OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator. This document is also available as Markdown.

← The Aletheia Foundation

2023-08-31-accounts

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1110096

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

FOR

THE ALETHEIA FOUNDATION

LEES Chartered Certified Accountants 18 Glasshouse Studios Fryern Court Road Fordingbridge Hampshire SP6 1QX

THE ALETHEIA FOUNDATION

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 5
Independent Examiner's Report 6
Statement of Financial Activities 7
Balance Sheet 8
Notes to the Financial Statements 9 to 11
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 12

THE ALETHEIA FOUNDATION

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives, policies and organisation

The Aletheia Foundation, registered charity no 1110096 (formerly True Vision Foundation) was founded in 2009 by Brian Woods, Deborah Shipley and Jezza Neumann, producers and Directors of True Vision Productions.

True Vision Productions has an extensive track record producing Emmy, BAFTA and Grierson award-winning films for the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and HBO with a special interest in giving a voice to young people and socially disadvantaged groups.

Through our films, we're able to provide a window into some of the issues faced daily by children around the world. Some films are not easy to watch as we often work with vulnerable families in a variety of difficult circumstances. We give the children a voice and by doing so, can highlight their true stories, such as coping with abandonment, hunger, poverty, living in refugee camps, homelessness, AIDS and TB.

The Aletheia Foundation was launched for those viewers who wish to help the families and/or children featured in our films. Our promise is to ensure that all donations given reach them directly, giving you the assurance that your money goes to the heart of the issue.

There have been times when a particular film's fund has continually grown beyond the film's children and helped many thousands more, such as 'Zimbabwe's Forgotten Children' and 'Kids in Camps'. Clips from those films featured in the Comic Relief, Red Nose Day Show and raised huge funds to support children all over Africa.

Policies

Organisation

The Board: There are currently five Trustees forming the Board, they are all non-salaried: Mr Brian Woods (Chair), Jezza Neumann, Kate van Koten, Annabelle Hall and Nicky Wimble.

Two of the Trustees are completely independent of True Vision, to establish clear blue water between True Vision Productions and the Foundation ensuring transparency and accountability.

Office Staff

Office Staff: The Trust employs one part-time staff member: Sharon Thompson, Foundation Manager whom this report was compiled by.

Page 1

THE ALETHEIA FOUNDATION

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Developments, activities & achievements

The Aletheia Foundation's main income is derived from donations. This report focuses on funds from the films who consistently evolve, children we continue to support and new films aired during the period September 2022 to August 2023.

Growing Up Poor - Britain's Hidden Homeless Kids

Aired 26th October 2021 on Channel 4 dispatches. Jezza Neumann spent a summer term with three boys from the same class, struggling with poverty, homelessness and overcrowding.

Farley Junior Academy is on the edge of Luton, in one of the most deprived wards in Britain. During the pandemic the partial closure of the airport - the biggest source of jobs in the area - hit the town hard. Schools across Luton found families were struggling more than ever. Kai, Qasim and Yaqub, are in Year 4 and all get help from the school's pastoral care team.

Kai lives on the outskirts of Luton. He shares an over-crowded two-bedroom house with five others: his mum, stepdad, sister and two brothers. Qasim lives in temporary accommodation with his three brothers, two sisters and their dad, Faahid. Yaqub was living in temp accommodation with his mum and sister, his parents are separated.

UPDATE:

Qasim, who is now in Y6, recently went for an assessment at the Edwin Lobo Child Development Centre in Luton and has been diagnosed as having Autism Spectrum Disorder. Qasim and his dad attend the Edwin Lobo Child Development Centre in Luton to learn more about it which his dad says they're both finding very useful. Qasim can talk about gestures and behaviours he's noticed about himself, and his dad is getting a better understanding of how to help him adjust to different environments.

Faahid (their dad) has noticed the same signs in one of the twins so they are waiting for another assessment referral. Qasim's older sister, Naila, is starting Year 11 in September and doing her GCSE's. She recently won a £100 shopping voucher prize when she entered a fictional writing competition. The family are very proud of her as this is the second one, she's won. Naila also attends debate workshops. The twins are now in Y1 and very much enjoying school.

