STEPNEY COMMUNITY TRUST (A REGISTERED CHARITY & COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) Directors, Report and Flnanclal Statements For the year ended 31 March 2025
Page 1 STEPNEY COMMUNITY TRUST Contents Page Company Infonnation Directors, Report Independent Examiner's Report Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet 10 Notes to Financial Ststement
P8ge 2 STEPNEY COMMUNITY TRUST COMPANY INFORMATION Directors: Bodrul Alom Ahmed Hassan Mohammed Abdul Malik Mohammed Enam Uddin Ms Rafia Khan Ms Ameena Begum Secretary: Bodrul Alom Registered Office: 46 Myrdle Street London E1 1 HL Business Addss. 46 Myrdle Street London E1 1HL Company Registration Number.. 2036918 Charity Registration Number: 297771 Bankers.. National Westminster Bank PLC Whitechapel Road (B) Branch Black Lion House 45 Whitechapel Road London E1 1DU Independent Examiner. Muhit & Co Chartered Certrfied Accountsnts & Tax Advisers 80A Ashfield Street Unrt 4 London E12BJ
Pe3 STEPNEY COMMUNITYTRUST Directorsrfrustee's Report For the year ended 31sI March 2025 The Trustees present their report arKI accounts for the year ended 31 sl March 2025 STEPNEY COMMUNITY TRUST is a grassroots community organisation. It operates in areas with high levels of poverty and deprivation, surrounded by prosperity and affluence. Over several decades the Trust has supported deprived and disadvantaged communities in Stepney and SuOund1g areas of East London. Through grassroots activities, it has developed good expertise in accessing and supporting hard to reach people and providing them with much-needed activitieslseNices in a culturally sensitive way. These include vocational training courses designed to inspire. motivate and up-skill disadvantaged people to go forward in life. Structure, Governance and Management The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the govemiThJ rule and applicable law. Governlng document The charity was originally founded in 1982. It was registered as a company limited by guarantee in July 1986 (2036918) and as a chaiity in October 1987 (297771). How the Trust was founded Stepney Community Trust (formerly St Mary's Centre) was founded in 1982 by Soyful Alom, who was involved with the organisation, directly and indirectly, until 2010. Appolntm•nt of Trusto•s The Board of Trustees has the power to appoint additional Trustees or remove Trustees as it considers fit to do so. Appointment of Dlrectors The Board of Directors has the power to appoint additional directors or remove directors as it Considers frt to do so. The Trustees and Directors in office in the year are set out on page 2. The Trustees and Directors have rK) beneficial interest in the organisation other than as members. Trustees Mohammed Abdul Malik, Bodrul Alom, Mohammed Enam Uddin, Hassan Ahmed, Ms Rafia Khan and Ms Ameena Begum. Dlrectors Abdul Malik, Bodrul Alom, Enam Uddin, Hassan Ahmed and Ms Rafia Khan and Ms Ameena Begum. Company Secretary Bodrul Alom
Page 4 STEPNEY COMMUNITY TRUST Organisation The TrusteeslDirectors meet regularly lo manage the affairs of the charity. The day-to- day running ofthe charity is the responsibility ofthe Secretary, who manages staff and volunteers and reports directly to the Board of Trustees. Staff and Volunteers Dr Muhammad Ahmedullah. Shamili Hoque, Rubiya Begum, Rafia Khatun, Elen8 Hawkins {ESOL tutor). Isabel Kidel (ESOL tutor), Shabnam Khan, Jahan Minera (ESOL tutor), Rukshana Khanam, Salma Begum, Hayat Attusi. Salma Begum, Rona Choudhary, Hazera Begum. Rejvi Akther, Helena Begum, Janathul Ferdous, Raheda Jabbar, Israth Zahan. Shaheda Jabbar. Husna Begum, Musalman Qualam, Mushtak Ahmed Chowdhury, Kazi Mahjabeen. Magdalena Gomez, Rakesh Rootsman Rak, Sanchila Mukheriee, Jaswant Matharu. Rayla Begum, Claire Chatelert, Fahima Khurshed. Hilary Sleiman, Anjum Ishtiaq. Manha Hussain, Rahima Jahan, Sabiya Khatun and Sophie Ibotson. Volunteers All our volunteers dedicate at least six hours or more a week of their time. They are there to support the charity's various activities and gain new skills and experiences to enhance their employment prospects. Volunteers are regularfy recruited, trained, supported and supervised throughout. Public benefit Statement The Trustees and Directors consider that they have complied with Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 concerning the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission. ObJectlves and Actlvltles STEPNEY COMMUNITY TRUST is a grassroots communty organisation that aims.. 'To enhance and improve the area's social welfare; educational. employmenl and economic prospects., living environment,. enabling residents to access opportunities for development and improving their physical and mentsl health and the quality of life in general" What the Trust offers to the community Following the pandemic the Trust, as a voluntsry and charity sector organisation, has experienced increasing difficulties in fundraising. In such a difficult time. the Trust found itself limited by what it could offer to address the changing needs of the local community. Despite the socio-economic and financial constraints. it has worked very hard to deliver the following projects during the last financial year. Life Skills Project SCT has developed and delivered this excff(ing 'Life Skills Project.. and its activities included ESOL, ICT and Job search. It also included opportunities for local people to overcome social isolation by attending weekly tea momings, promoting community cohesion and developing social skills and self-confidence.
