2025-03-31-accounts - Roj Women Association - Kurdish And Turkish Women's Centre

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ROJ WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION – KURDISH & TURKISH WOMEN’S CENTRE

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1125572

LONDON ACCOUNTANCY PRACTICE SOJOURNER TRUTH CENTRE 161 SUMNER ROAD LONDON SE15 6JL

ROJ WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION (RWA) - KURDISH & TURKISH WOMEN’S CENTRE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

CONTENTS	Page
Charity Information	3
Report of Management Committee	5-9
Independent Examiners Report	10
Statement of Financial Activities	11
Balance Sheet	12
Notes to the Accounts	13
Detailed Income and Expenditure	14

ADMINISTRATIVE/LEGAL INFORMATION

REGISTRATION DETAILS:	ROJ Women’s Association - Kurdish & Turkish
	Women’s Centre is an unincorporated
	organisation registered as a charity with
	registration number 1125572.
GOVERNING DOCUMENT	ROJ Women’s Association - Kurdish & Turkish
	Women’s Centre is an unincorporated
	organisation governed by the Charity Acts 2011
	and its constitution.
REGISTERED OFFICE	ROJ Women’s Association - Kurdish & Turkish
	Women’s Centre
	Selby Centre
	Selby Road
	London N17 8JL
BANKERS	Barclays Bank
	193 Camden High Street
	London NW1 7PJ
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE	Lara Gun……………..................... Trustee
	Newal Rusen …………………........Trustee
	Semra Cekin....………………….......Trustee
	Gulten Guro.…………………..........Trustee /Signatorie
	Gulsen Yesiltas………………..........Trustee /Signatorie
EMPLOYEES
	Fatos Usta
	Cigdem Karaalioglu
	Zerrin Tasar
	Ayse Nur Polat
	Leyla Turhan
	Ozge Tac
	AyseTekagac (Sessional Worker)
	Duygu Cantekin (Sessional Worker)
VOLUNTEERS
	Yeliz Ken
	Senanur Demirtas
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS	London Accountancy Practice
	Sojourner Truth Centre
	161 Sumner Road
	London SE15 6JL

ROJ WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION - KURDISH & TURKISH WOMEN’S CENTRE REPORT OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The Management Committee presented their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

RWA is a non-profit women’s organisation that aims to support and empower Kurdish, Turkish, Cypriot, migrant, and refugee women living in the UK. Our beneficiaries are women and young girls who live in the poorest, marginalised, and disadvantaged areas of London, who come from various social, cultural, political, religious, and economic backgrounds.

RWA recognises the multiple forms of challenges that Kurdish and Turkish women face, including low income, economical dependency, language barriers, domestic violence, mental health challenges and isolation. These forms of complex issues require deeper understanding and culturally sensitive approaches. RWA services and activities are shaped and led through consultations conducted with its service users, they are encouraged to share their views and opinions during the scoping of all projects. By engaging and involving the beneficiaries with first-hand experience of the challenges they face we create projects with holistic approaches and meaningful interventions.

Roj Women’s Association is very grateful for the financial support from:

London Community Foundation, Rosa, City Bridge Trust, Home Office, Salway Fund, Imkaan, Comic Relief, Sport England, Propel, Haringey Council and Public Voice.

We are equally grateful to our partners:

Kurdish Community Centre
Hackney CVS
Selby Trust
Daymer
Solace Women’s Aid
Tottenham Hotspur

London Alevi Federation
Cemevi
Healthwatch Haringey
Haringey GP Federation
Haringey, The Bridge Renewal Trust
Edmonton Community Hub
Enfield Community Hub

OUR PROJECTS AND SERVICES

We provide a range of services, including advice, advocacy, domestic violence support, wellbeing support, and counselling. Through partnerships with other organisations, RWA assists women from disadvantaged backgrounds in accessing vital resources such as support services, training, English language classes, and employment opportunities.

Our organisation is dedicated to supporting women and girls of all ages through a gender-diverse approach. We offer services in Kurdish, Turkish, and English, ensuring accessibility to a wide community. Our free, women-only services adopt a holistic approach to addressing the needs of women and girls who have experienced gender discrimination, domestic violence, or are at risk of gender-based violence. We strive to create a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental environment where women and girls can receive the care and support they require.

RWA is led by two service managers and supported by five part-time staff members and two dedicated volunteers. Our Management Committee plays a vital role in overseeing the organisation’s activities, managing staff, and shaping strategic decisions. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the members of the Management Committee and our volunteers for their tireless contributions to RWA over the past year. Their dedication is essential to the continued success of our mission to support and empower women.

We are running the following projects and services:

Domestic Violence Support Service

This project has been funded by Comic Relief and the London Community Foundation – Home Office VAWG Specialist Support Services Fund to support Grassroots BAME Women’s Support Organisations. It aims to support and empower women survivors of domestic violence across London. The project adopts a holistic approach, providing casework support for women and girls at all risk levels. Services include advocacy, referrals, and case presentations at the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) within the targeted boroughs. Additional practical support is provided to enhance home security, alongside onward referrals where needed.