Alefa (the lovely Family Worker at the school) has reported that Yaqub is doing very well. The school selected him to be part of a Luton Council transition programme and she says he is like a different child. He is more exposed to outside school social activities and supported with issues such as correct English, good manners, hygiene, healthy eating etc. Alefa said he's turning into a wonderfully confident and happy young man who is now excited about transitioning to high school, rather than fearful and shy, which he was before. The school is still helping his mother as she really struggles but on the whole she is also doing better, especially with attending English as a second language classes. I have reminded Alefa that we are here and asked her to let us know if they need any help.

Rachel (Kai's mum) has a new job which she is enjoying as the hours mean she can be at home with the children more. She starts at 9am then leaves the office at 3pm to pick up the children and does the last 2 hours at home. When I asked her what the job entailed, she started laughing and said "Can you believe I'm a Housing Officer for homeless people - how ironic!"

Kai is also in Y6 now and they've recently applied for him to go to their local high school with Qasim so they're keeping everything crossed they get in together. Kai was referred to the Edwin Lobo Child Development Centre by their GP too, however he has not had his appointment yet. Rachel believes they will receive his appointment anytime now. His siblings are under CAMS for mental health issues and speech therapy.

TB: Return of the Plaque

Released in 2014 this film witnessed two families, in Swaziland (which has the highest rate of TB in the world), as they battle with Tuberculosis over a 1-year period. Bheki is a builder who lives near the border of South Africa and Nokubegha is a 12-year-old orphan cared for by her older brother.

UPDATE:

Nok finished school and we have funded a vocational training course in dress making which she is currently doing. The Foundation has also purchased an industrial second hand sewing machine for her to start her own business. Within the next 6-12 months we will be withdrawing support so Nok can become independent and learn to look after herself.

Bheki receives a small amount of money every month from a loyal donor and has managed to keep his health in check.

Page 2

THE ALETHEIA FOUNDATION

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Kids In Camps

Released in 2015 as a documentary for Comic Relief, this film follows 4 children and their families who have been displaced during the South Sudan civil war. With the help of a philanthropist and his wife we are still funding the education of Grace, Anna and their siblings.

UPDATE:

Grace has continued her education into university with the help of Bruce and Wendy who fund the family's monthly bills, such as rent and food. Her siblings are all going through school and Grace provide extras for them, on top of the funds sent every month.

Zimbabwe's Forgotten Children

Released on BBC in 2010, following the stories of Esther, Grace and Obert in their heartbreaking struggle to survive each day and their fight to receive an education. Thanks to our loyal donors, we have transformed their futures and thousands of Zimbabwe's Children. Previously, our work focused one large rural area school, from the film - providing safe water, nutritious food, infrastructure development and child protection programmes - thereby increasing attendance by 80%. The experience our Zimbabwean team gained allowed us to expand to 9 more schools and move onto the next stage, using 3 unique and solid programmes… Feeding, Conservation Agriculture and Redearth Teacher Training.

UPDATE: Feeding Programme

We must start by thanking our partners - Ruff's Kitchens - for providing the funding to feed 5,200 babies, children and vulnerable elderly in the Makonde District.

Getting the food to the schools is not easy at all! We've welcomed the re-gravelling of the road at the Chinhoyi turn off which is approx 40kms (it used to take 1.5 hours to travel that distance) but the last 60-80kms after this are treacherous and often too dangerous to risk. A bridge to one of the schools collapsed causing floods - the road was more like a river! Once the water decreases, parents and villagers bring their scotch carts to transport the food across the river or simply carry them across on their heads (if it's safe!).

The hygiene standards of the programme are very high, so every school is given full training on what is expected, and efficient records are kept of all the children who receive food. Spot checks are done regularly to make sure the storerooms, tanks and water are clean so there's no risk of illness. The children love their mahewu!

Schools that are not opened for learning, due to covid outbreaks, still had their volunteers give out packs of mahewu for children to take home so they can receive the essential nutrients needed to grow and develop well.

The difference since we began is very clear - shiny skin, smiling, energetic children that are such a pleasure to see. Even the smallest of children understand the mahewu porridge drink fills their tummies and makes them feel good with it being a slow energy release food.

