REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER.. 05550982 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1120326 Report of the Trustees and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2023 ETHIOPIAN WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT GROUP Pembroke Briggs Chartered Accountants la The Quadrant Courtyard Quadrant Way Weybridge Surrey KT13 8DR
ETHIOPIAN WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT GROUP Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2023 Page Report of the Trustees Independent Examinorfs Report Statement of Financial Activities 10 Balance Sheet 11 to 12 Notes to tho Financial Statements 13 to 14
ETHIOPIAN WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENTGROUP Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 30 September 2023 REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Companylcharity Name Ethiopian Women's Empowerment Group Company Registration Number 05550982 Charsty Registration Number 1120326 Registered office and operational address Office 8. 7 Thorpe Close W10 5XL DireclorslTruslees Nalan Daniel Tabassam Shabbir Asha Hussen Hatsa Muhammed (appointed 15 January 2023) Independent Examiner Stephen Briggs ACA Pembroke Briggs Chartered Accountants la The Quadrant Coutyard Quadrant Way, Weybridge Surrey, KT13 BDR Bankers Lloyds Banking 21-25 King Street London W6 9HW
ETHIOPIAN WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT GROUP Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 30 September 2023 Acknowledgments We are extremely grateful to all our funders.. Trust for London, BME Health Forum, Hammersmith United Charitles, City Bridge Trust, Kensington and Chelsea Foundation, and People Health Trust. Without their financial support, we would not have been able to deliver all our services. Report of the Dlrectors/Trustees The trustees are pleased to present their annual report together with consolidated and financial statements for the year ended 30 September 202212023, whlch are prepared to meet the requirements for directors, reports and accounts for Companies Act purposes. The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006. the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their account5 by the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 IEffertive l January 20151. Objectives Address Social, Educational, ond Emotional Needs: The primary objective of the Ethiopian Women's Empowerment Group IEWEGI is to support Ethiopian and Black Minority Ethnic IBMEI women, including refugees and asylum seekers, by addressing their social, educational, and emotional needs. This is achieved by promoting learning opportunitie5 and fostering social cohesion within the community. Advance Education and TraininE-. EWEG aims to enhance the education and training of BME women in the London, helping them develop essential skills for future employment. By doing so. these women are encouraged to participate in and contribute to their communities actively. Preserve Physical and Mental Health.. To support the physical and mental well-being of BME women in need, EWEG provides vital health information and advice, ensuring access to resources that promote their overall health. Alleviate Hardshlp.. EWEG 5eek5 to relieve sickness, poverty, and financial hardship, as well as preserve the health of women and children. Thi5 15 achieved by offering comprehenslve information, advice, training, support, and facilities tailored to their specific needs. ACHIEVEMENTS Most of our activitie5 have been funded by the People's Health Trust, Trust for London. City Bridge Trust and BME Health Forum. The People's Health Trust has funded us to run the volunteering programs, coffee morning, Leadership ski115, parenting programs, cooking class, and self- empowerment group. We have worked with women who live in Hammersmith and Fulham. The feedback has shown us that provided activitie5 helped the women to feel less isolated, find new friends, increase skills, gain volunteering opportunities. accessing local services in a better way. More than 59 women and children have benefitted from the services.