The project has established strong relationships with other organisations and local authorities to create effective referral pathways and partnerships, ensuring that more women in need can access our services.

We provide support to victims and survivors of domestic violence and abuse, sexual violence, forced marriage, and other harmful practices. Our services ensure that survivors have access to safe housing and are equipped to rebuild their lives. Each survivor works closely with our specialist staff, and their involvement is encouraged in the development of personalised support plans.

RWA has become the primary referral point for many local Kurdish and Turkish community centres, which now refer young girls, women, and victims of domestic violence to us. We have developed strong ties with community centres, establishing ourselves as a trusted organisation for supporting vulnerable women and girls. Additionally, other agencies and organisations, including Haringey GP Federation, Victim Support, Solace Women’s Aid, and numerous women-focused organisations, have partnered with RWA to establish referral processes and collaborate on providing essential support services.

Welfare Advice & Information

We provide a face-to-face, women-only advice and information service specifically tailored for Kurdish and Turkish speakers. Our services address a wide range of issues, including domestic violence, welfare, housing, financial challenges, and health concerns.

This service has proven to be particularly vital since the pandemic. During and after this challenging period, we not only established our services but also adapted to new working methods necessitated by the pandemic. By incorporating outreach services, we have enhanced our ability to meet the needs of our community effectively.

Health & Wellbeing

We support women in participating in outdoor physical activities and fostering social connections to help them overcome everyday anxiety and stress. Our services aim to assist women in adopting a healthy lifestyle while addressing mild mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety.

This project has had a significant impact. Participants have reported improved social lives, healthier habits, and a reduction in isolation. The high turnout for this service

highlights its importance, and many participants continue to socialise beyond the organised exercise sessions. In fact, most, if not all, have formed lasting friendships and frequently spend time together outside the scheduled activities.

Feedback from service users indicates a strong preference for our exercise sessions over traditional leisure centres. This demonstrates the success of our approach in creating a welcoming, inclusive, and effective environment that meets their needs. Our Health & Wellbeing service is funded by Sports England.

Psychotherapy & Counselling

Funded by Comic Relief and the London Community Foundation – Home Office VAWG Specialist Support Services Fund, we offer psychotherapy and counselling services to Kurdish and Turkish women residing in North London. Sessions are conducted weekly, either face-to-face or online, to provide flexibility and accessibility. This service is designed to support women experiencing mental health challenges, difficult or traumatic life events, and overwhelming emotions. The therapeutic approach utilised is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

Feedback from service users highlights the positive impact of these sessions. Women have reported an increased ability to socialise, express themselves, and seek help when needed. Mothers have noted significant improvements in their relationships with their children, while many clients reported feeling better equipped to manage challenges in their lives.

The majority of service users have expressed a preference for our services over therapy accessed through GP channels. They have emphasised the benefits of speaking directly with a therapist rather than through a translator, citing cultural understanding and sensitivity as key factors. Many women reported feeling intimidated or misunderstood when accessing therapy via their GPs or translators, which underscores the importance of providing culturally sensitive, direct therapeutic support.

We are also receiving an increasing number of referrals from the NHS, reflecting the growing recognition of our service's effectiveness and its importance in meeting the needs of our community.

Support for Over 50’s

Funded by City Bridge Trust, we provide dedicated advice and support for women aged 50 and above who are socially isolated. Our aim is to improve the health and wellbeing of these isolated and vulnerable women, empowering them to lead healthier and more fulfilling lives within the community.

Through this initiative, service users over the age of 50 who lack a support network have reported feeling more secure and confident in seeking assistance from RWA. Our services include support with a variety of issues, including referrals to GPs and hospitals. Feedback from service users highlights that they now feel they have someone to turn to for help, that they are listened to, and that their concerns are met with genuine care. Many have expressed that their previously overwhelming

challenges have been effectively addressed through the support they received from our services.

Additionally, we organise breakfast clubs, day trips and informative workshops as part of this project to further reduce social isolation and encourage community engagement among the participants.

Strategic Development and Organisational Growth

We are committed to ensuring the continued effectiveness and relevance of our organisation by regularly updating and reviewing our policies and procedures. This process reflects our dedication to maintaining best practices, complying with legal requirements, and meeting the evolving needs of our service users. To further enhance our operations, we are in the process of adopting a new monitoring system that will streamline data collection, improve service delivery, and provide better insights into our impact. Additionally, we are developing a comprehensive five-year business plan to guide our strategic direction, ensuring sustainability and growth. This plan will focus on expanding our reach, enhancing our services, and building strong partnerships to support our mission of empowering and supporting women in our community.

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES

The Directors, also serving as the Management Committee of the Charity, are required to prepare financial statements for each financial year. These statements must present a true and fair view of the Charity’s state of affairs at the end of the year and of its financial activities throughout the year. In preparing these financial statements, the Management Committee are required to:

Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
State whether applicable standards and statement of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the project will continue in operation.

