2022-12-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 01/01/2021 Period start date To 31/12/2022 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 2022 ABCiM supported the following activities: In relation to Objective a) - Classes for adults: ABCiM continued with its 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 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 an adults’ folk dancing class which was 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 2022 provided education to children from year R to year 9 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 four folk dance classes for children, split into age groups. We also had two piano classes, which gave the opportunity to children to learn the notes, simple pieces and gain some understanding of theory. 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. For the first time after COVID the May concert was in the main hall. We also had a Christmas concert and school fair in December, with a tombola, bazar, Father Christmas grotto. We organised a martenitsas’ bazar for the national celebration of the forthcoming spring on 1 March. 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 provided materials and presentations to local community groups. The danse class took part in several local festivals. We lent national costumes to people who participated in work and school cultural events. We also supported the Ukrainian charity in Medway with the provision of premises for their children’s English classes and free entry in our adults’ English classes. They were also invited and took part in the Christmas concert.
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 actvites, the trustees had due regard to the Charity Commission’s public beneft guidance.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:	Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:	Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	N/A
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38	N/A
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	We value greatly the contribution by our volunteers, who have supported the 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	At the beginning of the 2022-23 school year we had over 300 registered school children. Around 50 adults also benefitted from the classes offered by the association. The Bulgarian school 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 charity has disseminated important information about elections, local events, matters relating to Brexit throughout the year though its Facebook pages and by email

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

Achievements against Para 1.41 objectives set

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.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	We do not hold reserves
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. The aim is to provide the services at a minimum cost to the community to allow as many people as possible to benefit.
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 2022 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.
Other		Political and economic changes may affect the living standards and circumstances of Bulgarian families living in Kent.

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 and training of trustees	Para 1.51
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51
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)

Type of Name Address adviser

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)

Full name(s) Desislava Zlateva

Position (eg Secretary, Chair Chair, etc)

Date

09/09/2023

Association of the Bul8arian Communlty In Medway Income and Expendlture Account Year ended 31 De￿rnber 2022 INCOME 8ul&orlaD Minidry for EducatloTr grant Registrations and Contributions Other Grants 47.688.11 28.745.00 0.00 0.00 76.433.11 Net Interest TOTALINCOME EXPENOITURE Teachlng Fees Room Hire Book5 & Costumes Office ExpslS￿ndrIes & Mlstrllaneous Le881 & ProfessionaVBank Charge5 42.408.95 14,023.14 4.748.12 15,696.06 510.31 TOTAL EXPENDMJRE 77J86.58 EXCESS EXPENDtruRE OVER INCOME -953A7 Balances brouBht forward: Fixed Assets Nationwide Buihling Society Lhyds Bank Account Cash In Hand 1.907.99 49,727.29 E￿5S expenditu￿ over Income lor year -953.47 Balances carried fonvard: Fixed Assets Nationwide Bullding Soclety Lkjyds Bank AccouTrt Unpresented ¢heques atyear end Cash in Hand 1,907.99 48.773.82 50.684.65 50.684.65 I confirm that all relevant inform*ion and supporting dcKuments have been made ava+lable forthe P￿paratIOn of the accounts forthe yearending 31 Decernber 2022 and that they present a true reflertion of the attivitles carr(ed out by the a550ciation. SigTred Si8ned Slgned tj Chalr Treasurer Accountant

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl membors of Association of the Bulgarian Community in Medway On accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 Charity no {If any 1151138 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the acGounts of the above charity ('the Trust.) for the year ended 3111212022. As the charity's trustees. you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordan￿ with the requirèments of the Charities Ad 2011 (°the Act.). Responsibilities and basis of report I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charrty Commission under section 145{51(b) of the Act. Independent I have completed my examination. I confirni that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act., or the accounts did not accord with the aC￿Unting records,. or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requi￿rnents concerning the fomi and content of accounts set OLrt in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accountb give a Xrue and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come arxoss 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. Signed: Date: Name: VIKKI FINNERAN FCCA Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): CHARTERED ASSOCIATION OF CERTIFIED ACCOUNTANTS (ACCA) Address: 11 CARDIGAN CLOSE, HIGH HALSTOW ROCHESTER ME3 8NX IER Oct 2018

Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner r)eeds to highlight material mattels of conoern (see CC32, Independent examination of Gharity accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examinerwishes to disclose. NONE IER Oct 2018