NIGHTXNGALES CHILDREN'S PROJECT (wwttw.nightingaleschildrensproject.co.uk) Registered charity number 1047698 TRUSTEES REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 ID4647887
NIGHTINGALES CHILDREN5 PROJECT TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 The Trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023. N ightingales Childrens Project is a registered Charity. charity no 1047698. The charity's principal UK office is 2 Lily Close, Springfield, Chelmsford, Essex, CMI 6YN. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note I to the accounts and comply with the Charitys Trust Deed, applicable law and the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice- Accounting and Reporting by Charities (revised 2005). STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Nightingales Childrens Project was established by a charitable trust deed on 27 June 1995. The objectives of the Trust are: The Trustees shall hold the tmst fund and its income upon trust to apply them for the following objects { the objects ) (in Romaniaj [°the area of benefit J l The relief of poverty sickness and distress and to advance education and integration amongst children andyoung people in Cernavoda and the surrounding areas," 2 The relief of poverty, sickness and distress amongst the disadvantaged famAlies in Cernavoda and the surrounding areas by the provision of support and resources. The tru5tee5 who Seed during the period were: LA Moran PR Moran F Phillips- Chairman GA Smith AS Wells The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Trust Deed. They meet at least annually and all decisions are reached by agreement, The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that systems aro in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks. OBJ ECTIVES AN D ACTivrrIES Under the terms of the Trust Deed. the Trustees have wide discretionary powers a5 to distributions of income and capital in pursuance of the objects of the Trust as stated above. CERNAVODA ORPHANAGE AND CASA FERICIIUX {-Home of Happiness-) Nightingales Childrens Project is the brain child of David Savage MBE, who during the 1990's, gave up his life in England to set up and run the project which initially consisted of providing a supported volunteer network to ViSlt the children in the Cernavoda Orphanage, giving them one to one attention, love and stimulation to enable them to develop, The Orphanage was closed during 2004/05 and the children living there were either fostered ID464789ll Payelof4
NIGHTINGALES CHILDRENS PROJECT TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 or transferred to other Orphanages within the Constanta area. Nightingales continued to provide support for these children via support for their new families and regular visits until the end of 2007. David Savage MBE also raised money for and built a home, Casa Fericirii, (meaning "Home of Happiness"), for a group of 22 HIV positive young people (aged 10 to 11) whom it adopted from the Cernavoda Orphanage in 1998. At the time of fostering the young people were not expected to live beyond their early teens, and the aim was to provide thern with a loving caring home and the necessary medication and stimulation to make their lives as happy and comfortable as possible. Over the years Casa Fericirii has also opened its doors to a number of other HIV positive children that the state was unable to accommodate due to their specialist needs. A number of the originally fostered HIV positive children have died, but as a result of the care provided by Nightingales, many are now in their earty 30s and have good standards of health. Whilst some are now i ndependent, for a handful, the years of institutionalisation prior to their move to Casa Fericirii, means that they have been unable to develop fully into self sufficient adults. Currently we have 3 young people with severe learning difficulties living in the home. We also have a further 9 young adults living in independent units in the town, working and supporting themselves and requiring only moral and social support from Nightingales. They have a full programme of activities each day, interacting with all beneficiaries of the Charity. These young people are now in their thirties and continue to need the care that Nightingales provides. They love coming to the Charity daily to help out with the cleaning and spend time there hanging out there with the other beneficiaries of the Charity. OTHER PROJECTS For the last 18 years, the work at Casa Fericirii and the other projects detailed below, has continued under the control of Ben Wells who has overseen all day to day