Charity Reference Number:1194054
Z's Defence Academ
ort and financial statements
for the
ear ended 31 March 2025
## **Z's Defence Academy Charity Reference Number:1194054 Contents**
|Reference and administrative details
Trustees' Report
Review of activities
Independent Examiner's Report
Statement of Financial Activities
Balance Sheet
Notes to the accounts|**Page**|
|---|---|
||1
2-3
4-8
9
10
11
12-15|
**Z's Defence Academy Reference and administrative details for the year ended 31 March 2025**
Charity Registration No: 1194054
Principal Office: Z's Defence Academy PO BOX 689 Blackburn BB2 9RB Trustees: Dawn Wells Aasiya Mota Raja Rehman Azmat Farid Bankers: NatWest Bank 44 Copy Nook Eanam Blackburn BB1 3AN Accountants: H&A Consultancy Services Ltd Ground Floor Front 185 Audley Range Blackburn Lancashire BB1 1TH
1
**Z's Defence Academy Charity Reference Number:1194054**
## **Trustee's Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2025**
The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared on an accruals basis in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the notes to the financial statements and comply with the charity's constitution, Charities Act 2011.
## **Structure, governance and management**
CIO - FOUNDATION registered 9 April 2021.
## **Our objectives**
The objects of the CIO are:
1) to advance education and training for the public benefit in self-defence techniques in order to raise awareness of and protect personal safety
2) the promotion of community participation in healthy recreation for the public benefit through the provision of facilities to participate in sports and activities capable of promoting physical health and fitness. (for the purposes of this clause “facilities” means land, buildings, equipment, access to coaching and organising sporting activities).
3) to further such exclusively charitable purposes for the public benefit as the trustees in their absolute discretion shall determine by making donations to registered charities.
## **Achievements and performance**
The charity received donations of £66,395 (2024: £89,792) during the year and the work carried out by the charity during the year is detailed in the following pages.
## **Future Plans**
The charity aims to continue with its activities long term for the benefit of the community.
## **Risk management**
The trustees actively review the major risk which the charity faces on a regular basis and believe that maintaining reserves at current levels, combined with an annual review of the controls over key financial systems, will provide sufficient resources in the event of adverse conditions. The trustees have also examined the operational and business risks faced by the charity and confirm that they have established systems to mitigate the significant risks.
## **Reserves policy**
The Reserve Fund represents unrestricted funds. The Trustees aim to maintain sufficient reserves so as to give flexibility to cover temporary timing differences for donations received, adequate working capital for core costs and which will allow them to respond quickly to the needs of the Charity.
2
**Z's Defence Academy Charity Reference Number:1194054**
## **Trustee's Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2025**
## **Public Benefit**
The trustees have a duty to comply with Section 17 of The Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit. The trustees consider the aims, objectives and activities of the charity and compare these with the achievements and outcomes of the various programmes, reviewing the benefits brought to the public the charity seeks to help by each key activity. The trustees have referred to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in undertaking the public benefit duty.
## **Trustees' responsibilities**
The Charities Act require the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the surplus of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in existence
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the trust. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the trust and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by the trustees on 14 April 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Dawn Wells Azmat Farid Trustee Trustee
3
## **Z's Defence Academy Charity Reference Number:1194054**
## **Review of Charitable activities for the year ended 31 March 2025**
## **Background**
Background Z's Defence Academy, a women-led charity based in Blackburn, focuses on engaging, educating, and empowering women to overcome significant barriers and lead fulfilling lives. The organisation offers a range of activities including self-defence, martial arts, outdoor pursuits, educational workshops, and access to blue/green spaces, along with holistic well being programs addressing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Notably, the Academy has collaborated with the NHS and other organisations to support women with long term health conditions, particularly from ethnic minority groups, through unique initiatives such as menopause-related sessions. Recognised for its proactive and person-cantered approach, Z Defence Academy has been awarded multiple awards and continues to positively impact the community through its diverse and inclusive programs.
## **Project and Activity Updates**
## **British Wrestling**
The Wrestling Project aims to establish a wrestling club for individuals aged 10 to 60 in a deprived area of Blackburn, focusing on boosting confidence, resilience, and socialisation through physical activity. The project addresses high obesity rates and rising violent crimes, particularly violence, and seeks affiliation with British Wrestling to create the first female-only wrestling club in the area. Supported by the community and local authorities, the club will offer weekly wrestling and self-defence sessions, helping participants learn life skills, improve their mindset, and build a supportive community. The project plans to train volunteers, seek grants and donations, and explore a small membership fee for sustainability. Networking with local organisations and forming partnerships will be essential for empowering vulnerable women and promoting positive lifestyles.
Participants: 240 Outcome: Complete
## **Main Grant Awards 4 All**
The "Weighing In-clusion" aims to engage and integrate South Asian women in East Lancashire's most deprived areas to combat obesity, diabetes, heart disease, depression, and mental health issues. These women often face cultural barriers, embarrassment, and discrimination, preventing them from participating in physical activities. The project seeks funding to run female-only health, well-being, and engagement workshops to build self confidence, self-esteem, and empowerment. By fostering strong relationships among women with similar experiences and consulting over 600 women and mainstream agencies, the project ensures a deep understanding of their needs.
4
**Z's Defence Academy Charity Reference Number:1194054**
## **Review of Charitable activities for the year ended 31 March 2025**
Through grassroots community engagement and continuous feedback, the initiative addresses serious issues like mental health problems and domestic violence, helping women access necessary support and preventing them from becoming a forgotten community.
Participants: 232 Outcome: Complete
## **Post Code Lottery**
This project created a transformative impact on 212 low-income, socially isolated, mostly SouthAsian women and girls in Blackburn, empowering them through culturally sensitive, femaleonly activities designed to improve physical health, mental well-being, and social connectedness. With, weekly sessions including self-defence, fitness classes (such as yoga, chair yoga, Zumba), weight management, nutrition and menopause advice, and mental health support, participants built confidence, resilience, and peer networks in safe, supportive spaces. Co-produced with over 400 women and shaped by community needs, the project addressed long-standing barriers to activity and well-being rooted in cultural norms, social isolation, and economic hardship. The funding enabled holistic, accessible support that not only benefited the women directly but also created ripple effects in families and communities, challenging stigmas and reshaping attitudes. By monitoring impact through ongoing feedback, the project ensured that participants remained at the heart of delivery—leading to lasting change in health, empowerment, and social inclusion.
Participants: 212 Outcome: Complete
## **BBC Children in Need**
Z’s Defence Academy, a community-based organisation for women and girls in East Lancashire, helps young females overcome barriers to lead active and fulfilling lives. Offering a mix of physical sports, outdoor pursuits, self-defence, martial arts, and self-development, the Academy builds self-confidence, motivation, and essential life skills. The volunteer-led Academy focuses on disadvantaged areas, ensuring accessibility for young girls. Over the next year, the Academy plans to reach over 150 girls aged 10-18, emphasising personal safety, education, and health/wellbeing. Through extensive community consultations and social media engagement, the project meets local needs while promoting youth social action and leadership, making it well-placed to inspire and support young females.
Participants: 150 Outcome: Complete
5
## **Z's Defence Academy Charity Reference Number:1194054**
## **Review of Charitable activities for the year ended 31 March 2025**
## **Community Foundation**
Our charity aims to support young girls and women in Blackburn by enhancing their physical, mental, and emotional well-being through a transformation programme. This initiative includes fitness sessions, self-defence, nutrition education, life coaching, and 1-1 counselling, particularly targeting those in deprived areas who are inactive or struggling with poor health. The high demand for these programs was evident from our recent "Together We Grow" event. Led by female leaders in accessible community venues, the project will engage 75 women, removing barriers to participation by providing transport if needed. Activities focus on building confidence, mental resilience, and social connections, helping women overcome anxiety and improve their physical health.
Participants: 44 Outcome: Complete
## **Sport England**
Our Active Lives project is a 12-month, community-based initiative focused on supporting women and girls—primarily from Southeast Asian backgrounds—in Blackburn with Darwen to engage in meaningful physical activity. Designed to break down social, cultural, and economic barriers that limit participation, the project will offer free, weekly sessions including community walks, gym workouts, and culturally sensitive dance classes in safe, women-only spaces. Led by qualified project workers and supported by a dedicated team of multilingual local volunteers, the program will provide holistic support, motivation, and education to build the physical activity habit for long-term health and confidence. Grounded in community consultation and driven by the lived experiences of women, including our founder Zaynab Jogi, the project will empower participants to improve physical fitness, mental well-being, and social connection transforming lives while addressing deep-rooted inequalities in health, access, and opportunity.
Participants: 155 Outcome: ongoing
## **FA Football**
Our football funding initiative will benefit a wide range of community members, with a strong focus on young girls and women in Blackburn’s most disadvantaged areas. By creating inclusive, supportive spaces, the project will promote physical health, mental well-being, and social connection, empowering participants through sport.
6
## **Z's Defence Academy Charity Reference Number:1194054**
## **Review of Charitable activities for the year ended 31 March 2025**
Women and girls will gain confidence, improve fitness, and develop leadership and life skills, helping to break down cultural and gender barriers. Coaches and volunteers will also benefit through training and support, enhancing local capacity. This pilot project aims to foster longterm community cohesion, promote gender equality, and create lasting, positive change—with plans to expand across the North West.
Participants: 160 Outcome: ongoing
## **Peter Harrison**
Our project empowers young South Asian women (aged 11–18) in Blackburn—one of the UK’s most deprived areas—through a year-long programme of inclusive sports and wellbeing activities. Funded by PHF, the initiative will offer yoga, cycling, dance, martial arts, mountaineering, and strength training, tailored through direct feedback from beneficiaries. By combining physical activity with mental health and self-esteem support, the project tackles entrenched health inequalities, builds confidence, and fosters community belonging. Delivered by qualified staff and passionate local volunteers, we aim to support 200 young women over 156 sessions, measuring outcomes through fitness assessments, wellbeing questionnaires, and feedback. Funding will cover staff, venue hire, equipment, volunteer training, outdoor activity delivery, and marketing. Rooted in over 20 years of trusted community work by Z’s Defence Academy, this project is driven by lived experience and shaped by those it serves, helping girls break barriers, stay active, and build healthier futures.
Participants: 200 Outcome: ongoing
## **Ground Work**
Our proposal aims to address the growing demand for self-defence sessions from women in our community, specifically those who want to gain skills to manage threatening situations and avoid victimisation. These sessions will teach practical self-defence techniques, empowering women to protect themselves, increase their independence, and foster a sense of achievement. Our primary focus is to support women impacted by domestic abuse, equipping them with essential skills to reduce vulnerability and enhance their confidence, ultimately contributing to a safer community. Based on insights from previous projects, we plan to incorporate street-awareness training to help participants identify potential threats, thereby enhancing their confidence and self-discipline.
7
**Z's Defence Academy Charity Reference Number:1194054**
## **Review of Charitable activities for the year ended 31 March 2025**
This also indirectly supports local policing efforts by fostering a safer, more vigilant community. We are committed to engaging women from diverse backgrounds and emphasising the importance of personal safety, education, and overall well-being.
Participants: 120 Outcome: Ongoing
8
## **Z's Defence Academy Charity Reference Number:1194054 Independent Examiner's Statement, Report and Opinion on the Accounts**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of the above for the year ended 31 March 2025.
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the financial statements of Autism Forward carried out under section 145 of the Act and 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 Autism Forward as required by section 130 of the Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements concerning 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 'true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
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.
