ommunity Duage Supporl Services
an
sl
Annual Report l April 2024- 31 March 2025
Registered Charity Number: l 115756

COMMUNITY LANGUAGE SUPPORT SERVICES
CONTENTS
PAGE
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
TRUSTEES, REPORT
STRUCTURE. GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
4-11
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S RLIPORT
12
STATEMENT or FINANCIAL ACTIVITI&S
13
BALANCE SHEET
14
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
15-16

COMMUNITY LANGUAGE SUPPORT SERVICES
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Trustees
Dr Zibiah Alfred Loakthar
Ruth Clarke
Mebrahtu Russom
Zahra Suleiman
Sega Habtom
Nalu Hadish
Chair
Secretary
Treasurer
MC Member
MC Member
MC Member
Charity Number
1115756
Registered Office
St MellitU5 Church
The Presbytery
Tollington Park
Londoi)
N4 3AG
Bankers
Barclays Bank
Camden Ilouse East
Summcr Row
Birmingham
BI 3PF
Independent Examiners
EKB Accountancy Services
Chartered Certified Accountants and regRStered
Auditors
39-41 North Road
London
N7 9DP

COMMUNITY LANGUAGE SUPPORT SERVICES
TRUSTEES, REPORT
Chairfs Re
ort
CLSS has been building a slrong reput81ion acmss communiti'es, fhese past twenty years, as an
organisation that will listen, Care and acl. Communify is al the rool of our work. Our adivilies foster
connection, empalhy, inclusion andbelonging. Manypeople who maycon7e to CLSS in difficult times and
offen from soaelys margins, lell us Ihal they have been able lo find a place to feel at home wilhin our
communrty. Our volunteers conlribute to our community's vibrancy and to collective care for everyones
wellbeing, Many of our volunteers have lived experien￿ of adversty, and all go extra miles lo help others
experiencing adv8rsity draw upon inn8rresilience and hope.
CLSS brings people logelher from diverse communilies and backgiounds faci7italing Ihe possibilities of
friendship and shared learning and understanding acro&s communities. This year our volunteer-led
English18nguag8 cl8sses have been extremely popular as has our women's support group. Our Glasses
for people to develop Se￿ng and knitting sknlls also enable people lo develop strong Iriendships. Our
monthly coffee and fruts miynings for men and lor women create spaces for people to come togeth8r on
a regularbasis and talk, offerpeer support and s88k advice Imm our tr￿ned sfraff team.
Our airn is to supportpeop16 slruggling in tough times nol simply to COP8 but. in time, to thrive, W8 offer
mullilingual support in 8 myriad of ways fhrough infonnalion. advice, and advocacy. signposling lo
relevant heallh and soci81se￿I¢e$, pr8Cticalsupport in times of crisis and 8SSlStance lo people to accgss
volunt8er opportunities and employment. This year we have found Ihal Ihe universal credit syslem has
been particulaffy difficull lor digitally excluded peopl8 to navigale. CLSS has helped peopl8 10 8ccess
Iheir accounts and online joumals, complele online applicalions and give evidence lo report changes in
Circumstan￿S. Wher8 possible, w8 have also h8lped people to Increase digit81 literacy skill confidence
so that people can navigate systems independently.
As a charily we seek to 1&9rn from others and posilively en(￿rage our staff 8nd volunteers to 8ttend
ongoingprofessionaldevelopmenl Iraining andre18V8nt forum and cross-seclormeelings, We seek share
ourgoodpractice and le8ming wilh others Ihrough partnership work wilh olh8r organisalions and through
cross-s8Ctoral discussion and dialogue ￿th Ihe charily and community sector, seThiGe providers, local
council, policy makers, researchers, 8cademics and fvnders.
We wish lo thank the funders who support our work, espeually Islinglon Council, Cloudesley Charity,
Trust for London, Nafional Lottery Communily Fund, Cnpplegate Foundalion, Healthwalch Islington. We
do not tak8 this support for granted and see the grants we do retsive as a strong leslament to the h8rd
work and impact our CLSS te8m is h8ving in supporting people in our communty. We are 81so very
grateful to Cloudesley Ch8rity for supporting people in our communty with emergency grants, and the
Cripplegate Foundalion forthwr grant for carers. Such support realty helps make a differen￿ to people's
lives. We are delighted too lo have secured funding from City Bridge and the National Lottery Reaching
Communifres Fund which will help ensure the susl&nabilily of our work for Ihe ne￿ five years.
Warm thanks to our office andactivily volunteers who generously contribule energy, ideas, time andskills
to the soual Justi￿ work of our organisalion to lackle poverty, isolalion and soual exdusion. Heartfell
thanks too to our skilled CLSS staff team.. Tsega Solomon. Maxamed Maslax, Segen Hadish, Linda
Raymond and our Coordinator Wezenet Haile. Strong teamwork and sfeadfasf d8dic81ion to making a
positive drfference gives CLSS ils good name. Your energy, commitment. and posilwe approach ins￿re
people wrfhin and beyond our communty to step forward to support our communify. As always, we
welcome approaches from individuals and org8nisations wishing to becoffle involved wilh our work and
fo collaborat6, We look forward this Spring to matking 20 years of Servi￿ fo the communty, wher8 we
will come logether to look back and refleLY, as well as fO￿ard to the fvlure.
Dr Zibiah Alfied Loakthar (Chair)

