2025-03-31-accounts

EXCEL WOMEN'S CENTRE

(Limited by Guarantee)

Report and financial statements

For the year ended

31 March 2025

COMPANY NO.: 06934326 CHARITY NO.: 1 144357

EXCEL WOMEN'S CENTRE

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Legal and Administrative details Directors’ Report Independent examiner’s report Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet Notes to the Financial Statements	Page 1 2 - 5 6 7 8 9-15

EXCEL WOMEN'S CENTRE

(A Company Limited by Guarantee) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Directors & Trustees:

Fatima Asker- Chair Rhoda Ashur- Secretary Fatha Ali Rukayat Suleman

Company Secretary: Rhoda Ashur Registered Office: 13 London Road, Barking, Essex IG11 8AA Independent Examiner: Fidelia Igbodo FCCA Bennic Ltd Chartered Certified Accountants Selby Centre Selby Road Tottenham London N17 8JL Charity registration number: 1144357 Company registration number: 06934326

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EXCEL WOMEN'S CENTRE

(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

Directors’ report

The trustees, who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act, submit their annual report and the financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2025. The trustees have undertaken the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities’ issued in January 2015 in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.

Directors’ responsibilities

Company Law which is also applicable to charitable companies in England and Wales requires the directors, who are also trustees of the company, to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the results of the company for that year.

In preparing those financial statements, the directors/trustees are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

In accordance with company law, as the company's directors we certify that as the directors of the company we have taken all the steps that we ought to have taken in order to make ourselves aware of our responsibilities in record keeping and safeguarding of the charity’s assets.

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing Document

Excel Women’s Centre is a registered charity governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. These documents outline the organisation’s core charitable purpose, governance framework, and operational powers.

Appointment of Trustees

At each Annual General Meeting (AGM), all trustees retire from office. Subsequently, one-third of the trustees (or the closest number to one-third) who are subject to retirement by rotation step down and may offer themselves for re-election. Where only one trustee is due for rotation, he or she will retire as required. The Chair of the Trustees is nominated by the Excel Women’s Centre, and each year the members elect one new or returning trustee, with an additional trustee co-opted where appropriate.

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EXCEL WOMEN'S CENTRE

(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

Trustee Induction and Training

New trustees receive a comprehensive induction covering their responsibilities, supported by the Code of Conduct, meeting schedules, conflict of interest procedures, declaration forms, Charity Commission guidance (CC3), and Equal Opportunities policies. A detailed trustees’ welcome pack is provided, along with additional documentation tailored to individual expertise, including in HR, finance, safeguarding, inclusion, operations, or sub-committees relevant to their role. Trustees also periodically participate in focus groups with service users to gather feedback and improve understanding of community needs.

Where possible, induction is conducted by the two trustees and two senior staff members. This takes place at the Centre within ten working days of a trustee’s appointment. New trustees are introduced to staff, volunteers, and other board members, given an overview of roles, and shown around the premises to familiarise themselves with key services and programmes. They receive essential organisational documents, including the Annual Report, Business Plan, policies and procedures, meeting minutes, and contact details for all trustees.

Overview of the Trustees’ Report

Excel Women’s Centre remains committed to improving the quality of life for women, girls, and families while strengthening community inclusion, integration, and connection across Barking and Dagenham and surrounding boroughs. In response to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, our priority this year has been to provide holistic support to families with school-aged children, older isolated residents, young people, individuals with disabilities, and especially women experiencing mental health challenges. We also expanded our focus on physical health, wellbeing, and social development through a range of sport-based initiatives.

This year, most of the services were delivered across one-to-one sessions, in-house support, telephone assistance, online and digital platforms, and outreach work within community venues, schools, and centres. Activities included welfare advice, housing guidance, digital literacy support, Creative English classes, youth wellness activities, workshops addressing Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), exercise classes and wellbeing sessions, women-only sports programmes, social integration events, and major public events such as Black History Month, Refugee Week, International Women’s Day, Peace Week, and the 16 Days of Action campaign.

