Charity Registration Number . l 103174 FRENCH-AFRICAN WELFARE ASSOCIATION FTNANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 FRENCH-AFRICAN WELFARE ASSOCIATION LEGAL AND AD.MINISTRATIVE INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 ￿L4RCH 2025 FABIEN ILUNGA KAYLYN ASIEDU NESBETH ANTOINE BANDON MERCY MEDAH FORBA ANDREW NGWENYA Trustees Charity Number Registered Office 1103174 537 Norwood Road London SE27 9DL Bankers Lloyds Bank 137 North End Croydon CRO ITN Surrcy KAXTON ADVISORY LTD SUITE 6 THE GENERATOR BUSINESS CENTRE 95 MILES ROAD MITCHAM CR4 3FH Independent Examiner I |Page FRENCH-AFRICAN WELFARE ASSOCIATION CONTENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Trustees, Report Chairnian's Report Director's Report Independent Examinerfs Report Statcmcnt of Financial Activities Balance Sheet Notes to the Financial Statements 21Page FRENCH-AFRICAN WELFARE ASSOCIATION TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025. The French African Welfare Association (FA W A) was established to support people from African communities living in the UK. The organisation was born out of lived experience: when our founders first a￿1Ved in the UK, many as refugees fleeing political instability across Africa, they faced inllnense challenges adapting to their new environment. Language barriers made it difficult to access essential services such as housing, welfare support, education, and skills training. Even everyday tasks, like registering with a GP, proved daunting without English language skills. In response to these challenges, member5 of the community came together to form a self- help group, which gradually evolved into a fully-fledged charitable organisation. FAWA was formally constituted and registered in April 2002. Today, we operate from two offices.. one in West Nonvood, serving communities in South London, and another in Ladbroke Grove, supporting those who live, work, or study in North London. OUR AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The organisation was established to pursue the following aims and objectives: To relieve poverty, hardship, and distress among people of African origin, particularly those who have migrated to the UK from French-speaking African countries. To advance education within the French-speaking African community in the UL thereby improving access to meaningful and sustainable employment opportunities. To promote any other charitable purposes that benefit the community, with a particular focus on preserving and protecting good health among the target population. 31Page FRENCH-AFRICAN WELFARE ASSOCIATION TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 cHAIR￿'s REPORT I feel very privileged to present the FAWA report and accounts for the year ended 3 1st March 2025. This docwnent Capt[￿eS the key efforts of the management and staff of our great charity, the progress madc, the achievements as well as the impact, challenges, and the support that we received. not just from our funders and network partners, but also from the m¢nibers and service users who engaged with our services. Collectively, the support and goodwill ens[￿ed we had another Succ￿sful twelve months, following on from the equally good p￿ViouS year. I am happy to report FA WA has continued the path of growth. We have strengthened our human and technical resources by accessing skills training, recruitment of additional staff and volunteers, allid St￿ngthening orgaiiizational capacity. We believe that collaborative work is key, particulai.ly in tim¢s such as these, when resources aTe scarce and far between. For that reason, duiing the fInancial year we widened the scope of our partnei'ships and networks, which are spread across the entire capital of London. These networks have enabled its to extend our various work progratnmes. I woiild like to thank my fellow member3 of the ln￿te¢ board as well as the Management and staff who hav¢ worked day in day out to make FAWA what it is today. Equally, I would like to thank all our donors. I can assure them that their grants are making a huge difffflEnce in the lives of service users and of the community at large. I look forward to their continued support so we can se￿e OUT communities in the best way possible. Fabien Ilunga Chaimian 41Pclge FRENCH-AFRICAN WELFARE ASSOCIATION TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 INIARCH 2025 DIRECTOR'S REPORT I am pleased to present an overview of FAWA'S work for the year ended 31 March 2025. As the person responsible for the orgaiiisatioii's day to day operations, I take great pride in the progress we Iiave made. Over the past year, FAWA has strengthened its organisational capacity through a modest expansion of our team, targeted skills development, and the diversification of our workstreaiiis. As a result, we are now better positioned than ever to deliver meaninoful, transfoniiative impact within our comrnunity. Throuoliout the finaiicial year, I have continued to represent FAWA at various forums and stakeliolder enoaoements, including health partnerships, BME health forurns, the Kensinoton and Chelsea Social Council, as welI as with law enforcement and legislative bodies. As a key partner in the One Voice Network (OVN), I was privileged to contribute to policy discussions that directly shape the delivery of health and care services to our community. I Thrould like to extend my sincere gratitude to our Chaimian, Treasurer, and the entire Mana(yement Committee for their insioht, guidance, and unwavering support, which have been instrumental in helping us fundraise effectively and operate efficiently. My heartfelt thanks also go to our dedicated staff and