COMMUNITY LANGUAGE SUPPORT RVICES
CLSS Background
Community Language SuppN)rt Setvices (CLSSI was established in 2005 as a registered charity, in
response to a significant need for support. advi￿, and advocacy within refugee communities. The primary
beneficiaries of our ServI￿S are from minorilised ethnic groups and I￿ople seeking sanctuary in the UK,
originating from East Africa and from other Aratic-speaking communities. OUT organisation is dedicated
lo providing petson-centred, holistic advice and support. This includes visiting people in their home5,
bringing individuals together in group settings, and working cdlaboratively to enhan￿ health and
wellbeing.
The staff and Iruslees at CLSS p)ssess a comprehensive understa￿lIng of the cultural sensilivilies and
unique needs of our community members. This awareness fosters an environment in which individuals
feel al ease and are able lo build trust wilh our team. A substantial proportion, over 90% of people using
CLSS services, live on low incomes and fa￿ significanl challenges due lo language barriers, and digital
exclusion,
750k of our clients have disabilities and have experien￿ health inequalities, meaning they require
ongoing suptxjrt to access services and enlillements. To help address these challenges, CLSS facilitates
activities that promote inlegration wlhin the wider community, supporting users to overcome
barriers and participate fulty in sc¢iety.
The Charity Objectives are.,
{1) To advance the education and training of peorje VAlh limited English language skills and their
dependants in need thereof so as to advance people in life and assist people to adapt within a
new communily.
{2} The provision of facilities for recreation or other leisure lime c£cvpalion ￿th the object of improving
the conditions of life of those persons have need of such facilities by reason of their youth,
age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or S￿la1 and economic circumstances.
13) The relief of unemploymenl of people wilh limited English language skills and in particular those In
London, by the provisK)n of vccational and skills training, advice and supwrt.
Vision
Our vision is to transform Ihe lives of individuals within the community by supporting them to
overcome the obstacles that prevent them from leading healthy and fulfilling lives. Through our
services, we strive to empower people to ￿bUIld their self-confidence, acquire essential skills,
and ultimately achieve greater independence.
Mission
Our mission is lo provide support lo those who are most in need vulnerable, disadvantaged, and isolated
individuals from minorilised ethnic communities. We focus parlicularly on Iixal Ea51 African and Arabic-
speaking communities, helping people to improve their quality of life and enabling them to participate
more fully in s(xiety.
Quality Assurance
CLSS is dedicated lo delivering services efficiently and effectiveFy, in line wth the objectives of the charity.
We offer a broad range of quality servI￿s, all Unde￿inned by a commitment lo equality of opportunity,
impartiality, and faimess, regardless of Folitical, religious, or ethn￿ background. CLSS maintains high
slandards by holding Ihe Advice Quality Standard (AQS) arKI is registered Yith the Immigration Advice
Authority IIAAI.

COMMUNITY LANGUAGE SUPPORT SFRVICES
Staff and Volunteer Development
Community Language Support servI￿s {CLSS) maintains a strong commitment lo the professional
development of ils staff and volunteers. The organisation places emphasis on ensuiing that all team
members have access lo opportunities that enhance their expertise, enabling them lo effectively meet
client needs and contribute lo the &hievemenl of organisational obl￿1VeS.
Staff and volunteers at CLSS have partrcipaled in a wde range of training sessions. These professlonal
development activities have equipped them with valuable knovAedge and piaclical skills, which they are
able to ulilise wlhin the community. The team remains d￿iCated to addressing the increasing demand
for CLSS services and to developing new iniliats'ves that are resp)nsive to the evolving needs of
community membeis.
Networking
Our staff have established robust connections and effective working relationships with slalutory bodies,
voluntary organisalions, community groups. and supporting aJencies across both Islington boroughs and
the wider London area. Regular participation in informalion-sharing meelings delivered by a variety of
slalulory and voluntary organisalions as well as communily-based agencies has enabled us lo build and
maintain a close nelwoik of partners and service providers relevant lo our wDtk.
We acllvely engage In a range of regular meetings and forums, including..
Advising Islinglon Together, Asylos (research for asylum seekers), Bright Llves Praclilioner Network,
Cenlre for Trauma, Asylum and Refugees (CTAR) at the Universily of Essex, Cross Islinglon Coordination
Call meetings, Hale Crime Forum, Islinglon Black Minorily Advice Alliance {IBA4}, Islinglon Refugee
Forum, Heallhwatch Islinglon, Islinglon Strategic Advice Partnerships, Migrant Support Project Working
Together Meeting, and Tavislc¢k Refugee Hub and Voluntary Action Islinglon.
Our commitment lo ne1WD￿Ing has not only strengthen8J our professional relationships but also
enhanced our capacity by facililaling Ihe exchange of infotmalion and independent expertise, This
collaborative approach has broadened our abilily lo meet the needs of the ¥Mder community. In particular,
our partnership with Heallhwalch Islinglon has enabled us to engage with health specialists from the NHS,
further expanding our support nelwork for Se￿ICe users.
Staff members also attend regular meetings at the Tavistock Refugee Hub, which has proven lo be highly
productive. These meetings bling together a diverse group of praclilioners, community represenlalives,
and organisaltons working with asylum seekers, refugees, and forcibly displaced people. They provide a
valuable forum for information sharing and reflection, supporting the development of best practices
tailored lo address the varied and complex needs of individuals wlhin these communilies.
Our Provislons of Services
We have worked extensively with indivKluals from marginalised communities, with a particular focus on
those from minorilised ethnic and fefugee backgrounds mainly those from East Africa and other Arab
speaking communities. Over the year, 2981 people have ￿ssed our specialist advi￿, support and
workshops. 1821 people were regular clients throughout the year. Our apprO￿h is grounded in person-
cenlred and holistic support, ensuring that each service user re￿iVeS tailored advi￿, advocacy, and
assistance that addresses their unique circumstances and challenges. The recent changes lo welfare and
housing systems, such as the Iransition lo Universal Credit and the ongoing cosl-of-living crisis, have had
a profound effect on wple who acws our Se￿1￿.
There has been a marked increase in the number of indtviduals ne￿Ing urgent supp)rt, many of whom
are facing intricate challenges compounded by language barriers, digital exclusion, and financial hardship.
In response, our staff have shi)wn exceptional dedication. va)rking extended hours to ensure that clients
receive the help they need to navigate these difficult limes. Their commitmenl has ken vital in helping
people lo coFe, access essential services, and maintain stability during ￿riodS of acute vulnerability.

