2025-03-31-accounts - Bradford African Community

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Bradford African Community

Charity number 1191374

Annual Report and Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Bradford African Community

Annual Report and Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Contents	Page
Trustees' report	2 to 5
Examiner's report	6
Receipts and payments account	7
Statement of assets and liabilities	8
Notes to the accounts	9 to 10

Prepared by West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO

Bradford African Community

Trustees' report for the year ended 31 March 2025

Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisors

The trustees during the financial year and up to and including the date the report was approved were: Name Position Dates

Yassin Toyi Chair Appointed 4 January 2025 Catherine Kembabazi Mangala Hussein Resigned 16 April 2024 Faith Nyambane Ismail Adam Appointed 29 April 2024

Charity number

1191374

Registered in England and Wales

Registered and principal address

Bankers

Quaker Meeting House Lloyds TSB Bank plc Russell Street Ariel House Bradford 2138 Coventry Road BD5 OJB Birmingham B26 3JW

Independent examiner

Rhys North ACA

West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO

Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW

Structure, governance and management

The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) foundation formed on 21 September 2020 and is governed by a constitution.

Method of recruitment and appointment of trustees

The trustees of the charity are appointed by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees.

Bradford African Community

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Objectives and activities

The charity's objects

To promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing people, in particular (but without limitation) African refugees and asylum seekers residing in Bradford and Yorkshire, from becoming socially excluded, relieving the needs of those people who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society through:

a Education and training in the English language;
b Providing workshops/courses, homework support classes and general support;
c Social and recreational facilities and events involving the local community directed to promoting social inclusion. For the purpose of this clause ‘socially excluded’ means being excluded from society, or part of society, as a result of being a member of a socially and economically deprived community.

The prevention or relief of poverty in Africa by providing: grants, items and services to individuals in need and/or charities, or other organisation’s working to prevent or relieve poverty.

Public benefit statement

In setting our objectives and planning our activities our Trustees have given serious consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and in particular the promotion of social inclusion.

Achievements and performance

The table above shows the number of individuals who visited and attended Bradford Community centre for learning and to seek support with issues that impact their daily lives. They took part in various activities offered by the centre.

Bradford African Community (BAC) Drop-in-centre provided comprehensive support to individuals facing language and cultural barriers; unemployment; economically inactivity; and a lack of UK work experience, relevant qualification and skills. Our drop-in-centre helped participants to improve their jobs search skills, complete job applications and understand work expectations.

In addition, BAC supported individuals in managing essential tasks such as responding to universal credit and council tax correspondence, enabling them to set-up direct debits to avoid falling into arrears, and understanding eVisa requirement and housing related matters. Where specialist advice was needed, clients were signposted to trusted partners including Bradford Law centre, Manual Bravo project and Citizen’s advice Bureau for legal advice.

Bradford African Community

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Achievements and performance continued

Our ESOL speaking and listening alongside cultural orientation workshops were delivered to help participants improve their English communication and deepen their understanding of life in the UK. The sessions supported refugees and migrants in developing the confidence to engage in everyday conversations, access public services and integrate more effectively into their local communities. Cultural orientation components also helped participants to understand British values, social norms and system, enhancing their ability to navigate daily life independently and contributing positively to society.

BAC organised a series of educational and recreational trips across Bradford and wider West Yorkshire to help beneficiaries explore different towns and cities, connect with new environments and gain a better understanding of life in the UK. These trips promoted social inclusion, cultural awareness, and community cohesion, while also providing participants, many of whom are refugees and migrants, with opportunities to build confidence, form friendships and feel more connected to their new home.

Through the Watoto (Children First and Great Little Mind) programme BAC delivered a range of activities for children and young people aimed at their language development. The play and Stay sessions, led by parents, provided safe and engaging spaces where children could learn, interact and build early communication and social skills. Through the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme BAC also offered enriching experiences such as swimming sessions, arts and crafts workshops, family cook and eat sessions and cinema visits featuring inspiring films. These activities were designed to enhance the physical, emotional and social wellbeing of young people, promoting confidence, creativity and positive relationships.

Key learning and reflections for the year 2024-2025, the Final years of BAC Engage project

Over the past - and final - year of the Engage project, BAC has deepened its understanding of what drives meaningful engagement and sustainable impact within refugee and migrant communities.

We have learned that community-rooted approach remains central to building trust, participation and longterm inclusion. Our work has reaffirmed that language support is not only an educational need but a foundation for integration and meaningful participation and contribution to the wider British society, enabling access to employment, health and civic participation.

Through the HAF and Our Youth programme initiative, we have learned that early youth engagement helps prevent isolation and disengagement later in life, while community-led drop-in-centres continue to serve as effective first access points for individuals facing complex barriers, including language barriers.

Importantly, we have learned that social integration must be intentional and not incidental, requiring consistent collaboration between statutory agencies, voluntary organisations and local communities. Finally, we have seen the transformative potential of refugees and migrants as leaders, their lived experience and resilience have become powerful assets in co-designing and delivering inclusive services. These insights will continue to shape Bradford African Community's direction, guiding us towards a more responsive, partnership-driven and sustainable community development.

Financial review

The net receipts for the year were £5,024, including net receipts of £21,757 on unrestricted funds and net payments of £16,733 on restricted funds.

