2026-03-31-accounts - Kayd Somali Arts And Culture

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KAYD SOMALI ARTS AND CULTURE

ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026 COMPANY NUMBER: 06851116 CHARITY NUMBER: 1170441

2026

REGISTERED OFFICE: Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, London, England, E2 6HG

COMPANY NUMBER: 06851116

CHARITY NUMBER: 1170441

KAYD SOMALI ARTS AND CULTURE

DIRECTORS REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2026

KAYD SOMALI ARTS AND CULTURE

ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Trustees:	Prof Michael Walls
	Zahra Ahmed
	Bare Awgab Dagaal (resigned 23 January 2026 )
	Rashid Sheikh Abdullahi
	Dr Giulia Liberatore
	Abdul Mohamed
	Rhoda Ibrahim
	Prof Katherine Baxter (appointed 31/01/2026)
Company Number:	06851116
Charity Number:	1170441
Registered Office:	Oxford House
	Derbyshire Street
	London, England, E2 6HG
Bankers:	Barclays Bank
	240 Whitechapel Road
	London
	E1 1BJ
Independent Examiners:
	Lead Accounting Ltd
	43 Seiriol Road
	Bangor LL57 1AS

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

Kayd Somali Arts and Culture is a charity incorporated by Articles of Association.

Objectives and Activities

Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document:

To promote art, culture, and heritage, particularly (but not exclusively), Somali arts, culture and heritage, for the benefit of the public, including (without limitation), musical, literary, dramatic, performance, dance, and visual arts, particularly, but not exclusively, by organising and delivering arts and cultural events and festivals.
To advance the education of the public (particularly but not exclusively, in Somali heritage, culture and the arts), including (without limitation), musical, literary, dramatic, performance, dance and visual arts, particularly but not exclusively through workshops, debates, discussions and other educational programmes.
Also, to provide for the recreation of people involved and/or engaged in the activities of the Charity, by providing services and facilities to them in the interest of social welfare, with the objective of improving their conditions of life.

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.

Summer Programming

During Q1-2, we organized several events. The first was a climate change conference co-hosted with UCL’s Development Planning Unite (DPU) on 5-6 May. The first day of the event included an invite-only roundtable discussion on the theme of ‘water and knowledge’, featuring a diverse group of stakeholders who work on climate-change related activities in the Horn of Africa. The second day of the event featured a public panel on Climate Change in the Somali Horn, including a presentation by Somaliland’s Minister for the Environment.

In collaboration with Oxford House, we co-convened an Artists-in-Residency programme, which provided support to Maanta Theatre visual artist Awo Abdi. We provided support to Maanta to produce a new play, Between Two Worlds, which premiered at Oxford House on 1112 July to sold out crowds. We also supposed Awo to develop a new exhibition, Fortune Through Lineage, which launched in the Oxford House gallery on 12 September. As part of this programme, we also held a creative mixer event with writer Salma Ibrahim, who presented her debut novel Salutation Road at an event at Oxford House on 12 September.

Over the summer we also supported the production of Untold Stories, Part II, a documentary about Somalis in East London, produced by JanFirst productions and directed by Suher Sofi.

On 5 September, we also hosted an event in honour of Nuruddin Farah, who was awarded an honorary doctorate from SOAS in recognition of his literary contributions.

Somali Week Festival

From 17-26 October, Kayd hosted the 17[th] Annual Somali Week Festival. This year’s theme was ‘Resonate! Sounds of the Past, Voices of the Future’. We over-delivered against the festival’s targets, hosting 30 events across ten days at 8 venues across London, including the

British Library, SOAS, Oxford House, Rich Mix, Southbank Centre, Queen Mary University and Kiln Theatre. A record number of people (5,000+ attended), and many events sold out. The festival included the following:

Launch Event: The festival kicked off with a sold-out launch event at the British Library, featuring a panel of Somali creatives (filmmaker Warda Mohamed, and musicians Aar Maanta and Abdirahman Nasri) who reflected on the theme, plus a buraanbur performance by Canab Cuud and her three daughters.
Poetry & Literature: This year’s literary line-up included a mix of Somali-language events and events including: a book evening dedicated to Somali-language literature; a session on ‘Expanding the Somali Literary Canon’; a ‘Diasporic Voices’ panel featuring four Somali-British writers and their recently published work (Aamna Mohdin, Samatar Elmi, Muna Dahir Afrax and Salma Ibrahim); and a sold-out event organized as part of the London Literature Festival at the Southbank Centre titled ‘Celebrating British-Somali Poetry’, featuring Samatar Elmi, Warda Yassin, Elmi Ali and Yusra Warsam
Film: Our film line-up showcased a variety of new work by Somali filmmakers, including: A Village Next to Paradise, the debut feature-length film by Somali-Austrian filmmaker Mo Haware; an evening of short films, screened at Rich Mix featuring The Martyr (by Ahmed Abdillahi), Muna (by Warda Mohamed) and The Earth Has Ears (by Khader Ayderus Ahmed); and the premier of Untold Stories, Part II by Suher Sofi, screened at Oxford House
Theatre: We continued our work supporting young theatre practitioners this year by supporting new productions and providing space for newcomers to try out their work, including premiering the play Crush, written by Hadsan Mahamoud and produced by JanFirst Productions (shown twice to sold out crowds); hosting ‘scratch nights’ at New Diorama Theatre, featuring participants in a writing workshop for emerging writers organized by Side eYe; and hosting a panel titled ‘New Directions in Somali Theatre’, featuring Hadsan Mahamoud, Suher Sofi and Swedish playwright Rebecca Örtmann
Comedy, Storytelling & Visual Art: this year’s festival also featured several events that celebrated other forms of artistic expression, including: a comedy night headlined by award-winning Kenyan-Somali comedian Adan Abdi; an afternoon of children’s storytelling and entertainment, provided by Galool; a conversation between fashion promoter Asma Elmi and visual artist Awo Abdi about her exhibit ‘Fortune Through Lineage’
Panel Discussions & Networking: This year’s festival featured a series of panels on a range of pertinent sociopolitical and environmental themes, including: ‘Tech for Growth: Perspectives of Somalis in the Start-up Ecosystem’; ‘Somali Language and Generative AI’, featuring Dr. Peter Chonka, Said Salah and Mohamed Abdilmalik; taster session with ‘Abti Podcast’, featuring Ali Naji discussing the history and evolution of Somali Funk music; an event on climate forecasting in the Somali Horn, organized by the Somali-Anglo society; a workshop on sustainability organized by Somalis for Sustainability; a doublebilled ‘fostering inclusion’ event featuring Rachel Jones Pieh and four disability activists; back-to-back events at SOAS on issues related to Somali political processes (‘The Rise and Demise of Somali Nationalism’, by Ahmed and Abdi Samatar, and a panel on transitional justice process in the Somali region of Ethiopia, featuring Fowsia Abdulkadir, the Deputy Commissioner of Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State Truth and Reconciliation Commission); a networking event for Somali creatives, featuring the screening of Asma Kabedeh’s short film A Story Left Behind ; a networking event for Somaliland professionals
Final Concert: The festival concluded with a lively Final Beats concert during which a lifetime achievement award was also presented to Hibo Nuura, an extraordinary icon of Somali music. The evening featured performances by Nimco Deegan, Shukri Sha’ani, Abdiraxman Nasri, Nimco Yassin, Idil Barkhad and Farxiya Kaboyare, Axmed Samatar, Gayid, Salah Ahmed and Aar Maanta

Somali Week Express

In late October and early November, we organized Somali Week Express events at various cities across the UK, including:

Cardiff: New this year, we organized a two-day festival in Cardiff. One event took place at the Wales Millenium Centre on 9 October, and featured a panel discussion with British-Somali writers Aamna Mohdin and Samatar Elmi, followed by dance performances. The second event on 18 October was a full-day programme held at St. Fagan’s Museum, which included: a panel discussion on the Somali Village in colonial Bradford; children’s entertainment; an inter-generational conversation with elders from Red Sea House; performances by poetry workshop participants and their facilitator Cali Golyaad; a buraanbur performance by Canab Cuud; and musical performances by Abdirahman Nasri and Nimco Degan. Approximately 400 people attended. These events were supported by Arts Council Wales and St. Fagan’s Museum.
Sheffield: On 31 October we held an after/evening event at Israac Community Centre, featuring poetry by Buurmaax, a conversation with Said Salax, a short film by Asma Kabedeh, musical performances by Abdirahman Nasri and Nimco Degan.
Liverpool: On 8 November we held an afternoon/evening event at Pal Multicultural Centre, featuring a panel discussion with local athletes and creatives, a conversation about poetry with Said Salax, and musical performances by Abdirahman Nasri and Nimco Degan.
Bristol: On 25th of October, one of our visiting arts from America celebrated with the community, and different activities were held including book discussions

Following SWF, we held several additional events. On 7 November, we hosted a comedy night featuring visiting comedian Adan Abdi, alongside Prince Abdi. On 29 November, in response to strong audience demand we hosted a second community screening of Untold Stories, Part II, at Rich Mix. The event was attended by 180 people. On 5 December, we hosted a book launch with Dr. Nuur Hassan, a UK-based writer whose work explores themes of exile, faith and belonging. He launched his debut novel, My Name is Sahal.

Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit

Trustees have read, understood and have had regard to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guide when making decisions of Kayd’s activities, management and organisation.

Contribution made by volunteers

We were able to recruit 40 volunteers during Somali Week Festival 2024, who supported us in our events across London. We have also recruited 2 permanent volunteers to support the charity through the year.

Achievements and Performance

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.

This year marks the completion of our three-year National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) funding period, and we are pleased to have received a one-year extension from Arts Council England. In addition, we were successful in securing three-year core funding from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, for three years to support our core costs.

This milestone has enabled Kayd to reach a broader and more diverse audience, including members of marginalized communities who might not otherwise have access to Somali arts and culture. In 2025, we once again exceeded our targets for the Somali Week Festival and delivered a wide range of events for families and adult audiences throughout the year.

The funding from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation will also support the delivery of regional programmes during 2026–2027, further strengthening our impact and reach.

We have expanded the Somali Week Festival to multiple cities, including Leicester, Sheffield, Bristol, Liverpool, and Birmingham. In 2025, we were also able to extend our programme to Cardiff, with funding from Arts Council Wales.

We are particularly proud of the theatre groups we have worked with in recent years and are excited by their continued success beyond Kayd. In 2026, the play Crush will be featured at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and Dugsi Dayz is being adapted into a drama for the BBC.

In addition to our in-person audience, our Social Media and Marketing Coordinator worked hard this year to develop a strategy to expand our online audience, and to make Kayd a go-to source of Somali arts programming. Our YouTube channel grew from 34K to 51K subscribers in 2025, and the videos we upload regularly receive tens of thousands of views; one video from our Final Beats concert has received over 1 million views.

Partnerships :

Over the last few years, we have grown our partnerships beyond London to include some of the most prestigious institutions such as the Bristol Old Vic, Showroom in Sheffield and Unity Theatre in London, while strengthening newly developed partnerships at other venues outside of London (e.g. Birmingham Hippodrome). In 2025 we additionally worked with the Wales Millenium Centre and St Fagan’s Museum in Cardiff. We have worked with a combined 16 partners and venues to deliver our ambitious and expanded programme.

Fundraising :

Kayd was successful in raising funds in support of our program and activities through Arts Council England; Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Tower Hamlets, Kilfinan, Gecko Foundation, SOAS/UCL, SAAFI, community, and partners sponsorship including Dahabshiil.

Advancing Overall Objectives:

Kayd’s objectives are to promote art, culture and heritage; to advance the education of the public; and also, to provide for the recreation of people involved and/or engaged in the activities of the Charity.

