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← Islamic Network

2023-12-31-accounts

HERE FOR YOUTH ANNUAL TRUSTEE & FINANCIAL REPORT

For the year ended 31st December 2023

CHARITY NUMBER: 1101603

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees ..................................................................................................................................3 Accountants ......................................................................................................................3 Bankers ....................................................................................................................................3 Registered Office ...........................................................................................................3 Registered Charity Number ...............................................................................3

TRUSTEE REPORT

Executive Summary ....................................................................................................4 Our History ...........................................................................................................................4 Charitable Objects ......................................................................................................5 The Need For Our Work ...........................................................................................6 Our Impact ..........................................................................................................................8 Key Achievements in 2023...................................................................................9 Challenges Addressed ............................................................................................13 Looking Forward .............................................................................................................13 In Conclusion ....................................................................................................................14

FINANCIAL REPORT

Independent Examiner's Report

To The Trustees of Here for Youth ................................................................15 Statement of Financial Activities .................................................................17 Balance Sheet ................................................................................................................18 Notes Forming Part of The Financial Statements .........................19 Detailed Statement of Financial Activities ..........................................20

LEGAL AND

Registered Charity Name

Islamic Network

Registration history: 19 January 2004 Other names: Here For Youth (Working name)

Trustees

Mr Amir Malik (Treasurer) Mr Sumir Akhtar (Trustee) Mr Jameil Chaudhry (Chairman)

Accountants

S M Q Accountancy and Management Consultancy Ltd Crown House - Suite 702,

North Circular Road,

London NW10 7PN

Bankers

Lloyds Bank Station Road Harrow HA1 2EB

Registered Office

PO Box 1134 Wembley HA9 1LD

Registered Charity Number

1101603

EXECUTIVE

Here For Youth, formally known as Islamic Network, is a charitable organisation dedicated to addressing the growing crisis Muslims face, particularly teenagers, in the UK.

Our vision is a world where every teenager feels confident in their identity, supported by safe spaces and mentors that nurture their growth and character development, paving the way for a lifetime of success.

In 2023, we continued the rollout of our ' Youth Engagement Framework ' across the UK, with 22 communities and 384 Youth Mentors being trained and coached to effectively engage 1000+ teenagers a week in their local areas. This report outlines our key achievements, challenges addressed, and plans.

OUR

Established as a charity in 2004, we initially focused on educational programs, conferences, workshops, and a regular magazine.

Over the years, our mission has evolved to focus on community development at the grassroots with youth work as the mechanism to see an impactful and sustainable change in our society.

CHARITABLE

Here For Youth is dedicated to fulfilling our charitable objectives to:

THE NEED

Over the past two decades, our engagement with more than 300 Mosques and grassroots organisations across the UK has highlighted an urgent need for safe spaces and structured youth engagement. Despite the widespread desire to support young people, the severe shortage of resources and qualified youth leaders leaves these communities vulnerable. Critical gaps in governance, safeguarding, and funding thousands of Muslim teenagers at heightened risk, with a potential longterm impact on their development.

The statistics are stark: funding for youth services in England and Wales has been cut by £1 billion, leaving some areas with no resources at all. Nearly half of the UK’s Muslim population— comprising a major part of our target demographic—live in the 10% most deprived local authority areas. This situation directly limits their access to education, skills development, and pathways to higher education and career progression, perpetuating a cycle of deprivation that threatens both immediate and long-term community well-being.

Mainstream youth work, though essential, often overlooks the specific needs of minority communities. The sector lacks ethnic diversity, with limited pathways for minorities to pursue formal youth work qualifications at the degree level. This underrepresentation results in a disconnect between available services and the specific needs of Muslim youth in deprived areas.

Our research into youth provision in London highlights the critical urgency of our work. Over 90% of our beneficiaries hail from minority backgrounds. While there is a grassroots commitment to engage young people, it is essential to establish clear pathways for individuals to enter youth work and serve their communities effectively. Without these pathways, the potential for community development and youth empowerment remains unfulfilled.

Leveraging our unique position as a leader in this sector, we have committed to training and coaching individuals aspiring to enter youth work and accrediting the community organisations they represent. We recognise the urgent need to bridge existing gaps by providing essential resources, guidance, and mentorship to empower youth workers from minority backgrounds, thereby supporting the most deprived communities in the UK.

