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2021-03-31-accounts

LATITUDE CARE NETWORK LIMITED

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

Content Pages
2
Legal and General Information
Trustees’ Annual Reports 3-11
Responsibilities of the Trustees’ Board 12
Statement of the Account – Income & Expenditures 13
Statement of the Account – The Balance Sheet 14
Notes to the Account Statements 15-18
Acknowledgment 19

Charity No: 1113929 & Company No: 05555558 in England and Wales Non-Governmental/Community Based Organisation (NGO/CBO) No: LDLG/2007/1165 in Uganda

LCN – Lega & Administration Information

Management Committee Grace Adok (Chair & Director
Harriet Aber (Treasure)
Christine Atim
Santal Akullo
Mrs Jane Amony Atube
Rev. Modicum Okello
Registered Office 7b Melrose Avenue
Cricklewood
London
NW2 4LH
Charity Number: 1113929
Company Number: 05555558
NGO/CBO Number: LDLG/2007/1165/Uganda
Patrons Dr. Mervyn Tyrer
Dr. Hellen Montgomery
Banker HSBC Bank
50-52 Kilburn High Road
Kilburn
London
NW6 4HJ

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LCN – Annual Report & Accounts for Year Ending 31[st] March 2021

AOUT LATITUDE CARE NETWORK LIMITED – LCN

Latitude Care Network Limited also known as LCN is a not-for-profit charitable company, a community service organisation that has operated in the London Area and the region of Northern Uganda since 2005. LCN is registered Charity and Company Limited by Guarantee in England and Wales and Non-governmental/Community Based Organisation (CBO) in Uganda.

The objects for which LCN was established are particularly but not exclusively for individuals and families from socially and economically backgrounds, the elderly, and persons with disabilities:

LCN PORGRAM SNAPSHOT

Community Outreach Activities - At its core, this program enables us reach out to offer activities that help, uplift and support people who may be deprive or are unable independently to access services that improve quality of life including community visitations, health & social support activities and home learning.

Information, Advice, and Advocacy offers informational support, general advice, liaison, representation, and case management.

Education, Training, and Employment Support offers student work experience placement, ICT support, financial capability money mentor and management, small business and employment support activities and volunteering opportunities.

Mutual Aid Scheme offers small lending activities, emergency relief, material and practical assistance, client’s appointee, money mentors and management.

International Development offers humanitarian emergency relief, primary school educational support, community and children development support, livelihood support, mission partners and overseas volunteering opportunity.

DIRECTOR’S BRIEF

Wow, what a huge and challenging year it has been. It is hard to find the words to capture the enormous challenges and the highs and lows of the many circumstances as the year under review unfolded. The year would not have been possible without the tenacity and generosity of spirits of the fantastic supporters including the funders, the local communities and the incredibly dedicated and committed volunteer team both in the UK and Northern Uganda. These generosities of spirits were also felt through our resilient of attracting new and ongoing support from key stakeholders and partners who helped us survived the challenges with donations, flexible grants, memberships, and creative opportunities.

COVID felt like it impacted everywhere and, yes it did. LCN like many others, suffered from a reduction in volunteers, fundraising opportunities, decreased donations and in our ability to see and support each other’s in the way that we would normally does. Despite this our commitment to serve in whatever way we could remained strong resolute. We continued to deliver within our remit albeit sometimes in a different and difficult circumstances, however we had to adapt, strategised, created, innovated, and we managed within the means.

The year under review also saw us having to restructure activities in response to the impact of COVID and the unfortunate reduction, put on hold or discontinued with certain activities. However, with this came some fantastic new additions and the community spirit which enabled us to have the right people and support in the right place at the right time to carry out activities we were able to.

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LCN – Annual Report (Cont.)

Despite the challenges we continued to move forward, evolve, innovate, and diversify ways of operating. During this time, we also created some amazing new initiatives including strengthening our IT system particularly for remote activities and relief distributions with the generous help of London Community Responses, Co-Operative Local Community Funds, The Big Give Funds, Lidl, Costco, St. Gabriel’s and an incredible donation from existing and new individuals, members, and the incredible volunteer times. Moving on, our intention now is to continue to build on this as we recover, grow, and develops.

The absolute highlight for the year ahead will be when finally, being able to meet and spend time together as well as meeting with our client’s face-face. We are hopeful, restrictions would eventually be fully lifted so that we get back to organising and hosting workshops, support groups and get together activities and opportunity to meet many wonderful people.

I continue to remain proud to be Chair of Director of LCN and lastly could not have done so and still been smiling without the fantastic support of the Board and all other volunteers’ teams…………..

Grace Adok.