COMMUNITY LANGUAGE SUPPORT SEIRVICCIS
recdve the help Ihey need to navtgale thesè dlfficull ilmes, Thelr commitm￿1 has be8n vilal In hell￿ng
peoplo to cope, access essenlial setvices, and malnlaln slaLNlily duiing peiKds of acute vvlnerabllily.
Flg 1. CLSS d8alt wlh the follovAng inquiries throughout the year.
We have seen an
increased number ol
Inquirles on welfare
benefit. We hav8
8upporied clients
migraling Irom wèll8ré
nefils lo UniveTsal
Credil wilhin Ihe
Um81rames requlred by
Ihe OWP, enabting Ihom
lo continue recelving
transitional proleclion
paymenis whllsl Ihelr
Services provAded by CLSS
1st Aprll 2024- 31st March 2025
sooo
40C¥)
30
1931
871
370
677
Unlversal Cfedll dalms are wocessed. We recelved rNJre relerrals and sfjgnposled dlents from
communlly groups m8ny olwhom were vulneiable experlenclng poverty needlNJ a$$ls18nce ￿th 8cce88
lo we118re b8nefits, houslThJ. rA7￿umerS 8fKF IMm￿ration malth.
IndSvlduals f£dng language baiiier8 ordigltal exdusion often sthJg918 lo respond to Departm￿1 forwo
and Pensions {DWP} iequesls and are In urgent need ol ongolng support. Ungmploymenl has rfsen, and
many ale already ¢onlendlng wllh poverty, depression, an￿ety, and famlty brèakdown, 811 ofwhlch hav8
been exacerbated by lh8 ￿gOIng ¢osl-of-lfvltvJ ￿lS[S and or unemphjymenl.
W8 have successlulty asslsled dlenls ￿th appkalk￿8 fora Ta￿e Ofb8￿flts, Indudlng UC50, ths8bllly
Llvlng Allowance IDLA). Universal Credit, Per&￿al Independence Paymenl IPIPI, Carers Allowanc8,
A118ndanc8 Allowance, armi Dlscrellonary Houslng Paym8nl IDHPI elc. Notably. 90% of applicatsons wo
have supported have been successlul Will￿Ul Ihè nèed lor mandatory recA)nslderalion or appeals, 8nd
95% of Irlbun81 appeals lor wellare benefit cases have resulted In a favourable oulcome. Many people
h8ve comm8nl8d,"Thls Is thè klnd ol seNl¢e w8 neid..
Housing Needs and Support
Housing needs and tha risk of hom618ssness remaln significant concerns wllhln our commun51y. Many
Indivlduals and lamilles conlinue lo live In poor h￿jsIng ￿nditionS and laca Ihe challenges of
ovgrcrowding. Those resldlng In 1X￿ale renled acc0mn￿dati0n are parli¢ularty vulnèr8blo. wlh a
subslanilal number experien¢lng povety 8nd being adve￿ety affected by benefil caps. As a rasull, most
of Ihelr Incomo Is dlrected towards ienL often leaving them wilhoul suffi¢lenl funds lo feed Ih81r famllies
and forclng Ihern lo rety on food banks. Thls wecarfous slluallon has c￿lrIbUted lo increased levels ol
depresslon and 8nxlety among Ih)se affeded.
In resp*ffise lo Ihese d)allenges, we asslst dlents In appIfy￿ for Disctelionary Hrjjsing Paymenl IDHP)
lo help 811evlale Ilnanclal pressures related to hou&ng costs. Furthermore. 5upF￿ IriNn welfare grants
such 8s those pr￿ded by the Cloudeslèy Charlly and carers grants Ifom the Cripplegale Foundalion,
has enabled us to offeremergency finanaal assistance to 26 indmduals faang heallhThrelaled diificullies,
Ilnandal ¢rises, or deslilulion."241 people have been helped lo ap￿Y lorWalerHelp from Thamès W818r,
whl¢h gives low-lncome househokls a WA dlscounlon thelr bUIs.'
Our supr4Kt also extends to eSs￿lIa1 housew ulililies. For examtAe. we Ilalse dlreclly wllh energy
provldeis on b6hallof dienls lo Secu￿ reduced raies forelectricity and gas bllls oT￿range paymenl plans
wllh affordab16 Instalmenls. These inletvènlk)ns are crudal In helpkng In(￿vIdualS and lamilies malnlain
the1r18nan￿￿S and avoid deepening fina￿lar hardshlp.