According to the 2021 census, 39% of the Muslim population in the UK live in the most deprived local authorities. Over 15 years of austerity have severely diminished youth services, leaving a significant proportion of Muslim youth without the essential resources, spaces, and opportunities they need to thrive.

At Here for Youth, we focus on engaging community groups with an established reach that are not yet actively engaging teenagers in their local area on a consistent basis. Our approach aims to build on the existing strengths and resilience of these communities, creating safe spaces and facilitating long-term, sustainable development for local teenagers.

In 2022, we completed our Youth Engagement Framework, designed to effectively engage teenagers. By the end of the year, six communities—Mosques and grassroots

organisations from the Muslim community in the UK—had received training and coaching on our framework, gained access to our resource library, and begun engaging teenagers in weekly youth hubs.

Throughout 2023, our reach at Here for Youth has grown organically as a direct result of this work. Even without a formal outreach programme, mosques and grassroots organisations from Muslim communities that had not previously engaged with their youth began approaching us for training in our framework. This demonstrates a widespread desire among communities across the UK to engage with teenagers and underscores the critical need for our framework.

As we look to the future, the urgency of our mission at Here for Youth has never been clearer. The challenges faced by Muslim youth in deprived communities need immediate action through grassroots collaboration. We are committed to bridging the gaps in youth services and empowering local leaders to create sustainable, safe spaces for teenagers. We can ensure that every young person has the opportunity to have access to mentors that back them to grow and give them opportunities to take on leadership roles in their local area. Together, we can make a difference in our communities for generations to come.

OUR

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KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

2023 was a pivotal year for the rollout of our Youth Engagement Framework across the UK. Inspired by our vision, we delivered dynamic " How to Effectively Engage Teenagers " workshops and coaching sessions across the UK, including London, Gloucestershire, the East and West Midlands, Lancashire, West Yorkshire, Surrey, Kent, and Essex . The program equips community leaders and youth leaders with essential skills to connect with teenagers in a meaningful, faith-inspired manner as well as ensuring the organisation is doing so in line with best practices and excellent governance.

We hosted a series of interactive workshops in Northwest London that attracted teenagers from as far afield as Luton travelling to attend, demonstrating the strong demand for such initiatives.

Through the workshops, we explored themes including:

In 2023, we extended the reach of our work on youth engagement to global audiences through keynote speeches and participation in high-profile conferences. These platforms allowed us to share our bold vision for faithinspired youth engagement and highlight the transformative impact of our work on communities.

2023 saw us further our commitment to collaborative efforts, contributing our youth engagement expertise to broader community development initiatives. Our role in shaping strategies for regional and national bodies underscored the importance of faith-based youth work in tackling today’s challenges.

At the 4th Commonwealth Conference on Youth Work 2023 , our CEO, Ayub Seedat, delivered the keynote presentation, "The Mosque – A Safe Space for Faith-Inspired Youth Work." This powerful session resonated with international delegates from Malaysia, Nigeria, Trinidad and Tobago, Papua New Guinea, and the UK , showcasing the historical precedent and current untapped potential of Mosques to serve as safe and loving spaces for youth engagement.

We're incredibly grateful to the National Youth Agency (NYA) and the Commonwealth Alliance of Youth Workers' Association (CAYWA) for giving us the honour of contributing to this important conference.

Additionally, Hamza Ahmed, our Head of Youth Work, was invited to speak at the Faith, Intersectionality, and the Future of Youth Work Partnerships conference, hosted by The Faiths & Civil Society Unit at Goldsmiths University . His presentation, "The Challenge of Recognising FaithBased Youth," introduced our innovative 'Youth Engagement Framework,' sparking meaningful discussions with sector leaders and highlighting the nine essential areas the framework addresses.

We proudly contributed to the West Midlands Faith Alliance , playing a pivotal role in developing a visionary three-year plan to support faith communities across the region. Our expertise in youth engagement was instrumental in shaping this initiative, ensuring that young people remain at the heart of future community strategies.

Representing our network of Youth Hubs and trained Youth Leaders, we participated in the NYA Youth Work Summit 2023 at the Houses of Parliament, Westminster . We highlighted the untapped potential of Mosques and community organisations as safe spaces for teenagers, emphasising the importance of local, faith-inspired youth hubs in fostering personal growth and community connection.

