The Angelou Centre was established to provide support to women and girls who experience domestic violence and abuse just over 30 years ago. Today, we continue to offer those services. As I reflect on the past year, I’m filled with optimism. We are seeing tangible differences in the lives of those who use our services. We have had a challenging year with a number of staffing changes, despite this, we have kept our services going. This is due to the dedication and commitment of our staff who continue to support our service users. Thank you.
As a “by and for” organisation, we are governed and led by members of the communities we serve. In doing this, we are ensuring that services are culturally competent but deeply rooted in our lived experiences. This model promotes trust, safety and a more effective response to the specific barriers and challenges faced by our users. We would like to thank the women and girls who use our services for the trust you have placed in us.
We continue to feel the impact of the pandemic but we remain optimistic that we can continue to face the challenges that are evident within the charity sector. We have continued to implement changes that will make us a stronger, more sustainable organisation.
I have been heartened to see the continued passion and commitment of our supporters and sponsors. Your dedication and support ensure we can continue to represent those who use our services. The Board would like to thank those who have supported, engaged or challenged us for your input. Together, we will continue to deliver for our services users and I am excited for the year ahead.
I joined the Angelou Centre in April 2024 and took function in June, two months before the end of our financial year. I stepped into an organisation already deeply rooted in a legacy of resilience, resistance, and transformation. I was immediately struck by the strength of the women we serve and the dedication of the team working tirelessly to meet their needs.
Over the past year, I have had the privilege of witnessing the Angelou Centre’s unique, holistic approach to supporting Black and minoritised women and children, those so often excluded from mainstream services. From trauma-informed advocacy and refuge provision to immigration support and empowerment programmes, the breadth of our work is both humbling and vital. Our wraparound model is not just about safety and survival - it is about voice, agency, and long-term justice.
This year, we have navigated ongoing financial and systemic challenges, compounded by a cost-of-living crisis and continued threats to services for those with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF). Yet, we have continued to grow and respond with innovation and care, thanks to the incredible determination of our staff, volunteers, and partners.
Our work remains grounded in intersectional Black feminist values, centring the lived experiences of women whose voices are often silenced. As we reflect on the past year, I am proud of what we have achieved together, and committed to the work still to come -
ensuring that every woman and child who walks through our doors is met with the dignity,
support, and solidarity they deserve.
Thank you for standing with us.
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2024.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's [governing document], the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019).
We are a safe, confidential place run by and for women from Black and racially minoritised communities in the North East of England.
We help women, children and young people recover after experiencing violence, abuse or unfair treatment.
We listen, we understand, and we never judge.
Our support is holistic. Alongside refuge housing we provide counselling, therapy, skills courses, group trips, residentials and confidence building programmes.
Our professional experts help women understand their rights and gain independence. And we advocate on their behalf to make sure those rights are upheld.
Because we take the time to support women through all the different needs and challenges they might face, we give them the chance to truly rebuild their lives.
Help us shape a society where women and children from diverse communities achieve their full potential - free from inequality, discrimination, violence and abuse.
The Angelou Centre was founded in 1993, as a group of Black and minoritised women in Newcastle recognised that there was a huge potential for us to create our own services, address barriers and support other women in similar situations.
We define ourselves as a Black-led feminist organisation, managed and led by and for Black and minoritised women and girls (including staff, management and trustees). As a Black-led feminist organisation we are strongly committed to addressing political, economic and social inequalities and discrimination in order to effect structural and institutional change. Our work retains a critical eye on the intersecting oppression that Black and minoritised women and girls face at personal, community and institutional levels. The safety, representation and voices of Black and minoritised women and girls are central to the work we do.
We provide our holistic support through a range of 5 intersecting service areas:
Havens - safe accommodation
Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) advocacy support
Multi-lingual counselling
Ma Simba - support for children, young people and their non-perpetrating mothers
Training, wellbeing and inclusion.
