Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
Year in Review: During 2024/25, MACA celebrated its 40th anniversary with community events, expanded youth engagement programmes, and strengthened partnerships with local organisations. The charity secured significant grant funding and maintained a strong financial position, ensuring continuity of services for seniors, young people, and the wider community.
Charity name: Medway African and Caribbean Association
Charity registration number: 1179545
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document. |
Para 1.17 | To advance any charitable purpose for the benefit of the inhabitants of Kent and Medway, in particular, but not exclusively, persons of the African-Caribbean community, in particular advancing education and/or assisting in the provision of facilities for recreation and other leisure- time activities in the interests of social welfare with the object of improving the condition of life for said inhabitants. |
| 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. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
The main activities carried out during the year include the following: 1. Senior citizens activities 2. Events, arts, heritage 3. Work with young people 4. Work with partners 5. Fundraising 6. Media 7. MACA development 8. Health and well being |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. |
Para 1.18 | The trustees of MACA can confirm that we had had due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit We further confirm that all the activities undertaken are for public benefit. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making. | Para 1.38 | NA MACA does not make any grants. |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment. |
Para 1.38 | NA MACA does not make any social investments. |
| Contribution made by volunteers. |
Para 1.38 | Volunteers make up a substantial contribution to the work of MACA. All the trustees are volunteers, and all take part in the work of the charity. This includes applying for funding for the charity. Organising events and activities for the public. Attendance at partnership meetings Volunteers also work alongside the senior citizens coordinator to plan and facilitate the weekly senior citizens group. In addition, young people worked with our youth coordinator to plan and develop activities for young people. |
| Other |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| 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 as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | The 2024-2025 period was transformative for MACA, marked by significant growth, successful major events, and enhanced service delivery to vulnerable members of our community. We successfully celebrated 40 years of MACA with a Gala Night and Documentary, secured major long-term funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, and expanded our digital reach to over 4,000 subscribers and followers—an increase of 1,000 from the previous year. Our focus on Health and Wellbeing and Youth Development has resulted in tangible, life-improving outcomes, demonstrating MACA’s vital role in championing race, culture, and diversity for all in Medway. Work with Senior Citizens Our services for senior citizens focused heavily on combating isolation and addressing critical health and social care inequalities. • Growing Engagement:Weekly drop-in sessions maintained strong and steady attendance, reachingin excess of 50 on Tuesdays in peak periods, offering a crucial social and recreational outlet. • Advocacy Support:We successfully secured funding and appointed a Seniors Advocate Officer to provide one-to-one |
| independent advocacy, and work | |
|---|---|
| with local statutory organisations in | |
| signposting those with care and | |
| support needs to those services. | |
| This vital role successfully | |
| navigates complex NHS and social | |
| services systems for vulnerable | |
| members. | |
| • | Community Safety:We hosted a |
| successful and well-received talk by | |
| Kent Policeon fraud and | |
| scammers to enhance the safety | |
| and awareness of our senior | |
| members. | |
| Work with Young People | |
| We have significantly invested in the | |
| development, mental health, and historical | |
| awareness of our Young People United | |
| (YPU) | members, while also expanding our |
| infrastructure for long-term growth. | |
| • | Major Funding Secured:We |
| successfully secured a substantial | |
| National Lottery Community | |
| Fund Grant (over £200k)to | |
| support the development of YPU, | |
| projects, activities, and the overall | |
| strengthening of MACA’s | |
| infrastructure. | |
| • | New employees:We recruited |
| MACA’sfirst-ever employed | |
| Youth Coordinator and Youth | |
| Assistant, plus administratorto | |
| support the Young People United | |
| (YPU) team and future projects. | |
| • | Youth Voice and Mental Health: |
| Launched theYoung Adults Voice | |
| Project / YPU Talksworkshops, | |
| spreading awareness of youth | |
| mental health, fostering community | |
| cohesion, and equipping | |
| participants with self-help | |
| techniques. | |
| • | Involvement and Outreach:YPU |
| members presented their heritage | |
| project at the Medway Creative | |
| Schools meeting and were invited to | |
| host a stall at the Medway Youth | |
| Council conference. | |
