Leeds Ukrainian Community Association
Annual report & accounts 27/02/2023-26/02/2024
Introduction
From the first day of the Russian invasion into Ukraine, Leeds Ukrainian Community Association has been helping victims of the war. The LUCA is working in two main areas: supporting those, who fled the war, here, in the UK; and sending medical and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.LUCA is also promoting Ukrainian culture via a series of history lectures, master classes based on Ukrainian traditions and Ukrainian Saturday School.
Chair’s statement
2023-2024 financial year has seen more aid and more support provided for the displaced community and aid for Ukraine.
March 2023
LUCA receievd £9,800 grant from Leeds Together for Ukraine Fund and Leeds Community Foundation for Leeds Ukrainian Saturday school ,which enabled us to establish and at the end develop Saturday school Largely thanks to the grant received.
In the beginning of this 2023/24 academic
year we had 56 children registered. Academic year started with 7 teachers and ended with 10 teachers and assistance. 3 of them have extensive school experience of more than 20 years. School
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had 6 classes, where children divided not only by age, but by their abilities to speak in English or Ukrainian as well. In addition to English, Ukrainian, History, Geography, Music and Art children now have lessons of Speed Reading, Cultural/Folk Studies, Ethnology and Acting Skills.The school become a heart of Ukrainian community , where both children and parents had come not only for studies but making friend and also established great support network. School in 24 has become a more independent standalone organisation , as demands for children places grew and needs of children developed , while teachers and director has gained more experience and confidence to make it a standalone ongoing project.
In March following aid to Ukraine has been provided : We have part funded humanitarian truck going to Ukraine and bought a solar power generator system, on request of Ukraine military unit.
April 24
North East Circuit grant of £1,000 ben received for the support of displaced Ukrainian children in the community, which enabled us to provide educational and entertainment trips later on in the year
Small Easter celebration for the community was held in April ,bringing people closer together and allowing us to maintain Ukrainian traditions ,away from homeland.
We have also started to do different projects -attending military bases in UK, where Ukrainian soldiers were trained on 6 weeks courses, before being sent back to Ukraine frontline . LUCA has organised musical concerts of traditional and modern Ukrainian songs in front of groups of soldiers on those visits , provided snacks ,sweets etc for the soldiers and expressed gratitude to soldiers simultaniously lifting their morale and establishing contacts with soldiers and management, if they will be requiring humanitarian support later on, while on frontline . We have had 5 those concerts so far , which proved hugely popular with soldiers and enjoyable for our volunteers and musicians and we will be continuing to do those visits for foreseeable future.
May 23
LUCA has organised and held Eurovision Song contest party and screening in our centre ,the event was hugely enjoyable and attended by 120+ people , where we provided food ,drinks, screened translations on 2 big screens , had barbeque outside and gathering until late . The event was greatly appreciated by the displaced people community and we had many words of thanks and lovely feedback.
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Saturday school children also have had a day trip to Eureka , science museum near Halifax ,expanding their horizons , learning new things and having great adventure time together.
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June 23
We have received £10,000 grant from Refugee Council for 3 projects :1. Speaking Club ( for adults learning conversational English, grammar and improving overall speaking confidence )
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2.Help to families moving on from their Homes for Ukraine sponsors into their own private rented or council funded accommodation ,providing families with white goods and bedding,towels and items of first necessities etc allowing them moving into not so empty accommodations, making life just little bit easier for our traumatised by war families with children in Leeds and nearby areas.
3.Educational and entertainment trips for children in the community ,which allowed us to make the summer more eventful for children and their parents.
We had organised a trips to Bradford Ukrainian club, for the occasion of celebration of 75 year existence of the club with concert, food and entertainment and we have organised coach trip for our community to attend that event and provided food and drinks throughout the day .
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Also June 23 had devastating news Nova Kachovka dam has been destroyed , bringing devastation to hundreds of thousands of people in the region.LUCA has organised an emergency appeal and on fundraised money has bought big bulk of Hydrachem water purifying tablets, camp fire stoves and has worked with 2 organisations in Ukraine on providing further aid : sending big bulk of sleeping bags, air mattresses, clothes ,towels to people in Kherson area and has provided necessary funds to our Ukrainian partner Kartoplyani Vijska to buy generators and equipment ,in bulk, which allowed them to distribute power generators and help drying out buildings and equipment in Kherson .
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July 23
We have organised a trip to Tarasivka , annual Ukrainian festival in Derbyshire ,where lots of Ukrainian music, dancing and performances has been held on stage ,from different community groups of Ukrainians from UK and our guests have experienced lovely day out and seeing how Ukrainian traditions are celebrated in UK , by generations of Ukrainian people,starting from 1950s
We have held our first charity auction ,attended by Mayor of Leeds, Morley ,some MPs for Leeds area and on fundraised money has bought pick up truck for Ukraine frontline( sent to Ukraine in August 23), allowing fast evacuation of wounded soldiers and bringing food and medicine supplies to frontline .
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We have funded our Leeds based displaced community teenagers to attend Plast summer camp ,where they enjoyed scouting activities and building community spirit .
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We have organised a trip to cinema for the screening of MAVKA, famous Ukrainian cartoon ,for the children of Ukrainian Saturday school. Screening was in Ukrainian ,allowing authentic experience .
August 23 . We have made and established good working relationship with management of company Bundobust , restaurant business ,dedicating £1 of sale from particular item on menu towards charity and their chosen cause is aid for Ukraine ,and we have become trusted partner on delivering aid to Ukraine. With help of Bundobust we have bought and delivered 5 pick up trucks evacuation vehicles to Ukraine in 23-24 finacial year, the sum donated to us during the financial year was £22,332 .
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In August 23 alone LUCA has manged to purchase and sent to Ukraine 3 pick up trucks and 1 minivan ,allowing humanitarian relief to people on and nearby frontline.
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We also have had Ukraine Independence day celebrated in August , this day is of upmost importance to Ukrainians, when we unite for the celebration of our independence , and during the war it became a celebration of bravery of our nation. The evnt was attended by 120+ people, we have organised entertainment concert, food and drink for attending. Great feedback about enjoyable day has been received from many attendees.
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September 23
We were managing ongoing projects and held many fundraising events .
October 23
We have provided batch of tourniquets and winter windproof uniform for defenders on frontline.
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We have bought and sent to Ukraine further pick up truck .
We have organised hugely enjoyable Halloween party for children in our community and thse attending Ukrainian Saturday school, party was attended by c 60 children . Children enjoyed interesting atmosphere, party games, costumes, souvenirs ,sweets and party food and drink .
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We have received £5,000 grant from Household Support Fund for helping families during winter season with electric blankets ,low cost energy heaters ,help with high bills during winter season and providing further support . We have helped over 50 households during winter season Dec 23February 24 ,primarily to single mothers with children of primary school age .
November 23
We have purchased and sent to Ukraine 4 generators and have provided monetary support to our partner in Ukraine Kartoplyani VIjska, allowing them to purchase food ingredients and making hot dinners for wounded soldiers in hospitals in Kharkiv region .
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We have also purchased night vision optic device ,allowing driving at night without light on , making it less risky journeys to and from frontline for the drivers evacuation wounded ,deceased and bringing humanitarian and medical aid
December 23
We have received £5,00 grant from D’Oyle Carte foundation for our amateur choir, allowing us to purchase musical equipment and Ukrainian costumes for 18 members of the choir . Our choir continues to improve and brings wealth of benefit for choir members, majority of which displaced people , such as sence of community, purpose, improvement to mental health and for the Ukrainian community overall,as people enjoy choir performances .LUCA continues to show to wider public the art of Ukrainian folk song and tradition.