We use the term ‘Black’ and ‘Black and racially minoritised’ (rather than BME, BAME, and BAMER) as a way to historically connect the resistance and struggle of women of colour that has been critical to the development of the Black feminist movement, and to create solidarity amongst Black women and girls whilst recognising diversity within Black and racially minoritised communities.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
Havens - a safe place to rebuild lives
For many, the Angelou Centre’s safe accommodation services are the only option for escaping dangerous and life-threatening situations.
We have 7 properties that can shelter up to 30 women and 12 children. These havens are arranged by 3 categories of support:
1. Emergency accommodation
Immediate, safe housing for individuals and families fleeing domestic violence or other crises. Our fully secured and confidential locations offer a supportive environment where residents can begin their journey toward recovery. Haven staff work with women and children to provide tailored practical support, including help filling out forms, liaising with other professionals like GPs, solicitors and local authority staff, and providing funds for toiletries, food and other essential items.
2. Accommodation for those with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)
The Angelou Centre is one of very few organisations in the UK providing refuge accommodation to those with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF). NRPF is an immigration rule, that stops some people from accessing most public funds from the UK government, including tax credits, benefits or housing support.
Our haven staff support women to apply for Home Office concessions and access immigration advice and representation for longer-term complex cases. Without our NRPF dedicated bedspaces, many survivors would be left without options, forced to remain in abusive environments or face homelessness and further victimisation.
3. Move-on accommodation
Move-on houses are about promoting independent living. They are designed for women who have already developed skills and some level of independence whilst living in our emergency accommodation but are not fully ready to be on their own. Women tend to stay in move-on accommodation for 4-6 months before finding independent living options.
More than just a place to sleep
Haven staff work hard to ensure that women aren’t just surviving in safe accommodation - they’re also finding moments of joy and building their confidence and skills. Staff organise festival celebrations for Ramadan, Black History Month, Diwali, Christmas and Easter, as well as outings to local cinemas, museums and cultural attractions. They bring in healthcare professionals to do mobile cervical, breast and health screenings, and offer sessions on practical skills like budgeting for those who aren’t used to handling money.
In the year to August 2024
Emergency accommodation
18 bed spaces (including up to 12 children)
44 new women into our emergency accommodation
3 of the women we support were pregnant and/or had their babies while living in our refuge
28 were successfully moved on
Of those who successfully moved on;
15 went into their own home
6 went to live with family or friends
9 went to stay elsewhere
NRPF
4 bed spaces
12 women with complex immigration cases supported.
Of these:
2 of these women have moved on to seek asylum and are now rehoused by the UK refugee service,
4 are still residing with us
6 have had their immigration issues resolved and now have access to public funds and more support
Move-on accommodation
8 bedspaces
19 women supported
14 came from our emergency accommodation
Average stay of 4 months
Of those who successfully moved on;
5 went into their own home
6 went into supported housing
The housing team at the Angelou Centre has provided exceptional support throughout my time in the refuge. Their professionalism, compassion, and dedication have made an immense difference in my journey to recovery. They consistently go above and beyond, not only by helping with housing matters but also by organizing lovely trips and activities that have made a challenging time much more bearable.
Going on the trips has offered me moments of peace, joy, and healing, which I am incredibly grateful for.
Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) advocacy
Through our Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) services, the Angelou Centre works with women who have experienced domestic abuse and/or sexual violence. This is often in addition to immigration abuse, harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM), sexual exploitation, forced marriage, transnational marriage abandonment, trafficking and economic abuse perpetrated through varying cultural and social lenses by intimate partners, family members and or community members.
Building Positive Lives
Delivered thanks to funding from Northumbria Police and Crime Commision and the Ministry of Justice, our Building Positive Lives program provides advocacy, safety planning and practical support to women as well as helping them navigate the criminal justice system and report crimes.
Victims provide several reasons for not reporting what’s happened to them, particularly in cases of domestic and sexual violence.
