Ekota Academ Ltd y
Trustees’ Annual Report
Year Ended 31 January 2025
1. Reference and Administration
Name : Ekota Academy Ltd
Charity Number : 1196108
Company Number : 09940764
Registered Office : Aberdour Road, Goodmayes, Ilford, Essex IG3 9SP
Website : www.ekotaacademy.com
Contact Email / Telephone : contact@ekotaacademy.com, 020 8599 9383
Trustees / Directors : Shamima Akther CHOWDHURY, Sharmin BEGUM, Sayra RAHMAN, Sultana RAHMAN
Independent Examiner / Auditor : RK Accountants Ltd
2. Structure, Governance and Management
a. Governing Document & Objectives
Ekota Academy Ltd is a charitable company limited by guarantee. It is governed by its Articles of Association, which set out the purposes, powers, and the way the charity is to be administered.
The objects of Ekota Academy are to promote health, education, physical welfare, and community cohesion, particularly through sports, wellbeing, youth leadership, and community development, primarily in the local catchment area of London Borough of Redbridge & Barking & Dagenham, and surrounding communities.
b. Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees
The trustees are recruited through advertisement, nomination, and member vote. They receive induction and ongoing training.
Trustees meet quarterly to review strategy, governance, and oversight of operations.
c. Organisational Structure & Management
Day-to-day operations are carried out by a management team/staff/contractors/sessional staff and guided by the trustees. The Academy runs multiple programmes such as sports sessions, holiday camps, community/wellbeing initiatives, volunteer engagement, and partnership working.
Volunteers play a key role in delivering many activities; they are recruited, DBSchecked, and given training and support.
3. Charitable Purposes and Public Benefit
a. Charitable Objectives & Activities
During the year to 31 January 2025, Ekota Academy continued to deliver a range of programmes aligned with its mission:
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Sports & Physical Activity Programmes : Football, cricket, cycling, and multisport sessions aimed at children and youth.
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Holiday Camps : Multi-activity camps during school holidays, offering children a safe, active, and enriching environment.
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Community & Wellbeing Initiatives : Wellness sessions, community projects, mental health support through movement and social connection.
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Youth Leadership & Empowerment : Programs to build confidence, leadership, mentoring, and skills among local youth.
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Partnerships : Collaboration with local bodies, volunteers, and community stakeholders to extend reach and impact.
These activities benefit the public by providing accessible, structured, healthy opportunities for children, youth, and community members, promoting physical and mental wellbeing, social inclusion, education, and community cohesion.
b. Public Benefit
Ekota Academy ensures that benefits are delivered in a way that is accessible to all, regardless of background, and aims to reduce barriers to participation (e.g. cost, location). The trustees confirm that they have considered the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance, and that all activities are in furtherance of Ekota’s charitable aims.
4. Achievements and Performance
Key Achievements During the Year
-
Expanded and maintained holiday camps , delivered mayor of London’s VRU programme over the summer with high uptake and positive feedback from participants and parents at Ekota Hub, Goodmayes Park. The summer programme was launched by a visit from Mayor of London himself Sadiq Khan, accompanied by sports celebrities and Tv personalities such as Professor Green etc.
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Renovated a new youth and community space, naming it Ekota Hub at Goodmayes Park Pavillion.
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and sports programmes at Goodmayes park, offering structured and inclusive sessions (e.g. football, cricket, cycling) that engaged children who otherwise might not have access. We hosted Cricket One Hundred , launching it at Goodmayes Park, working closely in partnership with Vision Redbridge and ECB attended by celebrities such as Katie Piper.
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Launched pilot wellbeing/community projects , learn to cycle, women-only yoga/fitness sessions, helping to address mental health, social isolation, and offering safe community spaces.
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Attracted new volunteers and community support , increasing capacity and engagement across programmes with 20 active volunteers.
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Sustained or improved partnerships, visibility, and reputation, being recognised for social impact, acknowledged by the Leader of the council, MP Atwal, and local councillors. Ekota is a proud recipient of the King’s Award for Voluntary Service and ECB Grassroots Awards.
