# **Stevenage World Forum for Ethnic Communities** # **Annual Review 2020-2021** **Vision:** Support vibrant BME communities **Mission:** We exist to advocate equal access to services for all **Registered Charity No 1112069 Sherma Batson Centre, 10-12 Exchange Road, Stevenage. SG1 1PZ T: 01438 725400 E: ofce@stevenageworldforum.org.uk W: stevenageworldforum.org** ## **Background:** Stevenage World Forum (SWF) for Ethnic Communities was officially constituted at a public meeting held on 10 October 2000. We are based in the Sherma Batson Centre in Bedwell, Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The building was converted from garages into a purposebuilt centre with a grant from the Active Communities Unit and in partnership with Volunteer Centre Stevenage (VCS). The Centre has been managed by us since April 2006. ## **Why was the Forum Established?** - To give the ethnic communities a voice and act as a representative body in communicating with other organisations and consultative groups (statutory and voluntary) and ensure they are not left out of decision-making processes. - To raise issues of concern and develop proposals and practical initiatives to make services more accessible in partnership with statutory and voluntary bodies. - To encourage networking, amongst ethnic groups and share and celebrate cultural diversity. - To develop projects to meet the needs of ethnic communities and mixed heritage families of Stevenage. - To enable people to share knowledge and good practices. - To break down barriers caused by ignorance and encourage mutual respect. - To work towards establishing a multi-cultural centre for educational purposes, social activities, meetings or worship or fair access to existing community space. ## **Our charitable objects are:** - Exists to address the needs and aspirations of the minority ethnic communities of Stevenage, and surrounding areas and to support these communities to achieve their goals - Aims to improve the quality of life, fulfil potential and enhance participation in the education, social, economic, and cultural life of the Borough - Endeavours to achieve this by fostering understanding across all communities and by working in partnership with statutory providers and the voluntary sector SWF shall be non-party in politics and non-sectarian in religion. ## **Our Values:** _**Respect, Equality, Open and inclusive**_ **Registered Charity No 1112069 Sherma Batson Centre, 10-12 Exchange Road, Stevenage. SG1 1PZ T: 01438 725400 E: ofce@stevenageworldforum.org.uk W: stevenageworldforum.org** ## **What do we do?** We support ethnic community groups by building their capacity through provision of resources and assistance within the boundaries of our funding. We do this by offering the following services: - Administrative assistance (including photocopying) - Contact/Mailing address (including fax, phone, email, website space) - Meeting spaces - Internet Access - Assist other organisations to make their activities more accessible to members of Black and Minority Ethnic communities - Manage accounts for member groups - Provide training ## **As a Board: Code of Governance (Charity Commission)** - Training session on the seven principles was undertaken - It was agreed that the best process for us, was that each Trustee would review the principles as an individual and the feedback would be collated and reviewed at a Board meeting - The review has been delayed due to the health pandemic and capacity of the Trustees - The Board will review the process in 2021/2022 ## **Our story for 2020/2021** We were all suddenly plunged into another world of work due to the spread of Covid-19 and the impact it has had on our Black Asian Minority Ethnic communities across Stevenage. The Centre had to be closed with immediate effect, we had to learn how to manage the virus in our own family and friends’ lives. We have had to learn new words of infection and how to be covid-secure. ## **Hands Face Space became our new mantra** The Board’s decision to use the grant to employ a part time Community Connector = Naz Chowdhury, has helped us to scale up that we as a volunteer led charity, we simply could not have achieved. We used her terrific skill of social media, reaching out to young people and event management of our virtual webinars and production of promotional materials, was second to none. ## **Stevenage Legacy and Resilience:** Working in partnership