Happy Creative Recreational Centre
Annual Report and Financial Statements
31 May 2025
Charity registration number - SC052579
Happy Creative Recreational Centre (SC052579)
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 May 2025
Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees' Annual Report | 1 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 5 |
| Statement of Receipts and Payments | 7 |
| Statement of Balances | 8 |
| Notes to the accounts | 9 |
Happy Creative Recreational Centre (SC052579)
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 May 2025
The trustees present their report together with the financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2025
Reference and Administrative Information
Charity name
The legal name of the charity continues to be Happy Creative Recreational Centre. The Trustees also use the abbreviation HCRC for short.
Charity No
SC052579
Address
43 Fairburn Street Flat 0/1 Glasgow G32 7QG
Trustees
Ruth Oladipo (Treasurer) - resigned 1 October 2025 Caroline Komguep (Treasurer) - appointed 2 October 2025 - resigned 28 February 2026 Falashade Ademole-O (Treasurer) - appointed 28 February 2026 Marinela Browin (Chair) - resigned 28 February 2026 Idia Uwagboe (Chair) - appointed 28 February 2026 Olivia Poltorak (Secretary) - resigned 5 February 2025 Ana Maria Casillas Carmona (Secretary) - appointed 6 February - resigned 26 September 2025 Idia Uwagboe (Secretary) - appointed 27 September 2025 - resigned 27 February 2026 Caroline Komguep (Secretary) - appointed 28 February 2026 Marinela Browin (Chief executive officer) - appointed 28 February 2026
Structure, Governance and Management
Constitution
The Charity is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (a SCIO). It was registered in its current legal form on 31 May 2023.
Appointment of Trustees
Trustees are appointed via a voting system from within the charity. The minimum number required is 3.
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Happy Creative Recreational Centre (SC052579)
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 May 2025
Objects and activities
Charitable purposes
The overarching aims of the group are to promote any charitable purpose allowed under our constitution, for the benefit of all residents of North East Glasgow and environs by bringing together the local and statutory authorities, voluntary organisations and the community in a common effort to relieve poverty, advance education and training, advance cultural awareness and integration, further health and to provide or assist in the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare, for recreation and other leisure time occupation so that the conditions of life of the aforementioned residents may be improved, with particular emphasis on the provision of services for children and young adults.
In furtherance of the above aims the Group seeks: -
1.1 The advancement of education.
1.2 The advancement of citizenship or community development
1.3 The provision of recreational activities, or the organisation of recreational activities, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the persons for whom the facilities or activities are primarily intended 1.4 The relief of those in need by reason of age, ill-health financial hardship or other disadvantage
We would also like to promote other charitable schemes [Charitable shall mean a charitable purpose under Section 7 of the Charities & Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 which is also reaarded as a charitable purpose in relation to the applications of the Taxes Acts] of public & community benefit, particularly, but not exclusively schemes which will improve participation of residents of the operating area in the overall regeneration of the area in the fields of health, education & training, relief of poverty & disadvantage and housing and associated support and amenities among the residents of the operating area in need of such support by reason of youth, age, infirmity, disablement or poverty, with the object of improving their conditions of life, in terms of the limitations of our constitution
Activites, achievements and performance
HCRC COMMUNITY ESSENTIALS
The service is going well and is definitely a service needed in the area where the charity is located. The number of pantry users increased greatly from 45 members on the 16th October 2025 to 104 members to date. This increase was due to the suitable and affordable grocery items the charity provided as well as African and Asian types of food - which are normally very expensive. The demand was greatly due to lack of funding and ever after having funding due to the expensiveness of the African and Asian food items.
As a consequence, the board was forced to introduce what we called 'little extra dry food cupboards and toiletries' as well as 'little extra frozen food' - these are items found expensive in the supermarket that pantry members can buy from the charity in a more affordable price than the supermarket. This idea was for the charity to have extra money coming in to support the services we provide. However, due to the changes, many pantry members stop shopping with us but continue to get the free distributed food on Saturdays.
The board also noticed, that most of the pantry members registered in February, March and April 2025, has not yet renewed their membership this year - only 3 people so far out of 30. We think this is due to the fee increase we made in order to continue ther service (annual fee was £5 but from January 2026 fee increased to £10 a year and weekly pantry shopping has increased from £5 up to 12 items to £7 up to 20 items).
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Happy Creative Recreational Centre (SC052579)
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 May 2025
HCRC CAFÉ
The charity started the café services 31st May 2025. The charity decided to take the café on board because it's part of the vision. However, paying for the café equipment was a struggle and a stretch on our pockets as the charity does not have funding. The Circle organisation has been very helpful in not charging the charity for the electricity in the cafe as well as using the cafe. They were glad we took it on board and were happy to see the cafe open and bringing life - it was closed for about a year since the Wee Betty's café left.
The charity is glad we have now bought all the equipment in the cafe with the help and support of friends of the cafe and individual pantry members and volunteers.
HCRC ADULTS/MINI BRAIDS ACADEMY
Since we relocated to the Circle building, braids academy catches the attention of the parents but many had the expectation of a free service. Again, the charity has been funding the project by offering a kit with all the braids essential including a mannequin which is worth £50.
Nevertheless, we still managed to run an adult's cohort January to March and started for the first time a Mini Brads Academy which has been a success until now.
HCRC RE-USE CLOTHS & ITEMS SHOP
The charity has been very blessed with lots of clothes and unwanted items which has helped the community. The service still makes a lot of difference in the lives of many in the community.
In all the services, the charity faced great pressures recurring volunteers. Although we have 15 volunteers, many lack commitment.
We had an opportunity to fundraise for the charity fir the first time on the 15th and 16th December 2025 - it was a great success. We raised £93.34. We hope to hear from the council some future dates.
