MWAMBA SCIO SC050784
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
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Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 30 November 2024
The trustees are pleased to present their Annual Report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ending 30 November 2024
Introduction
2024 marked another year of heartfelt progress for Mwamba. Building on our momentum, we expanded services, deepened community connections, and asserted our voice through storytelling and advocacy. Our efforts, grounded in care and justice, reflect an evolving Scotland—one shaped by migration, social challenges, and renewed community resilience.
Operational Development & Digital Transformation
This year, we continued our digital transformation journey. Although Microsoft 365 remained instrumental, we focused on designing a new website to better express our mission, updated values, and identity—signalling a forward-looking phase in our professionalisation.
Meanwhile, our strategic planning process grew richer. We conducted our first in-person planning event at the Barracks in Stirling, bringing together trustees, volunteers, and Friends of Mwamba. Through this, we reaffirmed our five-year roadmap toward transitioning into a partial social enterprise.
Volunteer Engagement & Capacity Building
2024 saw volunteers complete an introductory course in counselling—laying the groundwork for deeper trauma-informed support. Their dedication was evident in our expanded activities:
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20 client-led Conversation Café sessions , gathering 300 participants in conversational connection.
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16 Community Cooking sessions welcoming 120 attendees across eight diverse cultural backgrounds—including a wheelchair user who shared the experience "had an incredibly positive impact on her life," and a young Moroccan mother finding community away from home.
We also strengthened links with universities. Our CEO pitched opportunities to Napier University, initially aiming to host up to four students. The response was overwhelming— eight students expressed interest , reflecting Mwamba’s growing profile and appeal. From this engagement, one student is now volunteering with us, bringing fresh skills and enthusiasm to our projects.
These developments not only nurtured fellowship but also broadened Mwamba’s volunteer base, creating pathways for young people to engage meaningfully with issues of migration, wellbeing, and justice.
Community Projects & Storytelling
We enhanced our community cooking model by opening doors to the wider community each winter. Members joined to cook and share meals, fuelling intercultural and intergenerational exchange.
We introduced a certified Food and Hygiene course , delivered over eight sessions—giving participants a qualification that remains valid for two years.
We also collaborated with MCFB, Project Esperanza, and partners such as Frantanka (for an International Women’s Day intergenerational football match) and Heart of Newhaven (through storytelling school projects). Through a film, made with Media Education, Mwamba presented our
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stance on systemic change and migrant justice—highlighting lived experiences and structural challenges.
One-to-One Support & Empowerment
Our one-to-one, trauma-informed sessions played a life-changing role:
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A woman regained secure housing and obtained leave to remain after being homeless.
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A refugee, battling cancer, received invaluable guidance toward stability.
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Several women returned to education, with our support offering insight into domestic abuse dynamics and spousal immigration constraints.
Advocacy, Strategic Partnerships & Systems Influence
Mwamba intensified its broader advocacy efforts:
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A member of our team participated in a roundtable with 25 organisations to examine employability and systemic racism, including discussions at the Scottish Parliament.
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We led client-informed consultations with the council about future housing policy.
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Our volunteers relayed insights from the Black Workers Project through their participation in the 2024 conference in Glasgow.
Health, Wellbeing & Activity
In response to social isolation and health inequalities, we launched:
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A 30-day exercise challenge inclusive of all abilities—several participants were inspired to join their local gyms.
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Planning for future projects focused on older adults, individuals with long-term health conditions (such as diabetes and sickle cell), and a walking group—centred on reducing isolation and improving physical health.
Funding, Resilience & Social Enterprise Plans
Despite the challenging landscape, we made strides toward financial sustainability:
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We successfully placed a bid for council-provided property—set to house our office and a pilot social enterprise café next year.
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We launched a social enterprise pilot through a school-days café project.
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Our energy also went toward securing paid staffing, boosted volunteer recruitment, and expanded training opportunities.
That said, we faced financial setbacks—including a funding loss and contract breach by our website creators—with recovery efforts ongoing.
Governance & Strategic Reflection
We embarked on a rigorous re-evaluation of our mission and values—circulating an in-depth questionnaire over eight weeks to beneficiaries, volunteers, and trustees
Our Trustee-led meetings remained a cornerstone of oversight, planning, and adaptive leadership— ensuring Mwamba’s commitments remain rooted in our values.