I Mulla (AFA MIPA) for and behalf of H&A Consultancy Services Ltd Ground Floor Front 185 Audley Range Blackburn Lancashire BB1 1TH
14 April 2025
9
## **Z's Defence Academy Charity Reference Number:1194054 Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2025**
|**Note **
**INCOMING RESOURCES**
**_Incoming resources from charitable activities_**
Grants and donations
**2**
Interest received
**Total Incoming resources**
**RESOURCES EXPENDED**
**_Charitable activities_**
Charitable activities
**3**
Governance costs
**4**
**Total Resources expended**
**Net income/(loss) for the year**
**Transfer between funds**
**5**
**Movement in funds**
**_Reconciliation of funds_**
Total funds brought forward
**Total funds carried forward**|**Unrestricted**|**Unrestricted**||**Restricted**|**Restricted**|**2025**
**Total**
**£**
66,395
-
66,395
78,701
900
79,601
(13,206)
-
(13,206)
27,254
**14,048**|**2024**
**Total**
**£**
89,792
-
89,792
91,463
900
92,363
(2,571)
-
(2,571)
29,825
**27,254**|**2024**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Funds**
**£**
31,735
-
31,735
26,050
900
26,950
4,785
(362)
4,423
3,039
**7,462**|**Funds**||**Funds**
**£**
34,660
-
34,660
52,651
-
52,651
(17,991)
362
(17,629)
24,215
**6,586**|**Funds**|||**Total**|
There are no gains or losses other than those recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities.
All incoming resources and resources expended are derived from continuing activities
The notes on following pages form part of these accounts.
10
## **Z's Defence Academy Charity Reference Number:1194054 Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025**
|**Note **
**Current Assets**
Cash at bank and in hand
**Creditors**
Amounts falling due within one year
**7**
**Net Current Assets**
**Funds**
Restricted funds
**8**
Unrestricted funds||**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
8,362
8,362
(900)
7,462
-
7,462
7,462||**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
6,586
6,586
-
6,586
6,586
-
6,586|**2025**
**Total**
**£**
14,948
14,948
(900)
14,048
6,586
7,462
14,048|**2024**
**Total**
**£**
28,154
28,154
(900)
27,254
24,215
3,039
27,254|**2024**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||||**Total**|
Approved by the trustees on 14 April 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Dawn Wells Azmat Farid Trustee Trustee
11
**Z's Defence Academy Charity Reference Number:1194054 Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025**
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **Basis of preparation**
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
The Charity has taken advantage of the exemption in Financial Reporting Standard No 1 from the requirement to produce a cash flow statement on the grounds that it is a small charity.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards, the Statement of Recommended Practice, "Accounting and Reporting by Charities", issued in March 2005 and the Charities Act 2011.
## **Recognition of incoming resources**
These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when:
- the charity becomes entitled to the resources;
- trustees are virtually certain they will receive the resources; and
- the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.
## **Incoming resources with related expenditure**
Where incoming resources have related expenditure (as with fundraising or contract income) the coming resources and related expenditure are reported gross in the SoFA.
## **Grants and donations**
Grants and donations are only included in the SoFA when the charity has been given notification of entitlement is received and the amount receivable can be measured with sufficient reliability.
## **Tax reclaims on donations and gifts**
Incoming resources from tax reclaims are in included in the SoFA at the same time as the gift to which they relate.
## **Gift in kind**
Gifts in kind are accounted for at a reasonable estimate of their value to the charity or the amount actually realised.
## **Donated services and facilities**
These are only included in incoming resources (with an equivalent amount in resources expended) where the benefit to the charity is reasonably quantifiable, measurable and material. The value placed on these resources is the estimated value to the charity of the service or facility received.
## **Volunteer help**
The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts.
## **Resources expended**
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with use of the resources.
