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2025-07-07-accounts

Cape Verdean Association UK Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)

Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 07 July 2025

Registered Charity Number: 1191106

Cape Verdean Association UK CIO Report of the Trustees for the year ended 07 July 2025

The Trustees are pleased to present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 07 July 2025.

The 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 applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2015) (amended 2 February 2016) as detailed in the accounting policies.

1. Reference and Administrative Details

Charity Name: Cape Verdean Association UK
Registered 1191106
charity number:
Charity's 44 Barlborough Street
Registered London
address SE14 5EY

Names of the charity Trustees who manage the charity

Trustee Name Date Appointed Position
Anabela da Conceicao Gomes Lopes S 02/09/2020 Chair/Admin
Maria Teresa Sanches Semedo 02/09/2020 Treasurer
Armindo Emanuel Fernandes de Brito 02/09/2020 Cultural Attaché
Jenifer Cristina Fortes Oliveira 15/09/2024 Social Welfare
Bankers
Lloyds Bank plc
25 Gresham Street
London
EC2V 7HN

2. Structure, Governance and Management

Governing Document

Cape Verdean Association UK is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), Foundation model constitution, registered with the Charity Commission in England and Wales on 02 September 2020, number 1191106. This report and accounts are for the 12 months period ended 07 July 2025.

Organisational Structure

The charity Trustees are responsible for the general control and management of the charity. The Trustees give their time freely and receive no remuneration or other financial benefits.

The Trustees appointed an admin who assists them voluntarily in the day-to-day administration of the charity.

The Trustees meet regularly and are responsible for all decisions concerning the provision of community support and the running of activities for the public benefit. To assist the smooth running of the charity, the Trustees have a pool of volunteers and honorary members who support them freely and help oversee certain charity activities, run informational workshops, events, and/or basic administrative tasks. A register of members and volunteers is maintained digitally.

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Cape Verdean Association UK CIO

Report of the Trustees for the year ended 07 July 2025 (continued)

Recruitment and appointment of Trustees

Apart from the first charity Trustees, every trustee appointed is elected by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity Trustees.

The existing Trustees are responsible for the recruitment of new Trustees and will seek recommendations of key community leaders and organisations who engage with the community and play a key role in supporting those in disadvantaged positions. The Trustees believe that this approach ensures that good relations are fostered with the people of the communities served and a more efficient signposting to the different support services available.

Newly appointed Trustees are provided with a comprehensive induction containing the charity’s constitution, annual reports, statement of accounts, as well as the essential trustees pack with information on the roles/responsibilities of charity Trustees. An initial meeting with the charity Trustees to brief them on their legal obligations under charity law is also arranged. When selecting new trustees, the Trustees take regard to people who have engaged with the charity activities, workshops, volunteering, those who are willing to support the charity work for the public benefit, and who are willing to donate some of their free time to support the community.

Risk Management

The Trustees remain vigilant in identifying and addressing the major strategic, operational, and reputational risks the charity may face, taking appropriate steps to mitigate them effectively.

3. Objectives and Activities

The objects of the Charity as stated in its Constitution are to be carried out to promote social inclusion for the public benefit by working with people in the UK who are socially excluded on the grounds of their ethnic origin, religion, belief or creed in particular, members of the Cape Verdean community to relieve the needs of such people and assist them to integrate into society, in particular by:

Nothing in this constitution shall authorise an application of the property of the CIO for the purposes which are not charitable in accordance with [section 7 of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005] and [section 2 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008]

4. Achievements and Performance

During the period, the Cape Verdean Association UK continued to actively deliver and expand a range of cultural, community and support activities aligned with its charitable objectives.

Building on the work developed in previous years, the charity maintained and, in some areas, expanded its reach despite ongoing structural limitations, including the absence of a permanent physical space and the reliance on volunteer-led delivery.

