ZUBEDA WELCOME
YEAR 2023/24
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** APRIL 2023 TO 31 MARCH 2024
LATEST INFORMATION AND UPDATES ABOUT ZUBEDA WELCOME
REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 1198710.
## **TABLE OF CONTENTS**
## **01**
**Report of the Trustees** 1
**02 03**
**Message from the CEO** 4 **Introduction** 5
**04**
**05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13**
**14**
**Objective & Activities** 6 **Challenges & Growth** 7 **Our impact** 8
**Performance & Achievement** 9 **Profiles of Trustee board** 17 **Key team members** 18 **Independent Examiners Report** 19 **Statement of Financial Activities** 20 **Balance Sheet** 21 **Notes to the financial statement** 22 **Glossary** 29
## **ZUBEDA WELCOME**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE PERIOD 01 APRIL 2023 TO 31 MARCH 2024**
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the period 01 April 2023 to 31 March 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
## **INCORPORATION**
The charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) was incorporated on 25th April 2022 and commenced trading on 26th May 2022.
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**
## **Public benefit**
The trustees of Zubeda Welcome have duly considered and adhered to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. They are committed to ensuring that all activities and projects are carried out with the primary intention of benefiting the public, specifically vulnerable refugee and asylum seeker children. The charity's activities are focused on providing educational opportunities and fostering emotional well-being, contributing to the wider community's integration and well-being.
**1**
## **ZUBEDA WELCOME**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE PERIOD 01 APRIL 2023 TO 31 MARCH 2024**
## **ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE**
## **Investment performance**
The outreach work mentioned above has done very well and this is a great investment for Zubeda Welcome. We have signed MOU’s with several hotel management companies. The Companies have granted us permission to administer authorised visits to their bridging hotels which has helped to identify many need refugee and asylum seeker children.
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
## **Funds in Surplus**
During the year, Zubeda Welcome had total incoming resources of £118,800 and total expenditure incurred of £60,156 which resulted to a surplus of £58,644.
Therefore, as at balance sheet date, the CIO had a total reserves of £76,968 of which £34,100 were unrestricted and £42,868 were restricted.
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Governing document**
The charity governing documents is a CIO Foundation model constitution registered with the charity commission on 25th April 2022.
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) as defined by the Charities Act 2011.
## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS**
## **Registered Charity number**
1198710
**2**
## **Principal address**
135 Cranley Gardens London N10 3AG
## **Trustees**
Amina Hassanjee Nahid Hanif Eesa Hafezjee
## **Chief Executive Officer/ Founder**
Atia Lokhat
## **Independent Examiner**
A. Patel BA(Hons) FCA BFP Prestons & Jacksons Partnership LLP 364 - 368 Cranbrook Road
Ilford Essex IG2 6HY
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 06-11-2024 and signed on its behalf by:
**3**
## **A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO**
After witnessing the dire conditions in the Calais refugee camp, Atia Lokhat was deeply moved, especially by the struggles of unaccompanied children, pregnant women, orphans, and elderly individuals.
Inspired by her late mother (May Allah grant her Jannatul-Firdous, ameen) Zubeda’s belief in the power of kindness from strangers—a lesson rooted in their own journey from India to Canada—Atia founded a charity in her mother's honour.
Initially focused on helping refugees resettle through the Vulnerable People’s Resettlement Scheme, Atia soon recognized the urgent need for Islamic education among Muslim refugee children. Families who already
lost nearly everything, who finally made it to a destination of safety were now at the risk of losing their faith and Muslim identity.
As a mother of three, she understood this deeply and shifted her efforts towards providing madrasa education. Since then, the charity has grown from supporting three children to over 490 in just six years.
**CEO with Bibi Rabbiyah Khan**
## **CEO with Bushra Nasir**
**ATIA LOKHAT** CEO, FOUNDER
**4**
## **INTRODUCTION**
The purpose of Zubeda Welcome is to support refugees in the UK, with a niche focus on providing access to highquality Islamic education for vulnerable refugee and asylum seeker children. There are 365,000 displaced children in the UK - and over 85% of them are Muslim. The charity aims to preserve their faith and cultural identity, empower their spiritual and emotional well-being, and facilitate successful integration into British life.
## **A refugee Quran student**
**5**
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**
The main activities carried out by Zubeda Welcome for the public benefit include identifying eligible refugee children and sponsoring them to attend local Madrasas for faith-based education. The charity collaborates with Madrasas, community organizations, and charities to facilitate enrollment and tailored curriculum delivery. They conduct regular monitoring and evaluation exercises to assess progress and impact while engaging with the refugee community through open days, meetings, and surveys to gather feedback. By providing access to education and support, Zubeda Welcome aims to positively impact the lives of sponsored children and their families.
This year, we have introduced three key projects we are working on. ‘Teach Quran, Retain Eman’ which provides madrasa fees for refugee and asylum seeker children. ‘Counseling for Quran students’, where we aim to provide support for refugee children who are tackling the trauma of displacement and loss, and our ‘Empowerment programme’ where we provide our Qur’an
students with recognition and achievement which can pave their way to better opportunities.
## **Zubeda Welcome team with our refugee Quran students**
**6**
## **CHALLENGES & GROWTH**
In 2024, one of the biggest challenges we faced at Zubeda Welcome was the lack of staff to manage our rapid and unprecedented growth. With a volunteer CEO serving full-time, funding available for just one paid employee, and the responsibility of providing madrasa provisions for over 490 individuals, the strain on our resources made it increasingly difficult to sustain the charity's operations.
However, in June 2024 we were funded for staff salaries and expanded our team and therefore our mission of increasing the number of children identified in the UK. We have now identified 490 refugee and asylum seeker children, partnered with 36 mosques and madrasas, expanded outreach to 33 different communities and much more such as implementing a CRM system to make our operations more efficient.
Our beneficiaries have multiplied six fold and the numbers we served have increased exponentially. The outreach work has been a successful investment, with Zubeda Welcome gaining authorization to visit 185 of the 200+ bridging hotels in the UK, raising awareness and providing support for children's Madrasa fees. The charity's outreach work surpassed its target by registering over 500 refugee/asylum seeker children. We expect, with increased support, capacity building, these numbers will be in the thousands in no time.
## **CEO with our refugee Quran students at our 2024 Eid Quran Recital**
**7**
## **OUR IMPACT**
_OUR REACH_
Our vision for growth is rooted in unlocking potential, not just expanding in numbers. Through our empowerment program, we proudly gave 20 children the chance to recite the Quran live on Instagram and on stage at our annual Eid Quran Recital, in front of a live audience. This moment was far more than just a performance—it was a transformative experience. For these children, many of whom have felt displaced or marginalized, standing before that audience wasn’t just about building confidence; it was about reclaiming a sense of belonging and realizing that they, too, have the power to make a meaningful impact in a society where they may have once felt invisible.
Izma, our youngest ambassador at Zubeda Welcome, is a shining example of resilience and hope. As one of our refugee students, she dreams of becoming a public speaker one day—a dream we are committed to nurturing. In a powerful show of support, we gave Izma the opportunity to co-host our Eid Quran Recital, where she confidently showcased her talents before an audience of 300 people. Her presence on that stage was not just about honing her skills; it was a testament to her courage, ambition, and the limitless potential we see in every child we serve.
## **The areas we serve across UK:**
Sunderland Birmingham Hebburn St Albans Tooting Hackney Scotland Epping Leightonstone Haringey Acton Enfield Walthamstow Hendon Isleworth Heathrow Hayes Ilford Romford Hounslow Barnet Finchley Greenford Hatfield Camden Feltham Finsbury Park Stevenage Brent Reading Balham Leicester Norbury Islington Woking
_Our aim is to reach each community one at a time for sustained positive impact to be felt by generations to come._
**and many more communities yet to come!**
**8**
## **PERFORMANCE & ACHIEVEMENT**
Zubeda Welcome's achievements have made a significant difference to its beneficiaries and wider society. Over the last 5 years, the charity has achieved nearly 100% attendance for sponsored refugee and asylum seeker children in Madrasa lessons, with many memorizing parts of the Quran. This demonstrates successful integration into the educational and faith-based environment.
