Charity Registration Number 1101649
## **Bolton Solidarity Community Association**
Trustees' Report and Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 March 2025
**Allerton House Community Centre School Hill Bolton BL1 2NE**
**Tel: 01204 813489 / 01204 813485 Website: www.bscabolton.com Email: bolsomcom@hotmail.com**
## **Bolton Solidarity Community Association Report and Accounts**
**for the year ended 31 March 2025**
## **Contents**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Contents|1|
|Legal and Administrative Information|2|
|Secretary's Report|3|
|Trustees Report|4-8|
|Statement of Trustees|9|
|Accountant's Report|10|
|Statement of Financial Activities|11|
|Income and Expenditure Account|12|
|Satement of Financial Position|13|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|14-16|
1
## **Bolton Solidairity Community Association**
## **The report of the trustees for the year ended 31 March 2025**
## **Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities**
## **Legal and administrative information**
## **Status**
B.S.C.A. The full name of the charity is **Bolton Solidarity Community Association** .
The legal registration details are: Date of formation: 15 May 2002 The principal Office is: Allerton House Community Centre, BL1 2NE Charity Registration Number: 1101649 The telephone number: Tel: 01204 813489 / 01204 813485 Website: www.bscabolton.com
**Current Trustees** Hussain Ahmed Osman Chairman Ahmed Sarman Secretary Mohamed Arale Treasurer Ali Abdullah Awad Member Secretary Ahmed Sarman Charity Registration Number: 1101649 Registered Office Allerton Community Centre, School Hill Bolton BL1 2NE Accountants Berkley Heath 2 Redstone Road Manchester M19 1RB Business address Allerton Community Centre, School Hill Bolton BL1 2NE Bankers Lloyds Lloyds Bank 13 Hotel St, Bolton BL3 6LS
2
## **Bolton Solidairity Community Association**
## **The Trustees message of appreciation on report of the trustees for the year ended 31 March 2025**
B.S.C.A. (Bolton Solidarity Community Association) is pleased to present our Annual Report and independently examined Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2025.
On behalf of the organisation, we would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to our Management Committee, Staff, and dedicated Volunteers. Their unwavering commitment, hard work, and collective effort have been instrumental in enabling B.S.C.A. to achieve its goals over the past year.
Through their dedication, B.S.C.A. has continued to deliver valuable services and initiatives that have directly benefited the local community. Whether through educational programmes, community outreach, or support services, our team has worked tirelessly to meet the needs of those we serve.
We are proud of what has been accomplished and recognise that none of this would have been possible without the passion and resilience of everyone involved. As we look forward to the year ahead, we remain committed to building on this foundation and continuing to make a positive difference in the lives of our community members.
Thank you once again to all who have contributed to B.S.C.A.’s mission and success.
B.S.C.A. Trustees
3
## **Bolton Solidairity Community Association**
## **The report of the trustees for the year ended 31 March 2025**
## **Background**
The Bolton Solidarity Community Association (B.S.C.A.) was established in 2002 in direct response to the growing number of new communities, including refugees and asylum seekers, settling in the Bolton area. From the outset, our mission has been clear: to maximise the potential of individuals from new communities, helping them to build stable, empowered, and meaningful lives in the UK.
Over the past 23 years, B.S.C.A. has worked tirelessly to address the challenges faced by newly arrived individuals and families — challenges such as language barriers, cultural adjustment, and access to services, employment, education, and social inclusion. Through this work, we have developed deep-rooted trust within diverse communities and have become a vital support system for many.
As a result of our long-standing commitment and proven track record, B.S.C.A. is now widely recognised as a model of best practice for other voluntary and community sector organisations across Bolton and beyond. Our extensive background and community-based experience give us unique insight into the needs, strengths, and aspirations of Bolton’s multicultural population. This positions us as the go-to organisation for culturally competent support and meaningful community engagement.
