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← Swindon Hindu Temple Trust

2025-03-31-accounts

Swindon Hindu Temple Trust

(Charity Registration Number: 1158603)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

The Trustees present their annual report and Financial Accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The financial accounts have been prepared generally, in accordance with Accepted Accounting Practice .

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Charity Name : Swindon Hindu Temple Trust Charity Registration Number : 1158603 Website : www.swindonhindutemple.com Email : swindonhindutemple@gmail.com

Bankers : Barclays Bank

Board of Trustees

(who served during the year or up to the date of this report)

  1. Mrs Neetu Bhardwaj

  2. Mr Vinay Kumar

  3. Mr Ram Thiagarajah

  4. Mr Pradeep Bhardwaj

  5. Mrs Nirupama Satish

  6. Mr Suresha Gattapur

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing Document

Swindon Hindu Temple Trust is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered with the Charity Commission on 17[th] September 2014 under Charity Number 1158603. It is governed by a constitution/deed of trust last updated in Sep 2014.

Organisational Structure

The Charity Trustees are responsible for the general control, management and governance of the Charity. The Trustees give their time, skills and services freely and receive no remuneration or financial benefits.

The Trustees meet together as a body on a regular basis and are responsible for all decisions taken in relation to running the Trust and the community facilities and activities provided by the charity.

Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees

Seven (7) Trustees were appointed initially at the time of setting up the Trust in 2014. Currently there are six (6) Trustees. Appointment of Trustees was made taking into consideration their individuals’ skills, expertise, variety of backgrounds, past contributions, commitment and availability to undertake the Trust’s activities and duties. In selecting new trustees, we seek to identify people who have consistently demonstrated strategic leadership, vision & forward thinking, regularly contributed to the objectives of the Trust, attend events and functions organised by the charity and are willing to volunteer to help in our broader community work and main objectives of establishing and managing the Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre in Swindon. New trustees are appointed only after they have successfully demonstrated their eligibility, personal competence, contributions, commitment, availability, specialist knowledge and skills over a period of time. No new trustees were appointed in the reporting period. There were no resignations in the reporting period.

Induction and Training of Trustees

Following appointment, new Trustees are introduced to their role, the governing document, aims of the Trust, policies of the charity and the guidance from Charity Commission on charities and public benefit. This ensures that the new Trustees are aware of the scope of their responsibilities under the Charities Act. All Trustees are given induction training. The Trustees are also encouraged to undertake other training such as Basic First Aid Training.

Risk Management

The Trustees regularly assess the risks the charity faces, the nature of those risks, the likelihood of the risks occurring, and measures taken to manage them. The Trustees are satisfied that systems/arrangements are in place to manage the risks identified.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

Aim

The aims of the charity are set out in the charity’s deed of trust and summarised below:

To advance the Hindu faith in the Swindon area for the benefit of the public in particular through the holding of prayer meetings, lectures, public celebration of religious festivals. To build and manage a Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre in Swindon.

To provide facilities for religious, social and cultural activities for the use of the public with the objective of improving the conditions of life for all residents of Swindon and the neighbourhood by the provision, maintenance and management of a community/cultural centre.

Objectives

To promote Hindu Faith, its doctrines, its scriptures and practice Hindu beliefs through assembly, worship and discourse.

To establish, maintain and manage a Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre for religious, social, and cultural activities for the use of the public.

To offer facilities for religious functions and for performing religious rites (as per Hindu Faith) related to births, deaths and marriages for people of all faiths.

To provide a meeting place for Hindus and for others who are interested in Hinduism. To advance traditional Hindu cultural activities, religious studies & performing arts.

To provide facilities for and actively co-ordinate social care, social interaction, friendship and goodwill among people in the wider community.

To form a charitable and educational organization to promote social, cultural, religious principles and practice.

To conduct educational programmes for children as well as adults based on Hindu values and traditions.

PUBLIC BENEFIT

The objects of the Trust are the promotion of any charitable purposes for the benefit of all residents in the Borough of Swindon and any other exclusively charitable purposes which are in the opinion of the Trustees beneficial to the peoples of Swindon. The Trust offers facilities for religious, social and cultural activities for the use of the public and for thousands of Hindus in the region.

The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Aims and objectives and in planning future activities. The Trustees also confirm that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the Charity Commission's public benefit guidance when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant.

The charity carries out a wide range of activities in pursuance of its charitable aims. The Trustees consider that these activities provide benefits both to those who attend prayers/religious events and the wider community of Swindon. Detailed information is provided in the Activities and Achievements sections in this Report about how activities of the Trust further the charity’s purposes for the public benefit. The immediate identifiable benefits are (1) the value to those who regularly participate in the worship and other events of the charity and to the wider community of Swindon of the Trust’s work, and (2) how the facilities provided by the Trust are made available to Hindus and the faith of Hinduism is communicated to non-Hindus through its work and that any member of the wider community of Swindon can benefit from the Trust’s facilities, & social, cultural, community, charitable activities.

