NIGHTINGALES CHILDREN'S PROJECT (www.nightingaleschildrensproject.co.uk) Registered charlty number 1047698 TRUSTEES REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 ID4647887
NIGHTINGALES CHILDRENS PROJECT TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 The Trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025. Nightingales Childrens Project is a registered Charity, charity no 1047698. Thè charity's principal UK office is 2 Lily Close, Springfield, Chelmsford, Essex, CM16YN. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the Charity's Trust Deed, applicable law and the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting aTrJ Reporting by Charities (revi*d 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: rhe Trustees shall hold the trust fund and its income upon tmst to app them for the following objects {"the objects } {in Romania) (°the area ofbenefit ) I The relief ofpoverty sickness and distress and to advance education and integration amongst children andyoung people in Cemavoda and the surrounding areas. 2 rhe relief of poverty, sickness and distress amongst the disadvanfaged families in Cernavoda and the surrounding areas by the provision ofsupport and resources. The trustees who seNed during the period were: LA Moran PR Moran F Phillips Chairman GA Smith C Tonkiss E Tonkiss 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 assèssed the major risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Under the terms of the Trust Deed, the Trustees have wide discretionary powers as to distributions of income and capital in pursuance of the objects of the Trust as stated above. CERNAVODA ORPHANAGE AND CASA FERICIRII ("Home of Happiness") Nightingales Childrens Project 15 the brain child of David Savage MBE, who during the 1990's, gave up hls life in England to set up and run the project, which initially consisted of providing a supported volunteer network to visit the children in the Cernavoda Orphanage, giving them one to one attention, love and stimulation to enable thern to develop. The Orphanage was cEosed during 2004/05 and the children living there were either fostered or transf&rred to other Orphanages within the Constanta area. Nightingales continued to provide support for these children via support for their new families and regular vi5it5 until the end of 2007, Pap l 014
NIGHTINGALES CHILDRENS PROJECT TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Davld Savage MBE also raised money for and built a Irne, 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 teen5, and the aim was to provide them with a loving caring home and the necessary Medication and stirnulation to make their lives as happy and cornfortable 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 early 305 and have good standards of health. Whilst some are now independent, 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. Currentty we have 4 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 Nightlngales 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 19 years, the work at Casa Fericirii and the other projects detailed below, has continued u nder 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. Communlty Oulreach Project Nightingales cares as much for the local community as it does for the people we look after and has a Comrnunity Outreach Project which has been running alongside our other projects Sin Nightingales arrived in Cernavoda in the 1990s. 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 livin9. With a team of 10 volunteers, we also collect short life food at no cost from local supermarkets and deliver it to about 100 people in Cernavoda each month. Since starting this scheme, we have been able a550 to reduce our own food costs by providing our 4 differently abled adults with food too. "DRAGONS DEN" Coffee Shop and play area - (formerfy -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 2 of the girls from our Human Trafficking Prevention Prograrnme, 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 mean5 of outreach and contact with the community. We run arts and crafts for the local community 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 vmoden furniture, they make. Adjoining the coffee shop is a park, built by young men in the Nightingales rnentoring 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. It also offers an after school club for local Pagè2of4
