Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 05/04/25 To 04/04/26
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 charity's purpose is the relief of poverty and the advancement of education for orphans, vulnerable children, and young people in Uganda. This is achieved by enabling children and young people to access education. We support families within the local community, by providing free and heavily subsidised primary education. As well as school fees we provide general care such as school meals and medical help to the children who are sponsored. This assistance relives the stress on families having to provide money for food and school fees which in term benefits the whole family not just the child being sponsored. Educational opportunities are supported through the payment of school, college, university, and vocational training fees, ensuring that children and young people have access to learning and skills development. In addition, the charity provides essential support, including food, shelter, and other basic necessities, to help meet the immediate needs of vulnerable children and their families. |
| 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, providing care, education, and opportunities for orphans and vulnerable children. |
| Donations and sponsorship enable us to provide: ● Nutritious food for the children and staff across our project. ● Free education at our primary school for sponsored children. ● Funding for secondary, further, and higher education, including vocational training, A Levels, and university courses. ● Clothing, essential medical care, and wellbeing support for sponsored children. ● The construction, maintenance, and ongoing improvement of school buildings, classrooms, and facilities. ● Support that helps children develop the knowledge, skills, and opportunities needed to build independent and fulfilling lives. |
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| 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:
| 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. |
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| 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 | Our main focus in Uganda continues to be the education, care, and support of children in Kapeeka and the surrounding communities. We work with some of the poorest and most vulnerable families, where education is recognised as a pathway out of poverty and an opportunity to improve future prospects. As a result, attendance at our school remains consistently high, reflecting the value placed on education by the local community. We continue to invest in, and develop our school site. We recently installed a new fence at the front of the school property to improved on the security and providing greater protection for the children who attend th school. These developments will provide a safer, healthier, and more effective learning environment for current and future pupils. Throughout the year, we delivered our charitable objectives by providing education, welfare, healthcare, and practical support to orphaned and disadvantaged children in rural Uganda. We also continued to provide nutritious meals for children attending our school, helping to improve both attendance and wellbeing. Our principal activities during the year included: ●Operating our primary school, providing education for more than 450 children from the local community. ●Supporting students in secondary education, A Levels, vocational training, diploma courses, and university. |
● Providing employment for teachers and other members of the local community, contributing to the local economy. ● Providing food, shelter, and healthcare for children in the villages of Kadunda and Kisimula. Through our sponsorship programme during the year, we supported: ● 22 children in primary education. ● 12 students in secondary education. ● 1 university students studying Medicine. ● 1 trainee teacher. ● 2 Nurses students ● 1 Plumber ● 1 Electrian In addition, we continued to provide dedicated support for one young person with disabilities, ensuring they received the care and assistance needed to improve their quality of life and maximise their independence. We remain grateful to our sponsors, donors, volunteers, and supporters whose continued generosity enables us to provide life-changing opportunities for vulnerable children and young people in Uganda.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against Para 1.41 objectives set
We continue to regularly evaluate our level of support and are committed to developing the project towards greater sustainability and long-term financial independence.
| A key part of this strategy is enabling the school to gradually take on more responsibility for its own running costs. In previous years, the school was able to take responsibility for funding of some additional teacher salaries, however this has had to stop and we are now providing salary for an additional teachers as the cost of living as well as pupil numbers have meant that the salary bill could not be met without assistance from the UK. Helping to build a sustainable model and reduce the project’s dependence on financial support from the UK charity is essential to our plan and we contour to work towards this goal. We will continue to work on this strategy while ensuring that education remains accessible to children from disadvantaged backgrounds. We continually monitor the effectiveness, quality, and impact of our work to ensure that the support we provide is making a meaningful difference to the lives of the children and families we serve. This includes reviewing educational outcomes, welfare needs, and the wider challenges faced by the communities we support. As the needs of the local community continue to change, we will remain flexible and responsive in adapting our work and resources. Our ongoing goal is to strengthen and improve the education, care, and support services we provide, creating lasting opportunities for orphans, vulnerable children, and families in the Kapeeka district. Through careful planning, responsible management, and continued investment in the project, we aim to build a sustainable future that will allow the school and wider support programme to continue benefiting children and the local community for many years to come. |
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| 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 £30,462.47 (This figure does not include one off gifts or Gift Aid). |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | FRO has no financial investments. |
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| 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 £51,060.52 This year our income was increased through a legacy payment of £15,0000 - which is reflected in the high than usual closing balance. Below is a breakdown of the restricted fund amounts: ● £250 – Farming ● £343 – PE equipment ● £2,080 – General/Building fund ● £1,000 - School books, uniforms, shoes Total - £3,673 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 cost of books and resources for the school and for further building work of a potential new library or open teaching area. |
| 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)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| 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/barndance ), collections from local supporters such as schools and churches. £200.00 was raised through our barndance night in November 2025. 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. |
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| 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 | The main risks facing the charity relate to maintaining long-term financial sustainability, expanding our supporter base, and ensuring effective management and communication between the UK charity and the project in Uganda. Friends Reaching Out (FRO) continues to work to widen its network of supporters and sponsors. As a small charity that began through a network of friends supporting the work, the need to attract new sponsors remains essential. The demand for support continues to exceed the resources available, and securing new regular sponsors is important to enable us to continue providing education, care, and welfare support for vulnerable children. Fundraising remains an ongoing area of focus. While we are grateful for the commitment of regular supporters who provide monthly sponsorship, the charity remains partly reliant on one-off donations and fundraising activities to support specific projects and developments. We continue to explore ways to strengthen our fundraising activities and increase financial resilience. |
| Communication and working across cultures remain key challenges. Maintaining strong relationships, effective oversight, and shared understanding between the UK charity and the Uganda project team is essential to the success of our work. Regular trustee visits to Uganda play an important role in monitoring progress, supporting local leadership, and ensuring appropriate management and governance of the project. We also recognise the importance of continuing to develop the sustainability of the project. Through increasing local income generation, including school fee contributions from non-sponsored pupils, we are working towards reducing reliance on UK funding while maintaining access to education and support for disadvantaged children. The trustees regularly review these risks and continue to adapt our approach to ensure that the charity remains effective, sustainable, and able to meet the changing needs of the children and communities we support. |
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| Other | N/A |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
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| 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: |
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: |
|---|---|---|
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. |
| Other | The Trustees have a duty to identify and review any risks, which the charity may be 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) |
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| 1 | Stephen Fishpool | Chairman | Trustee of FRO |
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| 2 | JoyDale | Trustee of FRO |
| 3 | JerryLee | Secretary | Trustee of FRO | |
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| 4 | Alison Fishpool | Trustee of FRO | ||
| 5 | Robert Davidge | 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 held in this capacity |
N/A |
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| Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects |
N/A |
| Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets |
N/A |
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser
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) S. Fishpool Full name(s) S.Fishpool Position (eg Secretary, Chair Chair, etc) Date
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees FRIENDS REACHING OUT On accounts for the year 05 April 2026 Charity no 1032163 ended (if any) Set out on pages
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended DD / MM / YYYY .
Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report 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 under 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(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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• the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or • the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
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 accounts to be reached.
Signed: E Lovegrove Date: 02.08.2026
Name: Elaine Lovegrove
1
Oct 2018
IER
Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any):
Ex-Independent School Bursar
Address: 20 Braeface
Alness IV17 0QP
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
2
Oct 2018
IER
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
3
Oct 2018
IER
| FRIENDS REACHING OUT | ||||||||
| FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR YEAR TO 5TH APRIL, 2026 |
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| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| INCOME | INCOME | |||||||
| Regular Donations | £30,462.47 | Regular Donations | £33,411.89 | |||||
| Gifts & Giving | £17,942.02 | Gifts & Giving | £18,204.29 | |||||
| BuildingProject Donations | £2,000.00 | BuildingProject Donations | £200.00 | |||||
| Fundraising | £1,678.18 | Fundraising | £2,886.33 | |||||
| Gift Aid Claims | £6,642.79 | Gift Aid Claims | £5,462.61 | |||||
| Legacy | £15,000.00 | Legacy | £0.00 | |||||
| Volunteer Programme | £0.00 | Volunteer Programme | £0.00 | |||||
| TOTAL INCOME | £73,725.46 | TOTAL INCOME | £60,165.12 | |||||
| LESS: EXPENDITURE | LESS: EXPENDITURE | |||||||
| Salaries - Project Staff | £8,770.68 | Salaries - Project Staff | £7,862.90 | |||||
| Salaries - Kisimula School Teachers | £9,877.80 | Salaries - Kisimula School Teachers | £9,416.99 | |||||
| Salaries - Loan Advance | £1,136.46 | Salaries - Loan Advance | £693.92 | |||||
| Salaries - Loan Recovery | -£400.04 | Salaries - Loan Recovery | -£202.69 | |||||
| Total Salaries | £19,384.90 | Total Salaries | £17,771.12 | |||||
| PrimarySchool Fees & Requirements | £281.11 | PrimarySchool Fees & Requirements | £400.93 | |||||
| Secondary School Fees & requirements | £5,495.56 | Secondary School Fees & requirements | £5,891.89 | |||||
| Further Education Fees & Requirements | £6,014.45 | Further Education Fees & Requirements | £2,477.30 | |||||
| Total Education costs | £11,791.12 | Total Education costs | £8,770.12 | |||||
| Food & Rent (Transitional support) | £0.00 | Food & Rent (Transitional support) | £494.99 | |||||
| Food Costs(General) | £3,248.89 | Food Costs(General) | £4,134.48 | |||||
| Medical Care & Treatment | £93.34 | Medical Care & Treatment | £388.74 | |||||
| Welfare & QOL Costs | £218.64 | Welfare & QOL Costs | £846.48 |
| School Development £4,232.67 School Development £13,717.00 Project Development £1,245.65 Project Development £338.27 Total Development £5,478.32 Total Development £14,055.27 Repairs & Maintenance £0.00 Repairs & Maintenance £96.27 Agriculture £1,720.00 Agriculture £858.33 School Overheads £0.00 School Overheads £0.00 Transport & Fuel £320.04 Transport & Fuel £337.77 UGD Utilities £77.78 UGD Utilities £143.71 UGD Admin & Office £603.24 UGD Admin & Office £870.91 Outreach £1,106.89 Outreach £442.39 Gifts £1,500.99 Gifts £263.60 Refund £3,000.00 Miscellaneous £0.00 Volunteer Programme £0.00 Volunteer Programme £519.70 Oversight Visits £0.00 Oversight Visits £1,346.13 Fundraising £709.57 Fundraising £882.00 UK Admin & Office £1,211.63 UK Admin & Office £790.79 Bank Charges £310.42 Bank Charges £275.99 TOTAL EXPENSES £50,775.77 TOTAL EXPENSES £53,288.79 CREDIT/DEFECIT £22,949.69 CREDIT/DEFECIT £6,876.33 YEAR OPENING ACCOUNT BALANCE £28,110.83 YEAR OPENING ACCOUNT BALANCE £21,234.50 ANNUAL CREDIT/DEFECIT £22,949.69 ANNUAL CREDIT/DEFECIT £6,876.33 YEAR CLOSING ACCOUNT BALANCE £51,060.52 YEAR CLOSING ACCOUNT BALANCE £28,110.83 |
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