## **L A T V I A N C O M M U N I T Y A S S O C I A T I O N I N T H E U K** # A N N U A L R E P O R T **Charity Number:** 1191882 **Registered address:** Gladstone Park Community Centre, 927 Bourges blvd, PE1 2AN **Trustees:** Zane Viktorija Boiko, Jolanta Kirsteine, Iluta Willis **CEO:** Iveta Suna **Coordinator:** Kristine Vaivode **Accountant:** Money Talks Accountancy Ltd **Independent Examiner:** Joanna Fox ACMA **Type of governing document:** Constitution **How the charity is constituted:** Association **Trustee selection methods:** Appointed by existing trustees The Board of Trustees at Latvian Community Association in the UK are submitting the annual report for the time period of 1st April 2023 - 31st March 2024. The Board of Trustees confirms that the annual report, including financial statements, of LCAITUK comply with the current statutory requirements, the Charity Act 2011 as well as the requirements of the Constitution of the charity. This report is a reflection of the objectives, activities and vision that is at the core of LCAITUK's values. We have prepared an overview of our achievements as well as a detailed financial report for the time period of 1st April 2023 - 31st March 2024. We want to express our utmost gratitude to everyone who helped with running our projects and activities, This year we have had 15 volunteers regularly contributing their time, skills and expertise to make our charity the best it could be. As we become more grounded within our community we are receiving more and more interest in not just participating in our activities but also helping to plan them and volunteer during the sessions and workshops we run. This shows the continual and growing trust they have in our organisation and our mission. And for this reason, this years chosen colour is navy blue - it symbolises trust and strength. Our biggest strength comes from working together - be it the helpful volunteers, colleagues, partner organisations, funders, and most importantly the whole community we work in. Navy blue is also the colour of peace and stability, and during this year we placed a lot of emphasis on mental health and its improvement for our beneficiaries. The counselling sessions we provide are still one of our most sought after activities and it wouldn't be possible without the help of our funders and the wonderful partnerships we've created with the therapists themselves. As a women run organisation, with lived mental health struggles, we saw the need for more women-centred support, especially for those who are facing barriers in achieving goals and living a fulfilling life. Hence, we created a couple of weekend-long workshops for women and invited professionals from different fields of mental health, creativity, food psychology and movement therapy, to provide attendees with a unique experience to delve deep and start their healing journey of self-love and acceptance, all in a safe environment full of inspiring women. And as a reminder to ourselves and everyone reading this report - you are worthy and deserving of so much love - hope you can truly see and feel that! ## **W H O W E A R E** Our charity started as Peterborough Latvian Community group (PLC) and on October 19th, 2020 we became a registered Charity. PLC was established in 2009 in Peterborough. Our main aim is to support disadvantaged members of the EU as well as emergency support groups, who are on low income, work long hours, struggle with English and lack knowledge of the UK system. Our aim is to promote community cohesion for better understanding and also to help our members to take part in integration events to reduce loneliness, tackle mental health and reduce isolation by creating multi-cultural events, educational, sports and wellbeing activities to prevent anti-social behaviour and community tension and even crime. We have 7 people in the management committee and they contribute their expertise from different fields, including accountancy, youth and social work, psychology, business, HR, engineering and arts. TO PROVIDE DEPRIVED LOCAL COMMUNITIES WITH FREE WELLBEING ACTIVITIES THAT BENEFIT THEIR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH OUR MISSION **P R O M O T E S O C I A L I N C L U S I O N O F T H E L O C A L P E T E R B O R O U G H C O M M U N I T Y B Y P R O V I D I N G T H E M W I T H A C T I V I T I E S T H A T W I L L B R I N G T H E M T O G E T H E R A N D S E C U R E S A F E S P A C E S F O R S O C I A L I S I N G** **I N C R E A S E C O N F I D E N C E W I T H I N O U R B E N E F I C I A R I E S T H A T W I L L L E A D T O B E I N G M O R E O U T G O I N G A N D P O S I T I V E A B O U T T H E I R S K I L L S B Y A T T E N D I N G A C T I V I T I E S S U C H A S E N G L I S H A N D S E W I N G C L A S S E S** **M I N I M I S E T H E S T I G M A O F M E N T A L H E A L T H S T R U G G L E S B Y A C T I V E L Y T A L K I N G A B O U T I T A N D P R O V I D I N G T H E B E N E F I C I A R I E S W I T H T H E R A P Y S U P P O R T A N D M E N T A L H E A L T H B E N E F I T I N G A C T I V I T I E S** **H E L P O T H E R S S E E O U R C O M M U N I T Y A S A N E X C I T I N G P L A C E T O B E , F U L L O F I N S P I R I N G P E O P L E A N D S T O R I E S . T O S E E I T S D I V E R S I T Y A S A T R E A S U R E T H A T I T I S .** ## **W H E R E W E W O R K** **Police statistics, March 2024** At the same time Milfield is home for over 100 languages and nationalities, making it a a vibrant and exciting hub that celebrates culture and diversity. ## **O U R T I M E L I N E** **----- Start of picture text -----**
At this point we're proud
After realising that
We spent a year
to be working with a
Latvians are craving
planning the grand 100
dedicated team, partners
connections and
years for Latvia
and volunteers to provide
activities our first
celebrations. We've
support not just for
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also taken part in many Latvians but the wider
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established. And it's the
different community
reaching over 400
opening of our Saturday
groups!