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Context & External Landscape
Mwamba's work unfolded against a broader backdrop:
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Scotland’s population reached a record 5.55 million in mid-2024—driven largely by migration, as births fell and natural growth declined The Scottish Sun+1The Times+1.
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Net international migration remains historically high, despite modest declines from prior years Wikipedia+3National Records of Scotland+3FAI+3.
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Migrant households continue to face deep-rooted hardship, poverty, and structural barriers The Scottish Sun+7migrationpolicyscotland.org.uk+7global-dialogue.org+7.
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At the same time, UK charities face a national funding crisis—reporting service cuts and branch closures, as seen in the Samaritans case—driven by austerity, inflation, and declining giving The Guardian+1.
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Although public donations totalled £15.4 billion in 2024, fewer people are giving—and those who do tend to donate larger amounts global-dialogue.org+10CAF Online+10ncvo.org.uk+10.
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Yet optimism remains: small charities are being championed through initiatives like Small Charity Week match funding, and new financial resilience guidance is helping trustees navigate uncertain times ncvo.org.uk+1.
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Notably, over 250 charities have increased or launched work with refugees and migrants in Scotland and Northern Ireland since 2022 global-dialogue.org+2The Times+2.
These trends underline why Mwamba's integrated model—combining direct support, storytelling, advocacy, and plans for social enterprise—is both timely and vital.
In conclusion, in 2024, Mwamba strengthened our roots and stretched our branches. Through compassionate action, intentional partnerships, and narrative-driven empowerment, we upheld our commitment to migrant justice and community wellbeing. Our path toward partial social enterprise promises long-term resilience and independence.
As Scotland grows more diverse and the pressure on local services mounts, Mwamba stands firm— renewed in purpose, poised for growth, and unwavering in care.
Reserves policy and going concern
Reserves are needed to bridge the gap between the spending and receiving of income and to cover unplanned emergency repairs and other expenditure. The trustees have set the reserves level at eight weeks of essential operating costs (about £6k). At year end, free reserves stood at £4.3k (2023: £13k).
In addition, the charity had £4.5k of restricted funds at the year end. (2024: NIL). Despite a challenging funding environment in the year to 30 November 2024, the trustees are of the view that the Charity is a going concern and are satisfied that it will continue to hold the agreed reserves at the set value for the foreseeable future. Our vision to extend our charitable activities to include a social enterprise will further strengthen financial resilience and increase reserves.
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Trustees’ responsibilities in relation to the financial statements
The charity trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees’ annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Charity trustees are required to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the group and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable group for that period.
In preparing the 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 UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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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 to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with all applicable legislation. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and 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 in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
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Financial Overview
The financial statements and notes are presented on pages 8-10. In summary, Mwamba had a total income of about £56k (2023: £43k). Of this amount, £25k was unrestricted and £31k was restricted. (2023: £43k unrestricted). Total expenditure was £60.4k of which £34k was unrestricted and £26.4k restricted (2023: Total £36k Unrestricted). At the end of the financial year, Mwamba had total funds of £8.8k (2023: £13k).
I hereby approve the Annual Report and Financial Statements on behalf of the Board of Trustees.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
OSCR Charity Number SC050784
Registered Office Address:
Heart of Newhaven Community 4-6 Main Street Newhaven Edinburgh
Bankers:
Royal Bank of Scotland 8 Hopetoun Street Bathgate West Lothian Depot Code 045 EH48 4EU
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Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of MWAMBA SCIO
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 30 November 2024 which are set out on pages 8- 10.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (a) to (c) of the 2006 Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44(1) (c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters.
The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. Furthermore, my report is based on the information provided by the Charity Trustees.
