Trustees' Annual Report
For the Period 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025
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Introduction & Structure
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Legal and Administrative Information
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Objectives, Activities, and Achievements
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Financial Review
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Governance and Management
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Plans for the Future
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Approval of the Report
1. Introduction
The trustees present their annual report and the independent examiner's report and financial statements for the period (the 'financial year') ended 31 August 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the notes to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, applicable law, and the requirements of the Charities SORP (FRS 102).
2. Legal and Administrative Information
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Charity Name: Mashal Charity
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Charity Number: 1205623
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Company Number 16291717
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Registered Office: 6 Courtenay Gardens, Harrow HA3 5LY
Email: charity.mashal@gmail.com
Website: www.mashal.co.uk
- Trustees Serving During the Year:
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Ahmad Farid Mall | Chairperson |
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Zuheir Ali | Treasurer |
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Mariam Saeedi | Secretary |
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Walizada Mohibullah | Trustee |
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Ghulam Farooq | Trustee |
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Mina Ekhlas | Trustee |
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Bankers: Unity Trust Bank
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Independent Examiner/Auditor: Romero Tavong FCCA
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105 Fullbrook Avenue, Spencers Wood RG7 1FE
Financial Statement:
A summary of our Independently Examined Accounts for the year ending 31st August 2025 can be found at the end of this report.
The Board of Trustees is satisfied with the performance of the charity during the year and the position on 31st August 2025 and considers that the charity is in a position to continue its activities during the coming year, and that the charity’s assets are adequate to fulfil its obligations.
3. Our Mission, Objects, Activities, and Public Benefit
A. Our Mission
Mashal Charity is a multicultural organisation which works towards improving and enhancing the quality of life of the Afghan, refugee, migrant and disadvantaged communities in London and the UK.
Through our “needs met” services and quality delivery, we champion and promote equality and social inclusion for all Afghan, refugee, migrant and disadvantaged communities, whilst upholding their cultural identity and endorsing integration into wider society.
B. Charitable Objects
The charity's objects are:
- The relief of poverty for the public benefit through the provision of services and
advice in the areas of social welfare, benefit entitlement, healthcare, interpretation and translation, education and employment.
- The advancement of education through the provision of information and advice both in-person and digitally; supplementary and language classes, and vocational courses.
C. Activities Undertaken to Further the Charity's Objects for the Public Benefit
Our core mission is to advance the education and wellbeing of children and families within our community, particularly those from disadvantaged or migrant
backgrounds. This year, we have focused on three key strategic areas:
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Supplementary Education to close the attainment gap, learn home languages and boost confidence.
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A rich programme of Enrichment Activities to develop new skills and foster social cohesion.
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Mental Health support to break down stigma, build resilience, and improve access to services.
Review of Activities and Achievements
The reporting year has been one of significant growth and impact. We successfully delivered our programmes, reaching numerous beneficiaries and achieving outstanding outcomes.
1. Saturday School Project:
Advancing Educational Attainment and Personal Growth
The Saturday School project continues to be a flagship programme, delivering
targeted academic support and personal development opportunities for children in Key Stages 1, 2, and 3. We are pleased to report another year of significant success and measurable impact.
Generous Funding and Strategic Partnership
We extend our profound gratitude to our principal funders, BBC Children in Need (BBC CiN), Community Fund and Securing Success , for their generous and
ongoing support. Their investment has been instrumental in providing the resources and stability necessary to deliver this high-quality, transformative programme. This partnership directly enables us to address educational disadvantage and empower young learners in our community.
Participation and Programme Delivery
During the last academic year, the project demonstrated its value and appeal, with 66 children regularly attending and successfully completing the programme. We delivered a structured and comprehensive curriculum designed to complement the national syllabus, with a focus on core subjects and cultural preservation:
Maths , English , Coding and Home Language Classes
Measurable Academic Progress
The project has yielded impressive and quantifiable improvements in academic attainment, demonstrating its effectiveness in closing the educational gap:
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English Literacy: 79% of children demonstrated significant improvement, achieving at least 2 points of progress in their writing skills.
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Numeracy: 75% of children showed substantial development, also achieving at least 2 points of progress in Maths.
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Linguistic Heritage: The home language classes were highly effective,
with 90% of attending children reporting noticeably improved skills in their native language, fostering a stronger connection to their cultural identity.
Holistic Development and Wellbeing
Beyond the impressive academic results, the project's most profound success lies in
its impact on the children's overall confidence and social wellbeing. We are delighted to report that:
- 100% of children attending the school reported improved confidence, increased happiness, and success in making new friends.
This universal positive feedback underscores the project's role as a vital community hub. It provides a safe, supportive, and engaging environment where children not only advance academically but also develop the resilience and social skills essential for their future success.
2. Enrichment Activities: Fostering Skills, Confidence, and Community
The Enrichment Activities programme remains a cornerstone of our charitable objectives, designed to provide holistic development beyond the academic curriculum. Over a 33-week period, we delivered a diverse and engaging package of activities aimed at nurturing creativity, physical health, critical thinking, and essential life skills.
A Diverse and Engaging Programme
Our weekly offerings provided something for every child, including:
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Creative Arts: Painting, collage, and crafts to stimulate imagination and selfexpression.
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Sports & Physical Activity: Football to promote teamwork, physical fitness, and healthy habits.
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Music and Singing: Sessions to develop rhythm, confidence, and collaborative skills.
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Critical Discussions: Facilitated conversations on vital topics such as online safety and body image, empowering children with knowledge to navigate modern challenges.
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Practical Life Skills: Workshops on budgeting and other essential skills to build foundational knowledge for adulthood.
Expanding Horizons Through Educational Visits
We firmly believe in the power of experiential learning. This year, we successfully organised a series of educational trips that brought learning to life:
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Visits to the British Museum and the Natural History Museum provided awe-inspiring encounters with history and science.
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Trips to local farms offered hands-on understanding of nature and food production.
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A particular highlight was our trip to the London Aquarium . This event was exceptionally popular, engaging 17 children aged 6 to 13. Supported by four dedicated volunteers, the children experienced the wonders of marine life, fostering a sense of wonder and curiosity.
Promoting Family and Community Engagement
A key success this year was our four-day football coaching and fun programme. This initiative was specifically designed to include a mixed group of children and their parents. The sessions were highly popular, with enthusiastic participation from both boys and girls, and successfully strengthened family bonds and encouraged intergenerational engagement in physical activity.
Measurable Impact and Outcomes
The success of our Enrichment programme is clearly demonstrated by the feedback from the children themselves:
- 95% of participants reported that they learned new skills , confirming the
programme's effectiveness in personal development.
- 100% of children reported that they made new friends , underscoring the
vital role these activities play in reducing social isolation, building community,
and enhancing the social wellbeing of our beneficiaries.
This programme has proven to be instrumental in creating a joyful, supportive environment where children can explore their interests, develop resilience, and build lasting friendships.
3. Mental Health Workshops
Commencing in April 2025, we delivered a series of monthly mental health workshops designed to support the wider community. The workshop structure included education on mental health concepts, introductions to local services, rapid emotional assessments, and opportunities for discussion and peer mingling.
The benefits reported by participants were profound and multifaceted:
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Reduced Isolation: Through group discussions and shared experiences, participants built supportive relationships, helping them feel less alone in their struggles.
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Improved Wellbeing: Attendees were introduced to effective coping strategies, including relaxation techniques, mindfulness exercises, and selfcare, empowering them to better manage stress and emotions.
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Increased Awareness & Reduced Stigma: We delivered psychoeducation on common conditions like anxiety, depression, and trauma to normalise discussions and encourage early help-seeking. The inclusion of livedexperience speakers fostered greater relatability and trust.
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Peer Support: The workshops created a safe and confidential space for sharing, which validated emotions and significantly strengthened community bonds.
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Skill-Building for Vulnerable Groups: For participants with limited access to
traditional therapy, we taught practical coping mechanisms and provided essential resources for self-advocacy in healthcare settings.
D. Volunteers
We are deeply grateful for the contribution of our volunteers. Over the year, 12 volunteers donated an estimated 500 hours of their time, which equates to a significant in-kind contribution without which our work would not be possible.
4. Financial Review
A. Reserves Policy
The trustees have reviewed the charity's reserves policy. The policy is to hold free reserves equivalent to three months of core operational expenditure. This is to ensure the charity can meet its ongoing commitments in the event of a temporary funding shortfall or unexpected costs. On 31 August 2025, the level of free reserves was £[Amount], which is within the target range. The trustees are satisfied with this.
B. Going Concern
The trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
C. Principal Funding Sources
The charity's income was derived from the following main sources:
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Grants from Trusts and Foundations: £47350.00
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Donations from the parents: £692.50
5. Structure, Governance, and Management
A. Governing Document
The charity is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and
Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee.
B. Trustee Induction and Training
New trustees are provided with an induction pack and meet with the Chair and
senior staff to understand their responsibilities. Trustees are encouraged to attend
relevant training on charity finance, governance, and fundraising.
C. Related Parties
No trustee received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.
6. Plans for the Future
In the coming year (September 2025 - August 2026), the trustees plan to:
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Extended the new pilot Mental Health Project.
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Increase our fundraising from individual donors by 10%
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Secure funding for a small office and recruit admin team.
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Focus on needs assessment of the local community and evaluating the long-
term impact of our current core programme.
7. Approval of the Report
The trustees approved this annual report on 6[th] December 2025.
Signed on behalf of the Trustee Board:
[Trustee Chair's Name]
Chair of the Trustees
Date: [Date]