OUR PAREON’S REMARK

As I consider my message for this year’s Annual Report, I can’t believe we are still amid the pandemic and recognised the significant impact it has had on each an everyone of us globally. I realise that some are more impacted than others and, at times like these, I am so very proud to be the Patron of this inspiring and committed small community-based organisation. The impact COVID has had and the challenges that LCN like many other organisations has had to face over the past year, have been extraordinary. It has been overwhelming and exhausting for all frontline organisations working across the sectors and LCN is no exception.

When the founder and director first approached me to become Patron of LCN, I really didn’t know what to expect and say as she caught me off-guard. But I am so very pleased that she did. As Patron I have enjoyed being able to support the important work that LCN does and very proud to do so. Since then, I have been so inspired by the wonderful staff and volunteers who make up the organisation workforce and to be embraced and appreciated as Patron has given me additional strength that I’ve needed at times to continue advocating for LCN causes and to ensure they deliver within their capacity reaching out to continue making a difference.

I have been acutely aware of the unrelenting workload and overwhelming challenges faced LCN as they respond and work with clients in what are often difficult and dangerous circumstances. Being forced to adapt to new ways of working is not easy but the commitment and dedication by everyone at the organisation especially the volunteers has demonstrated such relentless commitment that my confidence in humanity is frequently restored.

“To you LCN Volunteers, a big thank you for the full breadth and depth of the different contributions that each of you have always made. Thank you for the contributions that you will continue to make and thank you on behalf of all clients and members in the local communities who LCN has helped and served because of the contribution that you have been making”.

Like others, I have had most of the times had to work remotely over the past 18 months and my connections and interactions with everyone are largely across the computer screen. In some ways I have appreciated these changes and realise just how lucky I am that I have a safe home, although I have missed interaction with family and colleagues terribly. As much as this has become the new norm, I realise how very difficult it has been for LCN and its dedicated staff to adapt services to accommodate COVID and all its challenges.

As I know LCN support to people they serve experiencing difficulties with varying needs, has never been more critical. With Grace the Founder and Director of LCN, I know that LCN and its board and staff will continue to push through these very difficult times, and I look forward to continuing my support in whatever way I can as their Patron.

Dr Mervyn Tyrer

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LCN – Annual Report (Cont.)

UK OPERATION

In London and the surrounding areas, LCN provides ranges of support programmes and activities which assist individuals and families from socially and economically disadvantaged background, those facing personal hardship and/or difficult life circumstances. The year under review, due to Covid Pandemic outbreaks and the spread prevention restrictions, many of our programmes and/or activities could not be delivered as plans.

COVID EMERGENCY RESPONSES

Due to the unforeseeable Covid-19 pandemic outbreak in the early 2020, client’s service provision and delivery planned for the year under review were either had to be cancel, put on hold, or curtailed and alternatives needed to be formulated to address the public health crisis prevention as well as to improve lives and well-beings. Massive adjustment had to be made to enable compliance and appropriate response to the pandemic emergency. These included adaptation to remote and virtual service deliveries unless it was unavoidable and permitted, a face-to-face meetings and outreach were conducted within the Covid protection government guidelines and compliance. However, all other activities that would normally bring people together including workshops, recreational and social interactions were all had to brought to a hold or cancelled altogether.

DIGITAL COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY UPGRADE

With the support of our supporters, we were able to upgrade our digital communication technology by acquiring additional desktop and laptop computers, smart tablets and mobile phones, portable mobile printers, and other accessories to enable us to adapt to new ways of services delivery remotely and virtually. The acquisition and uses of these technologies has hugely played an important role in keeping the volunteer teams and clients connected remotely and virtually regularly whenever it was needed and necessary any time day and night. However, we have also experienced and acknowledged that, many clients we outreach to did not have the means, knowledge and skills, or the ability to acquire the DCT of their own to enable them to receive or access services remotely or virtually. Therefore, adhering to the Covid guidelines, to reach out to them much of our agility and supports was by necessity were physical and face-to-face rather than remotely and virtually.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM

Most LCN activities are provided delivered through the community outreach activities which at its core, has been the foundation efforts to reach people we serve to improve their quality and lives and the general wellbeing while liaising and working with many other agencies with whom we may have shared concerned or one component of it. In whatever ways we can, the community outreach activities have been so effective because we know our service users and their needs being creative and innovative in serving them to be trustworthy in the local community we served.