Through positive partnerships, Zubeda Welcome took part in fundraising campaigns for orphanages and engaged refugee parents and children in those initiative to give them a sense of empowerment and purpose. With 10 of our children given certificates of achievements to, and our three ambassadors given medals. The charity's work fosters a sense of belonging and builds connections within the refugee community. Friendships with British-born Muslims promotes comfortable integration into British life while preserving values and identity and offered them opportunities to be signposted to other resettlement needs such as work experience, employment opportunities and guidance to further their skills and education.
We also highlight the work of our partners, at our 2024 Eid Quran Recital, Iqraa School won our ‘Provider of the Year Award’
## **Award Nominations:**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
CEO with Dr Haifaa Younis
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**CEO and trustee with MP Naz Shah and Ameena Blake**
- SHE award 2024 **(won)** 2024 London Dangoor Award **(won)** Camden Faith Award 2024 **(won)** Beacon mosque Award 2023 ( **won) Zubeda Welcome was shortlisted for:** Rising Leader of the Year, Charity Times 2023
- Charity of the year and Rising Leader of the Year Charity Times Award 2024
GMW Sparks Continuum Award 2023 The London Faith & Belief Community Awards 2024 The British Muslim Awards 2024 - finalist
**9**
## **100** % **747**
Attendance for sponsored refugee and asylum seeker children in Madrasa lessons over the last 5 years. **185**
Number of bridging hotels where Zubeda Welcome had gained authorization to visit.
Children applied to ZW for madrasa fees support across the UK in 20232024.
**8**
Awards that Zubeda Welcome has been shortlisted for in 2024.
Number of locations where Zubeda Welcome has expanded its services so far. **36**
**60**
Volunteers actively participating in fundraising, events and outreach work.
Hotels from which our clients are based. **45**
**39**
Educational institutions in collaboration to provide for our clients.
**10**
## **EID PARTY 2024**
**CEO of Islam Channel - Muhammad Ali Harrath**
**CEO and co-founder of learning roots, Yasmin Khatri rewarding our refugee Quran students**
The charity's work has led to
enhanced mental and emotional well-being, empowering participation in annual Quran recitals and Eid events.
Here’s what a parent of one of our students, had to say about the Eid party:
_“We had a wonderful day, the arrangements were very nice and the food was delicious. The children enjoyed it. Such a powerful initiative. It was one of our happiest days.”_
**Zubeda Welcome volunteers**
**11**
## **QURAN AWARENESS DAY 2024**
We launched our ‘Quran Awareness Day’ initiative on June 30th 2024. Renaming our initiave ‘Quran Awareness Day’ and launching our first QAD website with tons of videos from people of all ages, races and backgrounds talking to us about their favourite verse of ‘hope, healing and guidance’ from the Quran.
This was a way to bring the community together and spread the word about our mission.
**12**
## **CEO with Saadia Mahmood & Rahma Aziz from Aziz Foundation**
**Zubeda Welcome team with Ali Hammuda**
## **Some of our education providers that we have begun collaborating with:**
- Iqraa Institute Faizan-E-Islam
- Stevenage Muslim Community Centre Al Najah Al Bayyinah School Al Bayaan Al Ehsan Academy - Hounslow Jamia Masjid
- Hayes Muslim Centre Colingdale Islamic Centre
- Barnet Islamic Centre Al-Ola Tayyibun Muslim Welfare House
## **POSITIVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH EDUCATION PROVIDERS & COMMUNITIES**
Zubeda Welcome's expansion and collaboration with Islamic centers have allowed it to support more refugee children in different locations, broadening its positive impact on society.
_We encourage all communites to take up the offer to invite Atia, to do a presentation at community events and gatherings, to help us identify refugees in need and generate further support for refugees locally._
- The City Retreat, Leicester
- Shah jahan mosque Balham Mosque & Tooting Islamic Centre Finsbury Park Mosque
- Dar Al Hikmah
- The Mosque & Islamic Centre of Brent
**13**
## **OUR FUNDERS, SUPPORTERS AND PARTNERSHIPS**
## **MC Fund**
14
## **MEDIA & TV**
Zubeda Welcome's appearance in relevant TV and radio shows helps raise awareness about the issue we are trying to solve.