with BeMe, Heights, Junction 7 Creatives, Mind-inMid Herts, and Stevenage Borough Council’s Officers in Cultural, Health/Leisure and Museum, we were successful with our application to develop as a new partnership and run webinars between September and March 2021. However, with the problems of lockdowns, we negotiated an extension for another 3 months and the project ended in June 2021. **Registered Charity No 1112069 Sherma Batson Centre, 10-12 Exchange Road, Stevenage. SG1 1PZ T: 01438 725400 E: ofce@stevenageworldforum.org.uk W: stevenageworldforum.org** Each webinar was very well supported by health professionals and local people from the Black Asian Minority Ethnic groups. The topics covered and many instances were very sensitive, the impact of Covid-19, vaccine roll-out, support home schooling, mental health for all ages, taking care of special needs children during lockdown and sharing strategies for addressing race inequalities. One of the webinars covered inequalities in education, mental health system and the raising awareness of the new Equalities Commission in Stevenage. The health professionals from the Black Asian Minority Ethnic communities gave their stories and hard work to address not only health inequalities but their own personal stories on the barriers to access good healthcare. Going forward into 2021/2022, we were successful with our application to have a Part Two to the Stevenage Legacy & Resilience project, where a workshop on Reminiscence from the Black Senior Pioneers not only living in Stevenage but who have moved back home to Trinidad and Barbados. This hybrid meeting (virtual and actual) was hosted by Stevenage Museum, and it was wonderful to learn more of our own organisation’s history in the making. First organisation was SWISS = Stevenage West Indian Sports and Social Club. The Club was for all local people in Stevenage. It was truly inclusive and although the main sporting activity was Cricket the Club was famous for the many social cultural functions, with several local villages challenging the cricket team! The next phase became known as SCARFA = Stevenage Caribbean and Afro-Caribbean Association. Again, they held many special functions which was well supported by the many residents and the members enjoyed regular social gatherings in Bedwell Community Centre. Then in October 2000, Stevenage World Forum for Ethnic Communities, under the stewardship and steerage of our dear departed Cllr Sherma Batson was established. **Registered Charity No 1112069 Sherma Batson Centre, 10-12 Exchange Road, Stevenage. SG1 1PZ T: 01438 725400 E: ofce@stevenageworldforum.org.uk W: stevenageworldforum.org** On behalf of the Board, I wish to thank the Trustees, for stepping in/up especially with the preparation and submission of many funding applications and the successful projects delivered in 2020/2021 and in 2021/2022. For a very small volunteer led charity, the commitment to supporting of our communities was fantastic call to action. **UKCF Infrastructure Grant** : we were successful with our application to the National Body of Community Foundations, to help us with our development of community engagement and to contribute to the national report on how the health pandemic affected BAME led organisations. We reported on how the grant was spent, the groups that we worked with, the impact and the learning from the focus group sessions via zoom. The report is available on request. **Football Tournament:** with true determination to support one of our annual **Registered Charity No 1112069 Sherma Batson Centre, 10-12 Exchange Road, Stevenage. SG1 1PZ T: 01438 725400 E: ofce@stevenageworldforum.org.uk W: stevenageworldforum.org** activities, we were successful with our application to Herts Community Foundation to run a one-day tournament held in Meadway Fields on Sunday 19th September. Six teams representing Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, Namibia, Malawi and Kenya battled for the Mukuru COSAFA Cup UK , and it was won by Zimbabwe Legends. Sadly, we were unable to produce our annual **Celebrate!!!