Birwa Kurdish Community
BKC organizes community activities: religious services and gatherings via volunteer support; supervised youth programs and educational circles following the strict "Rule of Two" safeguarding policy; heritage classes and development workshops for all ages; and community fundraising and support.
Objects
TO PROMOTE SOCIAL INCLUSION FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT BY WORKING WITH PEOPLE IN LONDON WHO ARE SOCIALLY EXCLUDED ON THE GROUNDS OF THEIR ETHNIC ORIGIN, RELIGION, BELIEF OR CREED, IN PARTICULAR BUT NOT LIMITED TO, MEMBERS OF THE KURDISH COMMUNITY, INCLUDING SURVIVORS AND VICTIMS OF THE GENOCIDE IN KURDISTAN TO RELIEVE THE NEEDS OF SUCH PEOPLE AND ASSIST THEM TO INTEGRATE INTO SOCIETY, IN PARTICULAR BY:A) PROVIDING A LOCAL NETWORK GROUP THAT ENCOURAGES AND ENABLES MEMBERS OF THE KURDISH COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE MORE EFFECTIVELY WITH THE WIDER COMMUNITY; B) INCREASING, OR CO-ORDINATING, OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS OF THE KURDISH COMMUNITY TO ENGAGE WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS, TO ENABLE THOSE PROVIDERS TO ADAPT SERVICES TO BETTER MEET THE NEEDS OF THAT COMMUNITY; C) PROVIDING RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE TIME ACTIVITY IN THE INTERESTS OF SOCIAL WELFARE FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN THE AREA OF BENEFIT WHO HAVE NEED BY REASON OF THEIR YOUTH, AGE, INFIRMITY OR DISABILITY, POVERTY OR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING THE CONDITIONS OF LIFE OF SUCH PERSONS. TO DEVELOP THE CAPACITY AND SKILLS OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED KURDISH COMMUNITY OF LONDON IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY ARE BETTER ABLE TO IDENTIFY, AND HELP MEET, THEIR NEEDS AND TO PARTICIPATE MORE FULLY IN SOCIETY BY ENCOURAGING CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, YOUNG ADULTS AND MOTHERS TO LEARN ENGLISH, MATHEMATICS, COMPUTER LITERACY AS WELL AS THEIR ORIGINS LANGUAGE AND CULTURE, THEIR FAITH PRINCIPLES AND THEIR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE COMMUNITY.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The charity recorded a surplus for the year, with total incoming resources of £387,668 against support costs of £30,294. However, the charity is heavily dependent on voluntary donations to sustain activities and service loan finance, with free reserves estimated at only approximately £9,600. The trustees acknowledge that recurring running costs are increasing following the occupation of newly acquired premises.
What the accounts disclose
“Total incoming resources for the year arose principally from restricted donations raised towards the acquisition of the premises, together with unrestricted donations and grants.” — page 11
“Free reserves (unrestricted funds not tied up in fixed assets) at the year end are estimated at approximately £9,600, broadly equal to the cash held. As the charity’s recurring running costs increase following occupation of the premises, the trustees will keep the target level of reserves under review.”
“During the year the charity received a interest-free loan of £320,000 from Mr Kamaran Shiwani, Chair of the trustees, in connection with the acquisition of its premises at 656 London Road, Hounslow. Under the agreement, the loan is to be secured by a first legal charge over the property. The loan is repayable in full on the date the property is sold, subject to compliance with the Charities Act 2011 and to all necessary consents, including those of the Charity Commission where required, being obtained.” — page 23
“During the year, trustees provided interest-free, unsecured loans to the charity totalling £27,000 to assist with the acquisition of the charity's premises. The loans were provided on terms more favourable to the charity than those available from a commercial lender. The loans were repaid in full during the year and no amount was outstanding at 31 December 2025 (2024: £nil).” — page 23
“During the year the charity received a interest-free loan of £320,000 from Mr Kamaran Shiwani, Chair of the trustees, in connection with the acquisition of its premises at 656 London Road, Hounslow. Under the agreement, the loan is to be secured by a first legal charge over the property. The loan is repayable in full on the date the property is sold, subject to compliance with the Charities Act 2011 and to all necessary consents, including those of the Charity Commission where required, being obtained.” — page 23
“During the year, trustees provided interest-free, unsecured loans to the charity totalling £27,000 to assist with the acquisition of the charity's premises. The loans were provided on terms more favourable to the charity than those available from a commercial lender. The loans were repaid in full during the year and no amount was outstanding at 31 December 2025 (2024: £nil).” — page 23
Policies the charity declares
- Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
- Complaints handling
- Complaints policy and procedures
- Conflicting interests
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Internal risk management policy and procedures
- Investing charity funds policy and procedures
- Paying staff
- Risk management
- Safeguarding policy and procedures
- Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
- Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
- Social media policy and procedures
- Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
- Trustee expenses policy and procedures
- Volunteer management
Trustees
- Kamaran Shiwanichair
- Abdulsamad Amin
- Dr Abdulrahman Salih
- Emad Ahmad Mohammad
- Nawzad Sidik Salih
- Sarteep Kader
- farhad abdelkarim
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £388k | £30k |
| 31/12/2024 | £0 | £0 |
| 31/12/2023 | £0 | £0 |
| 31/12/2022 | £0 | £0 |
| 31/12/2021 | £0 | £0 |
Common questions
Is Birwa Kurdish Community financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The charity recorded a surplus for the year, with total incoming resources of £387,668 against support costs of £30,294. However, the charity is heavily dependent on voluntary donations to sustain activities and service loan finance, with free reserves estimated at only approximately £9,600. The trustees acknowledge that recurring running costs are increasing following the occupation of newly acquired premises. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 04/08/2025 | £20k | Birwa Information and Advice |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| TRUST FOR LONDON | 1 | £61k |
Charities like this
- BRAYATEE KURDISH COMMUNITY
- THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST. MARK'S, LACHE-CUM-SALTNEY
- THE REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD LIVING BREAD NEWCASTLE
- KADWA PATIDAR SAMAJ (UK) LIMITED
- THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF KEIGHLEY
- REFUGEE WORKERS' CULTURAL ASSOCIATION
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birwa Kurdish Community | £388k | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| BRAYATEE KURDISH COMMUNITY | £152k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST. MARK'S, LACHE-CUM-SALTNEY | £252k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD LIVING BREAD NEWCASTLE | £209k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| KADWA PATIDAR SAMAJ (UK) LIMITED | £639k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF KEIGHLEY | £434k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |