2023/24 ANNUAL REPORT Connecling Communities WELCOKIE TO Connocting Communities Co JNJ I COmpAUNr *y Ill
Table of Contents
About Us Our Vision and Mission The Food Fair Beneficiaries of 2023 Faith Centre Other Projects Financial Review Contact Us
About Us
It started with a Food Fair!
More than 20 years ago, The International Food Fair was started by the members of the Muslim Community of Swindon with a desire to bring the communities together whilst raising money for charities. The much-loved event ran annually until key organisers moved away and for several years the event 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 unite the wider community and identify areas of need emerged.
At Connecting Communities, we believe in the strength of unity, and recognise that diversity can be the colour of life.
We aim to create a close-knit and diverse community where the needs of individuals are supported and met.
Mission
-
We aim to run the International Food Fair annually to promote community cohesion, and diversity, as well as a safe place to share culture and food.
-
With the proceeds of the International Food Fair, we aim to support charitable causes locally and internationally.
-
We aim to identify areas of need within our community and work together to meet those needs.
-
We aim to raise funds to acquire 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 unique. Between 13-15 countries work together to bring a spectacular display of not just delicious food but harmony, friendship, and a love of raising funds 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.
This is a beautiful example of what can be achieved when diversity is celebrated and a community comes together.
Beneficiaries of 2023
For the beneficiaries of The International Food Fair 2023, participating countries were selected at random from an online spinner. The winning countries were Palestine and Nigeria. Locally we chose the charities Harbour Project and SEND families.
Palestine
With the help of our Palestinian stall leader, we located a small business in a village near Jenin that employs local women in a sewing business. Our donation of £3706.22 enabled her to buy two more industrial sewing machines to increase the capacity of the factory and increase employability.
Nigeria
Our wonderful stall leader introduced us to the charity F.R.E.E which operates in Nigeria providing relief and assistance to many. Our chosen project enabled them to build a plantation to have a sustainable income used for supporting orphans and widows. We donated £3348 to this project.
Harbour Project
Harbour Project is a local Swindon charity that works with asylum seekers and refugees. We donated a total of £2400 to fund an internet cafe and football kits.
SEND Families
We donated £500 to SEND Families, a local Swindon charity that advocates for the needs of families with children with special needs, to buy a sensory toy library.
Faith Centre
2023/4 was an important year for Connecting Communities. In February 2024 we were given the lease for new premises for our charity. The whole team worked extremely hard changing the space from an open plan office to a warm and welcoming headquarters for Connecting Communities, ‘The Faith Centre’. We plan to use the space to hold many activities and events for the benefit of our local community.
From this:
To this:
Other Projects
Parenting workshop and Family engagement project.
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A need was identified within the Muslim communities to engage with families struggling with the educational, emotional and social needs of their children.
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A grant of £4860 was secured through the Wilshire Community Foundation to run a series of Parenting workshops led by local leading professionals in the field. The workshops proved very successful and the parents reported improved relationships with their children.
Tafsir class
- A group for women to get together and look at the deeper meanings of the Qur’an.
Chai Cafe
A social cafe for ladies
Exercise for women
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Opportunities for Muslim women to exercise whilst still adhering to the requirements of their faith and not feeling left out can be difficult in Swindon.
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We wanted to provide these opportunities and hence started badminton and swimming clubs for women. Both clubs are gaining popularity and running regularly.