COMMUNITY LANGUAGE SUPPORT
ERVICEI S
Our staff provide cffie-t04Jne dvJital lo leach ba￿e dEllal sklNs lo dlents, helplng people devekjp
confidence, skllls and become independenl. Over 67 di8nls reported that they fell moro confldenl In
auessing On￿n8 sèNces l￿lependen￿y. Ifthey need mcf8 they c(¥ne lo us.
Women's Self-Help Group and Skills Sessh)ns
The women's self-help group, aksng vAlh Ihe kl￿1bng 8nd Se4￿ng sesstons held forlnighty, has made 8
slgnificanl impact on Ihe ￿nfidenCe and abilities ol our parlicipanls. These sessions have nol only
equlpped the women wllh valuable new s￿115 bul have also f¢)siered a sense ol ur￿ty by bthglng ttyJelher
women from a variely ol backgrcAJnds.
The formallon of sUp[th￿e friendshlps wilFin Ihe 4w)men's group has played a IransfomiAtivè role for
Indiwduals wlv) prevlouslychos8 lo remaln Isoialed. Through regularpartlapalion in lh8 group's 8¢IMlies.
many women havé moved beyond feelings of loneliness. building meanlngfvl connecllons vAlh othets In
slmilai clrcumslanc6s. These relalionshlps h8ve nol onty foslerad a sens8 of b8longlng bul also
encouraged personal gr0￿h and resili8nc8 among partidpanls. Curr8nfy, 25 women continue lo provide
befriending supwi lo housebound and eklwty bld1￿U8Is, thrvJ under lh8 guldance and sup8rvlslon
ofCLSS.
Thè s8sslon Is run by a vohJn188r lèadw. Trijjgh h8r ojmmllmanl. we hav8 t)88n able to Gonlinu& lo
offer suppori lo Ihose most In n88d.
Reflecllng on her exp8r18nce, she shared. 'Sharlng my sklll$ and So￿ng our ladles develop makes
m8 féèl pmud.. She also 8xpr8ssed Ihal altendlng Ihesè sesslons has t¥)osled her conlldence and
helped her lo recognlse her own abllllles. The group recognlsgs that certaln &xperlenc8s Can have
negativ8 8ff8cI on individuals bjl restori￿ ¢onfidenc* aThJ d8v8loplng coping mechanlsms 8Te key
achS&vemenls Ihey strive for, The parllripanls rrfjwspeak openly 8brAJt thelr exp8rlenc6s aThJ confidenlty
sland up lor Ihemselves and Iheir fam￿leS.
The women's group has lurtherexiènded ow reach, all0￿￿j us to as81sl even mLYe vulnerabl&
m6mb8rs Ol￿r community.
Oulreach and Support for Vulnerable Clients
Our team carried oul a subslanli81 programme of outreach and home wslts. ¢ompl81ing 255 vlslls lo
8UPPOrt vulnerable Indlvtduals In Ihe coMm￿lIy. Thesg woaclive inlemnllons enabled us lo engage
dire¢lly wllh Ihos8 Iib)sl al flsk, énsuriw they recefv8d the assislance and guldancè necèssary lo Improve
Iheli ¢lr¢umslances. We provvjeil ongoing support lo 491 people Ivlng wih dlsabllillès, hel￿n9 them lo
access ess8nllal seM¢es, mainlaln Independence and 8ddress day-l048y challenges. Our laltored
apwoach ensured that Indlvlduals. needs were recognlsed 8NI addressed appropriately.
In addlllon, we reached and supported 367 Isolated Indlvlduals. Through our oulrea¢h efforts, these
people were able lo reconnect with Iheir comrnunlty, access vital resources, and feel less alone In laang
Ihelrdiificullles.
Anonymlsed Case Example:
W8 8sstsl8d 8 vulner8ble young aS￿M seeker, referred lo our organls8Uon by a (a)ncemed o)mmunlly
member,. he lives in a hol81. Tho cf18nl lives vrilh chronlc consllpalkjn and chionic myelLid leukaemla.
both requliing ongolng medlcal care aThJ dlel. Throughout this perlod, CLSS w0￿ded regular Pfacllcal
and emollonal support, bolh by phone and face-lo-face. We wovlded emergency financlal support
received Irom a charfly for food and Iravel. We advocaled on hL8 behalf and Ilalsed ￿th Se￿iCe providers
including a doclor who comes lo the hotel and c(￿taCted the specialist Ifom lh8 hospital lo request Ns
leukaemla medicatkjn because Ihere were times when hè ran out of medication. W8 also contacted hls
Imrnlgrallon sollcllor, churches, and Ihe Red Cross lo w&sisl the cllènl. We succ8SStulty advocaled foi the
dienl lo be moved lo accommi)dallon where hecould a(x6ss bellermedKa weand ccfflmunllysupport.
He Is now sellled in a shared sludio in Wesl London.

