Thurrock African Group (TAG)
Charity Registration No: 1135222
Financial Statement for the Year Ended, 31st March 2024
LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Name of Charity: Thurrock African Group Principal Office: First Floor Office, 42 Orsett Road Grays, Essex RM17 5EB Telephone number: 07448 420532 Email: info@thurrockafricangroup.org Website: www.thurrockafricangroup.org Registered Charity No: 1135222 Trustee Members Bukky Okunade, Chairperson Adewole A Adeaga Olugbenga Lawal Independent Examiner: adekconsulting, (Development Finance and Management consultants) Banker: Lloyds Bank Plc
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
History, Objectives and Activities of Thurrock African Group
The trustees submit their report and financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2024. The Thurrock African Group (TAG) was established in 2003 and officially launched in March 2005, becoming a registered charity in March 2010. Thurrock African Group is a community / voluntary organisation aimed at promoting the interest of African communities in Thurrock through information sharing, soliciting tolerance, and developing projects to facilitate community cohesion and linkage with the wider Thurrock community.
The objectives of the Thurrock African Group (TAG)
The objectives of The Thurrock African Group (TAG) are charitable and are as laid out in the Group's constitution. TAG’s primary mission is to promote unity and awareness in Thurrock while celebrating and promoting African culture and values within the community. The group strives to support Africans living and working in Thurrock by addressing their educational, health, cultural, and social welfare needs. Additionally, TAG interacts with organisations such as Thurrock Council and other service providers in a variety of ways to ensure that all members of the local community have equitable access to high-quality services.
A key focus of TAG is encouraging members to actively engage in their communities by taking advantage of personal and community development opportunities. This includes participation in governance roles within organisations such as schools and healthcare institutions.
TAG remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering young people through meaningful engagement, transforming lives, and contributing to a more inclusive and vibrant community. Initiatives like the “Young People’s Radio Club” and the “Youth Social Action Project” have been instrumental in achieving these goals, with their positive impact highlighted in the achievements and performance section of this report.
Structure, Governance, and Management
The charity operates under a constitution which outlines its regulations and governance framework. The Chairperson taking a key role in ensuring trustees are familiar with the charity's rules, regulations, and responsibilities. Trustees meet quarterly to review the charity's activities, approve the annual report and accounts, set budgets, evaluate capital expenditures, and develop fundraising strategies. The day-to-day work of the charity is overseen by the Chairperson, who is responsible for and reports to the trustees. They are aware of the potential risks to the charity, both financial and otherwise. Therefore, strategies are in place to mitigate these risks. TAG ensures that safeguarding training, policies, and health and safety assessments are consistently implemented. The organisation places strong emphasis on safe recruitment practices, effective engagement with young people, and maintaining safe working environments. Trustees regularly review key areas such as operational procedures and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements to uphold the highest standards.
Achievements and Performance of the Group
The Chairperson and the trustees are pleased to report an active year. TAG received funds as detailed in the annual reports from funding organisations with detailed utilisation of the funds as contained in the report. The reach of our community radio broadcasts, delivered online and through the TAG Radio mobile app, continues to grow steadily. This growth is further supported by our presence on websites and social media platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, and podcasts.
TAG has been deeply engaged with young people in the community through two impactful initiatives: the Young People’s Radio Club and the Youth Social Action Project. These programs were designed not only to provide creative outlets but also to empower young people with valuable skills and opportunities to to make a meaningful impact on their peers and the wider community.
The Young People’s Radio Club offered a unique platform for young people to explore media and communication. Participants were trained in broadcasting, content creation, and public speaking through debates. They hosted regular shows that amplified youth voices, explored local issues, and celebrated community achievements. This initiative provided an outlet for self-expression while enhancing communication, teamwork, and technical skills.
The Youth Social Action Project inspired young people to identify challenges within their community and take proactive steps to address them. Through this initiative, participants developed leadership skills, learned project management, and built confidence by collaborating on solutions to real-world problems. Projects included hosting radio shows that raised awareness about community safety and young people’s health and well-being. These activities promote a sense of pride and responsibility among the youth, creating ripple effects of positivity and cohesion in the wider community.
The impact of these programs has been remarkable. These engagements yielded exceptional outcomes during the 2023–2024 period. Many participants reported improved self-esteem, a greater sense of belonging, and increased aspirations for their futures. Many have used the skills gained to pursue further education and opportunities. The initiatives also brought significant benefits to the wider community by furthering stronger connections between young people and the wider community, amplifying youth voices, and demonstrating the positive contributions young people can make to society.