In 2025, we have seen a notable increase in the number of clients and cases we have supported compared to the previous year. This rise reflects both the continued growth of Bolton’s new communities and the increased visibility and trust in the services that B.S.C.A. provides. We see this as both a challenge and an opportunity — a challenge to continue expanding our capacity, and an opportunity to positively impact even more lives.
B.S.C.A. remains committed to our core values of solidarity, empowerment, and inclusion, and we continue to adapt and respond proactively to the changing needs of the communities we serve.
## **B.S.C.A.’s Move to New Premises in Halliwell**
Recently, B.S.C.A. successfully relocated to new premises in Halliwell — an exciting but challenging milestone for our organisation. Moving from our old location to a new site required careful planning, teamwork, and dedication from everyone involved. Thanks to the hard work and commitment of both our staff and volunteers, we were able to complete the transition smoothly and begin full operations in February this year at Allerton House, situated on School Hill in Halliwell.
Since moving, we have established Allerton House as our main centre, where we now welcome and meet with our clients. The new premises provide a comfortable, accessible, and professional environment, better suited to the needs of our service users and the growing range of activities we deliver.
4
## **Bolton Solidairity Community Association**
## **The report of the trustees for the year ended 31 March 2025**
## **Staff Structure**
B.S.C.A. operates with a small, dedicated team. Thank you to our staff and volunteers for their hard work and dedication over this year
## **Volunteers at B.S.C.A.**
At B.S.C.A., our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. The organization relies heavily on the passion, dedication, and hard work of its volunteer base, which plays a vital role in delivering our wide range of community services and initiatives.
## **B.S.C.A. Trustee’s Responsibilities**
The Bolton Solidarity Community Association (B.S.C.A.) is governed by a Board of Trustees who are collectively responsible for ensuring the charity operates in line with its charitable objectives and complies with all legal and regulatory requirements. The Trustees meet six times per year to oversee the strategic and financial governance of the organisation.
The key responsibilities of the Trustees include:, Strategic Oversight, Financial Management and Governance, Legal and Regulatory Compliance, Reporting and Accountability etc.
## **Partnership Working**
Collaborating with other organizations is often a challenging process. It requires mutual understanding, clear communication, shared goals, and a willingness to be flexible. Despite these challenges, the value of partnership working cannot be overstated. Our experience in 2024/2025 has shown us just how beneficial working in partnership can be, not only for delivering successful projects but also for strengthening our capacity as an organization.
Over the past year, we have successfully delivered a number of key projects in Bolton through close collaboration with a range of local organisations. These partnerships have enabled us to pool resources, access additional funding, and deliver services more efficiently and effectively than we could have done on our own.
Looking ahead, we remain committed to strengthening our partnerships and building new ones. We recognise that working together is not just an option—it is a necessity if we are to continue making a meaningful impact. We are proud to collaborate and form partnerships with many organisations that support our mission and contribute to the success of our projects. These partnerships help us create a more inclusive, thriving Bolton, where individuals and communities can grow and flourish. We will carry forward the spirit of collaboration, learning, and mutual support as we navigate the difficult times ahead.
## **B.S.C.A. Reserve policy**
The Bolton Solidarity Community Association (B.S.C.A.) recognises the importance of maintaining financial reserves to ensure its long-term sustainability, financial stability, and the continuity of its operations and services. Reserves are an essential part of responsible financial management, enabling the charity to respond effectively to unforeseen events, economic uncertainties, or interruptions to income streams.
5
## **Bolton Solidairity Community Association**
## **The report of the trustees for the year ended 31 March 2025**
## **Purpose of Reserves**
The purpose of holding reserves is to:
- Provide a financial buffer to ensure uninterrupted delivery of services in the event of unexpected funding shortfalls or delays.
- Meet ongoing financial commitments such as staff salaries, rent, and core operational costs.
- Enable the charity to respond to opportunities or emergencies without jeopardising its financial position.
- Support investment in new strategic initiatives aligned with the charity’s mission and values.