STEPNEY COMMUNITY TRUST Pag$ 5 Urban Garden Project The food growing project was aimed at local women and managed by volunteers. In the urban garden in the backyard of the Trust's building, local women created a miniature ecosystem with raised beds and a small herb area. They planted peach, lime and pear trees, smaller plants on square and rectangular boxes and Comfrey to generate plant food. The space was divided into small sections and allocated to local women who joined the project. They leamt about sowing and how to look after, grow and harvesl organic food, gaining theoretical and practical knowledge. In the last couple of years, the partnership with the Stepney City Firm enabled some of our local women participants to secure several vegetable growing beds at the farm, allowing them to continue Iheir love of foodlvegetable growing activities. English for All and English for Life English for All and English for Life (E4A and E4L) was designed to provide a new way of ESOL training based on flexible learning approaches combined with social and health activities to promote "connections, leaming together and volunteering". This project was launched in June 2023 which proven to be eXtmelY successful. Sowing Project It was challenging task to find resources to start this project, which offered creative aclivities to local women. However, local women have widely utilised the project activities by getting involved in making things for themselves to wear and to be used al home. Yet again, this is one of the most popular and widely used activities by local women. More importantly, the sewing class is a KM)pular social gathering that offers the participants time to relax. chat, make friends and leam a new skill. The progress of the participants is enormous in terms of developing tailoring skills- able to cut and make gannents and more importantly, a boost of confidence and a sense of pride. Confldence and Well-belng ProJ•ct It offers a weekly meditation class in collaboration with a confidence-building activity. This has been very successful as it aims raising awareness about self-care, mental health and well-being which have helped participants to realise and develop importance of 'self*steem' and 'looking after yourself . Let's Talk Project This is a weekly drop-in session foranyone who wants to talk to someone about issues affecting their lives and well-being. In fact, this offers an opportunity for community members to offload any issues of stress and worries they might have been going through. It is a confidential and non-judgmental listening Servi which, is emerging very popular with local women. Communicatlon Class Weekly English communication class is an interactive session which aims to help boost participants confidence in speaking English. The focus is on everyday interaction and how to overcome shyness. At present we are offering four weekly ESOL classes delivered in partnership with ELATh and WEA.
