CHARITY (OMMISSION
FOR ENGLANO ANO WALES
Independent examiner's report on the
accounts
Section A
Independent Examinerfs Report
Report to the trustees
Telford African and Afro-caribbean Resource Centre (TAARC)
On accounts for the year
ended
31S1 April 2023
Charlty no
lif anyl
1171645
Set out on pages
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above
charity ('Ihe Trust.) for the yéar ended 3110412023.
Responslbllltles and
basis of report
As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the
accounts in accordance with the rèquirements of the Charities Act 2011
("the Act").
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out
under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I
have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission
under section 14515)(bl of the Act.
Independent I have completed my examination. I confim that no material matters have
examiner's statement come to my attention in wnneclion with the examination which gives me
cause to believe that in, any material respect..
the accounting records were not kept in accordan with section 130
of the Charities Act., or
the accounts did not accord wilh the accounting records.. or
the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements
concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities
(Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement
that the account5 give a ttrue and fair. view which is not a matter
considered as part of an independent examination.
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 ofthe accounts to be reached.
Slgned:
Date".
28° February 2024
Name:
Mrs Jacqueline Lewis (Counsellor for the Church of England)
Relevant professional
qualrfi¢ation{s) or body
lif any):
Not Applicable
Addrèss:
28 Leegomery Road, Wellington, Telford. Shropshire TF13BP
IER
Oct 2018
## Telford African and Afro-Caribbean Resource Centre (TAARC)
Accounts 1[st] May 2022 – 30[th] April 2023
TAARC, a registered charity since 2017, is committed to serving the local community of Telford and Wrekin (T&W). Our activities and events directly serve children, young people, adults, and the elderly, as well as delivery to the T&W social value and local agenda. One of our chief aims is to raise awareness about African and Afro-
Caribbean history and culture through hosting social events, sitting on community and advisory panels, and conducting seminars, mentorship and workshops in schools. In so doing, we foster greater harmony within an increasingly diverse T&W, while improving community cohesion.
TAARC has developed and established relationships, working in partnership with various businesses, organisations and community providers, including:
- Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin
- All Saints Parish Church
- Asda Donnington
- Avara Foods
- Bayfield Vehicle Hire
- Energize Shropshire
- Hadley Methodist Church
- Keele University
- Mitie
- Morrisons Wellington
- NHS Community Engagement Facilitator
- Police Crime Commissioner
- Telford Elim Community Church
- Telford & Wrekin Council
- Telford & Wrekin Interfaith Council
- Telford & Wrekin Multicultural Development Team (MDT)
- The Wellington Orbit
- Seldom Heard Voices Forum
- Wellington Community Art Gallery (WelliArt)
- West Mercia Police
- Windrush Exhibition Telford & Wrekin
These established relationships have enabled TAARC to play a pivotal role in community cohesion, participation and integration.
TAARC is a voluntary-based charitable organisation with no paid employees.
Our statement of income and expenditure is displayed in the charts and graph overleaf.
