Birchfield CommunityAssociation
CharityNumber: 1193147
Trustees'Annual Reportand Financialstatementforthe periodfrom
1"April 2024to 31" March 2025

Administration details
Charity name: Birchfield Community Association
Principal address:
clo United Reformed Church
13 Wilton Road
Handsworth
Birmingham
B20 3RX
Bank: Metro Bank One Southampton Row, London WC1 B SHA
Objectives and Activities
The objetts of the charity are:
1. To develop the capacity and skills of the members of the socially and economically
disadvantsged community of Birchfield Ward, Birmingham. in such a way that they
arÈ better able to identify, and help meet, their need5 and to participate more fully in
society.
2. The promotion for the public benefit of urban regeneration in areas of social and
economic deprivation (and in particular Birmingham's Birchfield Ward) by all or any
of the following means:
a) the relief of poverty in Such ways as may be thought fit
b) the relief of unemployment in such ways as may be thought fit, including
assistance to find employment
cl the advancement of education, training, or retraining, particularly among
unemployed people, and providing unemployed people with work experience;
d) the provision of financial assistance, technical assistance, or business advice or
consultsncy in order to provide training and employment opportunities for
unemployed people in cases of financial or other charttable need through help:
(i) in setting up their own business, or
fil) to existing businesses,-
(e) the creation of training and employment opportunities by the provision of
workspace, buildings and/or land for use on favourable terms;
(f) the provision of housing for those who are in conditions of need and the
improvement of housing in the public sector or in charttable ownership provided that
such power shall not extend to relieving any local authorities or other bodies of a
statutory duty to provide or improve housing-
Page12

(g) the maintenance. improvement or provision of public amenities;
(h) the preservation of buildings or sites of historic or architectural importance;
(il the provision or assistance in the provision of recreational facilities for the public
at large and/ or those who, by reasons of their youth. age. infirmity or disablement,
povety or social and economic circumstsnces. have need for such facilities;
(i) the protection or conservation of the environment,.
(k) the provision of public health facilities and childcare,.
{1) the promotion of public safety and prevention of crime,. and
Cm) such other means as may from time to time be determined subject to the prior
consent of the charity cotnmissioners for England and Wales.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the
public benefit
This year was significant as it marked the completion of the Big Local programme in
Birchfield. Birchfield was one of 50 areas that completed the programme in July 2024,
while the remaining 100 areas are scheduled to finish by March 2026.
The charity plays a vital role in the legacy of the Big Local programme. It is dedicated
to continuing community development led by residents and focused on the specifi
needs of the area. The charity aims to strengthen the capacity and Skills of local
people, enabling them to identify their needs and priorities and work towards
addressing them.
Until July 2024, the charity received support from Shared Assets and Stir to Action to
develop a business plan and funding strategy, and this helped secure the necessary
funds to continue its activities beyond the end of the Big Local programme.
Efforts have been focused on developing WI￿On Road United Reformed Church as a
community hub that delivers activities of benefit to residents. Arnong these activities
is the Women's Group, which meets weekly, along with the Seniors, Club, a weekly
session designed for individuals over 50. This club aims to reduce social isolation
whilè providing advice and support to older residents. In partnership with
Birmingham Adult Education Service, regular adult education classes in English and
Creative Arts have also been provided.
The hub is registered as a Warm Welcome Space with the aim of providing a free,
safe, and welcoming environment for individuals to access support, activities, and
seNices throughout the year. The hub also continues to host creative arts sessions
for young people with learning disabilities led by Athac CIC. The Ladywood and Perry
Barr SENDIDisability ne￿Ork group holds bi-monthly meetings at the hub.
Additionally, the Birchfield Environment Strategy Group meets monthly, bringing
Page13

together local community organisations along with representatives from the City
Council and Midland Hearc a major social housing provider.
As a member of B.'CAN- Birmingham Community Action Networl the charity has
been able to continue providing energy advice and advocacy to vulnerable
households by employing a part-time staff member.
ststutory Declaration
The Trustees declare that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to
the guidance on public benefit published by the Commission in exercising their
powers or dutie&
Achievements and Performance
st
This report covers the financial year from 1 April 2024 to 31, March 2025.
The Lottery-funded Birchfield Big Local programme came to an end on 31 SL July
2024, and with it the support received from Birmingham Voluntary SeNices Council
as the Local Trusted Organisation. Birchfield was one of 50 Big Local areas to reach
completion in the summer of 2024, and the Big Local programme as a whole will
finish in March 2026. The charity plays a vital role in the legacy of the Big Local
programtne. It 15 dedicated to continuing community development led by residents
and focused on the specific needs of the area.
In the months leading up to the end of Birchfield Big Local the charity continued to
receive support from Mark Walton at Shared Assets to help develop a busine55 plan
and support from Dan Woolley and Megan Romania at Stir to Action for a funding
strategy. With Dan and Megan's help applications were prepared to the Laing Family
Trust, 29 May 1961 Charitable Trust and National Lottery Awards for All. Of these
three funding applications the National Lottery Awards for Atl was successful and a
grant of £19,900 was received in November 2024.
The focus for fundraising has continued to be the delivery of activities at the
Birchfield Community Hub based at Wilton Road United Reformed Church. A
timetable of activities has been established including a Women's group and Seniors
club both of which meet weekly and adult education classes delivered in partnership
with Birmingham Adult Education Service. The hub is used on a Monday by Athac
CIC for creative sessions with Athac Creative Artists, a group of young adults with
learning disabilities. Some of the young adults also volunteer with BCA at the Seniors
Club.
Page14

B:CAN Energy Programme
BCA has continued to provide advice and support on home energy savings as a
member of B'.CAN {Birmingham Community Action Network). The charity employed a
part-time energy adviser for five months, from late February to August 2024, to
deliver advocacy and assistance to vulnerable households. Funding for the project,
sourced from the Energy Redress Scheme, ended in January 2025, followed by the
funding from Brum Energy in March 2025.
However, the B..CAN Energy partnership. led by Witton Lodge Community
Association. successfully secured additional funding from the Energy Redress
Scheme, Set to begin in April 2025. The partnership has expanded from five to ten
community-based organisations. allowing them to cover most of the city. Birchfield
Community Association will be active in Birchfield Ward as well as Handsworth,
Lozells, Handsworth Wood, and Perry Barr. This new funding will enable the charity to
employ a full-time energy adviser.
Warm Welcome Space
. Birchfield Community Hub is one of over200WarmWelcome spaces located
throughout Birmingham. These spaces are free, safe, comfortable, and welcoming
places where people can engage in activities, access services, receive practical advice
and support, and connectwith theircommunity. Wartn Welcome spaces are available
year-round, notjust duringthewinter months.
Seniors. aub
The Seniors group meets every week at the Birchfield Community Hub. Dominoes is
a popular activity among the men, and we have expanded our offerings to include
arts and crafts, which has successfully attracted more women to join. As a result, our
attendance is now balanced with an equal number of men and women. Light
refreshments are provided, along with a half-hour session of chair-based physical
activities.
Adult Education Classes
The charity continues to offer classes in partnership with the Birmingham Adult
Education SeNice at Wilton Road URC. These classes include 'lntroduction to English
{ESOL)' and 'Creative Arts,, both of which are particularly popular among local
women. In the past a course on digital skills was also offered, and the plan 15 to
resume this offer once a tutor is found.
Crick Lane Playing Fields and Birchfield Children s Centre
The Birchfield Community Association is among several groups working to bring the
Crick Playing Fields into community use. These fields feature two sports pitches and
changing facilities and are part of a Section 106 agreement with the housing
developer, Persimmon Homes. The Crick Playing Fields group, which also includes
the Handsworth Association of Schools and various local sports organisations, is
Page15

collaborating with Birmingham City Council to ensure that Persimmon Homes
complies with the requirements of the Section 106 agreemenL The ultimate goal is to
have the community manage the site for use by local schools and the wider
community.
Birchfield Children's Centre is an asset owned by the City Council that may be
available for Sale or lease in the near future. The Birchfield Community Association
has registered the building as an Asset of Community Value and has expressed
interest in exploring the possibility of a Community Asset Transfer or lease. The
Association is advocating for the building to be operated as a centre managed by the
local community.
Financial Review
Before July 2024. the funds for BCA were held by Birmingham Voluntary SeNices
Council (BVSC) on behalf of the charity. BVSC also seNed as a Local Trusted
Organisation for Birchfield Big Local. On Juty 31¢ the funds held by BVSC were
transferred to BCA'S Metro Bank account. A total of £18,519 was transferred, which
included £14,767 from the Energy Redress and Brum Energy projects and £3,752
from previous grants to the charity. We note that the starting balance for the current
financial year h35 changed from the prior accounts due to a reconciliation difference
after the transition of funds held by BVSC to the charity's own bank accounL
During the year ending 31st March 2025. the charity received £32,864 in grants.
25/0912024
0211012024
08/1112024
4.964.00
4,000.00
19,900.00
Barr NNS
Birmin
ham Ci
National Lottery
Communit Fund
Birmin
ham Ci
Birmin
NNS
rant for the Seniors. Club
Warrn S aces Grant
Awards for All Grant
Council
1211212024
05/0312025
2,000.00
2,000.00
Council
Council
Warm S aces Grant
Warm S
aces Grant
In addition, there was income from the Energy Redress Scheme and Brum Energy
Project through the partnership with B:CAN Energy. This relies on the B:CAN Energy
partnership meeting quarterly performance indicators.
The charity received valuable support from Stir to Action in developing a funding
strategy and in preparing some initial funding applications. A primary focus for
fundraising is to secure core costs needed to operate the community hub. This
includes expenses such as staff salaries, volunteer reimbursements, rent, and utilities.
Page16

