## **Maryam Empowering Futures (MEF)** Scottish Charity Number: SC052861 ## **Annual Accounts and Trustees’ Annual Report** **Reporting Period: 28 September 2023 – 30 September 2024** Prepared in accordance with the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (Receipts and Payments Accounts) ## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT** ## **1. Charity Name and Number** Charity Name: Maryam Empowering Futures (MEF) Scottish Charity Number: SC052861 Date of Registration: 28 September 2023 ## **2. Trustees** The following individuals served as trustees during the reporting period: ## **3. Charitable Purpose** Maryam Empowering Futures (MEF) exists to empower, support, and uplift women, children, and young people, particularly from Afghan and refugee communities, through education, cultural engagement, mental health support, and community development. We aim to reduce isolation, improve confidence, provide language support, and promote active citizenship, especially for those with lived experiences of trauma, displacement, or marginalisation. ## **4. Summary of Main Activities and Achievements** Despite limited resources in the early stages, MEF has grown significantly through the dedication of the CEO, staff, trustees, and volunteers. MEF is proud to be Scotland’s first Afghan women-led community organisation, run by women, for women. ## **Pre-Funding Activities** Before receiving grant funding, MEF organised several cultural and wellbeing activities funded personally by the CEO to support Afghan women in Glasgow. After registration but before receiving funding, regular women’s mental health and support sessions were delivered, including venue hire and refreshments funded by the CEO. ## **Funded Projects and Programmes** Language & Learning Support Project (Ongoing) - Delivered online and in-person classes in English, Pashto, Dari, Maths, and basic Islamic education - Reached over 160 women and children - Built confidence and presentation skills using educational equipment - Funded by Corra Foundation and The National Lottery Community Fund (EMDF) ## **Community Support and Cultural Events** MEF delivered several community events attended by hundreds of women and children, including: - Welcome Ramadan Online Event (approx. 50 families) - Talent Showcase at University of Glasgow (approx. 120 students) • Eid-ul-Adha & Summer Fun Day at Victoria Park (170+ participants) - Eid, Nawroz & International Women’s Day Celebration (approx. 130 participants) - Regular in-person educational sessions in community halls with volunteer support ## **Youth and Women’s Development** - MEF Girls Youth Club provided peer tutoring, arts, and planning sessions • Teachers provided Pashto and Dari literacy support - Safeguarding training delivered regularly by Trustee ## **Global and Local Engagement** The CEO participated in local and national learning visits and partnership development with universities and community organisations to strengthen MEF’s future programmes ## **5. Fundraising and Overseas Donations** • Together Reaching Higher contribution received: £37.80 (for travel support) - Only £13.30 was used; £24.50 remained unused - Additional small donations were received through the charity bank account totalling £137.00 - A total of £160 was transferred to support women in Afghanistan through Amina Exchange • Part of this amount was supplemented personally by the CEO, as international transfers could not be made directly from the charity bank account - All overseas support was approved by trustees ## **6. Funding Summary (Income Received by Charity)** - National Lottery Community Fund (EMDF): £5,000.00 - Together Reaching Higher: £37.80 - Donations received into charity account: £137.00 Total Income: £5,174.80 ## **7. Future Plans** - Scottish Parliament awareness event: Pathway of Hope (18 September 2025) - Expansion of the Language & Learning Project - Securing office and storage facilities in partnership with housing associations - Afghan-Scottish Cultural Celebration planned at Glasgow City Chambers ## **8. Structure, Governance and Management** MEF is a Scottish registered charity. During the reporting period MEF had: - 3 Trustees - 7 paid staff (including the CEO) - Approximately 15 active volunteers Trustees meet regularly and oversee financial management, safeguarding, and strategic planning ## **9. Safeguarding and Risk Management** MEF has safeguarding policies in place. Regular safeguarding training is delivered to staff and volunteers. Trustees review safeguarding procedures and operational risks to ensure safe delivery of services ## **10. Declaration** This report was approved by the trustees Signed on behalf of the trustees: Date: 15/02/2026 Date: 15/02/2026 ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT** Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Maryam Empowering Futures (SC052861) I report on the accounts of the charity for the period 28 September 2023 to 30 September 2024, which are set out in the accompanying statements The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 My examination was carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Regulations and included a review of accounting records and comparison with the accounts presented In my opinion, no matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that: 1. Proper accounting records have not been kept, or 2. The accounts do not agree with those records Name of Examiner: Address: Fl Sign ________ Date: 15 February 2026 ## **SUMMARY OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS** Maryam Empowering Futures (MEF) Statement of Receipts and Payments Period: 28 September 2023 – 30 September 2024 ## **Receipts** - National Lottery Community Fund (EMDF): £5,000.00 - Together Reaching Higher: £37.80 - Donations received into charity account: £137.00 Total Receipts: £5,174.80 ## **Payments** Payments include: - Staff wages and session payments - Programme and event costs - Food and catering - Travel and transport - Website and administration - Equipment and materials Total Payments: £212.17 ## **Excess of Receipts over Payments** Excess: £4,962.63 ## **STATEMENT OF BALANCES** Statement of Balances at 30 September 2024 Opening bank balance: £0.00 Total Receipts during period: £5,174.80 Total Payments during period: £212.17 Closing bank balance: £4,962.63 All funds held are unrestricted general funds ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** ## **1. Basis of Accounts** These accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis in accordance with OSCR guidance for small charities ## **2. Overseas Payments** A total of £160 was transferred to support women in Afghanistan through Amina Exchange. Transfers were approved by trustees and partially supplemented by the CEO due to banking restrictions ## **3. Related Party Transactions** The CEO personally funded early activities before grant income was received. No repayment has been claimed ## **4. Trustee Remuneration** No trustee received payment for trustee duties 17￿1¢2[￿* Co￿1)24 DiiiofiiL4 Diiior￿L¥ DIliw￿h24 llilliir DiJiif•)24 D￿lIf￿r4 113r DW12f#)24 1ty13r 12r￿24 3Jn D1Air Dinirth Diffjifxo Dlffjl 01Air i) A2 Al D1A73r ty) Dli)Ifap 7J))r 9)14ts i(• Ix ## **Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Maryam Empowering Futures (SC052861)** I report on the accounts of the charity for the period 28 September 2023 to 23 June 2025, which are set out in the accompanying statements. ## **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. 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 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 seeking explanations from the trustees concerning 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 accounts. ## **Independent examiner’s statement** During my examination, no matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect: 1. Accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 44(1)(a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations; or 2. The accounts do not comply with those records. I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. **Name of Examiner** : _ ___ **Addre Qualification (if any): _ Signed: _ Date: 27 June 2025** **Qualification (if any): _** _________ ________