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Trustees annual report 2024 2025
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Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document.
To work with local authorities, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social, welfare, and recreation with the objective of improving the conditions of life for the residents by the way of relief of poverty.
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.
British Pakistan Association Leicestershire (Bpal) was able to provide following activities for the membership and other community members who requested help and support.
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Organised Eid function and Pakistan Independence Day. These functions are attended by over 200 people which includes Youths and young children. These functions often starts with welcoming the guests, speeches regarding local issues, question and answer session, Asian food is served, and the functions ends with live music. The children are provided with inflatables to entertain them and pack of sweets are given to them to take home.
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Work with other charities and groups in the area to promote and protect interest of the community. This work includes establishing a community Centre and organising joint events.
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Helping with applying universal and pension benefits.
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Assisting parents in arrange marriage issues.
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Running a youth group on Friday evening and providing weekly badminton session.
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Continued to provide Immigration related work which included online passport, Nadara card and visa applications.
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Helping members to retain and find accommodation.
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Offering advice in person and over the phone to families in crisis.
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Provided space and hospitality for a group of young people to have fortnightly meeting.
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Referral to other agencies where appropriate.
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Attending Voluntary sector’s meeting to represent the community’s interest.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.
As previously reported, the trustees are conscious of Charity Commission guidance on public benefit. The trustees realises that we have limited volunteers and financial resources. As a result, the trustees have decided to focus on those service users who are in urgent need of help. The trustees have decided to keep the Bpal’s office open so that those in need of services could contact and request services. We believe that these decisions are admirable, practical, adhering to guidance provided by the charity commission and are according to our charity’s purpose. The trustees made decision to keep membership free and our activities take place where access is easy for all including elderly and people with disabilities.
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.
Bpal was able to achieve many of its objectives during this financial year. For example, we were able to provide social functions, sport activities and education classes and other advice and welfare work through our office as listed above. We were able to work along with other charities, the police and other organisation to ensure that relationship is strengthened between different communities and issues are resolved through community organisations coming together to find solution to our common problems. Bpal believes that services provided are vital for the community to come together and built network to deal with issues facing the community internally and externally. These efforts by Bpal are highly appreciated by our community. Furthermore, our volunteers are happy to be contacted (out of hours) by phone by those who needs urgent help. This approach and flexibility is highly appreciated by the community. One of the important issues we concentrated this year was to open a community centre. Bpal has made some progress in this area by working with other voluntary organisation and Charities. Bpal hopes that these efforts will materialise soon and that we will have a good news for the community.
Structure, Governance and Management:
The Trustees drive their authority from the constitution and are accountable to membership via annual general meetings. The governing body consist of ten trustees which includes seven males and three females. The governing body I consisting of a Chairman, Treasurer, General Secretary. These officers are elected internally by the Trustees and serve until the next election. The Trustees are responsible for Planning & delivering services, attracting funds, providing annual report and accounts and
accountable to the members who had elected them. Bpal also have a team of active volunteers who provide their time and energy to deliver important services.
Type of governing document
Bpal’s Constitution is based on Association’ Model which is Constitution of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with voting members other than its charity trustees. The Constitution was downloaded from Charity Commission’s website, was briefly modified to meet the needs of Bpal and is proved by the Charity Commission.
How is the charity constituted?
Bpal’s is organised around its constitution and consists of 10 trustees. There are three female and twelve male trustees. The chairman is the head of the trustees while general secretary takes responsibilities of all the administration and calling meetings and proposing future programmes. While the treasure’s role is to keep control of finance and to ensure there are sufficient funds for any future planned activities. The trustees are elected at Annual General meetings, nominated, and voted in by the members. Any vacant position is filled by the Trustees until the next election. There are no options at present for any external body to nominate any trustees to the Board of Trustees.
