CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Trustees, Annual Report for the period From 0110112023 Period end date Period start date To 3111212023 Charity name: Association of the Bulgarian Community in Medway Charlty registratlon number: 1151138 Objectives and Activitles SORP referenco Para 1.17 Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in ils goveming document The objectives of the charity are.. to promote the benefit of the Bulgarian cilizens in Kent and the Medway area by.. (a) the advancement of education and training,. (b) the provision of recreational facilllies 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 ofthe main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. Pora 1.17and 1.19 In 2023 ABCIM supported the following activities.. In relatlon to Objective a) Classes for adults: ABCIM continued with its 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. There is a new class for adults - Yoga which started in September and is very well received. English classes for beginners and intermediate levels.
Classes for children.. The charity runs a Saturday Bulgarian school for children, which in 202212023 academic year provided education to over 300 children from year R to year 8 in Bulgarian language, literature, history and geography. This education is recognized by Ihe 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. We also have three group piano classes, which give the opportunity to children to learn the notes, simple pieces and gain some understanding of theory. In relatlon to objectlve b) We organised the celebralion of sever81 national holidays - the National Independence day in March, the day of the Cyrillic alphabet and Bulgarian language and culture in May., and the day of the champions of preservation of national identity and culture in November. We also had a Christmas concert and school fair in December, with a tombola, bazar, Father Chnstmas grotto. We organised a martenitsas, bazar for the national celebration of the forthcoming spring on 1 March. 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, En lish classes. When planning these activities, the trustees had due regard lo the Charity Commission's public benefit guidance. Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidan issued by the Charily Commission on public benefit Para 1.18 Addltional informatlon (optional) You ma choose to include fLtrther statements where relevant about: SORP reference Policy on grant making Policy on social investment including program related investment NIA NIA Para 1.38 P8ra 1.38 Contnbution 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 At the beginning of the 2023-24 school year we had around 300 children in the Saturday school. Around 75 adults also benefitted from the adult 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 educalion. 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. 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. Par8 1.20 The charity has disseminated important information about elections, local events, throughout the year though its Facebook pages and by email
Additional information (Oplional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about.. Achievements against ectives set Para 1.41 Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set Investment performance ainst ob'ectives Other P8ra 1.41 Para 1.41
Financial Review Review of the charity's financial position at the end of the eriod Slalemenl explaining the policy for holding reserves statin are held Amount of reserves held Reasons for holding zero reseNes Para 1.21 At the end of the period, the charity was in a good financial position. We do not hold reserves Para 1.22 P8ra 1.22 Parg 1.22 We do not hold an reserves. The money is fully spent on the activities. The aim is to provide the seNices at a minimum cost to the community to allow as many people as ossible to benefit. NIA Details of fund materially in deficit Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern Para 1.24 Para 1.23 There are no uncertainties at present Addltlonal Informatlon loptionall You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about.. The principal sources of funding are.. Course registration fees Grants- the only grant in 2023 was the one received from the Bulgarian Ministry of Education Fundraisin at communit events The charity's prlncipal sources of funds {in¢luding any fundraising) P8ra 1.47 Investment policy and obj8Ctives including any social investment pollcy ado led NIA Para 1.48 Change of the policy of the Bulgarian Ministry of Education could stop or reduce the grant they provide for the school. Unreasonable rise in rent could leave the Charity whithoul premises. A description of the principal risks facing the charity Par8 1.46 Other Political and economic changes may affect the living standards and circumstances of Bulgarian families livin in Kent.