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We have received £1,700 in grants for the community from Leeds city councillors These funds enabled us to organise St Nicholas day for the children , with concert , present to each child , party food and drink . Around 95 children attended the event and enjoyed magical time ahead of Christmas .
We have purchased a starlink communication system for soldiers on frontline,allowing to them to have contact with families and better connection to outside world .
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January 24 We have organised Malanka, traditional Ukraiaian new year celebration , which was a sold out event, attended by 100 people . Traditional Ukrainian entertainment, food ,drink, choir performance and fun was recived well by the community and lovely feedback passed on.
We have purchased Quadro bike for medical evacuation in Ukraine, further starlink system , further pick up truck.
We had funded another project -helped repair fleet of cars, ambulances ,other medevac vehicles and pick up trucks for 3d International legion on frontline. Ths project was over vew month and ended in end of March 24 .
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We have also purchased and sent to Ukraine batch of 30 windproof jackets to soldiers on frontline , based in the forest and exposed to harsh weather during winter season.
February 24
February 22[nd] was second year commemoration of the start of war and LUCA has held an event in St Anne Cathedral in Leeds , remembering victims of war , laid wreaths at Cenotaph in Leeds city centre and had a free tea and coffee event for socialising and support ,after the service at the cathedral. The event has been well attended by Ukrainian community, displaced people and dignitaries.
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We have purchased 2 further pick up trucks
LUCA has established itself as a trusted hub for the Ukrainian community and provider of humanitarian aid for Ukraine , we continue to rteceive aid request and fulfil them ,according to
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priority and waiting list / We continue to fundraise money for Ukraine via asking for donations , souvenirs , events we have in our centre ,attending fairs and holding lottery, raffles , tombolas and many other ideas our talented and dedicated team proposes and delivers.
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Structure, Governance and Management
Leeds Ukrainian Community Association is a charitable incorporated organisation governed by a constitution.
Board of Trustees
Larysa Dumenka -Chair of Trustees
Olga Callaghan-Trustee
Viacheslav Semeniuk-Trustee
Dariya Michayliv-Trustee and Secretary. Resigned on 30/01/2024
Oleksandr Povstyan- Trustee. Resigned on 07/10/2023
Dariia Kovnatska -Trustee. Elected on 07/10/2023
Terrance Grayshon-Trustee .Elected on 07/10/2023
John Morrisson Trustee .Elected on 07/10/2023
Roles of Trustees
Responsible for shaping policies and making sure charity activities are in line with public benefit guidelines . Ensure that right policies and procedures, including policies and management processes for safeguarding , serios incidents are in place ,adhered to and reviewed regularly .
Committee board for the year 27/03/22-26/02/24 consisted of :
Larysa Dumenka -Chair of Trustees
Olga Callaghan-Trustee
Viacheslav Semeniuk-Trustee
Dariya Michayliv-Trustee and Secretary, until 30/01/2024
Oleksandr Povstyan- Trustee, until 07/10/2023
Dariia Kovnatska -Trustee,from 07/10/2023 and Treasury
Terrance Grayshon- Trustee,from 07/10/2023
John Morrisson Trustee,from 07/10/2023
Julia Nelson-Legal Representative
Objectives and Activities
1.to provide assistance in the collection, organisation and onward transfer of humanitarian aid from Leeds to Ukraine and neighbouring countries assisting victims of the war in Ukraine
2 .to provide a community hub in Leeds to FAC: facilitate the broadening of knowledge about Ukraine and Ukrainians ; to promote the Ukrainian language, culture and heritage ; to
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provide support for Ukrainians by means of cultural and social events ; to provide practical support in the form of a free charity shop providing essentials for refugees ; to provide a meeting place for the Leeds community and existing Ukrainian community to welcome and assist Ukrainian refugees
Achievements and performance
a. Main achievements of the Company
LUCA has managed to be a local community charity providing aid, support and advice to people in Yorkshire and an organisation, where displaced community can come to request aid for nearest in Ukraine or people they know require aid ,uniting people around volunteering and celebrations.
