2023-03-31-accounts

ANNUAL REPORT 2022-2023

Charity No.1157721 Company No. CE002214

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chair’s Report 3 - 4 Reference and Administrative Information 5 Executive Members 6 The Aims and Objectives of ACA – Barnet 7 Our Services 8 Work experience for students / unemployed 10 Activities and Projects 2022 to 2023 11

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Chair’s Report 2022 to 2023

I am delighted to present the African Cultural Association's Annual Chairman's Report for the year 2022 to 2023. We are all glad and feeling confident that Covid 19 legal restrictions ended in February 2022 when the government announced the new Living with Covid guidance. It has been an incredible journey marked by tremendous growth, impactful initiatives, and closer engagement with our community. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the individuals, organizations, and partners who have supported our mission of promoting aims and objectives and empowering communities.

Over the past year, the African Cultural Association has strengthened its commitment to preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of Africa. We have strived to create a space that celebrates diversity, and inclusivity, and fosters mutual understanding. Our focus on community-driven initiatives has led to significant achievements and positive social change.

Our primary goal has always been to create positive change within Black and Ethnic communities, locally and globally. In alignment with this vision, we have initiated several projects to empower individuals and uplift communities. One notable initiative was the establishment of the "Skills for Life" program, which provided vocational training and entrepreneurship opportunities to Youn people. Through this program, we aimed to equip young individuals with practical skills to thrive in today's competitive job market.

The year 2022-2023 witnessed our Black History Month celebration showcasing African traditions' diversity and richness. The Black History Month event attracted a record number of participants, bringing together people from various walks of life. The 2022 Black History Month featured vibrant music, dance performances, art exhibitions, and culinary delights, providing a platform to showcase African talent and foster cultural exchange.

We firmly believe that collaboration is key to achieving sustainable impact. In the past year, we forged strategic partnerships with local businesses, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions to expand our reach and enhance the effectiveness of our programs. These collaborations enabled us to mobilize greater resources, share expertise, and amplify our collective impact.

Advocacy has been an integral part of our work, promoting the importance of BME, addressing social issues, and challenging stereotypes. We actively engaged with local and national authorities to advocate for policies that promote cultural diversity and inclusivity. Our awareness campaigns, both online and offline, have played a crucial role in dispelling stereotypes, fostering understanding, and nurturing a sense of pride in BME heritage.

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None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the generosity of our donors, sponsors, and dedicated members. I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to all those who contributed financially to support our initiative. As we step into the future, the African Cultural Association remains committed to its core mission. In the coming year, we aim to expand our outreach, strengthen partnerships, and launch new programs that empower BME communities. We will continue to promote cultural exchange, raise awareness, and advocate for the importance of embracing diversity.

In conclusion, the African Cultural Association's Annual Chairman's Report for 20222023 is a testament to our collective efforts towards creating a vibrant and united community. I am immensely proud of the achievements we have made together and look forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. Together, let us continue to celebrate the beauty of African culture and make a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve.

Imelda Toby

Chair

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The Management Committee presents its report for the year ended 31 March 2022

Reference and Administrative Information

Charity Name: African Cultural Association

Charity registration number: 1157721

UKPRN registration number 10047863

Registered Office and operational Address: 28 Church End, Hendon, London, NW4 4JX

Website: www.africanculturalassociation.net Email: [e-mail] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/African-Cultural-Association-Barnet Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/africanculturalassociation/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/AfricanCultura5

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AFRICAN CULTURAL ASSOCIATION AGM 23[RD] DECEMBER, 2022

Mrs. Imelda Toby Chair

Ms. Justina Gore Vice Chair

Mr. Ambrose Goldersmint Treasurer

Mrs. Hannah Boateng Secretary

• Mr. George Khoury

• Mr. Samuel Botchey

• Ms. Marcia Offei

• Ms. Lesley Daniels

Ms. Charlotte Boaitey

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Our Aims and objective:

• To advise and assist individual refugees and non-refugees in the areas of Welfare benefits, Housing, Immigration, Bereavement, Health and Education.

• To advance education and training for employment by the provision of nursery facilities for single parents.

• To advance education in African Culture, History and Language

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OUR SERVICES:

. Ensuring our work delivers our aims

We review our aims, objectives, and activities each year. This review looks at what we achieved and the outcomes of us in the previous 12 months. The review looks at the success of each activity and the benefits they have brought to those groups of people we are set to help. The review also helps us to ensure our aim, objectives and activities remain focused on our stated purposes.

How our activities provide public benefit.

We provide general advice, information, and training to assist unemployed, lowincome, disadvantaged, and vulnerable people. In particular, African/Caribbean/Ethnic Minority refugees and non-refugees who are in a condition of need, hardship, or distress, residing in London as well as other areas within the UK.