## _**Ramadan Radio London**_
_**Multiple appearances on Islam Channel UK**_
**15**
_**CEO, Atia Lokhat with Mufti Menk, Scholar and trustee, Eesa Hafezjee**_
_**CEO, Atia Lokhat with Yusuf Chambers - Director of City Retreat Leicester, Humanitarian, Speaker**_
_**CEO, Atia Lokhat with Imam Khalid Latif (Executive Director and Chaplain (Imam) for the Islamic Center at New York University (NYU), Speaker**_
## **SUPPORT FROM NOTABLE MUSLIM PERSONALITIES**
Gaining positive support from influencial Muslim personalities allows us to spread awareness across the globe, likes of Mufti Menk, Yusuf Chambers, Imam Khalid Latif, Yasmin Mogahed, Abdul Rehman Mangera, Naz Shah
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Naz Shah - MP
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_**CEO, Atia Lokhat with Yasmin Mogahed, female scholar and author**_
**16**
## **PROFILES OF THE CHARITY TRUSTEES**
## **Amina Hassanjee - Trustee:**
Amina is an ambitious health and safety professional with years of experience and high levels of personal morale, motivation, and enthusiasm. She holds a BA Hons in business management and marketing along with various safety qualifications, including NEBOSH certification in Occupational Safety and Health and an IOSH in Managing Safety. Amina has been proactive in various roles within Zubeda Welcome, including volunteering, HR management, and fundraising management.
## **Nahid Hanif - Trustee:**
Nahid holds a Masters in Biological Sciences and currently works at NHS Blood & Transport. With over 10 years of experience as a teaching assistant, Nahid is dedicated to the well-being of individuals within the community. She actively participates in charity events, leveraging her network to raise funds and awareness. Nahid supports functions such as the annual Quran Recitals and Eid functions, demonstrating her personal connection with students and their parents.
## **Eesa Hafezjee - Trustee:**
Eesa brings business development expertise to the charity. He is dynamic and proactive in partnership and relationship building. Eesa is a graduate of City of London Boys School and a graduate in International Business at Royal Holloway. He works part-time for DropNet Ltd.
**17**
## **KEY MEMBERS OF OUR TEAM**
## **Anjim Iqbal - Partnership support:**
Anjim is a Philanthropist, Humanitarian, and leads Charitable work in Pakistan & Gambia. CEO of Property Portfolio. Vice Chair of Herts Crimestoppers. Anjim has Lead Multiple Multi Faith Community projects. She also dabbles in Event management. She would like to continue to be an ambassador for Zubeda Welcome.
## **Zaheeda - Recruitment Support**
Zaheeda is commercially-perceptive and socially-conscious Operations & Sales Manager ensuring the achievement of financial targets and service delivery objectives in Health, Property, Banking and Retail industries for the past 20+ years by applying a flexible yet focused approach to move flawlessly between sectors and remits, and a strategic ability to translate business development plans into functional and effective procedures, while identifying and developing the best skills from a team or individual to maximise staff contribution to organisational goals.
## **Saba Warraich - Project Support Assistant**
Saba is an Economics graduate and a highly motivated, ambitious individual with a drive to help those in need. She is now a Project Support Officer at Zubeda Welcome, where she helps with anything that is required for the organisation to run smoothly.
## **Aamina Saddique - Project Coordinator**
With a strong background in Islamic Education education and community engagement, Aamina has successfully managed and coordinated various community events, particularly focusing on women and children over the past 3 years. Aamina is skilled in creating inclusive and interactive environments, both in her classroom and within community settings, fostering a sense of belonging and active participation. Her excellent organizational and communication skills, coupled with her passion for community service, makes her an invaluable asset to our team **.**
**18**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ZUBEDA WELCOME**
## **Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Zubeda Welcome**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Zubeda Welcome (the Trust) for the period for the period 01 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all 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 the Trust 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 applicable 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.
