## **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
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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 Juyuno)Jv JaJn$￿￿Jl Jie4) pau80 pauPIs 'UOUÈI)OSSP a4JAq ino PaUJF? saiJmiJ?e aw io U0.u￿Uèj njj e iu&sèJd Aayijeyi pup oioi Jaqwaw TE 3uipua JeaA è41 JOJ llunoJ)e a41 Jo uoiJpJÈdaJd ayiJO4 èIqPIIPAe èpew ￿￿4 sJuèwn)op 8uiyoddns puÈ uonEUIJOJL41 WPAaiaJ IIÈ JPVJ LUJUIto) I "16f8£ 90'f68*E oo'o PUPH Ul 4$23 JpaA letsTr￿4) ￿l￿a*jdUn iunoJ)v ¥uec spAoii AwiJos 3uipiin8 apimuoiie Slè$￿ PaX14 8P'90I' 66'£06'T £E'TZL'I- JEèA JOJ aujoju! J￿ts aJn¥puaLtKè S5a)X3 80'S66'9É 8tr'90I' 66'L06'T PUÈH U14SP) JunoJJy¥upg spAon iJos 8u!piing OPIMuoiieN SlaSSV PaX14 ".pJEhuwiylnoAq S￿1+1*g EE'TU'I 3¥niioN3dX3 ¥3AO 31WO>II SS3JX3 08'8TS'OS 3¥1UIONadX3 IVIOI oo.ss 'OL I￿u￿unO)>Y 598Je4) iue9Apuoffi￿OJd p ithi sTro3uwia)sihy ¥ saiJpunslsdx3 a)YJO sèwnjso) ¥ siooq aJiH woo¥ swj 8uiyJeai Ttr"99S'E 0tr'ÉI0'9É 3¥IiiioN3dX3 LVL6L'L 31¥￿NI IVIOI )SaJèiUl SIUÈJ9 Ja4 suojinqi4uo) pup SuqJej￿13ay WEJ8 uor4EJnpa Joi AJJsiu1￿ upiJp?Ing 00"558'ÉT- Ltr'ZP6'EE- 3V40)NJ OZOZ jaqWa)￿ TE PW JeaA wnoJJy aJny.puadx3 pue awojui Aempaw ui Aw.unwwo) ueyeSing aqi 40 uo!wi)ossv 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