12
**Z's Defence Academy Charity Reference Number:1194054 Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025**
## **Tangible fixed assets**
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life:-
Plant and machinery
25%
## **Debtors**
Debtors are measured at their recoverable amounts at the balance sheet date.
## **Creditors**
Creditors and provision are measured and accounted for in accordance with usually accepted accruals principles.
## **Taxation**
As a registered charity, the organisation is exempt from income and corporation tax to the extent that its income and gains are applied towards the charitable objects of the charity and for no other purpose. Value Added Tax is not recoverable by the charity, and is therefore included in the relevant costs in the Statement of Financial Activities.
|**2**
**Incoming Resources**
General fundraising
HMRC Gift aid
YHA Outdoor
BBC Children in Need
British Wrestling
Muslim Sports Foundation
Awards For All
Million Hour Fund
Postcode Lottery
PYNE
Base
Rossendale Fund
Community Foundation Grant
Sport England
FA Football
Groundwork
Peter Harrison Foundation
**3 Resources Expended**
**Charitable activities**
Activity costs
Materials and equipment
Consultancy costs and wages
Travel & Subsistence
Postage & Stationery|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
27,164
4,571
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
31,735
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
2,272
2,085
1,960
1,545
773||**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
13,340
4,000
2,320
15,000
34,660
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
7,361
7,864
6,640
1,513
1,062|**2025**
**Total**
**£**
27,164
4,571
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
13,340
4,000
2,320
15,000
66,395
**2025**
**Total**
**£**
9,633
9,949
8,600
3,058
1,835|**2024**
**Total**
**£**
13,112
-
120
20,790
4,320
4,400
10,000
9,850
15,000
250
250
4,850
6,850
-
-
-
-
89,792
**2024**
**Total**
**£**
8,514
12,376
34,133
5,475
3,412|**2024**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||**Total**|
||||||||
13
## **Z's Defence Academy Charity Reference Number:1194054 Notes to the Accounts**
## **for the year ended 31 March 2025**
|Premises and venue hire costs
Insurance
Advertising and marketing
IT costs
Professional fees
Charitable donations
**4**
**Governance**
Accountants fees|1,211
68
1,024
2,015
11,112
1,985
26,050
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
900
900||9,430
280
1,486
865
16,150
-
52,651
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
-
-|10,641
348
2,510
2,880
27,262
1,985
78,701
**2025**
**Total**
**£**
900
900|10,289
822
4,495
2,420
9,527
-
91,463
**2024**
**Total**
**£**
900
900|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||
## **5 Transfer between funds**
£362 (2024: £3,239) was transferred from unrestricted to restricted funds during the period.
## **6 Taxation on surplus ordinary activities**
As the CIO is a registered charity no provision has been made for taxation.
## **7 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**
|Accruals
**8 Movement in funds**
**Unrestricted funds**
Donations and legacies
**Restricted funds**
Donations and legacies
**Total Funds**|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
900
900||**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
-
-
**£**
3,039
24,215
27,254
**At 1 April**
**2024**|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
-
-
**£**
3,039
24,215
27,254
**At 1 April**
**2024**|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
-
-
**£**
3,039
24,215
27,254
**At 1 April**
**2024**||**2025**
**Total**
**£**
900
900
**£**
4,423
(17,629)
(13,206)
**Net**
**Movement**||**2024**
**Total**
**£**
900
900
**At 31 March**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||**At**||||||
||||||**1**|||||
||||||||||**£**
7,462
6,586
14,048
**2025**|
14
## **Z's Defence Academy Charity Reference Number:1194054 Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025**
|**Restricted funds**
**The restricted fund comprises of:**
British Wrestling
BBC Children in Need
Awards For All
Postcode Lottery
Community Foundation Grant
Sport England
FA Football
Groundwork
Peter Harrison Foundation|**2025**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
766
2,110
1,169
2,541
6,586|**2024**
**£**
2,400
10,395
525
6,170
4,725
-
-
-
-
24,215|**2024**|
|---|---|---|---|
15