Trustees also prioritised employability support, helping women re-enter the workforce and improve household income. With three trustees working within the health sector, their professional insight has strengthened our ability to support community mental health and combat social isolation.

The trustees have continued to strengthen governance structures, refine management processes, and develop a more resilient organisational framework. Considerable effort was invested in financial planning, bid writing, and fundraising to stabilise income during a challenging period. Improvements in core and project funding have supported increased salary costs, rent, and operational overheads necessary to maintain high-quality support for families during the cost-of-living crisis.

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EXCEL WOMEN'S CENTRE

(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

Organisational Partnerships & Community Impact

Throughout the year, Excel Women’s Centre has deepened collaboration with local providers, statutory services, and community organisations to deliver joined-up support to families. By actively participating in borough-wide networks and multi-agency forums, we have shared learning, contributed to strategic community discussions, and ensured that the voices of women and girls are represented in local decision-making. These partnerships have significantly increased our outreach capacity and enhanced our ability to deliver targeted interventions that reflect the evolving needs of the community.

Digital Development & Future Priorities

Recognising the growing importance of digital accessibility, the trustees have prioritised strengthening the Centre’s digital infrastructure. This includes developing an enhanced online presence, expanding digital communication tools, and planning an interactive platform to enable easier access to support, online resources, and community-led activities. A dedicated trustee is leading the development of our digital strategy to ensure we collect meaningful data, streamline service delivery, and broaden participation. Looking ahead, we remain committed to innovation, financial resilience, and community voice, ensuring our services continue to empower women and girls in an ever-changing environment.

Excel Women’s Centre Trustees Statement

The charity has continued to provide essential welfare and housing advice, expanded wellness and sports activities for women and girls, and strengthened community connections through social groups such as the weekly Sewing Sisters programme and facilitated support groups. Work-readiness support and outreach activities across multiple community locations have allowed us to reach more women and build relationships with partners across the borough. A collective approach across organisations has remained vital in supporting families through the ongoing cost-of-living challenges.

Over the past year, we improved organisational structure, enhanced capacity-building efforts, and increased community engagement. Our user-led approach allowed us to gather insights, co-design solutions, and identify priority needs for women and girls. Working closely with local networks and London-wide organisations, we delivered a range of community projects and strengthened our business model to empower individuals to improve their lives. Our enhanced digital presence—including website improvements, online cafés, digital surveys, and social media—has expanded our ability to connect, gather feedback, and provide accessible support services.

Public Benefit

The trustees are aware of the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit reporting as set out in Section 17 Charities Act 2011. The trustees believe that the charity achieves a public benefit by providing these services as detailed in this report.

Financial Review Reserves

At the year end, the charity had total reserve of £127,230 (2024: £66,027). Of the total reserves £40,538 (2024: £19,424) were unrestricted and £86,693 (2024 £46,603) were restricted reserves.

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EXCEL WOMEN'S CENTRE

(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

The trustees believe that necessary funds will be raised as and when required and charity is a going concern. The trustees are in the process of setting up a reserve policy.

We will need to carry on hiring out our facilities to other groups and training providers in order to raise funds. IT suite, Training room and hot desk should raise funds for paying the revenue, and also apply funding to trusts and foundations for projects.

This report was approved by the Excel Women’s Centre board on 23/12/2025 and signed on its behalf.

Fatima Asker- Trustee

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EXCEL WOMEN'S CENTRE

(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Excel Women’s Centre

For the year ended 31 March 2025

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees of the Company (and also its 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.

Independent examiner’s statement

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:

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3. 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

4. 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.

