MANCHESTER
SAMAGAM
## **Annual Report for Manchester Samagam**
## **For the Year Ended: 31 March 2024**
## **Governance and Structure**
## **Trustees** :
Mr Sukhdave Singh Bharat appointed 1 January 2025 Mr Dalvindar Singh appointed 1 January 2025
## **Previous Trustees**
Mr Sangat Partap Singh resigned 31[st] December 2024 Mr Gorbachan Singh Arora resigned 31[st] December 2024 Sardar Sukhvinder Singh Peliya resigned 31[st] December 2024
## **Registered Charity Office:**
121 Broughton Lane Salford M7 1UH
**e-mail:** manchestersamagam@gmail.com
## **Independent Examiner:**
HHK Accountancy Services Ltd Suite 212, Oakland House 21 Hope Carr Road Leigh WN7 3ET
Manchester Samagam is governed by a dedicated board of trustees, who oversee its operations and ensure compliance with the Constitution and Charity Commission regulations.
## **Trustees for the Reporting Year**
|||
|---|---|
|Chair of Trustees|**Sukhdave Singh Bharat**|
|ViceChair|**Rashpal Singh Dervish**|
|Treasurer|**Gurpralad Singh**|
|Secretary|**Dalvindar Singh Sangi & Beant Kaur**|
|Volunteer Co-Ordinators|**Prabjot Singh & Kiren Kaur**|
|Communications Co-Ordinator|**Ranjeet Singh**|
|MoneyLaunderingReportingOfficer|**Gurpralad Singh**|
|Operations Co-Ordinator|**Sangat Partap Singh**|
|Operations Co-Ordinator – Health & Safety|**Lakhvindar Singh Sangi**|
|Operations Co-Ordinator – Build & de-rig|**ManorathpalSingh**|
|Complaints/Grievances Co-Ordinator|**Dalvindar Singh Sangi**|
## **Chair’s Statement**
Our purpose is to celebrate, and educate the Sikh and wider community about Sikhism, and share our values amongst the local community.
This involves celebrating historical Sikh festivals and enhancing the lives and knowledge of our congregation.
We also want to integrate with other faith groups and wide community in the Region and promote, equality, respect and friendship.
This is our first year, Manchester Samagam has fulfilled its initial mission of advancing the Sikh religion and supporting the local community in Greater Manchester through the annual Samagam.
This was achieved despite a short time frame from incorporating the charity on 26[th] June 2023 and executing the Samagam in August 2023.
We have successfully delivered impactful programs, fostering a stronger, more inclusive community.
I extend my gratitude to our trustees, volunteers, donors, and partners for their unwavering support.
## **Mr Sukhdave Singh Bharat**
## **Chair of Trustees**
## **Activities and Achievements**
The Charity was created for the following activities
- **Advancing the Sikh Religion**
- **Recreational and Leisure Facilities**
- **Youth Development**
## **Our Achievements**
Manchester Samagam: A Community-Wide Sikh Awareness Programme
In July 2023, we launched the Manchester Samagam, a landmark three-day Sikh awareness event held in Trafford. As the first event of its kind in the region, it welcomed approximately 7,000 visitors from diverse faiths, backgrounds, and communities across the UK.
Our goal was to foster understanding, dispel misconceptions, and build stronger community ties by introducing the principles and practices of Sikhism in an open and engaging environment.
Key Highlights and Achievements
- Demonstrating Core Sikh Values: Visitors experienced the three main pillars of Sikhism sharing, spiritual meditation, and honest living. Through various interactive sessions and displays, we showcased the importance of seva (selfless service), with practical demonstrations and opportunities for attendees to participate.
- Taking the Gurdwara to the Community: A central aspect of the Samagam was bringing the Sikh Gurdwara experience into the heart of Trafford. Guests engaged in traditional Sikh practices, including langar (free community meal), kirtan (spiritual singing), and prayer sessions, allowing for genuine immersion and deeper understanding.
- Dispelling Myths and Misconceptions: The Samagam served as an educational platform to address and clarify common misunderstandings about Sikhism. Through guided tours, interactive exhibits, and open Q&A sessions, visitors gained a more accurate and meaningful perspective on the Sikh faith.
- Promoting Community Cohesion: By offering a free and inclusive event, we encouraged people from all walks of life to come together. This created opportunities for interfaith dialogue and nurtured mutual respect and appreciation. The grassroots nature of these conversations established a strong foundation for ongoing collaboration.
- A Historic Religious Ceremony: A highlight of the event was the opportunity for individuals to participate in a Sikh Baptism ceremony, known as Amrit Sanchar,
conducted by the Head of the Sikh Thakat (Seat of Sikh Authority). This significant spiritual experience was both inspiring and unifying for the congregation.
- Strengthening Faith Among the Next Generation: Manchester Samagam also focused on empowering the next generation of British Sikhs. Through workshops and storytelling sessions, young attendees explored their heritage, culture, and spiritual identity, deepening their connection to their faith.
- Expanding Career Horizons: We collaborated with key organizations, including Cheshire Police and the Home Office, to provide career guidance and networking opportunities for attendees. Representatives engaged in conversations about career pathways, promoting diversity and inclusion within their workforce.
- Uniting the Sikh Community Nationwide: The Samagam drew visitors from across the UK, particularly from the Northwest, underscoring its role as a national gathering for the Sikh community. This strengthened community bonds and fostered a shared sense of pride and belonging.
## **Conclusion**
The Manchester Samagam successfully established a welcoming space for dialogue and learning. It exemplified how cultural and religious events can bridge divides, create understanding, and celebrate the richness of diversity. By building on the momentum of this groundbreaking initiative, we hope to continue fostering unity, respect, and collaboration within our communities.
We look forward to making future Samagam’s even more impactful, with a continued commitment to sharing the essence of Sikh values and embracing the spirit of togetherness.
## **Feedback**
“Enjoyed people of all faiths coming together”
“A new experience for us a local”
## **“Wonderfully organised event as a non- Sikh…made to feel very welcome and informed about the Sikh religion”**
“Me and my children really enjoyed the atmosphere”
“A must come to event”
“Bringing the Sikh community together in a positive a lifting”
“ Inspiration for youth” “Very powerful and engaging, best event this year”
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## **Plans for the Future**
In the coming year, we aim to:
- Expand our youth programs to include information, support and access to mental health services. This will involve introduction and promotion of support services
available and how to improve health and wellbeing to improve mental wellness. In addition, we are also preparing to incorporate a career’s fair to future Samagam events. The careers fair will be aimed at year 15-year-olds plus to introduce them into several professional careers and industries in order to motivate and influence them into pursuing a professional career.
- In order to improve the health, and wellbeing of our congregation and also promote blood donations we have invited NHS Blood Donation Team to our forthcoming event. In addition, we plan to offer free basic health checks to help people understand their own health, and offer information and advice on how to improve and maintain positive health and wellbeing.
- Increase the scale of our community events by attracting visitors from West Yorkshire, Merseyside, Cheshire and Lancashire through social media marketing. In addition, we will work with other faith and community organisations in North West and publicise our event using their platforms.
- Strengthen our financial sustainability through new partnerships and fundraising initiatives.
- Make an application for “gift aid” which will provide the Charity with regular donations and offer tax relief to those who donate.
Financial Review
The charity received £220.519.50120241 in donations.
Ourannual expenditure in the yearwas £215.5910.0512024)
These donations were made up of cash donations 8nd don8tions in kind.
The iargercash donations are donations receivedfromthe"Golak" which isthe don8tion
box typically placed in front of the Guru Granth Sahib. where visitors deposit their
offerings for charitable purposes.
The other cash donations are received over 8 short period of time betore the Samagan
took place.These donations are recorded, and the donor is provided with a receipt slip.
Manchester Samagam is not accepting gift aid donations. this is something we are
workingtowards.
To Dur congregation we ar8truly honoured.
Sukhd8ve Singh Bharat
Chairperson
## **Statement of Financial Activities**
## Manchester Samagam For the year ended 31 March 2024
|**Account**||**2024**|
|---|---|---|
|**Incoming Resources**|||
|Donations recieved and Donations in Kind|£|220,519.50
|
|**Total Incoming Resources**|**£**|**220,519.50**
|
|**Charitable Activities**|||
|Equipment Hire|£|20,716.40
|
|Food Purchases|£|37,196.00
|
|Religious Leaders|£|51,622.33
|
|Samagam Costs|£|11,787.00
|
|Samagam Marquee|£|82,154.84
|
|Security / Health and Safety|£|10,291.00
|
|**Total Charitable Activities**|**£**|**213,767.57**
|
|**Gross Resources**|**£**|**6,751.93**
|
|**Administrative & Support Costs**|||
|Advertising & Marketing|£|583.00
|
|Insurance|£|268.48
|
|Printing & Stationery|£|672.00
|
|Accountancy Fees|£|300.00
|
|**Total Administrative & Support Costs**|**£**|**1,823.48**
|
|**Net Resources**|**£**|**4,928.45**
|
||||
|**Total Funds Carried Forward**|**£**|**4,928.45**
|
Donations in kind represents donations made directly to the supplyer Equipment Hire represents anxilliary event hire (portable toilets/heaters/screens etc) Samagam Costs relate to flowers, Live TV streaming and Council costs etc Security/ Health & Safety includes all medical hire costs
|**Balance Sheet**|**Balance Sheet**||
|---|---|---|
|Manchester Samagam|||
|As at 31 March 2024|||
||||
||**Account**|**31 Mar 2024**|
||||
|**Current Assets**|||
||**Cash at bank and in hand**||
||Manchester Samagam|5,228.45
£|
||
**Total Cash at bank and in hand**|**5,228.45**
**£**|
|**Total Current Assets**||**5,228.45**
**£**|
||||
|**Creditors: amounts falling due withinone year**|||
||Accruals|300.00
£|
|**Total Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**||**300.00**
**£**|
||||
||**Net Current Assets (Liabilities)**
**4,928.45**
**£**||
||||
||**Total Assets less Current Liabilities**
**4,928.45**
**£**||
||||
||**Net Assets**
**4,928.45**
**£**||
||||
|**Capital and Reserves**|||
||Current Year Earnings|4,928.45
£|
|
**Total Capital and Reserves**||**4,928.45**
**£**|
## **Independent Examiners**
## **Report to the trustees of Manchester Sikh Foundation - Charity number: 1191992**
We report to the trustees our examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31 March 2024.
## **Responsibilities and basis of the 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”).
We report in respect of our examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out our examination, we have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
We have completed our examination. We confirm that no material matters have come to our attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below *) which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
- the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
- the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
- 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.
We 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.
Date: 26 March 2025
Mrs Rupinder Howard For an on behalf of HHK Accountancy Services Ltd Suite 212, Oakland House 21 Hope Carr Road Leigh WN7 3ET