The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, 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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016). This report serves the purpose of both a trustees’ report, and a directors’ report under company law.
The company is a registered charity and its principal object is the development of and creation of opportunities for women, young people and families in the Rotherham area as well as providing opportunities for training and employment for the community within the Borough of Rotherham.
The aims and objectives of the charity are:
To facilitate the development of the cultural awareness within the community.
To raise awareness and increase confidence and self-esteem amongst the members of the community.
Help and assist new associations of Rotherham and act as a mentor for fledgling associations.
To develop a networking infrastructure, this will support all disadvantaged communities.
To work in conjunction with the Rotherham voluntary and statutory sector bodies in order to raise the profile of the community.
To raise the profile of community members as positive role models within Rotherham.
To develop across cultural awareness in order to create racial harmony.
To help empower members of the community.
To develop in conjunction with the statutory sector bodies.
To facilitate the development of family values and instil the ethos of cultural ideology within the community.
To work within the institutionalised level to create a parity in terms of accessing the mainstream provisions.
In setting plans and priorities for areas of work, the Board of UMCC has had regard to the guidance from the Charity Commission on the provision of Public Benefit, with particular attention paid to how planned activities will contribute to meeting the objectives of UMCC.
Charitable purposes (Public Benefit)
An example of a recent specific project successfully completed is Adult Community Learning. The project achieved its targets in terms of number of learners with 89% pass rate for the accredited ESOL courses. In addition:
Promoting the advancement of education
Identifying and addressing the needs of the local community through community development
Advancement of arts, culture and heritage
Involvement in indoor and outdoor sports activities
Environment protection and improvement
Promotion of equal opportunities for everyone
Tackling poverty through the provision of employment related assistance
The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 4 of the 2011 Charity Act to have due regard to guidance published by the Charity Commission regarding public benefit.
The year ending March 2025 has been challenging due to financial pressures and a difficult economic climate. Despite this, UMCC has continued its 43-year commitment to supporting vulnerable and deprived members of the community. Our work focuses on reducing isolation, building confidence, improving communication skills, and enhancing health and wellbeing, while promoting diversity, equality, and social inclusion.
Achievements and performance of the funding
We received funding from South Yorkshire Community Foundation (SYCF) to continue our Homework Club Maths, English and Science GCSE for young people from years 11 upwards to develop and support the young people in a safe environment. This project will have enabled them to build up their confidence and be part of a social group and upgrade their studies. Training sessions were provided identifying personal and realist options and goals, working on their skills, abilities, and qualities and values. We are trying to build up their self-esteem, and giving them ownership to make the decisions and keep themselves away from anti-social behaviour, drugs, alcohol, smoking etc., and making them realise their responsibilities which keeps them away from depression. Working with VAR and CYPF Consortium sharing good practice with other organisation. The Homework Club is delivered by qualified tutors who will give the full training according to the school curriculum which will help to build up their skills and ease any mental health issues.
RMBC – HAF Project: Rotherham Healthy Holidays Easter and Winter Club - This project supports children aged 8–16 who are eligible for free school meals during the holidays. It has been a huge success. We delivered four days of activities at Easter and four days at Christmas, providing a hot, cooked meal for the 20 children registered. The project gave young people the opportunity to enjoy a healthy meal during the school holidays while socialising and interacting with other children of similar age groups and from diverse nationalities.
South Yorkshire Community Foundation (SYCF) – AESSEAL Lieutenancy Grants – Continuation
This funding supported the continuation of our After School Homework Club, providing Maths, English, and Science GCSE support for young people in Year 11 and above. The project offers a safe and supportive environment where participants can build confidence, develop their skills, and engage in social interaction with peers.
Through structured training sessions, young people are encouraged to identify realistic personal goals, develop their abilities and qualities, and reflect on their values. The programme also focuses on promoting self-esteem, encouraging personal responsibility, and supporting young people to make positive choices, helping them to avoid anti-social behaviour, substance misuse, and other risks to their wellbeing.