activities, as well as starting a number of other projects for the relief of poverty in Cernavoda which is a particularly poor area of Romania. Like David Savage, Ben has given up his life in England to care for these people and we owe a great debt of gratitude to him for this, Ben was awarded the Beacon Fellowship Prize for Young Philanthropist of the Year in 2006, a huge accolade that gave recognition to the dedication and hard work that Ben has committed to Nightingales. Community Outreach Project Nightingales cares as much for the local community as it does for the people we look after and has a Community Outreach Project which has been running alongside our other projects since Nightingales arrived in Cernavoda in the 19905. We provide some of the poorest children and their families with clothes. medicines and toys as well as repairing their houses to a basic standard of living. "DRAGONS DEN" Coffee Shop and play area - (formerly-Tereza- Community Centre) The Coffee Shop building was funded in 2004 by a London based volunteer, Miki Jablkowska, founder of the charity"2 Wheel Appeal.. It employs 6 of the girls from our Human Trafficking Prevention Programme and one of our special needs adults, providing them with valuable work experience for 2 hours each day alongside their education. The Coffee Shop is self-sufficient and provides a welcorning space used by the whole community and an increased means of outreach and contact with the community. We run arts and crafts for the local community IT)4647090 Pa9e 2 ef4
NIGHTINGALES CHILDRENS PROJEcr TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 and a library for 1 to 12 year olds. It also offers a place where the local young people can display and sell the many items including candles, bags, skirts. jewellery and wooden furniture, they make. Adjoining the coffee shop 15 a park, built by young men in the Nightingales mentoring scheme, a reading and colouring room, a water play feature, and play and seating areas. The Centre also provides education and practical skills to help young people gain employment giving them a chance to break out of the povety in which they currently live and offers gymnasium facilities, and classes in boxing, weightl ifting, danci ng and football, which enable the locals to participate in sports related activities at an affordable price. It also offers an after school club for local children, run by volunteers, where they can receive help with their homework. and a "Stay and Play. children's, play area. HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION PROGRAMMES This project was set up to combat the large number of young people in Cernavoda who are forced into prostitution or traff icked each year. Nightingales works in partnership with the Human Trafficking Foundation, two local schools and a local church to deliver various projects which provide opportunity and hope to vulnerable young people. Trafficking Prevention for young girls In Ceinavoda, one of the biggest growth industries is the trafficking of young women to work in the sex industry in Western Europe. Nightingales works in partnership with two local schools. a local church and local authorities to deliver a number of projects which provide opportunity and hope to vulnerable young people. This group meets every day for sessions that incorporate one to one mentoring and discussion groups and provision of financial, academic and practical support Through Nightingales they run a successful social enterprise, 'Light for Night. that makes candles, bags, Christmas cards and jewellery They learn various skills including hairdressing, cooking and make-up They are provided with a hot meal each day They have their own football team They coordinate programmes for younger children in Cernavoda As well as the opportunities for serious discussion on personal subjects the girls have the chance to develop new skill sets and enjoy themselves within a supportive network. This is a pilot schemo which it is hoped will be replicated in other towns around Eastern Europe. Trafficking prevention for young men - The Football Team The programme with the young ladies at risk lead us to recognise the need to provide a similar programme for the young men at risk of getting involved in trafficking or in drug related activities. The majority of these young men have dropped out of school without gaining their High School Certificate and consequently have been drawn into the cycle of trafficking, In September 2012 Nightingales Childrens, Project started a 5-a-side football team in a local league, alongside which the young men worked doing small amounts of DIY at the charity. The only stipulation to being allowed to train and play is a commitment to attending and behaving at school thereby enabling them to gain their High School Certificate. ID4647890 Pa9e3014