Financial review
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A. Accounts are prepared on receipts and payments basis.
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B.
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sos• S•17 9,100 1,939 IIZT 6,156 Ery15n c 4$21 1MTJ 0.112 1,073 102 115 71m• )4,U7 1171S FMwchax•J,1s•• Sub lotal T•.07a J4,681 Netof rE¢elpW(paynKnts) A5 Transf•rs funds A6 Cash lunds $1 y•ar •nd Cash lunds Ihls year end 3.203 Section 8 Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period 5.933 UNeslrktO furw to r4Mr•¥t£ Rfrslrfcled furbd5 to n•Thl£ furbds B1 Cth fur J.J Tot1 ¢8Bh lunds aicrthls,'I Restrf¢ted funds EndoThÈrt frjnds Bl A•*•ts r•tsin•d for tr• 24
E.
B. Going concern
Atter making appropriate discussions, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that LUCA has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.
C. Reserves policy
At the year end, the Charity held unrestricted General Funds of £230. These funds will be used to further the Charity's objectives.
The Trustees have agreed they should maintain the Charity's free reserves to a level of approximately three months expenditure and minimum of £500 . This policy is reviewed annually.
D. Accounts have been independently examined
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Statement on public benefit
Leeds Ukrainian Community Association has been working tirelessly now for two years to not only help Ukrainians who have arrived in the UK since the start of the war with Russia but also those still in Ukraine. Over this period of last two years it has built up a reputation for its efficiency, prompt action and most importantly an organisation that can be trusted completely. LUCA is still operating from the premises of the AUGB Leeds Ukrainian Community Centre which has added to the feeling of stability. There is always one of the trustees of the Charity available to answer any questions. The increase in the number of requests for aid clearly shows that the name of LUCA is widely known as an organisation to be trusted to deliver the necessary aid efficiently and with fully transparent results.
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The types of requests for help received from the displaced people has changed over the last year. At first we were being asked for help with the basics of living such as clothing and toi-letries, but now the requests received are for household equipment as the y begin to move into their own accommodation including food vouchers and gas and electricity vouch-ers. LUCA has proved that it is pro-active and can respond quickly to any new request for help. To many families this has made their lives just a little easier.
The requests received from Ukraine for assistance have increased greatly. As time goes on nobody believed that the war would still be going on for such a length of time. But supplies in Ukraine are running low and as a result we have the increase in cries for help. People rec-ognise LUCA's reputation and appreciate that LUCA will do its best to help and having a sta-ble presence in the same place for two years has made it easier for people to come in and donate and also conveys a feeling of permanence and reliability.
The sheer number and variety of requests for aid received is proof itself of the success LUCA has made of fulfilling these requests quickly and efficiently. Due to its tireless efforts LUCA has been able to build up a network of other volunteers and charitable organisations in Ukraine to make fulfilling the request easier. Every request for help is dealt with personally and professionally and followed up to confirm a satisfactory outcome. LUCA has become an organisation who can be relied on to do the right thing.
LUCA continues to be source of information, not only for displaced people but also for other organisations who want to deliver aid to Ukraine. The fact that it is so easy to meet with trustees of the Charity and variety of work done has meant that people can get all their in-formation in one place.
Over the last 12 months LUCA has strengthened its position as a reliable ,efficient organisa-tion, one that is easy to work with and who will perform without unnecessary delays and transparently. The personal knowledge of the trustees and the understanding of the needs of the displaced people and those left in Ukraine , has created a feeling of reliability, reas-surance, hope and faith. All things Ukraine and Ukrainians need so much now.