Monitoring & Impact
The trustees monitor performance via metrics such as participant numbers, feedback surveys, retention, volunteer hours, partnership outcomes, and community reach.
In year to 31 Jan 2025 we served
- 53670 beneficiaries through various programmes and activities:
Delivered the following sessions:
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Cricket Sessions: 590 sessions
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Football Sessions: 462 sessions
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Badminton Sessions: 90 sessions
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Pilates Sessions: 30 sessions
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Wellbeing Sessions: 1482 sessions
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Kitchen Social: 420 hot meals provided to the community
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Education & Development Sessions: 204 sessions
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Summer Programme Sessions: 589 sessions
The trustees regularly review performance in relation to objectives and adjust programmes accordingly.
5. Financial Review and Reserves Policy
a. Financial Summary
Income Overview
For the year ended 31 January 2025, the organisation received total incoming resources of £295,279 , comprising £258,825 in restricted grants and £24,274 in unrestricted general funds and £12,179 in other income.
The major funding sources were predominantly grant-based, reflecting strong support from a diverse range of institutions and foundations. Significant contributors included:
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Compass Wellbeing – £49,950
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VRU Innovation Fund – £42,314
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Go London - GLA – £24,270
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Main Grant – £21,319
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Garfield Weston Foundation – £15,000
Other notable grants came from Five Rivers Child , The Hargreaves Foundation , EW Cricket Trust , and TNLCF - The Million ours Fund , among others.
Unrestricted income was primarily from donations totalling £24,274 , showing continued community support and general fundraising effectiveness.
Expenditure Overview
Total expenditure for the year amounted to £224,884 , with the majority spent on core operational costs:
-
Wages, salaries, and NICs – £24,300
-
Subcontracted services – £103,430 where Free Launce Staff: £4200 and Youth worker: £27,137
-
Rent – £32,465
-
Other legal and professional fees – £13,375
-
Advertising and PR – £12,707
Other expenditure categories included utilities, repairs and maintenance, travel, stationery, insurance, and miscellaneous operational costs.
The expenditure pattern demonstrates a strong focus on program delivery and staff support, with subcontracting representing the largest single cost, reflecting reliance on specialised services to achieve program objectives.
Income vs. Expenditure
For the year, the organisation achieved a surplus of £70,395 , representing the excess of income over expenditure. When combined with the opening balances of £55,381 , the total carried forward at 31 January 2025 was £125,775 .
This indicates robust financial management and sustainability, ensuring that both restricted and unrestricted funds are effectively utilised while maintaining a healthy reserve for future activities.
Summary
Overall, the organisation maintained a strong financial position in 2024–25, supported by diverse grant income and community donations. Expenditures were carefully managed, emphasising program delivery and operational efficiency. The resulting surplus positions the organisation to continue its work with confidence into the next financial year.
b. Reserves Policy
The trustees believe it is prudent to maintain free reserves equivalent to 12 months of operational expenditure, to provide a buffer against fluctuations in funding, ensure continuity of activities, cover unexpected costs and unexpected funding cuts. The policy is reviewed annually.
At the yearend (31 January 2025), the free reserves stood at £125,775, which is within the target level. The trustees have plans to build or maintain reserves through diversified funding, cost control, and prudent budgeting.
If there are restricted funds, the trustees ensure that they are used in accordance with donor/funder restrictions and clearly tracked in the Statement of Financial Activities and notes.
6. Risk Management
The trustees regularly review organizational risks and review operational, financial, reputational, and safeguarding risks. Key risks include funding uncertainty, volunteer retention, compliance (e.g. safeguarding, health & safety), and external changes (e.g. policy, venue). Mitigation strategies include diversified funding, regular reviews, training, strong governance, and contingency planning.
7. Plans for Future Periods
Plans include:
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Expanding outreach and youth programmes
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Developing wellbeing and mental health services
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Strengthening volunteer recruitment and training
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Improving data capture for impact measurement
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Securing new premises & long-term funding partnerships.
8. Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
Trustees are responsible under the Companies Act 2006 and Charities Act 2011 for preparing accounts, maintaining records, and safeguarding assets.
They ensure the accounts give a true and fair view of the charity’s financial position.
9. Approval
This report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 16/05/2025 and signed on their behalf by:
Shamima Akther CHOWDHURY
______ Sayra RAHMAN
Sharmin BEGUM Sultana RAHMAN
Ekota Academy Ltd
Page 2
- Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) For the Year Ended 31 January 2025
| Incoming Resources Grants Subscription Misc Income Balance as at 31/01/2024 Outgoing Resources Staffing Costs Management & Administration Costs Direct Charitable Expenditure Net Incoming/Outgoing Resources Before transfer Gross Transfer Between Funds Net Incoming/Outgoing Resources after transfer Balance Brought forward at 1st Feb 2024 Balance Carried forward at 31st March 2024 |
£ £ 2025 2024 Restricted Unrestricted £ £ Funds Funds Total Total 258,824.50 258,824.50 78,609.50 24,274.10 24,274.10 26,134.33 12,180.00 12,180.00 |
£ £ 2025 2024 Restricted Unrestricted £ £ Funds Funds Total Total 258,824.50 258,824.50 78,609.50 24,274.10 24,274.10 26,134.33 12,180.00 12,180.00 |
|---|---|---|
| 258,824.50 | 36,454.10 295,278.60 104,743.83 |
|
| 120,128.50 77,280.50 - |
7,601.50 127,730.00 41,032.00 19,873.50 97,154.00 42,859.00 - - |
|
| 197,409.00 | 27,475.00 224,884.00 83,891.00 |
|
| 61,415.50 41,536.00 |
8,979.10 70,394.60 20,852.83 13,845.00 55,380.00 34,529.00 |
|
| 102,951.50 | 22,824.10 125,774.60 55,381.83 |
Page 3
EKOTA ACADEMY LTD NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2025
1.0' Basis of preparation
1.1 Basis of accounting
These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevance note(s) to these accounts. These accounts have been prepared in accordance with:
- . the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities and with 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 and with the Charities Act 2011.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by Charity Commission.
1.2 Going Concern
There are no material uncertainties related to events or conditions that cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
2.0'
Accounting policies
2.1 Income
These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (soFA) when:
-
. the charity becomes entitled to the resources;
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. it is more likely than not that the trustees will receive the resources;
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. the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.
Offsetting
There has been no offsetting of assets and liabilites or income and expenses, unless required or permitted by the FRS 102 SORP or FRS 102.
Grants and Donations
Grants and donations are only included in the SoFA when the genral income recognition criteria are met (5.10 to 5.12 FRS 102 SORP).
In the case of performance related grants, income is only recognised to the extent that the charity
has provided the specified goods or services as entitlement to the grant only oPage 1
performance related conditions are met (5.16 FRS 102 SORP).
2.2 Expenditures and Liabilities
Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty.
Page 4
EKOTA ACADEMY LTD NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2025
2.3 Tangible assets
These are capitalised if they can be for more than one year, and cost at least.
They are valued at cost. The depreciation rates and methods used are disclosed below
Asset category
Fixtures and fittings
2.4 Debtors
Debtors (including trade debtors and loans receivable) are measured on initial recognition at settlement amount after any trade discounts or amount advanced by the charity. Subsequently, they are measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be received.
2.5 Creditors
The charity has creditors which are measured at settlement amounts.