The most common reasons include:
Fear of reprisal or retaliation
Mistrust of the system
Shame or stigma
Emotional and psychological barriers
These barriers highlight the need for culturally sensitive, trauma-informed advocacy and support services to help survivors feel safe, informed and empowered when considering whether to report a crime. Alongside supporting the victim, we work in partnership with external agencies to share our specialist expertise and help improve their understanding of Black and racially minoritised victims and survivors.
In the year to August 2024
336 Black and minoritised women accessed our VAWG advocacy support
95% of service users have shared that receiving intensive advocacy support throughout criminal justice engagement has helped them provide more confident and detailed evidence, whilst reducing levels of anxiety and trauma
88% of women reported improved health and wellbeing through wellbeing activities and therapeutic counselling
84% reported greater financial stability through access to benefits or Hardship funds.
Multi-lingual Counselling
The counselling service within the Angelou Centre is central to our holistic support - addressing trauma with women, children and young people to improve psychological and emotional well-being. Many of our clients suffer from lack of confidence, depression, anxiety and lack of sleep. This leads to an inability to function within the community and can lead to safeguarding issues for women, including children and their mothers.
Our multilingual offer recognises that language barriers can exacerbate isolation and hinder access to essential services. We also practice culturally sensitive counselling that looks at the impacts of immigration issues, cultural practices and social norms, which helps survivors regain their sense of self, autonomy, and emotional well-being.
In the year to August 2024
Our counselling service supported
78 adult clients
17 child clients
Over the course of 1040 sessions, an average of 26 counselling sessions each week.
Of those sessions, we delivered:
72 in Persian/ Iranian- Farsi
30 in Panjabi
42 in Arabic
54 in Bengali
4 in Tringinya
2 in Yoruba
32 in Hindi
48 in Kurdish-sorani
15 in Urdu
Anna*, a 40-year-old Iranian woman, was referred to The Angelou Centre’s counselling after experiencing domestic violence. Initially lured to the UK by her husband’s promises of love and a better life, she soon found herself trapped in a psychologically abusive marriage. Once a successful businesswoman in her home country, Anna was stripped of her independence, forbidden from working, and subjected to constant ridicule and emotional manipulation. This left her with severe self-doubt, low self-esteem, and a loss of identity.
Her trauma manifested in emotional distress, memory issues, and self-hatred, making her question her worth and ability to move forward. Bilingual counselling played a crucial role in her recovery, allowing her to express complex emotions in her native language, fostering deeper trust, and facilitating culturally appropriate interventions. Only through therapy provided by Angelou’s bi-lingual counsellors was Anna able to focus on rebuilding her confidence by practicing self-care, engaging in positive affirmations, and reframing negative thoughts.
*Name has been changed
"It's hard talking about what I went through, I feel emotional when I have to share about the bad things. The centre has helped me believe in myself, keeps me busy in the classes I have joined, and counselling is helping me know I can be strong "
Ma Simba - specialist support for children, young people and mothers
Ma Simba supports mothers, pregnant women, and children and young people from birth to 18 years who are affected by abuse. We provide trauma informed care that breaks harmful family cycles, addresses systemic barriers, fosters resilience, and creates pathways to safety, healing and independence. Rooted in cultural understanding, community and compassion, we strive to nurture strength and restore hope for brighter futures.
Ma Simba focuses on:
Improved Emotional Health and Wellbeing – supporting survivors to build resilience, reduce trauma and improve mental health.
Improved Family Relationships – Strengthening bonds between mothers and children affected by domestic abuse.
Improved Feelings of Safety – Support focused on improving both perceived safety and practical actions such as safety planning, self-advocacy skills and fostering confidence in navigating challenging situations.
We do this by offering:
Counselling: Individual sessions with bilingual counsellors to help child survivors process their experiences and develop coping mechanisms.
Therapeutic Play Interventions: Tailored 1-1 sessions using play as a tool to support child emotional expression and recovery.
Parent-Child Interventions: Aimed at strengthening the bond between mothers and children through guided therapeutic activities.
