Registered Charity No- 1151593 Company Registration No: 07451584 MARYLEBONE BANGLADESH SOCIETY LTO Com an Limited b Guarantee 19 SAMFORD STREET LONDON NW8 8ER MBS RT FTR STEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS R THEYEAR NDE MAR PREPARED BY MOHAMMAD SHAH & CO LLP CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS BANK HOUSE 209 Merton Road Wimbledon London SW19 IEE MARYLEBONE BANGLADESH SOCIEfY LTD Com an Limited b Guarantee ONTENT PAGE NO Legal & Administrative Inform3tlon Report ofthe Management Committee 2to8 Independent Examinerfs Report Income & Expenditure Account io Balance Sheet li Note to the Accounts 12to14 MARYLEBONE BANGLADESH SOCIETY LTD Com an Limited b Guarantee LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Organisation Name & Addfe55 Marylebone Bangladesh &xiety 19 Samford Street London NW8 8ER Telephone: 020 7724 9746 List of Exe¢utive Comrnlttee Members of Marylebone 8angladesh Society Chairman Intaj All Vice-chalr Wali Ahmed Secretary Shahin Ahmed Chowdhury Treasurer Abdus Samad Hamid EIC Member Mehfuz Ahmed EIC Member Mahbubur Rahman Khukon EIC Member Shamim Ahmed Independent Examlner Mohammad Shah & Co. LLP Chartered Accountants BANK HOUSE 209 Merton Road London SW19 IEE ankers Santander Bank PIC Bridle Road Bootle L30 4GB MARYLEBONE BANGLADESH SOCIETY LTD REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES The Trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purtN)se of the Companies Act 2016, present their report with the financial statement of the charity for the year ended 31" March 2024. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice1SORPI 'Accountin8 and Reporting by charitie5" 155ues in March 2005. Our Vision Our overarching vision 15 for a thrivin8 and vibrant local community in north part of Westminster. Our Aims Marylebone Bangladesh Soclety IM8S} is a grass-roots, community-led charity establlshed in 1979 to provide much needed support In the areas of soci31 welfare, education and development, and health and wellbeing for the wider community. We aim to: Promote or asslst in the provSslon of facllities and other lelsure tlme occupation of the local residence5 in the City of Westminster. Promote education and good race relations by endeavouring to eliminate discrimination on giounds of race and encouraging equal opportunities between persons of different background. Increase resilience, social cohesion. and foster cornmunity spirit. GOVERNANCEAND MANAGEMENT Governonce The Charity is registered hs a CharitablÈ Company Limited by Guarantee and is governed according to its Memorandum and Article5 of Assoclation. The Charity has no share capital or debentures. hence there are no Dlrectors. Interests requirin8 disc105ure. In the event of the Charity bein8 wound Upi each mernber is required to contribute an arnount not exceeding £1. There are seven Management Committee members, ènd we meet every quarter as one 8roupto ensure that MBS remains on trackto delivery our annual commitment of service arbd support to our communitie5. Operational matter5 aTe deleBOted to the Centre Mangel who in turn oversees the staff who dellver each of our services. There are no other sutFcommittees of the Management Committee, however. we have the capacity to convene special'task and f inish, 8roups from amongst the overall Committee should the need arise le.g. to look c105ely at financial matters, staffing i55ues, etc.}. We reco8ni5e that our Manogernent Committee members 3118ive their tlme free of char8e and therefore believe that we need to limit the burden plated on them. Strate ICA rooch Ourstrateglc approach over the past year hos been to.. Continue to dellver high-quality services to our communities. Identify area5 of our operational management which need improvement. - Strengthen relationships with our partners and benefactors. erational Mano Our operatlonolstalf comprlse." ement Centre Manager: responsible for supponlng all M85 staff. reporting to the Management Committee, overseeing strate8ic direction of the or8ani5ation, le3dinE partnership work, undertakin8 fundraisin8 and maintainin8 PDSltive relation5 with the community. Finance and AdministratNe Officer: responsible for day-to-day adrnlnistrative duties and finance work. Teii other project staff includin& Youth Workers. Advice Workers. Health Project Workers. MARYLEBONE BANGLADESH SOCIETY LTD REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES Reserves and Reserves Poli MBS is committed to using its resources in pursuit of its charitable objectives. It is also committed. however. to maintaining a level of re5enres that is prudent to meet ongoing liabilities. sufficient to ensure that all service delivery commitments can be met and to protett the lon8-term future tsf our operation5. Our reserves policy seeks to balance these priorities by holdin8 a level of reserves Sufficient to: •Ensure the availability of sufficient