UPDATE: Conservation Agriculture

Climate-smart Conservation Agriculture enables farmers to sustain themselves on a very small piece of land, heal the soil and nourish it for future generations.

The changing global climate threatens agricultural systems, livelihoods and the environment worldwide. Through the application of the three main principles - reducing soil disturbance, maintaining a permanent soil cover and practising crop rotations - CA improves the soil's physical and chemical properties producing significant environmental benefits. At the same time, the training is based on an holistic approach including personal transformation and support.

At Kemukaka School, we began a pilot school garden to enable them to grow their own food and educate the children and parents of the CA method. Makesure rounded up the community to develop a dry, baron plot of land into a sustainable, natural, food making wonder! The aim of this project is to reduce the need for the sponsored mahewu feeding programme and replace it with their own self-reliant feeding. At the same time, training is given to parents and children in the school to eliminate food insecurity in the community. Below is a BRIEF SUMMARY of the process.

The plot was completely cleared of all bushes, stones and clods by the community. A water tank was installed over the borehole and a solar powered water pump. Fencing was put around the whole area to protect the crops from livestock.

Page 3

THE ALETHEIA FOUNDATION

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Carefully measured holes are dug and seeds are covered with soil, which is free of stones and mulch to ensure good seed to soil contact. The planting stations are covered level with the ground and mulch is placed over them, this will protect the soil from drying too quickly and from forming a cap on the surface. It will also capture all the water/rain that falls on the field.

Within a month the change is vast! Vigilant weeding is key to the success. Insects (especially those from large nearby ant hills) feed on the decomposing leaves moving and loosening the soil to increase air and water infiltration. This process enhances nutrients in the soil.

Maintaining a good layer of mulch is vital! Seedlings were thinned from 3 to 2 and chicken/animal manure added. All weeds are removed as early as possible, never allowing them to grow to maturity and infest your field with a new crop of seed.

At maturity the crops were harvested, the cobs removed and the stalks left in place. After harvest, one final weeding is done, and then the stalks knocked down to form the protective blanket for our soil for the next season. Crop diversification, especially the use of legumes in the next season, improves the soil and soil degradation is gradually slowed down.

UPDATE: Redearth Teacher Training

Teachers finished their 4-module development training and a Quality Assessment of the teachers and the children's learning environment took place in January 2023 - what a joy it was to see the results. The lessons witnessed at our schools were high level, captivating, fun and quality LEARNING.

Particular mention to our star teacher - Ambuleji, who teaches Grade 1. Ambuleji used all the techniques he has learnt - most notably, phonics sounds in his local language, Shona, as well as English. This is a new concept in Zimbabwe rural schools which he has mastered. Ambuleji had an excellently planned and structured lesson which was well executed using positive behaviour management strategies, group work, open questions, pupil talk, highly motivated and engaged children who are learning what they're taught.

The Overall Results

2 years ago, all teachers were observed at foundation level 1. (They are able to progress through 5 more levels to Gold.) 88% of our newly trained teachers moved up 3 levels with 12% moving up 4 levels . This is a great success, particularly in view of the fact that teachers and children had long stretches of time out of school during the covid lockdowns. Teachers will undoubtedly improve further to achieve a higher level in the future.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Principal funding sources

Income from 1st September 2022 - August 31st , 2023 enabled the Aletheia Foundation to make grants totalling £98,621 with management and administration costs at £6,276.

There is currently £35,872 held at the bank, which will be released over the coming years to support the children. Throughout the year under review, the Aletheia Foundation is confident it has significantly helped the children who appeared in their films towards a brighter and better future and will continue to do so.

The Trust's Foundation Manager, Sharon Thompson works several hours a week according to need and maintains the Foundation's relationship with donors and beneficiaries. She is also responsible for overseeing the administration and projects on the ground in Zimbabwe and looks after fundraising and updating donors for Zimbabwe's Forgotten Children.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust and constitutes an unincorporated charity.

Organisational structure

The charity consists of five trustees who meet periodically.

