| Trustees' Annual Report | for theperiod | ||||||
| **From ** | Period start date | To | Period end date | ||||
| 04 | 07 | 2024 | 31 | 03 | 2025 |
Section A Reference and administration details
Charity name SOMALI SPEAKERS WOMEN’S GROUP Other names charity is known by
Registered charity number (if any) 1208963
Charity's principal address VOLUNTARY ACTION ISLINGTON 200A PENTONVILLE ROAD LONDON Postcode N1 9JP
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 |
Trustee name | Role (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MULKI QANI | CHAIR | |||
| SAFIYA CUSMAN | TREASURER | |||
| MANA FATIMA AL- SHARIF ABBAS AL-SHARIF (Previously Mana Abbas) |
SECRETARY |
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| **Type of adviser ** | Name Address |
Name Address |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Life Peer | SARA HYDE | House of Lords, Parliament Square, SW1A 0PW |
| Islington Ward Lead Councillor | UNA O'HALLORAN | Islington Town Hall, Upper St, N1 2UD |
| Islington Ward Councillor | PAUL COVERY | Islington Town Hall, Upper St, N1 2UD |
| Development Manager | TSIGEREDA TEKLETSADIK |
Voluntary Action Islington, N1 9JP |
Section B Structure, governance and management
Description of the charity’s trusts
Type of governing document
Constitution
- (eg. trust deed, constitution)
How the charity is constituted
Association
- (eg. trust, association, company)
Trustee selection methods
Appointed
- (eg. appointed by, elected by)
Additional governance issues (Optional information)
You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:
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policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
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the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
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relationship with any related parties;
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trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.
The organisation focuses primarily on supporting young people and their families by implementing various initiatives:
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Weekly Drop-in Sessions to provide young people with a safe and welcoming environment to socialise, seek guidance, and access support services. We will be facilitating various activities from communication skills to cooking sessions.
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Collaborating with health promotion agencies, we will facilitate workshops on various health-related topics to promote physical and mental well-being among young people and their families. These workshops address crucial issues such as nutrition, mental health awareness, and healthy lifestyle choices.
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Recognising the challenges faced by parents who may have limited understanding of the education system and encounter language barriers, we offer guidance and assistance. This includes escorting parents to school parent evenings, providing information about educational resources and opportunities, and offering support to navigate the education system effectively.
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To foster family bonding and enriching experiences, we arrange outings for families to participate in recreational activities, cultural events, and educational trips. These outings aim to strengthen familial relationships and cultural experience.
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Through these initiatives, the organisation actively fulfils its purposes by addressing the needs of young people and their families, promoting holistic well-being, and fostering community Cohesion for the benefits Somali families living in Islington.
Section C Objectives and activities
Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document
To alleviate poverty and isolation among Somali families especially those with the household of young people residing in the Islington borough and neighbouring boroughs by fostering community connections and providing essential information on social welfare.
Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance
We run our weekly activities:
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‘Stay and Play’ activities for parents and children
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‘First Step’ childcare (supported by City & Islington College)
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Maths lessons (supported by Islington Adult & Community Learning)
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Lunch clubs
issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)
Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)
Section D Achievements and performance
Our greatest achievement this year was successfully implementing Summary of the main our community connection principles by networking with other key achievements of the charity during the year organisations.
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Voluntary Action Islington
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Islington Councillors
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Islington Refugee and Migrant Forum
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Networking with Jeans Stokes ‘Service Users Team’
Section E Financial review
Brief statement of the Monthly contributions into the company’s account, by the trustees,
charity’s policy on reserves ensure sufficient reserves in place. Details of any funds materially N/A in deficit
Further financial review details (Optional information)
Section F Other optional information
History:
Somali Speakers Women’s Group was founded in February 2000 at Bemerton Children’s Centre located in Bemerton Estate – and has since benefitted hundreds of Somali women and their children.
We are currently addressed at Voluntary Action Islington, whilst holding our events at Jean Stokes Community Centre.
Section G Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date |
Mana Fatima Al-Sharif Abbas Al-Sharif |
|
|---|---|---|
| Mana Fatima Al-Sharif Abbas Al-Sharif |
||
Secretary |
||
| 25/1/2026 | ||
| 25/1/2026 |