Asha: A Community of Hope Annual Reportand Accounts 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025 Charity Registration Number 1200292
Contents Reports Reference and administrative details of the charity, its Trustees, and advisers Trustees, report Finan¢i81 statements Statement of tinancial activities Balance sheet Notes to the financial statements Asha.. Acommunity of Hope
Trustees Robert Alistair Scott Scott Paul Burdsall Akik Miah Dr. Scarlett Louise Gard Abigail Virgo EmilyTanquary Registered off ice Huskcommunity Centre 649-651 COMMERCIAL ROAD LONDON E147LW Telephone Website 07710144308 httPS-/lashatowerhamlets.org Charity registration number 1200292 Bankers Lloyds Bank plc 25 Gresham Street London EC2V7HN Asha.. A Community ol Hope 1
Trustees, Report 31 December 2025 The Trustees present their report with the accounts of the charitable company for the year Irorn 1" January 2025 to 31" December 2025. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on page 8 of the attached accounts and comply with the charily's constitutlon, 8pplicable 18ws, 8nd the requirements of Sratement ol Recommended Practice on"Accounting and Reporting by Charities" Introduction Asha.- A Comrllunity of Hope, also known as ASHA, Icharlty Number 1200292 Registered in England and Wales) is established as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Asha was registered as a ch8rity on 6" Septerllber 2022 and the governing document for the charity is its Constitution dated 26 August 2022. Objectives The Objects for which the charity is established are.. 1. The advancernent of the Christian faith in aeeordance with the Basi5 of Faith 8nd Doctrinal Foundations, primarily, but not exclusively, within Tower Hamlets and the surrounding neighbourhood; and 2. Such other chariiable purposes as shall, in the opinion of the charity trustees, put into practice the Christian laiih in accordance with the Basis of Faith and Doctrinal Foundations, including but not limited to.. the prevention End relief of need. hardship and sickness., the advancement of education., and the provision of facilities in the int8rests of social welfare lor recreation or other leisure time occupation ol individuals who have need of such facilities by reason ol their youth, age. infirmity or disability, financial hardshsp or soei81 circumstances with the object of improvingtheir condttions ol lite. GOVERNANCE, STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT Trustees The followingTru5tees were in office in the period to 31. December 2025. Robert Alistair Scott" Scott Paul Burdsall Akik Miah Ch8irmÈn Trustee Trustee Appointed 6 May 2022 Appointed 6" May 2022 Appointed 6" May 2022 Appointed 6" May 2022 Appointed 6" May 2022 Appointed 17" January 2024 Dr. Scarlett Louise Gard Abigailvirgo" EmilyTanquary Trustee Trustee Trustee 'This Trustee became 8 member of staff oin 1 st july after a TUPE process, and ss agreed In the Trustge Meetings tsf January and April 2024 This Trustee is a150 8 member of staff. Authorisation for their employmént while being a Trustee was given during a Trustee meeting on 6th May 2022. This was in line with the provision5 of our constitution (Paragraph 6.61 which wère fully adhered to byAsha in deciding and Making the appointment. Trustee Inductlon and Training NewTrust8ès are provided with information on their r&$ponsibilitie5 a5 Trustees and the activities of the charity. Risk Assessment The Trustees have conducted a review of the poteniial risks of the Charity and believe thet there are satisfactory systems in place to identify and mitigate any material exposure. The risk exposure is viewed by the Trustees as being very low. Asha: Acommuntty of Hope 2
Trustees. Report 31 December 2025 Uses offunds The Trustees hereby certify that no gr8ntlunds have been used to support terrorisrn- or To cause any private inurementor improper private benefitto occur, orto take any tsthèr action ineonsistentwith Section 501 lell31 of the Internal Revenue Code., or To make any 8ubst8lltial attempt to influence legislation in any natlon or other political unit; or To influence in any nation orother political unit the outcom8 of anyelection for or against anycandidatefor public office.. or To wolate any United States of America law including but not limite(J to laws prohibiting the support of terrorism. FINANCIAL REVIEW Financial position and reserves policy For the Period ended 31 December 2025 donation5 of £218.15712024: £186,4971 were received from supporting churches, individuals and trusts, ASHA spent £163,1001202d.. £96,6511 