beneficiaries through our
supplementary school!
activities .
2009 2014 2020 2023
2011 2018 2022
We're starting a new We got established as a We established our
Our first ever event
tradition - Latvian permanent office and
charity! Through the
to connect Latvian
Culture Day in the UK, tough COVID-19 times events space at
people living in
Gladstone Community
where every year it we managed to achieve
Peterborough - to our Park Centre.
takes place in a a lot by helping our
surprise around 60 As well as started to
people came! It's the different city across the communities virtually - attract volunteers from
UK, highlighting our providing with creative, abroad - bringing talents
beginning of Latvian
culture, dance, song physical and mental with so many ideas and
Community!
and food for a day activities. skillsets.
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **O U R M A I N A C T I V I T I E S** It has been another busy year and we’ve been lucky and grateful to have been able to organise such a diverse bouquet of activities. And the more we create them, the more it crystallises what are the exact activities that our community wants to see. They are really the ones to shape them as they are the ones getting most benefit out of them - so we listen and act upon their feedback. We hold regular surveys during and in-between activities and workshops to see how they make the attendees feel and if they are of benefit. It was already expressed before during sewing sessions that the participants wanted to take part in ceramics workshops. Normally they are very costly, but thanks to Macmillan cancer research and our lovely ceramicists we got the brilliant opportunity to offer these workshops to our community for free of charge. And it has truly been heartwarming to see what beautiful objects get created during classes - and with so much love and passion. Another soul project of ours was the empowering women’s workshops.It was inspiring to see women discover new strengths, build connections, and foster their mental and emotional well-being through mindful activities and insightful discussions. This event highlighted our commitment to empowering women and creating a nurturing environment for their personal growth. ## **W O M E N ’ S W O R K S H O P S** This year we held 2 empowering women’s workshops over the course of 2-3 days. They were created to offered a transformative and insightful experience for women in our community, especially those seeking to find more opportunities to grow and develop and be surrounded by women who speak the same language - Latvian, as often in their day-to-day lives it’s difficult to establish meaningful connections with others. Over the course of a weekend, the ladies engaged with a diverse range of experts, including mental health specialists, biodanza practitioners, food psychologists, and life coaches. These professionals provided insightful talks and interactive sessions designed to inspire and empower. In addition to these enriching discussions, attendees participated in creative floristic activities, fostering creativity and mindfulness. These workshops were dedicated to nurturing mental and emotional well-being, promoting self-discovery, and building a supportive network of women. What we witnessed during these workshops is simply indescribable - the connections and trust the women built between each other and within themselves were incredibly moving and that just proves how needed these kinds of activities are! ## A quote from a participant: ‘’These kinds of workshops are very important! A lot of new information and the counsellors and activities are simply amazing! I feel very safe and at peace and I’m looking into the future with a lot of hope.” ## **C E R A M I C S W O R K S H O P S** Our Ceramics Workshops provided a healing and creative outlet for individuals affected by cancer, whether personally or through loved ones. These sessions offered participants a space to explore their artistic side and find solace in the therapeutic process of working with clay. Under the guidance of skilled instructors, attendees learned various ceramic techniques and created their own unique pieces. One of the instructors also happens to be a licensed counsellor and his skill and understanding of people’s experiences really showed! These workshops aimed to foster a sense of community, resilience, and self-expression, offering a supportive environment for individuals to share their experiences and find comfort through art. We saw a huge interest from the very beginning and people have been expressing hope in this activity to continue for much longer. A quote from a participant: I have been inspired to be more creative at home. I have also realised how crafts can give me time to think about something like else aside from my health issues. ## **L A T V I A N C L A S S I C F I L M F E S T I V A L** The Latvian Classic Film Festival was a cultural celebration that brought together the Latvian community over the course of four months. We showcased five iconic Latvian films, each screening providing an opportunity to reconnect with cultural roots and heritage. This festival not only entertained but also sparked