ETHIOPIAN WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENTGROUP Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 30 September 2023 Trust for London has funded us to provide advice and information for women who need form filling, and information on housing and benefit issues. We have provided the service5 for 68 women. City Bridge Trust: has funded u5 Wlth the CEO salary to improve our organization's capacity and we are working now on improving our Governance and renewing AQS (Advice Quality Mark) BME Health Forum: are working in partnership with EWEG to reduce Health inequality in Northwest London. We have advocated and worked with 30 women in accessing primary and secondary healthcare Volunteering programs We have successfully recruited Eight volunteers from variou5 universities, including the London School of Economics ILSEI, to enhante the capacity of our organization. These volunteers have developed skills in administration, fundraising, communications. and support services. Additionally, we provided training sesslons to cultivate coordination skills and support collective action, with a focus on punctuality, confidentiality, safeguarding, boundaries, and respect. The Coffee Mornlng pmgrnm Provided a platform for BME women to socialize, make friends, and access valuable information. Participants have been attending weekly sessions for the past year, where they learn essential skills related to housing, benefits, and available services. Feedback indicates that BME women have made more local friends, improved their emotional well-bein& and shared positive information with others. Parentlng programmes Many BME women come from different countries, where parenting practices can be very different from those in the UK. Language barriers, differences in generations, and varied life experiences can cause communication issues between parents and children. To help address this. EWEG provides parenting Sessions that aim to improve communication between BME parents and their children. These sessions focus on promoting respect, avoiding judgment, and praising and rewarding children. As a result, children have become more motivated to do their homework and help with household tasks like cooking and cleaning. Participants have reported a better understanding of positive parenting and have shown increased interest in attending further parenting courses and workshops to improve their skills and enhance their relationships with their children. Leadershlp Program The purpose of this prograrn is to help participants improve their communication skills and leadership abilities. The program covers topics such as assertiveness, clear and direct communication, effective verbal and non-verbal communication. emotional awareness, active listening, respecting others, dignity, standing up for oneself, and understanding one's ri8ht5. As a result, participants have reported increased confidence and self-esteem, as well as learning new skills and techniques to effectively manage their families and assert their rights in their daily lives. Cooking Class Our cooking classes teach women from BME (Black and Minority Ethnicl communities how to prepare and enjoy healthy meals. Participants learn how to read food labe15, shop effectively, and maintain a balanced diet that includes all essential macronutrients Iproteins, carbohydrates, fibre, and fat51. Additionally, the initiative involves children aged eight and older, encouraging an early
ETHIOPIAN WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENTGROUP Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 30 September 2023 interest in healthy eating and cooking. Feedback indicates that these classes have not only improved family health but also strengthened the bond between parents and children. Self-Empowerment Group Sesslons The program aims to inCaSe BME women's skills in various areas, including IT, crochet. and art. More specifically, digital skills sessions were particularly beneficial for them as they proved vital to learning to shop online, fill online forms. use Google, use their phones by downloading and using apps to travel such as Goo8le Maps and track their exercise and steps, all of which are essential for livin8 in the UK. The program also provided mindfulness sessions, where beneficiaries effectively learned about how to reduce their stress levels. follow their instincts, and breathe calmly during anxiety and panic attacks. The Health Advocacy program, in partnership wf(h the BME Health Forum, aims to address the health disparities faced by BME women when accessing healthcare services Suth as dental care, hospitals, and GP practice5. Language barriers, lack of information about complaints procedures, and inconsistent practices in GP services, such as interpreter availability, obstruct access to these services. Through individual sessions, we Bather insights into the challenges of accessing the NHS Svstem and explore possible enhancements. Emotional wellbeing: The CEO of EWEG, trained by the 8ME Health Forum and Birkbeck University in Counselling & Psychotherdpy, provides personalized emotional well-bein8 sessions for 8ME women. This program aim5 to 5UPPOrt women affected by lon8-term illnesses. victims of domestic abuse, individuals grieving loss, and those facing depression exacerbated by poverty. Another Significant partnership involves Green Doctors, who have provided consultancy to BME women beneficiaries during the current energy crisis. Their advice on managing rising energy costs has helped participants afford utilities and save moneyj With some beneficiaries receiving household items as a result of this Volunteering Recruitment and Trainlng EWEG has maintained partnerships with the London School of Economics and Political Science ILSEI, University College London IUCLI, Birkbeck University, and Team London to recruit volunteers. These volunteers enhance their fundraising, administration, logistical, and communications skills. They undergo training on their roles, responsibilities, confidentiality, professional boundaries, and working with vulnerable clients before commencing their positions. Volunteers are encouraged to set goal5, reflect on their volunteering experiences, and brainstorm ways to contribute their skills to the community. In return, EWEG provide5 additional training through course5 offered by partnering organizations on core topics relevant to our mission. Advlce and Informatlon Project We consistently offer advice and information on various issues, including: Universal Credit guidance Form filling assistance Homelessness applications
ETH10PIAN WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENTGROUP Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 30 September 2023 Attendance allowance information Personal Independence Payment Advice Updates on Universal Credit changes We have engaged the organi5ations SHELTER and the Royal Borough of Kensin8ton and Chelsea housing departments to provide insights into housing matters such as overcrowding, house- swapping, repairs, and strategie5 for resolving neighbourhood issues. Ooanization Structure and Decision-making The charity is governed by a board of trustees comprising four members, who meet monthly to oversee the charity's administration. The board of tru5tee5 15 the governing body responsible for managing the organization. Their role includes approving the yearly budget, annual accounts, and expenditures, and monitoring the organization'5 financial position based on regular management accounts. The management of the tharity is the responsibility of the trustees, who are elected under the terms of the organization'5 governin8 document. The new board of trustees is elected annually at EWEG AGM by service users. In cases where additional trustees are needed during the year, the cijrrent board makes appointments. We advertise openly and transparently during trustee recruitment. Throughout the recruitment process, we conduct a skills audit of nominated board members to retruit diverse skills beneficial for the charity's development. Our board members reflect the communitie5 we serve,. therefore, we recruit multilingual and refu8ee or migrant women trustees. As a u5er-led organization, we ensure that 50% of our board of trustees are members of our organization to continuously assess the services provided by the charitv. Reserve Policy We are committed to developing systems that safeguard the charity through effective risk management and sustainability practices. We maintain modest amounts of unrestricted re5erve5 to support organizational development and ensure financial stability, thereby reducing financial risk. Our goal is to continually contribute to these reserves by generating unrestricted income, which covers staff costs, rent, volunteer expenses, and a550ciated operational costs. ensuring EWEG can consistently provide essential services.
