Charity number: CE007600 Company number: 1167781
(England and Wales)
Mesopotamia
Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements
For the year ended 05 April 2021
Mesopotamia Contents Page For the year ended 05 April 2021
| Report of the Trustees | 1 to 2 |
|---|---|
| Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees | 3 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 4 |
| Statement of Financial Position | 5 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 6 to 7 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 8 |
Mesopotamia Report of the Trustees
For the year ended 05 April 2021
The Trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law, have pleasure in presenting their report and the financial statements for the charitable company for the year ended 05 April 2021. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
Mesopotamia is a UK-registered charity that works to provide relief from poverty and hardship worldwide. The Charity aims to support the vulnerable and allow them to rebuild their lives with dignity. Since its inception in 2015, the Charity has fed and clothed thousands provided access to medical care and helped vulnerable refugees in France, Greece and Turkey. While the Charity has several projects abroad, the Charity also provides support to many individuals in the UK. The main goal is to assist those in need, feed those who are hungry, and cloth those who are cold.
Mesopotamia believes the aid they offer should be available to all. This is why we strive to support those in hard-to-reach areas. From refugee camps in war zones to shelters in our local community, we offer assistance to individuals in need. We provide financial, emotional and psychological support for refugees, veterans, the young, the elderly, the hungry and the homeless. Mesopotamia team has in-depth knowledge and connections in the serving areas. This also helps to ensure that resources are delivered to those who need them most.
The trustees have considered the Charity Commision's guidance on public benefit, including the guidance 'public benefit: running a charity (PB2)'.
Volunteers
The Contribution made by volunteers throughout the year has been immense. The Charity is run entirely by volunteers with no paid staff members, so volunteers provide the means to carry out all of Mesopotamia's objectives. This year the value of the volunteers have been evident due to COVID restrictions on movement.
Our volunteers put themselves on the frontline tackling poverty within our neighbourhood and further afield. Whilst the country locked down, the volunteers at Mesopotamia stepped up, increasing their hours and their workload. The Charity has fed 400 people a whole week's worth of food each week, at its greatest, this increase to over 700 people. The Charity supports some of the most vulnerable people within the community and genuinely impact their wellbeing.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Significant activities
This year Mesopotamia has increased its work towards its objectives locally. The COVID pandemic has pushed a more significant proportion of people towards poverty. We have increased the charity projects we run, such as the food bank and clothing bank. We also started new initiatives to tackle the rising issue of lockdowns and isolation. Again those struggling financially were impacted more so due to the inability to fund their welfare. The impact that Covid has had on the need for education and healthcare were paramount when distributing aid and prioritising spending. The Charity has identified deficiencies in the UK and abroad for hygiene items and healthcare aid.
Achievements against objectives
Mesopotamia became one of the largest food banks in Nottinghamshire during this financial period. Our client grew as our network grew. We now take referrals from local authorities, social care, city council and local schools. We also had an increase of referrals from our local NHS Trust asking us to support those affected by poverty and impacted by COVID. Due to COVID restrictions, many foodbanks close their doors. Mesopotamia increased its food distribution and directly saved people from Hunger and food poverty. We brought the community together during this period. We valued people and made them feel less isolated. We focused on the core aims and objectives of the charity, preventing and relief of poverty. Due to travel restrictions, we focused our work on the UK and helping the local community in its time of need.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Significant events
COVID has hit hard, and during the year, the Charity has limited its fundraising and used most of the funds towards the local community Foodbank and spent some aid to Turkey to help refugees.
Going concern
The Charity is in the best position it has ever been. The Charity is now more established within the community and is more certain than ever that they are making a genuine difference in people's lives. COVID is still an uncertainty and has had an enormous effect on how we fundraise and operate. The help is needed more than ever, yet the charity shop has been unable to open its doors, so that income is uncertain in the coming months.
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Mesopotamia Report of the Trustees Continued For the year ended 05 April 2021
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
Mesopotamia is a Charity staffed entirely by volunteers. The Trustees, in general, play an active role in the running of the Charity. We work closely with other groups in the UK and abroad who share the same ethos, standards, and objectives as Mesopotamia. Although the Charity works closely with other groups in the UK and abroad, they are financially and structurally independent.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Name of Charity Mesopotamia Charity registration number CE007600 Company registration number 1167781 Principal address 557 Valley Road Nottingham NG5 1JE
Trustees
The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year end were as follows:
Alan Freestone Maureen Thomas Rachel Miller Ibrahim Oktay Emec Ian Smith Andrew Thomas Secretary Maureen Thomas Independent examiners WIM Consulting Ltd 12B High View Parade Woodford Avenue Ilford IG4 5EP
Approved by the Board of Trustees and signed on its behalf by
R Miller
............................................................................. 29 March 2022 Rachel Miller
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Mesopotamia Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees
For the year ended 05 April 2021
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charitable company for the year ended 05 April 2021.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity Trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiners statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or 4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
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.
Naveed Ikhlaq FCCA
WIM Consulting Ltd 12B High View Parade Woodford Avenue Ilford IG4 5EP
29 March 2022
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Mesopotamia
Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account) For the year ended 05 April 2021
| Notes Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies 2 Charitable activities 3 Total Expenditure on: Charitable activities 4/5 Total Net income/expenditure Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted funds £ 56,911 30,774 87,685 (66,834) (66,834) 20,851 20,851 |
Restricted funds £ 20,474 - 20,474 (20,474) (20,474) - - |
2021 £ 77,385 30,774 108,159 (87,308) (87,308) 20,851 20,851 |
2020 £ 23,892 - |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23,892 | ||||
| (23,705) | ||||
| (23,705) | ||||
| 187 | ||||
| 187 |
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1167781
Registered Number :
Mesopotamia Statement of Financial Position
As at 05 April 2021
| Notes | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Fixed assets | |||
| Intangible assets | 480 | 600 | |
| Tangible assets | 11,011 | - | |
| 11,491 | 600 | ||
| Current assets | |||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 22,168 | 994 | |
| 22,168 | 994 | ||
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | (1,800) | (585) | |
| Net current assets | 20,368 | 409 | |
| Total assets less current liabilities | 31,859 | 1,009 | |
| Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year | (10,000) | - | |
| Net assets | 21,859 | 1,009 | |
| The funds of the charity | |||
| Unrestricted income funds | 21,859 | 1,009 | |
| Total funds | 21,859 | 1,009 |
For the year ended 05 April 2021 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
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The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance
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with section 476,
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The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting
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records and the preparation of accounts. These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board and signed on its behalf by:
R Miller
Rachel Miller Trustee
29 March 2022
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Mesopotamia Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 05 April 2021
1. Accounting Policies
Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for investments which are included at market value and the revaluation of certain fixed assets and in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)’, Financial Reporting Standard 102 the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), and the Companies Act 2006.
Mesopotamia meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).
Going concern
The Charity is in the best position it has ever been. The Charity is now more established within the community and is more certain than ever that they are making a genuine difference in people's lives. COVID is still an uncertainty and has had an enormous effect on how we fundraise and operate. The help is needed more than ever, yet the charity shop has been unable to open its doors, so that income is uncertain in the coming months.
2. Income from donations and legacies
| Unrestricted | Restricted | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Donations received | - | 20,474 | 20,474 | 23,892 |
| Grants received | 46,511 | - | 46,511 | - |
| Donated goods and services | 10,400 | - | 10,400 | - |
| 56,911 | 20,474 | 77,385 | 23,892 |
3. Income from charitable activities
| 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | ||
| Charitable activities | ||
| Income from charitable | 30,774 | - |
| activities |
Donations received are for charitable causes as per Charity's mission statement to relieve poverty. The Charity has a shop and Cafe where free food is served, and donated goods are sold.
The Charity has received COVID Grants from the local council for both shops during the year based on the rateable value.
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Mesopotamia
Notes to the Financial Statements Continued
For the year ended 05 April 2021
4. Costs of charitable activities by fund type
| osts of charitable activities by fund type | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | 2021 | 2020 | |
| funds | funds | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Charitable activities | 65,034 | 20,474 | 85,508 | 23,705 |
| Support costs | 1,800 | - | 1,800 | - |
| 66,834 | 20,474 | 87,308 | 23,705 |
5. Costs of charitable activities by activity type
| 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Activities undertaken directly | ||
| Charitable activities | 85,508 | 23,705 |
| Governance fee | 1,800 | - |
| 87,308 | 23,705 |
6. Particulars of employees
| Volunteers | 2021 16 16 |
2020 16 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 |
7. Comparative for the Statement of Financial Activities
| Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies Total Expenditure on: Charitable activities Total Net income/expenditure Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted funds £ 5,855 5,855 (5,668) (5,668) 187 187 |
Restricted funds £ 18,037 18,037 (18,037) (18,037) - - |
2020 £ 23,892 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23,892 | |||
| (23,705) | |||
| (23,705) | |||
| 187 | |||
| 187 |
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Mesopotamia
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities For the year ended 05 April 2021
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENT Donations and legacies Donations Grants receivable Donated goods and services Charitable activities Income from charitable activities (Charitable activities) Total incoming resources EXPENDITURE Charitable activities Cost of direct charitable activity (Charitable activities) SUPPORT COSTS Governance costs Governance costs (Governance fee) Total resources expended Net Income |
£ 2021 20,474 46,511 10,400 77,385 30,774 30,774 108,159 (85,508) (85,508) (1,800) (1,800) (87,308) 20,851 |
£ 2020 23,892 - - |
|---|---|---|
| 23,892 - |
||
| - | ||
| 23,892 (23,705) |
||
| (23,705) - |
||
| - | ||
| (23,705) | ||
| 187 |
R Miller Signature: R Miller (Mar 29, 2022 15:28 GMT+1)
8 of 8 This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements