SCOTTISH-SYRIAN ASSOCIATION FOR INTEGRATION AND RELIEF (SAFIR)
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
SCOTTISH CHARITY NUMBER: SC046838
SCOTTISH-SYRIAN ASSOCIATION FOR INTEGRATION AND RELIEF (SAFIR)
YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees and professional advisers | 2 |
| Chairperson’s report | 3-4 |
| Report of the Trustees | 5-7 |
| Statement of financial activities | 8 |
| Balance sheet | 9 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 10-11 |
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SCOTTISH-SYRIAN ASSOCIATION FOR INTEGRATION AND RELIEF (SAFIR)
TRUSTEES AND PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS
YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
Bankers
Bank of Scotland Partick Branch 262 Dumbarton Road Glasgow G11 6TU
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SCOTTISH-SYRIAN ASSOCIATION FOR INTEGRATION AND RELIEF (SAFIR)
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
Establishment
Efforts to establish SAFIR as a Charity commenced early 2016. We started preparation of the Constitution and then application forms were sent to OSCR in June 2016. We also opened a charity bank account with the Bank of Scotland. OSCR approved our application and SAFIR was registered and granted status as a SCIO on 12 September 2016. SAFIR held its first Annual General Meeting on 18 January 2018 at MENA Trust Centre, 83-85 Lister St, Glasgow, G4 0BZ. In order to achieve its mission, SAFIR has held various events and activities since its establishment.
Appointments
At its Annual General Meeting held on Saturday 1[st] June 2024. SAFIR elected the following persons as the new Board Trustees:
Activities
This year SAFIR continued its activities and managed to hold numerous social gatherings including: (1) a Syrian Families Gathering was held on 16 December 2023 2-6; (2) four Ramadan Iftar (breakfast) gatherings were held on 16[th] March 2024, 24[th] March 2024, 30[th] March and 6[th] April 2024; (3) the first Eid gathering was held on Saturday 13[th] April 2024; and (4) a Summer Gathering on 21[st] July, 2024. All of these gatherings were held at the Sherbrooke Mosspark Parish Church. These gatherings were very much welcomed by SAFIR members and the wider community, as evidenced by the large number of people who attended. The attendees each brought a favourite (mostly Syrian) dish for sharing, as well as traditional sweets and desserts. Whilst the participants were enjoying the food and entertainment, SAFIR distributed a significant number of presents to the children who attended. At some of these gatherings there were face painting activities, games for the children, quizzes for the adults, and a stall for donated clothes.
As in previous years, Glasgow’s Spirit of Christmas donated a large number of presents – more than 70 gift bags of presents – to the Syrian children and SAFIR distributed these wonderful presents to the children with special needs as well as to the wider Syrian community. All children, who received presents, and their families were overjoyed and overwhelmed by the generosity of the people of Glasgow and GSOC. They requested that SAFIR deeply thank ‘Glasgow’s Spirit of Christmas for their kindness on their behalf." The Board would like to warmly and deeply thank Glasgow’s Spirit of Christmas and its volunteers for their generosity and kindness. SAFIR would also like to thank SAFIR’s Board members, who helped in distributing these presents, during the Christmas period, for their great efforts and assistance.
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SCOTTISH-SYRIAN ASSOCIATION FOR INTEGRATION AND RELIEF (SAFIR)
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT (continued…)
YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
Final evaluation of SAFIR in 2023/24
During 2023/24 SAFIR performed as well as could be expected under the present circumstances, especially, given that SAFIR has very little income, which mostly consists of small donations from a very few individuals and small amount of cash generated by attendees contributions. However, despite this limited income, SAFIR has made very good progress, including holding large social gatherings, distributing Christmas and other presents to the families and children and maintaining good online contact with our members.
The fact that we have been able to achieve this significant output testifies to the success and dedication of SAFIR’s Board members’ and volunteers endeavours, despite our limited resources.
Next steps
We hope to hold more events in 2024/2025 and the dates and details of these events will be arranged and shared in due course. During these events we will continue our efforts to arrange ‘sharing experience’ sessions and ‘brain storming’ and orientation sessions as well as integration projects to be taken on board by SAFIR in its future work.
In collaboration with MENA Trust, on behalf of SAFIR, will continue to deliver more teaching and training courses on Islamic Family Law, Islamic Law of Inheritance and other Islamic law branches, with the hope of getting CPD accreditation for these courses. As stated above, in addition to fulfilling SAFIR’s objective of advancing education, these courses will provide excellent platforms for enhancing integration in Scotland.
The Chairperson would like to thank all members, volunteers and supporters for their time and effort during this last year which has been another challenging year for SAFIR.
30 June 2025
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SCOTTISH-SYRIAN ASSOCIATION FOR INTEGRATION AND RELIEF (SAFIR)
TRUSTEES REPORT
YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
The Trustees present their report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 30 September 2024. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on page 10.
Charitable Status
SAFIR is a Scottish Charity having the reference SC046838.
Constitution and Administration
The Charity was formed in accordance with the constitution of 26 April 2016.
The constitution provides for the appointment of the Trustees. The number of Trustees at any time should never be less than three. The Trustees who served during the year ended 30 September 2024 are set out on page 2 of the financial statements.
