Rise Community Action Limited Annual Report and Annual Accounts 1st December 2019 _ 30th November 2020 *A48PQZ 2610812021 COMPANIES HOUSE A19
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LEGAL INFORMATION Com 5617122 Chari Number. 1147332 al Status: L7mited by Guarantee and a Registered Tharity Addr Halkevi Convnunity Centre 31-33 Dalston IAne London E8 3DF Broad of Directo Trastees: Farida Yiga- Chair David Kakande - Treaswer Lukiya KakemEK) - Secretary Dr Edwin Mavwiika Mapara Amina NaluEEga Ssendegeya Princi Ie Staff: Janet Murungi - Coordinator (volunteer) Banker: Barclays Bank Mrgate Branch 128 Moorgate. Londo EC2M 6SX
Trn$tees' Re ort Rise Community Action (RCA) was developed to provide a voice for people living with HtV/AIDS and to create a bridge Etheen service providers and service useTS who we found were not accessing available services. RCA'S work is directed at improving the qUlty of life for individuals who are socially excluded for a myriad of reasons. The Board of Trustees of Rise Community Actton Limited (RISE) ("the Charity") present their annual rep()rt for the year ended 3( NovemlEr 2020 under the Companies Act 1985 and the ChaTities Act 1993. together with the independently examined financial Statellnts for that year. Administrative Details Rise Comniunity Aclion is a TegisteTed company ]imited by guarantee (Company No: 5617122) and Charity No: 1147332, with its registered Offi is as shown on page l. Governance and Mana ement The Charity is govemed by its MemoTandum and Articles of ASlatiOn which were adopted on 9th May 2LNJ5. The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance of the Charity. Trustees are either elected or c(FOPted and the total number of Trustees may not te fewer than three and cannot exceed seven. A COryOPted member may retain Offi only until the next ArfftuaI General Meeting (AGM) and shall then be e]igible for re-election. Effective partnership between Trustees and statsf continues to contribute significantly to our success. Ob"ects and Prin¢1 al Activities The Charity's o14ett is for the advancenwit of education, the re]ief of poverty and sickness. and the preservation and PTOtection of good health of women and their famdLes, especially persons from Bkff, kefugee and Asylum seekers communities, and any other person who need assistance. (a) The provision or assistance in the provision of facilities in the interest of social weLfare. Our vision is a world where everyone is given the best possible opportunities in life and where a medical condition is not a barrier to an individual ability to grasp opportunities and achieve perg)nal fU11[enL
Our Strategic aim is to achieve this by. providing high quality services that is intended to have a practical and posttive effert on the lives of those affected with Htv and their familie& Our Aims To create awareness on issues suThounding HIV/AIDS and reduce HIV - related stigma in the community To reduce isolation suffered by HIV positive people and promote their social inclusio To better inforni service pioviders on the needs of people living with HIV th$ improve the quajity of care To empower our usets to Rnakè infonhed ehoi¢es ort aetéss to serviees and their lives in general. To improve the quality of lives of individuals affected by HIV. FGM or Domestic Violence. Rise Conununity Action (RCA) was developed to provide a voice for people living with HtV/AIDS and to create a bridge tween service providers and service erS who we found were not accessing available services. Our first Project provided care and support for individuals living with Htv. RCA servi$ have been extended over the years to include providin& support service and activities for individuals affected by Dotnestic Violence and FGM advocaey and empowerment sessions and sexual health promotion activities. What We Do RC4 activities focus on addressing the issues of Domestic Violence and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). We are currently supporting a growing number of Individu5. victims of Domestic Violence and survivors of FG As well as addressing these two very serious issues we are tasked with raising awareness of the effects of domestic violence and FGM in the wider community. Initially established to provide inforniation. Care and support for women living with HIV/AIDS in London. RCA has been un£alterin8 in Taisins awareness on issues surrounding HIV/AIDS by TunT)ing WOTk5hops, de]ivering PTesentations and staging community events and educating the community alK)Ut the spread of HIV. RCA has been responsive io the needs of the community and its activities since it first started project have i) taTgeted at reducing the damage being done to its target community.