working funds in hand. •Provide a breathirsg space in case of unexpected loss of income to ensure that services can be maintalned. And •Provlde sufficient funds for an orderly winding-down in the event of a need to cease activlry. Results The net incoming resources for the year amounted to £39.95612023 £55,9861. Risk Statement The Mana8ement Committee has acted so that the systems have been e5tabli5hed to enable regular reports to be produced $0 that necessary steps can be taken to lessen these risks. This Report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement OF Recommended Practice- Accountin8 and RepoTlin8 by Charitie5 Issued In March 2005. totem on ibili t th Trustee The Charities Act requires the Management Committee to prepare financial statements for each financial year which gives a true and fair view of the state of affzirs of the Society for that year. In preparing those financial statement5, the Management Committee is required to.. •Select sultable accountln8 policles, apply them consistently and Include them in financial statements, •State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosecl and explained in the financial statement. •Prepare the accounts on the going concern basi5 unle55 it 15 inappropriate to presume that the Society will continue to operate. The Management Committee is responsible for maintaining proper books of accounts with respect to the Soclety's transactlons and its assets and liabilities, for maintainin8 satisfactory system of internal control over the Society's book of attounts and transaction. The Management Committee is also responsible for the safeguarding of 355ets of the Society- taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularitie5. Volunteers At MBS, we belleve in the power of community and collertive actlon to drive positwe change. Through the dedication of our volunteers we work to improve education. promote environrnental and social conversation . and supportthe underserved communitles. Our goal15 to empower individuals to contribute their time, skills, and passron to create meanin8ful impact while fostering personal growth and community connection. MBS will continue to work hard to maintain strong connectlons with our communlry of volunteers and support them to achieve their full potential by making them feel valued and motivated. MARYLEBONE BANGLADESH SOCIETY LTD REPORT OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMIThEE In thi5 reportin8 year, we had the support of 14 volunteers including four young volunteers who provided support to our Youth Workers. One of our strategic Boals around volunteering is that we want to grow a pool of young volunteers with a multitude of diverse talents. We aim to do this by reaching out through our existing channels but also by establishin8 new ones. Risk Mana ement ThÈ Trustees have a duty to identify and review the rlsks to which the charity is exposed an¢J to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. Trustee5 roceive updates from Centre Manager and discuss the threat of risks and direct the Manager to take reasonable mitigation steps. Partnershi Workin MBS, Management Committee members. staff and volunteers are cornmitted to partnership working. This Is an area we want to develop further in future and explore joint servlce delivery with others. We recognise that resources are going to be scarter in the future, but the needs of our communities are unlikely to reduce. We therefore believe one of the ways to mana8e wlth less is to joln forces wlth others with common interests and complementary aims. During the last year we have worked In partnership with: Young We5trnin5ter FDundation London Tigers 8ME Health Forum Fourth Feathers Youth and Community Centre Westminster Citizens Advice North Paddington Youth Club Chur¢h Street Regeneration Team Westminster City Council Making Communities Work and Grow One Westminster Age UK Westminster Kongele5e Centre for Information and Advice Local schoo15 And many other local voluntary and statutory organisations Partnership work has centred around referra15 and sharin8 expertiselexperiences. We are committed to nurturirb8 Strorbg. Sustainable relationship with our hope to bulld on this for future years and explore how we can incre05e efficiencle5 by sharSng resources where this is possible. We note the sensitivities of partners, ensuring open communication. transparency. and a unified vision for the future. Throu8h these partnership we strive to make a difference that none of u5 can achieve alone. Achievements and Pe ormonce The communities we seTve live mainly in six ward5. four of which are amongst 10-20% of the m05t deprived wards in the UK and living below the poverty line. Over 50% of the populatlOD in these ward5 are from BAME and Refugee backgrounds. Seventy- eight per cent of the children from these wards come from families that receive mean5-te5ted beneftts. MARYLEBONE