Parent Recovery Support: Emotional support, information on parenting as a survivor, and guidance on navigating systems such as family court, social services, healthcare, education and challenging racism and gender inequality in these settings. Signposting to external and holistic in-centre wellbeing and training opportunities to further mothers’ recovery. This includes practical support such as support public transport or access to food banks.
Children and Young People Group Activities – Throughout the year we have children’s group activities, including workshops to help them learn about safety and wellbeing, art and craft sessions and trips.
In the year to August 2024
147 children and young people accessed our support services.
30 children and young people accessed counselling
122 children and young people accessed therapeutic play interventions
97 children and young people accessed Ma Simba group activities
109 children and young people access KIDVA (Child Independent Domestic Violence Advocate) support
139 children and young people accessed parent-child intervention
107 mothers accessed parent recovery support
“I didn’t know that I can feel better - it felt hard being happy - I can say I feel happy now” (child)
“Learnt about green flags and red flags in a relationship and I have more knowledge for when I do decide to pursue a relationship.” (young woman)
“I’m starting to gain confidence like never before, I am glad I came to the Angelou Centre because it has helped me so much to be better… even I’m able to say I’m proud of myself”. (young woman)
Training, wellbeing and inclusion
Our training, wellbeing and inclusion programme integrates social, well-being and creative activities to promote emotional resilience, positive mental and physical health and community integration. Through our women centred approach, women develop strong support networks, increase their confidence, and gain the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve economic and social independence.
In the year to August 2024
392 women participated in training, wellbeing and inclusion courses
Our accredited courses helped women build their employability, digital skills, English fluency and confidence advocating for themselves. They include:
Surviving to Thrive, a 12-week in-house course designed to support survivors in developing the skills and confidence necessary for independence
M.A.G.I.C (Motivation, Assertiveness, Goal Setting, Initiative, and Confidence) a 10-week program aimed at fostering resilience and self-reliance
Human Rights in Practice, a course for awareness and understanding of fundamental human rights, with a strong focus on language development in that context
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) pre-entry levels 1 and 2
Intermediate and Basic English Conversation sessions
Digital Skills Course developed by The Good Things Foundation
Level 1 Business Enterprise course in partnership with You Are First
In addition to our formal, professional courses, we offer wellbeing and social activities to help women improve social integration, mental and physical health in a safe and supportive environment. They include:
Coffee mornings with health talks delivered by health professionals and volunteers
Cooking for wellness
Group walking sessions
Therapeutic arts and crafts
Afro Zumba
Surfing lessons
Mahila Mandal, a weekly over-50s sessions to overcome isolation and exclusion
Ever since joining these three courses, we have learned to believe in ourselves and to be more confident. I know my rights as a minority. I now strive to achieve greatness, and I have been very content
We never thought we would be able to use a tablet to make phone calls or send text messages to my family. Through Angelou Centre, we have been gifted with a free tablet and we now feel confident to use it to send text messages
We went from not being able to write and speak English to being able to now write our names and fill forms without needing much support from a support worker or staff
I did not know that there are such beautiful places around here with very nice people saying hello to us with a smile. I was always afraid to step out to new places but now I look forward to going to more new places to enjoy and feel happy, I am not afraid anymore.
Chi’s Journey to Safety and Independence
Chi, a 52-year-old African woman, was referred to The Angelou Centre by her eldest son after enduring years of physical, verbal, emotional, psychological, and immigration-based abuse from her husband. The severity of her situation placed her at high risk, prompting immediate intervention from the centre’s VAWG advocates.
As the violence at home escalated, Chi’s son had no choice but to call the police. Forced to leave her home, she moved in with him, but living in his one-bedroom flat was neither a sustainable nor a safe option. She felt like a burden and remained in constant fear that her husband would find her. With nowhere to turn and overwhelmed by trauma, Chi was desperate for stability and security.
