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2025-03-31-accounts

Trustee Annual Report

Trust / Organisation Name: Samba4Fun Charity Commission Number: 1209350 Reporting Period: 30 March 2024 to 30 March 2025 Prepared By: Board of Trustees Date of approval: 31 January 2026

1. Chair’s Report

The Chair is pleased with how Samba4Fun has continued to evolve and develop during the reporting period. The organisation has remained focused on its core purpose of promoting wellbeing through inclusive Afro Bloc samba drumming, while strengthening its presence within the local community.

The Chair notes particularly the consistently positive and favourable feedback received from service users. Participants have highlighted improvements in their mental health and wellbeing, a strong sense of belonging, increased confidence, and the value of being part of a supportive and welcoming community. This feedback provides clear evidence that Samba4Fun’s activities are delivering meaningful public benefit.

The Chair would like to thank fellow trustees, facilitators, volunteers, and participants for their ongoing commitment, enthusiasm, and support, which continue to underpin the charity’s positive impact and sustainable development.

2. About Samba4Fun

Website: www.samba4fun.org

Samba4Fun uses music, and specifically Afro Bloc samba, as a vehicle to promote individual and community wellbeing and to foster understanding within diverse local communities. We facilitate safe spaces and inclusive learning environments where people can develop new and existing skills in partnership with others, increasing personal resilience, adaptability, and enabling positive personal growth.

Our work preserves and celebrates the rich history and cultural identity of Brazilian Afro Bloc samba as a vital community art form, while maximising opportunities for people of all backgrounds to participate.

3. Governance and Trustees

3.1 Board of Trustees

The trustees who served during the reporting period were:

Name Role

Ms D Clarke Chair Ms M Lopes Treasurer Mr S Henfrey Administrator Tim Alcroft Trustee Zoe Flynn Trustee

3.2 Meetings and Attendance

The trustees met regularly during the reporting period to oversee the governance and operation of the charity. Meetings were held on the following dates:

Attendance was appropriate to the matters discussed, and decisions were recorded as required.

3.3 Governance Practices

The trustees are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity and for ensuring that Samba4Fun operates in accordance with its governing document and relevant legal and regulatory requirements.

Appropriate governance arrangements are in place and are kept under regular review. A number of key policies and procedures have already been completed and adopted, and these are actively used to support effective and transparent management of the charity. Further policies are currently in development and will be finalised as the organisation continues to grow and evolve, ensuring that governance arrangements remain proportionate, robust, and fit for purpose.

The trustees are satisfied that governance matters are in hand and that the charity continues to be well managed and responsibly overseen.

4. Activities and Performance

4.1 Beneficiaries and Reach

The project is open to all and designed to be fully accessible and inclusive. It focuses on facilitating a safe learning environment for everyone who wishes to take part, with anticipated benefits for a wide cross-section of the Newham community.

4.2 Wellbeing Outcomes

Samba4Fun addresses local health and wellbeing priorities and aligns closely with the NEF/NHS ‘5 Ways to Wellbeing’ (also known as the ‘5 to Thrive’ initiative):

Connect: Sessions foster meaningful relationships, mutual emotional support, and a strong sense of belonging and self-worth.

Be Active: Drumming is physically engaging and supports self-esteem, mood improvement, and personal challenge at a level appropriate to each individual.

Keep Learning: Participants develop new and existing musical, social, and personal skills, building confidence and resilience.

Give: Acts of kindness and mutual support are embedded in the Samba4Fun culture, strengthening individual and collective purpose.

Take Notice: Sessions include breathing, relaxation, and reflection, encouraging mindfulness and present-moment awareness.

Clinical studies indicate that group drumming can significantly improve mental wellbeing, reduce anxiety and depression, and increase social resilience. Samba4Fun’s workshops act as an effective complementary approach to managing stress, burnout, and overall health.

4.3 Participant Feedback

Participant feedback highlights significant positive impact, including:

Participants consistently describe the sessions as joyful, supportive, inclusive, and transformative.

Samba4Fun operates in the London Borough of Newham, with the vast majority of participants being local residents. Our core activity is the delivery of free, open-access Saturday Afro Bloc samba drumming sessions. Since its genesis sessions have been held at Forest Gate Youth Zone, 1 Woodford Rd, London E7 0DH.

Participants work together towards a common musical goal using Brazilian instruments and samba-based rhythms. Each drum has a specific role, pattern, and variation, making every participant a vital part of the ensemble and wider community.

The sessions are open to all and fully inclusive, designed to provide a safe and welcoming learning environment regardless of experience, background, age, or ability. The project enables local people to access the wellbeing benefits of group music-making free at the point of delivery.

5. Financial Review

5.1 Overview

During the reporting period the charity operated on a cash basis and held no fixed or current assets at the year end. All income received was applied directly to the delivery of charitable activities in furtherance of Samba4Fun’s objectives.

5.2 Income and Expenditure

Income for the year consisted of £23 of donations to participate in Manor Park’s Eco Fest. All income was used to fund the delivery of free, open-access Afro Bloc samba workshops and associated costs.

5.3 Assets and Liabilities

The charity held no assets and had no liabilities at the end of the financial year.

6. Risk Management and Internal Controls

The trustees recognise their responsibility for identifying and managing risks to which the charity is exposed. Appropriate systems and procedures are in place to mitigate risks and to ensure the safe and effective delivery of the charity’s activities.

A risk assessment has been completed for the delivery of workshops and related activities. This risk assessment covers health and safety, safeguarding, and operational considerations and is reviewed and updated periodically to reflect changes in activities, venues, or circumstances.

The trustees are satisfied that internal controls are proportionate to the size and nature of the charity and that risk management arrangements are effective and kept under regular review.

7. Compliance and Legal Matters

The trustees confirm that Samba4Fun has complied with its governing document, the Charities Act 2011, and all other relevant statutory and regulatory requirements during the reporting period.

The trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance when exercising their powers and duties and in planning the charity’s activities.

8. Future Plans and Outlook

During the coming year, Samba4Fun aims to raise its local profile and expand its wellbeing offer, attracting more local people to the Saturday sessions. This will help grow membership, enhance organisational sustainability, and ensure continued service provision.

Key objectives include:

9. Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The trustees are required to:

10. Approval

This Trustees’ Annual Report was approved by the Board of Trustees and signed on its behalf on 31 January 2026.

Signed
Name Donna Clarke Margarida Lopes Steve Henfrey
Role Chair of the Board Treasurer Administrator