COMMUNITY LANGUACE SUPPORT SERVICES
Recent prolesls In G18aler LC￿dOn have caused Ihe dienl sbJnifKanl anxlety. H6 feels unsafe leavlrvJ hls
accommodallon, whlch has affected hls ability lo alland medical appolnlmenls and access SUPPOrt,
leadlng lo isolalion, Desplle Ihese thallenges, ￿th CLSS'S support and 8sslstsnce In communic8lin9 wilh
hls Immigration soiicilor, h8 su￿$$[U11Y obtained refugee staius and Is now able lo acr*ss mLve
exJmprehensNe support.
Health awareness workshq)s
Throughoul the year, we delrvered a lolal of 12 g&nder.speafic heallh awareness workshops. These
sesslons were faalilaled ￿1h the SUFvorl of axp8rt h8allh speakers (iom He8Nhwalch Islinglon, Ihe
Camden and Islinglon Core Team, and an NHS health represenlalive and ￿Jr mental health support
worker and staff. Each workslw Allracied belw8en 25 8nd 30 allend8es, rellectlNJ strong communlty
engagem8nl and inteiesl. We also shared the InloTmallon vhlh lh8 wlder commvnlty through the CLSS
WhalsApp group.
CLSS staff and volunleers provtd8d Inlerprellng and Iranslallon seths In a range ol communlly
languages. Thls approach enabled aN allendees lo lulty benefit from Ihe knlormalion and support offered
durlng the sesslons. As 8 direct resull of thesè workshops. 34 Indlwduals èxperfendThJ depresslon fell
émpowered lo se8k asslslance and successfully accessed the menlal hè811h sèrvices th8y reoulr8d, In
8ddllion, 137 people were ￿gnposied io approwialo m8nlal heallh 6UFwI. lurfh8r extsndlng Ihe f8ach
nd Smpacl ol our work,
DespS18 Ihese posilive oul¢om8s, Ihe sltgma surrounthng menlal heallh romalns slgnificanl. Many
partl¢lpanls conllnue lo slruggle wllh depresslon and an￿ety. challenges often 8xacerbaled by poverly
and unèmployment. These dlfficullles are partl¢ulady 8cuie among those of worklng ￿8, who face
conskterab18 obstades Sn acw8lNJ suppNI 8nd 0vwe￿nthg the a88(Klated slgma.
Workshop altendan￿ prompled dSents to gel h6allh checks, lea(llng lo three proslale ¢8n¢er d18gno8es
durlng routine screenlngs d8spile no 8ympioms. Our men181 health supF*Nt worker and advisors lallor
sesslons lo c(Ynmunlly needs and offer one-onthon& sUppC￿. We have asslstod 78 families, kncluding
famllles vAih aullsllc chlldren, lo gel more suppjrt.
Immigralion Advice and Support
CLSS offers Immlgialion advice and seNic8s al IhA Level 1. wlh a partlcular lows on Immlgrallon,
asylum, and prolècllon malters. Our dedicated leam has asslsled dlenls wllh a bioad speclrum of
Immigralion-relaled 8PF4iCal￿n5, I￿luding those seluemenl, Indefinite Leave lo Remaln, and
c411zenship. In addilion, we have supported IndI￿d￿al$ In preparing Home Office travel document and
passport appllc81l￿s, 8s well as fee ak¥Jlicallons to help f8mlles reglsier Ihelr ¢hUdren as 8rlll8h
dlizens.
Asylum seekers often Èncounlercons￿erab1Q dlfficLrflles, and we h8ve SO￿ an InLYease In ènqulrf&s from
Ihose seeklng guid8nrA, whelher lo find an IMM￿ratiOn sol¢cilor, reconnecl ￿th exisling legal
represenlalives, or obtaln Mcessary Inlormalion support. In response lo new Introduced
r8gulallons, clients ale now ieqvlred lo ereale UKVI accounts lo ￿eW Ihelr Immlgralion slalus onlin8 via
the eVISA sysiem, Our leam has provided suppK)rt lo many indivKluals Ihroughoul this proc8ss, ensurlng
Iheyare abl8 loaccess aNI manage Ihelr sialus onllno. We reo)gnlse Ihallhoso wlK)are IlllleI81e orllvtng
I￿1h disabili118s may need personalised arKI Continuitw 88Si8tsnce. arbl w8 taikw our dlglla5 SUPkN)rt
accordingty.
We are also comrnllled to aldltvJ vulnerable cfients, induding Ih0s6 experlenclng domesllc ￿0]enCe, by
helplNJ them c(Mnmunlcale more effeclively wlh Iheir Immlgrallon solicllors about Ihelr cases. Our
servtC8s include Ihe provlslon ol 1n1￿fflaIIOn, Interpreting. and Iranslallon as needed, so Ihal language
barriers do not prevenlaccess loessenlial supwrt. Furthermore. we have helped deslilule and vulnerable
lalled aswum seekers lo obialn emergency finanual suprth through the No ReeAJurse io Pubuc Fund