Structure, Governance and Management Descri tion of charil 's trusts= Type of governing document Para 1.25 constitutlon How is the charity constituted? Para 1.25 assoclation Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. èlection to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or mo trustees Para 1.25 Nomlnated and elected by the members. Addltlonal Informatlon {opllonal) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about= Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees The charity's organisalional structure and any wider neork with which the chari works Relationship with any related parties Other Para 1.51 Paro 1.51 Pqr8 1,51 Reference and Administrative details Chari name Other name the chari Association of the Bul uses ABCIM istered charit number 1151138 Charity's principal address The Thomas Aveling School Arethusa Road Rochester ME12UW arian Communit in Medwa
Names of the charlty trustees who manage the charity Trustee namè Offlce Ilf any) Dates acted if not for wholg ear Chair Secretary Treasurer Nam• of p•rson lor body) entitled toa oint trust¥e an Desislav8 Zlateva Ralitsa Pavleva David Best Cor orate trustees - names of the directors at the date the re Dlrector nam• ortwasa roved Name of trustees holding title to propety belonging to the charity Trust•e name Dat•$ actèd If not for whol• Var
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others Descnplion 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 Addltlonal Information (optlonal) Names and addresses of advlsers (Optlonal Informatlon) Type of Name advlser Addre88 Name of chlof executlve or names of $8nlor staff members {Opiional Informatlon) luliiana B8sI (Chief Executive) Exemptions from disclosure Reason for non4isclosure of ke ersonnel details Other o tional information Declarations The trustees declare thal they have approvod the trustees, report above. Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees Slgnaturels) Full name{s) Posltlon (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Desislava Zlateva Chair Date 1810912024
Assoclatlon of the Bul8arlan Communlty In Medway Income and Expenditure Account Year ended 31 December Z023 INCOME BulgarlaTr Mlnistry for Educatlon 8rant R4lstratlons and Contrtbutlons OtherGrants Nèt Interest 44,460.24 34,439.CKI 0.00 TOTALINCOME 78M99.24 EXPENDITURE T•achlni F••s RrKsm Hlr• 80)ks & Costum•$ Offlc? ExpslSundr1•5 & Mlsc•llaThgous L•q•l & Prol•sslonall8ank Ch•r8•5 49,(xxs.50 12.170.63 4,224.03 12.381.47 TOTALEXPENOITURE 77.866.6$ EXCESS EXPENDITURE OVER INCOME 1.032.61 8•n brou8ht fon¥•rd: Flxed Assets Natlonwld• BulldlNI Socl•ty Lloyds Bank Account C•sh In Hand 1,907.99 48,773.82 Excess •xp•ndltur• o¥er Income foryur L032.61 Bal•nrnsc•rrl•d fonw•rd'. Flxed Assets Ntlonwhl• Bulldlng S¢xhty Lloyds Bank Ateount Unpr4sent4d Chequ at yr •nd Cash in H•Nd 1.907.99 0.00 49.806.4J 5L717.26 51,717.26 I tot)flrm thatall relevant Inforrnatlon and supportlnq documents hav• k49n madg av•llabl• fr•r tho preparatlon of tthe attountsforthe year endSng 31 Dgcomber 2023 and that thèy presant * tru• reflectlon ol the actlvltles rarrkd out bythe assoclatloTr. Sed Sl8n Chalr Treasurer Accountsnt
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustsesl mombors of Association of the Bulgarian Communty in Medway On accounts for the year onded 31 December 2023 Charity no (If any) 1151138 Sot out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of th8 above charity ('Ihe Trust.) for the year ended 3111212023. Rosponslbllltl•s and basls of roport As the charity's trustees, you are responsibl8 for the preparation of th8 accounts in accordance with the requirements of th8 Charities Act 2011 I'th8 Act.). I r8POrt in r8SP8Ct 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 Direclions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)Ibl of the Act. Ind•p•nd•nt I hav8 completed my examination. I confiTm that no material matters have •xamin•rfs stat•ment com8 to my att8ntion 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 Chanlies Act., or the accounts did not accord with the ac¢ounling records., or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements con¢eming 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 'lrue and fair, view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent 8xaminalion. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in ord8r to enab18 a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Slqnod: Nama: VIKKI FINNERAN FCCA Relevant professional qualification(sl 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 needs to highlight material matters of conc8m (s8e CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Giv• hare brief detalls of any Items that tho examlnor wishes to dlsclo$•. NONE IER Oct 2018