Financial Statement
| inancial tatement |
|
|---|---|
| Tax Year June 23' - May 24' |
|
| Revenue | £28,987. |
| Donations and Expenses |
£23,328. |
| Leftover | 5695 |
Financial Breakdown
----- Start of picture text -----
Financial Breakdown
Income Expenses Donated
35,000.00
30,000.00
25,000.00
20,000.00
15,000.00
10,000.00
5,000.00
0.00
Ingoing: Outgoing:
Food Fair Beneficaries
Food Fair
Family Engagement
Food Fair Expenses
Exercise for wo… Exercise for wo…
Family Engagement Faith Centre Faith Centre
Emerg…
Conne… Emergency…
Gener…
General Donations/ExpensesFood Fair Emergency Appeals Connect Cafe Faith CentreExercise for womenFamily engagement
----- End of picture text -----
One Year Review
----- Start of picture text -----
May June
April
5% 0.3%
2.2%
March
8%
Feb
1.6%
Jan
16.6%
July
60.1%
Nov
2.4%
August
0.3%
July
27%
Percentage of Monthly
Spenditure
----- End of picture text -----
Percentage of Monthly Income
----- Start of picture text -----
May
April 7.2%
3.3%
March
12%
Feb
0.3%
Jan
18.6%
August
Nov
26.6%
3.3%
----- End of picture text -----
Contact Us
07498 214370
nali@connecting-communities.co.uk connectingcommunities.swindon
connecting-communities.co.uk
Registered charity number 1187208
CONNECTING COMMUNITIES
Accounts
31 May 2024
Khan Adamson Limited Chartered Accountant Chelworth Industrial Estate Cricklade Swindon Wiltshire SN6 6HE
CONNECTING COMMUNITIES Charity Information
| Trustees | Tajwar Hassan - Chair of Trustees |
|---|---|
| Gillian Stokes | |
| Shafaq Mushtaq | |
| Nausheen Ali | |
| Address | 25 Dunvant Road |
| Swindon | |
| Wiltshire | |
| SN25 2AW | |
| Registered charity number | 1187208 |
| Independent examiner | Hussain A. Khan B.Sc., ACA |
| Khan Adamson Limited | |
| Chartered Accountant | |
| Chelworth Industrial Estate | |
| Cricklade | |
| Swindon | |
| Wiltshire | |
| SN6 6HE |
1
CONNECTING COMMUNITIES
Abbreviated Report of the Trustees
The trustees present their abbreviated annual report for the year ended 31 May 2024.
Structure, governance and management
The charity is set up as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and is registered with the Charity Commissioners under registration number 1187208. The charity was registered on 6 January 2020.
The trustees during the period under review were:
Tajwar Hassan - Chair of trustees Gillian Stokes Shafaq Mushtaq Nausheen Ali
Financial review
The statement of financial activities is set out on page 4. This shows net incoming resources of £5,659 for the year.
Trustees' responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and UK Accounting Standards. They are also responsible for maintaining adequate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity, and which are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions, and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with regulations made under the Charities Act. 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.
The trustees are also responsible for the contents of the trustees' report, and the responsibility of the independent examiner in relation to the trustees' report is limited to examining the report and ensuring that , on the face of the report, there are no inconsistencies with the figures disclosed in the financial statements.
On behalf of the trustees
Tajwar Hassan Chair of trustees
Dated: 14 November 2024
2
CONNECTING COMMUNITIES
Independent examiner's report to the Trustees of Connecting Communities
I report on the accounts of the charity for the period ended 31 May 2024 which are set out on pages 4 to 8.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Charities Act") and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act;
-
to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act; and
-
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and the seeking of explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
-
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
-
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Hussain A. Khan B.Sc., ACA Khan Adamson Limited Chartered Accountant Chelworth Industrial Estate Cricklade Swindon Wiltshire SN6 6HE
14 November 2024
3
CONNECTING COMMUNITIES Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 May 2024
| Incoming resources Total voluntary income Total incoming resources Resources expended Costs of generating funds: Charitable Governance costs Total resources expended Net incoming resources Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted total funds 2024 £ 28,987 28,987 22,086 1,242 23,328 5,659 6,612 12,271 |
|---|---|
The notes and schedule on pages 6 to 8 form an integral part of these accounts.
