2024-06-30-accounts - Apna Heritage

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

Trustees' Annual Report for the period

Period start date Period end date 1 July 2023 30 June 2024

From

Section A Reference and administration details

Charity name Other names charity is known by Registered charity number (if any) 1199954 Charity's principal address 540 Manchester Road

Apna Heritage

Bradford Postcode BD5 7LR

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

----- Start of picture text -----
Dates acted if not for whole Name of person (or body) entitled
Trustee name Office (if any)
year to appoint trustee (if any)
1 Awais Hussain
Mohammed
2
Arshad
3 Arslaan Mahmood
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
----- End of picture text -----

Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)

Name Dates acted if not for whole year

TAR

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of adviser Name Address Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Constitution Type of governing document (eg. trust deed, constitution) Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) How the charity is constituted (eg. trust, association, company) Appointed by existing trustees Trustee selection methods

(eg. trust, association, company)
(eg. appointed by, elected by)

Additional governance issues (Optional information)

The policies and procedures outlined in our previous report remain in You may choose to include effect. In our second year, Apna Heritage continued to maintain high additional information, where standards of governance through regular strategic meetings and open relevant, about: communication among volunteers and trustees. The organisational  policies and procedures structure remains volunteer-led, with trustees delegating specific activities adopted for the induction and such as archive development, oral history coordination, and community training of trustees; engagement. The Board continues to assess risks, particularly in relation to data protection and volunteer management, and ensures that  the charity’s organisational appropriate measures are in place to safeguard the charity’s operations structure and any wider and objectives. network with which the charity works;

relationship with any related parties;
trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.

Section C Objectives and activities

Apna Heritage exists to promote and advance public education on the arts, culture, and heritage of communities originating from the broader Mirpur region, Pothohar Plateau, Jammu & Kashmir, and northern Summary of the objects of the Pakistan. This includes, but is not limited to, research, preservation, and charity set out in its celebration of the language, literature, customs, genealogy, and historical governing document experiences of these communities, particularly in the context of migration to the UK and the wider diaspora.

The charity achieves these aims through:

TAR

Promotion – Raising awareness and appreciation of the region’s arts, traditions, and cultural contributions, both past and present.
Education – Advancing public knowledge by collecting, preserving, digitising, and sharing oral histories, photographs, documents, and other cultural artefacts.
Community Engagement – Facilitating intergenerational learning and dialogue around shared heritage, identity, and family histories.

These objectives remain rooted in our commitment to inclusivity, accessibility, and public benefit, ensuring the voices and experiences of underrepresented communities are preserved and heard.

In our second year, Apna Heritage undertook a number of significant activities that directly contributed to its charitable aims of promoting and educating the public about the arts, culture, and heritage of the Mirpur region and surrounding areas. These activities were delivered with full regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

Our key activities comprise of the following:

Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)

First Funded Project – Apna Bradford: Apna Heritage was selected as part of the LEAP Pioneer Programme and received its first formal funding. This enabled the charity to launch its flagship project, Apna Bradford, which involved collecting oral histories, digitising family records, and recording stories from elders in Bradford’s South Asian community. The project captured a vital and often underrepresented narrative of South Asian life in Bradford, especially those with roots in the Mirpur and Pothohar regions.
Archive Development:

Significant progress was made in expanding our digital heritage archive. Volunteers continued gathering historical records, photographs, documents, and oral testimonies to preserve for future generations. The work involved both direct community engagement and outreach to families with heritage links to the region.

Website and Research Infrastructure:

The charity developed and structured its official website, creating dedicated sections to organise research into topics such as language, genealogy, literature, culture, and migration. This marks a major step in making our work accessible to the wider public and supporting independent learning and community research.

Social Media and Public Engagement: Apna Heritage launched its official social media platforms to raise awareness, share insights from our research, and engage with a broader audience. These platforms have been instrumental in building community connections, encouraging contributions to the archive, and showcasing cultural content.
Public Presentation and Archive Launch at the JAAG Festival: On 22 June 2024, Apna Heritage took part in the second JAAG Festival — the UK's only Punjabi and Pahari-Pothwari literary festival — where we formally introduced the digital archive and premiered our short Apna Bradford film. This public engagement helped raise awareness and pride

TAR

in our shared heritage and opened up wider participation in our mission.

Statutory Declaration:

The trustees of Apna Heritage confirm that they have had due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit in planning and delivering all activities outlined above.

Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)

As a developing charity, our focus remains on direct community engagement and the creation of our own educational and archival resources.

Contribution Made by Volunteers:

Volunteers continue to play a vital role in the success of Apna Heritage. Their commitment and enthusiasm have been central to the progress made during our second year. Key volunteer contributions include:

You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:

policy on grantmaking;
policy programme related investment;
contribution made by volunteers.
Oral History Collection: Conducting and transcribing interviews with elders and community members to preserve memories and narratives that might otherwise be lost.
Digitisation Work: Scanning photographs, family documents, and artefacts contributed by local residents as part of our growing archive.
Website Development: Assisting with content planning and structuring the digital archive and learning sections of the website.
Social Media and Outreach: Creating engaging posts, managing community interaction, and spreading awareness of our mission.
Event Support and Research: Supporting the planning and delivery of public events, talks, and film launches; and contributing to research and content creation across our thematic areas.

Volunteers bring with them a wide range of skills—from language and heritage knowledge to tech and storytelling—and their contributions are

TAR

central to achieving our charitable objectives. Apna Heritage remains deeply grateful for their time, passion, and dedication.

Section D Achievements and performance

TAR

Section D Achievements and performance In our second year, Apna Heritage made substantial progress in fulfilling Summary of the main our charitable objectives of promoting and advancing public education on achievements of the charity the arts, culture, and heritage of communities from the Mirpur region, during the year Pothohar Plateau, Jammu & Kashmir, and northern Pakistan. Every activity undertaken was designed to maximise public benefit, particularly through the preservation and sharing of underrepresented histories and cultural knowledge. 1. Launch of Our First Funded Project – Apna Bradford A major milestone this year was the successful delivery of Apna Bradford, Apna Heritage’s first formally funded project, made possible through the LEAP Pioneer Programme. This initiative captured the stories, memories, and experiences of South Asian communities in Bradford with heritage links to the Mirpur region. Through oral history interviews, the digitisation of family artefacts, and intergenerational storytelling, Apna Bradford contributed significantly to public understanding and community cohesion. The project has also laid a strong foundation for future research and educational work. 2. Digital Archive Development and Public Accessibility We made significant strides in developing a structured digital archive to house and share community-contributed materials. The organisation gathered and digitised a growing collection of photographs, documents, and family records, ensuring that these cultural assets are preserved for future generations. These efforts not only protect heritage but also democratise access to knowledge and identity for diaspora communities. 3. Establishment of an Online Presence This year saw the development of Apna Heritage’s website and social media platforms. These channels play a crucial role in reaching wider audiences, sharing resources, and fostering engagement with heritage education. The website includes sections on language, literature, genealogy, oral history, and cultural practices — all carefully designed to support self-directed learning and community research. 4. Community Engagement and Public Education In June 2024, Apna Heritage participated in the JAAG Festival, the UK’s first Punjabi and Pahari-Pothwari literary event, where we launched our archive and premiered two original films. These films, created as part of the Apna Bradford project, brought heritage to life and encouraged dialogue across generations. The presentation showcased the charity’s commitment to cultural education, public benefit, and inclusive storytelling. 5. Volunteer-Led Impact All achievements this year were driven by a growing team of passionate volunteers. Their contributions in collecting oral histories, supporting archive work, and developing content exemplify community ownership and grassroots heritage work in action. Through these accomplishments, Apna Heritage has made meaningful contributions to public knowledge, cultural preservation, and social connection. Our work continues to address the historic underrepresentation of our communities in mainstream heritage narratives while creating inclusive spaces where people can explore and take pride in their shared past.

TAR

Section E Financial review

Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves

Details of any funds materially in deficit

Apna Heritage is a growing organisation and, as such, is continuing to develop a formal reserves policy. The charity aims to hold sufficient unrestricted funds to cover essential costs and ensure continuity of operations during periods of uncertainty. As activities expand and recurring income streams are established, a reserves policy will be reviewed and adopted by the trustees to ensure long-term financial sustainability and risk mitigation.

There were no funds materially in deficit during the reporting period. The charity continues to monitor its finances closely and maintain responsible stewardship of its income and expenditure.

