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2025-03-31-accounts

Charity Registration No. 1179022 (England and Wales)

GUINEAN COMMUNITY OF BIRMINGHAM AND THE WEST MIDLANDS ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

GUINEAN COMMUNITY OF BIRMINGHAM AND THE WEST MIDLANDS ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS CONTENTS

Page
Charity information 3
Trustees' report 4
Accountants' report 6
Statement of income and retained earnings 7
Statement of financial position 8
Notes to the accounts 9
Independent Examiner Report 11

GUINEAN COMMUNITY OF BIRMINGHAM AND THE WEST MIDLANDS CHARITY INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Trustees Fatoumata Binta Diallo Abdoulai Bah Amadou Bah Mohamed Aliou Alpha Sow Kadiatou Diallo Chadia Diallo Safiatou Diallo Charity Number 1179022 (England and Wales) Registered Office MALIN STREET SMETHWICK BIRMINGHAM WEST MIDLANDS B66 1 QZ UK Accountants Accountae Ltd 3 The Quadrant Warwick Road Coventry CV1 2DY

GUINEAN COMMUNITY OF BIRMINGHAM AND THE WEST MIDLANDS (CHARITY NO: 1179022 ENGLAND AND WALES) TRUSTEES' REPORT

The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Principal activity

1. Achievements and Performance

This year marks a significant milestone in the development and sustainability of our charity. In a landmark achievement, the charity purchased a church building at auction for £300,000. This property acquisition represents a strategic investment in our long-term vision to create a vibrant, multi-purpose Community Centre that will serve as a hub for educational, cultural, and social activities. We are now in the planning and development phase of the renovation project, with estimated costs ranging between £200,000 to £300,000. Once completed, the Community Centre will house classrooms, event spaces, offices, and community support facilities that will directly benefit members of the Guinean and wider communities, as well as local residents from all backgrounds. This project is a testament to our commitment to growth, self-sufficiency, and community-led development.

2. Financial Review

The purchase of the new property was a significant financial undertaking. The charity funded this acquisition through a combination of community donations and financial reserves. The trustees are currently exploring additional funding sources and grant opportunities to support the renovation phase.

Despite the scale of this investment, the charity remains in a financially stable position and has continued to meet its ongoing obligations. Fundraising and donor engagement efforts have been intensified in light of the upcoming capital project, and early response from the community has been encouraging.

A full statement of our financial activities, including balance sheet and notes to the accounts, is provided in the acCharitying financial report.

3. Structure, Governance and Management

The charity is governed by a board of trustees, currently comprising 7 members, who are responsible for the strategic direction and governance of the organisation. Trustees are appointed in accordance with the charity’s constitution and are committed to upholding the charity’s values and objectives.

The day-to-day operations are supported by a team of volunteers, with oversight from the board. Strategic decisions—particularly concerning capital investments, programme development and partnership working—are taken collectively by the trustees. The charity complies fully with the governance requirements of the Charity Commission and maintains appropriate risk management and financial control procedures.

4. Plans for the Future

We also aim to expand our educational and cultural initiatives, including language classes, citizenship preparation courses, youth mentoring schemes, and cultural events that highlight the Guinean heritage.

5. Acknowledgements

We are deeply grateful to all our supporters, donors, volunteers, and community partners who have stood with us during this transformative year. The trustees would also like to thank the members of the Guinean community for their unwavering commitment and resilience.

Together, we look forward to building a lasting legacy that uplifts and empowers generations to come.

The following Trustees held office during the whole of the period:

Fatoumata Binta Diallo Abdoulai Bah Amadou Bah Mohamed Aliou Alpha Sow Kadiatou Diallo Chadia Diallo Safiatou Diallo

Statement of Trustees' responsibilities

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the report and accounts in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year. Under that law, the Trustees have elected to prepare the accounts in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under Charity law the Trustees must not approve the accounts unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the profit or loss of the Charity for that period. In preparing these accounts, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Small Company provisions

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

Signed on behalf of the board of Trustees

............................................................................

Abdoulai Bah Trustee

Approved by the board on: 18 April 2025

CHARTERED CERTIFIED ACCOUNTANTS' REPORT TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON THE PREPARATION OF THE STATUTORY ACCOUNTS OF GUINEAN COMMUNITY OF BIRMINGHAM AND THE WEST MIDLANDS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

In order to assist you to fulfil your duties under the Companies Act 2006, we have prepared for your approval the accounts of GUINEAN COMMUNITY OF BIRMINGHAM AND THE WEST MIDLANDS for the year ended 31 March 2025 as set out on pages 7 - 10 from the Charity's accounting records and from information and explanations you have given us.

As a practising member firm of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, we are subject to its ethical and other professional requirements which are detailed at https://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/about-us/regulation/rulebook.html

This report is made solely to the Board of Trustees of GUINEAN COMMUNITY OF BIRMINGHAM AND THE WEST MIDLANDS, as a body, in accordance with the terms of our engagement letter dated 30 April 2022. Our work has been undertaken solely to prepare for your approval the accounts of GUINEAN COMMUNITY OF BIRMINGHAM AND THE WEST MIDLANDS and state those matters that we have agreed to state to the Board of Trustees of GUINEAN COMMUNITY OF BIRMINGHAM AND THE WEST MIDLANDS, as a body, in this report in accordance with the requirements of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants as detailed at http://www.accaglobal.com/content/dam/ACCA_Global/Technical/fact/technical-factsheet-163.pdf. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than GUINEAN COMMUNITY OF BIRMINGHAM AND THE WEST MIDLANDS and its Board of Trustees as a body for our work or for this report.