4
CONNECTING COMMUNITIES Balance Sheet as at 31 May 2024
| Notes Fixed assets Tangible assets 2 Current assets Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 3 Net current assets Net assets Reserves Unrestricted funds 4 Charity funds |
2024 £ 1,693 11,538 (960) 10,578 12,271 12,271 12,271 |
|---|---|
These accounts were approved by the Trustees on 14 November 2024
Tajwar Hassan Chair
Gillian Stokes Trustee
The notes and schedule on pages 6 to 8 form an integral part of these accounts.
5
CONNECTING COMMUNITIES Notes to the Accounts
for the year ended 31 May 2024
1 Accounting policies
Accounting convention
The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities published on 16/07/14, the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (FRSSE), and the Charities Act 2011 and applicable regulations.
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.
Incoming resources
Voluntary income including donations received are included in the accounts in the year of receipt unless entitlement is conditional in which case the income will be deferred to the period in which th condition is to be met.
Resources expended
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be recovered and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates.
Charitable expenditure comprises of those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include independent examiner fees and costs associated with the management of the charity.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation has been provided at the following rates in order to write off the assets over their estimated useful lives.
Fixtures and equipment
20% reducing balance
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. Designated funds are unrestricted funds which have been set aside to fund particular future activities.
There were no restricted funds held at the end of the current year.
2 Tangible fixed assets
| Cost Additions At 31 May 2024 Depreciation Charge for the year At 31 May 2024 Net book value At 31 May 2024 |
Fixtures and equipment £ 2,116 2,116 423 423 1,693 |
|---|---|
6
CONNECTING COMMUNITIES Notes to the Accounts
for the year ended 31 May 2024
| 3 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Other creditors and accruals 4 Unrestricted funds At 1 June 2023 Net incoming resources At 31 May 2024 |
2024 £ 960 2024 £ 6,612 5,659 12,271 |
|---|---|
7
CONNECTING COMMUNITIES
Schedule to the Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 May 2024
| Voluntary income Income from Food Fair Connect café, clubs and donations Grants received Total incoming resources Resources expended Core activities Charitable expenditure: Catering and supplies Charitable donations paid Workshop courses fees Rent of halls and premises Stationery printing and advertising Insurance Equipment hire Repairs and cleaning Depreciation of fixed assets Sundry expenses Governance costs Independent examiner's fee Bank and card charges Total resources expended |
Total 2024 £ 17,406 6,221 5,360 28,987 3,255 10,804 1,100 4,196 331 206 1,098 110 423 563 22,086 960 282 1,242 23,328 |
|---|---|
8
Registered charity number 1187208
CONNECTING COMMUNITIES
Accounts
31 May 2024
Khan Adamson Limited Chartered Accountant Chelworth Industrial Estate Cricklade Swindon Wiltshire SN6 6HE
CONNECTING COMMUNITIES Charity Information
| Trustees | Tajwar Hassan - Chair of Trustees |
|---|---|
| Gillian Stokes | |
| Shafaq Mushtaq | |
| Nausheen Ali | |
| Address | 25 Dunvant Road |
| Swindon | |
| Wiltshire | |
| SN25 2AW | |
| Registered charity number | 1187208 |
| Independent examiner | Hussain A. Khan B.Sc., ACA |
| Khan Adamson Limited | |
| Chartered Accountant | |
| Chelworth Industrial Estate | |
| Cricklade | |
| Swindon | |
| Wiltshire | |
| SN6 6HE |
1
CONNECTING COMMUNITIES
Abbreviated Report of the Trustees
The trustees present their abbreviated annual report for the year ended 31 May 2024.
Structure, governance and management
The charity is set up as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and is registered with the Charity Commissioners under registration number 1187208. The charity was registered on 6 January 2020.
The trustees during the period under review were:
Tajwar Hassan - Chair of trustees Gillian Stokes Shafaq Mushtaq Nausheen Ali
Financial review
The statement of financial activities is set out on page 4. This shows net incoming resources of £5,659 for the year.