Financial Analysis
The financial position of the Charity is portrayed in the accompanying Annual Accounts. Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities and Law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the Trustees to prepare a financial statement for each financial year, which must give a true and fair view of the charity's financial activities during the year-end including its financial position at the end of the year.
In Preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently.
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Make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
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State whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any departure disclosed and explained in the financial statement; (d) Prepare the financial statement on a going concern unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
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The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statement complies with the Charity Act 1993. 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,
Reserve Policy
It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds, which have not been designated for a specific use, should be maintained at a level equivalent to at least three months' expenditure. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity's current activities. At the same time, consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. The Thurrock African (TAG) Group will actively work to achieve this level of reserve.
Risk Factors
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed and are confident that systems are in place to mitigate those risks.
Independent Examiner
According to the provisions of the Charities Act 2011, the Trustees agree that an audit is not required for financial; however, due to this provision of the same Act, an Independent Examiner is required. Based on this requirement, the Trustees agreed to appoint ADEK Consulting, a knowledgeable grassroots consultant to Charities, to act as the Examiner.
The Trustees approved the accounts on 20 October 2024 and were signed on its behalf by:
B. Okunade – Chairperson
| THURROCK AFRICAN GROUP BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST MARCH 2024 | ||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Current Assets | ||||
| Cash Hand/Bank | 38,258.82 | 15,687.75 | ||
| Total Current Assets | 38,258.82 | 15,687.75 | ||
| Fixed Assets | ||||
| Radio Equipment | 9,714.96 | 10,794.40 | ||
| Total Fixed Assets | 9,714.96 | 10,794.40 | ||
| Total Assets | 47,973.78 | 26,482.15 | ||
| Creditors | ||||
| Amount fallingdue within theyear | 0 | 0 | ||
| Net Current Asset | 38,258.82 | 15,687.75 |
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024.
The financial statements in this report have been prepared under the historical cost convention and by the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting, and Reporting by the Charities Commission issued in March 2005.
Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The charities' trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider 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.
Independent Examiner
It is our responsibility to:
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Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act.
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To follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions; given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b): of the 2011 Act.
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and to state whether matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiners Statement
Our examination was carried out according to 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 of disclosure in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedure undertaken does not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit. 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 Examiners' Statement and Opinion
In connection with our examination, no matter has come to our attention that gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: to keep accounting records by section 130 of the 2011 Act: and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Act have not been met; or to which in our opinion attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
In our opinion, the financial statement as prepared gives a true and fair view of the charity’s situation as of 31[st] March 2024, given that the incoming resources and their application in the year that ended have been properly prepared with the general direction given by the Charities Commissioner.
ADEK CONSULTING LTD (Development finance and Management consultants)
Signed…. ADEMOLA ADEKOLA… 21, Hayes Close, off Parsonage Road, Grays. RM20 4AX
Basis of Preparation:
The Financial Statements are prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognized at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts and by the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP): Accounting and Reporting by Charities and with preparing their accounts by the Financial Standard applicable in the United Kingdom (FRS 102) issued on the 16[th] of July 2016 and updated on the 16[th] September 2016 and with the Charities Act 2011.
The Charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by the Charity Commission.
Incoming Resources
Incoming Resources represents grants, donations, and bank interest receivable.
The total incoming resources of the Group for the year have been derived from its principal activity undertaken in the United Kingdom and came from the following resources:
THURROCK AFRICAN GROUP
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT YEAR ENDING MARCH 2024
| Income | 2023 to 2024 | 2022 to 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Grants | £60,000.00 | £6,874.00 |
| Donations | £20.35 | £11.94 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Income | £60,020.35 | £6,885.94 | |||
| Expenditure | |||||
| Staff costs | £12,000.00 | £1,433.27 | |||
| Radio IT Equipment | £2,769.41 | £792.00 | |||
| Studio Facility Expenses | £4,053.18 | £1,836.60 | |||
| Supplies | £727.94 | £142.36 | |||
| Professional fees | £300.00 | £488.40 | |||
| Radio Production / Training Facilitation |
£12,269.27 | £0.00 | |||
| Printing and Stationery | £1,091.07 | £0.00 | |||
| Total Expenses | £33,210.87 | £4,692.63 | |||
| Surplus or Deficit for the year | £26,809.48 | £2,193.31 |