Registered charity number 1203567
Lantern of Light
Report and Accounts
31 March 2024
Lantern of Light Registered charity number:1203567 Trustees' annual report
The trustees present their report and accounts for the period ended 31 March 2024.
Principal address
The company's principal address is 52 Manor way, HA2 6BY.
Objectives and activities
Charitable Objects are to advance the Islamic faith in accordance with Al Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) and following the Shia Ithna Asheri teachings and traditions for the public benefit, mainly but not exclusively by:
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provision of Islamic religious education, producing and/distributing material, holding events about the Islamic religion
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the promotion of good mental health and spiritual wellbeing but not exclusively for Muslim women.
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the promotion of multicultural and religious harmony between Muslim and non-Muslim in order to foster mutual understanding and toleration.
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prevention or relief of poverty by providing grants, to individuals in need and/or charities, or other organisations working to prevent or relive poverty.
Trustees
The following persons served as trustees during the period:
Adil Abbasbhai Kachwala (Appointed 15 June 2023) Mohamed Hassanali Kanji (Appointed 15 June 2023) Nasimbanu Mohamed Husein Pirmohamed Hyderali (Appointed 15 June 2023) Sabira Mohamed Kanji (Appointed 15 June 2023) Shenaz Sajan (Appointed 15 June 2023)
Governance and management
The charity is operated under the rules of its CIO Association adopted 15 June 2023. The charity operates with a very small team of volunteers who help to implement the charity’s activities. The Trustees meet four times a year to review the charity’s progress and plan for future activities.
Trustees are appointed based on their experience, skills, and commitment to the charity’s mission. New Trustees receive an induction process, which includes an overview of the charity’s governance, financial position, and activities. Trustees also participate in training to ensure they are well-informed and equipped to fulfil their responsibilities
Public Benefit Statement
In accordance with the Charities Act 2011, the Trustees confirm that the charity has operated for the public benefit throughout the financial year and continues to do so.
The Trustees have considered the public benefit requirements set out in the Charities Act 2011 and the Charity Commission's guidance. In particular, we have ensured that our charitable activities are carried out with the aim of benefiting the public or a sufficient section of the public, and that access to these benefits is not unduly restricted.
The Trustees are satisfied that the charity continues to meet the public benefit requirement, and we will continue to monitor and assess the impact of our work to ensure we fulfil our charitable purposes.
Activities Undertaken to Achieve the Charity’s Objectives
During the year, the charity undertook the following activities to fulfil its charitable objects:
Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit
- Islamic Religious Education :
The charity organised a series of online lectures, classes, and workshops on various aspects of the Islamic faith, including the Quran, the Sunnah, and Shia Ithna Asheri traditions.
The charity delivered online content, to reach a wider audience. Additionally, Islamic teachings were shared through events at local community level with public talks, community-based seminars, and educational webinars.
Sponsored a large Quran competition with 700 attendees, promoting community unity and spiritual growth. This was a very enriching and fruitful event that involved families together in connecting with the sacred book, our holy book Qur’an.
• Mental Health and Spiritual Wellbeing:
The charity established several initiatives aimed at promoting mental health and spiritual wellbeing, especially for women. This included hosting mental wellness workshops and delivering talks on balancing spirituality and mental health. Key events focused on the importance of selfcare, dealing with anxiety, addressing mental health challenges, destigmatize discussions around emotional well-being and managing stress in accordance with Islamic teachings.
• Multicultural and Religious Harmony:
The charity worked towards fostering greater understanding and tolerance between Muslim and non-Muslim communities by hosting interfaith dialogue events and community-building activities. These events brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds to discuss shared values, promote peace, and build stronger relationships based on mutual respect. The charity collaborated with Al Abbas Islamic Centre to hold joint events of other faiths, which helped in nurturing intercultural respect and religious harmony.
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Poverty Relief:
The charity would like to expand its scope worldwide to support other organisations dedicated to poverty alleviation both locally and worldwide particularly to fund emergency relief efforts in areas affected by natural disasters, ensuring that those in desperate need are supported in times of crisis.
Achievements and Performance
Overview of Achievements
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We hosted Islamic and well-being webinars, online weekly Quranic reflection classes, spiritual circles, and forums to encourage spiritual and emotional development. More than 45 weekly participants joined us in spiritual education programs and fostering a deeper understanding of faith.
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The mental health and well-being initiatives supported 23 women, offering guidance and practical tools for improving their emotional and spiritual health.
The charity hosted a serenity retreats covering Intensive wellness programs combining mindfulness, real conversations, spirituality, and group therapy.
Mental Health Workshops: Covering topics such as resilience, family dynamics, and managing stress. Reached 245 individuals through workshops and retreats over the reporting period.
- Monthly Healing Circles
So far, we have been able to support women through the healing circles, each attended by an average of 30 to 40 women, providing a safe space for emotional sharing and support and
sharing their stories.
- Warm-Up Workshop: "Navigating Challenges in Family Relationships"
Lantern of Light Collaborated with KSIMC Birmingham Ladies and Adult Islamic Education committee to deliver a workshop addressing toxic relationships from an Islamic perspective.
Impact of Activities
Feedback from service users and event participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with many individuals expressing greater confidence in their religious practices, mental well-being, and ability to engage with people of other faiths. Key outcomes include:
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80% of attendees reported feeling a stronger sense of connection to their faith and community.
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90% women participants in mental health workshops and retreat expressed feeling more empowered to address their mental well-being issues.
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75% participants in interfaith events reported a greater understanding of Islamic teachings and a reduction in misconceptions about Islam.
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Youth Engagement
The charity is also intending to focus more on empowering youth through leadership opportunities, volunteer programs, and educational support.
Volunteering Impact
Engaged over 10 youth volunteers in community service and administration roles.
Safeguarding Policies
The charity has a robust safeguarding framework to ensure the safety and well-being of all beneficiaries, particularly vulnerable adults and children. All staff and volunteers undergo regular training to uphold these standards.
Management and Capacity
Lantern of Light operates with a combination of professional consultants, including therapists and workshop facilitators, supported by a very small, dedicated group of volunteers.
Financial Review
Financial Summary
The charity’s total income for the year was £15,795, with the primary sources of income coming from donations and retreat income. The charity’s total expenditure for the year amounted to £11,025, which was allocated to its core activities and retreat expenditure, including religious education, mental health and wellbeing initiatives, and poverty relief. The financial statements provide a detailed breakdown of income and expenditure.
Reserves Policy
The charity’s reserves policy aims to ensure that sufficient funds are maintained to cover at least three months of core operational expenses, allowing for continued service provision in the event of unforeseen circumstances. As of 31 March 2024, the charity holds reserves of £4,077, which is in line with this policy.
Plans for the Future
Looking ahead, the charity intends to:
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Expand its educational programs by offering additional courses and materials on Islamic teachings, with a special focus on young people and women.
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Develop more mental health support initiatives, particularly for women and young adults, addressing the unique challenges faced by these groups.
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Strengthen interfaith and multicultural dialogue through more collaborative events with other faithbased and cultural organisations.
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Increase the charity’s impact in poverty relief by broadening the scope of grant assistance and exploring new partnerships with local and international organisations.
Conclusion
The Trustees are pleased with the progress made by the charity in the period to 31 March 2024, particularly in the areas of religious education, mental health support, and fostering multicultural and religious harmony. The charity remains committed to its mission and looks forward to continuing to serve the community in the year ahead.
Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees:
Sabira Kanji MBA FCMA Chair of Trustees
25 January 2024
Lantern of Light – Charity Number: 1203567 Income and expenditure account for the period ending 31 March 2024
| Income Donations Quran Competition Retreat ILM Programs & Others Direct costs Other Expenditure Subscriptions Website Printing, Postage and Stationery Bank Charges Donation to Charity - Birmingham KSIMC (LFQC) Net surplus for the period |
2024 £ 5,670 1,100 7,265 1,760 |
|---|---|
| 15,795 | |
9,069 |
|
| 9,069 | |
| 156 445 317 38 1,000 |
|
| 1,956 | |
| 11,025 | |
| 4,770 |
Lantern of Light Registered charity number: 1203567
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31 March 2024
| Notes Current assets Current Bank Account Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 3 Net current assets Reserves for the period |
14,254 14,254 (9,484) |
2024 £ 4,770 4,770 |
|---|---|---|
Lantern of Light
Notes to the Accounts for the period for period ending to 31 March 2024
1 Receipts & payments accounts
Receipts and payments accounts contain a summary of money received and money spent during a period and a list of assets and liabilities at the end of the period. Usually, cash received, and cash spent will include transactions through bank accounts and cash in hand.
| 2 Donation to KSMIC Birmingham (Quran Competition) 3 Creditors: amounts falling due within one-year Accruals & Deferred Income |
2024 £ 1,000 2024 £ 9,484 9,484 |
|---|---|
4 Trustees' Remuneration
Trustees received no expenses, remuneration or benefits in this period.