STRATEGIES ADOPTED

In order to carry out day to day activities of the of the Trust, several volunteers are identified with specific skill-sets required for the various activities. Swindon Hindu Temple & Cultural Centre continues to serves as the focal point within the region for all matters related to the Hindu faith and population in respect of their religious, cultural, social, community and charitable aspirations and endeavours.

ACTIVITIES

Since the Temple moved to the new premises at Regent House in Dec 2022, and then formally re-opened for the congregation on 12[th] Feb 2023, it has been a settling-in period for the Trust and the Temple at their new home. The Trust had to take a fresh look at the facilities it can provide at the new premises and also the different festivals, events, and activities it can host.

VARIOUS ACTIVITIES AT THE TEMPLE

Swindon Hindu Temple offers facilities for religious worship and observance to thousands of Hindus in the region on daily basis which by itself is a very onerous task but in addition, it also hosts a vast number of activities as part of its cultural, social & community, and charitable objectives.

As can be seen from above, the Temple is not just the ONLY Hindu Temple in Swindon and Wiltshire for thousands of Hindus in the region, it is also a thriving place for the community promoting community integration, social cohesion, health and wellbeing. The place boasts of one of the highest footfalls for any single venue in Swindon and Wiltshire throughout the year.

ACHIEVEMENTS

The Trust is constantly building upon the several milestones it has accomplished in the last few years. The Trust has a good visibility into the local community and the local government. The Trust has truly become the focal point of contact within the region for matters related to the Hindu faith and population. In addition to the regular congregation, the Trust has also

organised celebration of several Hindu festivals and important community events. The biggest achievement was to get back to offering the full range of facilities to the congregation as well as being able to host most of the festivals and activities after re-establishing the Temple at the new premises.

DAILY DARSHAN

Swindon Hindu Temple offers devotees the facility of daily darshan. Nitya puja is done twice daily for all 365 days of the year. Swindon Hindu Temple is one of the very few mandirs/temples in the United Kingdom to have Shree Jagannath ji, Mahalakshmi ji, Sri Venkateswara Balaji and Shri Murugan, alongside Shri Ganesh ji, Shri Ram darbar, Radha-Krishna ji, Durga Maa, Shiv Parivar, Shivling and Nandi ji, and Navgraha, giving the devotees a very unique religious provision and experience.

EVENTS /FESTIVALS

Since the re-opening of the Temple formally at the new premises, the Temple has now started hosting most of the diverse festival celebrations. Below are some of the festivals and events the Temple has hosted in the reporting period.

28[th] July 2024 Sri Srinivas Balaji Kalyanam

16[th] Sep 2024 Hosted RE visit by Wichelstowe Scouts & Cubs

3[rd] to 12[th] Oct 2024 Daily Navratri Puja & ceremonies at the Temple

4[th] , 5[th] and 11[th] Oct Navratri Garba at UTC Swindon

6[th] Oct 2024 Navratri Special Mata ki Chowki

6[th] Oct 2024 Navratri Bathukamma festival celebrations

12[th] Oct 2024 Dussehra

13[th] Oct 2024 Navratri Special Cultural Showcase programme

20[th] Oct 2024 Karwa Chauth festival

31[st] Oct 2024 Diwali festival, Lakshmi Puja, Chopda Pujan

2[nd] Nov 2024 Diwali Annakoot & Govardhan Puja festival

2[nd] Nov 2024 Hosted Swindon Interfaith Group for Interfaith Week celebrations

6[th] Nov 2024 Diwali festival celebrations at UK Parliament by Swindon Hindu Temple (1[st] such event for Hindus in Swindon)

21[st] Dec 2024 Health Awareness Day

28[th] Dec 2024 Christmas Care Food Buffet for Homeless Shelter

31[st] Dec 2024 Hanuman Chalisa and New Year Eve celebrations

11[th] Jan 2025 Swindon Ayyappa Puja

11[th] Jan and 12[th] Jan 2025 Two-days non-stop Akhand Ramayana Paath recitation – Swindon Hindu Temple was the only temple in the UK to observe this coinciding the consecration of the Shri Ram Dham temple in Ayodhya in India in 2024 and has since hosted the celebration to commemorate the occasion. Hundreds of devotees participated with utmost enthusiasm in the recitation and the festivities.