The Trustees and volunteers remained committed to sustaining support for the community, adapting delivery methods through digital platforms, partnerships, and shared community spaces. This approach enabled the charity to continue providing essential services, cultural activities and community engagement opportunities, while actively working towards a more sustainable operational model.

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Cape Verdean Association UK CIO

Report of the Trustees for the year ended 07 July 2025 (continued)

➢ Cultural and Community Events

The charity successfully organised and participated in several large-scale cultural events that brought together the Cape Verdean and wider PALOP community. Compared to the previous year, the charity observed increased participation in large-scale events and sustained engagement across workshops and online platforms, reflecting growing trust and visibility within the community. Key highlights include:

These events promoted cultural identity, intergenerational connection and community cohesion. They also provided opportunities for community members to reconnect with their cultural heritage while engaging with the wider multicultural environment.

➢ Workshops, Information Sessions and Community Engagement

The charity delivered and supported a growing number of workshops and information sessions addressing key community needs. These included:

These sessions typically reached between 50 and 70 participants per event, demonstrating continued demand for accessible, culturally relevant information and support within the community. The activities helped improve access to information, increase awareness of rights and services, and support community integration.

➢ Community Support and Advice

Due to the absence of a permanent physical space, the charity continued to provide flexible and accessible support to the community through:

Support provided included:

This work helped reduce barriers to access and supported vulnerable members of the community. In many cases, this support acted as a first point of contact, helping individuals navigate complex systems and access appropriate services. Demand for this remained consistent throughout the year, particularly due to ongoing changes in immigration processes, cost-of-living pressures and language barriers affecting access to services.

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Cape Verdean Association UK CIO

Report of the Trustees for the year ended 07 July 2025(continued)

➢ Digital Engagement and Outreach

The charity maintained a consistent and active online presence through Facebook and other platforms, sharing:

This digital engagement helped reach a wider audience and ensured access to important information for Portuguese-speaking communities.

➢ Organisational Development

During the year, the charity experienced key organisational changes, including:

As a result, the organisation has begun reviewing its long-term sustainability and capacity. Key areas under consideration include:

These challenges have reinforced the need to transition from a fully volunteer-led model to a more sustainable structure, including the potential development of funded roles and a permanent community space. This period has been an important stage of reflection and planning, informing the charity’s next phase of development.

➢ Public Benefit

All activities carried out during the year contributed to public benefit by:

These activities align directly with the charity’s objects and demonstrate ongoing public benefit through both preventative and responsive community support.

➢ Volunteer Engagement and Partnerships

Volunteer engagement remained fundamental to the delivery of activities. Volunteers supported the delivery of workshops, contributed to event organisation, assisted with logistics, and helped coordinate outreach efforts. Their time and commitment, freely given, have remained essential in enabling the charity to sustain a consistent programme of cultural and community support activities despite limited resources.

Compared to previous years, volunteer involvement has remained strong, although the charity is increasingly aware of the need to develop more structured roles and support mechanisms to ensure long-term sustainability and avoid over-reliance on voluntary capacity.

The Trustees have continued to strengthen relationships with other charities, service providers, and community organisations. These partnerships have been key in expanding the charity’s reach, improving access to services, and enabling effective signposting to specialist support. Collaboration remains an important approach to ensuring that beneficiaries receive appropriate and timely assistance.

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Cape Verdean Association UK CIO

Report of the Trustees for the year ended 07 July 2025 (continued)

5. Financial Review

During the reporting period, the charity continued to operate without access to public funding and did not submit formal funding applications.

The Trustees have taken a deliberate approach, focusing on delivering consistent, community-led activities while working towards the development of structured projects that can support future funding applications.

The charity remains largely volunteer-led, with Trustees, honorary members, and volunteers continuing to contribute their time and, where possible, financial support. Income generated through small donations, fundraising events, and community contributions has enabled the charity to maintain a modest but meaningful level of service. These resources have supported the delivery of activities, as well as direct assistance to individuals and families in need, including the provision of food and essential items where required.