The Angelou Centre’s advocates stepped in to provide comprehensive, survivor-centred support. They worked swiftly to assess the risks and develop a safety plan tailored to Chi’s needs. Recognising her immediate vulnerability, they helped her secure emergency accommodation, providing her with a safe space away from danger. Legal specialists were brought in to guide her through complex immigration issues, ensuring she understood her rights and options for protection.
The emotional toll of abuse weighed heavily on Chi, but through trauma-informed counselling, she found the strength to process her experiences and begin healing. The centre also provided essential financial support, helping her access hardship funds, food provisions, and other necessities. As she slowly regained stability, the advocates introduced her to peer support groups, where she connected with other women who had walked similar paths. Through their shared experiences, Chi found solidarity and encouragement, no longer feeling alone in her struggle.
With the unwavering support of The Angelou Centre, Chi was able to rebuild her life. She secured permanent housing, regained her emotional well-being, and took steps towards financial independence. The guidance and advocacy she received empowered her with knowledge and a strong support network, allowing her to move forward free from abuse.
Chi’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of The Angelou Centre’s holistic approach. With the right support, survivors can reclaim their independence, heal from their past, and embrace a future filled with hope and resilience.
(*Name changed to protect identity)
The Statement of Financial Activities shows total incoming resources of £1,061,707; (2023 -£1,309,642). Total expenditure was £1,293,850; (2023 - £1,452,393}, giving rise to a deficit of £232,143; (2023 - £142,751).
Total reserves of the charity amount to £719,761; (2023 - £951,904) of which unrestricted reserves amount to £517,708; (2023 - £680,036).
At 31 August 2024 the actual "free" reserves (i.e. those not tied up with fixed assets) of the charity amounted to £300,206 (2023 - £445,732).
Our reserves policy aims to ensure that our work is protected from the risk of disruption due to lack of funds and ensures that we do not retain income for longer than required.
The trustees believe that the minimum level of reserves should be the equivalent of 6 months running/operating costs, 5% redundancy costs plus ongoing property repair costs.
The reserves we have set aside provide financial stability and the means for the development of our services in line with our vision and mission and the development of principal activity.
Reserves
The following consideration has been given in identifying the appropriate levels of reserves:
Analysis of past trends
Review of future income streams and reliability
Analysis of existing funds and reserves
Discussion with treasurer and finance sub committee
Identification of likely changes to main sources of income
Assessment of risks facing the charity
Forecasting of planned activities
The Board regularly reviews the reserves that are required to ensure they are adequate to fulfil any ongoing/continuing obligations.
Commitments/Long term Commitments
Commitments and long-term commitments that are not already reflected in budget projections are evaluated on a regular basis and further provision will be made should the need arise.
Target Range for reserves
The target range is set at 6 months. The free reserves of the charity (i.e. those not tied up with fixed assets), amounted to £300,206. The trustees believe the amount of free reserves held is adequate and in excess of the level prescribed by the reserves policy (currently estimated at £413,000). The trustees have implemented cost cutting measures in an attempt to return the charity to a position whereby it generates surpluses and to return free reserves to the desired level prescribed by the reserves policy
The Board of Trustees consider that this target maintains enough flexibility in the context of operational requirements in line with the organisations size and complexity.
We want to continue to build on our holistic offer, centring the voices and needs of the women, children and young people we help.
Specific initiatives we’re planning include:
Expanding our outreach in South Tyneside, Sunderland, Gateshead, Northumberland and North Tyneside. 58% of the women we supported with VAWG work last year were based in Newcastle, so we are already working with agencies and councils in a wider area to tackle barriers including referral pathways and travel costs.
Renovating our family counselling and play space, to make it a more welcoming and engaging place for families to heal
Research to understand VAWG referral pathways. 43% of our VAWG clients refer themselves, reflecting our presence in the community and the trust we’ve built. But referrals from certain agencies are lower than we might expect, including the police, schools and Victim and Witness support. We’ll look to understand why this is and ensure we’re addressing any barriers to access or gaps in service provision.