There are times when people need assistance with accessing human service, the community outreach activities are aimed at meeting these needs, among others to provides companionship and befirending so as to reduce stress, lonliness and isolation, enabling access to services, increase interaction and social networks, encaurage good physical and mental healths activities, and above all to alluviate hardships they were experencing. The community outreach activities where for many it is a lifeline are delivered through mediation, advocacy, representation, telephone calls, and visitations in homes, hospitals and other places including drop-in centres, support groups/social and workshop events. During the year under review, demand for the outreach activities exceeded expectation and ability to deliver. However to mitigate the situations, we had to laise and works with many other agencies including refereals, thus we were abled to support a lot more people than than we would normally including taking in new clients.

ICT at Home

Meanwhile our usual ICT at Home which is delivered through the volunteer community outreach activities to raise awareness, provide basic skills training and learning, and practical uses of the digital devices, due to Covid outbreaks and lockdown prevention then planned activities could not go as usual, however we were able to connect with few people who were desperate through video conferencing or zoom teaching.

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LCN – Annual Report (Cont.)

Health and Social Support Activities

Creating social relationships is central to human emotional well-being. A lack of relationships contributes to depression. Research has also shown that social support is associated with feelings of mastery, and the ability to cope with stressful situations, and it is strongly associated with increased quality of life. Since 2005, LCN have been delivering the volunteer supported recreational and social support activities to the elderly and other vulnerable groups within the local communities. The volunteers have been central to the provision of this program and this year, despite the Covid outbreaks and lockdown restrictions, our volunteer’s team of 25 continued to support dedicating hundreds of their times supported over 300 people even though the pandemic has had a huge impact on the ability to physically connect one-on-one or in group/meeting activities.

Many of the people supported live alone and/or have no carer, friends, or family so it has been a high priority to adapt our service delivery in a way that we could reach these people within the parameter of covid guidelines. Despite the lack of opportunity to connect with people face-to-face or in group settings, the program still delivered hundreds of volunteer hours of support keeping in touch with clients via telephone and video calls and letter correspondence. Where it was not possible to connect remotely and/or virtually, the volunteers then had to go out to directly provide support including bereavement support, companionship, befriending, emotional and practical assistances meeting in the parks, through car windows, supplying doorsteps information, drops of foods, medicines and Covid hygiene kits and access to online services working alongside and referral to other agencies that provides a safety net for those whose needs were made much more acute by the pandemic and lockdown closure of services, support in the community and other established systems.

Information and Emergency Relief

In response to the covid pandemic, the year under review provided a range of emergency assistance to assist individuals and families who were facing personal hardship or difficult life circumstances, this included practical assistance with limited financial assistance in the form of occasional food vouchers, non-perishable food items, limited assistance with bills payment, referral letters for material aid such as second-hand furniture and clothing, aadvocated negotiating on behalf with utilities, eg gas, water and electricity for affordable, liaison with and referral to other service providers, and provided information about employment, the furlong scheme, universal credit and other welfare benefits, and other accessible grants and payments.

Clients Appointee (CA)

LCN is an approved Clients Appointee (CA) which involved advocating, mentoring, and supporting people who are unable to manage their finance affairs and to enhance basic skills of financial capability including understanding the benefit systems, the impacts on their lives and budgeting to ensure they were living within means. Every year the needs and demand for this service increases and the year under review, enquiries, requests, and demands increases further as the economic effects of COVID-19 ‘Shut-Down’ was being felt severely by the working age among the groups who are most likely to have those with a degree of illiteracy and/or working in a ‘shut-down’ sectors (restaurant work, taxi driving, cleaning and factories laborers with zero hours working conditions) as well as having partners not currently in the labour market, these has led to extremely high levels of financial insecurity among the group.

The volunteers involved carried on with these activities mainly remotely or virtually and where it was not possible, a face-face meeting was arranged and were conducted within the Covid protection restriction guidelines. A total number of 52 people were supported to ensure their financial needs were met and rights and interests are protected.

The Christmas Food Parcel

Community demand for emergency relief is always high but this is particularly so at Christmas time when families are living so close to the margin and struggling to simply put a meal on the table, much less to provide special Christmas treats. The year under review, with the support of London Community Response Fund, Cooperative Local Community Funds and several Groceries’ Superstore and other local community facilities, we distributed over 300 households in and around London each with a Food Parcel containing 8 varieties of quality non-perishable food items, for details of what were distributed, please do refer to the distribution leaflet below next page.

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LCN – Annual Report (Cont.)

‘LCN is Care & Compassion, in the Community, for the Community, by the Community’

M: 0795 181 7866 E: info@latitudecarenetwork.org

Name:

Dear client you are very much in our thoughts and prayers during this winter season. We know it has been exceedingly difficult as maybe it will for sometimes, but we also know God never forsake has what it takes, will get us all through it. Delivered to you is a token of Christmas Food Parcel to share with loved ones or those around you during the coming days for as far it can go.