3.0'
4.0'
5.0'
| Independent examiner's fees Accountancy Legal and professional Staff costs Salaries,wages and NICs Employer NIC Sessional Tutor's Fees Pensions Trainer's Fees Average head count in the year Charitable activities FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2025 |
2025 2024 £ £ 500.00 500.00 - - |
|---|---|
| 500.00 500.00 |
|
| 2025 2024 £ £ 24,300.00 24,600.00 - - - - - 103,430.00 16,433.00 |
|
| 127,730.00 41,033.00 |
|
| 5 5 |
Page 5
EKOTA ACADEMY LTD NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
| 6.0' Tangible Fixed Assets Cost At 1 April 2023 Additions At 31 March 2024 Depreciation At 1 April 2023 Charge for the year At 31 March 2024 Net book value 7.0' Debtors Other debtors 8.0' Creditors Paye Accountancy 9.0' Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Net surplus/(deficit) Total funds carried forward |
2025 2024 £ £ 11,102.00 11,102.00 - - |
|---|---|
| 11,102.00 11,102.00 |
|
| - - - - - - |
|
| 11,102.00 11,102.00 |
|
| 2025 2024 £ £ 4,384.00 1,089.00 |
|
| 4,384.00 1,089.00 |
|
| 2025 2024 £ £ 869.00 367.00 1,928.00 2,000.00 |
|
| 2,797.00 2,367.00 |
|
| 2025 2024 £ £ 55,380.00 34,529.00 70,395.00 20,851.00 |
|
| 125,775.00 55,380.00 |
Page 6
EKOTA ACADEMY LTD DETAILED INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| INCOME | Restricted | Unrestricted | Total | Total |
| Grants: | ||||
| Barking and Dagenham | 1,650.00 | - | 1,650.00 | 5,020.00 |
| Bauer Radio's | 2,160.00 | 2,160.00 | - | |
| CHARLES S FRENCH C | 2,000.00 | 2,000.00 | - | |
| COMPASS WELLBEING � | 49,950.00 | 49,950.00 | - | |
| ECCC | 3,870.00 | 3,870.00 | - | |
| EDUCATION ECOM | 550.00 | 550.00 | - | |
| GARFIELD WESTON FO | 15,000.00 | 15,000.00 | - | |
| GO LONDON - GLA | 24,270.00 | 24,270.00 | - | |
| JACK PETCHEY FOUND � | 2,700.00 | 2,700.00 | - | |
| LIFELINE COMMUNITY | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | - | |
| LONDON CATALYST | 4,950.00 | 4,950.00 | - | |
| London Youth | 11,300.00 | - | 11,300.00 | 7,750.00 |
| EW Cricket Trust | 10,000.00 | - | 10,000.00 | 8,700.00 |
| LBTH Small Grants | ||||
| Groundwork London | 1,996.00 | 1,996.00 | 7,919.00 | |
| MAYOR S F LONDON F | 5,200.00 | 5,200.00 | - | |
| Vision Red Culture | 4,387.00 | 4,387.00 | 6,771.00 | |
| VRU INNOVATION FUN � | 42,314.00 | 42,314.00 | - | |
| THE HARGREAVES FOU � | 15,100.00 | 15,100.00 | - | |
| Main Grant | 21,319.35 | - | 21,319.35 | 16,062.00 |
| ESC Lottery Fund | 13,000.00 | 13,000.00 | 9,920.00 | |
| TNLCF - THE MILLIO BGC� | 15,438.15 | - | 15,438.15 | 4,467.00 |
| SPORTED FOUNDATION � | 10,670.00 | 10,670.00 | - | |
| The London Marathon | - | - | 10,000.00 | |
| The RCBS | - | - | 2,000.00 | |
| Sub Toal : Income (Grants) Received: | 258,824.50 | - | 258,824.50 | 78,609.00 |
| General Funds - Other Income Received: | ||||
| Subscription | - | 24,274.10 | 24,274.10 | 26,134.00 |
| Wapping Youth Ltd | - | - | - | - |
| HMRC JRS Grant | - | - | - | - |
| Rental from premises | 12,180.00 | 12,180.00 | ||
| Total Incoming Resources : | 258,824.50 | 36,454.10 | 295,278.60 | 104,743.00 |
EXPENDITURES
| Wages, salaries and NICs | 21,870.00 | 2,430.00 | 24,300.00 | 24,600.00 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freelancer | 98,258.50 | 5,171.50 | 103,430.00 | 16,433.00 | ||
| Other Direct Cost | 9,594.80 | 1,693.20 | 11,288.00 | 14,686.75 | ||
| Travel & subsistence | 481.10 | 84.90 | 566.00 | 402.75 | ||
| Light & heat | 6,843.20 | 1,710.80 | 8,554.00 | 7,049.25 | ||
| Stationery and Printing | - | - | - | 109.50 | ||
| Insurance | 330.00 | 110.00 | 440.00 | 432.00 | ||
| Repair and maintenance | 9,416.00 | 2,354.00 | 11,770.00 | 1,941.25 | ||
| Bank Charge | 23.25 | 7.75 | 31.00 | - | ||
| Sundry expenses | 5,185.10 | 272.90 | 5,458.00 | 1,309.50 | ||