BANGLADESH SOCIETY LTD REPORT OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMirrEE Projects Delivered in 2023-2024 Advice and In ormotion With over 45 years of our Advice and Information service. we continue to providing help to users who are disadvantaged by their lack of the English language and knowledge and understanding of the welfare rights system. Thi5 programme comprises in-person drop-inlappointTnents on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10 am- 4 pm, offering bilingual advice In 8engali and Arabic on welfare rights issues such as: welfare benefits claims. housing (including re-housing, repair. and homele5snes51, debt advice including Council Tax, support with understanding Utility bills. and help navigating the health system. Thls year, as a result of the cost-of-living crisi5, we have seen a rise in the following cases: Applicatlon for food vouchers Debts, In partlcular utllltles Uptake of to*up bÈnefits Uptake of SIM ¢aids to ac¢ess free Internet and calls 518n postlng and referring clients to more èppropriate agÈncles Such as Westm¢n5ter Citizens Advice or Age UK Westminster, Westminster City Council's Housin8 Solution team, etc.. was also a key function of the Advlce and Informatlon servlce $0 that the best solutions could be achieved for OUT clients. Key observations throu8h advice work We have seen an increase in the number of people sufferin8 from mental health issues. More working-a8e people becoming unemployed and claiming Universal Credit or other benefits. Oisability benefits IPIP, AA, or DLAI claim5 were much hi8her. Most cllents (aged 35+1 were digitally illiterate and facing difficulties because of sudden Implementatlon of online appllcations and processes, HEALTH AND WELLBEING PROGRAMME Teo und Co ee Dro -in Our Tea and Coffee Drop-in continues to provide members of the community to meet up in a safe envlronmeni encouraglng interaction and bulld relatlonships , reducing isolation and f05tering a 5en5e of community- It offÈrs a break from routine. promoting relaxation and stress relief. The session run5 twice o week and incorporates a variety of employment and health-related workshops, Emotlonal Su ort Pro In partnership with the 8ME Health Forum and four other organisations. staff provided emotional support to local community members affected by the cost-of-llving crlsis. Case Stud Client A had been very stressed by family issues . He has very little time for himself and fee15 very trapped inside and can't see any way out. Llsting all the issues and possible ways to deal with them can take a long time. In the meantime. to relieve some of the stress, Client A has started to visit the park twice a week as well as doing some exercise. MARYLEBONE BANGLADESH SOCIETY LTD REPORT OF THE MANANGEMENT COMMrrrEE Heulth Advocac With our Health Advocacy project well vnderway* our health advocate provided support and awareness to empower communities regarding any issues relating to health. Work entailed bookin8 appointments with GPS and hospita15, helping tomplete GP/dental registration forms. dealing with health service fine5, translations, referrals and si8n-postin8 etc. This project's aims are to reduce health inequalities experienced by BAME communities in north west London. In the short term, It seeks to achieve this by recruitin8 bilingual advocate5 to help people to acce5$ servios, and in the longer terni. at stale. by recording their experiences to inform changes within NHS systems to improve access. NHS Winter Outreach We continue to assist and relay key messages that the NHS wanted to promote in winter 2023. Outreach was carried out through distribution of leaflets. one-to-one discussions. advice surgeries. workshops. events. and in the form of quizzes for younB people, a5 well as sign-postin8. NHS Cancer Screenin Primarily focusing on the BAME communitie5 Wlthin the marginalised and deprived borough of Westminster* particularly in Church Street and Llttle Venice, we chose to focus on bowel, breast and cervlcal cancer screening awareness covered by the NHS natlonal 5creenir$8 programme. However recognising the needs of our communities. we expanded our focvs to include prostrate cancer awareness. Thls addition was partlcularly Important for enga8ing male members of our community who are often under-represented In health awarene55 campal8ns. Our community work revealed that many cancer diagnoses were o¢currin8 at later sta8e$12-3 onwardsl whlch Is partlcularly shocking for patlents. By focuslng on these specific cancers we aimed to increase early detectlon, whlch slgnificantly improve5 survival rate. Combining in-person events with digital outreach the cancer screening Project continued in the new year. Communit Priorities Pro Reached out lo women of all ages, empowering them and building connections in our cornmunity. The c1055es and enrichment activities enabled these women to develop