2024-12-31-accounts - New Acropolis Cultural Association

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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Trustees, Annual Report for the period From 01-03-2024 Period start date To 31-12-2024 Period end date Charity name: New Acropolis Cultural Association Charity registration number: 1110140 Objectives and Activities SORP refere nce Para 1.17 Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular. the activities. projects or services 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 science 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. Para 1.17 and 1.19 The most important achievement in this period was the refurbishment of our new premises and moving from the old to the new premises in March 2024. Despite the added work, we managed to keep all our normal classes and activities running and we are very grateful to all our volunteers for making everything possible. The refurbishment required electrical re-wiring, fitting a kitchen. refurbishing 5 toilets and installing a shower. refurbishing a small kitchenette, painting, restoring two wooden floors and two carpets. amongst other things. We also had to do work on our old premises to fulfil the requirements of the dilapidation report. Thanks to the fact that we had been saving up for this for almost 10 years, thanks to the generosity of members and thanks to the continuation of all our activities, we managed to cover the (for us very) substsntial costs and still have a financial cushion for the future. We more than doubled our income for this period and only had to use about 300/0 of our savings. Activities in the field of Philoso We taught about 512 hours of philosophy to our ongoing groups in this 8- month period. We opened 3 introductory courses on "Philosophies of East & West" {1 in March 2024, 2 in October 2024). As every year, we celebrated UNESCO'S World Philosophy Day in November. The topic chosen for this year was "How can we achieve more unity despite our diversity?". We organised two events for World Philoso first we had a ha enin on the street next to Hi hbu

Islington tube station) where we asked passers-by this question. Many of them engaged in long conversations and most of them wrote their thoughts and suggestions onto a board (see photos). PHILO '"é¥ Secondly, we organised for the first time a panel discussion with 3 speakers from different communities about this topic. 56 people attended and we received ve ositive feedback.

I IIE JV'llllll'lL 4J Amon st our talks in the field of hiloso we would also like to highlight the talks on: "Theory of the imprisoned soul" The art of making wise choices.. 'The timeless spirit of sport. and the workshop on 'Philosophical friendship - keys to inner life and reaching the other.. We also had summer classes on "The changing views of history" The cosmovision and mythologies of ancient Europe, and 'Mysticism in the 21 st century,. Activities in the field of Culture: We organised for the first time a very successful Day of Arts in June, with 61 participants. We offered free talks and workshops on: 'The Importance of Art and Culture,. a 'Drop-in Drawing Session,, a workshop on poetry, a short theatre workshop. a body percussion and singing workshop and a class on 'Contemplating art for inner understanding,. Throughout the year we also organised two very popular drawing courses (2x 6 sessions) with David Cole FRSA with the title "Draw out Your Inner Artist"; a talk on "The living heart: cultivating the personality according to Sufism" a dance workshop in October 2024 and a workshop on "The Hero's Journey"

As every year. we celebrated the spring equinox watching the sunrise from Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath, the summer solstice with a walk, the autumn equinox and the winter solstice with celebrations for our student members. We also offered a talk on 'Dowsing, geobiology and telluric energies, (by a guest speaker) and a 'Geobiology excursion to Winchester,. In September we organised for the first time a pilgrimage walk (for the autumn equinox) from Canterbury to Dover, which was very well received (and challenging!). For our celebrations, our members organised two theatre performances and in December we had a well attended carol sin in

In this 8-month period, we published 5 digital issues of our magazine "New Acropolis - Philosophy and Education for the Future" And we also organised 3 walks this year: a Bluebell walk in May, a summer solstiTr walk in June and a summer walk in August. Lastly, it is also worth mentioning that we organised an event for our neighbours (to invite them to our new premises) and that we offered an excellent talk on the history of the public gardens in front of our premises (Compton Terrace Gardens). by a garden historian. 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 volunta and honora basis and there are no aid

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 700 kg of rubbish (it was a very dity place!). We also organised in this period again 9 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 public benefit Para 1.18 I confirm that the trustees have had regard to the guidance. Additional information {optional)

You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about.. SORP reference PoliGy on grant making Policy on social investment including program related investment Contribution made by volunteers Para 1.38 Not applicable P8ra 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. The main benefit to our members and to society is our offer of a holistic education for 'head, heart and hands,, based on the universal and timeless values of the philosophies and cultures throughout history. Para 1.20 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. We continued to give grants to members who were unable to pay their subscriptions (a bit more than 10 % of our members re1ve a rant Additional infomiation (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 Not applicable Para 1.41