Objectives
The aims and objectives of the Charity are contained in the constitution. The objectives of the SAFIR are:
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To prevent and relieve poverty through initiating and facilitating humanitarian assistance and support to refugees and asylum seekers, in particular Syrian refugees and asylum seekers, in Scotland, UK and abroad.
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To advance health and wellbeing for refugees and asylum seekers, in particular Syrian refugees and asylum seekers, and their families through promoting health awareness, training initiatives, volunteering, physical and mental wellbeing support programmes.
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To advance education through offering educational activities and training opportunities as well as empowering parental engagement and participation in education, providing English Language support for refugees and asylum seekers and their families.
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To promote equality and diversity through celebration of cultural heritage and inclusion in multicultural Scotland and provide empowerment and capacity building support as a means of tackling isolation and promoting integration and active citizenship.
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SCOTTISH-SYRIAN ASSOCIATION FOR INTEGRATION AND RELIEF (SAFIR)
TRUSTEES REPORT (continued…)
YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
Financial Review
Our only source of funding during the year was that of donations made to the Charity.
In the year ended 30 September 2024, the donations received were £1,440 (2023 - £330), and expenses totalling £799 (2023 - £354) were made.
At the end of the year there were unrestricted funds of £1,129 (2023 - £488) held in the Charity’s bank account.
Reserves Policy
It is the policy of the Charity to maintain unrestricted funds, which are the free reserves of the Charity, at a positive balance. From time to time funds may be restricted when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for a specific purpose.
Trustees Remuneration
The Trustees did not receive any remuneration from the Charity during the year.
Risk Management
The Trustees have reviewed the major risks which the Charity faces and confirm that systems have been established to mitigate these risks.
Trustees responsibilities in relation to the financial statements
The law applicable to charities in Scotland requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the Charity's financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing financial statements giving a true and fair view, the Trustees should follow best practice and:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed subject to any 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.
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SCOTTISH-SYRIAN ASSOCIATION FOR INTEGRATION AND RELIEF (SAFIR)
TRUSTEES REPORT (continued…)
YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
Trustees responsibilities in relation to the financial statements (continued…)
The Trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable it to ascertain the financial position of the Charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006, and the provisions of the trust deed.
The trustees are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by the Trustees on 01 May 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
Treasurer 30 June 2025
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SCOTTISH-SYRIAN ASSOCIATION FOR INTEGRATION AND RELIEF (SAFIR)
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS BASIS)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
| Unrestricted funds 2024 Note £ INCOME AND EXPENDITURE Incoming Resources Fundraising income 2 1,303 Donations 3 137 Bank interest - Total incoming resources Resources Expended Cost of charitable activities 4 744 General expenses 5 55 Total resources expended Net Incoming / Outgoing resources Net movement in funds Total funds as at 1 October 2023 Total funds as at 30 September 2024 |
Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 1,303 137 - |
Total funds 2024 £ 1,440 799 641 641 488 1,129 |
Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 280 50 - |
Total funds 2023 £ 330 354 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
744 55 |
354 - |
|||
| (24) (24) 512 |
||||
| 488 |
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SCOTTISH-SYRIAN ASSOCIATION FOR INTEGRATION AND RELIEF (SAFIR)
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
| Current Assets Bank Cash Funds Reconciliation Cash at Bank - 01 Oct 2023 Surplus / (Deficit) Cash at Bank - 30 Sep 2024 |
Unrestricted funds Total funds 2024 2024 £ £ 1,068 1,068 61 61 1,129 1,129 488 488 641 641 1,129 1,129 |
Unrestricted funds Total funds 2023 2023 £ £ 333 333 155 155 |
|---|---|---|
| 488 488 |
||
| 512 512 (24) (24) |
||
| 488 488 |
Approved by the Trustees on 01 May 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
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SCOTTISH-SYRIAN ASSOCIATION FOR INTEGRATION AND RELIEF (SAFIR)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
1. Principal Accounting Policies
(a) Accounting convention
These financial statements have been prepared on the Receipts & Payments basis in accordance with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).
(b) Unrestricted funds
Unrestricted funds are those that may be used at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the Charity. These funds consist of donations and other incoming resources received.
(c) Restricted funds
Restricted funds may only be used for specific purposes. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for specific purposes.
(d) Incoming resources
Fundraising income and donations are recognised when received.
(e) Resources expended
Expenditure is recognised when the Charity incurs the expense.
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SCOTTISH-SYRIAN ASSOCIATION FOR INTEGRATION AND RELIEF (SAFIR)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued…)
YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
2. Fundraising Income
| 2. Fundraising Income | ||
|---|---|---|
| Social gatherings 3. Donations Received General donations 4. Cost of Charitable Activities Catering and hall hire 5. General Expenses Sound equipment |
Unrestricted Income Total 2024 2024 £ £ 1,303 1,303 1,303 1,303 Unrestricted income Total 2024 2024 £ £ 137 137 137 137 2024 £ 744 744 2024 £ 55 55 |
Unrestricted Income Total 2023 2023 £ £ 280 280 |
| 280 280 |
||
| Unrestricted income Total 2023 2023 £ £ 50 50 |
||
| 50 50 |
||
| 2023 £ 354 354 2023 £ - - |
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