We met the achievements set against these objectives through the following:

We have promoted arts, culture and heritage through the delivery of the SWF, Somali Week Express, the Artists-in-Residency programme, as well as holding several other events in the summer of 2025 and in November/December 2025.

To advance the education of the public, we:

Supported the making and screening of a new documentary film, Untold Stories, Part II
Hosted several roundtable discussions as part of SWF, including events at SOAS
Organized a two-day conference on climate change in the Somali Horn, in partnership with UCL
Further promoted our online presence, and made Somali cultural content accessible to a wider audience

We provided recreation for people via our many events during SWF and Somali Week express (including music concerts, poetry readings, stand-up comedy), events geared towards children and families, and hosting additional events throughout the year, such as comedy events, book launches and film screenings.

Financial Review

The Total income for the year was £352,870 (2025: £329,696) and the total expenditure for the year was £351,458 (2024: £313,236). The surplus for the year was £1,412.

The reserves balance is the surplus for the year added to the surplus of previous years. The reserve helps for spending in the future. During this year, the increase in surplus arose because of increase in unrestricted income as an effect of new donors such as Paul Hamlyn Foundation, sponsors, and partners.

The balance of reserves held is £44,644 (2025: £43,232)

There are no uncertainties in relation to the charity continuing as a going concern.

The principal source of funding is from Arts Council of England, Paul Hamlyn Foundation and other sponsorship grants and donations.

A description of the principal risks facing the charity

Just like any other charity in the sector, there is always risk of losing income. However, most of the donors and sponsors have shown their commitment in the past. In addition, Kayd confirms sponsor commitment before commencing operation each year.

Structure, Governance and Management

Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter): Articles of Association How is the charity constituted? (e.g. unincorporated association, CIO):

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: Trustees are selected by the Managing Director and Artistic Director in agreement with existing trustees and in accordance with Articles 25-27 (Kayd Articles of Association).

Relationship with any related parties

Kayd works closely with Somali community across the country, and venues to advance our charitable aims.

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees፡

16-05-2026 | 11:08 BST Signature: _____ Prof Michael Walls Full name: _______ Position: Chair

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of KAYD Somali Art & Culture

I report on the accounts of the charity for year ended 31 March 2026, which are set out on pages 13 to 16.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:

examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act;
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145 (5)(b) of the Charities Act; and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner's report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: 1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect, the requirements:

to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities have not been met; or
2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

……………………………………………

30 April 2026 Date…………………………

Lead Accounting Ltd

43 Seiriol Road, Bangor LL57 1AS

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES	STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES	STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES	STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES	STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES	STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
	Notes	Unrestricte d Funds	Restricted Funds	2026 TOTAL	2025 TOTAL
		£	£	£	£
Income
Grants and Donations	1	281,278	71,592	352,870	329,683
Bank interest income	2				13
Total Income		281,278	71,592	352,870	329,696

Expenditure	3
Raising funds		10,200	-	10,200	10,200
Charitable Activities		269,666	71,592	341,258	303,036
Total Expenditure		279,866	71,592	351,458	313,236

Operating surplus/(deficit)		!"#!$	!	!"#!$	!"#$"%
Total Funds Brought Forward		43,232	-	!"#$"$	26,772
Total Funds Carried Forward		44,644	-	44,644	43,232

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities and there are no gains and losses other than those passing through the Statement of Financial Activities.

!"# $%&#' %$ ()*#' +, &% +- .%/0 ()/& %. &"#'# F1$)$21)3 S&)&#0#$&'4

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2026

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2026
	Notes	2026	2025
		£	£
CURRENT ASSETS Debtors Prepayments Cash in bank Less: Current Liabilities due in less than one year NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS TOTAL LIABILITIES Funds Balance Brought Forward Surplus/(Deficit) Total Funds	4 5	3,333 8,299 74,517	587 9,830 41,020
		86,149	51,437
		41,505	8,205
		41,505	8,205
		44,644	43,232
		44,644	43,232
		43,232 1,412	26,772 16,460
		44,644	43,232

For the year ended 31 March 2026 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Directors' responsibilities:

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small company regime.