new skills, experience a sense of achievement through their progression and accompllshment and Brow thelr confldence. ramme The sewing classes provided participants wlth essential skills like creating. repairin& and upcyding clothing, promoting Sustainable practices to reduce relian¢e on fast fashion and textile waste. Students learned to use sewin8 machines, apply basic and advanced stitthing techniques, work with dlfferent fabrics, and create pattems, culminating in the produttion of traditional attire. They were also taught to mend clothes for reuse. Women-only Swimming 5e55ions were organised to promote inclusivity and community engagement. Participants leained about accessin8 discounted services in Westminster, obtaining Everyone Active cards. and bookin8 online via the app. These sessions not only improved cardiovascular health and muscle strength but also enhanced mental wellbeing, reduced stress. and fostered social connections amon8St attendee5. Ma55a8e 5e55ions offered significant benefit5, such as olleviating muscle pain from medical conditions, reducing stress and anxietyi and improving overall relaxation. Participants reported improved mobility. emotional well-being, and a refreshed mindse¢ enabling them to lead more active and posltive Ilves. MARYLEBONE BANGLADESH SOCIETY LTD REPORT OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE ESOL classes integrated digital inclusion activities, helping students improve their English skllls in readlng, writln& speaking. and11stening. They learned practical digital tasks such as booking GP appointments. using WhatsApp, and browsing the internet. With support from the City of Westminster Council and Vodafone, free SIM cards were provided, and Some participants joined a digital inclusion workshop for over-555. These sessions equipped students with essential digital skllls, enabling them to stay connected with their communities a￿1 reducing social isolation. Our museum trip5 celebrated local culture and history. offering participants an enrichin8 experience. Visits to renowned London museums like the British Museum and Science Museum sparked curiosity, boosted confidence, and encouraged independent exploration of the city. while potenti311y reducing carbon ernissions through local travel. Women's Exerclse Closses The exercise classes provided participants with an opportunity to improve their physical health, build strength and enhance flexibility. Oe5igned for all abilities, the sessions promoted well-bein8. The trainers also explained to users the benefits of litness and exercise to tackle illness and sickness. They also discussed the benefit of healthy eating. Youth Provision With 8reat 8enerosity from funders, we have been very fortunate to be able to deliver variou5 activities to over 165 young people durin8 the year. Our youth club is a great place for children to develop under the guldance of our qLFallfled Youth Workers. General.. ps5 and FIFA tournament5. table tennis. board games Such as chess and Monopoly, movle nlghts and live sports. Physlcal dlsclpllnes.. martial arts cla55e5- Braiilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai, also Fotball and Multisports sessions. Creatlve Art.. scrapbook, tote bag printing, sewin& art work, henna paintin& calli8raphy. Workshops: crime, education, employment, physlcallmental health wellbein8. E- safety, cyber bulling. Half term and summ•r- HAF programme, trips. indoor and outdoor acrlvltles. • Tralnlng- First Ald, volunteering. Grants and support received from the local council and or8anisations have been instrumental in enhancin8 our Youth Project capabilitie5, particularly enhancing us to secure match-funding from other trusts, which in turn has allowed us to Increase our project hours and expand our work, Older People's Projert Contlnuing from the previous year our project for people aged 55 and over has seen an increase in participation. The PLtrpose of this project is to help older people become more active. improve their diet and reduce isolatlon and loneliness. Activities delivered as part of this project are- weekly exercise classes, monthly healthy lifestyle sessions discussing how to maintain good health, healthy eating and how to mana8e chronic illnesses. step into learning sessions- teaching people digital skills (for many It was the first timel such as using a iomputer, smartphone and jolnlng Zoom 5e5slon5. setting up and uslng email accounts. MARYLEBONE BANGLADESH SOCIE￿ LTD REPORT OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMirrEE Emergency Grant We5tmin5ter City Council's Emergency Grant was extremely helpful helping us to come out of the financial crisis we were facing. With this grant. we were able to carry out essential repairs and maintenance work to our premises. With unexpected increase in utility bills we were able to save our reserves and It enabled us to pay for the increase in our bills. We