Page 6 STEPNEY COMMUNITY TRUST Heritage Project- Jute the Golden Fibre of Bengal and an Empire Monopoly How the sweat of Bengal cultivators facilitated the expansion of the trade of the British Empire {1830-1940). The project began in mid-2023 wrth a launch in April to share (Jetails with the public and invite people to join as community participants. It recruited about a dozen individuals and provided them with training and visits to relevant heritage institutions, such as the London Metropolitan Archives, Kew Gardens and Dundee Jute Museum. The project has two parts: Research and writing about the history of Bengal jute. Individuals involved are Mushtak Ahmed Chowdhury. Alison Benson. Felicity Hawksley, Hilary Sleiman. Jaswant Matharu, Lana Joyce, Musalman Qualam and Sanchita Mukheriee. Producing historical and creative crafts. Individuals involved are Musalman Qualam, Mushlak Ahmed Chowdhury, Kazi Mahjabeen. Magdalena Gomez, Rakesh Rootsman Rak, Sanchtts Mukheriee, Jaswant Matharu, Rayla Begum, Claire Chatelert Fahima Khurshed, Hilary Sleiman, Anjum Ishtiaq, Manha Hussain, Rahima Jahan, Sabiya Khatun, Sophie Ibolson. It is envisaged that the project will be completed in August 2025. Employment Pathways Project This is a unique proje commenced in January 2024 which aims to develop training and support for local people farthest away from the job market to improve ernployability skills. It offers complete job search adivities and work experience lo progress along employment pathways to make positive differences to their lives. The core activities include skills development training- one-tovone mentoring and support; practical job search., personnel and cv development and work experience andlor voluntary work placements. In addition. upskills training or workshops on communication,. interview techniques,. digital presentation. ICT Project This was a long overdue dream project inilially piloted in the summerlautumn of 2024 and has proven extremely popular with all the user groups of the Trust. Following the pilot, an ICT project was developed and started in January 2025. catering to a wide range of ¢omputer-based activities, which included online job search, CV development and basic structured computer training for disadvantsged and first-time computer leamers. The multi- dimensional project is about building strong relationships with local users and engaging and reconnecting with isolated people. The ICT project aims to prornote and support computer training and learning functions in a community setting. The project is expected to go strength-to-strength in the next financial year. Networking and Partnership Following the pandemic, we were able to continue with our link and liaison worl( with a number of local community groups. induding Bangladesh Youth Movement (BYM), Accounts 3, St Margaret's House, Tower Hamlets Carers Association, Fieldgate Mansions Tenants and Residents Association, Brady Arts Centre, Bangladesh Carers Asso¢ialion, Tower Hamlets CVS, ELATh and WEA.
Page 7 STEPNEY COMMUNITY TRUST Achievement and Perfomiance During the past twelve months, in addition to our regular programmes, we have successfully organised and facilitated some unforgettable activities and events, including day trips for women users of the project: rivernalk - Chat N Walk, celebrations of Christmas, New Year, Eid Re-unions parties. etc. Acknowledgement The Board of Directors and Trustees are immensely grateful to Bodrul Alom, Company seCretaryruStee, for his ongoing dedication and effort in fundraising, managing and supporting the day-to-day activities of the charity. In addition, we would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to London Borough of Tower Hamlets ILBTH), The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Easl London Advan Technology Training (ELArr), Workers, Educational Association (WEA) and Abberf1dY Big Local. Small Company Provislons This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies subject to the small companies, regime. Signed on beha of the Board: M A Malik (Director and Chair of Trustees) Approved by the Board on 2025
P8ga 8 STEPNEY COMMUNITY TRUST Independent Examine¢s Report to the Directors for the year ended 31$1 March 2025 The financial ststements laid out in this report on pages 7 have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the SORP, Accounting and Reporting by Charities Commission issued in April 2005 and applicable Accounting Standards and the Charities Act 1993. Respective Responsibilities of the TrusteeslDirectors and the Examiner As the Charity s Trustees, and the directors of the company for the purpose of Company Law you are responsible for the preparation of thè Financial Statements. The Trustees consider that an Audil is not required for this year (under section 144 {2) of the Charities Act 2011) and Ihal an Independent Examiner is needed. It is our responsibility to.. Examine the Financial Ststemenls under section 145 of the 2011 Act. Follow the procedure laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 145(5Xb) of the 2011 Act and stste whether particular matters have come to our attention. Bas1¥ of Indendent Examin8rs' Report The èxamination of the accounts was carried out in accordance with the gèneral direction given by the Charities Commissionèr. The examination includes.. A review of the accounting records kept by the Charity- A comparison of Ihe accounts presented with those cOrdS made available. It includes consideration of any unusual items of disclosures in the accounts. Finally. obtaining explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such matters relating lo the accounts. The examination also includes examination of any such matters of evidence relevant lo the account of disclosures in the financial stalemenls. It includes assessment of the significant estimates and judgemènts made in the preparation of the financial slalements. and of whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the charity's circumstances consistently applied and adequately disclosed. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would b8 required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. IDdependent Examiners, Slalemenl In Connection with our examination no matter has Come to our attention.. (1) Which giv8s us rèasonable cause lo b8liev8 that in any material respect the rèquirements.. lo keep accounting records in accordance wilh section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.. and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended PraCts... Accounting and Reporting by Charities. have not been met: or (2) lo which in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Opinion In Our opinion the financial statement prepared give a true and fair view of the charity s stale of affairs as al 31 March 2025 giving that the incoming resources and their application in the year then ended have beenJFopedy prepar with general direction given by the Charities Commi ner. 2025
Page 9 STEPNEY COMMUNITY TRUST Staternent of Financial Activities for thtr year ended 31 March 2025 R•strict•d Unr•strlcted To¢al 2025 Total 2024 Not•8 INCOME AND EXPENDITURE Incomlng R•soure•s Grants and Donatn8 Bank Interest Oth$r In¢omtr IHMRC JRSI Total In¢omln9 R•$cwr¢•$ R•$oUr* Exp•nd•d 115.886 1,215 115.886 1.215 96,842 1,076 117.101 117,101 97,918 Dir•¢l Chalilabltr ExF¢n¢Jlure Govem8nce Cost Total R••ourc•• Exp•n(l•d 11.884 69,841 81.525 11.684 69.841 81,525 7,592 55,241 82,833 Net Incorning R88o¢Jrces for the year Funds al 1 April 2024 Fund¥ at 31 March 2025 35.576 69,656 105,232 35.576 93,223 128,799 35,083 58,140 93,223 23,567 23.567 The notes on pages 10 10 13 form part of these accounts.
