|---|---|---|
9
BRITISH SOMALI COMMUNITY
Notes to the Accounts
For the year ending 31 March 2024
3a. Direct Charitable Expenditure
| HAF Young people activities Youth project Light & heat Mind of Camden repayment Violence reduction Events & outings 3b. Support Costs Publicity & promotions Sundry expenses Total Charitable Activities 4. Governance Total Resources Expended Rent and service charges Wages and salaries Volunteer expenses Depreciation Supplementary school tutors Audit and Accountancy Legal and Professional Telephone, fax, Internet Printing, Postage, Stationery Refreshments and activities |
Unrestricted Funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Unrestricted Funds £ 778 114 1,039 1,931 1,931 Unrestricted Funds £ - - - 1,931 |
Restricted Funds £ 24,146 59,274 329 1,716 18,479 1,973 3,206 84 - - 648 1,549 1,547 112,950 Restricted Funds £ - - - - 112,950 Restricted Funds £ 1,500 4,162 5,662 118,612 |
2024 Total 2023 Total £ £ 24,146 24,886 59,274 35,932 329 930 1,716 - 18,479 14,120 1,973 2,535 3,206 3,211 84 551 - 2,460 - 223 648 302 1,549 683 1,547 - 112,950 85,832 2024 Total 2023 Total £ £ 778 769 114 814 1,039 649 1,931 2,231 114,881 88,063 2024 Total 2023 Total £ £ 1,500 700 4,162 2,641 5,662 3,341 120,543 91,404 |
|---|---|---|---|
10
BRITISH SOMALI COMMUNITY
Notes to the Accounts
For the year ending 31 March 2024
| 5 Paid employees 5.1 Staff costs Gross wages salaries and benefits in kind Employers National Insurance costs 5.2 Number of employees The average monthly number of employees during the year was: Charitable activities 6 Tangible Fixed Assets Cost Additions Depreci 7 Creditors – Amounts falling due within one year Other creditors 31 March 2022 At 1 April 2023 At 31 March 2024 At 1 April 2023 Charged in the Year At 31 March 2024 At 31 March 2024 Net Book Value |
2024 2023 £ £ 59,274 35,932 - - 59,274 35,932 2024 2023 Number Number 7 3 7 3 Office Equipment Total £ £ 9,864 9,864 1,906 1,906 11,770 11,770 8,740 8,740 1,039 1,039 9,778 9,778 1,992 1,992 1,125 1,125 2024 2023 £ £ 29,650 6,450 29,650 6,450 |
|---|---|
11