2020-12-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 01/01/2020 Period start date To 31/12/2020 Period end date

Charity name: Association of the Bulgarian Community in Medway

Charity registration number: 1151138

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The objectives of the charity are: to promote the benefit of the Bulgarian citizens in Kent and the Medway area by: (a) the advancement of education and training; (b) the provision of recreational facilities in the interests of social welfare with the object of improving their conditions of life; (c) to advance education of the public on all aspects of the Bulgarian history and culture.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	In 2020 ABCiM supported the following activities: In relation to Objective a) - Classes for adults: We had two adult English as a Second Language classes – a beginners class and an intermediate class. The classes are taught by a Bulgarian speaking tutor, which is especially helpful to people who have very little knowledge of English and need more explanation of words and grammatical rules. This has helped to improve their communication skills, access to local information and services, employability and integration. We also have one adults’ folk dancing class which is open to people from all abilities for fitness. The class brings together people from across Kent who have a shared love of Bulgarian folklore and dance. - Classes for children:

		The charity runs a Saturday Bulgarian school for children, which in 2020 provided education to children from year 1 to year 7 in Bulgarian language, literature, history and geography. This education is recognized by the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and children returning to Bulgaria do not need to sit exams in these subjects but can go direct back to school. There were three folk dance classes for children, split into age groups. In relation to objective b) We organised the celebration of two national holidays - the National Independence day in March and the day of the Cyrillic alphabet and Bulgarian language and culture in May which were open to all members and parallel competitions for children on related topics. We also provided information and support to parents in relation to the British educational system – e.g. GCSEs, A-Levels and 11+ exams, community safety, Brexit and its impacts on the community. We have supported the Bulgarian orthodox mission St St Konstantin and Elena in Cuxton. The association also regularly disseminates information to members about local events, concerts, sports clubs, elections, etc. that might be of benefit to the community. In relation to objective c) We participated in the hate crime week organized by Kent Police in October.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	When planning these activities, the trustees had due regard to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment We value greatly the contribution by our volunteers, who have supported the

Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	work of the charity as Teaching Assistants and members of the Parent’s association.
Other

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	Over 180 children and their families from across Kent; and around 30 adults benefitted from the classes offered by the association. The Bulgarian school is the only one in Kent and has benefitted people spread across a large geographic area. It has an important social benefit, not only for education, but wider - it brings people, who could otherwise be isolated and poorly informed - together, allows them to exchange information, share experiences and support each other. The work was greatly impacted by COVID and the lockdowns. In October 2020 we lost our premises as the lettings agreement with the school where we are based was not renewed due to COVID. This disrupted the classes and community events but we managed to find temporary premises in October. We operated distance learning and Teams meetings during lock downs to keep the education and community contacts and support going.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41

Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41
Other

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	At the end of the period, the charity was in a good financial position. Due to COVID, we had a reduction in members and registered service users.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	We do not hold any reserves.
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	The money is fully spent on the activities.
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	N/A
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	There are no uncertainties at present

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	The principal sources of funding are: - Course registration fees - Grants – the only grant in 2019 was the one received from the Bulgarian Ministry of Education - Fundraising at community events
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46	N/A
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	Change of the policy of the Bulgarian Ministry of Education could stop or reduce the grant they provide for the school. Brexit and COVID lockdowns and furlow schemes may reduce the numbers of Bulgarian families living in Kent and needing the services provided by the charity.
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	constitution
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	association
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	Nominated and elected by the members.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction Para 1.51 and training of trustees The charity’s organisational structure and any wider Para 1.51 network with which the charity works Relationship with any related Para 1.51 parties Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Association of the Bulgarian Community in Medway
Other name the charity uses	ABCiM
Registered charity number	1151138
Charity’s principal address	The Thomas Aveling School Arethusa Road Rochester ME1 2UW

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole **year **	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
	Desislava Zlateva	Chair
	Ralitsa Pavleva	Secretary
	David Best	Treasurer

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Iuliiana Best (Chief Executive)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) David Best Full name(s) David Best Position (eg Secretary, treasurer Chair, etc) Date 12/10/2021

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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLANO AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Se¢tion A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustaesl members of Association of the BukJarian Communty in Medway On accounts for th• ya•r ended Charity no lif any) 31" Detsmber2019 1151138 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity {Ihe Trusf) for the year ended Responsibilitios and basls of report As the chantys trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in aco)rdance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (Ihe A¢r). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Ad and in carrying out my examination. I have followed all the aF)plICab￿ D1￿Ct￿nS given by th8 Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent I have comp￿ted my examination. I confimi that no material matters have examinerfs statoment come to my attention in connection wrth the examination vthich giv8s m8 cause to believe that in. any material ￿spect. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or the accounts did not accoffl wrih the accounting records., or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements con￿mIng the fom and content of accounts set out in the Charities {Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection wrth the examination to vthich attention should be drawn in this report in order to enab￿ a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: 20 July 2020 Name: VIKKI FINNERAN Relevant proftssional quallficatlon(s) or body (if any): Chartered AssocIat￿n of Certified Accountants (FCCA) Address: 11 CARDIGAN CLOSE, HIGH HALSTOW, ROCHESTER, KENT ME3 8NX IER Oct 2018

Section B Disclosure Only ojmplete if the examiner needs to highlKJht material matter5 of COn￿M (see CC32, lTrJependent examination of chanty accounts.. directions and guidance for examirErs). Glve here brief details of any Items that the oxaminor wishes to disclose. IER Oct 2018