The Homework Club is delivered by qualified tutors who follow the school curriculum, ensuring that participants receive high-quality academic support. By combining educational development with social and personal growth, the project helps young people improve their academic outcomes, boost their confidence, and enhance their mental health. The programme also works closely with VAR and the CYPF Consortium to share good practice with other organisations.
South Yorkshire Community Foundation – Sir George Earl Benevolent Fund
Funding enabled the continued delivery of Chair-Based Physio and Relaxation Classes, providing vital health and wellbeing support for individuals with mobility or health challenges. These sessions have been extremely valuable to the older generation, who have experienced significant benefits. The classes are designed to improve physical flexibility, strength, and posture in a safe and accessible environment, allowing participants to exercise at their own pace while receiving guidance from qualified instructors.
In addition to the physical benefits, the classes promoted mental wellbeing by reducing stress, encouraging relaxation, and offering participants the opportunity to socialise with others facing similar challenges. The programme helped to combat social isolation, increase confidence, and empower individuals to maintain their independence and quality of life.
By combining physical exercise, relaxation techniques, and social interaction, this project has had a positive impact on both the physical and emotional health of participants, supporting the overall wellbeing of our community.
Coalfields Regeneration Trust - Funding from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust enabled the installation of an external door, improving accessibility and safety for everyone using our facilities.
These combined efforts allowed UMCC to continue providing vital education, health, and community services to newcomers, refugees, asylum seekers, single parents, and other vulnerable groups. Despite the financial challenges, we have demonstrated resilience and maintained our commitment to empowering the people of Rotherham.
Overall the United Multicultural Centre in spite of our challenges we are still passionate about our work what we do as an organisation to our community. We are pleased to acknowledge that we play a crucial part in community integration, reducing anti-social behavior, educating vulnerable women and migrants and providing work experience for young people. As usual we are constantly seeking new funding for the sustainability of the activities and the organisation as there is high demand for our service in the community.
We are grateful to our Trustee’s for their valuable help guidance and support for their unprecedented work this year.
It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six months' expenditure. The trustees considers that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the chaity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised.
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks. The main method of risk management is to take all major decisions at board meetings where all trustees can consider the risks rather than leaving the decision to people who operate the charity on a daily basis who will generally have a view from their particular operational perspective.
However, we are constantly seeking new funding and commissioning opportunities for the sustainability of the activities and the organisation.
The Board Members, Managing Director and staff work together very hard to provide excellent services to the community. I would like to thank all of them for their hard work, dedication and commitment and also keeping up to date with all the relevant training that’s required.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of United Multicultural Centre (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
United Multicultural Centre is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 59-63 Carlisle Street, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, S65 1HA.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the charity's memorandum and articles of association, the Financial Reporting Standard Applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) 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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
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. 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.
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.
These are costs incurred on the charity's educational operations, including support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitable activities.
These include the costs attributable to the charity's compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including independent examination, strategic management, trustees' meetings and reimbursed expenses.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
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 and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
Charitable activities undertaken directly
Governance costs include payments of £1,523 in respect of independent examination fees (2024- £1,450).
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
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.
SYCF Grant: This grant was used to continue the After School Homework Club, offering Maths, English, and Science GCSE support for young people in Year 11 and beyond. This project provides a safe environment where students can build confidence, enhance social skills, and engage in a supportive peer group, all while improving their academic performance and addressing mental health concerns.
Rotherham MBC: HAF Project Rotherham Healthy Holidays Club, this project is for children age 8 – 16 who are eligible for free school meals during the various school holidays. Due to its success, additional funding was received from RMBC to extend this program to Easter and Christmas holidays for a third year.
Voluntary Action Rotherham:
Through the Mental Health Support grant, the charity could continue to run their Physiotherapy Chair Exercises and Relaxation classes, for 20-25 women in the Rotherham community.
Coalfield Regeneration Trust:
Funding to install a new exterior door.
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.
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year.