## **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