Work to tackle barriers that prevent mothers from fleeing domestic abuse – such as childcare, support for children with SEND, mothers’ mental health support and financial support
Responding to the long-term intersectional effects of COVID, the cost of living, and domestic abuse on children, including a worrying rise we’re seeing in undiagnosed learning disabilities, autism, and developmental delays
Support for children’s behavioural development, including children displaying aggressive behaviours learned from abusive environments, and supporting children who are unfairly punished for responding to racial bullying
Improving our offering for 16-18-year-olds
Hiring and child sexual abuse practitioner, in response to a rise we’re seeing in referrals for child sexual abuse and domestic violence
The Angelou Centre is a registered charity (charity number 1044344) and a company limited by guarantee (company number 2855091). It is governed by a management board of up to 12 members.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
The Recruitment and Appointment of new Trustees
Membership of the charity is open to any woman aged 18 years and over who is interested in promoting the objects of the organisation. Trustees are elected from the membership at the annual general meeting. The trustees retire after three years by rotation with one-third standing down every year. A retiring trustee may however be re-elected.
The Organisational Structure of the Charity
The Management Board is made up of minimum of 3 and maximum of 12 trustees. It meets on a regular basis and is responsible for providing strategic direction to the charity. There are sub committees covering personnel issues, finance and fundraising, general activities and programmes which meet more regularly. An Executive Director is appointed by the Board to manage the day-to-day operations of the charity.
The Induction and Training of Trustees
New trustees undergo an induction to brief them on their legal obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Memorandum and Articles, the Management Board and decision-making processes, the business plan and the recent financial performance of the charity. During this induction day they meet staff and other trustees. Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate training events which will facilitate efficiency and effectiveness in undertaking their roles.
Risk Management
The trustees have identified the major strategic, business, and operational risks which the charity faces and confirm that systems have been established to enable regular reports to be produced so that essential action is taken to minimise those risks.
A risk management plan has been introduced as part of the formal risk management process to assess organisational risk and implement appropriate strategies. The plan considers the types of risk faced by the charity, prioritising them in terms of impact and likelihood of occurrence, and identifying means of mitigating the risks.
The trustees, who are also the directors of The Angelou Centre for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company Law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Allen Sykes Audit Limited be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies exemption.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of The Angelou Centre (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 August 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the statement of financial position, the statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion, the financial statements:
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:
the information given in the trustees' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared, which includes the directors' report prepared for the purposes of company law, is consistent with the financial statements; and
the directors' report included within the trustees' report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors' report included within the trustees' report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies' exemptions in preparing the trustees' report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.
As explained more fully in the statement of trustees' responsibilities, the trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purpose of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:
the engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
we identified the laws and regulations applicable to the company through discussions with directors and other management, and from our commercial knowledge and experience of the sector;
we focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the company, including the Companies Act 2006, Charities Act 2011, taxation legislation, data protection, anti-bribery, employment, environmental and health and safety legislation;
we assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of management and inspecting legal correspondence; and
identified laws and regulations were communicated within the audit team regularly and the team remained alert to instances of non-compliance throughout the audit.
We assessed the susceptibility of the company's financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:
making enquiries of management as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud; and
considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations.
To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:
performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships;
tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions;
assessed whether judgements and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates were indicative of potential bias; and
investigated the rationale behind any identified significant or unusual transactions.
In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:
agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;
enquiring of management as to actual and potential litigation and claims; and
reviewing correspondence with HMRC, relevant regulators and the company's legal advisors.
There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any. Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.
As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK), we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:
Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the internal control.
Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the trustees.
Conclude on the appropriateness of the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the charity to cease to continue as a going concern.
Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The Angelou Centre is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 17 Brighton Grove, Fenham, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE4 5NS.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's [governing document], the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, [modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value]. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
The Angelou Centre is a company limited by guarantee and accordingly does not have any share capital.
Every member of the charitable company undertakes to contribute such amount as may be required, not exceeding £1, to the assets of the charitable company in the event of its being wound up while he or she is a member, or within one year after he or she ceases to be a member.
At 31 August 2024 the company had 5 members (2023 - 7 members).
Grants receivable
Bank interest receivable
General Fund
LA/HB
ROSA Fund - Women Thrive
IMKAAN - Margin to the Centre
PCC/MOJ ISVA/IVDA
MOJ DA/SV Community Fund
PCC Supporting Victims Fund
PCC PVSC CADA
The Phoenix Way
NTCA Youth Employment
NLCF - Changing Lives
Comic Relief Projects
IMKAAN for Activities
VONNE Going Green Together
PCC ISVA/IDVA Training
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The remuneration of key management personnel was as follows:
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
Purpose of restricted funds
PCC/MOJ ISVA/IDVA - To support black and minoritised women survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence;
PCC Supporting Victims Fund - To fund advocacy and support to women fleeing domestic violence;
IMKAAN Margin to the Centre - To fund residentials and trips for women and children survivors of domestic and sexual violence;
Domestic Violence Survivors - To fund accommodation, sustenance and activities for survivors of violence in hardship especially those with no recourse to public funds;
No Recourse to Fund Arts - To provide activities for women with no recourse to public funds;
CAF Resilience Fund - To fund holistic services, training and skills development, health and wellbeing groups and activities and therapeutic counselling in addition to inclusive groups and activities for elders and young women;
LA/HB - Local Authority Housing Benefit Claims;
PCC CADA - To fund services for children and young survivors of domestic abuse;
Tuwezeshe (FORWARD) - To deliver a social action project for young women;
Girls Speak - To fund a consultancy on alliance for women and girls at risk;
Good Things Foundation - To fund purchase of digital gadgets, SIM cards & women's engagement to improve digital skills;
NTCA Youth Employment - To fund training and skills development for 16-25 year olds;
National Lottery - Changing Lives - To support women experiencing sexual exploitation and sexual abuse;
Lottery Heritage Fund - To fund a network and activities for black and minoritised women's groups across the North East;
Comic Relief Change Makers - To fund campaigning re No Recourse to Public Funds and the added social value provided by black-led organisations;
Comic Relief Rise Project - To deliver services and support to migrant women experiencing domestic violence;
ROSA - Women Thrive - To provide support to women for developing tools and skills for resilience, self confidence and managing health;
Oak Foundation - To redress ineffective risk assessments for black and minoritised survivors of VAWG.
Community Cycle Club - To fund weekly bicycle rides for women and training for cycling champions;
MOJ DA/SV Community Fund - To fund advocacy and support for black and minoritised children via KiDVA and therapeutic play work;
PCC PVSC CADA - To fund services for children and young survivors of domestic abuse including therapeutic support;
VONNE Going Green Together - Funding for black and minoritised women to co-design a climate action project;
IMKAAN Activities - To further fund work with survivors of domestic and sexual violence;
PCC ISVA IDVA Training - To fund staff obtaining IDVA qualifications;
The Phoenix Way - To establish and develop The Phoenix Way project in the North East and Cumbria;
Cost of Living - To fund accommodation, subsistence, resources and activities for survivors of domestic abuse in hardship;
NE Combined Authority Enterprise - To support economically inactive women into training and employment;
ASEP - To support black and racialised female survivors of sexual abuse and violence;
Agbero Roadshow - To fund the hosting of an event;
Peer Research Gateshead - To fund the costs for young survivors to become peer researchers.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
At the reporting end date the charity had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2023 - none).
A prior year adjustment has been made to reclassify bank balances held on deposit with an access period of less than 90 days totalling £82,649 as bank and cash rather than current asset investments.
This adjustment is presentational and has no effect on retained earnings brought forward.
Reconciliation of changes in equity
The prior period adjustments do not give rise to any effect upon equity.
The charity had no material debt during the year.