CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Trustees, Annual Report for the period From 0110112024 Period start date To Period end date 3111212024 Charity name: Association of the Bulgarian Community in Medway Charity registration number: 1151138 Objectives and Activities SORP reference Para 1.17 Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document 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 (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 2024 ABCIM supported the following activities.. In relation 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. Classes for children: The charity runs the Medway Bulgarian School - a Saturday school for children, which in 2024 was providing education to around 270 students from earRto
year 8 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 4 folk dance classes for children, split into age groups. There were also three group piano classes, which gave the opportunity to children to get some general understanding about music, learn some notes and play simple pieces. In relation to objective b) ABCIM organised the celebration of several 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 raffle, bazar, Father Christmas grotto. We organised a martenitsas, bazar for the national celebration of the forthcoming spring on 1 March. The association also disseminated information to members about local events, concerts, sports clubs, etc. of interest to the community. In relation to objective c) ABCIM provided materials and presentations to local community groups. The danse class took part in events organised by the Mayor of Medway. We lent national costumes to people who participated in work and school cultural events. When planning these activities, the trustees had due regard to the Charity Commission's public benefit guidance. Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Para 1.18
Commission on public benefit Additional information (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about: SORP reference Policy on grant making Policy on social investment including program related investment Par8 7.38 NIA NIA 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. Contribution made by volunteers Para 1.38 Other Achievements and Performance SORP referenco In 2024 around 270 children were attending courses at the Medway Bulgarian school. Around 50 adults also benefitted from the adult folk dancing classes offered by the association. 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 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 local events, throughout the year though its Facebook pages and by email. Addltlonal information {optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about: Achievements against ob'ectives set Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set Investment performance ainst ob ectives Para 1.41 Para 1.41 Para 1.41
Other
Financial Review Review of the charity's financial position at the end of the eriod Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves statin are held Amount of reserves held Reasons for holding zero reserves 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 Para 1.22 We do not hold an reserves. 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 ossible to benefit. NIA Par8 1.22 Details of fund materially in deficit Explanation of any UnrtaIntieS about the charity continuing as a going concern Para 1.24 Para 1.23 There are no uncertainties at present Additional information (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about.. The principal sources of funding are: Course registration fees Grants- the only grant in 2024 was the one received from the Bulgarian Ministry of Education Fundraisin at communit events The charity's principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) Par8 1.47 Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy ado ted NIA Para 1.46 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 whithout premises. A description of the principal risks facing the charity Para 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 charit 's trusts: Type of governing document Para 1.25 constitution How is the charity constituted? 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 association Para 1.25 Nominated and elected by the members. Additional information (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about: Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees The charity's organisational structure and any wider network with which the charit works Relationship with any related parties Other Para 1.51 Para 1.51 Para 1.51 Reference and Administrative details Association of the Bul ABCIM 1151138 The Thomas Aveling School Arethusa Road Rochester ME12UW Charit name Other name the charit uses Re istered charit number Charity's principal address arian Communit in Medwa
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole ear Chair Name of person (or body) entitled toa int trustee ifan Desislava Zlateva Ralitsa Pavleva David Best Secretary Treasurer Cor orate trustees - names of the directors at the date the re Director name ortwasa roved Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity Trustèe name Dates acted If not for whole ear
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 (optlonal) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional Information) Type of Name Address adviser Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optlonal Information) luliiana Best (Chief Executive) Exemptions from disclosure Reason for non-disclosure of ke ersonnel details Other o tional 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) Position (eg Secretary. Chair, etc) David Best Treasurer Date 2210912025
Atyxl•tlon of th• 8ulprln Communlty In M•dw•y Ye•r end•d 31 Dec•mb•r 2024 INCQMÉ 8theart•n MSnlstry for Edu£•ton irnnt R•8l¥tr•tlons andContAtrMJtkns Othtr Gr•nts P4•t Interest 40.885.33 41.796.DJ th) i. EXKNDITURE Te•cNn8 F••$ Room Hlr• Admln 8r)ks & Costum•s1 Pllies otfice Exp¥l9Jndrs & & ProlllnsurnrKÈlB•n CP•[vAUdII 41,644. 14,572.55 l2.>J7.75 3,968.62 3,851.C6 TOTAL EXPENDifuAf 7SJJi EXCUS EXnNtfftlfli OVER IP4COMt 5.150JI Flxed Assets N4tlonwkl• aUlk41 Lloyds 8ank Account Ciih In Han41 1.9)7.99 49x6.43 mr InmIl y•ar 5,850.JI Fixed Assets N•tlonwhe BldIn6Clfy Uoyds 8•nk knount Unrt thtquesat •nd C•sh In Hand I,?.99 55,656.74 57J•7J7 57J17J7 I conlrm tt all relwbnt IrI¢th•1k nd SUPPDrtln•documents ha¥ b••n m•do •valL4ble I¢v lh• prep•f•lloh ol ¢he JtrDunt>fortheYf endln8 31 De¢mber 2024 ¥NI t1 thty tr refi1) of the •¢t141tlese*ried rt bytheas%od•tkn. r+Ed Bned Treasurer At¢ountant
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Se¢tion A Independent Examiner's Report Roport to the trust••s1 members of Association of the Bulgarian Communty in Methyay On accounts for th• yur •nd•d 31 December 2024 Charlty no (If any) 1151138 S•t out on p•g•S I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the atA)ve charity (Ihe Trust.) for the year ended 3111212024. R•sponslbllltl•s and basls of report As the chanty's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Trguirements of the Charities Act 2011 I'the Acr). I report in respe(X of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of Ihe 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination. I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 1495)(b) of th8 Act. Ind•p•nd•nt I have completed my axamination. I confirm that no material matters have •xamin•es stat•m•nt come to my attention in connection wrth 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 th8 Chaniies Aci; or the accounts dKI not accord with the accounting records., or the accounts did not comply with th8 applicable requirnents conceming the fonn and content of accounts set out in the Chartties (Accounts arKI 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 arKI have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be dr&+¥n in this report in order to 8nabl8 a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Slgmd: Dat•: 15° Sept 2025 Nam•: VIKKI FINNERAN FCCA Relovant prof•sslonal qualiflcationls) or body (If any): CHARTERED ASSOCIATION OF CERTIFIED ACCOUNTANTS (ACCA) Addr•ss: 11 CARDIGAN CLOSE, HIGH HALSTOW ROCHESTER ME3 8NX IER O¢t 2018
Soctioii B Disclosuie Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matenal matters ol concern (see CC32, Independont examination of chanty accounts.. directions and guidanc8 for examiners). Gfv• h•rn brl•f dotall$ of any It•ms that th• •xamln•r wlsh•s to dlsclow. NONE IER Oct 2018