Further financial review details (Optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:

the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);

This year, Apna Heritage received its first grant funding through the LEAP Pioneer Programme, which supported the delivery of our Apna Bradford project. This funding has been the principal source of income for the year. We have also benefited from ongoing volunteer support, which has allowed the charity to deliver high-impact activities with minimal overhead costs.

 how expenditure has The expenditure during this period has been primarily directed toward the Apna Bradford project and the Apna Heritage website and archive. This supported the key objectives includes costs associated with oral history interviews, digitisation of of the charity; materials, community engagement, and the production of original  investment policy and heritage films. All expenditure aligns closely with the charity’s objectives objectives including any of education, heritage preservation, and public benefit. ethical investment policy As of 30 June 2024, £3,205 remains from the awarded funding. These adopted. funds are earmarked for the completion and final reporting phase of the Apna Bradford project, including further archive development and dissemination activities

Section F Other optional information

Growth and Future Plans

As Apna Heritage enters its third year, the charity is committed to expanding its impact through deeper community partnerships, further development of its digital archive, and additional educational programming. Plans are underway to seek new funding opportunities and explore collaborative projects that reflect the diverse heritage of communities from the Mirpur region, Pothohar Plateau, Jammu & Kashmir, and Northern Pakistan.

Community Involvement and Gratitude

The success of Apna Heritage continues to be rooted in community involvement. From elders sharing their stories to younger volunteers helping digitise family records, our work is powered by a collective commitment to heritage preservation. The trustees would like to extend sincere thanks to all those who have contributed their time, stories, materials, and expertise.

Commitment to Inclusion

Apna Heritage remains committed to inclusivity and representation. We actively seek to document experiences across generations, castes, languages, and migration journeys to ensure that our archive reflects the full richness of our communities across the UK.

Feedback and Participation

The charity welcomes feedback and contributions from the public. Anyone interested in sharing their family history, photographs, or memories is encouraged to get in touch via our website or social media platforms.

TAR

Section G Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) AWAIS HUSSAIN

Full name(s) Awais Hussain Position (eg Secretary, Chair, Chair etc)

Date 15 Apr 2025

TAR

Charity Name No (if any) Apna Heritage 1199954 Receipts and payments accounts For the period Period start date Period end date To from 30-Jun-24

Period start date 1-Jul-23

CC16a

Section A Receipts and payments

Unrestricted Restricted Endowment funds funds funds

Total funds Last year

Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds	Restricted funds	Endowment funds	Total funds	Last year
A1 Receipts The Leap- Pioneer Award(A) - The Leap- Pioneer Award(B) - - - - - - - - - - Sub total - Total receipts - A3 Payments Website Development - Logo Design - Archival Research - Oral History - Videography - - - - - Sub total - - - Sub total - Total payments - Net of receipts/(payments) - A5 Transfers between funds - A6 Cash funds last year end - Cash funds this year end - to the nearest £ Sub total(Gross income for AR) A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). A4 Asset and investment purchases,(see table)	to the nearest £ 3,500 3,500 - - - - - - 7,000 - - - 7,000 1,890 105 400 500 900 - - - - 3,795 - - - 3,795 3,205 - - 3,205	to the nearest £	to the nearest £ 3,500 3,500 - - - - - - 7,000 - - - 7,000 1,890 105 400 500 900 - - - - 3,795 - - - 3,795 3,205 - - 3,205	to the nearest £
		- - - - - - - - -	3,500
			3,500	-
			-	-
			-	-
			-	-
			-	-
			-	-
			-	-
			7,000	-

		- - -	-
			-	-
			-	-

		-	7,000	-

		- - - - - - - - - -	1,890	-
			105	-
			400	-
			500	-
			900	-
			-	-
			-	-
			-	-
			-	-
			3,795	-

		- - -	-
			-
			-	-

		-	3,795	-

	3,205	- - - -	3,205	-
	-		-	-
	-		-	-
	3,205		3,205	-

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

Details Remainder of The Leap Pioneer Award Details Details Details Details Signature Awais Hussain Mohammed Arshad Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s))	to nearest £ to nearest £ - 3,205 - - - - - 3,205 OK OK to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Print Name AWAIS HUSSAIN MOHAMMED ARSHAD Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional)	to nearest £ Endowment funds
		-
		-
		-
		-
		OK
		to nearest £ Endowment funds
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		Current value (optional)
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		Current value (optional)
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		When due (optional)






		Date of approval
Awais Hussain	AWAIS HUSSAIN	15-Apr-25
Mohammed Arshad	MOHAMMED ARSHAD	15-Apr-25