NIGHTINGALES CHILDRENS PROJECT TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Currently Nightingales mentors over 100 young men providing them with the incentive to stay in education and to find jobs after education, so as not to get involved in the trafficking industry. These young men are from Cernavoda and Constanta,- many have spent time in orphanages and care. Football continues to be a focal point. Since 2018 we have had an 11-a-side team in the Romanian 4 division where over 30 members of the scheme pay in our senior and junior teams. The coaches use the training sessions to teach life skills and build character and confidence through football. Each is provided with a hot meal every day. Over the last few years, the original 6 young men have staited coaching some of the younger teams and running a business making and selling wooden pens and fumiture made from pallets and some of the young men have also been volunteering in local prisons and schools to teach life skills through football. In 2017, we had a representative for the Romanian national team at the Homeless World Cup in Oslo, Norway. SPONSORSHIP Nightingales has a number of different sponsorship programmes where everyone can get involved in the fight against trafficking by supporting one of our projects. Please visit our website at wwww.nightingaleschildrensproject.co.uk for full details. FINANaAL REVIEW AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Nightingales, aim is to keep its expenditure funded by donations to approximately £30,OC() per annum and to have at least 3 years of reserves to ensure that it can continue to care for the individuals at Casa Fericirii and continue all other projects into the foreseeable future. As with the rest of the world. 2024 Saw the impact of rising prices and this, alongside an issue with our transport vehicle, meant we exceeded the targeted expenditure levels by £10,000 this year. However, as a whole, the results for the year ended 31 March 2024 were considered satisfactory. There was a surplus of income over expenditure of £15,985 (2023,, surplus of expenditure over income of £2,306) due to an increase in donation5 received from funding campaigns. and in particular to a large one off donation from the Carla Trust on their closure, a5 well as £20,IJOO raised by Dauntseys School. Unrestricted reserves totalled £126,383 at 31 March 2024 (2023.. £108,741). which included cash of £110.352 (2023: £91,809). The Trustees send their heartfelt thanks to eve one who has supported us throughout the year. particularly our regular donors who give monthly to us and Dauntseys School who. not only raise significant sums for us but also. but provide practical assistance in their annual visits to Romania. Without your help. our work cannot continue a5 we are reliant on donations and, every penny really is most gratefully received and put to good use. behalf of he Board of Trustees th 12 January 2025 ith reasurer) ID46478 Page4014
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NIGHTINGALES CHILDREN'S PROJECT NOTES TO THEACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 ACCOUNTING POLICIES BASIS OF PREPARATION The account8 havo been ppared under the hi%todcal cost convention ar¥J in accoidance wth applicable accounilng standards. The accounts have been prepared In accordance vllh the ac¢ounlirKJ po5ieies sel oul In note 1 and comply with the Charills Trust Deed, applicabk13w Jnd Ihe requwEments ol the Sialemenl ol Recommended Practice Account ar¥1 reporting by chadtles {revlsed 20051. INCOMING RESOURCES Donab'ons and income from lundrai3ing evenls gte acexjunled for on the receipts and payments basis. Tax redairnable on donaltons receNed undef glft ald Is accounled for on Ihe ceIpts and payrner*ls basls. DONATED ASSETS Donated assets are Gapilalised in Ihe Balance Sheel al Iheir estimaled mathel vHlue when E1ved, wllh the corresponding entry being Induded in the Slalemenl of Finandal Aclivitles as a donalion. except for Ihe followlng assets which were donated In p0T years.'