to further the objectives ol the charity in the same period, and the funds at the period end were £177.36712024.. £117.3821. of whieh funds E2,949 are restricted12024-. £4,8901. The charity is mainly dependent on voluntary donations from individuals, churches, and trusts with 8 small amount of incorne from charitable activities and investment income. The level ol income can fluctuate Ihroughout the year. Therèfore. the Trustees consider that it is appropriate for the charity to hold reserves of approxim8tely three months £djusted budgeted expenditure. The total unrestricted reserve5 at the period end were Q174,41812024.. £112,492> which represents more than three months of adjusted budgeted expenditure lor 2026 Ig54,0001. The TrLJStees review the re5èrv8 policy on an annual basis. Trustees, responsibilities statement The charity's Trustees are responsible lor preparing the Annual Report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdorn Generally Accepted Accounting Standards. Charity law requires the TrLJStees to prepare fin8noi81 statements for each financial period which wve a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company during the period and of the incoming resources and application of resources, Including the net income and expenditure, ol the charitable company for the finaneial period. In preparingfinancial statements giving a true and fair view, the Trustees should follow best practice and re required tC*'. Select suitable acctsunting policies and then applythem consistently. Observe the methods and prineiples ol the Charities SORP. Makejudgements and egtim8tes that are reasonable and prudent. Follow applicable accounting standards, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements. Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitsble company will continue in operation. The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting ie¢ords which disclose with reasonable accur8¢y the financial position of the charity, and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the charity's constitution. They are slso responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and henoe for taking ieasonable steps lor the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Asha: Acommunityof Hope 3
Trustees. Report 31 December 2025 Revlewof Activities and HighLiehts for 2025 "Asha" means hope in Sylheti, and we want to be a community of hope. for English-spe8kers, for Sylheti- speakers, for all through Jesus the Messiah. The Trustees, having considered the Charity Commission's guidance on public benéfit and. in p8rticu18r, the specific gLJidance on charities tor the advancement ol religion have carried outthe followingactivities in the pur5UIt of its aim., Sunday meetings, Tuesday evening bible studies. ESOL IEnglish for Speakers of Other Languages) classes. home visits, Bible studies for the community, door-to- door outreach, a bookshop and sever81 other activities to engage with our communities and build relationships including.. an arts & crafts drop-in., book tables at local markets, film evenings. videos on Facebook, sharing Podcasts and teaching lor local school children. Our Sunday Afternoon meeting gathers men, women and children from the community. We Iisien to God's word fiorN the front and discuss it in groups. sing songs in English and Sylheti and organize children's groups. We have become more established over 2025, averaging 30 people in attendance by the end ol the year. Of these people, usually a quarterto a third are Sylheii-speakers. For special events like Christmas, we have had 70-80 people join us. One highlight during the year was a day out to Chalkwell together.. we had Bible teachinE in the morning and fun times on the beach in thg afternoon. Our Sunday teaching this year has been from Matthew's Gospel. Acts, John's Gospel and Genesis. li has helped us to see more of who jesus the Messiah is and how to live lor him in this world. On Tuesday Evenings we meet to study the bible 8nd pray together. This 15 key to equip and encourage one another for life and ministry. We have looked at the Bible books ol Exodus, Psalms and Ephesians, as well as engaging in discussing how best to translate Bible passages into Sylheti. Due io a few more people joining us, we now meet in 2 homes. We run weekly women's ESOL classes at a beginner and Intermediate level on Wednesdays. Women have ihe opportunity to increase their English confidence, build newfriendships, understand rnore about UK cultuie. and to he8r a Bible story. We work hard to create