NIGHIINGALES CHILDRENS PROJECT TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 children, run by volunteers, Whe they can receive help with thlyr homework, and a 'Stay and Play. children's, play area. Following a flood, two of the rooms at Nightingales were renovated during the year, one of which has been converted into a youth room with an air hockey table, basketball, table football, cards and a board game area. This has been very popular and, as well as providing activities for parents whilst their children are having lessons, has also seen a number of young teens join us. HUMAN TRAFFZCKING PREVENTION PROGRAMMES Thls project was set up to combat the large number of young people in Cernavoda who are forced into prostitution or trafficked each year. Nightingales vnrks in partnership with the Human Trafficking Foundation, two local schools and a local church to deliver various projects whlch provide opportunity and hope to vulnerable young people. Trafflcklng Prwention for young girfs In Cernavoda, one of the biggest growth industries is the traffickiry of youn9 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 sesslons 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 Cemavoda 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 scheme which it is hoped WOIS be replicated in other towns around Eastern Europe, Academically, the girls had a great year with several passing their year groups and moving upwards in the school system, One pa55ed from middle school to High School, the first in her family Traffi¢kln9 preventlon for young men - The Football Team The programme with the young ladies at risk lead us to recognise the need to provide a sirnilar programme for the young men at risk of getting involved in trafficking or in dru9 related activities. The majority of these young men have dropped out of schsX)I without gaining their High School Certificate and consequently have been drawn into the cycle of trafficking. In September 2012 Nightingales Childrens, Project started a S-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. Currently Nightingales rnentors 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 Pagè3 tsf4
NIGHTINGALES CHILDRENS PROJEcr TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 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 been coaching some of the younger teams and running a business making and selling wooden pens and fumiture made froffl pallets and some of the young men have also been volunteering in local prisons and schools to teach life skills through football. In 2025, one of our former players was chosen for the under 14$ National side. Outward Bound Centr• During the year. we sold the land in Corbu previously purchased for use as a Holiday Home and, with the proceeds, purchased some land in Rasova which is now being developed as an Outward Bound Centre which can be used both internally as an activity IK)liday centre and let externally to the publiG thereby generating funds, It is hoped that the Centre, which will ultimately include numerous activities as well as a community coffee shop, a playground a campsite and cabins will open for paying guests in summer 2026. SPONSORSHIP Nlghtlngales has a number of dlff•f•nt sponsorshlp programmes where everyone can got Involved In the flght against trafficking by supportln9 one of our proj¢ct& Please vlslt our website at wwww.nlghtingalexhlldr•nsproJecLco.uk for full detall& FINANCIAL REVIEW AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Nightingales, aim is to keep its expenditure funded by donations to approximately £30,000 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 