** show due to the lockdown/s and uncertainly about social bubbles etc. **International Women’s Day:** This year, we conducted this event virtually in conjunction with SG1 Radio to celebrate International Women’s Day, with the theme of Climate Change. We had guests working as environmental journalists, scientists, charity organisations and the local council. It was interesting to hear a varied response from the panel speakers who came from ethnically diverse backgrounds and age groups structured in a lively and interactive meeting. Our thanks to local Activist, Brenda Lowe, President of Inner Wheel, who convened the joint meeting with us. Key message: we can all do something – small, medium, and large and join the movement to plant trees and involve the younger generation to problem solve. ## **Diwali 2021** This year we at SWF having been exploring having an event however it has not been possible to organise this face to face. The message of hope that Diwali brings couldn’t be more welcomed, given all that has taken place since we have been in this pandemic. There are many fantastic Diwali events taking place nationally and this celebration of triumph of light over darkness gives us all a chance to reflect on the past year and look forward with optimism to the **Registered Charity No 1112069 Sherma Batson Centre, 10-12 Exchange Road, Stevenage. SG1 1PZ T: 01438 725400 E: ofce@stevenageworldforum.org.uk W: stevenageworldforum.org** future. Happy Diwali to all those celebrating ## **Local partnerships:** - Healthy Stevenage Partnership - Stevenage Equalities Commission - Social Inclusion - Older people’s forum - SBC Councillor John Garner for his insight and support _**Social media**_ has increased since July 2020, we have 427 followers on Facebook, 178 followers on Instagram and 66 followers on Twitter. **Finance report:** our income was £40,270 and our expenditure was £26,722. Our unrestricted reserves are £4,305 and restricted reserves are £23,102. ## **The year has been full on and frantic!** As Chair of the Board, I am immensely proud of the work we managed to deliver and achieve as a volunteer led charity, writing funding applications, development and building relationships, development of project plans with partners from both local charities and Stevenage Borough Council. I wish to thank everyone involved, especially the Trustees who have worked hard with the submission of funding applications, namely Charanjit Kang and Juddy Otti. As volunteers, working with new partners, maintaining and sustaining the connections, engagement, and determination to support and assist in our small steps to achieve what we have done despite our capacity. And of course, to our Community Connector, Naz Chowdhury. Kate Belinis DL Chair **Registered Charity No 1112069 Sherma Batson Centre, 10-12 Exchange Road, Stevenage. SG1 1PZ T: 01438 725400 E: ofce@stevenageworldforum.org.uk W: stevenageworldforum.org** ## **BIG thanks to** Friends of SWF for their kind donations and time Hertfordshire Community Foundation Hertfordshire County Council: Adult Care Services Stevenage Legacy & Resilience Partnership Irish Network Stevenage Members of SWF Stevenage Borough Councillors for their grants Stevenage Borough Council Officers Volunteers **Board of Trustees: Chair** Kate BelinisDL **Treasurer** Luke Donovan **Secretary** Charanjit Kang **Trustees** Elaine Connolly Gosia Poczatek Jasbir Jhajj Juddy Otti Peggy Lyons **SBC Councillor** John Gardner **Registered Charity No 1112069 Sherma Batson Centre, 10-12 Exchange Road, Stevenage. SG1 1PZ T: 01438 725400 E: ofce@stevenageworldforum.org.uk W: stevenageworldforum.org** Charity No. 1112069 Stevenage World Forum For Ethnic CommLiinities Financial Statement* F."or The Year Ended J1st March 21121 Stevenage World Forum For Ethnlc Communities ststement Of Financial Activil'ies For The Year 202012021 Unrnstrlcted Restrlded Total 20121 Income Grants & Donations SBC Business Support Fund HCF Coronavirus Reliel Fund UKCF BAME Infiastruciure Fund HCF IT Fsjnd Rent In Ktnd Other Grants & Donab"ons 10000 10,000 $.590 3.500 10000 10000 8590 3500 7434 95 37,619 7,434 95 7.529 Charges lor Services Room HiTe,Telephone & Copying Charg&.5 Fundraising Fundoi8ing Events Proceeds 30,090 2,632 2,632 20 20 Total Income 10.181 30,090 40,271.25 Expenditure Direet Charitable Expenditure Professional Fees Rent & Rates IT Cost5 Sundry Items Maintenance, Repairs & Replacernenls Events & Catering Room Hire Insurance 8ank Ch?Iges Photocopier Telephone & Utilities Volunteers Total Expendlture 50 7.434 9,687 9,937 7.434 1.999 220 2,484 235 22 633 72 1,999 220 2,484 146 22 633 89 90 3,430 166 14,657 3,430 186 26,721.83 12,065 Net Income Before Transfers Transfèrs Funds Brought Forward Total Funds Carried Forward 4,476 18 8,763 