conversations and reflections on Latvian history, art, and identity. Attendees enjoyed the chance to experience classic cinema, engage in post-screening discussions, and bond with fellow community members. We also had a chance to indulge in some traditional Latvian treats that tasted like home to many of us. It was also wonderful to witness the exciting process of preparations for the movie screenings - each evening a team of volunteers came to support the set up in a friendly and fun atmosphere. We had never worked with such intricate equipment before, which was kindly borrowed to us by the Gateway Film Festival organisers and our supporters. One of the most challenging aspects was organising official film licenses from Latvia - but after many a phone calls and email exchanges we managed to organise everything! It was great to learn a new skill and now we can definitely say we can effectively organise, host and put together a mini movie theater. ## **T U F T I N G C L A S S E S** Our Tufting Classes (punch needle workshops) introduced a new and exciting skill to many of our attendees. These sessions provided a hands-on experience where participants learned the art of tufting, creating beautiful and personalised textile pieces. Guided by a talented and experienced community artist, attendees started their journeys into mastering various techniques and transforming simple materials into intricate designs. We also got to try out the delicate art of paper flower making! In addition to experiencing creativity, these workshops offered a fantastic opportunity for practicing English in a relaxed and informal setting. Participants engaged in conversations, shared their progress, and exchanged ideas, making it an excellent way to improve language skills while enjoying a fun and artistic activity. Moreover, the workshops were a vibrant social hub, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds. It was a wonderful space to meet new friends, build connections, and be part of a supportive and inspiring community. ## **E A T W E L L W O R K S H O P S** the Eat Well Practical Workshops were a fantastic way to encourage healthier eating habits and culinary exploration. It was incredibly satisfying to see participants gain new skills, enjoy cooking, and make positive changes to their diets. This engaging masterclass provided participants with the unique opportunity to learn the art of sushi-making from an experienced chef. Attendees discovered the techniques of selecting and preparing fresh ingredients, tips and tricks to prepare the perfect sushi rice as well as best rolling techniques. The class was not only educational but also a delightful culinary adventure, enhancing participants' confidence in the kitchen and their appreciation for Japanese cuisine. Our series of sessions on healthy meal preparation focused on teaching attendees how to create nutritious and delicious meals with ease. These workshops covered a range of topics, from planning balanced meals to incorporating more vegetables and whole foods into daily diets. Recognising the growing popularity of air fryers, we organised workshops to demonstrate how this versatile appliance can be used to prepare quick, healthy meals. It was wonderful to witness families with children and teens taking part in these activities - breaking the barriers between generations and finding common grounds in the kitchen! ## **O T H E R A C T I V I T I E S** With the support from Evelyn Trust and Foodbank we were able to provide with emergency food parcels and vouchers for those who had found themselves in an unfortunate situation, due to illness, housing problems or work redundancy. We held a series of entitlement support talks, where we gave advice on what government support is available and how to apply for it. There is still a lot of unclarity when it comes to the topics of Universal credit and other benefits and support systems. We were also able to give 1-1 support sessions for those who needed it. We feel like sessions like these can really help establish trust between us and the community and it feels great to be a safe space for people to turn to. It has become a tradition already within our community to support the elderly centres in Latvia. Many elderly people struggle with loneliness and it’s heartbreaking to see that their wishes are very humble - a pair of socks or some tea and biscuits, a puzzle or a shower gel is brightening many of their lives. One of the activities that he have been operating long term and included in several of our funding applications, as we see the crucial need for it, is the free therapy sessions we’re providing to our beneficiaries, no matter their background. The sessions are available in 5 languages, making it a more comfortable choice for those who’s English is not the first language. We have received feedback saying just how important these therapy sessions have been to people - including one saying that it has been a lifesaving support. Continuing the topic of women empowerment - we created a women’s circle for local women, despite their background. For many women this was a rare opportunity to break out of their everyday routine and have