- "Casa Fèrldrtl" building - rtrwned by Townhall bul leased lo Nhjhtingales Iree of chaige 'Tereza Sala de Sport. . laka Sports Halllcommunily centl- land gwrwl by Townhall bul leased lo Nightingales free ol charge Str Panalt Cemavoda- Bloc E12 Apartmenl 9-Wolunleers Apartrnent" treehold tegi51ered in name of Nighllngales The following properties are registered in Ihe name of D SavJge Jfjdlor h¢$ vife Elena bul a used free of charge by Nighlingales: Str Panalt CenavLwJa- Bloc E10, Apartmenl 9-"Jane's Apartmenl" Slr.Horia nr 20, Cern8vgda-"Gioarsa's House" Com. Rasova, Intre Draghia Lulian and Curaion Ghei¥ghe-"Ra$ova' COSTS RE CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES AII costs re charitable actÉvitles are accounted lor on the reIp1S and pen15 basi5. GOVERNANCE COSTS G0Veman cosls are accounted for on an acejuals ba81s TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS AND DEPRECIATION Tangible fixed assets purchased are staled al cost less depreciation. Depreciation is Pfovwjed al iales calculated lo write off the ci)81 less estin)aled residual value ol each asset over its e51irnaled Lt5elul Ilfe al the follo%ng rales:_ 1.6.1 Sports Hall and Community ProjectlTrdy CentrB Gym equipment foi Sports Hall Motor Vehides Land 5% per annum stralght Ilne crynmendng 1.8.05 - Th per annum slraighl line commenang 1.8.05 - 25% per annum straight 1.6.2 The donated Ireehold property hebj in the CharilW3 name- Str Panail Ceinavoda - E12 Apartment 9 known as the Volunteers Apartmenl" is stsled in the accounts at a nominal amount of£10D wilh no depreciation being charged EMPLOYEES There are no UK based employees. Atl UK based wtldpalor8 piovlde Ihelr servkes lo the Charfly on a volurslary basss. None of the UK based trustees recelve any remuneration lor Iheir services. Where funds allow, Nallonal Insuran¢e conlrfbulK)ns are paMJ lo HM Revenue & Customs lo secure pen8knn enllllemenls for VK persons working knng lerm In Romania. SUPPORT FOR UKRAINIAN REFUGEES Since the start of the war Ill Urkaine. Nightingales has hovsed a nurnber of Ukialnian relugees. Theif livlng ¢osts have been pald for by a combination ol hjnds they have in themselve5, Ifom support Ihey have re1Ve from Ihe aulhorte8. as well as spec#fic donalions. A]1 Income and experKliluie relalhJ lo Ihe Ukrainian retugees ts segregaled In the Romanlan ac¢uunls and shown as a reslrictèd fLtnd. Page 7
NIGHTINGALES CHILDREN'S PROJECT NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 RESTRICTED FUNDS Goods and funds donated for a specific purpose are designated as Restricted Funds in Nightingales, accounts. and are Us1 solely in accordance with the donovs wishes. Yle 31.3.24 Yje 31.3.23 DONATIONS AND LEGACIES Donations - Specific includes arnounts recelved from the following:" K&A Biallca re Jayda st George's Church Faifield - Independent Living Ukraine 120 590 120 750 TOTAL FOR PERIOD PER STATEMENT OFFINANCIAL ACTMTIES 710 1.460 General - other donations compris& Josh Hayles Daunlseys Sch¢)ol C3 Hope Shelfieki Qngsley Napley Connected Life 1.800 20.577 1.5( 1,800 6.063 1,044 1.000 2,400 26.283 121 9,907 154 Donations under £250 each TOTAL FOR PERIOD PER STA TEMENT OF FINANCIAL AC71VlnES 26,404 ACTIVITIES FOR GENERATING FUNDS Fundra5slng Just Giving Virgin Money Giving 29 3,818 TOTAL FOR PERIOD PER STA TEMENTOF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 3,818 Page 8
NIGHTINGALES CHILDREN'S PROJECT NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 2024 2023 Notes FUNDS TO ROMANIA SUMMARY OF MOVEMENT Rtsm8nlan bank and cash balances brought I0rd l Aprl 2023 Exchange diff8r8nces on opening bank balance Funds sent Irom Nightingales UK SJndry other incDm8 IncIlIng sponsorship. donations, govtsrnmenlal refijnds and loan repayments 3,042 197} 39,336 4.498 29.240 36,9 26.918 Les8 expendllLYe In Romania Add income less eypendltur8 re Ukralnlan felLNJee supp1 (69,3901 19711 160,070) 2,458 Romanian bank and balances cathed fowdrd 31 Mah 2024 7.929 3.042 FUNDS SENT FROM NIGHTINGALES UK Fund5 lo Romanla - General runnlng costs Funds lo Romanla for specifFc IleS Exchange differences Per SOFA Per SOFA 38,180 1.820 16641 29,880 120 1760) 39,336 29,240 Sundry olhor Ineomo Includlng sponsorship, donations. governmental refund5 and loan rèpaymonts. comprSs&8:. Loans repald Donalions Reallocation of ODM income for Ukfanians in wevious yeai Living cos15 reimbursed fiom ind8perKlenl adults Money frorn the Slalo (or lood Proceeds Irorn sale ol car Money from the Stale for chlld allowance Healng pellets 520 2,t21 8,431 16,0001 1,149 3,016 416 6,285 2,419 23.713 434 19,451 871 &1 36.009 Rstricted income and expenditure r8lating to support ol Ukralrlan refugees and held In Romanla Incorne frorn ODM R&allocalion of ODM income from pr8¥ious year Expenditure 9.264 6.000 112,8081 19711 971 Page 9