It is your duty to ensure that GUINEAN COMMUNITY OF BIRMINGHAM AND THE WEST MIDLANDS has kept adequate accounting records and to prepare statutory accounts that give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of GUINEAN COMMUNITY OF BIRMINGHAM AND THE WEST MIDLANDS. You consider that GUINEAN COMMUNITY OF BIRMINGHAM AND THE WEST MIDLANDS is exempt from the statutory audit requirement for the year.

We have not been instructed to carry out an audit or a review of the accounts of GUINEAN COMMUNITY OF BIRMINGHAM AND THE WEST MIDLANDS. For this reason, we have not verified the accuracy or completeness of the accounting records or information and explanations you have given to us and we do not, therefore, express any opinion on the statutory accounts.

Accountae Ltd Chartered Certified Accountants

3 The Quadrant Warwick Road Coventry CV1 2DY

20 April 2025

GUINEAN COMMUNITY OF BIRMINGHAM AND THE WEST MIDLANDS STATEMENT OF INCOME AND RETAINED EARNINGS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Turnover
Charitable Activities
Gross profit
Administrative expenses
Other operating income
Operating profit
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation
Profit for the financial year
Total Funds at the start of the year
Funds for the financial year
Total Funds at the end of the year		 2025
£
205,077
(9,220)
195,857
(40,321)
3,064
158,600
158,600
-
158,600
146,907
158,600
-
305,507		 2024
£
110,187
(6,239)
103,948
(49,535)
-
54,413
54,413
-
54,413
92,494
54,413
-
146,907

GUINEAN COMMUNITY OF BIRMINGHAM AND THE WEST MIDLANDS STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 31 MARCH 2025

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
4
Current assets
Current Assets
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
5
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
6
Net assets
Capital and reserves
Total Funds brought forward
Total funds		 2025
£
285,736

121,627
(31,856)
89,771
375,507
(70,000)
305,507
305,507
305,507		 2024
£
981
145,926
-
145,926
146,907
-
146,907
146,907
146,907

For the year ending 31 March 2025 the Charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. The members have not required the Charity to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The Trustees 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 companies' regime and in accordance with the provisions of FRS 102 Section 1A - Small Entities.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 18 April 2025 and were signed on its behalf by

Abdoulai Bah Trustee

Charity Registration No. 1179022

GUINEAN COMMUNITY OF BIRMINGHAM AND THE WEST MIDLANDS NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 Statutory information

GUINEAN COMMUNITY OF BIRMINGHAM AND THE WEST MIDLANDS is a Charity, registered in England and Wales, registration number 1179022. The registered office is MALIN STREET, SMETHWICK, BIRMINGHAM, WEST MIDLANDS, B66 1 QZ, UK.

2 Compliance with accounting standards

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with:

The Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014

and with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)

And with the Charities Act 2011.

3 Accounting policies

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below and have remained unchanged from the previous year, and also have been consistently applied within the same accounts.

Basis of preparation

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of certain fixed assets.

Presentation currency

The accounts are presented in £ sterling.

Government grants

Government grants in relation to tangible fixed assets are credited to profit and loss account over the useful lives of the related assets, whereas those in relation to expenditure are credited when the expenditure is charged to profit and loss.

Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible assets are included at cost less depreciation and impairment. Depreciation has been provided at the following rates in order to write off the assets over their estimated useful lives: 5

Computer equipment

Laptops and Printers

Going concern

there are no material uncertainties related to events or conditions that cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern,

Government grants

The charity has not received government grants in the reporting period

Volunteer help

The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the trustees’ annual report.

GUINEAN COMMUNITY OF BIRMINGHAM AND THE WEST MIDLANDS NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

4 Tangible fixed assets
Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2024
Additions
At 31 March 2025
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2025
Net book value
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024
5 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Accruals
6 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
Loans from members		 Land &
buildings
£
At cost
-
285,000
285,000
-
-
-
285,000
-

 Computer
equipment
£
At cost
2,225
-
2,225
1,244
245
1,489
736
981
2025

£
31,856
2025

£
70,000		 Total
£
2,225
285,000
287,225
1,244
245
1,489
285,736
981
2024
£
-
2024
£
-

7 Loans to Trustees

No loans were made to Trustees during the financial year

8 Transactions with related parties

None of the trustees have been paid any remuneration or received any other benefits from an employment with the charity or a related entity

9 Average number of employees

During the year the average number of volunteers was 40 (2024: 40).

GUINEAN COMMUNITY OF BIRMINGHAM AND THE WEST MIDLANDS INDEPENDENT EXAMINER REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report Section A Independent Examiner’s Report Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/
members of
On accounts for the year
ended
Responsibilities and
basis of report
Independent
examiner's statement
Signed:
Name:
Address:
 Guinean Community of Birmingham and the
West Midlands
31stMarch 2025
Reg1179022
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above
charity for the year ended 31st March 2025
As the charity's trustees, 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 Charities 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 145(5)(b) of the Act.
I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a part qualified
member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have
come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me
cause to believe that in, any material respect:
•
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130
of the Charities Act; or
•
the accounts did not accord with 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 accounts give a ‘true 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 of the accounts to be reached.
T Sigauke
Date:21/05/2025
Tae Sigauke
3 The Quadrant
Coventry, CV1 2DY
Tae Sigauke
3 The Quadrant
Coventry, CV1 2DY