someone listen to them without any judgement or unsolicited advice. Our Community Radio Show, hosted by 4 Latvian ladies - different host for every Sunday of the month. It has become a vibrant and well-loved platform for exploring diverse topics and featuring an array of engaging guests. This initiative aims to connect, inform, and entertain our community, celebrating Latvian culture and Latvians living in the UK while addressing a wide range of subjects. Each episode of the radio show delves into different themes, from cultural heritage and current events to health, wellness, and everyday life. Our hosts thoughtfully select topics that resonate with the community, ensuring each broadcast is both relevant and enriching. This year we continued to welcome volunteers from abroad, through the Workaway platform. As keen travellers ourselves, who love to discover new cultures, we find this idea of welcoming volunteers very exciting! We had volunteers from the United States as well as Italy come support our day to day running of the charity. It was incredible to look at our work and our organisation from the eyes of the volunteers and they expressed how grateful they have been themselves for the opportunity to be a part of our small community charity and meet the people we support - interview them and take part in sessions as well. Together with PCVS and other great organisations we were delighted to be a part of the organising committee for our international women’s day celebrations. It was well attended, with over 200 women throughout the day, who came to enjoy practical sessions, such as tufting and paper crafts, inspiring mental health lectures and self-defence tips as well as enjoy musical performances. Our Sewing Classes have blossomed into a vibrant and supportive community where women are continuously learning and perfecting their sewing skills. Recognising the passion and dedication of our participants, we have opened our office spaces for independent sewing once a week. These sessions allow the ladies to practice their skills, work on personal projects, and collaborate with fellow sewing enthusiasts in a supportive environment. The availability of a dedicated sewing fosters a sense of space community and provides a valuable resource for those who may not have access to sewing equipment at home. ## **A W O R D F R O M O U R C E O** As a CEO, I am proud to highlight the significant strides our charity has made this year, particularly in focusing on women's mental health. Ensuring a healthy society starts with addressing mental well-being, and our initiatives have been pivotal in this regard. We have implemented a range of activities aimed at enhancing the quality of life within our local community, from financial literacy programs to lifestyle improvement initiatives. These efforts have been transformative for many individuals, bringing about life-changing improvements. I am truly honored to be part of this amazing community and excited to continue our impactful work. -Iveta Suna # **E X T R A S P E C I A L T H A N K Y O U T O O U R F U N D I N G B O D I E S A N D P A R T N E R O R G A N I S A T I O N S !** ||**Charity Name**
**Latvian Community Association in the UK**|**Charity Name**
**Latvian Community Association in the UK**|**Charity Name**
**Latvian Community Association in the UK**|**No (if any)**
**11911882**|**No (if any)**
**11911882**|**No (if any)**
**11911882**|**CC16a**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||**For the period**
**from**|Period start date
01/04/2023|**To**||Period end date
31/03/2024||| ||||||||| |**Section A Receipts and payments**|||||||| |**A1 Receipts**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**to the nearest £**
**1,200**
**2,606**
**3,643**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**

**7,449**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**7,449**
**1,360**
**598**
**469**
**1,068**
**14**
**200**
**-**
**501**
**-**
**92**
**1,193**
**239**
**61**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**5,795**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**5,795**
**1,654**
**-**
**558**
**2,212**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**to the nearest £**
**71,817**
**251**
**303**
**5,000**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**77,371**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**77,371**
**7,850**
**5,176**
**1,372**
**2,704**
**168**
**27,382**
**825**
**25**
**2,000**
**7,954**
**1,494**
**-**
**240**
**10,992**
**1,196**
**-**
**-**
**69,376**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**69,376**
**7,995**
**-**
**12,925**
**20,920**|**Endowment**
**funds**
**to the nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**||**Total funds**
**to the nearest £**
**73,017**
**2,857**
**3,946**
**5,000**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**84,820**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**84,820**
**9,210**
**5,774**
**1,841**
**3,771**
**182**
**27,582**
**825**
**526**
**2,000**
**8,045**
**2,687**
**239**
**301**
**10,992**
**1,196**
**-**
**-**
**75,171**||**Last year**
**to the nearest £**| |Grants|**1,200**||||||**42,968**| |Donations|**2,606**||||||**528**| |Other|**3,643**||||||**763**| |Staff Fund|**-**||||||**12,674**| ||**-**||||||**-**| ||**-**||||||**-**| ||**-**||||||**-**| ||**-**
||||||**-**| |~~**_Sub total_**~~~~_(Gross income for_~~