Financial Su As a proactive community charity RCA is constantly developing new projects to address identified needs LK)th new and estsblish needs. The nwiagement of RCA believe it is important that RCA grows to a position where it can employ paid Staff to better address the level of need present in our delivery area. If RCA fails to grow to a point where its infrastructure 18 robust enough for the task. we are conscious that RCA have to make radical action to ensure that RCA never have to turn beneficiaries away. RCA has been re]iant on a number of volunteers, chief among these have been our coordinator (volunteer) who continues to perforni yond all expectations and she continues to work tirelessly to ensure we can extend our activities across London by working in partnership with organisation of a similar si7£ to address need. RCA funders for the year were the Natio[ Lottery Fund and HCVS, thank for your support and lie in the documented evidence OE need. Funders Funders continue to adjust their methods 0£ working and supporting good causes and this has resulted in the obliteration of numerous charities and has created a void in tile community that the remaining charities cannot fill because of limited resources. Lrfe on the edge is very scary for the evident lack of service 15 devastating. As we reflect on the year the majority of our current difficulties can be attributed to the uncertainty that engulf us all 'Brexit'. The acrimony that has emerged from the Brexit Pr has been far reaching and its effects and retnains unrelenting and totajly devoid of compassion. As a direct effect of the economic environment smajl orgaJ)isations being inLTeasingly rnarginalised or forced to stop operation leaving an alarniing number of people without any support network and in a aty as soulles5 as London the consequences are very visible. RCA continues to WOTk in partnership with a number of I(al agenaes and dwities to ensure that OUT dient group can serviced, RCA have been central in delivering a number of proiects as a delivery partner.
We have continued to perfonn an unusual role as the administrator of CAN'S (Community African Network) Bowel cancer project. A project funded by City &Hackney CCG which meant that thts year £27,750 was received on behalf of CAN. As the receiving organisation this was then paid to CAN in our accounts this figure is represent as part of the organisation's total unrestricted income and is represent in the spending under the section. activities in the furtherantt of the Charity's objects. While funding has been hard ,we have managed to attrarted funding for projects, predominately from the National ttery Community Fund, however charities of the nature of RCA are not seen as attractive to locaI tompanies espeoaliy in these difficult economic. tn the existAng environment only larse clwities are attracting funding. An approach that requires a paradigm shift to stop the continued result in the failure small charities, small charities which deliver over q)% of all the charitable services in the country and only receive aEK)ut 6% of available ftmding. Mana ement and Administration The resour expended on admintration kntalled £2.952 during the year. This represents 5.4% of the total resources received a level of expenditure that the Trustees cortsider to be appropriats for the clwity. These figure means that we are keeping a firni grip on our adniinistration and management costs and this continuès to allow us to dirert a much greater percentage of our reSoUt$ to assisling our beneficiaries. Material Intan "ble ]ncomin Resources A number of professionals gave theiT lime as volwiteers. As there is no financial cost to any third paty, this intangible income has not Ien induded in the Statement of Financial Activities but we put a value on it in excess of £A2,0 annually. Activities We hope thi5 report demonstrates the value of RCA, we hope it will strike a chord and inspire you to join us and contribute to making difference in the lives of those most in need. RCA is driven by the ambition to bring some solace to those affected by Domestic Violence and FGM or Htv. We are happy that we have witnessed real changes in the lives of DV and FGM survivoTS. RCA continue to WOTk in
partnership with other local charities as we try to maximise the reach of RCA in the face of ever decreasing resourS a situation which was very evident as we existed in the middle of a pandemic which claim nearly one hundred thousand ]ives. Pro We have for the past year been locked in the battle with Covid-19. a pandemic which has ravished society daiming countless live and as the pandemic gripped the UK the picture was the same acro&s the globe. The pandemic brought with it a change and new ways of living. We with the OTder of Irxkdowns when we were locked in our homes for months only allowed to leave to purchase food or for a few minutes of exercise. We were forbidden from niixing with people outside of our household. However, we've been at our very E*st during this erists. swiftly adapting to unprecedented change and doing whatever it tskes to support communities in need. Atntdst the hardship, Covid.19 has highlighied imp)rtant opportunities for learning that we have tried capture and share. When this awful pandemic struck back in March. we like many organisations doing cruciaj work within CODimuJ)ities were simply forced to shut up shop, as some funding streanis have begun to quickly dtssipate. When fad with such a quandary, we dldn't wait around and nurse our wounds. Instead. we tried to diversify as we step up to the challenge and develop innovative solutions. Quick-thinking and adaptability has made RCA a critical force throushout the pandemic. RCA ability to respond to extraordinary crises like Covid-19 should not go undeTestimated oy i8noTed for it is cleaT that this charity is more responsive that we knew. We have fostered a constructive relationship tween RCA and statutory orsanisation durins the pandemic we intend to continue to strensthen and nurture these Telationships. RCA eagerly stepped in when the l(xal authorities became overstretched. and our collaborative has been one of the great Positives to come out of this crisis. Post-covid, RCA still very much requires a seat at the tsble, and clarity and support from the public sector will be more important than ever for as we start to rebuild.