ETHIOPIAN WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT GROUP Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 30 September 2023 EWEG Strategic Plan 2023-2027 Secure Core Fundlng: Apply for core funding to expand our team and strengthen organizational capacity. Support Asylum Seekers and Refugees In London: Health promotion, exercise classes. and well- being proErams. Business Start-up Programs: Launch new business start-up programs, providing training for women to develop busine55 plans and create employment opportunities. Health Advocacy.. Maintain and enhance health advocacy programs to address health inequalities among BME women, collaborating closely with the NHS. Communlty Development: Sustain community development initiatives including leadership training, parenting skills workshop5, Coffee Mornings, and health promotion activities. Advocacy for Houslng and Beneflts Reform: Collaborate closely with MPS and Local Councillors to advocate for improvements in the housing and benefits systems. focusing on reducing overcrowding and increasing access to decent housing. Local Employment Database: Establish a database of qualified women for local council employment opportunities, promoting economic empowerment. Youth Empowerment: Launch a youth empowerment project tailored to address the needs of young women, offering training, employment support, and social programs. Volunteer Tralning and Mentoring: Train community volunteers to enhance outreach efforts and involve them in future mentoring programs. Network Expanslon: Expand our local and national networks to Stay informed about updates in health, employment. social issues. benefits, and housing. Quality Assurance: Work towards acquiring the Advice Quality Mark and other quality standards through partnerships with organizations like Advice UK.
ETHIOPIAN WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENTGROUP Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 30 September 2023 We are currently in the process ol updating all EWEG policie5 and procedures. We are working with Advice Quality Standard to make sure they comply with current legislation. Our updated policies now Include new legislation such as ihe Safeguardlng Pollcy, Equality and Diver51ty Poliry. Health and S4fety Policy, and others. STATEMENT AS TO DISCLOSURE TO OUR INDEPENDENTEXAMINERS In sts far as the trustees are aware at the time of approving the trustee5' annual repurt- There is no relevant information of which the charirable company'5 independent exarniner5 are unware, and The trustees have taken 6115teps that they ovght to have taken to niake themselves awa re of any relevant audit information and to establish that the independent examiners are aware of thal infortnation. INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS Stephen Briggs of Pembroke Briggs Chartered Accountants will be proposed for re-appoiniment at the forthcoming Aniiu81 Ger)eral Meeting. Approved by the Management Committee on and 5iBned on behalf of the Management: Tabbasam Shabbir Trvstee Date Natan DanTel Trustee Date
ndependent Examlnerfs Report to the Trustees of Ethlopian Women's Empoworment Group Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Ethiopian Women's Empowernient Group ('the Company.) I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 30 September 2023. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also rts directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 {'the 2006 Act,). Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 {'the 2011 Act,). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b} of the 2011 Act. Page 8
Independent Examlnerfs Report to the Trustees of Ethiopian Women's Empowemient Group Independent examiner's ststement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe: accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or the accounts do not accord with those records., or the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination., or the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)). I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Pcthkk kn , Stephen Briggs ACA Pernbroke Briggs Chartered Accountants la The Quadrant Courtyard Quadrant Way Weybridge Surrey KT13 8DR Date.. Page 9
Ethlo lan Women5' Em owerment Grou Statement of Flnan¢lal Actlvltles for the Yèar Ended 30 Se ember 2023 Note5 Unrestrlcted Funds Restrlcted Fund5 Total Funds 2023 Total Fund5 202Z INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM.. Income from tharltable actlvltles BME Health Forum City of Londtsn Hammersmith Unlted Charities Midaye People'5 Health Trust The Health Forum The Co-op Trust lor London Westway Development Trust Donatlons and legacies 6,0(X) 3,450 6,0(K) 3.450 500 500 9,921 14,780 2,050 14.780 6,750 1,261 30,orKI 8,868 7.000 225 4,700 1,261 30,0 2.500 TOTAL 6,461 56.280 62,741 28,514 EXPENDITURE ON- Expendltur• on charltable artlvltle$ SalarieslENIC Volunteer5, expenses Sessional & outreach workers Mentoring & community activities Event5lchildcare Coffee mornings Room hire Consultancy Office rent Operational costs Communication & websSte Independent Examiner's fee 46,066 4,024 9,7SI 500 46.066 4,024 9,751 500 18,976 1.555 12,252 8.133 981 1,184 4.947 3.936 3.173 1.250 697 1,196 2,275 1,755 3,672 3,283 2,275 5.586 3,672 4,995 3,831 1,634 996 996 TOTAL 6,461 71,326 77.787 58,280 NET INCOMEIIEXPENDITUREI 15,046 1S.(Y16 29,766 TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS 15,046 15,046 29,766 NET MOVEMENTIN FUNDS 15,046 15,046 29,766 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS: TOTAL FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD 20,032 78.482 98,514 128,280 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 20,032 63,436 83,468 98,514 The noies form part of these financial statements Pa8e 10