Report on public benefit:
As reported above in the summary section, the services offered are open to all and public members who can walk into our office and benefit from our services. Our annual functions and trips are also open to any member of the local community. Bpal also works with other charities, voluntary and statutory sector to improve conditions in the local area. This work includes working with the police and youth organisations to reduce crime rate in the area and working with local Councillors to address the local needs. Bpal closely work with and support the activities of the Federation of the Muslim Organisations in the area to bring about harmony between the various communities. Bpal ensures through its reviews of services that the main beneficiaries are the members or public at large and that any benefit to trustees is only incidental and not by design.
Make decisions about who benefits in ways that are consistent with the purpose:
We are a small charity with a limited funds and goals. At present there is no danger for Bpal to drift away from its purpose. However, we are conscious that as we grow, we need to adhere to our main goals and not carried away by the huge demand which we may not be able to meet. We are also conscientious that spreading our services too thinly may results in our services not being effective. Bpal is accountable to the community through its Annual General Meetings and any deviation from the core services will be noticed and addressed. Bpal’s activities also depend on financial resources, number of volunteers available and urgency of services required. All these conditions are likely to influence our services delivery systems, and we are determined to do our best as a charity to address the needs of our members and community. Since Bpal is very grassroot based charity, we are very conscious and responsive about physical access to our facilities, days and opening ours. We make every effort to ensure where it is possible that maximum number of participations take place in our activities. We use local churches, mosques and community centres for our functions/activities which are in the centre of our community and thus very accessible.
Committee meeting : The meetings are schedule monthly and take place at our office. The committee takes reports discuss them and endorse them if happy with proposed events and refuse to accept if the proposals are not viable. The Trustees also receive financial reports from the treasurer and take appropriate actions if required. The trustees have been very active, have connections with businesses and do receive donations from them to pay for the services. In addition, there is Core Group which meets fortnightly, discuss issues and make recommendations to full Trustees board.
Young People’s Group
The Young People’s Group meets fortnightly and has been running for over four years. It plays a vital role in helping BPAL maintain strong grassroots links within the community.
The group provides a welcoming space for young people to come together to socialise, build friendships, discuss local issues, and share experiences. Meetings take place on Saturday evenings and typically last around three hours. A key feature of the sessions is cooking and sharing a meal together. Members take turns planning the menu in advance, deciding which community issues to discuss, and assigning responsibility for shopping and cooking.
Experienced members support newer participants by teaching them how to prepare Asian dishes, encouraging skills development and cultural exchange. The highlight of each session is sharing food, enjoying laughter, and exchanging information about what is happening in the community. Meetings conclude with traditional Asian Masala chai.
Tuesday Coffee Morning Group
The Tuesday Coffee Morning Group is a ladies-only group made up of 15 members. The group meets fortnightly on Tuesdays, providing a welcoming and supportive space where women can connect, share experiences, and build meaningful friendships. The sessions offer opportunities for open conversation and discussion, allowing members to stay informed about what is happening in the community while learning from one another. The group aims to strengthen personal and social identity, enhance communication skills, and develop problem-solving abilities in a friendly and relaxed environment. Members enjoy tea or coffee along with biscuits, cakes, and samosas during each meeting. The group is open to all women and warmly welcomes new members to join.
Overview of arrange marriages
Our charity is dedicated to supporting families in arranging suitable and meaningful marriages for their children, with a focus on compassion, cultural respect, and community values. We aim to strengthen families and build lasting connections that contribute to a caring society.
