CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Trustees, Annual Report for the period From 01-03-2023 Period start date To 29-02-2024 Period end date Charity name: New Acropolis Cultural Association Charity registration number: 1110140 Objectives and Activities SORP refeie nce Para 1.17 Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its goveming document Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular. the activities, projects or serVIS identified in the accounts. To advance the education of the general public in the field of philosophy in the classical tradition. To educate students in the comparative study of arts. philosophy, religion and Scien in order to preserve mankind's heritage and to disseminate the results of such study and research to the public. To promote racial harmony for the benefit of the public. To promote good citizenship. To promote the education of the public in order that they may achieve their full physical, intellectual. social and spiritual potential. Pard 1.17 and 1.19 The most important achievement in this period was that we found new premises next door to our current premises (after several years of saving up for higher future rent and possible refurbishment. and 0 years of searching for new premises). As always, the legal proceedings took much longer than envisaged and we also needed to invest a lot of our savings into the refurbishment of the new premises and the dilapidation requirements of our old premises (we were there for almost 24 years). At the end of this period, the refurbishments and the final contract were still going on, but we moved on March 15 into our new place (which is just outside of the period this annual report covers). Activities in the field of Philoso We taught about 640 hours of philosophy to our ongoing groups this year, despite one of our teachers having been ill for almost the whole period due to serious concussion. We opened 4 introductory courses on "Philosophies of East & West" (2 in March 2023. 2 in October 2023). We were not able to open new courses at the beginning of 2024 because we were in the middle of refurbishment. We have been oversubscribed for our introductory courses for several years, and in March 2023 we opened a new course in south London. renting a room once a week. This went well. but unfortunately a few weeks later our teacher had an accident and has since been unable to teach due to severe concussion. We finished the course by inviting the participants to attend the rest of the course at our premises in Islington.
As every year, we celebrated UNESCO'S World Philosophy Day in November. The topic chosen for this year was "Philosophy in Action - Linking Theory and Practice to Live more Wisely" Unfortunately, we had to can1 our happening on the street for World Philosophy this year because there were many demonstrations on the streets after the events of Oct 7 in Israel and the weather was also very bad. But the indoor event at our premises was well attended and highlighted again the need to move to bigger premises. Amon st our talks in the field of hiloso we would also like to highlight the short course on.. "Women and Philosophy in History" and the short course on: "Images & Symbols of Nature - Connecting with Nature through the Symbolic Imagination" We also had summer classes on Stoicism" and "The Musical Laws of the Universe (Pythagoreanism)" Activities in the field of Culture: We organised a very popular drawing course {6 sessions) with David Cole FRSA with the title "Draw out Your Inner Artist" a workshop on "Tristan & Isolde - The Myth of Romantic Love and its Spiritual Dimension" a dance workshop in March 2023 and a workshop on "The Hero's Journey" We also celebrated the International Bee Day in May with a whole day of activities where participants could get close to our bees (sadly, both our hives died the following winter and we can't yet have any bees in our new premises). r** -.sx KyÈJ12.7.. We celebrated the spring equinox watching the sunrise from Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath. the summer solstice with a walk and team building exercises in Trent Park (North London), and the autumn equinox and the winter solstice with celebrations for our student members. We also had summer classes on "Celtic stories and mythology" The Inner Warrior - Embracing the Inner Battle" Yoga and Yogis" "The technological enigmas of ancient civilizations" and we offered again our very sucSsful and popular Oratory course over the summer, which consists of 9 evenings. Some people participated in it already for the third time.
This year. we published again 6 digital issues of our magazine "New Acropolis - Philosophy and Education for the Future". We organised the following cultural trips for our student members: To Oxford to visit the Ashmolean Museum and its exhibition on the Minotaur. to Windsor and to Runnymede (the memorial of the Magna Carta). and a trip to the Tate Modern to visit the Hilma Af Klint exhibition. We also organised 3 walks this year (Bluebell walk in May, a summer walk in August and the summer solstice walk).
Activities in the field of Volunteerin All the activities in our School of Philosophy (teaching, cleaning and maintenance of the school, advertising, design of leaflets and course notes, etc.) are done on a voluntary and honorary basis and there are no paid positions in our charity. Every task is used as a practical exercise and application of philosophy in action. For International Earth Day in April we organised again a litter pick in Hackney where we collected around 1 ton of rubbish (it was a very dity placel). )r. We also organised again 11 garden volunteering days (one Saturday a month, apart from August) to maintain the public gardens in front of our premises, together with neighbours and support from Islington Council. Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commissi onon Para 1.18 I confirm that the trustees have had regard to the guidance.
public benefit Additional information (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about: SORP referen Policy on grant making Policy on social investment including program related investment Contribution made by volunteers Para 1.38 Not applicable Para 1.38 Not applicable All our work is entirely carried out by volunteers since there are no paid positions in our charity. And we would like to stress our gratitude to our volunteers for their good will. commitment and ongoing support. Para 1.38 Other Achievements and Performance SORP reference Summary of the main achievements of the charity. identifying the difference the charity's work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. I can only repeat from last year's report.. As shown above, our main achievements are the many and varied activities we provide throughout the year, the magazine we publish every months and our unfailing commitment to continuous courses for our members. Para 1.20 The main benefit to our members and to society is our offer of a holistic eduGation for 'head, heart and hands,. based on the universal and timeless values of the philosophies and cultures throughout history. Regarding measurable outcomes, our achievements are expressed in the fact that we increased our membership, our income and the attendance at all our events. But the most important outcomes of our activities are not measurable- they are reflected in a spirit of active citizenship that is expressed in actions, in the development of greater resilience due to a deeper understanding of ourselves and others, the pursuit of virtues such as generosity, perseverance, compassion and a greater ability to make wise choices. Another achievement this year is that we finally found bigger premises and nearly finished with the refurbishment of the new
premises. We also managed to do all the necessary dilapidation works in order to move out from our old premises. We also continued to give grants to members who were unable to pay their subscriptions. Additional inforniation (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about: Achievements against objectives set Para 1.41 Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set Investment performance against objectives Other Not applicable Para 1.41 Para 1.41 Not applicable Financial Review Review of the charity's financial position at the end of the period Para 1.21 Having built up savings of almost £100,000 over the last 8 years was necessary to be able to afford not only bigger premises but also all the dilapidation and refurbishment costs involved. Despite having had to spend nearly £60,000 this year on refurbishments and maintenance, our accounts are still in good shape to take on a much higher rent, which we will have to pay from March 15. 2024, onwards. We managed to increase our gross income by 3.6 % and we achieved this by increasing all our areas of income: membership, donations, income from our events. Our outgoings also increased in all areas and of course, we had to spend (so far, it's not finished) nearly £60,000 on refurbishing the new premises and also the old premises (due to the normal dilapidation requirements). With over £70,000 in cash funds, we are prepared for the expenses yet to come our way this year (lawyers, deposit and more refurbishment costs).
However. we will need to increase our income over the next two years in order to be able to afford the new much hi her rent. See above Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves statin are held Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 Para 1.22 We have £17,000 in our savings account and we are planning to build up our savings to £50,000 over the comin ears. Reasons for holding zero reserves Details of fund materially in deficit Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern Para 1.22 Para 1.24 Par8 1.23 Additional information (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about: Our principal SoUrS of funds were: 420/. from membership subscriptions 36 % from donations 20 % from our Introductory course, our public talks and workshops 20/0 Other The charity's principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) Para 1.47 Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy ado ted A description of the principal risks facing the charity Other Not applicable Para 1.46 Para 1.46 Structure, Governance and Management Description of charity's trusts.. Type of governing document Para 1.25 Trust Deed adopted 13" June 2005 How is the charity constituted? .y UI 111 ILUI yorated Para 1.25 We are an unincorporated trust. Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees P8r8 1.25 Every trustee must be appointed by a resolution of the trustees passed at a meeting that was called with no less than 21 days. notice given.