A. Patel BA(Hons) FCA BFP Prestons & Jacksons Partnership LLP 364 - 368 Cranbrook Road Ilford Essex IG2 6HY
Date: 06-11-2024
**19**
ZUBEDA WELCOME
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AcfiviTIES
OR THE YEAR EYDLD 31 MARC'.H 2024
Period
2614122
Ye#r Ende
3113124
3113Q3
Total
funds
Unreslricted Resiricted
rtsnd
fund
lunds
No1¢5
IN('I)Mfr: AYD b.YD()II'MLNI'S Tr R()M
Di)nthiii)ns &nd IlLieS
44.781
74.019
118JOO
28.752
b.XPTr.lil)Ii'IIRfr: QN
C'hirit*blt *¢tii.Itbts
C-hJnlablc A¢iiviliLs
17.112
43,044
10.428
NF.T IN('OME
27.669
18.324
REC'nN('ILlIlTION OF Tr IINDS
Tuthl fund>. broubtljt fon4.urd
&431
11.893
18J24
'fl)l-AI. Tr1INI)Ip ('ARRITr:D TrI)RWARD
34.100
42.868
76.968
1¥.324
20
ZUBEDA WELCOME
BALANC.K SHEET
31 MARCH 2024
31J.24
31.3.23
Notes
CIIRRF.NT ASSETS
D¢bio
Cash Ai bank
19.074
85.685
19.074
C.RF.DITORS
AnM)uni% tallinb> due wiihin one year
1&7171
1750)
NET C:IIRRkYT LSSE'I'S
76.968
18.324
T()TAI. AS%Tr.TS C'IIRRkYT
I.IABII.ITILS
76.968
18,324
NET A&SF.TS
76.968
18.324
FIINI)
Unreslricled fund5
Restri¢i¢d fund>
34.IIKI
42.8
6.431
11.893
TQTAL Tr"IIND6i
76.968
18.324
The finonci£tl ttementS w¢re Bpproved by the Board of Trust¢es gnd ¥uthoris¢d for issue on
. 06/11/2024 ...... and wcri signLd on lis beholf by..
Truste•
21
## **ZUBEDA WELCOME**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## 1.ACCOUNTING POLICIES
## **Basis of preparing the financial statements**
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
## **b) Statutory Information**
Zubeda Welcome is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) registered with Charity Commission in England and Wales. The registered office address can be found at the information page.
## **c) Going Concern**
At balance sheet date, the CIO had reserves of £76968. The Board are confident that they would be able to secure further funding for the forseeable future.
For this reason, the accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis.
## **Income**
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
**22**
## **ZUBEDA WELCOME NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **Expenditure**
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end date are noted as a commitment but not accrued as expenditure.
## **Taxation**
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
## **Fund accounting**
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
**23**
## **ZUBEDA WELCOME**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
2. DONATIONS AND LEGACY
3. GRANTS PAYABLE
**24**
## **ZUBEDA WELCOME NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## 4. TRUSTEES’ REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
- 5.COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 31.3.23
- 6.DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
## 7.Creditors: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
**25**
## **ZUBEDA WELCOME NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## 8. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
## 9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
**26**
## **ZUBEDA WELCOME NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
9. NETMOVEMENT IN FUNDS-CONTINUED
**27**
**ZUBEDA WELCOME NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## 9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
## 10. RELATED PARTY DISCLOURES
There were no related party transactions for the period ended 31 March 2024.
## 11 . KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL
The Key Management Personnel comprise of the Board of Trustees.
**28**
## **GLOSSARY**
**Madrasa** - An institute that provides Islamic education at a school facility or a mosque
**Quran** - the holy scripture for Muslims
**Imam** - Is an Islamic leadership position. Imams may lead Islamic prayers, serve as community leaders, and provide religious guidance
**Mufti** - Muslim legal expert who is empowered to give rulings on religious matters
**29**
**Registered Charity No. 1198710 +44 7507 510 054 info@zubedawelcome.org**