## **Risk Management**
At B.S.C.A. (Bolton Solidarity Community Association), we are fully committed to operating in a responsible, ethical, and effective manner. This commitment includes ensuring the sound and prudent management of risks that could potentially impact our mission, stakeholders, service users, operations, reputation, or long-term sustainability. B.S.C.A. takes a proactive and comprehensive approach to identifying, assessing, managing, and mitigating risks. Risk management is an integral part of our governance structure and plays a critical role in helping the organisation achieve its strategic and operational objectives while remaining compliant with legal and regulatory requirements.
We understand that risk cannot always be eliminated, but it can be identified, understood, and controlled. Our aim is not only to mitigate threats but also to recognise and take advantage of opportunities that align with our charitable aims. Trustees are well aware of the critical role that risk assessment and mitigation play in good governance. Regular reviews of the risk register allow the Board to respond swiftly and appropriately to emerging or changing risks.
## **Activities and achievements of the year (2024/2025) Client drop-in advice sessions**
One of the most essential services provided by B.S.C.A. during the 2024/2025 year has been the Client Drop-in Advice Sessions. These sessions play a critical role in supporting members of the community who face a range of complex and often urgent challenges. The service is designed to offer accessible, free, and confidential advice to clients who visit the centre without prior appointments, ensuring that help is always available when needed most.
Over the past year, B.S.C.A. staff and dedicated volunteers have consistently delivered this frontline support, welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds and helping them navigate through difficult personal circumstances. These drop-in sessions have been especially important for individuals who may experience barriers such as language difficulties, digital exclusion, or unfamiliarity with UK systems and services. Throughout the year, the demand for drop-in advice services increased, reflecting the growing pressures on low-income and marginalised communities. B.S.C.A. responded to this demand by improving the efficiency of its service delivery, increasing volunteer training, and expanding the number of available weekly sessions.
6
## **Bolton Solidairity Community Association**
## **The report of the trustees for the year ended 31 March 2025**
Overall, the Client Drop-in Advice Sessions remain a cornerstone of B.S.C.A.’s community support efforts. The achievements in this area for 2024/2025 highlight the organisation’s continued commitment to tackling inequality, empowering individuals, and promoting social inclusion through direct and practical support.
B.S.C.A. case workers have assisted clients over the past year with issues such as Housing, Welfare, Health related issues, cost of living crisis support and Community Empowerment.
In some cases, our clients face complex challenges related to essential needs such as housing, access to utilities, healthcare, or education for their children. These issues are often diverse and can vary greatly in nature and severity, depending on each client’s unique circumstances.
In some cases, our clients face complex challenges related to essential needs such as housing, access to utilities, healthcare, or education for their children. These issues are often diverse and can vary greatly in nature and severity, depending on each client’s unique circumstances.
While we strive to provide as much support as possible within the scope of our services, there are times when certain cases become particularly difficult to resolve through our available resources. In such situations, the B.S.C.A. (insert full name of B.S.C.A. if needed) takes proactive steps to ensure that clients continue to receive the help they need. During 2024/2025 the number of cases we have dealt with within this service was 3789 cases.
## **B.S.C.A.'s Projects and Initiatives in the Past Year**
Apart from its regular drop-in advice service, B.S.C.A. (Bolton Solidarity Community Association) implemented a range of impactful projects over the past year that directly benefited its target communities. These initiatives focused on key areas such as employment support, integration and community cohesion, education, and training. Each project was tailored to address specific needs within the community, aiming to improve quality of life, promote social inclusion, and create opportunities for personal and professional growth.
7
## **Bolton Solidairity Community Association**
## **The report of the trustees for the year ended 31 March 2025**
## **Projects implemented by B.S.C.A. during 2024/2025 include the following:**
- FGM project
- Youth activities
- Health and wellbeing
- Cohesion
- Welfare
- Debt Management
- Substance misuse awareness (Khat)
- Employment and Work Experience
- ESOL
- Older people Services
- Week end sport activities
- Digital inclusion project
- HAF (Holiday Food and Activities program)
## **Other Achievements for the year 2024 to 2025:**
- **1** B.S.C.A.’s partnership network has increased substantially along with our reputation as we are always a link and bridge between our clients from new and emerging communities and service providers in Bolton and beyond.
- **2** B.S.C.A. supports vulnerable people from new and emerging families, and individuals and provides advice and guidance. These people are low-income families who are struggling to survive due to the rising cost of living in the UK.
- **3** B.S.C.A. supports vulnerable people from new and emerging families, and individuals and provides advice and guidance. These people are low-income families who are struggling to survive, due to the rising cost of living in the UK.
- **4** Continuation of Health awareness workshops and also walking sessions which were mostly attended by adults and women.
8
## **Bolton Solidarity Community Association**
## **Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities on the accounts31 March 2025**
The Bolton Solidarity Community Association (B.S.C.A) is governed by a Board of Trustees who are collectively responsible for ensuring the charity operates in line with its charitable objectives and complies with all legal and regulatory requirements.
The Charities Act requires the Board of Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity as at the end of the financial year and of the surplus or deficit of the charity.
In preparing those financial statements the Board is required to :-
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
- - prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
- state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed , subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
The Trustees are also responsible for maintaining adequate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with regulations made under the Charities Act. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are also responsible for the contents of the trustees' report, and the responsibility of the independent examiner in relation to the trustees' report is limited to examining the report and ensuring that, on the face of the report, there are no inconsistencies with the figures disclosed in the financial statements.
This report was approved by the board of trustees on 10 December 2025.
Ahmed Sarman Trustee
9
## **Bolton Solidarity Community Association**
## **for the year ended 31 March 2025**
## **Independent examiner's report to the trustees on the unaudited financial statements of Bolton Solidarity Community Association.**
I report on the financial statements of Bolton Solidarity Community Association for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the cash flow statement and the related notes. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008), under the historical cost convention and the accounting policies set out therein.
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts, you consider that the audit requirement of section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) does not apply. It is my responsibility to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 145(5)(b) of the Act, 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 Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
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.
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Act; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Act.
- have not been met; or
- (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Berkley Heath Chartered Certified Accountants
The date upon which this report was completed is :- 10 December 2025
10
## **Bolton Solidarity Community Association Statement of financial activities for the year ended 31 March 2025**
|**Incoming resources**
Staff costs
Repairs including painting
and decorating
Insurance
Light and heat
Advertising
Telephone
Computer costs
Consultancy
Accountancy fees
General expenses
Net movement in funds
**Net Surplus / (Deficit)**
**Resources expended**
Donations
Grants
**Total incoming resources**
Total funds brought forward
**Total resources expended**
Rent, rates and service charge
Printing, postage and stationery
Community program
Legal and professional
Depreciation & amortisation
Interest and charges
Translation|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
120
101,382
101,502
42,027
945
4,360
702
-
2,147
525
887
1,683
14,224
3,485
11,500
2,570
392
803
2,241
763
89,254
12,248
37,057
49,305|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
-
236,558
236,558
98,065
2,205
10,172
1,638
-
5,009
1,225
3,550
3,927
44,978
-
-
-
1,568
-
-
-
172,337
64,221
165,145
229,366|**Total**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
120
337,940
338,060
140,092
3,150
14,532
2,340
-
7,156
1,750
4,437
5,610
59,202
3,485
11,500
2,570
1,960
803
2,241
763
261,591
76,469
202,202
278,671|**Total**
**Funds**
**2024**
**£**
14,728
213,630
228,358
125,014
4,974
455
1,614
2,107
4,350
3,012
3,054
3,422
44,704
-
-
1,375
3,190
525
1,777
1,028
200,601
27,757
174,445
202,202|
|---|---|---|---|---|
11
**Bolton Solidarity Community Association Income and expenditure account for the year ended 31 March 2025**
|**Income**
**Total expenditure**
**Net retained surplus for the financial year**|**2025**
**£**
338,060
(261,591)
76,469|**2024**
**£**
228,358
(200,601)
27,757|
|---|---|---|
All activities relate to continuing operations.
