2023-04-05-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 05/04/22 To 04/04/23

Charity name: Friends Reaching Out

Charity registration number: 1032163

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The relief of poverty and the advancement of education for orphans and vulnerable children and young people in Uganda. This will be established through working to support families in our local community and housing needy children in our homes as well as supporting children to stay with extended family where possible. Helping children to become self-sufficient through small business support. Paying for school, college & university fees as well as vocational training. Providing food & shelter.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	Friends Reaching Out (FRO) raises funds to support the work of Friends of Disadvantaged Children in Uganda through providing resources to care for orphans and vulnerable children. Sponsorship and funds provide the following: ●Food for all the children and staff in our project. ●Free entry to our primary school for our sponsored children. ●Education costs for further and higher education such as vocational,

		uni and A level courses. ●Clothes and medical care for our sponsored children. ●Building and maintaining school classrooms and facilities.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	All funds have been spent in accordance with the key objectives of the charity. As Trustees we have due regard for the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit and we ensure that our activities comply with this.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:	Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:	Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	N/A
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38	N/A
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	All our UK trustees and supporters are volunteers. Volunteers help to fundraise through a variety of different ways making items to sell, making items as gifts for the children, helping us with organising events and sponsored walks. We are very grateful to those that help us with online publicity, administration, website, book keeping and auditing. Without this volunteer support we would not be able to function as we are as a charity.
Other		N/A

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	The main focus of our work in Uganda continues to be the education, care and support to the children in Kapeeka and the surrounding area. We work to support some of the poorest and most needy families and children in Uganda. They see that education is a way out of poverty and therefore the attendance at our school is high. This past year we have been working on the new school buildings and facilities at our school. We are building new toilets and nursery school classrooms. We have over the past year been able to fulfil our aims through the provision of education, welfare, and support for orphaned and disadvantaged children in rural Uganda. The main activities undertaken during the period have been: ●Operating a primary school, which provides education to 450+ children from local families. ●Providing further education, A-Level courses, Vocational, and Diploma courses. ●Providing employment to the staff and members of the local community. ●Providing food, shelter and health care for children in the villages of Kadunda & Kisimula. ●During this past year help was provided to directly through sponsorship to the following children: ●16 Primary School children ●12 Secondary School pupils

● 1 University business course student ● 1 University Medical doctor student ● 2 teachers in training ● 1 Building course ● 2 Hairdressing course ● We continue to provide disability support for two young people.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:	Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:	Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41	We continue to evaluate our support levels and we are working towards making the project sustainable and self financing. Each academic year the school takes on the responsibility for another teacher's salary. This has been a successful strategy in making the school plan for sustainability and long term financial independence from the Uk charity. Salaries of three members of staff are now cover from school fees paid for by non sponsored children. We are continually monitoring our effectiveness and impact on the children and families we support. We will continue to adapt our work to meet the changing needs of the communities we work with. Our goal is to develop and improve the services and the care we offer to the lives of orphans and vulnerable children in the Kapeeka district.
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41	Regular sponsorship donations have remained consistent over the past financial year. Income from regular giving was slightly down at £36,721.69. (This figure does not include one off gifts or Gift Aid).
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41	FRO has no financial investments.
Other		N/A

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	The year closing balance was £47,337.85 Below is a breakdown of the restricted fund amounts: ●£250 – Farming ●£200 - Education ●£343 – PE equipment ●£18,962.77 – General/Building fund ●£1,958.96 - School books, uniforms, shoes Total - £21,714.73 We also have a balance of £2,800.00 for emergency or unexpected expenditure.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	The charity will hold 3 months of core running costs in the UK account in case the charity needs to be closed. These funds will be used to cover staff salary costs and any outstanding educational bills or associated expenses for winding up the charity. Three months running costs, in accordance with our reserves policy, have been allocated which amounts to £6000.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	Currently we are holding funds which have been allocated to cover the building expenses for the new school we are building. These funds will mostly be used in the next financial year.
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	N/A
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	N/A
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	N/A