Achievements
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Successfully assisted over 10 families in arranging marriages for their children
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Provided emotional and logistical support throughout the matchmaking and wedding processes
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Facilitated meetings and family introductions in a respectful and confidential manner
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Strengthened community ties by connecting families with shared values and traditions
Impact
Our efforts have led to:
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Greater family unity and mutual understanding within our community
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A supportive network where families can seek help and guidance with dignity
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• Increased awareness about the importance of responsible and ethical matchmaking
Future Goals
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Looking ahead, we plan to:
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Extend our support to reach more families in need
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Organize community events and workshops promoting healthy relationships and informed decision-making
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Develop a mentorship program to guide newly married couples through their early stages of life together
Future Plans
Due to ongoing legal challenges and limited financial resources, we have not yet been able to establish a Community Centre in the area. However, this remains a key priority for our organisation, and we are committed to continuing our efforts in partnership with other charities and relevant stakeholders to achieve this goal. As previously reported, BPAL recognises that without a dedicated Community Centre, it is challenging to deliver the full range of much-needed services, bring our community together, empower our members, improve living conditions, and help reduce poverty in the area. Despite these limitations, we continue to provide the services that are possible within our current resources. We remain determined to achieve the outstanding objectives of our charity by working collaboratively with the community, partner organisations, and local authorities to establish a Community Centre. We believe that securing such a facility will begin to address the pressing needs of our community, including providing a safe and inclusive platform for individuals to express their views and have their voices heard.
Mohammed Arif, General Secretary.
450 East Park Road, Leicester LE5 5HH. Tel: 0116 2120921: Mob: 0759 80 56 755 Email: Bpal-14@hotmail.comCharity Number 1183340
| British Pakistani Association Leicestershire Annual Accounts for 01.05.24---30.04.25 |
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| Date/Receipt Number |
Details | Income | Expenditure | Ballance |
| May2024 | B/F | 2835.71 | 2835.71 | |
| 06.06.24 | Donation byBabar Mushtaq | 50.00 | 2885.71 | |
| 06.06.24 | Donation byIrfan Azeem | 50.00 | 2935.71 | |
| 06.06.24 | Donation byChaudharyY | 35.00 | 2970.71 | |
| 14.06.24 | Donation byHouse of Paan & SH | 110.00 | 3080.71 | |
| 20.06.24 | Donation byI Hussain | 40.00 | 3120.71 | |
| 20.06.24 | Donation MushtaqBabar | 200.00 | 3320.71 | |
| 20.06.24 | Donation by Malik M. A | 100.00 | 3420.71 | |
| 20.06.24 | Donation byPamson Grill LTD | 250.00 | 3670.71 | |
| 20.06.24 | Donation byMalik M | 100.00 | 3770.71 | |
| 21.06.24 | Donation byAli Syed | 100.00 | 3870.71 | |
| 21.06.24 | Donation byWRIG JUS SOL LTD | 100.00 | 3970.71 | |