| Accountancy Fees | 375.00 | 125.00 | 500.00 | 500.00 | ||
| Rent | 25,972.00 | 6,493.00 | 32,465.00 | 11,742.00 | ||
| Bangla Youth Movement | - | - | - | - | ||
| Other Legal and professional fees | 12,706.25 | 668.75 | 13,375.00 | 4,205.25 | ||
| Advertising and PR | 6,353.50 | 6,353.50 | 12,707.00 | 480.00 | ||
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE | 197,408.70 | 27,475.30 | - | 224,884.00 | 83,891.25 | |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2025 | ||||||
| Excess of Income over Expenditure: | 61,415.80 | 8,978.80 | 70,394.60 | 20,851.75 | ||
| Balance Brought forward at 1st Feb 202 | 41,535.56 | 13,845.19 | - | 55,380.75 | 34,529.00 | |
| Balance Carried forward at 31st March 2 | 102,951.36 | 22,823.99 | - | 125,775.35 | 55,380.75 |
Page 7
EKOTA ACADEMY LTD BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 JANUARY 2025
| Notes Fixed Assets Tangible assets 6 Intangible assets Current assets Debtors 7 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 8 Net Assets Movement of funds Total funds brought forward 9 Net surplus/(deficit) Net funds |
4,384.00 101,886.00 |
2025 £ 11,102.00 11,200.00 1,089.00 34,855.00 35,944.00 2,866.00 - 103,473.00 125,775.00 2025 £ 55,380.00 70,395.00 125,775.00 |
2024 £ 11,102.00 11,200.00 33,078.00 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 106,270.00 2,797.00 - |
|||
| 55,380.00 | |||
| 2024 £ 34,529.00 20,851.00 |
|||
| 55,380.00 |
We confirm that we have made availble all relevant records, bills, vouchers, information and explanation for the preparation of the above balance sheet and the annexed Income and Expenditure Account of Ekota Academy Ltd and approve the financial statements as accurate account of the surplus of the income and also the correct state of the affairs of the charity as at 31st January 2025.
Approved by the Management Committee and signed on its behalf:
…............................................ …............................................... Sultana Rahman Sayra Rahman Trustee, Company Chair Trustee, Company Secretary
…...............................................
…............................................. --------------------------------------Sharmin Begum Shamima Akhtar Chowdhury Trustee, Treasurer Trustee
Page1
Independent Examiner's Report to the Management Committee of the Ekota Academy Ltd for the Year Ended 31 January 2025
We report to the Management Committee on our examination of the accounts of the above charity ("The Trust") for the year ended 31[st January] 2025 set out above.
Respective responsibilities of the Management Committee and Examiner
As the charity's Management Committee, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the charities Act 2011 ("the Act"). They Consider that an audit is not required for this year (under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
We report in respect of our examination of the trustee's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out our examination. We have followed all the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent Examiner's Statement
We have completed our examination. We have confirmed that no material matters have come to our attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below*) which gives us cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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the accounts did not comply with applicable requirements concerning the form and content of
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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.
We have no concerns and have come across on other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
….................................................... Prepared by RK Accountants Ltd Hall 3, The Whitechapel Centre 85 Myrdle Street London, E1 1HQ