OMMUNITY LANGUAGE SUPPORT SERVICES
(NRPFI scheme. In addili¢M, we have SUFPNted dlents In ap￿ng fcff I￿[are grants Irom ckAJdeS￿y,
offerfng vlL21 reassurance and ensuri￿J Ihal Indivlduas know Ihey havè somewhere lo turn during limes
ofneed,
Achlevemenls
CLSS has conllnued togiow, maklng slgnir￿anI stlldes twards rls misslon ollmproving th8 Ilves oflhose
11 serves. The organisalion's spec4alisl adv￿ and sUPPOrt servtces hav8 proved highly effective,
fjchlevlng a 95% success rale In helplng cllents secure their benefit enlluemenls and access lh8 Support
Ihey requirè. Through Ihe d81ivery ol gr￿p activities and heallh awareness SeS￿On$, CLSS has
8ucrAssfulty broughl peo￿81￿381her. losteruy a slr¢Mgér sens8 of conwnunity and engag8m8nl.
The women's gr￿p 8es8kms have been partilwlarty knpaciful, wovklhg a welc4Nring space for wvmen
from diverse ba(*grounds lo com61(gelher. These sesslons have not only enc4)uTaged partIcIpa￿On and
unlly among women bul have also empowered them lo becom8 a¢tlve memb8TS oflh8 communily. Many
have gon8 on lo support others, helping CLSS lo extend its read) and strengthen communlly Iles.
In the 8rea of mental heallh, CLSS has s￿n￿sted 137 individuals lo th8 8ppropriale servlc8s for Ihelr
mental wellbelng. vilh 85% of Ihese Indmduals, repo￿ Improvements In iKslh Ihelr finandal and heallh
drcumslances.
Th8 organlsallon has also taken proactlvè slèps to combal lonelness and isolation, reachlng out lo
support people In Ihelf ovm homes and lacifliallng Inlegralkjn and soc181 connecilons ￿￿thIn ihe wlder
comrnunlly. A total 01491 people wilh disabllllles have feG81v8d ongoing Sup￿￿, ensuiing Ihal Iheir
unique needs are addr8ssed and thal Ihey iemaln connected to Mlal services. Addillonally, 350 Isolated
individuals have been encouraged k) partldpate In group acllvlll8s and wothshops, vilh 70% 01
partlclpanls nollng Improvements In Ihelrflnanclal 8nd heallh wellb8lng as 8 resull. Through Ihese efforts,
CLSS has played a cruclal role In bridging g8ps and challerwJltvJ the sllwa Ihal often prevanls people
Irom seeklng the help and support they need.
Summary
There has been an exceplionalty hlgh demand for advtce aThJ SUkWOrt setvlces, ￿th numerous urgent
enqulrfes recelved fr¢Jm meM￿lS ol the comunity. Our dedlcaled staff have consislenlly gone above
and beyond, working additional hours10 ensure thal the needs ofour beneflciaries are mel. Through Ihèlr
elforls, CLSS has helped Indiwduals ac£èss vitsl welfare enlillemenls and ess8nllal seNces, Par1￿ularlY
durlng Ihe ongolng cosl-of-living crisls. Thèchallenge of digilal èxduslon has lurfhèrlmpacled manylives,
maklng our support oven rn0￿ cdllcal. Notably. ol ovr dlents face languBg8 bairlers and Ihei8for8
requlre ongcing, laSlore(l assislance io nav￿ale avaIla￿e sepkes effectively.
Communily Engagement and ()Jtreach
We Con￿nUe to SUPFKJrt peoFle In sWrvJ ojnnecled by defverkng uv&Jp ￿t[￿lieS Ihal foster soclal
Induslon. Ourgender-speclflc health awareness sessions have provided significant benefils, 8ddresslng
unSque needs wilhln thè community. To combal isoialion, we have offered a befriernling seNce for
houseb)und and Isolated individuals, ulills1￿j tolh oulreach and home wslls. Our CLllab0rali￿ vAlh
slalulory and other supporling agendes has (urlher slrenglhened our services, enabllro us Io Tespond
8fflclenlty lo Ihe evthng n8eds ol Ihe communlty. The Olganisa￿On'$ sustainatrxfily has allowed us io
Inlllale new projects that reflect and addiess Ihese needs.
Acknowledgements
We extend our heartl811 thanks io our lunder8 and supporters. ind￿ling Ihe Cirppleg8le Foundation,
Isllngion Councll, The Nalitinal Loltery CLNnmunlty Fund. Trusl for LorKlon, and Cloudesley Chaiily,
whose generoslly has b8en inslrumenlal In m6eling both our needs and Ihose of the Ither ¢(￿MUnity,
Your grants and cL)nlinued support have enaLl8d us lo expand our s8Nees and emp)wer Indlwduals lo
Ihrfve. We are alsograleful lo Ihe NRPF team from Islingion Council Iortheirresponsiveness loourdienls,
needs.
io

