## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period** **From 06/04/2024 (Period start date) 05/04/25 (Period end date) Charity name: A Community for Change (ACFC) Charity registration number:** 1196539 ## **Objectives and Activities** ||SORP reference|| |---|---|---| |Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document|Para 1.17|The purpose of A Community for
Change (ACFC) is to support the
public by helping children and young
people thrive. We aim to empower
parents, carers, and families with the
resources they need to better meet
the needs of these children and young
people. ACFC are based around a
team of volunteers who are
responsible for the governance and
management of the organisation.| |Summary of the main
activities in relation to those
purposes for the public
benefit, in particular, the
activities, projects or
services identified in the
accounts.|Para 1.17 and
1.19|Due to time constraints, we were only
able to host two of our flagship
Community Conversations during the
reporting year.
In November 2024 we discussed
Discrimination in the Workplace
with guest speaker MJ Maher and in
April 2025 we addressedThe
evolution of the School system
with guest speaker Paul Obinna.
In the spring of 2024, the Saturday
School was renamed the Black
Learning & Excellence Saturday
School (BLESS). All of our flagship
Community Conversations and BLESS
programme are delivered via Zoom.
BLESS offers a powerful blend of
education, history, and health and
wellbeing issues specifically aimed at
people from the Black diaspora.
Feedback shows that these events
provided clear public benefit by
raising awareness of significant issues| |||within the community.
These sessions have been
instrumental in enhancing
participants' knowledge in core
subjects like Maths and English as
well as looking at prominent Black
people in British, US and world
history, alongside fostering awareness
of mental health and neurodiversity.
The ages of the students were
between 9 to 16 years old.
Some of our sessions were led by our
students and after a short absence,
we were able to take our young
people on two field trips: one within
the local area; the other was to The
British National Library as part of
Black History month. Among the
topics/subjects covered by BLESS in
the reporting year included:

Life stories of prominent Black
people in English, US and world
history

Maths, English, Geography and
History

Riddles and games to consolidate
learning during the reporting year
Periodical reviews are important as
they help young people enhance their
knowledge and to recall what they
know or remember.| |---|---|---| |Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit|Para 1.18|The trustees have taken into account
the rules and recommendations from
the Charity Commission to ensure the
charity is working in the best interests
of the public and fulfilling its
charitable purpose.
The trustees aim is to operate
transparently and responsibly, for the
public benefit.| ## **Additional information (optional)** ## You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making |||| |---|---|---| |Policy on social investment
including program related
investment|Para 1.38|| |Contribution made by
volunteers|Para 1.38|Sixteen volunteers and facilitators
supported BLESS during the reporting year
an increase of five: this included the
services of an external Mental Health and
Wellbeing practitioner.
Our sessions have directly supported over
10 young people, instilling self-confidence,
improving academic skills, and fostering
cultural awareness. Feedback from
participants and parents highlights the
transformative effect of our work, with one
parent noting how ACFC has reignited her
daughter’s passion for learning.| |Other||To answer this question here is feedback
from two participants:
1.“I am really happy that I was introduced
to ACFC's Saturday School. Not only has it
empowered young people from low-income
communities, it has encouraged my
daughter's passion for learning as well as
building up her self-confidence. This has
also encouraged me to lead classes that
will increase their knowledge of blac_k_
history and culture that is not shared in
mainstream education” – Saturday
School, Parent Volunteer
2. “As a young person leading the ACFC
Saturday School session on Black history, it
taught me to be more confident in my
abilities. It improved my communications
skills and helped me to understand the
importance of planning and flexibility when
working with others.” – Young Saturday
School Participant| ## **Achievements and Performance** ||SORP reference|| |---|---|---| |Summary of the main
achievements of the charity,
identifying the difference the
charity’s work has made to
the circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any wider
benefits to society as a
whole.|Para 1.20|ACFC was created in 2020 by voluntary
members of the community passionate
about setting up a forum to support
parents in response to incidents of youth
violence in Newham. It became a
Charitable Incorporated Organisation in
2021.
Since its inception, ACFC has focused its
activities through periodical Community
Conversations and the Black Learning and
Excellence Saturday School (BLESS). The
BLESS sessions are scheduled to align with
school term dates. However, our partner
group, Rights and Equalities in Newham
(REIN), has hosted additional sessions
during half term to encourage broader
social engagement to include cooking, arts
and crafts and physical education.
Through our tailored educational programs,
we have successfully supported over 10
students in enhancing their life skills,
boosting their confidence, and expanding
their knowledge in key subjects such as
mental health and expanding their cultural
awareness.
BLESS strives to contribute to reducing
educational inequalities and providing
opportunities for social mobility.
By empowering young people with support
from their parents/carers with the tools to
succeed, we are helping to build a more
educated, confident, and capable
generation.| |**Additional information (optional)**
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:||| |Achievements against
objectives set|Para 1.41|See ‘Achievements and Performance’ –
Summary of the main achievements…
(above).| |Performance of fundraising
activities against objectives
set|Para 1.41|**N/A**| |||| |Investment performance
against objectives|Para 1.41|| |---|---|---| |Other||ACFC is a not-for-profit organisation set up
in the quest to realise our vision to give
parents and carers a voice by empowering
them to be instrumental in the change they
want to see for their children in the
community.| ## **Financial Review** |**Financial Review**||| |---|---|---| |Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period|Para 1.21|Currently relying on volunteers to support
the activities of the Black Learning and
Excellence Saturday School (BLESS)| |Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held|Para 1.22|**N/A**| |Amount of reserves held|Para 1.22|Previous reserves £1000.
£40 deducted to pay the facilitator of a
community conversation.
Current total: £960| |Reasons for holding zero
reserves|Para 1.22|**N/A**| |Details of fund materially in
deficit|Para 1.24|**Nil**| |Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern|Para 1.23|The principal source of funds are mainly
through funding applications but we are
able to fulfil our activities with the support
of volunteers and trustees.| ## **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
The charity’s principal
sources of funds (including
any fundraising)|
Para 1.47|
The principal source of funds are mainly
through funding applications.| |---|---|---| |Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted|Para 1.46|**N/A**| |A description of the principal
risks facing the charity|Para 1.46|Financial Sustainability: A potential
reduction in funding or donations could
impact the charity’s ability to deliver its
programs and services at the scale
required.
Volunteer and Staff Retention: Our
programs rely heavily on the support of
dedicated volunteers. There is a risk of
turnover or difficulty in recruitment, which
could affect the quality and consistency of
service delivery.| |Other||**N/A**| ## **Structure, Governance and Management** |Description of charity’s
trusts:||| |---|---|---| |Type of governing document
(trust deed,royal charter)|Para 1.25|ACFC Constitution as of 12thNovember
2021| |How is the charity
constituted?
(e.g unincorporated
association, CIO)|Para 1.25|ACFC Constitution as of 12thNovember
2021| |Trustee selection methods
including details of any
constitutional provisions e.g.
election to post or name of
any person or body entitled
to appoint one or more
trustees|Para 1.25|Every trustee must be appointed by a
resolution passed at the properly convened
meeting of the trustees
With regard the selection of trustees for
appointment, the trustees must have
regard to the skills knowledge and
experience needed for the effective
administration of the CIO.| |**Additional information (optional)**
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:|**Additional information (optional)**
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:|**Additional information (optional)**
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:| |---|---|---| |Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction
and training of trustees|Para 1.51|Trustees may appoint one of their member
to chair meetings and at any time invoke
such appointment. If no one is appointed
or if the person appointed is unwilling to
preside or is not present within 10 minutes
after the time of the meeting the Trustees
present may appoint one of their member
to chair the meeting.
A Trustee may not appoint anyone else to
act on their behalf at Trustees meetings.
A meeting may be held by suitable
electronic means agreed by the Trustees in
which each participant may communicate
with all the other participants.
No decisions may be made by the meeting
of the Trustees unless a quorum is present
at the time the decision is made. “Present”
includes being present. Suitable electronic
means agreed by the Trustees in which
participant or participants may
communicate with all the other
participants.
The quorum shall be two Trustees or one
third of the Trustees, whichever is the
greater number.
A Trustee shall not be counted in the
quorum present when any decision is made
about a matter upon which that Trustee is
not entitled to vote.
Questions arising at any meetings shall be| |||decided by a majority of votes, each
Trustee having one vote. In the case of an
equality of votes, the chair of the meeting
shall not have a second or casting vote and
the resolution shall be lost.| |---|---|---| |The charity’s organisational
structure and any wider
network with which the
charity works|Para 1.51|There are four people who have the
responsibility of being Trustees of ACFC.
They support the governance and
management of the organisation. Their
names are listed at the end of this
document. They have the role of: Chair,
Vice Chair, Treasurer and Secretary.| |Relationship with any
related parties|Para 1.51|ACFC are supported in its efforts by two
organisations: Rights and Equalities in
Newham (REIN) andWipers, a youth
justice social enterprise that specialises in
working with vulnerable and disadvantaged
young people.| |Other||**N/A**| ## **Reference and Administrative details** |Charity name|A Community For Change| |---|---| |Other name the charity uses|ACFC| |Registered charity number|1196539| |Charity’s principal address|1a Cumberland Road
Plaistow
London
E13 8LH| ||| ## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity** |1
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20|**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for whole**
**year**|**Name of person (or body) entitled**
**to appoint trustee (ifany)**| |---|---|---|---|---| ||Keith Thomas|Chairperson|November 2021|ACFC| ||Shazad Yasin|Treasurer|November 2021|ACFC| ||TonyDavis|Vice Chair|November 2021|ACFC| ||Momodou Lamin
Sanyang|Secretary|November 2021|ACFC| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| ## – Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved ## **Director name** ## Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity |**Trustee name**|**Dates acted if not for whole year**|| |---|---|---| |Keith Thomas|Chairperson|| |Shazad Yasin|Treasurer|| |Tony Davis|Vice Chair|| |Momodou Lamin Sanyang|Secretary|| |||| |||| ## **Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others** Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for N/A safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets ## **Additional information (optional)** ## **Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)** |**Type of**|**Name**|**Address**| |---|---|---| |**adviser**||| ## **Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)** ## **Exemptions from disclosure** Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details **N/A** ## **Other optional information** **As stated within this form, we are a team of four volunteers who have taken on the governance and management of the organisation. We strive to make a difference in our community despite the added responsibility of having full time jobs.** **We made a payment of £40 to MJ Maher for leading one of our periodical Community Conversations.** ## **Declarations** **The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.** **Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees** **Signature(s)** **Full name(s)** Keith Thomas **Position (eg Secretary,** Chair **Chair, etc)** **Date** 04.02.26