We are conscious that small organisations RCA are in danger of Ing driven out by their larger counterparts. corporate support is will remain nonexistence while we are faced with an increasing demand on the servitts of the charity. These are all valid concerns, and ones tt we must overcome in order to move forward, and, in turn. improve the lives of the most vulnerable in our community. Whilst some changes have been enforced. COVID-19 has worked as a catalyst to reinvent the future of work we have to take the OF)portunity to mthe things better than they We. New tedthologies arÈ going to fiÈtéggitatÉ ttew rolés, whith is ofie reason we have encourage new skills in the charity. Volunteers/ Etnpioyees will ldit from Ing taught new mind sets. behaviours and vajues in our transforniing workplace. There has been a rapid tranSfOrntr0n of the workpla, working from home has become the new normal. and we've gone from digilizing the relationship between firni and customer to digitizing the relationship lknveen employer and employee/ volunteers. We have been catapulted forward. fast-tracking trends such as automation. digitalizatioTh and innovation. As an organisation at the crOroadS we have to capitajize on post£OVID opportunities and position the charity to retain our tsIented volunteers and attract people when the situation stabilizes. This period has tequired us all to be Supportive of orte another, as we all face uncertainty. Control has to Some extent given way to tnt. People are learning how to do work disparately and with far less oversight they are Iearning "on the job" what works and what d(l't work at home. and holding virtual meetings that might have happened before but never to such an extenL Ironically. in the midst of S(la1 distancing* many of us are getting doser. We are building more adaptive teams, are more consistently in touch with eath other and connection has EEcome a priority in the name of working remotely. But beyond that we are connected with purpose and as a conununity.
Charity leaders now have. in some sense. Eeen gifted with a better idea of what can and cannot LE done outside their companies. traditional processes, and COVID-19 is forcing iK)th the pace and scale of workplace innovation. Many are finding simpler, fasteT and less expensive way5 to operate. The major work of RCA was our Covid-19 response project the FFENA Project With fLmds delivered via the National Lottery Community Fund to deliver sessions aimed at reducing the social isolation and improving mental well-being of BME women affected by Domestic Abuse and Female genitai mutilation or HIV by providing.. Emotional support- online support in forn of remote/online service5 {e.s. zoom calls) Practical Support-Provide specific African frxxl and essential hygiene items. The project employed a sessional worker who Worked closely with the trained volunteers to call OUT clients who are suffering isolation and mentsl distress. We purchased and supp]ied African f(M)d and hygiene items to our service users (especially those with no resource to public funds). The project made a difference by PToviding both emolional and practical sUPPOrt The project supported women affected by DV, FGM or HIV who are experiencing disproportionate challenges and difficulty as a resuIt of COVID 19 due to their health issues and the nature of the circLunths. These women already suffer huge tal heatth and physical diffiadty but iLKkdown and COVID 19 made it more dMllenging. Domestic Abuse is on the rise where as there is lack of culturajly appropriate support services open to African women who already have multiple issues ranging from language barrier, no recourse to public fLmds. leaving them dependent on their abusers. The current financial c]Inte makes it difficult foy ow dient group. Most of these women cannot afford basics and mostly depend on food banks. Our organisation has had to support rnore women than we would normally do due to the COVID-19 LYiSiS. Ubuntu Project was funded by the National Lottery Conimunity Fund to increase awareness of Fen)ale Genitsl Mutilation (FGM) within the conimvnities in Hackney. The proiect aimed to reduce the risk of hann to girls and make parents aware of the damaging effects of FGM and that it is a safeguarding issue.
The project raised awareness of FGM through outreach sessions and organised an awareness raising event on the subiecL We worked with a team of trained outreach volunteers to deliver this project. By raising awareness while working with the FGM PTactssing communities the Ubuntu proiect aimed to address FGM at an early stage in helping to reduce the risk of FGM inadences in the borough. We have worked dosely with at tisk commumities in Hackney, communities who have now gained confidence lo discuss FGM openly and challenge this harnth practice while protecting our girls. The project has abo facilitated closer rejationships with FGM charities like Barnardo's the National FCM Unit who actively supported us while delivering our awareness raising evenL These large charities have supported our delivery with FGM awareness literature which we use during the outreach sessions. The success of the project depended on the p1 of dedic<4t¢d volunt¢ers who shared the conversation they would have had with residents, the beliels and attitudes people would have expressed and whether or not they believe change should happen. Feedback was key. because it helped with ow evaluation at the end of the project. The project is funded until the summer of 2020. Condom Distribution Scheme RCA condom distribution scheme has become a fixture in the charities annual activities,it provides free Condon and infornmtion on sexual health and where to go for HN testing/sexual health screening to the African Community whjle registering them on the Free Condom Stheme by issuing them a Ccard which allows them to collect more free condoms from pharncles and other collection points when and where there is need for them. This is delivered through a partnership with a number of commimity groups supported by Brook Hackney , CAN and Hackney CVS. The scheme increased uptake of Htv testing and has been instrumental in encouraging condom usage amon8 individuals from Hackney's African Communities. The scheme is fimded by Hackney Council (Public Health) administered by Hackney Council for Voluntary Servi5 and CAN. Signposting Project One of the key roles of a conununity base charity is for those with the knowledge to share it with those that do not PesS the knowledge and this how grass roots engagement grows.