Trustees' responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and UK Accounting Standards. They are also responsible for maintaining adequate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity, and which are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions, and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with regulations made under the Charities Act. 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.
The trustees are also responsible for the contents of the trustees' report, and the responsibility of the independent examiner in relation to the trustees' report is limited to examining the report and ensuring that , on the face of the report, there are no inconsistencies with the figures disclosed in the financial statements.
On behalf of the trustees
Tajwar Hassan Chair of trustees
Dated: 14 November 2024
2
CONNECTING COMMUNITIES
Independent examiner's report to the Trustees of Connecting Communities
I report on the accounts of the charity for the period ended 31 May 2024 which are set out on pages 4 to 8.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Charities Act") and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act;
-
to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act; and
-
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and the seeking of explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
-
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
-
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Hussain A. Khan B.Sc., ACA Khan Adamson Limited Chartered Accountant Chelworth Industrial Estate Cricklade Swindon Wiltshire SN6 6HE
14 November 2024
3
CONNECTING COMMUNITIES Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 May 2024
| Incoming resources Total voluntary income Total incoming resources Resources expended Costs of generating funds: Charitable Governance costs Total resources expended Net incoming resources Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted total funds 2024 £ 28,987 28,987 22,086 1,242 23,328 5,659 6,612 12,271 |
|---|---|
The notes and schedule on pages 6 to 8 form an integral part of these accounts.
4
CONNECTING COMMUNITIES Balance Sheet as at 31 May 2024
| Notes Fixed assets Tangible assets 2 Current assets Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 3 Net current assets Net assets Reserves Unrestricted funds 4 Charity funds |
2024 £ 1,693 11,538 (960) 10,578 12,271 12,271 12,271 |
|---|---|
These accounts were approved by the Trustees on 14 November 2024
Tajwar Hassan Chair
Gillian Stokes Trustee
The notes and schedule on pages 6 to 8 form an integral part of these accounts.
5
CONNECTING COMMUNITIES Notes to the Accounts
for the year ended 31 May 2024
1 Accounting policies
Accounting convention
The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities published on 16/07/14, the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (FRSSE), and the Charities Act 2011 and applicable regulations.
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.
Incoming resources
Voluntary income including donations received are included in the accounts in the year of receipt unless entitlement is conditional in which case the income will be deferred to the period in which th condition is to be met.
Resources expended
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be recovered and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates.
Charitable expenditure comprises of those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include independent examiner fees and costs associated with the management of the charity.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation has been provided at the following rates in order to write off the assets over their estimated useful lives.
Fixtures and equipment
20% reducing balance
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. Designated funds are unrestricted funds which have been set aside to fund particular future activities.
There were no restricted funds held at the end of the current year.
2 Tangible fixed assets
| Cost Additions At 31 May 2024 Depreciation Charge for the year At 31 May 2024 Net book value At 31 May 2024 |
Fixtures and equipment £ 2,116 2,116 423 423 1,693 |
|---|---|
6
CONNECTING COMMUNITIES Notes to the Accounts
for the year ended 31 May 2024
| 3 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Other creditors and accruals 4 Unrestricted funds At 1 June 2023 Net incoming resources At 31 May 2024 |
2024 £ 960 2024 £ 6,612 5,659 12,271 |
|---|---|
7
CONNECTING COMMUNITIES
Schedule to the Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 May 2024
| Voluntary income Income from Food Fair Connect café, clubs and donations Grants received Total incoming resources Resources expended Core activities Charitable expenditure: Catering and supplies Charitable donations paid Workshop courses fees Rent of halls and premises Stationery printing and advertising Insurance Equipment hire Repairs and cleaning Depreciation of fixed assets Sundry expenses Governance costs Independent examiner's fee Bank and card charges Total resources expended |
Total 2024 £ 17,406 6,221 5,360 28,987 3,255 10,804 1,100 4,196 331 206 1,098 110 423 563 22,086 960 282 1,242 23,328 |
|---|---|
8