COMMUNITY LANGUACE SUPPORT SERVICES
Our slncere appredallon goèg lo the ManageM￿t Cf*nmllleo thelr ongolng encrAJragement and
sleadfasl support, whlch has molivaled us lo work even harder and ¢ontrfbul8d lo poslllve changes In
peoF4e's lives. We also thank H8althwalch Ish'n9lon, Voluntsry Action Islinglon, th8 IRMF team, our slalf
and volunleei4 local MPS, and Sl ￿e1￿luS Church forthelrtnvaluablesupportlo GLSS and Ihecommunlty.
Financlal
The charlty's prlndpal Source of Income granls from public lundlng and olhercharllles. In Ihe yèarended
31 March 2025 the prfnctpal grant funders were Isiinglon Cwndl, National Loltery Communily Fund,
'Cloudeslèy's Charlty, Trusl for London, Cripplegale FcAJndallon and Healthwalch Isllngton.
Durfng IhÈ year th8 lotsl Income ￿e1ved w8s £102,443, (202441&5,9771 aThJ after deducting
expendllure of £121,840,12024.£122.2091, the charity made d delkll of £19,397, (2024 8 surplus of
£13,768. As al 31.3.2025 the charity reserve was £126,856 and Ihls was carrfed foiw8rd lor the
conllnuallon of the prolecl. Thls Indud8s £40,581 Unr8strlcted Rèsèrves, equlvalenl lo lust und&T 3.8
months expendlivr8 level. Ind8pend8nlly examlned financial Acllviues for th8 y8ar ended Marth 202518
provlded. We are acllvely Idenllfylng olherfunders and devetoF4rrfJ propJs818.
STRUCTURE, ¢￿VernanCe and Mwgement
Managoment Commlltee and Board of Tru$leè8
CLSS Is oveiseen by a Management Commlmee QMIFosed of slx dedicated vdunl88rs. The Boafd of
Trustees holds responslbllSty lor all governance, pollcy development, slraleglc planrlng, and finan¢lal
oveislghl. Thmughoulthe year. the Board o)nv8ned on fourocc4slon8 to address k8y maiters and ensure
the effectlve rUn￿rIa of Ihe organls8110n.
Staff and Volunteer Team
The team al CLSS Inckndes flve staff members: a CtJ)rdinalorwho also serves as an advlc8 worker, along
th four adv1s018 8nd support worker8. In addillon, a group of sevan ¢omm1118d volunteers provldes vllal
8sslstance wllh Inlerprellng and supportirvJ LFsers. The organlsallon also b￿e￿I8 from Ihe Invofvemenl of
25 volltnleer bofflènders, who F4ay a crud81 role In supportlng Ihe ccmmvnlly. Al volunle&rs are
Super￿Sed by Ihe ¢ooidlnaiorand the stsff ieam, ensuting consistent, Imghquality support end guldance.
Managernent
The coordinalor holds responslblllty lor the overall management and C￿rdIn8t70n of CLSS ac11￿lIes,
Acllng as an ad￿Se1 lo the Boafd, the cwrdinaior Implements dedslons made by the Injslees lo ensu
lh8 offeclive iunnlng ol the or9anlsalk>n. In addlllon, tho c0ord1nal￿ dlreclly manages bolh the staff and
volunteer team, provtdlng guldan¢e and supeNsion. Regltlar rewls are made lo Ihe Chalr of the Board,
f8d111811ng ck8ar communlcalkn and accounlabillly ￿thIn Ihe organlsauon.
li

MUN
TY
su
ER VICES
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
Report to the trustets of
COMMUNITY LANGUAGE SUPPORT SERVICES
On accounts for the year
ended
31 MARCH 2025
Cliaylty no
1115756
Respectlve
respon￿bIll(leS of
trustees aiid ex4mJtter
Tl)e cbarity's tTh8tees are r¢spollsible for ihe PAyration of the accounts,
The charity's INstees ¢onsider that Jn audit As not T¢quired foi. this year
under section 144 of the chariti￿ Act 201 I C'the Cliarities Act") and tljat
An indopenden¢ exaniillation is needed.
Il is my responsibility to:
examine 11)¢ accounts undcr section 145 of the Cliarities Act,
• to follow the proc¢dLwes laid down in the gcneral Dll'e¢tio]Js given by
the Cliarity Commission {und¢r 8e¢tion J45(5)(b) of the Cliarities A¢1,
and
• to stat¢ whether pai'iicuEai' matters have come to my attention.
Basts of Independent
examlner $ statement
My examinalioll was carried out in accordance with gejieral Dire¢tlOll8
given by (he Charity Commi8sion. An ¢K￿ninA110n in¢ludes a r¢view of th¢
A¢eounting LTco1￿5 kept by the chat'ily and a compai'i80n of the h¢¢ounts
pi'es¢nted with Iliose recolds. It also includes consideixlion of any unusual
iteins or di$¢l08wu in the accounts. and Seeking explanations froin the
trnslees concen)ing any such matkr8. The procediir¢s undert&ken do not
provtde all th¢ ¢videiic¢ that would be iEquurd in an audit, and
consequently no opinion is given as to whether the ac¢oullls present a 'trn¢
and fail view and tb¢ report is liinited to those n)att￿% set out in the
ststement below.
In connection with my examination. no inatter ha8 come lo my altenlion
IMd¢peiident exgmlner s i. which gives in¢ reasonable cause to bejicve (hat in, any material respect.
statement
the It￿l1reMents.,
to keep accounting records An accordan￿ with section 130 of tlie
Charities Aet. and
to prepar¢ accounts wl)ich accord witli tbe a¢¢ow)ting ftteottts olld
cofnply with the a¢countinE requirements of the Charlties Act
have not been mel. or
2. to wbi¢h, in my opinion, altention should be drawn ill oi'dei. to enAbl¢ a
proper unde￿landUlg of t]ie accounls to be irached.
Slgmed:
Date:
1'8- lg g 025
Name:
Efi'em Kidane FCCA
3941 North Road, London N7 9DP
Address:
12

OM
Y LANGUAGE SUPPORT
ER
ICES
STATEI MENT OF FJNANCtAL ACTI￿TIEs
riOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Molès Unrestrl¢ted
Funds
ReStrI￿d
Funds
2025
2024
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Donatlons and Legades
Bank Inl6resl
InGom8 From Charltablè Actlvltles:
Grants
Tot81 In¢om4
1,670
282
1,670
282
1,050
100,491
100 491
100 491
102 443
134 927
135 977
EXPENOITURE
Expandlture ¢>n Charliable aclfvliles
Total Expondlturo
121840
121 840
122209
122 209
111646
Nat Movem•nl of Pund8 In Year
Tran8for belween fund8
{I242) (11,155) {19,397)
13,768
8urplufjl{Dallolt) lor the yoar
19
Total funds brought FIW 1.4.2024
Total fund8 carrled FIW 31.31025
146 285
132 517
126 888
13

POR
SAT31
2024
CURIiENfASSETS
Balanc• por Bank 81gtern•nf
Co8h Irj hand
124724
764
146,604
146 285
CURREiYf UABILMES
Arnounts r￿ung withln ono y
600
NET CURRENT A8sYrs
Unr¢$tri¢t
R¢s￿¢t¢d
TOTAL FiINDS
40,581
48.823
146 28
Approved byth¢ bomrd on
And SABrt￿ on h8 bchjlf by
Chlllr
14

MMU
ITY LANCU
PPORT SERVICES
NOTES TO THE FXNANCIAL STATEMENTS
l. Accollntlng Polieles
l. l The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of
Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reportin8 by Charities preparing their
accounts in accoi'dance with the Financial R¢porting Staiidard applicable in the
UK and Republi¢ of Ireland (FRS 102) ISSU￿ oil 16 July 2014 and with tEie
Chal'lti￿ Aci 2011.
The charity constitute8 9 public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
1.2 The accounts I￿v¢ been prepared on the going concern bAsis.
1.3 Income is recognised in the Statement of Financial ActivitLes (SofA) when the
chari(y becomes entitled lo the resourc&8, it 18 rnoie likely than iiot that the
Ubtees will rec¢iv¢ the resouires and the monetary value can be measui'ed with
Sufficient reliability.
1.4 Expcnditui'e is included when incuntd attd liabilities are established for All
8eiwices on¢e pi'ovided. Expendituie includcs amounts of iiiEcoverablc VAT
where charg¢d. Bxpenditur¢ on operational pi'ogrammes is ircognised in th¢
p¢riod in which it is incun'ed.
1.5 No trustee was paid or receivcd any benefit in the CUiTenl year.
No transactions occurred wilb any 11118lee or COill]ected person18 witb material
interest itt the year.
1,6 Gi'ants r¢¢¢ived ￿'C for restricted purposes ￿ld realis¢d in tbe a¢¢ounts widJAn the
y¢ar. The ¢haJ'ity does not operate any endowment funds.
1,7 R¢sts'ictd funds al'e to be used for rcslrlcicd puiposes as laid down by the donoi.
Expendittii'e which rneets thxs criteria is id¢ntified io tlie funds.
Unfesttlcted Re>trlcted
Funds
Fund
2. Donhtlons find Ikgacles
2025
2024
Donallons and GNIS
Bank Inloresl
TOTAL
1,670
282
1,952
1,670
282
1,050
15

OMMUN
TY LANCUA
E SUPPORT
VICES
Ufirestrfcted
Funds
Réstr&cted
Funds
3. Income frojn chai'ltable acllvlties: Crants
2025
2024
Natl(Trnal Lottery Communlly Fund
Richard Cloudeslels CharSty (Welfare Grant)
Rlchard Cloude8leVs Charlly
Trust For London
181Snglt)n Coundl's Communily Chast
Cilpplega18 Foundation MBÉn Grant
CTipp16gale Foundallon -other Grant
Isllnglon Coundl
Heallhwalch Islington
TOTAL
20,247 20,247
3.960
3,960
8,750
8,750
23,707 23,707
40,354
4,000
8,750
27.625
s,000
10,000
9,826
24,1)00
5,372
134927
10,000 10,000
3,400
3,400
24,000 24,000
6,427
6,427
100,491 100 491
4. Expeiidltui'e on Charltable Actlvitl
UM•strlcted
Funds
R•strl¢ttd
Fund$
2025
2024
S8larle8 and Wages
Ronls, Rales & Servlce Charges
Indlvldual Grants
Hall kllro
Slallon8ry
Volunto8r Exp6ns¢s
Pholo¢opylPo818g8
Telephono
R•(r66hmen18
M8mbershlp fea8
DBS Check
Hom8worklng costslm8nagemenl costs
IT and Con8ullancy
SubsGTipUons
Tralnlng
Cleanlno Product
Equlpmenl
Instsranc8
Accountancy & Audll
AQS Audll
Total Expèndltur•
10,194
92,411
102,805
6,000
4,840
784
278
850
358
839
282
104.014
6.000
4.895
951
187
673
377
4,840
784
278
860
358
839
282
644
740
675
111
386
616
40
324
135
671
468
350
125
433
433
40
350
115
96
893
40
350
115
96
893
600
1tl,194
111,646
121840
5. An•ly818 ofNet Assets Between FuDd8
Unrestrlrted
Funds
Re5trl£ted
Funds
2025
2024
Tanglble fixed a¥sets
¢urr6nt assets
Current tF8blllUes
Nel assets
40.681
(loo}
40,581
86,807
500)
86,307
127.488
(600)
126.888
146,285
146 285
16