volunteers, whose commitment and hard work continue to drive FAWA'S mission forward. Finally, I would like to express my deep appreciation to the a(yencies and partners who haN'e provided the financial resources that make oiir work possible. Your oenerosity is tnily valued, and I look forward to your continued partnership in the years ahead. Marie Tameze Dicrector FRENCH-AFRICAN WELF.4RE ASSOCIATION TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR E.YDED 31 IVL4RCH 2025 OVERVIEW OF ACTIVITIES IN 202412025 During the last financial year, FAWA rolled over multi-year projects, and initiated new ones. Below is an overview of the main projects: Cancer aTrvareness project Cancer awareness and help-seeking behaviour among BAME groups are lo￿TeSt across all minority ethnic groups (source: Macmillan Cancer Support). Modern advances in science means cancer survival rates are getting better, but successful cancer treatment depends on getting an early diagnosis. With that in mind, FA WA ran a ground-breaking ad campaign using three community radio channels (Galaxy, Beats FM and Congonsynthes). Thiiik you might have cancer? was a 5-month ad campaign to raise awareness of the importance of screening for cancer, and each message ended with a referral link to cancer services. Cancer Booklet To complement our adN'ertising campaign, we produced a booklet highlighting the lived experiences of one of our serN'ice users. The publication shares his personal joumey, from diagnosis, through treatment, to remission- offering an authentic and relatable perspective. It also includes key information and recommendations on the types of cancer most prevalent among Africans living in the UK, along with links to cancer support services and resources available across London. MMR education Research shows that Black people in the UK are less likely to receive the measles, mumps, and rubclla (MMR) vaccinc comparcd to othcr population groups. Our MMR awarcncss initiative aimed to increase vaccination uptake among children, young people, and adults by promoting immunisation as an essential preventive measure. The campaign also sought to dispel myths and misconceptions surrounding the MMR vaccine, which have historically contributed to vaccine hesitancy within the community. To achieve this, we delivered group workshops, provided referrals to local immunisation programmes, and distributed NHS infomiational leaflets on MMR. Health advocacy project This project focused on supporting patients from Black and minority ethnic communities in West London to access the most appropriate NHS services. Many individuals within these communities often encounter barriers to receiving timely and convenient healthcare. Our health advocate plays a key role in bridging this gap by connecting patients with suitable 61Page healthcare proN'iders and facilitating translation and interpretation services for those with limited English proficiency. Parenting project Today, many Black children face significant challenges as they grow up. As part of a three year initiative supported by the National Lottery Community Fund, our project continued to deliver parenting skills sessions for parents and carers, helping them provide stronger guidance and support to their children. The programme focused on empowering parents to make infonned decisions and strengthening communication between African parents and their children. At our monthly group workshops, experts from local councils, education departments, legal fimis, the NHS, and other partner organisations delivered insightful presentations on effective parenting strategies. Sessions focused on key topics such as personality development, managing peer pressure, the impacl of social media, truancy, substance misuse, grooming, and sexual and reproductive health. Participants also gained valuable skills in money and debt management, helping them build resilience and better cope with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Young people's programme Young people today face a range of challenges in their daily lives, including peer pressure, poverty: excessive use of social media, substance n]isuse, and mental health ditTiculties. Over the past year, we delivered 12 one-to-one sessions providing young people with personalised adN'ice and support to help them overcome these challenges. In addition, we hosted a group workshop featuring speakers from the Police, the NHS, and a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU), who dclivcrcd infonnativc prcscntations on ncurodivcrgcnt conditions affccting young pcoplc, with a particular focus on ADHD, autism, and Aspcrgcr's syndrome. Long-term health conditions project Communities originating from Sub-saharan Africa are among the UK population groups most affected by HIV and other long-tenn health conditions, including certain types of cancer, obesity, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and diabetes. FAWA provides dedicated support to individuals and families, helping them live positively and with dignity while managing these conditions. Our services include group sessions, one-to-one advice, and tailored support, as well as assistance in accessing appropriate NHS healthcare services. Drop-in services FAWA continued to provide access to its facilities in both South and North London, allowing individuals and families to engage directly with our staff and volunteers. Experience shows that, for some service users, visiting our offices at Canalside Ladbroke Grove, and West Nonvood enables a more personal and focused assessment of their needs, facilitating tailored solutions through mutual discussion. Our drop-in service also offered job seekers access to otTice IT resources to search for employment or skills training opportunities. They were able to draft, print, and submit job applications, either by post or email, to prospective employers. 