Hamara celebrated another successful year with its AGM on 23rd February 2023.
The organisation has supported over 100,000 beneficiaries since the start of Covid-19. It continues to deliver life-changing programmes including social prescribing, an older peoples network, a day opportunity service for adults with learning disabilities, youth provisions and a Saturday school for primary school young persons to name a few.
They also run a city-wide cultural food hub supporting 36 smaller organisations, a food bank service and is proposing to become an infrastructure provider to smaller organisations within Leeds to support with finance, governance, fundraising and HR.
The Chair of Hamara, Cllr Mohammed Iqbal made tribute to the late Chair, Mohammed Farouk and vowed to continue to help the communities of South Leeds. He also praised the staff team who have shown dedication and commitment to supporting the most vulnerable within South Leeds and beyond.
The Interim Director, Raheem Mohammed spoke about the many different strands of work Hamara currently undertakes and provided an update on The Cockburn Centre development which has recently been sent out for a full competitive tendering exercise.
Raheem also spoke about renovations for Hamara’s gym and wellbeing hub primarily funded by Sport England for the sum of £350k.
He said: “We are considered a community anchor within Leeds, and Hamara works on a number of city-wide projects within Leeds.
“The new plans include a three-story lift to improve accessibility, a steam room, new changing facilities with showers and includes a Disability Sports Activator role for one year funded by Sport England. Needless to say, we are very excited about this project.
“These works have started now and are due to be completed end of June 2023.”
Hentons, who prepare and conduct a full statutory audit for Hamara presented a very robust set of annual accounts and audit report year ending 31st March 2022. Details can be found on the Charities Commission website.