| MACA in the News | |
| While dedicated 'news' coverage is | |
| continuous, our communications and media | |
| efforts | achieved significant milestones. |
| • | Digital Growth:Our social media |
| presence and mailing list expanded | |
| toover 4,000followers and | |
| subscribers, representing an | |
| increase of 1,000over the last | |
| year, drastically widening our | |
| communication reach. |
| • | Online Resources:TheBlack |
|---|---|
| History Live websitewas | |
| revamped and updated to host new | |
| educational and heritage resources | |
| created by young people. | |
| MACA in the Community | |
| MACA strengthened key partnerships and | |
| delivered high-impact community-focused | |
| initiatives. | |
| • | Community Partnership Events: |
| Successfully completed the'Men | |
| Empower projectin partnership | |
| with the Sunlight Centre and | |
| delivered aCulture and Identity | |
| workshopfor Kings School | |
| Language and Culture Week. | |
| • | Volunteer & Sponsorship |
| Success:Fundraising efforts were | |
| successfully supported byover | |
| £11,000in sponsorship (including a | |
| successful Big Give match-funding | |
| campaign) for the 40th Anniversary | |
| Gala. | |
| Arts, Heritage, and Well-being Projects | |
| This year saw the successful execution of | |
| major | projects that celebrated heritage and |
| promoted vital public health messaging. | |
| • | 40th Anniversary Gala Night:A |
| resounding success, the event | |
| celebrated four decades of MACA | |
| and involved the delivery of multiple | |
| workshops including Dance, | |
| Fashion, Filming, Public Speaking, | |
| and Stage Management. We had | |
| Richard Blackwood host the event, | |
| plus messages of congratulations | |
| from Beverley Knight, ITV Meridan | |
| and BBC South East today, plus the | |
| NHS and Kings School, MS Webb, | |
| Kent Fire and Rescue | |
| • | Heritage Resource Creation:The |
| Medway Heritage Fund project | |
| ('Uncovering Histories, Medway | |
| Memories') was completed. This | |
| project, co-created by young | |
| people, produced a valuable | |
| educational resource onBlack | |
| British history in Medway, which | |
| was then uploaded to the Black | |
| History Live website for public | |
| access. | |
| • | Major Health Event:TheJune |
| Well-being Eventwas highly | |
| successful, withover 100 people | |
| booked. It featured stalls on blood | |
| and organ donation, collaborative | |
| activities run byPublic Health, and | |
| workshops led by MACA dance | |
| tutors. |
| • | Ongoing Health Promotion: |
|---|---|
| Continued to host 'Walking with | |
| Friends' events and an 'Organ | |
| Donation event' at Jerk Cafe to | |
| raise awareness on the aims of the | |
| NHS Blood & Organ Donation | |
| project. | |
| Events and Campaigning (Including | |
| work with the Police and the NHS) | |
| MACA actively engaged in campaigning, | |
| partnership work, and events to tackle | |
| inequalities and promote community | |
| welfare. | |
| • | NHS Partnership and Health |
| Education:We maintained our | |
| strong partnership with the NHS, | |
| focusing on theBlood and Organ | |
| Donationproject to raise public | |
| awareness and increase sign-ups. | |
| We also ensured health education | |
| was a core component of the large- | |
| scale June Well-being event in | |
| collaboration withPublic Health. | |
| • | Police Engagement:The visit from |
| Kent Policeto our senior citizens | |
| group focused on a key social | |
| challenge—fraud and scams— | |
| demonstrating active campaigning | |
| for community safety and security. | |
| • | Organisational Development:The |
| recently securedNational Lottery | |
| Community Fundgrant is being | |
| strategically used torefresh our | |
| business planandstrengthen our | |
| infrastructure, ensuring long-term | |
| sustainability and effectiveness in | |
| all our future events and | |
| campaigning efforts. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| Achievements against objectives set. |
Para 1.41 | We set the following objectives last year, which were: Objectives for 2024-25: 1. increase longer term sustainable funding. 2. Engage support to assist with funding and develop a funding strategy aligned with the business plan. We have been able to make significant progress towards our objectives set last year. We have been able to secure funding from the National Lottery community fund for 3 years, that has secured us some consultancy support to develop our |
| business plan, and strengthen our infrastructure. In addition secure the services of a bid writer to apply for funding and strengthen our funding strategy. Volunteer recruitment We have manged to increase the number of volunteers, who have assisted with our activities throughout the year. Trustee recruitment We did not recruit any new trustees , however we have co opted YPU representatives onto the board’ Policy reviews MACA reviewed and revised policies on Whistleblowing, Safeguarding, code of conduct Objectives 2025/26 1. Strengthen the infrastructure of MACA, which includes having in place staff to run MACA on a day- to-day basis, aligned with the business plan. 2. Strengthen the working relationships between the board, project staff, young people and those who access MACA services. 3. Succession planning for the board, to ensure that MACA is sustainable into the future. 4. Have a costed business plan and financial /commercial strategy |