Additional information (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about". Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees Para 1.51 The charity's organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works We would like to change our legal structure from a trust into a CIO. However. this will probably take us 1-2 years to achieve. Para 1.51 Relationship with any related parties Para 1.51 Other Reference and Administrative details Charit name Other name the chari uses Re istered charit number Charity's principal address New Acro olis Cultural Association 1110140 18 Compton Terrace London N12UN Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity Dates acted if not for whole ear Trustee name Office (if any) Name of person {or body) entitled toa oint trustee ifan Sabine Leitner Chair Secretary Julian Scott Agostino Dominici Ken Tsang Nataliya Petlevych Treasurer Cor orate trustees - names of the directors at the date the re Director name ortwasa roved Nota licable Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity Trustee name Nota licable Dates acted if not for whole ear
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others Description of the assets held in this Not applicable ca acit Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian chari 's ob.ects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charit 's own assets Not applicable Not applicable Additional information (optional) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional infomiation) Type of Name Address adviser Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) Exemptions from disclosure Reason for non-disclosure of ke ersonnel details Other o tional information Declarations The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair. etc) Sabine Leitner Julian Scott Chair Secretary Date 26 December 2024
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES New Acropolis Cultural Association 1110140 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period from To 0110312023 2910212024 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds to the nearest £ Total funds Last year to the nearest to the nearest £ to the nearest £ A1 Recei ts Memberfs subscriptions Donations Course Philosophies of East and West Talks, Workshops, Seminars and other Events to the nparest £ 32,272 27,670 11,889 32.272 27,670 11,889 26.586 24,262 9,105 3,520 3,520 2,730 8ooks, Notes. Magazine Charity produce.. cast5. tibetan thangka, honey, plants Other Iincl. inlerestsl Gift Aid Sub total{Gross income forAR) 999 999 633 247 247 379 379 5,137 5.832 76,975 76,975 74.286 A2 Asset and investment sales, see table Sub total Total receipts 76,975 76,975 74,286 A3Pa ments Premises Public Relations Advertlsing Office Purchases Cost of sales 32,737 38 2,044 1.632 1,328 498 1.131 265 1,338 2,936 1.153 1,338 2.936 1,153 q.121 789 1,759 59.218 789 1,759 Refurbishment and Maintenance Other (incl organisation of courses and events. legal compli8ncel 723 723 Sub total 2,538 42,211 100,820 100,820 A4 Asset and investment purchases, {see table) Sub total Total payments 100,820 100,820 42,211 Net of receipts/{payments) AS Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end 23,845 23,845 32,075 23,845 23,845 32,075 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Categories to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ B1 Cash ftinds Bank account & PayPal account 56,269 Saving a¢¢ount 17,030 Cash CCXX R1 accounts ISSI 388
Total cash funds 73,687 1¥8èld*8swiihrpts payfflerts (x1{sI) Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds to nearest £ Details to rEarest £ to nearest £ B2 Other monetary assets Fu1 to which asset belong5 Cost I010n81) Current val loptionall Details B3 Investment assets Fund to which asset longs Cost l¢Jptionall Current valuo loptionall Details B4 Assets retained for the charity's own use Fund to which liability relate Amowrt due loptionall When due loptionall Details B5 Liabilities Signed by one or two Ilusletss on behalf of all the trustees Signature Print Name Date of approval gBINJE L£IThJ JblLIAKJ gc.tii r 26AI/£o CCXX R2 accounts ISSI 2711212024
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ Charity Name NEW ACROPOLIS CULTURAL ASSOCIATION members of On accounts for the year 29 FEB 2024 Charity no 1110140 ended (if any) Set out on pages (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above
charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 28/02/2024.
As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation Responsibilities and of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act basis of report 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention (other than that disclosed below *) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
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the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
- Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.
Date: 20/12/2024
Signed:
Name: PINAR AKHAN VIRDEE ~~pT~~
1
October 2018
IER
Relevant professional CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: 76 Hillcrest Road , BR1 4SD Bromley
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
2
October 2018
IER
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
3
October 2018
IER