71Page Staff training Throughout the year under review, FAWA staff and volunteers were supported to access ongoing training to enhanc¢ their skills and build the confidcnce esscntial for effcctive charity work. Training covered areas such as child protection, adult safeguarding policies and procedures, volunteering, first aid, and interviewing skills. We are grateful to the Refvgee Council, KCSC, and BME Health Forum for their excellent training programmes, and to the Advocacy Project for their outstanding sessions on child protection and safeguarding policies. Cost-of-Living support Rising inflation and the increasing cost ofgoods and service5 have made it ditTicult for many indiTriduals to make ends meet. Poverty is closely linked to poor health, and people from African and other BME communities are disproportionately affected, often struggling to pay bills, buy food, and cover other essential needs. To address this, FAWA received funding for a cost-of-liN'ing project, providing practical support, adTrice, and inforniation to our service users. Through this initiative, many beneficiaries gained access to free food schemes, emergency loans, and assistance with utility bills, much of which was secured by applying for small grants on their behalf. Active for Health project Older people can maintain their health and well-being for longer by leading an active lifestyle. Activities such as physical exercise, walking, and yoga not only improve physical and mental health but also help reduce loneliness and social isolation. During the year under review, FAWA continued its 'Active for Health. programme in North West London, offering supeTh'ised walks in local parks and green spaces, yoga sessions, and indoor floor exercises. These sessions helped many beneficiaries regain fitness, enhance their rnental well-being, and build new social connections and friendships. World AIDS Day 2024 Each year, FAWA joins the global community in commemorating the millions of lives lost or affected by the AIDS pandemic. Our World AIDS Day 2024 event was held at St. Peter's Crypt in Cambe￿ell, South-East London, and was ￿:ell attended by members of our target communities. Highlights of the event included keynote speeches from people living with HIV, a drama skit illustrating coping strntegies for HIV and other long-term health conditions, and interactive discussions addressing stigma and discrirnination faced by those living with or affected by HIV. NETWORKING FAWA places a high value on collaboration and partnership working, actively joining networks across London to share expertise. skills. and resources, enabling us to deliNer better services to more people. Over the years, FAWA has been an engaged member of numerous forums and Third Tier agencies across the city, and I have had the privilege of representing the charity at the following groups: 81Page Kensington and Chelsea Social Councils (KCSC) BME Health Forum One Voice Network (OVN) Croydon Voluntary Action (CVA) One Westminst¢r Health Partners North Kensington Health and Wellbcing Network SOBUS Hammersmith & Fulham Patient Refcrence Group (PRG) OUTLOOK FAWA is very proud of the work accomplished over the past year and recognises that this success is the result of a powerful combination: the generous support of our fundets and the dedication and commitment of our staff, volunteers, and tTUStees. Looking ahead, we plan to ¢xpaiid oiir services and activities in the con]ing year to reach tnore beneficiaries and address an cven broader range of their needs. We wannly cncourage everyone to continue their invaliiable support, which has been instrumental in enabling FA WA to achieve its impact to date. Client reach The table below summarises the number of clients who accessed FAWA'S services during the 2024125 period: ServicelActivity Office Drop-in Services Translation and Translation Referrals Workshops/Seminars Online meetings Outreach in the community TOTAL Number of Users 155 38 72 410 49 540 1,264 This report was approved by the trustees and signed on its behalf by: FAB Chai AN ILUNGA 19 September 2025 91Pl< ge FRENCH-AFRICAY IVELFARE ASSOCIATION INDEPEINDEN'I" EXAIMINER'S REPORT FOR"fHE YEAR EINDED 31 MARCH 2025 I report to the Trustees on my examination of thc accounts of the French African Wclfare Association for the year ended 31 March 2025 which consists of the statement of financial actii'ilies, balance sheet and the related notes. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with thc rcquircmcnts ofthc Charilics Act 2011 ('Ihc Acl,) I report in re.spect of my cxamination of ihe charity's accounts carricd out under scction 145 of the Act and in carying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent Examiner's Statement I have completed my examinalion. I confirni that no material matiers have come to my atlention in connection with the examination (other ihan ihat disclosed below ) which gyives mc cause lo bclieK'e that in. any matcrial respcct: thc accounting rccords wcrc not kcpt in accordance with scction 130 of thL Charities Act: or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records: or the accounts did not comply wilh the appliLable requirements concerning the forni and conlenl of accounls set out in the Charities (Accounls and Reporis) Regulations 2008 other ihan any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair, i'iew which is nol a matter considered as part of an indepeIidenl examin