Most of our service users live in Barnet - Graham Park Estates, Colindale, Burnt Oak; Harrow – Kenton and Stanmore, Brent – Willesden, Harlesden, and surrounding areas of West Hendon wards. Most of our service users live in areas with the highest level of poverty and deprivation in London.

Who uses and benefits from our services ?

• Disadvantaged and vulnerable children and young people who are at risk of offending as well as at risk of anti-social behaviour aged 7yrs to 18yrs.

• People from Black and Ethnic Minority backgrounds

• Refugees and non-refugees Families aged 7 years to 70+ years.

• Disabled and mental health clients, some who have recovered from long-term illness and are lonely and isolated and going through difficulties of finding services available to them.

• Those seeking to gain skills or qualifications.

• The NEET groups.

• The unemployed low-income and disadvantaged living in areas with the highest level of poverty and deprivation in the Borough of Barnet and surrounding areas of London.

We organise adults/ female recreational and training activities, Youth Group/ Youth After School projects, cultural activities, festivals, and events – including the

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celebration of Black History Month every year in October. One of our core objectives is also to advance education in African culture, history, and language.

Skill Training

We are a registered UK learning provider. We provide skill training for young people and children aged 7 years to 18 years and Adults from 18 years to 70+ years from Mondays to Saturdays - 10.30 am to 3.30 pm - 5 days a week.

Training Courses are:

• Fashion-design.

• Dressmaking.

• Pattern Cutting.

• Accessories-Alteration/Mending techniques.

• Recycling & Upcycling – using Sustainable materials -Workshops.

• African Hair-Braiding/Weaving.

• Bag-Making and Hat Making / “Gele” (African Traditional Head Wrap).

• Crafts i.e., Cushions, Patchwork, Embroidery, Curtain making.

• Youth Projects and / Youth After School Variety of Activities.

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Volunteering / Work Experience at ACA:

The African Cultural Association recognizes the significance of practical experience in shaping students' career paths. Every year the Association work with colleges and students are referred to work with the Association to gain experience.

In addition to offering work experience, the African Cultural Association is committed to engaging unemployed individuals by providing meaningful volunteering opportunities. By dedicating their time to community-driven initiatives, these volunteers gain a sense of purpose, contribute to society, and develop valuable skills that enhance their employability prospects.

Through work experience placements, students gain exposure to real-life work scenarios, strengthening their industry-specific skills and enhancing their overall employability. These practical experiences broaden their understanding and application of concepts learned in the classroom, making them highly competitive in the job market.

Volunteering opportunities empower unemployed individuals by providing them with a sense of purpose and the opportunity to contribute their skills and talents to meaningful projects. This engagement helps build confidence, develop new skills, and opens doors to potential employment opportunities, breaking the cycle of unemployment.

Our effort in providing the above opportunities contributes to the personal and professional growth of the individuals involved but also fosters cultural integration and community development.

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– COVID AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS 2022 to 2023

We received Covis Awareness fund to work with residents in Harrow as well as Residents in Barnet.

Key areas of concern are:

Vaccine hesitancy and refusal to take COVID-19 vaccines. This is mostly due to vaccine misinformation on social media platforms, especially WhatsApp. Residents in the targeted areas were informed about the efficacy of

vaccines and given accurate information from Public Health England for them to make informed decisions on vaccine uptake.

Some with COVID-19 symptoms refuse to isolate for fear of losing their income. Most were on low-income cleaning jobs. Their jobs are typically unsecured, and they tend to use traditional medicines or medications from social media platforms. They were also not aware of Government assistance for those out of work. They refuse to accept they have symptoms, and some seek medical help when it’s too late. Others have immigration issues and are always scared of deportation so would always ride any sickness out without seeking medical help. This caused the death of some in our community.

Our project has been very effective and has made a significant impact on the residents we have engaged. Some of the impacts are small steps but overall, very important in our drive to raise the COVID-19 awareness to the BAME community. We have used surveys, Q&A interactive sessions during presentations, comments on social media, and face-to-face (COVID secure way) to reach out to residents.

YOUTH ENGAGEMENT 18-40

It was easier for the youth to engage their peers. Our youth volunteers who created their covid 19 video clips on social media, were able to encourage lots of youths to go and have their vaccines. Our youth volunteers showed them proof of their vaccinations which encouraged other youths to get their jabs.

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The young people related more to the young volunteers on the street distribution which increased the number of youths we engaged.

One youth we encountered near B&Q in Queensbury, said “I will get my jab to save my parents” He explained his neighbour’s son caught COVID-19 and unfortunately infected his parents who became seriously sick. He collected some flyers which he promised to give to his neighbours in their estate.

Covid 19 Awareness – Leaflet Distribution campaign.

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F UNDING FROM THE LOTTERY COMMUNITY FUND FROM 19[th] October 2021 TO JULY, 2022. Venue: Colindale Library, Graham Park and 28 Church End, Hendon.