a consequence of several long term partnership alliances and funding campaigns, as well as cost cutting exercises, the results for the year ended 31 March 2025 were considered satisfactory. There was a surplus of income over expenditure of £42.835 {2024: £15,986). Unrestricted reserves totalled £173,386 at 31 March 2025 (2024, £126,383). which included cash of £158,255 (2024: £109,602), leaving us well placed to fund our various projects over the comi ng years. The Trustees send thelr heartfelt thanks to who has supported us throughout the year, particularly our regular donors who glve monthly to us and Dauntseys School who. not only ralse slgnlflcant sums for us but also, but provide practical asslstance in their annual vlslts to Romania. Without your help. our work Cannot contlnue as we are reliant on donations an every penny really Is most gratefully received and put to good use. On >ehalf of Board of Trustees 29 January 2026 G Smith (Treasurer) Paya 4of4
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NIGHTINGALES CHILDREN'S PROJECT NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 ACCOUNTING POLICIES 8ASIS OF PREPARATION The accounts have been prepared undwtho h18t(¥ka ¢08t convonth)n end In 0ceordanc6vth apc accovnling 8tandard8. The accounts hav8 b8èn pr¥par In accordance %Mlh thè accountinu poNcS08 $$1 outln note l and comp ?th th8 Charitys Tiusl Dead, applicable law and tha iequwémonts of the Statementol Recommended Pradc - AccouTrl and reportlng by tha0$ (re60d 20051. INCOMING RESOURCES Donatlons and income from thjndiathg events ar6 &counledlor on the 18cdpts and payments ba615. Tox reclalmable on donatlon8 reeefved und¢r gift ad Is aecounled lol on the recelpts arid payments baih. DONATED ASSET8 Donal8d 868ets ale caiylal$ed in the Balance Sheet atthdr 68dmated maTkelv4luewhen feethd, wth thg corr8spondlna 8nlry bdng Induded In the Statement ol Flnancrdl Athfdgs 08 a donation, except for tho fovow'ng as88t6 whlch were donal¢d In prfLV yWS.'- "Ca89 Ferlc4rW' builthng- ovmed tyTownhal bul I0 lo fre• ofcharg• 'Teroza Sal& de Sport.. lako Sport8 HlcOMmun C11•1-19nd owned try Ttywnham b86ttd to NhlIngS free ol charg Str P8nabt cernod8- Bloc E12 Aportmenl 9-Wd(#)twts Ap8rtmenf'_ frgghold rleTed kn npAne of Nlghtrngal88 Th¢ loll¢)wing properli88 ere re618ter In thè namo of D Sw4Ag8 andlor hlg Y+ffe Elena bul aro u8ed Irè• of eharge by Nghllnode8'.- Str P#nait Conavodo- Bloc E10. Apartment 9-'JanetsAplmonr Slr.Horl& nr 20, CeiTravoda-"Gloarsa'B Hous8" Com. Ra8tsV8. Intre Draghl¢l Lullan and Curalon Ghwrghe-"Raoov COSTS RE CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES All costs r8 ¢harflable a¢tlvllle$ )re a¢eounl8d forijn th• recdF48 and pment8 baut& GOVERNANCE COSTS Governonce co¥ts occounted for on an 9¢ b88lB TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS AND OEPRECIATION Tangible fixed a88ets PUfcha$8d ar• stated at eo8t188s deprecial&)n. Deptedatbn w Proded 41 Tatt¥ eglculJt¢d to wrltè ofl tho oo8t1868 eslbmated ldud value of oatsh Se1 ovfjr ft6 fjstknated u8elul Uf¢ at Ih•followng ra163'.- 1,8.1 Swirts Ho11 and Cornmunty Pioléd+t)ay Centro Gym oqulprnenl for SportB Hal Motor Vohldee Land 5% yr •nnum Itsalghl lIr eommondrbg 1.8.05 - 20% 8nnum 8tralghl ne cornmenclng 1.8.05 25% per annum 8tralghl In• nn 1.8.2 Thé don4t#d Ir•8hold prop8rty held kn th• ChaviV8 name- Str Pane C¢rnavoda- Blo¢ E12Apgrtm8ni 9 known as the'volunleers Apartmenf. b 8ts1ed in the w)unts al 8 nonth8E omount of£100 vAlh no depTeclaUon belng chgrgod EMPLOYEES There arè no UK based emthoes. Al UK based pathipator8 pdelIll 8eThi¢e8 lo th• Chaity on voluntary basL8. None ol the UK baBe(I Iru8tèo8 recélv8 any r#mvn8Tallon forthdrs8MceB. Wher• lundÉ all¢)w, N81tonal ID6UMC8 contiibullonF pdd to HM Révenué & Cu8tomB to 8acure p8n81on ontilements lor UK personB worklng long t&m) kn Romanla. SUPPORT FOR UKRAINIAN REFUGEES Since the start ol the war In Urk¥"ne, Nlghbngales has ho¢JGed a number of uk[[an refugees. Th8lr costs havé beèn paid lor by a comblnatlon of funds Ihey have paid in tfiern8efves, from 8UPPOrtthey have receNed Iiom the authoribe¥. as wdl a¥ spoofic donation8 mAdo to them. Al Income and expgndtture rdathg to the Ukreinkn iefugees by 8wweg81 tn th& Romanian accounts and shown a8 a issliicted fund. P•ge 7
