## **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
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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)** **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