Investment performan against objectives Other P8ra 1.41 Not applicable Financial Review Review of the charity's financial position at the end of the period Para 1.21 Moving to new premises in March 2024 meant that we had unprecedented costs of refurbishment and much higher rent for the new premises and the dilapidation of our old premises. But we had been saving up for many years for this and thanks to the generosity of our members and careful planning, we managed to meet all our targets and we still have enough funds to for still outstanding costs and we also have a cushion for the future. In detail this com ares a eriod of 12 months with a eriod of 10 months In the period from 1 March 2023 to 29 Feb 2024 our income was: £76.975 In the period 1 March 2024 to 31 Dec 2024 our income was.. £148,539 In the 12 months to 29 Feb 2024 our payments were.. £100,820 (this already included refurbishment of the new premises) In the 10 months to 31 Dec 2024 our payments were.. £141,549 On 29 Feb 2024 our Balance was: £73,687 On 31 Dec 2024 our Balance was: £80,677 How did we manage to increase our income? By increasing donations from members. Through Gift Aid. By having 'inherited' a tenant from the previous leaseholder who contributes to the rent and who occupies one floor of the building. By receiving £31,000 from the previous leaseholder because we were taking on most of the refurbishment tasks that he needed to do for his dilapidation report. Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves statin are held Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 See above Para 1.22 We have £17,000 in a savings account and the rest of the mone in our current account.

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 Para 1.23 Additional information {optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about: Our principal sources of funds were.. 17.5 % from membership subscriptions 31.6 % from donations 32.7 % from rental income (we inherited tenants in our lease who occupy one floor of the building and were able to rent out rooms for a few times during the day when not needed for our activities) 8.8'/0 from our Introductory course, our public talks and workshops 8.8'/0 Gift Aid 0.60/0 Other The charity's principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) P8ra 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 th Trust Deed adopted 13 June 2005 How is the charity constituted? le.g unincorporated 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 Para 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 At our AGM we decided to change our structure from a trust into a CIO and to change our financial year to the calendar year (from January to December). These decisions were based on the growth of our charity and our activities and in order to align the financial reporting cycle with our internal processes and operational timeline. It took us more than a year to realize this plan because of all the extra work in this period (refurbishment, moving, keeping up with all our activities, illness of ke eo Para 1.51 Relationship with any related parties Para 1.51 Other Reference and Administrative details Charit name Other name the charit 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 lif any) Name of person {or body) entitled toa oint trustee ifan Sabine Leitner Chair Julian Scott Secretary 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 Dates acted if not for whole ear Nota licable Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others Description of the assets held in this Not applicable aci Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charit '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 non4isclosure 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 January 2025

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES New Acropolis Cultural Association 1110140 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period from Yer To 01-Mar-24 31-Dec-24 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to the nearest to the nearest£ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest£ A1 Receipts Memberfs subscriptions Donations Course Philosophies of East and West 26 013 46 987 26 013 46 987 32 272 27 670 8 918 8 918 11 889 Talks. Workshops, Serninars and other Events Book$, Notes. Magazine Charity produ.. casts, tibetsn thangka, honey. candles Other lincl. ISE payments, interests) GIrtAid Sub total (Gross inGome for AR) 4 152 4 192 3 $20 702 702 999 135 135 247 48 S12 13 080 48 512 13 080 379 148 539 148 539 76 975 A2 Asset and investment sales. (see table). Sub total 148 539 148 539 76 975 A3Pa ments Premises Public Relations Advert15ing Office Purchases Cost of sales 106 787 1 332 2277 518 594 817 4545 20 905 106 787 1 332 2 277 518 594 817 4 $45 20 905 31 783 1 338 2 936 1 153 1 121 789 1 759 59 218 Refurbishment and Maintenan Other lin¢1 organisation of courses an events, legal compliance) 3 773 141 549 3773 723 100 820 Sub total 141 $49 A4 Asset and investment purchases, Isee table) Sub total Total payments 141 549 141 549 100 820 Net of receipts/(paymentsJ A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end 6 990 6 990 23 845 6 990 6 990 23 845 CCXX R1 accounts ISSI

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted funds to neaSt£ Restricted funds to nearest £ Endowment funds to nearest £ ate9ories Detsils B1 Cash funds Bank account & PayPal account 61 210 Saving account 17 234 Cash 2 233 Total cash funds 80 677 (agree b818rtts *th receipts and payment$ ac¢ouniisll Unrestricted funds to nearest£ Restricted funds to nearest£ Endowment funds to nearest£ Details Fund to which asset belon Current value tional Details Cost loptionall Fund to which asset belon Current value tional Details Cost loptionall B4 Assets retained for the charity's own use Fund to which relates Amount due tional When due tional Details B5 Liabilities Signed by one or trustees on behalf of all the trustees Date of roval Signature Print Name Lc) i J tsl LIAKJ, Sio"Fr 2É-1-2 26_1-25 CCXX R2 accounts ISSI

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	December 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 31/12/2024.

Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 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:

accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
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.

Signed: Date: 31/03/2025 ~~| Pa [|~~ Name: PINAR AKHAN VIRDEE ~~Cs~~ Relevant professional CIMA ( Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: 76 HILLCREST ROAD BR1 4SD

October 2018

IER

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).

Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .

October 2018

IER