The Project continued successfully till the end of July, 2022. Individual and community issues that really matter were tackled.

Issues such as access to social support, referrals on health matters including depression and stress; education and training including access to informal adult learning; personal and family sense of social exclusion exacerbated by the relative geographical isolation and lack of disposable income experienced by a large proportion

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of residents; lack of informal social support networks and opportunities for forming friendships; impact of an ageing population were all successfully met.

Project Venue: Canons Community Centre.

HARROW COMMUNITY FUND PROJECT

Description of activities undertaken with the funding.

We delivered social/educative skill activity to facilitate peer support and help to reduce loneliness, and isolation and enable participants to use their skills to gain employment, work from home, transfer skills to family and friends as well as keep lonely and old people active with healthy lifestyle activities. Over 20 people from ages 18 years to 80+ years joined the project. We were training participants in dressmaking, Crafts/ recycling cloths/alteration and mending old dresses or gowns. This enables them to acquire new skills and helps them to have an independent life. During the classes, participants interact, and share experiences as well as improve their communication skills.

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We were able to give general advice, information, and guidance to many of the participants/ learners who needed help, and some were referred and sign-posted to places to have their needs met.

Our Key Achievements:

Our key achievement is being able to get people from diverse backgrounds to take part in our activities. Most of them were very happy to have somewhere to go to and interact with others. This included communication which helps to broaden community development. The project encouraged ideas that build on the ideas of others. It promoted learning and brought people together to share their ideas. We were able to encourage the participants to personally achieve in their area of interest as regards the activity. A lot of them gained new skills and are happy to continue after this project ended mid-February, 2023

What is the impact of the Project on Harrow Residence:

• Improvement in mental health and well-being.

• Reduction in Social Isolation.

• Improvement in physical well-being including muscle strength, balance and flexibility.

• Providing stimulating opportunities for recreation and skill development and increasing participants' sense of self-worth.

• Reduction in health inequalities and/or improved access to health care for harder-to-reach communities.

• Improved provision of family, children, and young people health activities.

• Reduced demand on statutory services (GP, A&E etc.)

• New skills developed because of the funded project.

• Improved employability of our service users as a direct result of the funded project.

• Improved resilience.

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Fashion Dressmaking and Pattern Cutting Classes

The African Cultural Association provides skill training in Fashion, Craft Dressmaking and pattern construction in Barnet, Harrow and Brent and learners from all over London to gain skills from our training.

The African Cultural Association partners with Harrow Community Learning to facilitate the delivery of exciting, innovative, and engaging courses for Harrow Residents. We show our delivery directly targets the most hard-to-reach residents and is designed to; increase individual and community self-esteem, generate engagement, promote a sense of belonging and deliver fresh, innovative, inspirational and ambitious flexible opportunities to give learners greater knowledge and skills at the same time as linking their learning to current issues of concern such as the cost of living crisis, the need to radically improve reducing, recycling, reusing and meet the climate change challenge.

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BARNET COMMUNITY FUND PROJECT FROM 26[th] January 2022 to July, 2022.

Venue: 28 Church End, Hendon. London. NW4 4JX

Benefits of Project has proved positive outcome to participants.

The project gave recreation and skill development opportunities and increased participants' sense of self-worth.

• Participants, especially Mrs. RB 69 years old have openly mentioned that the project has Improved her health outcomes. Now she has made a lot of friends. She has been lonely since the pandemic.

• Benefits of the Project: A stepping-stone to qualification and skills for vulnerable people affected by depression since the long lock time due to the COVID-19 virus. -Reduction of mental health inequalities / improved access to mental health support for hard-to-reach groups and people.

• Improved opportunities for families impacted by the pandemic

• There was evidence that demonstrated that groups contributed to networking and developed products and practices shared within Barnet.

• -It helped cut down on hospital admissions.

• A Sustainable approach to inequalities established.

• Improved mental health crisis support leading to less intervention.

• Improved health outcomes for residents in areas with lower health results.

• Improve health and wellbeing outcomes of our local population.

• Improved health outcomes were achieved particularly for community disproportionately impacted by poor health outcomes.

• Our project offered a blend of classroom-based knowledge learning, practical training, one-to-one coaching, and visits to appropriate venues, including factories and stores.

• All learning sessions were planned, with robust, quality-assured schemes of work and lesson plans in use.

• A clear, objective initial assessment of learning needs, barriers and preferred learning styles leads to the creation of an Individual Learning Plan (ILP). The ILP sets out the ultimate learning goals and breaks these down into smaller milestones in order to measure and record achievements on the road to course completion.

• SMART goals were used, with a strong emphasis on measurability. The course was designed to help learners develop skills as well as their Craft-making ability.

• For instance, learners who wanted to become more self-confident were asked to score their current confidence levels out of ten during the initial assessment.

