| Trustees' Annual Report | Trustees' Annual Report | Trustees' Annual Report | Trustees' Annual Report | Trustees' Annual Report | for theperiod | for theperiod | for theperiod |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| From | Period start date | To | Period end date | ||||
| 01 | 04 | 2023 | 31 | 03 | 2024 |
Section A Reference and administration details
Charity name Al-ASHARAF COMMUNITY WELFARE ASSOCIATION
Other names charity is known by
Registered charity number (if any) 1179893
| Charity's principal address | VOLUNTARY ACTION ISLINGTON | VOLUNTARY ACTION ISLINGTON |
|---|---|---|
| 200A PENTONVILLE ROAD | ||
| LONDON | ||
| Postcode | N1 9JP |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 |
Trustee name | Role (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MANA FATIMA AL- SHARIF ABBAS AL-SHARIF (Previously Mana Abbas) |
CHAIR | |||
| SHEKHA SHARIF ALI |
VICE CHAIR | |||
| ABDARAHMAN SHARIF |
TREASURER | 16/11/2024 | ||
| SAMIR MUHDAR | ADMINISTRATOR | 16/11/2024 |
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Type of adviser | Name Address |
Name Address |
|---|---|---|
| Islington Ward Lead Councillor | UNA O'HALLORAN | Islington Town Hall, Upper St, N1 2UD |
| Islington Ward Councillor | SARA HYDE | Islington Town Hall, Upper St, N1 2UD |
| Islington Ward Councillor | PAUL COVERY | Islington Town Hall, Upper St, N1 2UD |
| We Are Cally Community Development Officer |
HANNAH BROOK | Islington Council, 222 Upper Street, N1 1XR |
| Development Manager | TSIGEREDA TEKLETSADIK |
Voluntary Action Islington, N1 9JP |
| Local Wellbeing Manager | CLIFF JOSEPH | Voluntary Action Islington, N1 9JP |
| Chair | MULKI QANI | Somali Speakers Women’s Group, N1 9JP |
| Name of chief executive or names | of senior staff members (Optional information) |
Section B Structure, governance and management
Description of the charity’s trusts
Type of governing document
Constitution
- (eg. trust deed, constitution)
How the charity is constituted
Association
- (eg. trust, association, company)
Trustee selection methods Appointed
- (eg. appointed by, elected by)
Additional governance issues (Optional information)
You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:
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policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
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the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
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relationship with any related parties;
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trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.
‘Al-Asharaf Community Welfare Association’ strongly believes that working together is the only way to succeed. We supported the forming and establishment of ‘Somali Speakers Women’s Group’ in 2000 and have continued to cooperate with them ever since, forming a strong partnership. Likewise, in 2008, we built a solid partnership with ‘Help on Your Doorstep’.
- It was our pleasure to help facilitate and initiate the partnership between Somali Speakers Women’s Group and the newly established Somali Embassy in London. We encouraged them to participate in the ‘Somali Professionals – Networking’ programme.
Over the years, we have also established solid partnerships with local businesses in Caledonian Road. From them: Khan Food Centre and Cally Pound Plus.
Section C Objectives and activities
Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document
Providing relief for those living in Bemerton Estate and the surrounding areas, focusing on ‘ Health & Wellbeing’ . In particular, but not exclusively, those of ‘Al-Asharaf’ origin, as well as those in need (e.g. elderly, ill health/disabled and those in financial hardships).
Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)
By implementing ‘Bright Start & Bright Future’s’ principles, we run our weekly activities:
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‘Stay and Play’ activities for parents and children (for building self-confidence)
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Lunch clubs Sewing clubs Homework clubs
Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)
In accordance with our organisation’s focus on ‘ Health & Wellbeing ’ – we continued our services of supporting families afflicted with mental health. We achieved this by establishing a link between families and Camden Crisis Resolution – liaising between them.
You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:
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policy on grantmaking;
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policy programme related investment;
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contribution made by volunteers.