4,306 18,025 -18 23,102 41.109 13,549 31.865 45,414 Stevenage World Forum For L.thnic Communities Balan¢9 Shgot as at';1 Uarch 2021 31.3.2021 31.3.2020 Current Assets Bank Pelty Cash 4S.276 138 31741 28 123.33 Current ￿abilItieS Creditors Totsl Assets 45,414 31.865 Represented By Unreslncted Fund Slevenage Vvortd F¢Num 9,585 9,585 14.343 14.343 Restricted Funds Designated Build1ng Fun CoronawTUS Q upport Funds Celebrate Interfaith Foriim 1nternats.onal Womens Day 1S.000 18,114 ,030 385 15,000 2.119 385 35,529 17,522 Total Funds 45,414 31,866 Approved by the trustees on and signed on ils behaKF t*y Signature Narne Signature Name Approved by the independeni examir.er on Signatura Name Sus8n Hudson Independent examiner's report. i.)n the accounts CHARITY COMMISSION I FOR ENGLAND ANO WALES Section A Indep ent Exlmin Report to thè trusteesl members of Slevenage World Forum On accoun18 for the year ended 31$1 March 2021 Charlty no ' 1112069 lif any) Sèt out on pages Respectiv¢ re8ponsibillties of trustees and examiner The i harity's trustees xaminalion: no matter has come to my attention examinerfs statement 1. wfiich gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect. the requirements.. to keep account"'ng records in accordance with section 130 of the Chanlies Act., and lo prepare acLounts which accord wrth the accounting records and comply with ttrie accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not bepn mel., or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Date: 1410512021 Name: Susan Hudson Relevant professional AAT qualification(s) or body {if any).. Address: 2b Victoria Road, SF,efford, Beds SG17 SAL IER Charity No. 1112069 Stevenage World Forum For Ethnic CommLiinities Financial Statement* F."or The Year Ended J1st March 21121 Stevenage World Forum For Ethnlc Communities ststement Of Financial Activil'ies For The Year 202012021 Unrnstrlcted Restrlded Total 20121 Income Grants & Donations SBC Business Support Fund HCF Coronavirus Reliel Fund UKCF BAME Infiastruciure Fund HCF IT Fsjnd Rent In Ktnd Other Grants & Donab"ons 10000 10,000 $.590 3.500 10000 10000 8590 3500 7434 95 37,619 7,434 95 7.529 Charges lor Services Room HiTe,Telephone & Copying Charg&.5 Fundraising Fundoi8ing Events Proceeds 30,090 2,632 2,632 20 20 Total Income 10.181 30,090 40,271.25 Expenditure Direet Charitable Expenditure Professional Fees Rent & Rates IT Cost5 Sundry Items Maintenance, Repairs & Replacernenls Events & Catering Room Hire Insurance 8ank Ch?Iges Photocopier Telephone & Utilities Volunteers Total Expendlture 50 7.434 9,687 9,937 7.434 1.999 220 2,484 235 22 633 72 1,999 220 2,484 146 22 633 89 90 3,430 166 14,657 3,430 186 26,721.83 12,065 Net Income Before Transfers Transfèrs Funds Brought Forward Total Funds Carried Forward 4,476 18 8,763 4,306 18,025 -18 23,102 41.109 13,549 31.865 45,414 Stevenage World Forum For L.thnic Communities Balan¢9 Shgot as at';1 Uarch 2021 31.3.2021 31.3.2020 Current Assets Bank Pelty Cash 4S.276 138 31741 28 123.33 Current ￿abilItieS Creditors Totsl Assets 45,414 31.865 Represented By Unreslncted Fund Slevenage Vvortd F¢Num 9,585 9,585 14.343 14.343 Restricted Funds Designated Build1ng Fun CoronawTUS Q upport Funds Celebrate Interfaith Foriim 1nternats.onal Womens Day 1S.000 18,114 ,030 385 15,000 2.119 385 35,529 17,522 Total Funds 45,414 31,866 Approved by the trustees on and signed on ils behaKF t*y Signature Narne Signature Name Approved by the independeni examir.er on Signatura Name Sus8n Hudson Independent examiner's report. i.)n the accounts CHARITY COMMISSION I FOR ENGLAND ANO WALES Section A Indep ent Exlmin Report to thè trusteesl members of Slevenage World Forum On accoun18 for the year ended 31$1 March 2021 Charlty no ' 1112069 lif any) Sèt out on pages Respectiv¢ re8ponsibillties of trustees and examiner The i harity's trustees xaminalion: no matter has come to my attention examinerfs statement 1. wfiich gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect. the requirements.. to keep account"'ng records in accordance with section 130 of the Chanlies Act., and lo prepare acLounts which accord wrth the accounting records and comply with ttrie accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not bepn mel., or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Date: 1410512021 Name: Susan Hudson Relevant professional AAT qualification(s) or body {if any).. Address: 2b Victoria Road, SF,efford, Beds SG17 SAL IER