14[th] Jan 2025 Makar Sankranti & Pongal celebrations

18[th] Jan 2025 Hosted South Asian Performing Arts Centre (SAPAC) meeting at the Temple

26[th] Jan 2025 Republic Day of India celebrations

4[th] Feb 2025 Hosted RE visit by 1[st] Wroughton Cubs

9[th] Feb 2025 Hosted Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) Shibir

11[th] Feb 2025 Thaipusam festival

11[th] Feb 2025 NHS Free Blood Pressure Check & Health Awareness Day event

19[th] Feb 2025 Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti celebrations

26[th] Feb 2025 Maha Shivratri festival celebrations

26[th] Feb 2025 Maha Shivratri Spiritual Talk by Brahmakumaris

26[th] Feb 2025 NHS Free Blood Pressure Check

8[th] March 2025 International Women’s Day celebrations

14[th] March 2025 Holika Dahan festival celebrations

15[th] March 2025 Holi Festival of Colours celebrations

28[th] to 30[th] March 2025 Hosted “Darshana – Exhibition on Hindu Civilisation” at the Temple (1[st] of its kind in Swindon and Wiltshire)

29[th] March 2025 Hosted Spiritual Discourse & Bhavarth Hari Kirtan by Dr Shri Raghunathdas ji Maharaj from India

30[th] March 2025 Ugadi & Gudi Padwa festival celebrations (exquisite cuisine on banana leaf for hundreds of people)

As can be seen from such a long list of celebrations and activities above, the Temple is back again on its feet, after a very difficult time for the Temple and the entire community for past few years, with renewed energy and sense of purpose, serving the people and the town with full vigour and enthusiasm and celebrating all the festivals of diverse communities and traditions, bringing joy and devotion to thousands of Hindus in the region, in the true Sanatan Parampara and spirit.

CONTRIBUTION OF VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are an important and valuable resource in both our faith and community work. While the Trustees provide overall leadership and strategic long-term oversight for the Trust, the day-to-day activities of the Trust are mainly managed and run by a team of enthusiastic volunteers who strongly believe in the cause and offer full support to the Trust. Swindon Hindu Temple Trust is well known in the entire area for its charitable work and activities and the strength of its volunteers.

The volunteers not only support the activities of the Trust but are also involved in similar voluntary contributions in other community organisations and the wider community in Swindon in general. The volunteers are the heart and soul of the Temple and the Trust

formally records its immense gratitude and thanks to all the volunteers for devoting their time, efforts and support for the activities of the Trust.

The contribution of our volunteers was specially visible and felt in every possible way specially in part of the last reporting period and this year when they worked relentlessly to refurbish the Temple after its move to the new premises, and resuming the various activities that the Temple is so well known for.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

Total income for the financial year ending 31 March 2025 is £41,782.04. The Income is mainly generated by donations given to the Trust by its members and the general public. The Expenditure for the same period is £25,039.39. The main expenditure items include Service charges and insurance charges to the Council, utility charges, bank fees, consumables, disposables, puja material and groceries for events/festivals. Financial statement for the year 2024-2025 is submitted along with the Trustees Annual Report.

RESERVES POLICY

The Trust’s policy is to maintain unrestricted funds in the form of free reserves, at a level that equates to approximately 12 months of operational expenditure, to organise regular events/activities and to raise funds to facilitate the establishment of a permanent building or premises for Swindon Hindu Temple & Cultural Centre which can be used by community for generations. The balance of reserves at the end of 31 March 2025 is £231,292.62.

Approved by the Trustees and signed on its behalf by

Chairman

SWINDON HINDU TEMPLE TRUST INCOME & EXPENSES FOR 2024-2025

SWINDON HINDU TEMPLE TRUST
INCOME & EXPENSES FOR 2024-2025		 SWINDON HINDU TEMPLE TRUST
INCOME & EXPENSES FOR 2024-2025
(Registered Charity number : 1158603)
2024-2025 2023-2024
Cash and Cash Equivalents 1st April £214,549.97 £210,218.00
Income for the year £41,782.04 £29,637.73
Total £256,332.01 £239,855.73
Less: Expenses £25,039.39 £25,305.76
£231,292.62 £214,549.97
Unaccounted
£231,292.62 £214,549.97
Cash in hand
Cash at Bank £231,292.62 £214,549.97
Cash and Cash Equivalents 31st March £231,292.62 £214,549.97

Internal Communication: For internal partner use only.

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Swindon Hindu Temple Trust, Charitable Incorporated Organisation ('the CIO').

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the CIO for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the CIO you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act'). I report in respect of my examination of the CIO's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records.

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 order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

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Signed: Name: Rupa Khaitan

ACA (ICAEW)

Address: 7 Barrington Avenue, GL51 6TY

Date: 24/03/2026