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| Leeds Ukrainian Community Association 1 |
Leeds Ukrainian Community Association 1 |
Leeds Ukrainian Community Association 1 |
Leeds Ukrainian Community Association 1 |
CC16a | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the period from |
27/02/2023 | To | |||
| Section A Receipts and payments | |||||
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ 18,846 55,104 - 4,515 78,465 - - - 78,465 444 6,306 49,164 5,405 5,059 1,939 1,073 6,162 632 817 462 615 78,078 - - - 78,078 387 - - 1,715 |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ - 40,620 - 40,620 - - - 40,620 5,917 9,800 2,127 6,956 469 892 8,526 34,687 - - - 34,687 5,933 - - 3,283 |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ |
Total funds to the nearest £ |
Last year to the nearest £ |
| Donations | 18,846 | - - - - - |
18,846 55,104 40,620 4,515 119,085 |
3,255 | |
| Fundraising activities | 55,104 | 13,216 | |||
| Grants | - | 4,715 | |||
| Gift Aid | 4,515 | - | |||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
78,465 |
21,186 | |||
| - - - |
|||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
|||||
| - | - - - |
||||
| - | - | ||||
| Sub total | - | - | |||
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
|||||
| - | 119,085 | 21,186 | |||
| Communication equipment | 444 | - | 444 6,306 49,164 5,405 5,059 5,917 9,800 1,939 2,127 6,956 469 892 8,526 1,073 6,162 632 817 462 615 112,765 |
1,511 | |
| Safety Equipment and clothing(boots,sleeping bags ,clothing kits) |
6,306 | 3,140 | |||
| Vehicles | 49,164 | 2,146 | |||
| Generators | 5,405 | 1,173 | |||
| Humanitarian aid (smaller items) and transport cost |
5,059 | 3,931 | |||
| Aid in UK-events organised | 1,432 | ||||
| Saturday Ukrainian school | - | ||||
| Events for ukrainian military in UK | 1,939 | ||||
| Help with household items to displaced people in Leeds |
|||||
| Children and family trips organised | |||||
| English Speaking club | |||||
| Amateur community choir | |||||
| Help to displaced people -winter support etc | |||||
| Cost of fundrasing activities | |||||
| Food and food prep for fundraising events | 1,073 | 238 | |||
| Fundraising materials cost | 6,162 | 2,769 | |||
| Equipment for fundraising events | 632 | 175 | |||
| Fundraising cost-delivery, postage | 817 | 258 | |||
| Fundraising cost-travel expenditure | 462 | ||||
| Other | 615 | 56 | |||
| **Sub total ** | 78,078 | 16,829 | |||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
|||||
| - | - - - |
- - - |
|||
| - | |||||
| **Sub total ** | - | ||||
| Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
112,765 | ||||
| - | 16,829 | ||||
| 387 | - | 6,320 | 4,357 | ||
| - | - - |
- - |
- | ||
| - | |||||
| 1,715 | - | 4,998 | 4,357 |
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B5 Liabilities B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B3 Investment assets B2 Other monetary assets B1 Cash funds |
Signature Details Details Details Details Cash balance brought forward at Year end ~~26/02/2023~~ Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 1,641 3,358 - - - - 1,641 3,358 Agreement Error Agreement Error Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - - - - - Print Name Larysa Dumenka Dariia Kovnatska |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| OK | |||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| When due (optional) |
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| Date of approval |
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| Larysa Dumenka | 03/07/2024 | ||
| Dariia Kovnatska | 03/07/2024 |
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees Charity Name Leeds Ukrainian Community Association (CIO) On accounts for the year 26/02/2024 Charity no 1199884 ended (if any) Set out on pages (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)
Report to the trustees
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 26/02/2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity's trustees, 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 2011 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 I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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the accounts did 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.
| Signed: Name: Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: |
09/05/2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| RUTA KISIO - FMAAT | |||
| Association of Accounting Technicians | |||
| Brookfield Court, Selby Road | |||
| Leeds, LS25 1NB |
1
Oct 2018
IER
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
2
Oct 2018
IER