In RCA this sharing of information is done through our a dropin service On a week on a set day at a pernianently aLressible venue with a dedicated staff niernr and two volunteers to provide information and signposting to dients. This service is free, friendly, confidential and independent Delivered through, I to I meetings, telephone or email contacts. we provide information to clients alx)ut where to get help in relation to health, social Gire or personal wellbeing. tssues identified beyond our scope are referred to appropriate advice agenaes. We communicate with individual clients in languages that they are conlfjortable in communicating in. We believe operating the signposting service this way makes it easily accessAble and less intiDiidating or stismatising to the hard to reach individuals of our community. They are able to communicate in a language that they understand thereby overconiing some of the balerS they face in accessing services. Our project is a gateway to service providers and a way to identify clients, needs and help them to access services or resources to meet their identified needs. Thank you All The inspirational WOTk of volunteey cwrdinatOT continues tr) define our activities and enhance our reputation setting a level of community engagement and service not equajled in the ix)rough. We are so please tIt all of our volunteers follow her lead. This allows us to conlinue extending the range of services provided to our growing numE*r of users. RCA will conlinue to work tirelessly through this pandemic to ensure we can extend our activities will be open to all in the aty. We started this year lieVIng we will not make it to the end of that year because of a latk of finance. It was not the ]ack of funds that was not the challenge it was, the pandemic. The Trustees wothd like to express theiT gratitude and that of the beneficiaries, volunteers and casual users to all those who continue to help RCA to deliver its. services. Thank you. Chair: Farida Yiga Signature 12rnf2021
Dirertors. Responsibilities Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financi year that give a true and fair view of the charitable company and the surplus OT deficit foT that period. ]n PTepaTing these statements, the DixectOTS are required to." Selett suilable accounting policRes and then apply them consistently: Make iudgments and estinteS that reasonable and prndent,. State whether applicable Accounting Stsndards have ien followed, subject to any material departures dilOSed and explained in the finanaaj ststements. and prepare the finanaal statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in operation. The Directors are respoIAble for maintaining proper aca)unting records that disd05e with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to eDsure that the finanaaI statements comply with the Companies Art 1985. They are also responsible for safesuarding the assets of the company and hence for tsking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Inde ndent Examiner R For the Year ended 30th November 2020 I report on the accounts of Rise Community Action Ljmited foT the year ended 30th NovemEer 2020, which are set out on the following pages. Respeclive responsibilities of trustees and examiner The trustees (who are also directors for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's ttee5 consider tha.t an au4.it is not required. for this year und.er sec.tion 43 (2) of the Chanti_es Act 1993 (the 1993 Act) and that an independent examination 15 needed. Having satisfied myself that the Charity is not subieet to audit under company law and is eligible for independent exaniination, it i5 my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 43 of the 1993 Act. to follow the priKedures laid down in the General DI[tionS given by the ChaJity Commissioners (under section 43(7)(b) of the 19)3 Act); and to state whether matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examinerfs report My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination indudes 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 the seeking of explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The Pr<edureS undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would required in an audit and, consequendy, 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 Eelow: Independent examinerfs statement In connection with my exan71tro no matter has come to my attentio which sives me reasonable cause to believe that. in any llterial respect, the requirements (a) to keep accounting Tecords in aLrordance with 386 of the Companies Art 2(XkS' and (b) to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the aeeountin8 requitements of the Companies Act 2CKK) and the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accountins and Reporting by awities (Tevised 2tx)5) have not been me¢ or to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understsnding of the accounts to be reached. J N Beugrni Accountsnts 5 Stuart Place. SL Albans, ALI IAU 26106/20