NIGHTINGALES CHILDREN'S PROJECT NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 FUNDS TO ROMANIA Icontlnuedl Funds sent to Romanla durfng the perfod were applied as loU¢Jws:_ 2024 2023 Notes 5.4.1 Expondlture al Casa Ferlclril Light. heal. power and ul111t9, phone. elc Celebrallons lesllvals and blrthdays, elc GIDlhes Conslru¢llotVbulldlng malnlenan ExGursionB including carnping Food and cleanln9 Fuelld*Esel and olher vehicle 8XP8nses Loan lo Coffee Shop Medicalion Other payments linc pelly cash &xpenses) Salaries Salary taxes and related costs A Steen Projecl Apartm8tit cosls Volunleer cos13 6,504 485 358 2.083 3,384 8.634 5.029 520 369 1,593 24.451 7.717 4.040 785 2.337 9.441 366 so 1,739 334 8,693 1.741 557 833 19,948 7,734 5,437 1,708 488 68.290 59.049 5.4.2 Expendllur? ot Communlty Centrelcoffee Shop am system 361 395 5.4.3 othot costs Llleracy Project Irestricled fvndl NighnaleS Library Bank cornmission 496 395 21 210 244 Totsl expendire In year 60.070 Voluntuars, Ilvlng oxpensg5 Volunteers helping out in Romania a requwl lo thelr Ilighl cosls Ilvlng eXnSes. Volunl88r cosis Included above are mNe than fty covered by donallons leVed from the volunteers. SALARIES Salaiies comprT$e amounts paid to Romanian locals employed by Ihe Charity lo assist wllh th8 varfous proled$ and day lo day operalions. Rates of pay aTe conslstenl with those In Ihe Rornanian e¢onomy generally. Page 10
NIGHTINGALES CHILDREN'S PROJECT NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 FIXED ASSETS General Restricted Total SPORTS HALL AND COMMUNITY CENTRE PROJECT COST Brought forward 1 April 2023 Additions 18,007 18,140 36,147 Carried forward 31 March 2024 18,007 18,140 36,147 DEPRECIATION Brought fotward 1 April 2023 Charge for period 15.675 900 15,797 907 31,472 1,807 Carried forward 31 March 2024 16,575 18.704 33,279 NET BOOK VALUE 31 MARCH 2024 1,432 1,436 2,868 NET BOOK VALUE 31 MARCH 2023 2,332 2,343 4,675 HOLIDAY HOME COST AND NET BOOK VALUE 1 APRIL 2022 AND 31 MARCH 2023 14,500 14,500 The Holiday Home was sold on XXXX Page11
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF NIGHTINGALES CHILDRENS, PROJECT I report lo the trustees on my examination of the financial statemenls of Nightingales Children5' Project (the charity) for the year ended 31 Mah 2024, which are Set out on pages 5 10 11. RESPONSIBILITIES AND BASIS OF REPORT As the charity's Irustees you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accord8nce with the requirements of Ihe Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Acti. I report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statenEnts carried out under section 145 of Ihe 2011 Act. I n c8rrying out my examination I have followed all applicable dlrections glven by the Charity Commissioners under section 145{6)(b) of the 2011 Act. Basis of independent examiner's rèport I confirm that l am qualified to undertake the examination because l am a member of ICAEW, which is one of the bodies listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act My examination was carried out in accordance wilh the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kepl by the charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with Ihose records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in tho financial statements and seeking explanations from you as trustees Goncerning any such malters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequentty no opinion is given as to whether the financial statements present a 'lrue and fair 1 and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examination and confirm that no malter5 have com8 to my attention which give me cause lo belleve that in any material respect: accounting records were not kept in accoidance with section 130 of the 2011 Ac( or the linancial statements do not accord with the accounting records.. or the financial statement do not comply with the applicable requirements conceming the form and content ol accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounls give a true and fair view which is nol a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have not corne across any matters in connection with the examination lo which altention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements lo be reached. This report is made solely to the Charity's trustees. as a body, in a¢Gordance wilh section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. My work has been undertaken so that I might slate to the Charity's trustees thcse matters which l am required to stale to them in this report and for no other purpose. To the ful,.est extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Charity and the Charity's Trustees as a body. for my work, for this reF)Ort, or for the opinions I have formed. (lilL4(.11[". Page 12 ID1647889