NIGHTINGALES CHILDREN'S PROJECT NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 RESTRICTED FUNDS Goods and funds donaled for a speclfic purpose Ate designated as Reslrlcled Funds in Nighllngaleg accounls, and afe used sol6ly In a¢cordonce wllh th8 donols wtshes. Yle 31.3.25 Yle 31.3.24 DONATION8 AND LEGACIE8 Donatlons - Spoclflc Includos amunts rncolved from tho lollowlng:. K&A Blanca rtr JaydA st G8oIV8'S Church Fatfleld - Independent Llvl Ukralne 120 120 590 TOTAL FOR PERIOD PER STA TEMENT OFFINANCIAL ACTivmES 786 710 General - other donatlons comprfBe Josh H8yles Oauntseys School C3 Hope Shelfleld RSckard Luckln Llmlted Conneded Llle 2.225 22,642 1.750 1,000 2,4 1,800 20,577 1,506 2,400 30,017 4,920 26,283 121 Don8tlons under £250 each rorAL FOR PERIOD PER sfATEMENf OF FINANCIAL AcrivmES ACTIVITIES FOR GENERATING FUNI)8 Fundrai8lng Just Glvlno Vlrgln Money Glvlng 29 TOTAL FOR PERIOD PER STA TEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTivmES 29 Page 8
NIGHTINGALES CHILDREN'S PROJECT NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 2026 2024 Not•$ FLINDS TO ROMANIA &1 SUMMARY OF MOVEMENT Romanian bank and cash balances brought lopward l Awl 2024 Ex¢hang$ d5ffwns on open5no bank balan Fund8 8eTrl Irom Nightings UK Sundry other Incorno Inclu(kno 8pon8or8hip. donalh)n8. QOV8rnmonld relund8 and loan repaym•nt8 7,929 3,042 1971 39,336 30.137 &3 70,647 78,290 Ukralnlan r¢fugo& 8UPPOrtcover¢d ty donthn L6 expenthure In Romafila &4 14Cel {66,3951 (971) 189,3901 Rornanlan bank baknc88 corrled foTrvard 31 March 2025 FUNDS SENT FROM NIGHTINGALES UK Fund$ lo Romanla. G&nef81 iunnkno co6ts Fund8 to Rom4nla- for 8p8cMc iiem8 Exchangè thff•rènce8 Per 80FA Por SOFA 28.594 3,406 137 38,180 1,820 16841 &1 Sundiy olh•r Income IncldIng •pon•orshlp. donatlon•. gov¢rnmentsl iafunds and loan r•paym¢rrt•, comprls•s:. Loen# repald DOnaOne R8811oca15on ol ODM Incom• for Ukfanl&r18 In previo ye8f Lfvino costs reSmbur8ed Iiorn Independent adutt8 Monèy Irom th8 St8t8 lor lood Proceed8 from 8910 of cer Money fiom the Ststo lor chlld alWan¢0 Healng pdlets 520 2,221 2.385 372 6.099 418 6,285 2,419 23,713 434 23,214 5,4 R•slrlcl•d Income and •xp•ndlture refallng lo *upportof Ukialnlan relugee5 and held In Romanla Incomé fiom ODM Reallocatlon ofODM Sn¢om8 Ifom We0SY¢4l ExpendKure {4061 19711 406 971 Page 9
NIGHTINGALES CHILDREN'8 PROJECT NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 FUNDS TO ROMANIA (Cont1neI Funds sonl lo Romanip during the period were applied as fOll- 202S 2024 6.6.1 Expendlture at CaBa FeTlclrll Llghl, heat, powsr and ulllilies, phon•, etc Celebrhlion8- fe8tlval8 blrthday$, Otc Clothes Constructlonibulldlng malnt¢nan¢¢ Exeuislon8 Includlng carnplng Food and cleanlng Fuelldle$81 and oth4r vèhiclg expenses Loan lo Coffe8 shop Medicolion other payments (In¢ potty ¢osh w•nsésl saIrI&S Salary lexe5 #nd r•l8ted co818 A Steon Piole¢t Apartment eo8ts Volunt••r eosl8 3,900 734 360 1,763 1.329 6,774 2.561 1,649 391 1,242 26,027 9,701 4,266 2,¥26 2.694 485 2,083 3.364 8,634 520 389 1.593 24,451 7,717 4,040 785 2,337 67,316 88,289 6.5.2 Expendlturo at Communlty C•ntrthlCoff•• shop A18rm system 361 5.6.J oth•T eO8to Lllera¢y Prolocl Ireslrkt¢d lund) Nlghllngales Llbrary Bank commi6$lon 244 Tot1 •xp•ndllur• In y•ar Volunte•r8' Ilvlng •xp•n8•• Volunteers helplng out In Rom$nla ar• r8qulred lo fund ihalf fllght Costs and livlng expens6s. Voluntggr ¢osl$ Included abo are moTe than hjlly covered by donations recfrived from the volunleern. SALARIES Salaries ¢omprf8e amounts p•ld to Romanlan locols •mploy8d by the Charlty lo assl&t the varlou6 projects and day lo day opralFons. R41gs of pay •Te const8lenl wllh those In Ihe Romanlan eCOrMY geralty. Page 10