Moreover, we also intervened in marital disputes between young parents by attempting reconciliation – along with recommending ‘Couples Therapy’ & mediation sessions.
We also assisted elderly residents that were seeking support during the ‘ Cost of Living ’ crisis, by filling out forms – as well as accompanying them with GP/hospital visits.
We also assisted young parents in securing nursery places for their children. Our volunteers also organised and ran regular ‘faith-based’ celebrations at Finsbury Park Mosque.
| Section D | Achievements and performance |
|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year |
|
| Our biggest achievement to date was celebrating our 25-year anniversary, during our AGM – which took place on the 16thof November 2024 at Finsbury Park Mosque. This remarkable event was attended by a list of honourable guests – namely: The Mayor of Islington Anjna Khurana Councillor Paul Convery David Norman (Bright Start Islington) Marie Morgan-Lloyd (Community Engagement and Wellbeing – Islington Council) Cliff Joseph (Local Wellbeing Manager – Voluntary Action Islington) James Wooldridge (Voluntary Action Islington) Hannah Brook (‘We Are Cally’ Community Development Officer) Certificates were presented to our hardworking volunteers, in appreciation of their efforts over the years. During the event, elections took place to nominate new trustees. Following our successful AGM, we were invited to the Charity Commission’s Annual Public Meeting which took place on the 26th of November 2024. We would also like to extend our sincerest gratitude to our leading politicians, namely the Mayor of London Mr Sadiq Khan and Ms Emily Thornberry–who have supported us throughout the years. |
Section D Achievements and performance
It has always been a pleasure to be umbrellaed under Voluntary Action Islington. They have sheltered us over the years, providing us with a base of operation. They have continuously supported us with drafting our policies and action-plans. Thus, we felt honoured that our AGM report was presented by one of their valued members – James Wooldridge. As well as a huge thank you to Tsigereda Tekletsadik (Development Manager, VAI) for her ongoing support every week. Likewise, as our primary objectives are based on health & wellbeing, many relevant programs were spearheaded by Cliff Joseph (Local Wellbeing Manager, VAI). We confidently believe that we can extend our efforts and services into neighbouring regions.
| Section E Financial review | Section E Financial review |
|---|---|
| Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves Details of any funds materially in deficit Further financial review details Youmay chooseto include additional information, where relevant about: the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising); how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity; investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted. |
|
| Monthly contributions into the company’s account, by the trustees, ensure sufficient reserves in place. |
|
| N/A | |
| (Optional information) | |
| The main funding came primarily from the trustees themselves, as well as the community members. With this communal effort, we managed to successfully continue our services throughout the year. We are incredibly grateful to the Islington Council who provided us with a lot of funding support over the years – facilitating for us to continue our services. Likewise, we would like to thank Barclays Business team for their continuous support throughout the years ever since opening our account. In particular, we would like to extend our gratitude to Olivia Woodward and her colleagues who facilitated the completion our mandate forms. We would also like to thank the Barclays Islington Green branch, in particular Matthew for their assistance regarding our finances. We operate on a cashless basis; using only cheques and debit transactions. |
Section F Other optional information
History:
1998 – ‘Asharaf Welfare Association’ initiated in Manor Garden - before moving to Islington’s West Library Hall. After years of community growth, we relocated to Bemerton Children’s Centre, before transferring to Copenhagen Primary School (on Saturdays)
2009 – Subsequently, we ‘rebranded’ to ‘Al-Asharaf Women & Children Association’, before finally changing to ‘Al-Asharaf Community Welfare Association in 2018.
We are currently addressed at Voluntary Action Islington, whilst holding our events at Jean Stokes Community Centre.
Section G Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date |
Mana Fatima Al-Sharif Abbas Al-Sharif |
|
|---|---|---|
| Mana Fatima Al-Sharif Abbas Al-Sharif |
||
| Chair | ||
| 12/1/2025 |