The directors/Management Committee are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose at any time the financial position of the Charity. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

ROJ WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION - KURDISH & TURKISH WOMEN’S CENTRE REPORT OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The results of the year’s operation are set out in the attached financial statements. The net movement in funds for the year amounted to a deficit of £-34795. The retained reserves at 31 March 2025 amounted to £88,715.

The Management Committee has been aware of the need to comply with good practice guidelines on free reserves and ROJ WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION - KURDISH & TURKISH WOMEN’S CENTRE policy is included in the notes to the accounts.

RISK MANAGEMENT

The Management Committee has examined the major risk which RWA - Kurdish & Turkish Women’s Centre faces and believe that maintaining our free reserves at a reasonable level, combined with our annual review of the controls over key financial systems will provide sufficient resources in the event of adverse conditions. The Management Committee have also examined other operational and business risks which we face and confirm that they have established systems to mitigate the significant risks.

TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

The Charity does not have fixed assets.

FUNDS AVAILABLE

The present level of funding is adequate to support the continuation of the Charity’s activities for the medium term, and the Management Committee considers the financial position of the Charity to be satisfactory.

VOLUNTEERS

ROJ WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION - KURDISH & TURKISH WOMEN’S CENTRE recognises the significant contributions made by volunteers.

Sign Gulten Guro

Date ……………………06/12/2025

Management Committee

ROJ WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION - KURDISH & TURKISH WOMEN’S CENTRE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

I report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 31st March 2025, which are set out on pages 11 to 15

Respective responsibilities of Management Committee and examiner

The Management Committee (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Management Committee considers that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:

examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given

by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and

to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner's report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as a Management Committee concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently, no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:

to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with

the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice Accounting and Reporting by Charities

have not been met; or

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

………………………………………………… Date: ………………………../2025 Ade Adebambo, MBA, ACG, CGMA, ACMA For London Accountancy Practice 161 Sumner Road London SE15 6JL

The financial statements were approved by the Management Committee on

Lara Gun and signed on its behalf by

Sign

Gulten Guro

Date …………………06/12/2025

Management Committee

ROJ WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION - KURDISH & TURKISH WOMEN’S CENTRE NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1. Accounting policies

( a ) Basis of preparation

(i) These accounts are the Accounts of ROJ Women’s Association - Kurdish & Turkish Women’s Centre.
(ii) These accounts have been prepared on an accruals basis and include income and expenditure as they are earned or incurred, rather than as cash is received or paid.

(iii) The recommendations of the Statement of Recommended Practice have been followed in the preparation of these accounts

( b ) Fund Accounting

(i) The Charity’s general fund consists of funds, which the Charity may use for its purposes at its discretion.
(i) The Charity’s restricted funds are those where the donor has imposed restrictions on the use of the funds, which are legally binding.

( c ) Voluntary Income

(i) All voluntary income is included upon receipt.
(ii) Grants receivable are credited to income immediately

( d ) Investment Income

Credit is taken for interest when the interest falls due for payment.

( e ) Administration Expenditure

Administration expenditure comprises costs incurred in running the Charity. Where applicable, some of these costs have been treated as direct charitable expenditure.

(f) CREDITORS 2025 2024 £ £ Accountancy Fees 100 1,250

(g) All the deferred income in the previous accounts have now been recognised as income in this financial statements.

ROJ WOMEN'S ASSocON INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Unrestricted Restricted Fund Fund Total 2025 Total 2024 Incoming Resources: Donations, Grants and Legacies: Main Grant Big Lottery London Community Foundab"on Dawd Nicklin Rosa Fund Hanngey Council City of LotKJon Hackney Council The Bndge The Bndge Renewal Business Inter Groundwork UK Lonkurfiffes. Earthquake event Day-mer Turk RefurKY Trainline Fund MA1 GL4 Public Voice Donations Total Incomi resources 11,680 42,500 54,000 270 42,500 270 38,400 7,920 43,100 650 5,348 29,550 29,550 379 379 4,865 1,000 4,865 1,000 g,000 278 4,865 627 250 627 250 2,100 101 2,627 101 79,542 177,341 76,915 RESOURCES EXPENDED: Charitable activities: Salaries Tax l Natsonal insurance HMRC HR Process TrainirNJ Rent and rates Queen Jubilee Expenses Therapist Room hire Subsriptson Workshop Textile Project- Hall Hire Insurance Laptop Telephone Donations E-mail space l Admin expenses Website Travel PrintiThJ Membership Accountancy Payroll semces Bank Charges Sundry Expenses Total Resources Expended gg,146 gg,146 122,480 3,419 2,476 2,476 1,487 3,944 2,520 1,000 3,709 3,709 1,374 1,374 993 993 6632 1,468 451 845 4,752 1,385 780 3.457 777 777 1,046 1,046 528 1,478 515 80 1,350 624 528 1,478 515 80 1,350 624 288 1,250 491 37 240 6,585 240 114,337 156,686 107,752 16