Fidelia Igbodo FCCA Bennic Ltd Chartered Certified Accountants Selby Centre Selby Road London, N17 8JL

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Excel Women's Centre

Statement of financial activities (incorporating an income and expenditure account)

For the year ended 31 March 2025

				2025		Unrestric	2024
		Restricted	Unrestricted	Total	Restricted	ted	Total
	Note	£	£	£	£	£	£
Income from:
Charitable activities
Donations and legacies	2	257,172		257,172	179,570	-	179,570
Charitable activities	3	-	21,114	21,114	-	3,437	3,437
Total income		257,172	21,114	278,285	179,570	3,437	183,006
Expenditure on:
Raising funds		20,352	-	20,352	11,500	-	11,500
Charitable activities
Women Wellbeing		196,730	-	196,730	121467	-	121,467
Total expenditure	4	217,082	-	217,082	132,967	-	132,967
Net income / (expenditure)		40,090	21,114	61,203	46,603	3,437	50,039
Net movement in funds		40,090	21,114	61,203	46,603	3,437	50,039
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward		46,603	19,424	66,027	-	15,987	15,987
Total funds carried forward	11	86,693	40,538	127,230	46,603	19,424	66,027

All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above.

The notes on pages 9 to 15 form part of these financial statements.

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Excel Women's Centre
			Charity No. 1144357
Balance sheet
			Company No.
			06934326
As at 31 March 2025
		2025	2024
	Note	£	£
Fixed assets
		-	-
Current assets	8
Cash at bank and in hand		130,931	69,227
		130,931	69,227
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one
year	9	(3,700)	(3,200)
Net current assets		127,230	66,027
Net
assets	11	127,230	66,027
Funds	12
Restricted funds		86,693	46,603
Unrestricted funds:
Designated funds
General funds		40,538	19,424
Total funds		127,230	66,027

For the period ending 31 March 2025, the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Directors' responsibilities:

• the members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476,

• the directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.

Approved by the Board of Trustees on 23/12/2025 and signed on its behalf by:

Fatima Asker – Chair

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Excel Women's Centre

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

1. Accounting policies

a) Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (August 2014) and the Companies Act 2006.

Excel Women's Centre meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy or note.

b) Going Concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern.

No key judgements have been made by the charitable company which have a significant effect on the accounts.

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 amounts of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.

c) Income

Income, including income from government and other grants, whether ‘capital’ grants or ‘revenue’ grants, 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 incoming resources when they are receivable as the charity's own money, unless they are for activities that relate to a specific future period, in which case they are deferred to that period.

d) Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity’s work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.

e) Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

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 in inducing third parties to make voluntary contributions to it, as well as the cost of any activities with a fundraising purpose.

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• Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs of training, events, capacity building and business mentoring undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs.

f) Allocation of support costs

Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include back office costs, finance, personnel, payroll and governance costs which support the charity's activities. These costs have been allocated between cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities. The bases on which support costs have been allocated are set out in note 4.

g) Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

h) Cash at bank and in hand

• Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

i) Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

2. Income from donations and legacies

Big Lottery Fund Trust for London The Hilden CF Other Income Income from charitable activities Donations	Restricted Unrestricted 2025 2024 Total Total £ £ £ £ 234,171.50 - 234,172 115,570 23,000 - 23,000 57,000 - - 7,000 - 21,114 21,114
	257,172 21,114 278,285 179,570
	Restricted Unrestricted 2025 2024 Total Total £ £ £ £ - - - 3,437
	- - - 3,437
	257,172 21,114 278,285 183,006

3. Income from charitable activities

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4. Analysis of expenditure

Analysis of expenditure
Staff remuneration Fundraising Professional fees Office & admin expenses Premises and venue expenses Premises repairs Heating & Lighting Events expenses Tax & NIC Pension contribution Accountancy & Advice Governance costs Support Costs Total expenditure 2025 Total expenditure 2024 Of which unrestricted Total restricted	Costs of raising funds Direct charitable expenditure Governance costs £ £ £ - 55,297 - 20,352 - - - 19,696 400 - 12,285 - 20,911 - - - - - 3,521 - - 25,899 - - 10,634 - - 1,177 - - - 3,300 20,352 149,419 3,700 - 3,700 (3,700) 43,611 20,352 196,730 217,082 16,411 143,277 159,688 - 217,082 217,082	Support costs £ 13,824 - - 2,759 5,228 21,800 - - - - 43,611 - (43,611)	2025 Total £
			69,121 20,352 20,096 15,044 26,139 21,800 3,521 25,899 10,634 1,177 3,300
			217,082 - -
			**217,082 **
	16,411

