Connecting Communities Annual Report 2022/23 ## Table Of Content **About Us Our Vision and Mission The Food Fair Other Projects Other Projects Financial Review Contact Us** ## About Us **It started with a Food Fair! The International Food Fair was a project that was started more than 20 years ago by members of the Muslim Community with a desire to bring the community together whilst raising money for charity. The much loved event ran annually until key organisers moved away and for a number of years was abandoned.** **With a keen desire to see the International Food Fair up and running again Tajwar Hassan, Gillian Stokes, Shafaq Mushtaq, Nausheen Ali and Noshi joined forces to revive this important community event.** **From this revival Connecting Communities was born.** ## Vision And Mission ## Vision **With the birth of Connecting Communities a desire to connect the wider community together and identify areas of need arose.** **At Connecting Communities we believe in strength in numbers and that diversity can be the colour of life.** **We aim to create a tightly knitted and diverse community where individuals needs are supported and catered for.** ## Mission - **We aim to run the International Food Fair annually in order to promote community cohesion, diversity and a safe place to share culture and food.** - **With the proceeds of the International Food Fair we aim to donate to charitable causes both locally and abroad.** - **We aim to identify areas of need within our community and work together with key members to meet those needs.** - **We aim to raise funds for the purpose of acquiring a property that will help to fulfil the needs of women and children in particular within our community.** ## The International ## Food Fair **The International Food Fair is the Queen of our charity, we have so much love for her and spend around eight months of the year planning the event.** **The event is absolutely unique. Between thirteen to fifteen countries each year working together to bring a spectacular display of not just delicious food but harmony, friendship and a love of raising money for others.** **All of the food is donated and cooked authentically by members of our diverse community to be sold with every penny going to charity.** **A beautiful example of what can be achieved when diversity is celebrated and a community comes together.** ## **BENEFICIARIES OF 2022** **For the beneficiaries of The International Food Fair 2022 we chose causes from within countries participating in the Food Fair, a cause where the need was great and a local Swindon charity.** ## **International** **Funds to help with solar panels for an Orphanage in Pakistan A solar powered well in Yemen Water handpumps in India Water handpumps in Afghanistan Relief aid for the flooding in Bangladesh** ## **Local** **Funds for a local hospital in Swindon to purchase dementia friendly clocks.** ## Other Projects **In 2022 we started our wonderful Connect Cafe, a safe and warm place for women and children to meet and feel connected. Attendees also had access to English language classes there. We tried to tailor these meet ups to the needs of the women, sessions included hot meals and drinks, Arabic sessions, book swap, discussions on life. The women have made close bonds and on the back of this project were able to plan and carry out a drive thru fundraiser and a ladies Eid party from within the cafe.** ## Other Projects ## **We have carried out various fundraisers through the year which include:** ## **Pakistan Flood Relief Turkiye Earthquake Appeal** ## **Other projects include:** **Connecting Communites Thank you Iftaar Supporting Refugees in Swindon** ## Financial Statement **----- Start of picture text -----**
Tax Year
June 22' - May 23'
Revenue £21,008.53
Donations and £19,262.68
Expenses
Leftover 1745.85
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## Financial Breakdown **----- Start of picture text -----**
Income Expenses Donated
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
Ingoing
Outgoing
Help for Connect
Refugees Cafe
312.78
Food Fair
Expenses
Emergency 4563
Appeals Emergency
4,669.00 Appeals
4,564.50
General
Donations
244.00
Food Fair
15,428.0
3
Food Fair
Beneficaries
10,000
Food FairGeneral DonationsEmergency AppealsDonations for Connect Cafe OtherHelp for Refugees
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## One Year Review **----- Start of picture text -----**
May
Feb
1.4%
6.4%
Percentage of Monthly Dec
1.7%
Income
Sept
10.4%
June
38.5%
August
0.1%
July
39.6%
March May
1.2%
Feb 4.2% June
15.6%
Dec 5%
0.4%
Sept
10.8%
Percentage of Monthly
Spenditure
August
10.5%
July
51.4%
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## Contact Us **07498 214370** **nali@connecting-communities.co.uk connectingcommunities.swindon** **connecting-communities.co.uk**