||
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set. |
Para 1.41 | We have been successful in our fundraising activities for projects we have delivered as well as secured other income streams from donations and Medway lottery and donations. |
| Other | ||
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Balance carried forward (Closing balance 2023/24): £66,592.32 Item Amount (£) Total Income £122,998.06 Total Expenditure £95,491.27 Net Movement in Funds £27,587.56 |
| Closing Bank Balance |
£94,179.88 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held. |
Para 1.22 | MACA's reserve policy is to maintain a minimum level of reserves equivalent to two months of its average annual expenditure, unrestricted funds, based on the average expenditure the previous 3 financial years. This is based on an assessment of the risks and uncertainties that MACA faces, such as fluctuations in income, changes in demand for services, unexpected costs, and legal obligations. MACA's reserve policy also considers the availability of other sources of funding, such as restricted funds, designated funds, and loans. This figure is reviewed annually. Purpose of Reserves Reserves are essential for providing financial stability and flexibility to the organisation. The primary purposes of reserves within MACA are: a. Financial Stability: To safeguard the organisation against unforeseen financial challenges, economic downturns, or unexpected expenses. b. Strategic Investments: To support the implementation of strategic initiatives and projects that align with MACA's mission and goals. c. Operational Continuity: To ensure the uninterrupted delivery of programs and services even in the face of funding fluctuations or short-term financial constraints. Types of Reserves |
| MACA recognises the need for different types of reserves to address various financial needs. The following are the key categories: a. General Reserves: Unrestricted funds set aside to cover day-to-day operational expenses, mitigate financial risks, and address unforeseen circumstances. b. Designated Reserves: Set aside for specific purposes, such as capital projects, program expansion, or other strategic initiatives, as determined by the Board of Trustees. c. Restricted Reserves: Funds earmarked for a particular project or purpose, in accordance with donor restrictions or specific fundraising campaigns. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £64,441.36 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | Not applicable |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | Not applicable |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | NA |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | The majority of the funds received during the year derived from the following sources. Grants: this constituted over 80% of the income. The remaining income was from donations, and income from events. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted. |
Para 1.46 | NA |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | MACA has developed its business plan and sustainability plan; we are working with partners to undertake a feasibility study to secure long term funding for our own building and our long-term objectives. |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
NA | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g. unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | 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 |
Para 1.25 | Individuals who wish to be a trustee need to submit a written application, the form of which is available on the MACA website. Applicants are then interviewed by existing trustee members which include the Chairperson, a board member, a representative of the senior citizens and young people’s group. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees. |
Para 1.51 | Whistleblowing Code of Conduct Safeguarding |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works. |
Para 1.51 | MACA has a board of trustees who are all volunteers. We engage staff on a self-employed basis when we receive funding for specific projects. Our strategic partners include Medway Council, Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, Mid Kent College, The University of Kent, Sunlight Development Trust, Public Health Medway, Kent Police Creative Medway, |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | None |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Medway African and Caribbean Association |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | MACA |
| Registered charity number | 1179545 |
| Charity’s principal address | CO The Sunlight Development Trust 105 Richmond Rd Gillingham Kent ME7 1LX |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 7 8 9 10 11 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carol Stewart | Chairperson | 2018-2025 | MACA trustees | |
| Patricia Gayle | Vice Chairperson | 2018-2025 | MACA trustees | |
| Jane Brown | Treasurer | 2023-2025 | MACA trustees | |
| Amanda Halpin | Trustee | 2018-2025 | MACA trustees | |
| Wendell Henry | Trustee | 2018-2025 | MACA trustees | |
| Patricia Cooper | Trustee | 2018-2025 | MACA trustees | |
| Carol Valentine | Trustee | 2020-2025 | MACA Trustees | |
| Andrew Leslie | Trustee | 2024-2025 | MACA Trustees |
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved.