Our participation in the launch of the London Violence Reduction Unit Multi-Faith Network further solidified our influence in shaping youth engagement across London. By sharing our experiences in creating safe, local youth engagement spaces within mosques, we helped unite leaders around the shared values of community, safety, and faith. This led to our invitation to join the Core Steering Group of the Multi-Faith Network, where we will continue to contribute to the future of youth engagement in the capital.

In 2023, we expanded our influence through innovative platforms such as the launch of the Here For Youth Podcast . This platform enabled us to host deep, meaningful conversations on youth engagement, faith, and community, bringing together voices from across the sector.

With guests including Iqbal Nasim MBE, Imam Dawud Walid, and Youth Leaders Fayaz Iqbal and Yasin Erkul, the podcast has become a vital resource for sharing diverse perspectives on the evolving landscape of youth work. Each episode explored topics essential to our mission, from faith and community leadership to practical insights on supporting young people in today’s complex world.

Additionally, our Palestinian Solidarity Webinar provided a vital platform for Mosques to engage with their communities during a critical moment in world history, addressing the distressing situation unfolding in Palestine. With a plausible genocide taking place in full view of the international community, this event facilitated meaningful dialogue and mobilised community support, allowing participants to reflect on their roles in promoting justice and solidarity in these challenging times.

CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE AT THE MUSLIM YOUTH ENGAGEMENT AWARDS

In December 2023, we celebrated the exceptional contributions of individuals and organisations through the inaugural Muslim Youth Engagement Awards in London.

The awards brought together a diverse audience, highlighting the remarkable efforts of various initiatives aimed at fostering positive change among teenagers.

Special guest Professor Andy Turner , lecturer in Applied Social Studies, Community, and Youth Work at Goldsmiths, University of London, praised the achievements saying, " We live in a time where it’s so tough, so challenging, and also so inspiring to be with and learn from young people ."

Our CEO, Ayub Seedat , expressed gratitude, stating, " This event was a pivotal moment where these outstanding grassroots initiatives received well-deserved recognition, showcasing their crucial role in empowering and guiding our youth ."

The ceremony featured several award categories, including:

CHALLENGES LOOKING

Despite our achievements, 2023 was not without its challenges. One of the main hurdles was the growing demand for our services amid financial constraints. With a waiting list of communities requesting our training, coaching and accreditation programme, the pressure to scale our operations exceeded the available resources. Additionally, navigating the complexities of delivering impactful faithinspired youth engagement within an increasingly secular environment required us to continually advocate for the value of faith-inspired engagement and the role of community organisations to act as youth hubbs. Securing sustainable funding for our programmes was also a pressing challenge, emphasising the need for stronger partnerships and more focused investment from stakeholders.

As the expanding scale of our work required immense dedication we prioritised the mental and spiritual wellbeing of our team to ensure staff and volunteer burnout was minimised while maintaining the quality of our programmes. Finally, the broader social climate, marked by political instability and crises such as the Palestinian struggle for liberation, added a layer of emotional and moral complexity to our youth engagement efforts, prompting us to provide more holistic support to the communities we serve.

As we reflect on the successes of 2023, our vision for the future remains ambitious and focused on expanding the impact of our Youth Engagement Framework . We aim to provide organisations with a formal accreditation based on their practical implementation of our framework.

We are dedicated to making youth engagement accessible to the communities we serve whilst supporting them to continually improve their work in a sustainable viable way that truly gives space for their local teenagers to be leaders.

Our advocacy for faith-inspired youth engagement will continue to be a cornerstone of our strategy. We are committed to unlocking existing physical infrastructures, such as Mosques and community centres, to establish safe, loving, local youth hubbs. This will ensure that every young person has access to a supportive environment that fosters growth, resilience, and community belonging.

IN

Here For Youth has made remarkable progress, expanding from 4 to 22 active youth hubbs by the end of 2023, all unified under a shared vision of effectively engaging teenagers in their local areas. In 2023 alone, we trained 384 youth mentors, empowering them with the skills necessary to make a positive impact in their communities. The impact of our framework is now felt by over 1,000 teenagers weekly, ensuring that we foster safe, inclusive, and engaging spaces for youth—particularly within ethnic minority communities.

We remain committed to establishing safe, inclusive, and engaging spaces for UK youth, particularly in minority communities. We look forward to continued growth and development in the years to come and to making a meaningful impact on teenagers' lives.

Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to our partners, supporters, and the communities we serve, whose collaboration is vital to our ongoing success.

Approved by the trustees and signed on its behalf by:

M R J A M E I L C H A U D H R Y Chairman 10th October 2024

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiners 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, I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Basis of independent examiners report

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

  1. Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements

  2. a. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and

  3. b. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or

  4. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

S M Q Accountancy and Management Consultancy Ltd Crown House-Suite 702, North Circular Road, London NW10 7PN

Date: 10th October 2024

" TRAINING , COACHING , AND ACCREDITING ORGANISATIONS ON HOW TO EFFECTIVELY ENGAGE TEENAGERS IN THEIR LOCAL AREA ."

STATEMENT OF

Annual Accounts

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

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Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Notes Funds Funds 2023 2022
£ £ £ £
Donations and similar incoming resources 123,697 0 123,697 118,554
Other Receipts 2 11,587 0 11,587 13,713
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 135,284 0 135,284 132,267
Costs of generating funds:
3 34,774 0 34,774 26,983
Fundraising and publicity
Charitable expenditure:
4 72,331 0 72,331 93,194
Direct Charitable Expenditure
Governance Costs:
5 4,519 0 4,519 1,483
Management and Administration
TOTAL INCOME EXPENDED 111,624 0 111,624 121,445
Net incoming/(outgoing) resources Net Movements in Funds 23,660 0 23,660 10,822
Fund balances b/fwd. 1 January 2023 27,412 (85,394) (57,982) (68,804)
Fund balances c/fwd. 31 December 2023 51,072 (85,394) (34,322) (57,982)
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BALANCE

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023

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Notes 31.12.2023 31.12.2022
£ £
Fixed Assets
Fixture & Fittings
Current Assets
Cash At Bank 24,380 11,374
24,380 11,374
Creditors: (amounts falling due within one year)
Creditors & Accruals 6 720 552
Net Current Assets 23,660 (10,822)
Net Assets Employed 23,660 (10,822)
-
FUNDS
Restricted and unrestricted funds 23,660 10,822
Fund balances carried forward 23,660 10,822
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Approved by the trustees on 10th October 2024 and signed on its behalf by:

Mr Jameil Chaudhry | Chairman

NOTES FORMING PART OF THE

For the year ended 31st December 2023

1. Accounting policies

a. Accounting convention

i. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the inclusion of investments at market value and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective March 2000). In preparing the financial statements the charity follows best practice as laid down in the Statement of Recommended Practice "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" (SORP 2005).

b. Donations, legacies and similar income

i. These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity becomes entitled to the income and the trustees are reasonably certain they will receive it.

c. Tax reclaims on donations.

i. Tax reclaims are included in the SOFA at the same time as the gift to which they relate.

d. Investment Income

i. Investment income is accounted for in the period in which the charity is entitled to receipt.

e. Resources expended

i. Expenditure is included on an accruals basis.

ii. Grants payable are charged in the year when conditions attaching to the grant are fulfilled and a properly completed claim has been received by the charity.

iii. Support costs relate to costs of processing grants and applications and general office expenses.

DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023

31.12.2023

31.12.2023
£
2. Donations and similar incoming resources 123,697
3. Other Receipts
Gift Aid 11,587
4. Cost Of Generating Funds
The amount payable in the year comprises:
Fundraising Campaigns Costs (34,774)
5. Direct Charitable Costs
Donations to Charitable Activities (72,331)

6. Governance Costs

6. Governance Costs
Admin Staff Salary 0
Office Rent 0
Telephone 0
Postage & Stationery 0
Bank Charges 0
Travelling 0
Professional Fees (3,420)
Misc (1,099)

7. Creditors

7. Creditors
Other Creditors 0
Fund balances c/fwd. 31 December 2023 23,660
Reserve Gift Aid
Total
8. Fund Fund Fund £
£ £
Balance at 1st January 2022 (57,982) 0 (57,982)
Incoming/(Outgoing) resources 23,660 0 23,660
(34,322) 0 (34,322)

The Reserve fund represents the unrestricted funds which the Trustees are free to use in accordance with the charitable objects.

PO Box 1134, HA9 1LD

Email

info@hereforyouth.org

Website

www.hereforyouth.org

CHARITY NUMBER: 1101603