a welcoming, peaceful, and distinctly Christian environmentwhere women feel safe and loved. Around 30 women continue io come regularly each week. The arts & crafts drop-in is to provide further conversational help for some ladies, as well as to be a space for ladies who are on a waiting list. A men's ESOL class has also been established this ye81. Beforè tho summer, around 6-8 men were coming each week, but numbers reduced in the auturnn as some men found work and were unable to attend. We have small groups of individuals visit OUT Shantir Boi book shop and library each day. Some people more than once. and we have interactive faith eonversations with them. We host member5 of the Tower Project la charity supporting adults Wlth dis8bllitiesl twice a week, providing a safe space for therll to read and relax, as well as occasional teaching from the Bible. Much free literature has been taken from our outdoor cases, as well as supplying local churches fortheir outleach. Asha: A Community of Hope 4
Trustees, Report 31 December 2025 Large amounts of tracts, booklet5, gospels and complete Bibles in a variety ol languages have also been given away at a weekly book table in a local rnarket. At times we have teamed up with London City Mission and other churches to make thi5 happen. Often interesting and engaging inter-faith disoussions have also taken place, as well as more robust conversgtions answerlng common objections io the Christian faith. We produce. edit, and send outvideos targeted Sylheti people's Facebook leeds. Overthe yearthis has included posts linked 10 the seasons and religiou5 festivals, stories from loc81 believers 8nd how they came to f8lth, as well as clips from the gospel accounts ol Jesus, life. Ther& have been over 300,000 sep8rate views of our posts. We also provide training to UK-ba5ed Chri5tian5 and organise several other actlvllies with visitors from overseas to engagèwith our community and build relationships. In 2025 we hosted 200 p80pleand wére involved in tr8ining similar numbers elsewhere. We were delighted in the autumn to be able to employ an intern. The intern receives training externally as well as in-house and engages in a wide variety of our outreaches. We were also joined by a student on placement from Oak Hill Theological College. who has helped particularlywith ourteaching on Sund3ys 8lld Tuesdays. We are mainly supported by and work in partnership wth St Helen's Church Bishopsgate, Serge la US based. non-denominational mission agency) and London City Mission. We receive donations to fund our activities from individuals, trusts, and other churches both in the United Kingdom and the United Slates of America, and we are an entirely ¢haritBbLe organisation. Approved bythe Trustees and signed on their behalf by.. Rob8rt Ali5tairScott, Chairman ol the board of Trustees RAScott Approved on: 2614/26 Ash8= A Community of Hope Charity registration number 1200292 Asha: A Community of Hope 5
Statement of Financial Activities For the year between 1" January 2025 and 31, December 2025 Year from Year from 1Jan- 1Jan. 31 Dec 2025 31 Dee 2024 Un restrleted Restrieted funds funds Income and Expenditure Note Income Incoming resources from generated funds.. Voluntary Income lllcome from charitable activities Investrnent income 205,257 855 4,073 12,900 218,157 855 186,497 3,857 1,278 4,073 Tot81 Income 210,185 12,900 223,085 191.632 Expenditure Cost ol generatingfunds Charitable activities Govern8nce 2nd administration 896 896 152,418 9,786 2198 87.563 6,890 137,577 9.786 14,841 Total resources expended 148,259 14,841 163,100 96,651 Net Incomefor the perlod 61,926 -1,941 59,985 94,981 Transfers between funds Net Movement rn Fund 61,926 -1,941 S9,985 94,981 Fund balances brought lonmard 112,492 4,890 117,382 22,401 Totalfunds carried forward 174,418 177,367 117,382 The charity h8s no reeognised gains and losses on investment assts- theiefor8. no separate statement of total recognised gains and losses has been prepared. The notes on pages 8 to 12 form part of these accounts. Asha.. Acommunity of Hope 6
Balance sheet As at 31 st December 2025 31st December 31$t December 2024 2025 Notes Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 4.490 177,054 181,544 7,478 115.661 123,139 Creditors.. Amounts falling due wrthin one year Net current assets 10 4,177 177.367 5,757 117,382 Total net o$set$ 177.367 117,382 Represented by.. Funds and reserves Unrestricted funds Restricted funds 174,418 2,949 112.492 4,890 Total charitablè funds 177,367 117,382 The notes on pages 8 to 12 form part of these accounts. These 8ecounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies, regime. For the financial period endèd 31. December 2025 the comp2ny was entitled to exemption from audit under section 144121 ol the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and an tndependent examin8tion is needed. The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for ensuringthatthe charity keeps accounting records which givè a true and fair view of the state of affairs ol the charity as at the end of the reporting period and of the net movement in funds. Approved bythe Trustees 2nd signed on their behalf by.. RobertAlistair Scott- Chairman of the Board of Trustees RAScott Approved on-. 26/4126 Asha.. A Community of Hope Charity registration number 1200292 Asha.. Acommunity of Hope 7
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31st December 2025 Aceounting Pollcles Basis of accounting The accounts h8ve been pr8pared under the historical cost convention, and in 8ecordance with the requirements ol the Charities Act 2011. Applic8ble accounting standards (United Kingdorn Generally Accepted Accounting Pr8Ctieel and the Statement of Recorrmended Practice "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" ISORP 20051 have been followed in these accounts. Income Income is recognised in the period in which the charity is entitled to receipt. when the charity as unconditional entitlement to the income and the amount can be measured with iea50nable certainty. Expenses and the basis of apportioning costs Expenditvre is included in the statement of fin2ncial activities when incurred and includes VAT which cannot be recovered. Expenses eomprise the following.. The costs of charitable activities comprise expenditure on the charity's primary ¢h8rit8ble purposes as described in the Trustees, report. b. Governance and Administration costs represent indirect charitable expenditure. To carry out the activities of the charity it is neeessaryto provide support in the form of personnel development. financial procedures, provision of ottice services and equipment 8nd a sultable working environTMent. Funds stru¢turg The funds of the charity comprise unrestricted funds, which be expended ai the discretion of the trustees in line with the governing document ol the charityand restricted funds which have been given a specific designation by the donor. Tax8tron ASHA is a registered charity and therefore is not liable to incomè tax or corporation tax on income derived from its charitable activities. as itfalls within the various exemptions availablg to registèred eh8rities. The charity Is not reglstered for Value Added Tax and therefore expenditure is record&d inclusive of VAT. Asha: A Community of Hope
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31st December 2025 Voluntary Income Y&arfrom lJan- 31 Dec2025 Ytarfrom 1Jan. 31 Dec2D24 Untestrictsd Rosirfctèij Donation5andgift5 22.275 55,751 105.862 22.275 55,751 111,262 14,B72 9,£8 4,559 218,157 37,623 57.775 76.1 9,457 7.301 4,181 186,497 Individuals-oiherpartnérs Churches Othercharitiegand trusts 7.372 Gfft81d incometaxrecoverablE Otherincome 4.559 205.2S7 12. 3 Income from Charitable acilvlties Yearlrom Yearfrom Un restricted Restiicted 11an- 31 Do¢ lJ8n- 31 Dcc2024 Weekend5 Awsy Bookshop income Catering 314 314 2,7 950 541 541 3,857 4 Investment income Yearfrom Yearfrom Un restricted Re5tri¢ted 1Jan- 31 Dec 2025 1Jan- 31 DeE 2024 Bankinteiest 4,073 4,073 1.278 Tot81 4,073 4,073 1.278 Asha: Acommunity of Hope 9
Notes to the Financial Statements Forthe year ended 31st December 2025 5 CharltabLe activities Yearfrom Yearlrom Unr8$trict8d Restrlcied 1Jan. 81 Dec 2025 1Jan- 31 Dè¢ 2024 Sl8fl Costs 122,059 12.900 134.959 4,634 1.245 1,941 2.172 1,160 5,510 797 75.608 1.223 4,978 792 WeekBndsAway Digital medi3 cos15 OuireachAciiwtie5 1.2 1,941 2,172 1,160 5,510 797 1,672 1.033 1,725 532 Cateringexpenses Compassionate Giving ESOL Bookshopco$ts' 896 1198 Total 138,473 14,541 1.314 89.761 6 Governance and Admlnlstratlon Costs Yearfrom Yearlrom Un restricted Re5tiicted 1Jan- 32 Dec 2025 1Jan- 31 De¢ 2024 Profession81seNces Licence51Member5hip cost5 58leguardingc051S Olherc05ts 303 579 1.106 190 1.106 190 413 325 InsurancècDSts 292 292 273 Prerni5e5 Costs 7,200 7,200 3,600 Total 9,7B6 9,786 Asha: A Community ot Hope 10
Notes to the Financial Statements Forthe year ended 31st December 2025 7 Staff Costs Yearfrom Yearfrom Un restricted Re5trtcted 1Jan- 31 De¢2025 1Jan- 31 Dec 2024 Sal8riesandWaEes Taxation and socialsecuritycosis Pension Costs 103.342 3,320 15,397 12,900 116,242 3,320 15,397 58,226 9.289 7.993 Total 122.059 12.900 134,959 75,608 Duringthe period, four Itwo part-time and two full timel members ol staff were employed by the charity. One part time member of staff was employed effective from 21" September 2025. No employees r8c*ivèd remuneration exceeding £60,000. None of the Trustees received any remuneration for their services as Trusteès during the period. None of the Trustees were reimbursed any expenses incurred in the perfoirrnance of their duties asTrustees. Debtors 31stDecembeT2025 31stDecember2024 Giltaid incomeigxrecoverablÈ 758 Prepayments 4,155 7,320 Total 490 7,4Th 9 Cash and cash equivalents 31stDecember2025 31siDe¢emb8r2024 Ca$h in h8nd 3.191 56,278 117. 9.318 50,543 55.800 Noticedeposits Ile55than 3monthsl M)ticedeposits Ilessthan 8rnDnthsl Total 177,054 115,661 Asha: Acommunity of Hope 11
Notes to the Financial Statements Forthe year ended 31 st December 2025 10 Cr•ditors: amounts falling due within one year 37$tD8¢ember2025 31stDecember2024 Taxaiion and sociglsecuritycostS Pen510n Cosis 5.757 1.637 Accruals Toial 4177 5.757 11 Fund8 Incoming resouic85 QvEoing resour¢es Balancesat 315tDecpmbÈr2025 Balances at 31st Decernbel 2024 Unrestricted Generslfund 210,185 1148,2591 174.418 112,492 Rtstri¢tèd StaffiDEfund gitalmEdiafund 12,0 11.9411 2,949 4,890 Total 223.0&4 1163.1001 177,367 117,382 Unrestricred funds are available Yor use at the discretion ol the Trustees in furtherance of the objectives ol the charity. The Staff ing fund has been established to cover the cost of one of the parr time workers. The income in thi5 fund was not sufficient to fund the total cost to employ this staff member. the remaining costs are funded out ol the gener81 Fund. The Digital media fund has be8n e5tabli5hed to cover the cost of digital ministry costs of the charity. 12 Lease commitments As at 31" December 2025 the charity had no written legal lease commitments. the chaTity has taken over payments uncfer a predecessor lease for the Husk venue from St Helens Bishopsgate. At the time ol preparing these accounts the new Lease with the chaiity has not yet been signed. The below table represents the lease payrnentS the chaiity ha5 committed to for the year 2026 that will be reflected in the new Lease Agreement. 31st De¢ember2Q25 31st Decgrnbgr 2024 ExpiiiDgin less than year Expiiing between one and five years 7.200 28.EOD 7.200 Ash8.' Acommunity of Hope 12
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Asha: A Community of Hope I report on the unaudited accounts of the charity for the period from 1. January 2025 to 31. December 2025 which are set out on pages 6 to 12. RespectSve responslblllties of truste83 and examiner The trustees are responsible for the preparation ol the aceounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year undèr section 144121 of the Charitie5 Act 201 I (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit and is eligible for independent examination. it is my responsibility to: Examine the accounts under section 145 01 the 2011 Act To followthe procedures laid down in thegeneral Dire¢tions given bythe Ch8rityCommission undersection 1451Sllbl of the 2011 Act.. and To state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examiner's r8POrt Ny examination wa5 C8rried out in accordance with the general Directions given bythe Charitycommission. An examination includes a review of the 2ccounting records kept by the charity and 8 comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items of disclosures in the account5 and 5eekingexplanations from you as trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether these accounts present a 'true and fair view" and the report is limited to those matters set out in th8 staternent below. Independent examiner's statement In Connection with my examination, no matter h8s come to my atteniion.. Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements-. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act and to prepare accounts which aeeord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirernents ol the 2011 Act and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Praciice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities have not been met. or to which in my opinion. attention should be drawn tts in order to enable B proper undtrr5tanding of the accounts to be reached. Name: Mr. Simon Giblin Sign8ture: Relevant Prolesslonal qualification or body.. ACA IICAEWI Address.. 22 Hillcrest, London. N21 1AT Date: 161+126 Asha: A Community of Hope 13