Financial review
The charity recorded a deficit for the year and held net funds of (£4.53) at the year end. During the year, trustees personally met certain operating costs on behalf of the charity. The trustee subsequently waived reimbursement, and these amounts were treated as donated support to assist the continued operation of the charity.
The trustees continue to monitor the charity’s financial position closely and consider the charity to be in a going financial concern.
Reserves policy
The trustees’ do not currently have a reserves policy in place. The board apologised for not having a policy in place but have now decided to commence a reserve policy of £30 a month to be transferred into the charity bank account starting June 2026.
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Happy Creative Recreational Centre (SC052579)
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 May 2025
Plans for the future
The board is planning to stop pantry services on Tuesdays as of 12 May 2026 until further funding is provided. The charity will continue to distribute donated food collected from the supermarkets in the community on Saturdays.
Also, due to lack of funding, volunteers will no longer shop for free at the pantry but will collect free distributed food on Saturdays.
Unfortunately, the charity will no longer be able to provide payment for food hygiene online training.
The charity remains commited in continuing café services, however, funding will continue to be a challenge. We plan to buy a vending machine to help generate money to run the the café.
We are currently applying for funding but due to our accounts being late, many funding has been declined.
We just updated the Community Lottery Fund on how we went on with spending the funding of £10,000 we secured from them in October 2025 and we hope to continue to receive financial help from the Community Lottery Fund.
Approved by the trustees on 10 May 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Marinela Browin CEO
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Happy Creative Recreational Centre (SC052579)
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Happy Creative Recreational Centre
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 May 2025
Respective responsibilities of the 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) (d) 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.
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 9 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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Happy Creative Recreational Centre (SC052579)
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Happy Creative Recreational Centre
Summary
The Happy Creative Recreational Centre (HCRC) is a voluntary organisation operating in the East End of Glasgow. During the year under review most of the Charity expenses were funded by Members/Trustees, totalling £8,271.
The board continued to struggle raising funds from statutory bodies or chartitable donors this year. They remain committed to the services offered by the Charity and the local community. Funding from a statutory body was secured in 2025/2026 year and the board is hopeful that will continue.
After examination of the Charity's records I have recommended that in future all monies are paid from the Charity bank account. It is still the case that receipts are made out to the person paying for the item rather than the Charity.
The board apologised and have acknowledged lack of organisation on the information submitted to the accountants and promises to strive and be better organised going forward.
No other issues of concern were raised with regard to HCRC's accounts for the year ended 31 May 2025.
Lorraine McDermott - Independent Examiner
AAT
Office 2/3, 2nd Floor 48 West George Street Glasgow G2 1BP This report was signed on 7 May 2026
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Happy Creative Recreational Centre (SC052579)
Statement of Receipts and Payments for the year ended 31 May 2025
| Receipts Donations 4 Receipts from charitable activities Total receipts Payments Cost of charitable activities 5 Total payments Surplus/(deficit) for year Pantry shopping and membership |
Unrestricted Funds 2025 £ 2,333 345 2,678 3,111 3,111 (433) |
Restricted Funds 2025 £ 709 - 709 536 536 173 |
Total Funds 2025 £ 3,042 345 3,387 3,647 3,647 (260) |
Total Funds 2024 £ 255 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 255 | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| 255 |
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Happy Creative Recreational Centre (SC052579)
Statement of balances as at 31 May 2025
| Opening cash at bank and in hand Surplus/(deficit) for year Closing cash at bank and in hand Bank and cash balances HCRC account Creditors |
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds 255 - (433) 173 (178) 173 (5) - (5) - - - |
Total 2025 255 (260) (5) (5) (5) - |
Total 2024 - 255 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 255 | |||
| 255 | |||
| 255 | |||
| - |
During the financial year, trustees met expenses totalling £8,271 on behalf of the charity using personal funds. These transactions have not been included within the Receipts and Payment Account as no cash was received or paid through the Charity's bank account. The Trustee has waived the right to reimbursement and the amount has therefore been deemed a donation to the charity.
Approved by the trustees on 10 May 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
| Idia Uwagboe | Falashade Ademole-O |
|---|---|
| Chair | Treasurer |
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Happy Creative Recreational Centre (SC052579)
Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 May 2025
1 Basis of accounting
These accounts have been prepared on the Receipts and Payments basis in accordance with the Charities & Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).
2 Nature and purpose of funds
Unrestricted funds are those that may be used at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity. The trustees maintain a single unrestricted fund for the day-to-day running of the Charity.
Restricted funds received during the year related to an appeal for kit for the Braids Academy. The funds were applied in accordance with the conditions attached. The remaining balance of £173 will be carried forward and used for the intended purpose in future periods.
3 Related party transactions
No remuneration or other benefits were paid to the trustees or any connected persons during the year (2024:Nil)
4 Donations
| Board members Costco Farmfoods Public collections Braids academy - kit appeal |
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds 2,198 - - 450 - 20 135 - - 239 2,333 709 |
Total 2025 2,198 450 20 135 239 3,042 |
Total 2024 255 - - - - |
|---|---|---|---|
| 255 |
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Happy Creative Recreational Centre (SC052579)
Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 May 2025
5 Cost of chartitable activities
| Telephone Repairs & maintenance Storage Stripe fees Insurance Advertising Fuel Bank charges Stationery Postage Sundry Pantry food purchases Pantry toiletry and cleaning purchases Hair accessories - Braids academy Venue hire - Braids academy |
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds 206 - 623 - 159 - 184 - 104 - 676 - 234 - 21 - 29 - 15 - 8 - 797 470 17 - - 66 40 - 3,111 536 |
Total 2025 206 623 159 184 104 676 234 21 29 15 8 1,267 17 66 40 3,647 |
Total 2024 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
|---|---|---|---|
| - |
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