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• At the end of the project, the ILP (Individual Learning Plan) was fully updated and all learners received informal certification that clearly shows what competencies and knowledge they demonstrated.

• During the project learners were accessed to an adviser (African Cultural Association has been advising learners (IAG) on selective choices of career interests after achieving a good vocational skill, separate from their trainer, to provide pastoral support services, feedback on their progress and advice on any new support areas that have emerged.

• An onward progression plan was given - where advisers will support learners in preparing to make the next step, by furthering their skills by setting up a business or volunteering to teach or joining other learners to set up business enterprises.

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– BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Saturday, 22[nd] OCTOBER, 2022 Venue Colindale Library, Bristol Road, Colindale. London. NW9

We celebrated Black History Month at the Colindale Library in 22[nd] October, 2022.

The Aim of the Project: To educate the community both the young and the old unaware of different African traditional cultures of everyday life of West Africans – particularly those from Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, and Sierra Leone. The African Cultural Association works in partnership with Colindale Library, 7 Bristol Avenue, London. NW9 4BR.

The event activities start from 12 pm to 2 pm – Exhibition of display of books from African Writers and Authors; Display of Artifacts, Arts and Craft by African Artists and well-known African authors. African Natural Hair Braiding and Weaving Instructor illustrated the art of weaving and braiding to participants as follows:

• Gaining the skill of Braiding and Weaving African Natural Hair.

• Gaining the skill of Traditional Head Tie and Wrapping. “Gele”

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From: 2pm to 4 pm – African Drumming /Music and Dancing – Learn African Drumming and Dancing moves. From: 4pm to 5.00pm - Fashion Show of African Traditional Clothing being worn by models – Catwalk to showcase different African Fashion and Designs with African Music. The Project was advertised in the local new papers, social media, churches, Libraries, local BME Centres, and all Community Organisations were invited. Over 100+ people attended the event.

Participants enjoyed the event and looking forward to the 2023 Black History Celebration.

– BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENTS AFRICAN DRUMMING , MUSIC AND TEACHING DANCING MOVEMENTS.

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African Dancing Movements

Some of the Models at the Event

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AFRICAN CULTURAL ASSttIATK)N INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORTTO THE TRUSTt.ES ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF AFRICAN CULTURAL ￿￿O¢￿MON FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 M4RCH 2023 I rep)rt on the fin3￿JaI stwTwI of Ihe fof Ihe year ended 311thkn 2023. whKh are set oul on page 1. The chanty's tnjstees are reS￿nSIble the wepari¢m ol the financial S1ateff￿ts. The charity's t¢)Jstees that an a￿dIt is nol requre¢J forthis year UKler sedion 442) of the ChEs Act 1993 OIE 1993 Ad) and Ihat an irfkpendenl examinati)n is needed. tt is rrry ￿spOns￿lIty to: exarrine the fmantial 2teft￿rt under sedM)n 43 of the 1WJ AQ: to follow the F￿￿thUr¢S laKJ dcFn in the general Direc1t(￿S by the Charity CommissM)n under sedion 43(TXb) ofthe 1993 Aa: and to state whether partKular rnattu5 haNE come to nry attentr)n. My examination was carried out li accordarte with the general Dire(Xions gfr￿n by the Chariiy Commis5w)n. An ey2minalion indudes a remryew of the xcounting recor(Is ke0 by the ttjarrty and a comparson ofthe fina￿Ati1 s￿efflent we5ented with those recor(ts. It also u)dudes e£JnsklerattDn of any unusual ite￿￿ or d￿￿osureS in the ffftancAal sLitefint. arm1 seekiTrJ exFAanations from yw as tru#ees eonceming any suth matter5. The procEdures undertaken do not FfovKle all the evK1ence that would be requtred irt an a￿lft and fX)n5equenty no OFMnion i5 gI￿n as to whether the fthancial Statement wesert a aThJ fair Niew. ath1 the Irrited lo tI￿se r￿er$ set oul in the stslement below. In conneciion wlh my eyarni￿On, no matter has con to my att￿lon. (1) whi( gi¥s reasonat4e Ca￿ to befie that in arry ft￿1￿￿91 respe(A requements." to keep accountwu ￿CoTtIS in a￿[dance with se(lion 41 ofthe 1993 A&: aTr to wepare accounts whith acLord wlh the x(x)uNirKJ ￿￿]5 and conwy wkh Ihe accountiro requYeffnts ofthe 1993 Act ha￿ nol been met.. or (2) to whth. in my opinK)n. attefttM)n should be tha•m in (Yder lo enabk a ￿N]erSta￿J1nQ of the a(￿Unts to be reaeJd. Mrs Angela Masefjno 191 Br￿Ke1 ifyÈy. Chtqwel. Esse 3r(1 July 2023

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