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Staff remuneration Fundraising Professional fees Office & admin expenses Premises and venue expenses Premises repairs Heating & Lighting Events expenses Pension contribution Accountancy & IE Tax & Social Service Total expenditure	2025 Total 2024 £ £ 69,121 44,910 20,352 11,500 20,096 22,563 15,044 6,233 26,139 16,946 21,800 - 3,521 1,454 25,899 22,453 1,177 1,177 3,300 3,200 10,634 2,531
	217,082 **132,967 **

Support costs have been allocated on the basis of staff hours engaged in each activity.

Of the total expenditure, £nil was unrestricted and £217,082 was restricted during the period.

5. Net income / (expenditure) for the year

This is stated after charging:

Accountancy fees Independent examiner's fee	2025 2024 £ £ 3,300 2,800 400 400
	3,700 3,200

6. Analysis of staff costs and key management personnel

Staff costs were as follows:

Salaries and wages Tax & Social Service	2025 £ 69,121 10,634 79,755	2024 £ 44,910 2,531
		47,441

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No employee received employee benefits (excluding employer pension) exceeding £60,000 during the year 2025.

The total employee benefits including pension contributions of the key management personnel were £1,177 2025.

The charity trustees were not paid or received any other benefits from employment with the charity in the year 2025, neither were they reimbursed expenses during the year 2025. No charity trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity in 2025.

Staff numbers

The average number of employees (head count based on number of staff employed) during the year 2025 was 4. They were directly engaged in providing charitable activities, namely training, events, capacity building and business mentoring.

7. Taxation

The charitable company is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.

8. Creditors : Amounts falling due within one year

Accrued expenditure	2025 £ 3,700 3,700	2024 £ 3,200
		3,200

9. Related party transactions

There are no related party transactions to disclose for 2025.

10. Analysis of net assets between funds

Current assets Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Net assets at 31 March 2025	Restricted funds £ 90,393 (3,700) 86,693	Unrestricted funds £ 40,538 -	Total funds £ 130,931 (3,700)
		40,538	**127231 **

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11. Movements in funds

11. Movements in funds
At 1 April 2024 Income £ £ Restricted funds: Big Lottery Fund 234,172 Trust for London 23,000 Other Funds - Total restricted funds - 257,172 Unrestricted funds: General funds 19,424 21,114 Total unrestricted funds 19,424 21,114 Total funds 19,424 278,285 Purpose of restricted funds National Lottery Community Fund Women Wellbeing & Capacity Building Trust for London Information, Advice & Guidance	At 1 April 2024 £	Income £ 234,172 23,000 -	Expenditure £ (174,182) (22,999) -	At 31 March 2025 £ 59,989 1 -
	-	257,172	(197,182)	59,990
		21,114 21,114	(19,900) (19,900) (217,082)	20,638
				20,638
				80,627

12 Reconciliation of net income / (expenditure) to net cash flow from operating activities

Net movement in funds for the reporting period (as per the statement of financial activities) Depreciation Interest, rent and dividends from investments Losses on investments (Loss)/ profit on the sale of fixed assets (Increase)/ decrease in stock Depreciation charges & written off (Increase)/ decrease in debtors Increase/ (decrease) in creditors Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities

2025 2024 £ £ 61203 50039 - - 500 -

61703 50039

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13. Analysis of cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank and in hand Total cash and cash equivalents	At 1 April 2024 Cash flows At 31 March 2025 £ £ £ 69,227 61,703 130,931
	69,227 61,703 130,931

Company limited by 14. guarantee

Excel Women's Centre is a company limited by guarantee and accordingly does not have a share capital.

Every member of the company undertakes to contribute such amount as may be required not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charitable company in the event of its being wound up while he or she is a member, or within one year after he or she ceases to be a member.

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