| 21.06.24 | Donation byArif. M(000036) | 970.00 | 4940.71 | |
| 21.06.24 | Donation byArif(000037) | 100.00 | 5040.71 | |
| 24.06.24 | Donation byZaheer Adnan | 40.00 | 5080.71 | |
| 24.06.24 | Donation byM. Saddique | 140.00 | 5220.71 | |
| 24.06.24 | Donation byNadeem Abbasi | 40.00 | 5260.71 | |
| 24.06.24 | Donation by Hussain T&S | 50.00 | 5310.71 | |
| 24.06.24 | Pak Food Leicesterplastic cups andplates. | 54.10(1) | 5256.61 | |
| 24.06.24 | Payment to musician | 750.00(2) | 4506.61 | |
| 27.06.24 | Pak Food(food items) | 14.33(5) | 4492.28 | |
| 27.06.24 | Donation byIrfan Azeem | 30.00 | 4522.28 | |
| 28.06.24 | Pak CateringLTD(Food) | 1000.00(6) | 3522.28 | |
| 28.06.24 | Adrian Thurman(bouncycastle) | 100.00(7) | 3422.28 | |
| 28.06.24 | Shakil Ahmed(hall charges) | 750.00(8) | 2672.28 | |
| 21.08.24 | Hospitality (20.08.24) | 5.16(9) | 2667.12 |
| 05.09.24 | Donation byRaja Zaffer | 50.00 | 2717.12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06.09.24 | Donation | 40.00 | 2757.12 | |
| 09.01.25 | Electric cards topup (08.01.25) | 10.00(10) | 2747.12 | |
| 13.01.25 | Donation byArif. M(11.01.25) | 50.00 | 2797.12 | |
| 20.01.25 | Donation byBabar Mushtaq (19.01.25) | 20.00 | 2817.12 | |
| 20.01.25 | Donation byMalik Enterprise(19.01.25). | 20.00 | 2837.12 | |
| 20.01.25 | Donation bySyed Ali(19.01.25). | 10.00 | 2847.12 | |
| 22.01.25 | Donation byTanveer Hussain Gondal | 10.00 | 2857.12 | |
| 12.02.25 | Donation byM.A Malik Aslam | 120.00 | 2977.12 | |
| 13.02.25 | Electric cards topupat Morrison Store | 10.00(11) | 2967.12 | |
| 13.02.25 | ATM transaction.(12.02.25)Pettycash | 50.00(12) | 2917.12 | |
| 03.03.25 | Electric cards topupat Morrison Store(02.03.25) | 5.00(13) | 2912.12 | |
| 12.03.25 | Donation byM.A Malik Aslam | 100.00 | 3012.12 | |
| 12.03.25 | Donation byTanveer Hussain | 150.00 | 3162.12 | |
| 12.03.25 | Donation byMushtaqBabar | 150.00 | 3312.12 | |
| 12.03.25 | Donation byUsman Chaudhary | 50.00 | 3362.12 | |
| 13.03.25 | Donation byArif. M | 150.00 | 3512.12 | |
| 13.03.25 | Donation by000039 | 100.00 | 3612.12 | |
| 14.03.25 | Donation bySyed Ali | 150.00 | 3762.12 | |
| 14.03.25 | Food shoppingat Pak food. | 10.00(14) | 3752.12 | |
| 14.03.25 | Gaffar Packaging, plastic cups andplates etc. | 45.49(15) | 3706.63 | |
| 17.03.25 | Donation byMuhammad Ahmad | 50.00 | 3756.63 | |
| 17.03.25 | Pak food,food shopping | 15.44(16) | 3741.19 | |
| 17.03.25 | Iceland. Food shopping | 3.75(17) | 3737.44 | |
| 18.03.25 | Donation by | 200.00 | 3937.44 | |
| 18.03.25 | Memon Youth Association Hall charges | 100.00(18) | 3837.44 | |
| 19.03.25 | Donation byRaja Zaffer Khan | 200.00 | 4037.44 | |
| 21.03.25 | Donation byY. Arif | 1700.00 | 5737.44 | |
| 21.03.25 | Deposit returned byBraunstone Town Co | 100.00 | 5837.44 | |
| 21.03.25 | Braunstone Twon Co taken deposit back | 100.00(19) | 5737.44 | |
| 21.03.25 | Donation byY. Arif | 50.00 | 5787.44 |
| 25.03.25 | Donation byanonymous | 200.00 | 5987.44 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25.03.25 | Donation byTrustees | 726.00 | 6713.44 | ||||
| 25.03.25 | PettyCash withdrawn on 13.02.25 deposited | 50.00 | 6763.44 | ||||
| 25.03.25 | Pak CateringLTD,food | 665.00(20) | 6098.44 | ||||
| 26.03.00 | Donation to One Nation Charityfor Gaza | 2500.00(21) | 3598.44 | ||||
| 28.03.25 | Donation byanonymous | 151.00 | 3749.44 | ||||
| 28.03.25 | Braunstone Town Co. Hall hir charges | 150.80(22) | 3598.64 | ||||
| 28.03.25 | Donation to Al Khair. Org (31.03.25) | 1 51.00(23) | 3447.64 | ||||
| 07.04.25 | Donation bySohail Iqbal. | 100.00 | 3547.64 | ||||
| Total income and expenditure for theyear 2024-2025 | 10037.71 | 6490.07 | 3547.64 |