Additional information (optional)

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The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	The charity’s principal source of funds comes through regular sponsorship. Other funds are received through one off donations, fundraising events (such as our annual quiz), collections from local supporters such as schools and churches. £550.00 was raised through our quiz night in October 2023. We have in past years worked with a professional fundraiser to raise much needed funds towards supporting our children in the areas of education, health and food as well as campaigning for our building project. In the last financial year we did not employ the fundraiser. All funds spent during the financial year have been in support of the key objectives of the charity.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46	FRO does not have any investments, and therefore, has no investment policy.
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	FRO continues to work to widen the field of supporters and sponsors. As a small charity that started with friends of friends supporting the work, the need for new sponsors is a real necessity. The need always outstrips the support. Communication and working cross culturally is one of our greatest challenges. Regular trustees visits are essential to the continued management and oversight of the project. Fundraising is another area that we need to work to strengthen. Although we have regular supporters giving monthly sponsorship we still are reliant on one off donations and fundraising for special projects.
Other		N/A

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Trust deed - dated 10thMay 1993 and amended Jan 2018.
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	Trust.
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	Appointed by Trustees.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	Para 1.51	All trustees are required to read and agree to adhere to guidelines of “The Essential Trustee”. Trustees are updated regularly, and further training is available upon request. The Trustees have all read and signed the safeguarding policy and have been given training on GDPR.
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51	The Trustees are responsible for ensuring that FRO operates within its remit from the Charity Commission and according to its charitable objects. In the past we have worked with a professional fundraiser and have drawn up a basic agreement for this. In this last financial year we haven’t engaged her in this work.
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51	FRO works in partnership with Friends of Disadvantaged Children that facilitate the work in Uganda. FODC is a registered Community Based Organisation in Uganda.

The Trustees have a duty to identify and review any risks, which the charity may be Other exposed to. The Trustees also ensure that appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name Friends Reaching Out Other name the charity uses N/A Registered charity number 1032163 Charity’s principal address 7 Maple Close Horsham RH12 4EZ WSX

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

		Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any)
1		Stephen Fishpool	Chairman		Trustee of FRO
2		Joy Dale			Trustee of FRO
3		Robert Davidge			Trustee of FRO
4		Dave Clouting	Secretary		Trustee of FRO
5		Alison Fishpool			Trustee of FRO

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for N/A safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of adviser Name Address

