Charity registration number- 1206113 KASKOSAN Annual Report and Financial Statements for the period from 7 December 2023 to 31 July 2024
KASKOSAN
Contents (continued)
Reference and Administrative Details ....................................................................................................................... 1 Trustees’ Report ......................................................................................................................................................... 2 Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities ..................................................................................................................... 6 Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of KASKOSAN ............................................................................... 7 Statement of Financial Activities for the Period ........................................................................................................ 8 Balance Sheet as at 31 July 2024 ............................................................................................................................. 9 Notes to the Financial Statements for the Period from 7 December 2023 to 31 July 2024 ..................................... 10
KASKOSAN
Reference and Administrative Details
Chairman
Janos Lang
Trustees
Janos Lang Allison Hulmes
Dan Christopher Allen
Carly Sara Rebecca Henderson Neil McAlister
Charity Registration Number
1206113
Principal Office
16 Wood Street Bolton
BL1 1DY
Auditor
Riaz Ahmad & Co Limited Chartered Certified Accountants Lord House
5 I Lord Street Manchester M3 1HE
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KASKOSAN
Trustees’ Report
The trustees present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the period ended 31 July 2024.
Objectives and activities
Objects and aims
KaskoSan CIO's purpose is to advance the wellbeing, inclusion and equality of the Roma community and other marginalised groups across UK, especially in the areas of health, education and cultural management.
During the first year of operation, we focussed entirely on voluntary, grassroots activities across Oldham, Bolton, Bradford and Rochdale.
Origins and Evolution of the Organisation
KaskoSan CIO is a newly registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), formally constituted in 2023 and recognised by the Charity Commission. However, the roots of the organisation extend significantly further. Since 2014, the organisation operated as a company limited by guarantee with charitable objectives. Prior to that, beginning in 2008, it was known as KaskoSan — the world’s first global Roma brand representing Romani culture, language, and identity.
KaskoSan emerged as the largest Roma-led social network and cultural platform, connecting diverse Roma communities across Europe through arts, media, advocacy, and grassroots organising. From the outset, the organisation’s mission has been to support large families experiencing complex vulnerabilities, many of whom are Roma, as well as asylum seekers, third-country nationals, and other marginalised communities. In particular, the organisation provides vital support to single mothers, young mothers, and women who are survivors of domestic abuse. It also uplifts Roma youth, helping them with integration, education, and personal development to foster long-term stability and opportunity.
The decision to establish a new CIO — rather than convert the existing limited company — was taken to streamline governance and enhance operational clarity. Following the conclusion of ongoing project activities, the original company will be formally closed, with all work continuing under the CIO structure. This transition represents not the founding of a new initiative, but the strengthening and formalisation of a well-established, community-rooted body of work.
Although KaskoSan CIO itself has not yet recorded financial activity in this reporting period, its predecessor, KaskoSan Limited, had an established track record in managing and accounting for funds. In 2024 alone, the limited company had a turnover of £51,444. This figure reflects our delivery of multiple projects funded by trusted institutions such as The National Lottery and local authorities. It is important for funders and stakeholders to understand that while the CIO is new in legal terms, the organisation behind it is not — and it brings with it deep operational experience and financial accountability.
KaskoSan CIO currently supports over 1,000 families. A significant proportion of these households have three or more children, and many include disabled family members. The organisation’s service users often face multiple, overlapping challenges — including mental ill health, addiction, trauma, and severe social exclusion. Many families also experience deep poverty and regular food shortages, often due to ineligibility for benefits, lack of EU Settled Status, and the absence of stable income.
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These mental health issues have been compounded by the effects of migration, as many Roma families arrive in the UK isolated, lacking community networks, and facing significant barriers to accessing public services. Discrimination and exclusion further exacerbate their vulnerabilities, leading to deepened feelings of invisibility, alienation, and despair. These circumstances are frequently the result of entrenched systemic antigypsyism — a long-standing form of racism that has contributed to cultural erasure, language loss, and intergenerational harm within Romani communities.
Despite these barriers, Romani culture remains resilient and vibrant. Central to the organisation’s work is the concept of Romanipe — a unifying customary law and value system shared across dialects, geographies, and nations. Through its programmes, KaskoSan CIO helps preserve and revitalise this living heritage.
The organisation works closely with volunteers across the North and Northwest of England, supporting a wide range of community-led cultural and educational activities. Its outreach and engagement work includes:
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Theatre and music performances
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Cultural and language workshops
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Film, animation, and multimedia storytelling
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Food and oral history events
A core aim of these cultural initiatives is to challenge and dismantle prejudice. Many people hold biases against Roma individuals despite knowing little or nothing about their history, traditions, or values. KaskoSan CIO seeks to build a bridge between Roma and non-Roma communities by showcasing the beauty of Romani culture and customs. By increasing public understanding, the organisation fosters greater empathy, recognition, and inclusion.
KaskoSan CIO has earned a national and international profile as an authentic and trusted voice of Romani communities. It has delivered workshops and performances across the UK, Europe, and North America, promoting Romani cultural pride and visibility on a global stage.
The organisation remains committed to advancing inclusion, wellbeing, and equality for Roma and other underserved groups through health, education, arts, and advocacy. With a clear community mandate, an expanding volunteer base, and growing public recognition, KaskoSan CIO enters its next phase with a renewed sense of purpose and direction — grounded in experience, cultural knowledge, and trust.
Objectives, strategies and activities
Oldham Health Community Champions Project. We trained members of the Roma community in Oldham to become Health Community Champions, enabling them to support Roma individuals facing barriers to accessing NHS services. We have identified the need for a Roma inclusion strategy and have developed it in Bradford to overcome widespread antigypsism prejudice. This needs to be dome in Oldham as well.
Youth Blogger Training - We provided training to young Roma residents in Oldham to develop their capacity as health bloggers and community advocates. Training covered wide range of skills, including translation, interpreting, using digital platforms, drafting blog posts, filming short videos, video editing, adding subtitles and understanding local lobbying strategies to influence decision makers.
Advice and Support for Roma Residents in Oldham, Bolton, Bradford and Rochdale - Extensive advice and support on WhatsApp, Messenger and face to face on topics such as Housing, Health inequalities, food banks and NHS etc.
Roma Community Club - Bolton We provided the first indoor Roam Community Club in Bolton, providing a unique space for Roma community members to participate in cultural and social activities. Delivered by professionals from within the Roma community, activities included Romani language workshops, traditional dance sessions and cultural education. Community members had the opportunity to perform at major events including
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Ando Glaso Roma Festival in Glasgow (Ruva Production). Over 500 Roma residents attended activities at the club, which became a vital hub of engagement. Our social media content related to the Club achieved extraordinary success, with videos reaching over 15 million views on Facebook and TikTok. The Bolton Socialist Club generously provided a venue, often pro bono, with particular thanks owed to Neil McAllister and other Bolton activists for their unwavering support.
Cultural Project - "A Flag Large Enough_" (Bolton and Bradford) In partnership with The Javed Alipoor Company (TJAC), we developed a ground breaking cultural project titled "A Flag Large Enough". Roma volunteers and members from Bolton and Bradford co-created an original theatre production, with rehearsals held at Bolton Socialist Club and Theatre in the Mill in Bradford. The final performance in May 2024 was broadcast by BBC and received wise media attention becoming a finalist for the prestigious Stage Awards. Participants Maria Palmai and Juice Vamosi alongside Javad Alipoor represented the project at awards ceremony at the Royal Opera House in London.The project was a major success in promoting Roma talent, visibility and community pride within the UK cultural sector.
Romani Language and Culture Workshops We delivered specialised Romani language and cultural workshops to organisations and public authorities to build awareness and cultural competency. The workshops aimed to educate professionals about Roma history, identity and language diversity, Combat systemic antigypsism by challenging stereotypes and unconscious bias, Equip service providers with tools to better engage and support Roma clients. Participant feedback was overwhelmingly positive and we observed increased institutional sensitivity towards Roma needs in those organisations that participated.
RHS Bridgewater Gardening Activities We organised a bi-weekly gardening session at the Royal Horticultural Society Bridgewater (RHS Bridgewater) in Salford, Greater Manchester, for the members of Hungarian and Romanian Roma communities, participants including children, mothers, grandmothers and young people from diverse Romani background, learned about gardening, organic farming and healthy food production. We maintained a dedicated plot at RHS Bridgewater throughout the year. Transport was kindly provided by RHS Bridgewater, greatly enabling participation. For many, this was the first opportunity to engage in gardening activities, fostering practical skills, healthy lifestyles, and stronger community ties through outdoor education.
Public benefit
All the activities during the year were aimed at the members of public and are for public benefit. More than a thousand people have benefitted from our activities. Health Community Project is of the benefit to all the community as health and care effects everyone. Youth Blogger Training project will result in access to useful information for every member of the community. Roma Community Club is open to everyone as is Advice and Support for Roma residents.
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 201 I to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
Structure, governance and management
Nature of governing document
Charity is governed by the constitution of the organisation, various Charities Acts and Charity Commission Regulations. The Board of trustees meet regularly to oversee the charity's activities and ensure compliance with its charitable objectives.
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KASKOSAN
Trustees’ Report (continued)
Recruitment and appointment of trustees
Trustees are appointed for their commitment to the objectives of the charity and for their experience and commitment in the field.
Induction and training of trustees
Trustees are normally fully experienced at the time of joining and are given full induction.
Arrangements for setting key management personnel remuneration
Trustees give their time free of charge and are not remunerated for their services.
The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 27 May 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
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KASKOSAN
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with the United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and applicable law and regulations.
The law applicable to charities requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial period which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, and the provisions of the constitution. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation anti dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
Approved by the trustees of the charity on 27 May 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
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KASKOSAN
Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of KASKOSAN
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of KASKOSAN for the year ended 31 July 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of KASKOSAN you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the KASKOSAN's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 20 I I Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of KASKOSAN as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the accounting 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.
I 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.
Lord House 51 Lord Street Manchester M3 IHE
6 May 2025
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KASKOSAN
Statement of Financial Activities for the Period from 7 December 2023 to 31 July 2024
| Total | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ||
| Note | £ | |
| Income and Endowments from: | ||
| Expenditure on: | ||
| Net income/(expenditure) | ………………- | |
| Net movement in funds | ………………- | |
| Reconciliation of funds | ||
| Total funds carried forward | _______- |
There were no financial transactions carried out during the above period.
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Note £
The notes on pages 10 to 11 form an integral part of these financial statements. 9 | P a g e
KASKOSAN
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Period from 7 December 2023 to 31 July 2024
1. Accounting policies:
Statement of compliance
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the second edition of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
Basis of preparation
KASKOSAN meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS I 02. The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.
Going concern
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
Income and endowments
Expenditure
Taxation
The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 20 IO and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 20 IO or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
Borrowings
Interest-bearing borrowings are initially recorded at fair value, net of transaction costs. Interest-bearing borrowings are subsequently carried at amortised cost, with the difference between the proceeds, net of transaction costs, and the amount due on redemption being recognised as a charge to the Statement of Financial Activities over the period of the relevant borrowing.
Interest expense is recognised on the basis of the effective interest method and is included in interest payable and similar charges.
Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the charity has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the reporting date.
The notes on pages 10 to 11 form an integral part of these financial statements. 10 | P a g e
2024 £
KASKOSAN
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Period from 7 December 2023 to 31 July 2024 (continued)
Net incoming/outgoing resources
Net incoming/outgoing resources for the period include:
- Trustees remuneration and expenses - No financial transactions took place during the period.
Taxation
The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.
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Funds - No financial transactions took place during the period.
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Analysis of net assets between funds - No financial transactions took place during the period.
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Related party transactions - No financial transactions took place during the period.
The notes on pages 10 to 11 form an integral part of these financial statements. 11 | P a g e