Independent examiner’s statement
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 8 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations have not been met, or to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
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Financial Statements
| Mwamba Statement of Financial Activities 2023/2024 | Mwamba Statement of Financial Activities 2023/2024 | Mwamba Statement of Financial Activities 2023/2024 | Mwamba Statement of Financial Activities 2023/2024 | Mwamba Statement of Financial Activities 2023/2024 | Mwamba Statement of Financial Activities 2023/2024 | Mwamba Statement of Financial Activities 2023/2024 | Mwamba Statement of Financial Activities 2023/2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted funds ~~£~~ |
Restricted income funds ~~£~~ |
Endowment funds ~~£~~ |
Total thisyear ~~£~~ |
Total lastyear ~~£~~ |
|||
| Incoming resources | ~~Notes to the~~ accounts |
F01 | F02 | F03 | F04 | F05 | |
| Incoming resources from generated funds |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Donations & Legacies - Voluntary ~~Income~~ |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 144 | ||
| Grant Income | 20642 | 30953 | 0 | 51595 | 42446 | ||
| Income from Fundraising | |||||||
| Investment Income | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Incoming resources from charitable activities |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Other incoming resources | 4292 | 0 | 0 | 4292 | 43 | ||
| Total incoming resources | Note 1 | 24934 | 30953 | 0 | 55887 | 42633 | |
| Resources expended | |||||||
| Costs of Generating Funds | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Costs of generating voluntary income |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Fundraising trading costs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Investment management costs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Charitable activities | 32671 | 26432 | 0 | 59103 | 34882 | ||
| Governance costs | 1000 | 0 | 0 | 1000 | 0 | ||
| Other resources expended | 329 | 0 | 0 | 329 | 1230 | ||
| Total resources expended | Note 2 | 34000 | 26432 | 0 | 60432 | 36112 | |
| Net incoming/(outgoing) resources before transfers |
-9066 | 4521 | 0 | -4545 | 6522 | ||
| Gross transfers between funds | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Net incoming/(outgoing) resources before other recognised gains/(losses) |
-9066 | 4521 | 0 | -4545 | 6522 | ||
| Other recognised gains/(losses) | |||||||
| Gains and losses on revaluation of fixed assets for the charity’s own use |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Gains and losses on investment assets | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Net movement in funds | -9066 | 4521 | 0 | -4545 | 6522 | ||
| Total funds brought forward | 13370 | 0 | 0 | 13370 | 6548 | ||
| Total funds carried forward | 4304 | 4521 | 0 | 8825 | 13070 |
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Mwamba Statement of Financial Position 2023/2024
----- Start of picture text -----
Restricted
Unrestricted income Endowment Total this Total last
funds funds funds year year
Notes to the
accounts £ £ £ £ £
Fixed assets F01 F02 F03 F04 F05
Intangible assets - - - - -
Tangible assets - - - - -
Heritage assets - - - - -
Investments - - - - -
Total fixed assets - - - - -
Current assets
Stocks - - - - -
Debtors - - - - -
Investments - - - - -
Cash at bank and in hand 4,304 4,521 - 8,825 13,070
Total current assets 4,304 4,521 - 8,825 13,070
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year - - - - -
Net current assets/(liabilities) 4,304 4,521 - 8,825 13,070
Total assets less current liabilities 4,304 4,521 - 8,825 13,070
Creditors: amounts falling due after one year - - - - -
Provisions for liabilities - - - - -
Total net assets or liabilities 4,304 4,521 - 8,825 13,070
Funds of the Charity
Endowment funds - - - - -
Restricted income funds 4,304 - 4,304 -
Unrestricted funds 4,521 - 4,521 13,070
Revaluation reserve - - - -
Fair value reserve - - - -
Total funds Note 3 4,304 4,521 - 8,825 13,070
----- End of picture text -----
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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
Note 1 - Incoming Resources
| Note 1 - Incoming Resources | |
|---|---|
| Robertson Trust | £15, 000 |
| Corra Foundation | £15,953 |
| EVOC Community Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund | £20,642 |
| Other Income | £4,292 |
| Total Income | £55,887 |
| . |
Note 2 – Resources Expended
| Charitable activities | £59,103 |
|---|---|
| Governance Costs | £1000 |
| Other expenditure | £329 |
| Total Expenditure | £60,432 |
Note 3 – Movement in Funds
----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds
Opening Balance 13070 13070
0
Movement during the year -9066 4521 -4545
0
Closing Balance 4004 4521 8525
----- End of picture text -----
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