_AR)_|
**7,449**||||||**56,933**| ||||||||| |**A2 Asset and investment sales,**
**(see table).**|||||||| ||**-**||||||| ||**-**||||||**-**| |**_Sub total_**|**-**||||||**-**| |**_Total receipts_**
**A3 Payments**|||||||| ||||||||**56,933**| ||||||||| |
Venue Rent|**1,360**||||||**1,969**| |Refreshments|**598**||||||**6,286**| |Travel & Transport|**469**||||||**725**| |Administration|**1,068**||||||**3,276**| |Stationary|**14**||||||**86**| |ActivityCost|**200**||||||**17,083**| |Equipment|**-**||||||**1,296**| |Other Costs|**501**||||||**411**| |EmergencyFood Vouchers|**-**||||||**100**| |Wages|**92**||||||**16,958**| |VoluntaryCosts|**1,193**||||||**2,591**| |Insurance|**239**||||||**218**| |IT Services|**61**||||||**441**| |ActivityMaterials|**-**||||||**2,624**| |Marketing|**-**||||||**736**| ||||||||**2,833**| ||**-**||||||**-**| |**_Sub total_ **|**5,795**||||||**57,633**| ||||||||| |**A4 Asset and investment**
**purchases, (see table)**|||||||| ||**-**||||**-**||| ||**-**||||**-**||| |**_Sub total_ **|**-**||||**-**||**-**| |**_Total payments_**
**_Net of receipts/(payments)_**
**A5 Transfers between funds**
**A6 Cash funds last year end**
**_Cash funds this year end_**|||||||| ||||||||**57,633**| ||||||||| ||**1,654**|**7,995**|**-**||
**9,650**||**- 700**| ||**-**|**-**|**-**||**-**||**-**| ||**558**|**12,925**|**-**||**13,483**||**-**| ||**2,212**|**20,920**|**-**||**23,133**||**- 700**| CCXX R1 accounts (SS) 30/10/2024 1 ## **Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period** |**Categories**
Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees
**B5 Liabilities**
**B3 Investment assets**
**B2 Other monetary assets**
**B4 Assets retained for the**
**charity’s own use**
**B1 Cash funds**
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)|Lloyds Bank 0168
Lloyds Bank 7363
Metro Bank 4019
Paypal
**Details**
**Details**
**Details**
**Details**
**_Total cash funds_**
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
Lloyds Bank 0063
Petty Cash
**Details**
Signature
~~2~~|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**to nearest £**
**92**
**11,206**
**2,530**
**91**
**5,449**
**1,829**
**1,735**
**161**
**-**
**39**
**-**
**2,212**
**20,920**
OK
OK
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**to nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**
**Cost (optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**
**Cost (optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Fund to which**
**liability relates**
**Amount due**
**(optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
Print Name
Zane Boiko|**Endowment**
**funds**
**to nearest £**| |---|---|---|---| ||||**-**| ||||| ||||| ||||**-**| ||||| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||OK| ||||**Endowment**
**funds**
**to nearest £**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**Current value**
**(optional)**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**Current value**
**(optional)**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**When due**
**(optional)**| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||Date of
approval| |||Zane Boiko|16/10/2024| ||~~2~~||~~30/10/2024~~| CCXX R2 accounts (SS) CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND ANO WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to tho trusteesl members of Latvian Communty Asswiation In The UK On accounts for the year ended 3110312024 Charity no lif any) 1191882 Set out on pages Attached CC16a I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of thè above chartty (Ihe Trust.) for the year ended 3110312024. Responsiblltles and As the charity's trustees. you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report accounts in accordan￿ with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 Ilhe Acr). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried OLrt under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directrons given by the Charlty Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have examinerfs statement come to my attention in connection wtih the examination which gives m8 cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the CharÉties Act" or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records: or the accounts did not comply viith the applicable requirements conceming the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a Irue and fai¢ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems 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. Slgned: Date: 2911012024 Name: nna Fox MAAT ACMA Relevant professional qualifl¢ation{s} or body (11 any): Chartered Institule of Management Accountants Address: Unit 8 Greenhill House, Thorpe Road Petert)orough PE3 6RU IER Oct 2018 Sectioii B Disclosure Only complete rf the examiner needs to highlight material matters of con( (see CC32, Independerrt examinalim Of ¢hwlty a¢4xwnts: dlrertl¢)n8 and guidan￿ for exarnirws). Gfve horn brf•f detall• of any Itom8 that the •xamlnor wl•h•• to dl8¢1090. IER Oct 2018