12
## **Bolton Solidarity Community Association Statement of Financial Position at 31 March 2025**
|Notes
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
5
**Current assets**
Cash at bank and in hand
**Net current assets**
**Net assets**
**Funds**
Unrestricted funds
6
Restricted funds
7
**Creditors: amounts**
**falling due within one**|**£**
**£**
6,723
273,998
273,998
(2,050)
271,948
278,671
49,305
229,366
278,671
**2025**|**£**
**£**
5,329
198,923
198,923
(3,050)
195,873
201,202
37,057
165,145
202,202
**2024**|
|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 10 December 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
Ahmed Sarman Trustee
The notes on pages 15 to 18 form an integral part of these accounts.
13
**Bolton Solidarity Community Association Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025**
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **1.1.Accounting convention**
The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008) and follow the recommendations in 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice' issued in October 2000.
## **1.2.Incoming resources**
Voluntary income is received by way of donations and gifts and is included in full in the Statement ofFinancial Activities when receivable. Gifts donated for resale are included as income when they are sold. Donated assets are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified and a third party is bearing the cost. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included.
Grants, including grants for the purchase of fixed assets, are recognised in full in the Statement of Financial Activities in the year in which they are receivable.
## **1.3.Resources expended**
Resources expended are recognised in the year in which they are incurred.
Fundraising costs are those incurred in seeking voluntary contributions and do not include the costs of disseminating information in support of the charitable activities.
Management and administration costs are those incurred in connection with administration of the charity and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.
## **1.4.Tangible fixed assets and depreciation**
Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:
|Plant and machinery
**Donations and grants**
Donations and grants|-
**2025**
**Unrestricted**
**£**
101,502
101,502|25 % Reducing balance basis
**2025**
**2025**
**2024**
**Restricted**
**Total**
**Total**
**£**
**£**
**£**
236,558
338,060
228,358
236,558
338,060
228,358|
|---|---|---|
## **2 Donations and grants**
14
**Bolton Solidarity Community Association Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025**
## **3 Cost of generating funds**
|Staff costs
Rent, rates and service charge
Repairs including painting
and decorating
Insurance
Light and heat
Printing, postage and stationery
Advertising
Telephone
Computer costs
Community program
Legal and professional
Staff welfare
General expenses
**4 Management and administration**
Accountancy fees
Depreciation and amortisation
Bank charges
**5 Tangible fixed assets tangible**
**Cost**
At 1 April 2024
At 31 March 2025
**Depreciation**
At 1 April 2024
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2025
**Net book values**
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024|**2025**
**£**
140,092
3,150
14,532
2,340
-
7,156
1,750
4,437
5,610
59,202
2,570
-
803
241,642
**2025**
**£**
1,960
2,241
763
4,964
**Tangible**
**assets**
**£**
36,314
39,949
30,985
2,241
33,226
6,723
5,329|**2024**
**£**
125,014
4,974
455
1,614
2,107
4,350
3,012
3,054
3,422
44,704
1,375
-
525
194,606
**2024**
**£**
3,190
431
1,028
4,649
**Total**
**£**
36,314
39,949
30,985
2,241
33,226
6,723
5,329|
|---|---|---|
15
## **Bolton Solidarity Community Association Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025**
|**6 Unrestricted funds**
Donations and grants
**7 Restricted funds**
Donations and grants|**1 April**
**2024**
**£**
37,057
37,057
**1 April**
**2024**
**£**
165,145
165,145|**Incoming**
**£**
101,502
101,502
**Incoming**
**£**
236,558
236,558|**Outgoing**
**£**
(89,254)
(89,254)
**Outgoing**
**£**
(172,337)
(172,337)|**31 March**
**2025**
**£**
49,305
49,305
**31 March**
**2025**
**£**
229,366
229,366|
|---|---|---|---|---|
## **Purposes of restricted funds**
Restricted funds that can only be used for particular restricted purposes as required by the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for a particular restricted purpose.
16