Page 10 STEPNEY COMMUNrrY TRUST BalanrA Sheet 85 at 31 March 2025 Totsl Total 2025 2024 Flx•d A8s•ts Tangible Assets 100.149 97,W7 Current Cash at Bank arKI in H8nd 114,530 81,693 2,193 83,886 Debtors 118,8 Curr•nt Llabllltl•8 Creditorn.. amounts falliThJ due c year 16.6801 15,0101 Not ¢urr•nt aB8•t8 112.210 78,876 Total as8•ts 1•88 curr•nt Ilabllltl•8 212.359 176.783 N•t ai••t 212.359 176.783 Accumulat•d Funds ReslrFct6d Fun¢J Unr8$trfct8d FLmd Capital R8servg Totsl Fund 23,567 105,232 83. 212,359 23,567 69,656 83,$60 176,783 These account$ have l)een prfjpared in 8c£ord8nce with spwjal provisions relalng to small companies wthSn part 15 ol the Compan5 A¢1 2006. For Ihe year ended 31 PAarch 2025. th6 ccffipany wa$ gntiywj lo exempts)n from audii under se¢iion 477 of the Companies Acl 2C#)6 and no notic8 hos bogn ¢Jepo&led under Section 476. The dir8clors acknOwdge their responsitslitie$ for comptyirg with the requirements ol the Cornpanies Act 2006 th respect to accLyJnling r8conJs and prepar8lM)n of 8¢xounls. The finandal statements re approved by Ihe 8oar(l on 29 April 2025 and signed by.. BODRUL ABDUL MALIK Chalr ol Trustees
Page 11 STEPNEY COMMUNITY TRUST Notes to thè Statemènt of Finan¢io1 Adiviti•s for the y•af •nd•d 31 March 2025 untln The fin8nrAal slatemenls have been prepared undèr Ihtr hIstlc81 c05t convention and in accordance with the Financial Reportin9 Stsndard for Smaller Entib"es. They havg also been prepared in accordance wth thè ChariDes Act. 1993 and comply with the Stalement of Recommended Pfaciice Accounting by Charities. lissugd on January 20151. Caiwtallsatlon and d•pr•clatlon of tanglbl• fix a•wl•: All assets ¢ostirrfJ rrwe than £1,000 are caF¥talised. Thè cost oftsThJiNe fixed assets is writterjff by equal Instslments ovw Ihe expected usefijl lives as follows.. Freehd pro(40% on costl 2% slrd¥Jhl lin8 bags Fumitufe, fittings and equipment 25% ¢ing bal¢& mttihod Grants R•¢•lv•d f¢r Fr••hold Prop•rty It ha8 be8n trnatad as a reseNe and 2% of th8 gr8nl pef year is transferred lo revenue 8¢¢ount. Capit81 reserve is againsl th8 freehold ppety ol the ¢hartty. Fun un Unr••lrtct•d lund• Consists ts19eneral fvnds whth the cenire may us8 lor rts FwrFose al its dIre1. R••trlct•d fund• Are ihose vhwe th8 donor hgs Imposed re8tri¢tions orb ts use of the funds vthkh arg legally bindlng. Incomlng R•s<>urc•• Income onty re¢o9nised vthere there is entitlement lor the F4rtod. Funds at 1 April 2023 Ex nd EXnditu0 recognised on an ¢njal basis as a liaknlity is iru(red. A clause in ¢h8 agfeement felaling to the c8pilal granl awarded by the Gre*¥r London Council in spect ol the acquisrtion ol the freehold proparty at 46 Mynjle Street. London El 1HL stalès that if the property is sold wtihin 30 years of the date ol acquisrtion, a roimbueThn1 of Ihe of the part ol the grant will become due and 8 charge has been recorded on the prrty. 202S 2024 Ngt Salarie$ PAYE and NIC Pension 34.808 375 939 36,122 25,878 607 901 27,386 Trade debtors Cther debtors 4,359 4,359 2.193 2,193