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

Declarations

Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date

FRIENDS REACHING OUT FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR YEAR TO 5Tr1 APRIL 2023 2022 INCOME INCOME Regular Oonation5 Gift5 &GiwTr8 Buil(ng Pro1￿[￿¥￿￿11(W Fundraising Gift thdaaitD5 £36,721.69 £3,638.09 3,597.15 £1.441.45 £7.204.81 O.(K) £o.(N) Re8ular [k)nati￿$ Gifts & Giwng JildingProprt [k)nati(￿S £37,404.3D £3,328.55 £11,602.58 £6,973.44 £6.530.80 £o.(N) £Q.(M) GiftAid Cl4iry5 LÉ8aty Vdunterr Progrèrnme Vdunteer Pf(yamme TOTALINCOME £52.￿3.19 TOTAL IfKoME £fj5￿39.67 iESS.' EXPENDIIURE L￿.EXpEN￿lTURE S3laries- Pyojtttstaff Salarle5- Klslmula Sclth Teacher5 Salarie5- Loan AdwdrKe Salarie5- Loan Recovery Totsl SalgriE5 £IO,(PJ3.51 £11,170.52 £742.12 -£743.93 £21,262.22 Salaries- ProleÉtStsff Salailes- ￿sImula Schrxil Teachers Salafies- Loan Advante Salarle5- Loan Recovwy Tota15alarie5 £7,258.24 £8,629.19 £2,497.67 -£1,425.48 £16.959.62 Prlnk)rykFthl & Rèwlrements SEcondarykh(xA FeE5 & requiremetits Furthr Edutatl(m FÈes & Requlremeffts Total Ed￿&t￿n costs £377.60 £4.061.33 £6.967.64 £11.406.57 Primaiy Schod Fee5 & Requirements Fee5 &reqvireinents Furthei Education Fees& Requlrem•)ts Totsl Educati¢M costs £481.54 £2,130.41 £3,393.43 £6,005.38 F￿d & Rent (Transitional suppcrtl Food Costs (Generall Medical Care & TrèatmÈnt Welfare & WLC05ts £1￿17.24 £6A27.45 £526.53 £872.( F(￿& Rent lTrans￿onalSupp0rt} Fcth4C05ts (Generall Methcal Cale& Treltsnent Wdfare& QOLCosts £308.44 £6.732.32 £￿.59 £204.81 Sch(w)l Devdoprn*t Project Devebpmert T4)tsl Developmenl £38.471.23 £4,972.48 £43,443.71 Schod Devdopn pro1￿t Devdq>rnerrt Totsl DeV￿0pment £LI,159.34 £o.(A) £11,159.34 Repalrs & MaInt￿anCe 4rlculture h(w)I ¢￿Erhead5 £2,012.07 £o.(h) £770.10 Repalrs & Malt)tenance A8rlcultuYe 5clth (￿[h￿d$ E89.84 £O.(N) £o.(x) Tran5Wrt& FUÈI UGD util￿e$ UGDAdrnin& OfficE £335.30 £131.46 £799.11) Tran5PQrt & Fti UGD Ublitie5 UGOAdmin & Office £316. £127.19 £538.46 Outreach Glfts Mis¢dlaDe( £3,234.39 £32.18 £o.Ly) re4¢h Glfts . Mi5cdlaneou5 £840.70 £357.13 £o.(h) VoluntÈer Prr¥drèrnme OversightVi5its Fundrai￿n8 UKAdmin & Offi¢e Bank Charges £o.o) £854.52 £451.89 £407.80 £508.20 Vdtrteer Pro8rAmme I￿SIgh￿VISIts Andraising UKAdtDin & Office ank Chargés £Q(M) £490.87 £725.45 £765.88 £57.87 TOTALEXPENSfS £95.292.69 TOTAL EXPENSES £45,739.89 CREDttlDEFEcrr -£42,689. CREtXTIDEFEcir £20xrJ9.78 YEAROPENINGACCOUNT&4LANCE £90m7.35 YEAR OPENI￿ ACCOUKt BALANCE £69,927.57 ANNUALCREDtfiDEFEcrr 4416È9.9) ANNUALCREtXT/DEFECIT £20.099.78 YEARCLOSING ACCOUNTBALANCE 47,337.85 YEAR ACCWNT BALA14CE £9).027.35

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees On accounts for the year ended Charlty no (if any) I ko23 Set out on pages 1*2 I report to the trustees on my examination of Ihe accounts of the abov8 charity {"the Trust") for the year ended of o 4 zoa3. Responsibillties and basis of report As the charity's Irustees, you are responsibl8 for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out nder section 145 of the 2011 Act and in Carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5llb) of the Act. Independent examinerfs statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with Ihe examinalion fotheTr Seles￿￿' which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordance with seclion 130 of the Charilies Act., or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records. or the accounts did not comply with the applicable-requiremenls conceming Ihe form and Content of accounts set out in the Charities {Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that Ihe accounts give a 'lrue and fair. view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in thi5 report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets if th&y do not apply. Slgned: Date: Name: Lotr'i G,¢ovC Relevant professional qualification(s) or body IER Oct 2018

(if any): Address: Section B Disclosure Qnly complete if the examiner needs lo highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charfly accounts: dlrections and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to dlsclose. IER Oct 2018