The accounts were approved by the Trustees on 30 April 2026 and signed on their behalf by

16-05-2026 | 11:08 BST ______ Michael Walls Chair of Trustees

The notes on pages 13 to 14 form part of these Financial Statements.

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparation of financial statements

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities effective April 2008.

Turnover

Income comprises donations and grants received towards the activities of the company.

1. TURNOVER

The company’s entire income arose within the United Kingdom. The sources of income were partnerships, sponsorships and donations from institutions and individuals. The table below shows the breakdown of income for the year by the source:

Schedule of Income

Income from: Grants, Donations, Sponsorship, partnership and activity
	2026			2025
	Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds		Total	Total
	£ £		£	£
Grants Income Art Council England The Gecko Foundation London Borough of Tower Hamlet Paul Hamlyn Foundation Sub-total Donation & Sponsorship Income Dahabshiil The Kilifanan Trust HATS Vogue Oasis Care Megan Taxi Care Solutions The Salisbury Pool Women Inclusive Team Excel Women Others Sub-total Sponsorship & Partnership Income The Oxford House London Borough of Tower Hamlet University of SOAS University of Manchester Sub-total Activity income Others Sub-total Total Income !"# $%&'() +,-. !/,. 0%&'1,#)%' 2)3, 4#1 5,#)%', 2&.-&/ %6 +,*-.	152,415 15,000 - 58,417	- - 22,500	152,415 15,000 22,500 58,417	150,000 15,000 25,920
	225,832	22,500	248,332	190,920
	- - 1,000 - 10,000 10,000 - - - - 3,000 1,000 1,000 - 4,188	- - - - - - - !"#""" !"#""" - 3,000	10,000 10,000 1,000 3,000 10,000 10,000 - - - - 3,000 1,000 1,000 - 4,188	- - - - 11,000 10,000 20,000 40,682 5,000 5,000 3,000 2,500 1,000 1,000 2,000
	30,188	23,000	53,188	101,182
	- - - -	18,759 - 4,000 3,333	18,759 - 4,000 3,333	- - 1,600 13,528 -
	-	26,092	26,092	15,128
	25,258	-	25,258	22,453
	25,258	-	25,258	22,453

	281,278	71,592	352,870	329,683

2. Investment income

Bank interest income Total	2026 2025	2026 2025	2026 2025	2026 2025
	£ -	£ -	£ -	£ !"
	-	-	-	12

3. Expenditure

Expenditure
Description	Unrestricted Fund Restricted Funds		2026 TOTAL	2025 TOTAL
	£ £		£	£
Staff salary Temporary staff & consultancy Cost of generating funds General Office Expenses Marketing, documentation and publicity Artists and Events Venue Hire Volunteers Expenses Organisation Development Insurance Bank Charges Total Expenditure	90,327 7,833 17,019 6,809 10,200 - 23,842 - 9,912 3,117 98,999 47,909 22,105 4,674 2,476 1,250 3,577 - 1,307 - 102 -		98,160 23,828 10,200 23,842 13,029 26,779 3,726 3,577 1,307 102 146,908	83,058 21,358 10,200 27,388 12,027 130,778 23,254 1,200 2,555 1,234 184
	279,866	71,592	351,458	313,236

4. Debtors

Creditors Accrued income Prepayments Total	2026 2025 £ £ 3,333 587 8,299 - 11,632 587	2026 2025 £ £ 3,333 587 8,299 - 11,632 587
	2026	2025
	£	£
*Falling due within one year*
PAYE & NI	-	5,285
Accruals	3,922	1,920
Deferred Income	37,583	1,000
Total	41,505	8,205

5. Creditors

6. Related Party Transactions

There were no related party transactions for the year.

6. Trustees Expenses

The total trustees’ expenses incurred on the trustees of the charity for the year was NIL.