Page 12 STEPNEY COMMUNITY TRUST 2025 2024 5 Crtsdltors Amount falliNJ duè vKthin one year Provision for capital expenses IRent rnceivedl Deferred income Other eredito 3,485 3.195 1,525 5,010 Fr••hold Property Flxtur•¥. ffttlng5 & •qulpm•nt Totol 6 Tan Ibl• A5 2025 Cost At 1 April 2024 Addition At 31 Mafth 2025 109,320 69,974 5.199 75,173 179,294 5,199 184,493 109.320 O•pr•clatlon At 1 April 2024 Charges lor Ihe year At 31 March 2025 20.7 60,3 2.957 63,347 81,387 2,957 20,997 N•t Book Valu• Al 31 March 2025 At 31 March 2024 88.323 88.323 11.826 100,149 99,907 nc The financial slatements have been prepared on a going ¢on¢8m baws wlh the expeclation thal ihe company would be ae lo oblain suffKient granis to conlinue rts ath"vib"es in lh$ fvluro. ratlv In 2025 2024 The operating incom8 Is ststed after ¢haryiNJ.' Depreciatn & After Creditsr¥J Bank ini&resl received 2.957 1.215 2.393 1,076 f Net AsB•ts Be nFun R•8trtct•d Unr••trl¢t•d Total Tangible Assets Currenl Assets Currènt Liabilib"e$ Balance 8t 31 March 2025 100.149 118,890 16.6801 212.359 100,149 118.890 16,6801 212,359 10 Mov•ment ol Funds R••trlded Unreotrlcted Total Al l April 2024 Incomir¥J Resources Outgoing Resources At 31 March 2025 23.567 93,223 117,101 181,5251 128,799 117.101 181,5251 105,232 23.567
Page 13 STEPNEY COMMUNITY TRUST Profit and Loss as at 31 Mar¢h 2025 INCOME R•strlct•d Unr•strl¢tod 2025 2024 GrantslDonatlons City Bndge Trust 27.5 27.905 27,905 ELATT- GafdenirvJ prc¥t 100 Hall Hire 3C¥) London Borough of Tower Hamlets 25,0) 25.IXK) 10,417 PhOtocpY 36 201 Rent 15.200 15,21X) 10,200 Sanctuary 2.500 Sl Paul's Cathedral Chuff 4.000 The Access foundai 10.(MXJ 10,C The Natsonal Lottery Communty Fund 35,055 35.055 43,819 TOTAL 115,e86 115.888 96,842 BBnk Intsr881 Receive TOTAL 1.215 117,101 1.215 117.101 1,078 97,918
P898 14 STEPNEY COklMUNrrY TRUST EXPENDITURE Total Tgtsl 2025 2024 Accountancy Fees Adminislraiive and Development Aertising and PR Bank Charges Cleaning and Material3 Computer Accessories Council Tax DepT•C18tion Equiwenl EXn$t Hall Hire 1.080 2.450 114 2.450 114 12 1.655 3.043 1,489 2,957 1,655 3.043 1.489 2,957 461 1.338 1,446 2.396 2,600 312 Insurance 1,759 5,038 92 1.759 5,038 92 1,676 4.418 Llghl 8nd Heat Other Legal ant1 profess1 PensM)ns 403 231 403 386 106 Photocopy and Maintena Postag& Progr8mm8 and A111&$ Proje¢t Development Wf** Publicity and Promo Refr8shrnents 231 39 16 3,912 3.682 100 S24 1,894 32 5.0 739 2.192 212 739 2,192 212 R•pairs and MaintenarKe Stationary Sub8¢ripbons Telephone and Inlemel Tiaining Maleria15 Training - Staff and managenI Travellsng Volunlg6fs Expense W8ge8 and Salaries Water R819 213 213 215 580 199 4.042 1,135 3.050 34,808 1.049 811 813 4,042 1.600 2,648 4,250 25,878 308 1,193 3.050 1.049 Web$i1g Dev8loFth8nt Total Exn 81.52S 81,525 82,835 N•t Surplu•lOeflclt for Ihe y•ar 35.576 35.570 35.083