NIGHTINGALES CHILDREN'S PROJECT NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026 FIXED ASSETS General Roslrlcled Total SPORTS HALL AND COMfiiuNITY CENTRE PROJECT COST Brought foNard 1 April 2024 Addlllon8 18.007 18,140 38,147 Ca10d forward 31 March 2025 18,007 18,140 DEPRECIATION Brought forward 1 April 2024 Chargg for period 16.575 900 16,704 33.279 1,807 Carried forward 31 March 2025 17,475 17,611 35,086 NET BOOK VALUE 31 MARCH 2025 532 529 1,061 NET BOOK VALUE 31 MARCH 2024 2,868 OLIDAY HOME COST AND NET BOOK VALUE BIF 1 APRIL 2024 Addltions Dlsposals 14,500 14,500 (14.500) 14,500 14,500 (14,500> AND 31 MARCH 2025 14,500 14,500 The origlnal Holiday Home In Corbu was sold during the year for its origln81 c0818nd th& money r8lnve8led Into land in Rasova, Ihe seller of which agreed to accepl a pn'ce equal to the sales value of the Corbu land. Thé Rasova land Is mor¢ suitsd lo Nightlnagales current needs and has more potenlial for generating exlemal Income as well as belng used by us and Is currently being developed Into an Outrward Bound Cenlre. Page 11
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF NIGHTINGALES CHILDRENS, PROJECT I report to Ihe Irustees on rny examination of the financial statements of Nighting8l&s Childrens, Project {the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are s8t out on pages 5 to 11. RESPONSIBILITIES AND BASIS OF REPORT As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the prepation of the financial slatements in accordance with the requirements ol the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). I report in respect of my gxamin81ion of the charity's financial statemenls carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 145(5){b) of thg 2011 Act. Ba818 of Independont examlnevs fOPOrt I confirm that l am qualified to undertake the examination bacause l am a memb8r of ICAEW, which Is one of th8 bodies listed in secllon 145 of tha 2011 Act. My examin8tlon was carried out wi accordance wllh the Gener81 Dlreciions given by Ihe Charlly Commissioners. An examination includes a review of th8 accounting records kept by the ch8rity and a comparison of the financial statements wèsentèd with those records. 11 also includes consideration of any unusual Items or dlsclosures in the financial statements and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undert8ken do not provide all th8 evld8nce that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the financial slat8ments present a 'tr and fair Vie and tha report is limited to those matters sèl out In Ihe statem8nt below. Independent examlnefs statement I have comp181ed my examination and confinn that no malters have come to my attentlon whlch giv8 m8 cause to believe that in any material respect: accounting records were nol kept In accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act,. or the financial slalemenls do not accord wilh the accounling rècords" or the financial 8t8tem8nt do nol comply with the applicable reqU•mentS ccerning the form and conlent of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Règulelions 2008 other than any requiremenl th81 the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matler considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems and have not come across any matters in connection with the èxamlnalion lo which attention should be drawn in order lo enable a proper underslanding of Ihe flnancial statements to be reach8d. This report is made solely to the Charity's truste88, as 8 body, in accordance wilh section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. My work has been undertaken so thal I might slate to Ihe Charity's tNst885 those matters which l am required10 stale to them in this repxirt and for no other purpose. To th8 fullest exlent permitted by law, I do not accepl or 8ssume responsibilily to anyone oth8r than th8 Charity and the Charity's Trustees as a body, for my work, for this report, or for lh8 opinions I have fomed. dcock FCA Date Page 12 IDI()4Th89