Structure, Governance and Management
Governing document
Foundation model constitution
Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Registered 19 January 2021
Trustees
Name
Jimoh Folarin
Sabirul Islam
Baljeet Singh Ghatsora
Mohammed Zahoor
Nyah Cole
Mehnaz Afzal
Role
Chair
Trustee
Trustee
Treasurer
Secretary
Observer
Date appointed
19 January 2021
19 January 2021
27 March 2024
' 8 May 2024
8 May 2024
Many thanks to the Trustees for their continued time and commitment.
The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustee's report as above.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees
Signature:
Full n3me- Jimoh Folarin
Position: Chair
Date: 30 January 2026
Page17

BirchfieLd CommuntyAssociation
FinanciaLStstement
1"April 2024to 31° March 2025
Income
Amount (£)
4,964
8,000
19,900
14,362.5
17,595.97
150.00
64.972.47
Perry Barr Neighbourhood Network Scheme
Warm Welcome Grant Fund
National Lottery Community Fund Awards for All
B.'CAN Energy Project (Energy Redress Fund)
Brum Energy Project
Other
Total income
Expenditure
Amount (£}
10500
4,492.07
540
41.06
2148
194.5
6,050
1,840
332.08
1,416.63
439.98
216.06
437.84
139.81
1,262.05
339
235
30,624.08
Project Manager
Energy Adviser salary
Sessional staff
Staff expenses
Volunteer expenses
Professional fees
Rent
Utilities
Insurance
Telephone & broadband
Website
Printinglphotocopier
Office & cleaning supplies
Art & Craft materials
Catering and refreshments (Seniors, Club)
Travel (Seniors, Club)
Bank charge5
Total expenditure
Income minus expenditure
64,972.47
30 624.08
34.348.39
15.187
Balance brought forward
Balance as of 31 March 2025
49 535.39
Page18

CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Independent examineVs report on the
accounts
Section A
Independent Examiner's Report
Reportto the trustees
Birchfield Communtty Assouation
On accounts for the year
ended
31st March 2025
Charity no
(If any)
1193147
I report to the trustees on my examination ofthe accounts of the above
charity (Yhe Trusf) for the year ended 31103r2025.
Responsibilities and
basis of report
As the charivs trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the
accounts in accordan￿ wtth the requirements of the Chartties Act 2011
Ilhe Acr).
I reF￿rt in resp8Ct of rny examination of the Trusvs accounts carried out
under section 145 ofthe 2011 Acl and in carrying out my examination, I
have followed all the applicab￿ Directions given by ihe Charity Commission
under section 145(5)(b) of the Act
Independent
examlnerfs statement I have com￿eted my examination. I confirm that no material matters have
come to my attention in connection with the examination {other than that
disclosed below.) vthith gives me cause to believe that in, any material
respect..
the accounting records were not kept in accO￿ance with section 130
of the char￿eS Act,. or
the accounts dKI not accord with the aC￿unting records" or
the accounls dKI not comply with the applicable requirements
COn￿rning the fom and content of accounts set out in the Charities
(Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 olher than any requirement
that the accounts give a 'true and fail view which is not a matter
considered as part of an i￿lependent examination.
I have no concems and have come aLYoss no other matters in connection
with the examination to vthich allention should be drawn in this reF(Jrt in
order to enab￿ a proper understaTrding of the accounts to be reached.
Date:
312126
Signed:
Name: Andy Hopkins
IER
Oct 2018

Address:
BVSC Latham House
33-34 Paradise Street
Birmingham B 2AJ
Section B
Disclosure
Only complete rf the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concem
(see CC32. Independent examination of charity accounts.. direclions and
guidance for examinerB).
Give here brief delails of
any Items that the
examlner wishes to
di$¢lose.
IER
Oct 2018