1
**Balance Brought Forward: 1[st] May 2021 - 30[th] April 2022 = 4,320.42**
|**MONTH**
**INCOME**
**EXPENDITURE**
**BALANCE**|**MONTH**
**INCOME**
**EXPENDITURE**
**BALANCE**|**MONTH**
**INCOME**
**EXPENDITURE**
**BALANCE**|**MONTH**
**INCOME**
**EXPENDITURE**
**BALANCE**|
|---|---|---|---|
|**May 2022**|1,428.00|1,535.09|4,213.33|
|**B/F 4,213.33**||||
|**Jun 2022**|471.68|1,875.64|2,809.37|
|**B/F 2,809.37**||||
|**Jul 2022**|6,148.67|5,232.90|3,725.14|
|**B/F 3,725.14**||||
|**Aug 2022**|493.18|2,641.19|1,577.13|
|**B/F 1,577.13**||||
|**Sept 2022**|62.00|1,359.58|279.55|
|**B/F 279.55**||||
|**Oct 2022**|4,390.75|2,954.15|1,716.15|
|**B/F 1,716.15**||||
|**Nov 2022**|6,486.83|5,056.31|3,146.67|
|**B/F 3,146.67**||||
|**Dec 2022**|782.00|2,467.01|1,461.66|
|**B/F 1,461.66**||||
|**Jan 2023**|2,221.06|2,460.39|1,222.33|
|**B/F 1,222.33**||||
|**Feb 2023**|569.13|1,025.77|765.69|
|**B/F 765.69**||||
|**Mar 2023**|1,448.36|2,130.81|83.24|
|**B/F 83.24**||||
|**Apr 2023**|2,163.10|660.35|1,585.99|
|**B/F 1,585.99**||||
2
## **Balance: 1[st] May 2022 - 30[th] April 2023 = 1,585.99**
|**Summary**
**1st May 2022 – 30th April 2023**|**Summary**
**1st May 2022 – 30th April 2023**|**Balance Brought**
**Forward**|**4,320.42**|
|---|---|---|---|
|**Grants**|13,679.57|Total Income|+
26,664.76|
|**Fundraising**|5,479.41|||
|**Gifts / Donations /**
**Activities**|6,465.78|||
|**School Assembly /**
**Bespoke**
**Workshops **|1040.00|||
||||=
30,985.18|
|**Total Expenditure**|||-
29,399.19|
|**Balance**|||**=**
**1,585.99**|
**----- Start of picture text -----**
TAARC Income & Expenditure 2022 -2023
7,000.00
6,000.00
5,000.00
4,000.00
3,000.00
2,000.00
1,000.00
0.00
INCOME EXPENDITURE
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Year in Review**
TAARC has had another successful year reaching the community and delivering new and exciting activities, plus our well-loved, regular weekly, monthly and annual events.
3
With grant funding from organisations such as Energize Shropshire, we were able to continue our Football in the Community, plus start new activities such as Netball in the Community, Seated Exercise for the elderly and offer physical activity courses to the community.
We also successfully applied for T&W Council grants which started projects such as our Open Kitchen – teaching families to cook healthy meals on a budget, Warm Winter Hub – respite for the elderly during the winter season, where they enjoyed social engagement, a hot lunch, music, games and activities; plus, Health Inequalities Projects which included courses below:
- Walk Leader Training
- Level 2 Fitness Training
- Mental Health First Aid and Making Every Contact Count (MECC) Training
- Health Champion Volunteer Training
-
- Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
Members of the community were engaged in these projects and benefitted greatly with new skills, qualifications and certificates, and are now well placed to support TAARC, other organisations and businesses with their achievements.
## **2022**
It was an extremely busy year and TAARC honours supporters, sponsors and volunteers for their continuous support.
It was a wonderful day at Southwater Square in Telford Town Centre at the **Love Telford** event, where we saw a remarkable number of people visiting our food and information stand – many enjoyed our delicious jerk chicken. The day was filled with food stands from different cultures, music, entertainment, dancing, and spectacular performances.
At **Telford & Wrekin Stronger Safer** event, we were among many organisations that were able to showcase their group’s activities and engaged in much networking.
At our annual **Family Fun Day, we celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and Windrush Day** where hundreds from multiple ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds came out on a gloriously sunny day to celebrate.
We commemorated **Jamaica’s 60[th] years of independence at Telford Carnival** . Another fantastic day with an array of food, music, entertainment and festivity.
In celebration of **Black History Month (BHM)** and in collaboration with T&W Council we hosted a private screening of the film ‘The Woman King’ – a sold out
4
event with a fantastic atmosphere. We continued the celebration with our annual BHM event including 2 days of the Windrush generation exhibition by Windrush Exhibition Telford & Wrekin, showcasing the history of the Windrush generation that settled in Telford and Wrekin. We presented and delivered our BHM workshops in schools, alongside T&W MDT, reaching a record breaking of 5,000 students.