The community has continued to respond positively to this grassroots model, demonstrating strong engagement and a sense of collective ownership. This approach has reinforced solidarity within the Cape Verdean diaspora and strengthened the charity’s connection to the communities it serves. It also reflects a cautious and considered progression towards long-term financial sustainability.

Reserves Policy

During the financial year, the charity held sufficient funds, primarily generated through community contributions and fundraising activities, to meet its basic operational costs.

However, current reserves remain limited and do not yet provide sufficient financial resilience buffer for long-term sustainability or unexpected demands. Building a more stable reserve position remains a key priority for the organisation.

The Trustees aim to gradually generate consistent surpluses through improved planning, structured activities, and future funding opportunities, supporting the charity’s long-term development and its ambition to establish a permanent community space.

Principal Funding Sources

The charity’s income during the reporting period continued to be derived from community-based sources, including:

All funds received were unrestricted, allowing the charity to respond flexibly to emerging needs and to prioritise support for beneficiaries.

Plans for future periods

The Trustees recognise the increasing demand for services and the need to strengthen both financial and operational capacity. In the coming period, the charity intends to:

A key strategic objective remains the acquisition of a physical community space. This would enable the charity to provide more consistent in-person support, increase the number of workshops and activities delivered, and enhance its visibility within the community.

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Cape Verdean Association UK CIO

Report of the Trustees for the year ended 07 July 2025 (continued)

The charity will continue to focus on promoting wellbeing, cultural heritage, and social inclusion, with particular attention to addressing social isolation, mental health challenges, economic hardship, and barriers to accessing services. By continuing to bring people together through shared experiences, knowledge exchange, and cultural connection, the charity aims to strengthen community resilience and build a more sustainable foundation for the future.

These developments are intended to support the charity’s transition into a more sustainable, accessible and impactful organisation for the community it serves.

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

The charity’s Trustees are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and financial statements in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Under charity law in England and Wales, Trustees must ensure that the financial statements provide a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its incoming and outgoing resources for the financial year. In preparing these statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are also responsible for maintaining adequate accounting records that clearly explain the charity’s transactions and financial position at any given time. These records must be sufficient to ensure compliance with the Charities Acts.

Furthermore, the Trustees must take reasonable steps to safeguard the charity’s assets and prevent fraud and other forms of financial irregularity.

The annual report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 03[rd] May 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

……………………………………………………….

Anabela Gomes Lopes S

Chair of Trustees Date: 03[rd] May 2026

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Cape Verdean Association UK CIO

Report of the Trustees for the year ended 07 July 2025 (continued)

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Cape Verdean Association UK CIO

Notes to the Payment and Receipts Account for the year ended 07 July 2025

1. Accounting policies

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

CIO information

Cape Verdean Association UK was registered as a charitable incorporated organisation on 02 September 2020 and is governed by a constitution dated 01 September 2020 and registered with the Charity Commission under charity number 1191106. The charity’s principal office address is 44 Barlborough Street, New Cross, SE14 5EY

Accounting convention :

The accounts (payment and receipts accounts) have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 (“Charities SORP (FRS102)”), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2015.

The payment and receipts accounts have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. This departure has involved following Charities SORP (FRS 102) rather than Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice, effective from 1 April 2005, which has since been withdrawn.

The Cape Verdean Association UK CIO meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

Going concern

The Trustees have at the time of approving the payment and receipts accounts a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus, they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

Income resources

All Income resources are recognised once the charity has entitlement to the resources, it is certain that the resources will be received, and the monetary value of incoming resources can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Voluntary income received by way of donations/contributions are included in full in the receipts and payments account when receivable.

The value of services donated by volunteers has not been included in these accounts, except where the services provided are in the nature of professional services where a fee would otherwise be charged.

Fund accounting

All funds received in the year are unrestricted in their application, the Trustees having full discretion over their use.

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