Ethlo lan Womens, Em owerment Grou (Reglstered Number: 055509821 Balance Sheet asat30Se ember 2023 Unrestrlcted Re5trirted Total Funds Funds Funds 30.09.23 Total Funds 30.09.22 Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets CURRENT ASss Debtors & prepayments Cash at bank and in hand 20,032 20,032 63,436 63,436 83,468 83,468 98,514 98,514 CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditor5 NET CURRENT ASSETS 20,032 63,436 83.468 98,514 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 20,032 63,436 83,468 98,514 ASSET5 20,032 63,436 83.468 119,935 FUNDS Unrestricted funds Restricted funds 20,032 20,032 63,436 20,032 78,482 63,436 20,032 63,436 83.468 98.514 The notes form part of these financial statements Page 11 Continued .
ETHIOPIAN WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT GROUP Balance Sheet- continued 30 September 2023 The charitable company is entitled lo exemption from audit under Seclion 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 30 September 2023. The members have not Tequired the company lo obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2023 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for lal en5uiing that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companie5 Act 2006 and Ibl preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as al the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficil for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with tlie provlsions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime. The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on and were signed on its behalf by: T Shabbir - Trustee N Daniel Trustee The notes lom part ol these linan¢ial statements Page 12
ETHIOPIAN WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT GROUP Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2023 ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of preparing the financial statements The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP {FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordan with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015),, Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland, and the Companies Act 2006. The financial ststements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The charitable company meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction values unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy or note. Income Income, including income from government grants, whether 'capital' or 'revenue', is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and that the amount can be measured reliably. Grants are credited to income when they are receivable, unless they are for activities relating specifically to a future period, in which case they are deferred to that period. Income receivable under contracts for seNices is recognised in the financial statements in proportion to the percentage of completion of the contract. Donated professional services and facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item or received the service, any conditions associated with the donation have been met, the reIpt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the items is probable and that the economic benefit can be measured reliably in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), volunteers time is not recognised so refer to the trustees, annual report for more infomation about their contribution. On receipt, donated gifts, professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity, which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market, a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipts. Page 13
ETHIOPIAN WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT GROUP Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 30 September 2023 ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued Expenditure Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings: Costs of raising funds comprise of trading costs and the costs incurred by the charitable company including third parties with a fundraising purpose. Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs of delivering services and other activities undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs. Where the costs cannot be directly attributed, they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with their use of resources. Other expenditure represents those items not falling into any other headings. Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred. Taxation The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. Fund accounting Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charttable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements. Going concern The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charitable Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period. Page 14