At Christmas, we were given **food hampers** and food items that we gifted to families in the community. We were also given the opportunity to join with Telford Makerspace team donating awesome toys to children in Princess Royal Hospital. Our annual **Christmas Dinner and Dance** was the culmination of all that we achieved throughout the year and the evening was made even more special with the honouring of our volunteers.
## **2023**
We continued with our weekly Football and Netball in the Community. We have also continued with our monthly Over 60s social which includes a one-hour session of seated exercise, lunch, and games with fun and laughter. Open Kitchen continued as well, with increased numbers and included families cooking together. Weekly Warm Winter Hub continued to be well attended and we had to extend the project because of its popularity. For International Women’s Day, our theme was #EmbraceEquity. Although it had snowed, the ladies came out and we enjoyed the evening being serenaded in song after a talk; delicious nibbles were served, and games played.
TAARC’s ability to host these events successfully, year after year, show our sustainability, tenacity, and our commitment to our vision in showcasing the best in African and Afro-Caribbean cultures, while supporting the needs of our community.
## **Community Groups**
TAARC sits on the panel of a multi-organisation focus group which includes Telford & Wrekin Council, Telford & Wrekin Interfaith Council, Age UK Shropshire T&W and West Mercia, encouraging diversity, and tackling current and past racial issues in the community.
We are a member Age UK Shropshire T&W, and our Chair Natalie Headley also sits on their Board of Trustees. Our Chair is also one of the founders of Seldom Heard Voices Forum, addressing inequalities in the health sector. We are also members of Telford & Wrekin Interfaith Council which supports the wider community.
## **Our Intended Activities and Annual Events:**
**International Women’s Day** – an annual celebration focussing on the critical and diverse role of women in our community, collaborating with several multicultural groups.
– **Windrush Day** An annual celebration on the commemorative anniversary of the docking of the HMT Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks on the 22[nd] June 1948 – an
5
impactful time in history when many came from the Caribbean to live and work in the UK, to help rebuild after World War II.
**Family Fun Day** – Annual summer family fun day event for the local community. **Black History Month** – This incorporated local Nursery, Primary and Secondary schools engaging in interactive learning on the importance of Black History as well as our annual Black History Month celebration event.
**Christmas Party** – Annual dinner and dance, honouring our volunteers and members in the community.
**Football in the Community** – Weekly 5-a-side indoor football with young men from the age 16 years to 30+. Many attend for keeping fit, losing weight, friendship and for the love of football. They also receive informal life coaching and mentorship. **Netball in the Community** – Weekly indoor netball for women, age 16+. Many are beginners, enjoying learning with fun and laughter.
**Over 60s Social** – Monthly get together, targeting the Windrush generation and their friends. Activities include seated exercise, games, laughter and fun, plus a hot lunch.
**Youth club** – We have partnered with Telford Elim Community Church (TECC) youth club, Limitless Telford, catering to youth aged 11 to 16 years. TECC youth pastors now oversees the running of the sessions. This has enabled us to stay communityfocussed reaching a wider audience of young people in the community. This is an ongoing, well-established weekly activity.
**Open Kitchen** – Monthly session teaching families how to cook healthy meals on a budget.
**Coming soon** – Weekly seated exercise for the over 60s.
## **Finance - Funding, Donations and Grants**
Funding for 2022 - 2023 financial year has been received from a number of sources including:
- ASDA Donnington
- Energize Shropshire
- NHS/Keele University
- Telford & Wrekin Council
- West Mercia Police
- Donations from individuals in the community
Funding also received for bespoke workshops in schools throughout the year. There are no financial debts associated with the charity.
## **Report Prepared by:**
**Heather Reid (Finance Officer) and Natalie Headley (Chair) Telford African and Afro-Caribbean Resource Centre (TAARC) 23[rd] February 2024**
6