Director name NA
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year |
|
|---|---|---|
| NA | ||
| Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others. | ||
| Description of the assets held in this capacity. |
NA | |
| Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this fall within the custodian charity’s objects. |
NA | |
| Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets |
NA |
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of adviser Name Address |
||
| Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) | ||
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details NA
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Andrew Leslie Full name(s) Dr Carol Stewart Position (e.g. Secretary, Chairperson Trustee Chair, etc) Date 3/12/2025 3/12/2025
Medway African and Caribbean Association 1179545 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period Period start date Period end date To from 01/04/2024 31/03/2025
| Section A Receipts and payments | Section A Receipts and payments | Section A Receipts and payments | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ 3,000 54,514 12,674 9,093 |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ - - |
Total funds to the nearest £ 3,000 54,514 12,674 9,093 |
Last year to the nearest £ |
||||
| Arts Counil England | 3,000 | - | 3,000 | 27,000 | |||||
| National LotteryCommunotyFund | 54,514 | 54,514 | - | ||||||
| Kent Community Foundation seniors |
- | 12,674 | - | 12,674 | - | ||||
| MedwayCouncil(heritage) | 9,093 | 9,093 | 200 | ||||||
| donations /events.other grants | 28,505 | - | 28,505 | 16,143 | |||||
| Senior citizens subscriptions | 8,350 | - | 8,350 | 7,629 | |||||
| Philip And Connie Grant Seniors Restricted |
6,000 | 6,000 | 7,500 | ||||||
| YPU Income | 861 | 861 | - | ||||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
- | - | - | - | - | ||||
| 37,716 | 85,281 | - | 122,997 | 54,177 | |||||
| - - - |
|||||||||
| A2 Asset and Investment sales, (see table). |
|||||||||
| - | |||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| Sub total Total receipts A3 Payments |
- | - | |||||||
| 37,716 | 85,281 | 122,997 | 54,177 | ||||||
| - 10,282 - 1,932 - 6,670 - 15,233 - 8,850 - 52,524 - 95,491 - - - - 95,491 27,506 - |
|||||||||
| Senior Citizens | - 10,282 | - | - | 5,331 | |||||
| MACA Operational Costs | - 1,932 | - | 6,125 | ||||||
| Other Project activities | - 6,670 | - | - | ||||||
| events | - 15,233 | - | 12,674 | ||||||
| Phillip and Connie/KCF | - 8,850 | - 8,851 | |||||||
| Youth projects: Medway Council, other grants and donations, ACE/National Lottery |
- | - 52,524 | - | - 16,886 | |||||
**Sub total ** |
- 34,117 | - 61,374 | - | - 1,607 | |||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
|||||||||
| - | |||||||||
| - | |||||||||
| Sub total Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end **Cash funds this year end ** |
- | - | |||||||
| - 1,607 | |||||||||
| 55,784 | |||||||||
| - | |||||||||
| - | |||||||||
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
13/12/2025
1
| Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at | the end of the period | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B1 Cash funds |
Details None ICT equipment and resources Details Details minibus music equipment Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) None Details Bank balance at 01/04/24 None Signature |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 26,114 68,066 - £26,114.00 68,066 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) 0 - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) 0 - Children in Need Children in Need Youth Music - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - - - - - Print Name Carol Stewart Andrew Leslie |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| When due (optional) |
|||
| Date of approval |
|||
| Carol Stewart | 03/12/2025 | ||
| Andrew Leslie | 03/12/2025 |
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
13/12/2025
2
CCXX R3 accoun18 ISSI 1311212025
CCXX R4 accoun18 ISSI 1311212025
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees Medway African and Caribbean Association On accounts forthe year ended 311312025 Charlty no (if any) 1179545 Set out on pages I report lo the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity I'the Trust") for the year ended 3110312025 Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 Iyhe Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llb) of the Act. Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I confim) that no material mallers have come to my attention in connection with the examination {other than that disclosed below "I 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 with the accounting records., or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts sel out in the Charities {Accounts and Reportsl Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'lrue 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 lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed- Brian Pusser Date- 1111212025 Name: Brian Pusser Relevant professlonal qualification{sl or body lif any): ICPA B010 IER Oct 2018
Address: 24 Downsview Chatham Kent ME5 OAP Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of Concern Isee CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief dgtails of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER Oct 2018