Bradford African Community

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Reserves policy

The charity's free reserves, at the year end were £38,136.

The general purpose of BAC's reserves policy is to help to ensure the long-term financial stability of the organisation and position it to respond to varying economic conditions and changes affecting the organisation’s financial position and the ability of the organisation to continuously carry out its mission.

l To enable the organisation to sustain operations through delays in payments of committed funding and to accept reimbursable contracts and grants without jeopardizing ongoing operations.
l To promote public and funder confidence in the long-term sustainability of the organisation by preventing chronic cash flow crises that can diminish its reputation and force its leaders to make expensive shortterm, crisis-based decisions; and
l To create an internal line of credit to manage cash flow and maintain financial flexibility.

The trustees have agreed the target reserves should be between three and six months expenditure. Based on 2024/2025 expenditure this represents a reserves target of between £33,000 and £66,000.

Approved by the board of trustees on …………..……...…….

Signed: ………………..…………. (Trustee)

Name: ……………..…..………….

Bradford African Community

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Bradford African Community

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the CIO for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 7 to 10.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the CIO you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').

I report in respect of my examination of the CIO's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Charities Act; 2 the accounts do not accord with those records.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed: …………………………………… Name: Rhys North ACA

Date: …………………….

Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW

Bradford African Community

Receipts and payments account for the year ended 31 March 2025

2025 Unrestricted funds £ Receipts Grants and donations (2) 25,500 Bank interest 44 Other income 848 Total receipts 26,392 Salaries NI and pensions 282 Payroll charges 571 Freelancer fees 700 Activity costs 518 Equipment 130 Insurance - Rent - Transport and travel - Office, printing and stationery 678 Telephone and internet 634 Marketing - Volunteer expenses - Training - volunteers and staff - Independent examination - DBS checks - Car repairs and maintenance 1,122 Water rates - Other Costs - Total payments 4,635 Net receipts / (payments) 21,757 Fund balances brought forward 16,379 Fund balances carried forward (3) 38,136	2025 Restricted funds £ 110,755 - - 110,755 64,830 - 20,335 12,719 2,542 797 15,353 4,420 1,691 77 362 1,220 599 - 612 - 387 1,544 127,488 (16,733) 27,389 10,656	2025 Total funds £ 136,255 44 848 137,147 65,112 571 21,035 13,237 2,672 797 15,353 4,420 2,369 711 362 1,220 599 - 612 1,122 387 1,544 132,123 5,024 43,768 48,792	2024 Total funds £ 99,686 42 2,275 102,003 64,587 575 9,707 13,187 3,481 570 8,059 4,512 3,764 670 215 579 358 792 816 - - - 111,872 (9,869) 53,637 43,768

Bradford African Community Statement of assets and liabilities

as at 31 March 2025 2025 Unrestricted £ Cash funds Cash at bank 38,043 Bradford Community Payroll 90 Cash in hand 3 Total cash funds 38,136 Debtors and prepayments Prepayments Assets retained for the charity's own use Motor vehicle Office and computer equipment Liabilities Accruals	2025 Restricted £ 10,656 - - 10,656	2025 Total £ 48,699 90 3 48,792 2025 £ 1,672 1,672 2025 £ 2,040 2,040	2024 Total £ 43,034 731 3 43,768

The financial statements were approved by the board of trustees on …………..……...…….

Signed: ……………...………….…. (Trustee)

Name: ……………..…..………….

Bradford African Community

Notes to the accounts

for the year ended 31 March 2025

1 Accounting policies

Basis of accounting

The trustees have taken advantage of section 133 of the Charities Act 2011 and have prepared the accounts on a receipts and payments basis.

There has been no change to the accounting policies since last year.

No changes have been made to the accounts for previous years.

Taxation

As a charity the organisation benefits from rates relief and is generally exempt from income tax and capital gains tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.

Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the accounts.

Bradford African Community

Notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 31 March 2025

2 Grants and donations National Lottery Community Foundation (NLCF) Lloyds Bank Foundation Groundwork UK Bradford District Metropolitan Council (BDMC) The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Other Donations 3 Restricted funds Balance b/f £ NLCF Engage Project 25,814 BDMC HAF 1,575 Creating Pathways to Prosperity - The Duke of Edinburgh's Award - 27,389	2025 Unrestricted funds £ - 25,000 - - - 500 25,500 Incoming £ 61,500 18,600 22,349 8,306 110,755	2025 Restricted funds £ 61,500 - 22,349 18,600 8,306 - 110,755 Outgoing £ 87,314 17,634 22,349 191 127,488	2025 Total funds £ 61,500 25,000 22,349 18,600 8,306 500 136,255 Transfers £ - - - - -	2024 Total funds £ 82,000 - - 16,986 - 700 99,686 Balance c/f £ - 2,541 - 8,115 10,656

Fund name NLCF Engage Project

Purpose of restriction

To develop a safe space for support and advice to refugees and to provide educational and support opportunities.

BDMC HAF To support the provision of food and activities during school holidays. Creating Pathways to Prosperity Groundwork UK funding towards a cost of employment support project. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Towards the cost of Duke of Edinburgh award scheme activities.

4 Related party transactions

Trustee expenses

No trustee received any expenses during this year or the previous year.

Trustee remuneration and benefits

No trustee received any remuneration or benefit during this or the previous year.