Rise Communi Action Limited Income & enditure A¢¢ount Statement 0£ Financial Actiyitses for the ear ended 30th November 2020 2019- Total Resources Unrestricted Restrirted 2020 - Total Note 35,573 Grafits, Awatds", 37,750 45,210 Donations Generated Income 3358 Other 11,728 35573 Totsj Income 54.920 Resources Ex nded Cost of generating fujids Activitie5 in the furtheTance 35,428 51593 51,593 of the Charitys oiryects Management & Admintstration 2,110 2,952 2952 37.538 Total outgoing resources 54,545 {1,965) 11.517 Net surplus/deficit Balan brought forward Balance carried forward 375 375 9.362 9552 9,552 1( 9,737 9,927
Rise Communl Artion Limited Balance Sheet as at 31Vh November 2020 Fixed Assets 2019. Note 2020 . 1,274 1,274 TangÉble Assets Total Fixed Assets . Current Assets Debtors 954 9552 Total Current Assets Liabilities Creditor 10,826 IIA81 10.826 Assets less liabi]ity 11381 10.826 Total Net Assets 11.881 Represented by . 10,826 Un/restricted . Free reserves: Fixed Asse. iiffti 1,274 954 Total unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total 190 10,636 ,.10826 190 11,691 iiffii 'For the year endin8':30th NovemE*r 2020 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477of the Companies Act 2(K)6 Telating to small companies. TheJrnembeTS have not tequired the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year..in question in accordance with stiOn 476. The.directors acknowledge their responsibilities for CODiplying with the requirements of the Act with respec.t to accounting Tecords and the preparation of accounts. . .These accounts have been prepared in accorda]e with the provisions applicable to comEwiies:4ubiect to.the s]1 companies're8ime'. The boaTd of Directors approved these accounts on l?10712(r21. and signed on their behaV by: Treasurer- David Kakande Sisnature: 12 10712021
I. ACCOUNllNG POLICtFS (a) BA OF AccouwfiNG The finantial statements are prepared under the historical t<ttOnVentiOrL They comply with the Charity CODj10Th'S StstellDt 0fReCoD)DIed PTartice on Accountingby ChèJities PRP 2005) and all applicable Accounling and Financial REPORTtNG sfANDARt6 (b) INCOMtNG REq)URCES General donations. lewes and sub5(JiPtior are brought irkto account when received. Donations and 8ramts 8iven fo" r SIfiC Pur are treated as Ire in the year of receipL Unspent Testricted irorne is induded under teStrirt fvnds as it is fully conmiitted. (c) RESOURCES EXPENDED The resources used are dassiFEed under the charatys hllKtional caiegories of expetiditu rather than the type of eXPee in order to provide more useful itiformatioJL Resources expended in eath fvnrtioTraI category comprise dirert expenditure including diIect staff costs attributable to the activity. Where costs caJ0t direcdy attributed they have been ajlocated to activities based on time SFentby stsff on thLxse activities. Idl TANGtBLE FIXED ASSEIS AND DEPRECIATION Tangrble fix&1 assets are i[uded atcos¢. Deprtriatson ts calculated annually at 25% (e) OPERATING LEASFS (fj FUND ACCOUNrtNG Generaj fLuids comprise the accumUlad surplus or deficit on the itKome and expetvjiture aCCoLt They are available for use at the discretion of the Directors in furtherance of the general (61VeS of the company. Restricted funds are£unds sukFct to sF(ific restrICd conditions imposed by donots. {g) ExPENDURE G4TEGORI Expenditure is allLrated to one of three£Urth cate8ories that reflect the clwitable activities of the company: Cost of geating hmds Activities in the fiutheTan of thecharity's objects Mana8ementand Admintstration
Rise Communi Action Limited Grants Donations & enditure Anal sis l Grants. Donation and fees . 2019
urces Unrestricted Restrirted 2020 Totsl Total City and Hackney NHS CCG 27.750. 18,5 lo,0} 27.750. National tA)ttery Conwnutiity Fund HCVS 10,0 IA(KI information/signposling HCVS condom 450 450 894 625 Donations Generated income 3J58 3,358 712 other 10380 IOA80 35,573 Total 5£920 54,920 2019 Resources ex ended: 2020 Fundraising and training Activities for Beneficiaries (induding Salaries. Rent Volunteer cost) Support and advice Management and Admini8tration 37538 Total 51593- 1952 54%5 "£27,750 of this Income was received on behalf of CAN (Community African Network)for tts Bowel cancer project . £27,750 isforfvnds paid to CAN (Community AfricAff Network) which was recetvedfor its Bowel ¢4ncer project