Related parties

There are no related parties.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Charity number

1110096

Page 4

THE ALETHEIA FOUNDATION

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

Principal address

49 Oxford Road South London W4 3DD

Trustees

B J Edwards J Neumann A M C Hall N Wimble K van Koten

Independent Examiner

Jeremy Hyde FCCA FCA LEES Chartered Certified Accountants 18 Glasshouse Studios Fryern Court Road Fordingbridge Hampshire SP6 1QX

Solicitors

White & Company 190 Clarence Gate Gardens London SW1V 1QJ

05 September 2024

Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by:

Brian Edwards

Brian Edwards (Sep 5, 2024 16:43 GMT+1).......................................................................... B J Edwards - Trustee

Page 5

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE ALETHEIA FOUNDATION

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Aletheia Foundation

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Aletheia Foundation (the Trust) for the year ended 31 August 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible 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 under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  2. the accounts do 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.

J L Hyde J L Hyde (Sep 6, 2024 08:35 GMT+1)

Jeremy Hyde FCCA FCA

LEES Chartered Certified Accountants 18 Glasshouse Studios Fryern Court Road Fordingbridge Hampshire SP6 1QX 06 September 2024 Date: .............................................

Page 6

THE ALETHEIA FOUNDATION

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

31.8.23
Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
88,306
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds
6,276
Charitable activities
Grants
98,621
Total
104,897
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
(16,591)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
51,761
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
35,170		 31.8.22
Total
funds
£
78,120
6,628
80,141
86,769
(8,649)
60,410
51,761

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 7

THE ALETHEIA FOUNDATION

BALANCE SHEET 31 AUGUST 2023

31.8.23 31.8.22
Unrestricted Total
fund funds
Notes £ £
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash at bank 35,872 52,409
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year 4 (702) (648)
NET CURRENT ASSETS 35,170 51,761
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 35,170 51,761
NET ASSETS 35,170 51,761
FUNDS 5
Unrestricted funds 35,170 51,761
TOTAL FUNDS 35,170 51,761
05 September 2024

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ............................................. and were signed on its behalf by:

Brian Edwards

Brian Edwards (Sep 5, 2024 16:43 GMT+1)

............................................. B J Edwards - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 8

THE ALETHEIA FOUNDATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end date are noted as a commitment but not accrued as expenditure.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

2. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 August 2023 nor for the year ended 31 August 2022.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 August 2023 nor for the year ended 31 August 2022.

3. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted
fund
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies 78,120
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds 6,628
Charitable activities
Grants 80,141
Total 86,769
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (8,649)

Page 9

continued...

THE ALETHEIA FOUNDATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

3. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
4.
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Other creditors
5.
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Unrestricted funds
General fund
TOTAL FUNDS
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Unrestricted funds
General fund
TOTAL FUNDS
Comparatives for movement in funds
Unrestricted funds
General fund
TOTAL FUNDS		 At 1.9.22
£
51,761
51,761
Incoming
resources
£
88,306
88,306
At 1.9.21
£
60,410
60,410		 Unrestricted
fund
£
60,410
51,761
31.8.23
31.8.22
£
£
702
648
Net
movement
At
in funds
31.8.23
£
£
(16,591)
35,170
(16,591)
35,170
Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(104,897)
(16,591)
(104,897)
(16,591)
Net
movement
At
in funds
31.8.22
£
£
(8,649)
51,761
(8,649)
51,761

Page 10

continued...

THE ALETHEIA FOUNDATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

5. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming Resources Movement
resources expended in funds
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 78,120 (86,769) (8,649)
TOTAL FUNDS 78,120 (86,769) (8,649)

6. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 August 2023.

Page 11

THE ALETHEIA FOUNDATION

DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

31.8.23 31.8.22
£ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Donations and legacies
Donations 88,306 65,969
Gift aid - 12,151
88,306 78,120
Total incoming resources 88,306 78,120
EXPENDITURE
Raising donations and legacies
Office & administration costs 6,276 6,628
Charitable activities
Grants to institutions 98,621 80,141
Total resources expended 104,897 86,769
Net expenditure (16,591) (8,649)

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 12