were also able to increase the rates we pay volunteers and coaches for their work as they have been impacted by the increased cost of living. The grant also helped us cover unexpected increase in venue costs. looking Forword Since our inception in 1979, MBS has been dedicated to empoweringthe community, fostering education, and advocating change. We hav achieved incredible milestones that have shaped lives and strengthened communities. This year we celebrate our 45th Anniversary and we look forward to continue to remain committed to building on this legacy, embracin8 innovation and addressing the challenges of tomorrow. Acknowledgements The M3naEement Committee would like to thank our benefactorsand supporters: John Lyon's Charlty BBC Chlldren in Need The Henry Smith Charity Howard De W31den Estate Nelghbourhood Keepers IWCCI Young Westmlnster Foundation London Marathon Charitable Trust People's Health Trust London Community Foundation The National Lottery Community Fund BME Health Forum NHS Westmlnster City Council Trust for London Statement as to Disclosure of Information to Independent Examiner So far as the Trustees are aware, there is no relevant information of which the charitable company's independent examiners are unaware. Each trustee has taken all the steps that he Of she ought to have taken as a trustee in order to make himself or herself aware of any relevant audit inforrnation and to establish that the charity's auditors are aware of that information. This report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 4 December 2024 and signed on its behalf by: Intaj All Chairman Dote.. 4 December 2024 REPORT OFTHE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER TOTHE MANAGEMENTCOMMrrrEE OF MARYLEBONE BANGLADESH SOCIETY LTD Inde endent Examiners Re ort to the Trusteesfor the ear ended 31 March 2024. The financlal statements laid out in this report have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Statement of Recommendation Prartice. Accounting and Reportin8 by Charities Commission issued in Oclober 2000 and applicable Actounting Standards and the Charitie5 Act 1993. Responsibilitles of the Trustee5 and the Managemerrt Committee as the Chariws Trustees. you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts and that you consider the audit requirements of Section 4312lof the Charities Act 19133, thi5 act dDes not apply. It is my responslbility to state that on the basis of procedures specified in the general dirertions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 43171 of the Act, whether particular matters have come to myattention. Basls of Inde endellt ex#mlners' Statement The examinatlon ran the accounts were carried out in accordance with the general direction given by the Charities Commissioner. The examination Includes.. A review of the accounting records kept by the Charity. A comparison of the accounts presented wlth, those records made avallable It includes conslderatlon of any unusual items of the dlsclosures In the accounts Finally, maklng explanatlon from you as the Trustees corKernln8 any such matters relatlng to the accounts. The examinatlon also Includes examlnatlon of any such matters of evidence relevant to the account of disclosures fo the flnanclal statements, It Includes assessment of the 518nificant estimates and judgment5 made in the preparation of the financlal statements, and of whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the charity's circumstances consistently applied and adequately disclosed. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit. and tonsequently I do not express an audit on the view given by the account5. nde endent Examin•rs Statement In connectlon with our examination no matter has come to our attention: l. Which give5 U5 reasonable cause to believe that in any materfal respett the requirements- To keep occoynting retords in accordance with section 41 of the Act: and To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requlrements of the Act Have not been met; or 2. To which in our opinion attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understandin8 of the account5 to be reached. inion In our opinion the flnanclal statement a5 prepared give a trLEe and fair view of the charity's state of affairs as at 31 March 2023 giving that the incoming resources and their application in the year then ended have been properly prepared with 8eneral diiection given by the Charities Commissioner. MOHAMMAD SHAH & CO. LLP CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS BANK HOUSE, 209 Merton Road, London SW19 IEE Date- 4 Decernber 2024 MOHAMMAD SNAH & CO. LLP CW¢TEREOACCOUNTpNrs B￿K￿DUSE WJO NERTQN ROAD LON'DON SW19 1EE TELQD 8543 $128 FAX. 020 &S439129 MARYLEBONE BANGLADESH SOCIETY LTD Com an Limited b Guarantee INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Restrlcted Fund UnrestTI-Cted fund Total fund 2023 Total 2024 Incoming Resour