IN THE PACKAGE ARE:

  1. 5 KILOS OF AUNTIE CAROLINE BASIMATI RICE

  2. 3 KILOS OF DEL V SPAGETHI

  3. 3 KILOS OF DEMERARA SUGAR

  4. 1 PACK OF 240 TETLEY TEA BAGS

  5. 1 JAR OF 700 GRAMS RICH ROAST COFFEE

  6. 1 LITRE OF OLIVE COOKING OIL

  7. 5 CANS OF MIXED CHOPPED/PEEL TOMATOS

  8. 1 PARK OF FEVARINA 12 CHRISMAS MINCE PIES

And with the token, we wish you & family peace and the joy of…… ‘A Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year of 2021’ For & on behalf of LCN & The Project Volunteer Team, with much gratitude to London Community Response Funds and The Cooperative Local Community Funds for enabling the successful Christmas Food Parcel Project. We would also like to acknowledge with many appreciations to COSTCO and LIDL Superstore, St. Gabriel’s Church Cricklewood Hall and Watford Borough Council Community Transport for complementing the project. A very big thankyou to our dedicated Volunteers including Van/Delivery Drivers and other individuals who made it possible the execution of the Christmas Food Parcel right from the concept to delivering the parcel to you the recipient in and around the London areas.

Grace Adok Project Director December 2020

Charity 1113929 & Company 05555558 in England & Wales Non-Governmental Community Based Organisation LDC/2007/165 in Uganda

MUTUAL AID FUND (MAF) SCHEME

The Mutual Aid Fund Scheme has been running since 2008 as a community-based investment income generation and small lending activities. The majority of LCN service users live in conditions of poverty and diminished quality of life that restricts the full enjoyment of their human, socio-economic, health, environmental and cultural rights. Therefore, the main objective of the MAF Scheme is to increase access of the vulnerable, disadvantaged and poorer people to credits they would not normally be able to access from the mainstream high street banks and other financial institutions to be able to undertake income generation for basic needs and for those who can, a small business activities support to improve their livelihoods.

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LCN – Annual Report (Cont.)

The year under review, we disbursed 17 lending ranging from £50-200 which were either soft lending repayable within 30 days without interest charge or a 35% interest charge apply after 30 days. There were also groceries shopping for clients who could not raise fund at the time of needs, also repayable within the soft lending or 35% interest charge applies after 30 days.

Small Social Funds

This is a small social fund provision which stemmed from the recreational and social support group activities of get together where the funds are generated from tin, and other voluntary collections, entertainment performances at community events and private party’s hires. The funds raised goes towards sustainability of the group and limited finance assistance or acquisition of material aid to clients and members experiencing financial difficulties with basic needs and towards the support of few selected local community groups with shared common interest.

The year under review, the recreational and social support groups activities for generating funds toward the small social funds could not takes place due to Covid Pandemic and lockdown. However, some clients and members who feel very passionately about the cause continued giving their monthly support group activities voluntary giving. We have also as a temporary major allocated part of the unrestricted funds to the small social fund budget. The year under review, a total of 43 people were supported with the small social fund pot including bereavement supports and the cost of daily living expenses of foods, utilities bills and other essential needs which improve well-being. And 2 local foodbanks were also supported with the supply of none-perishable foods, toiletries and covid hygiene kits.

LUMEGO UNITED (LU) PROJECT

Lumego United (LU) is voluntary membership peer-led self-help group started in 2017. The group came about due to the experienced of going through numerous family bereavements of loves ones and those others closed known to members which were occurring so frequently one after another and it is so traumatising causing lots of sorrows and financial hardships dealing with the aftermath and other events that follows.

The group then acknowledged the objective of preparing a head of the crisis of losing loved ones which often strikes unexpectedly or when least expected when the bereave families, relatives and friends are unprepared to overcome and deal with the aftermath including overcoming the emotional trauma and meeting the costs of practical supports required. The group have been operating raising funds through annual membership subscription and other supplementary giving used to support members’ going through family bereavement both in the UK and elsewhere other parts of the world.

Lumego United is unregistered, the group seek the support of LCN in the early 2021 to be able to operate under our umbrella until such a time when the group would be able to put have in place a self-administered structure. LCN within it remit have the capacity to support small groups, thus it is the reason we have accepted to support LU administer their activities under the LCN Umbrella.

All Other Activities

Al other planned activities for the year, due to Covid outbreaks and lockdown restrictions they had to be either curtail, put on hold, or cancel. This included transportation which was limited to just only the volunteer activities or emergency delivery, student work experience placement, business and employment support workshop and events, support group meeting events and recreational community events.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

OVERSEAS OPERATION

In 2006, LCN extended operation overseas in the northern region of Uganda registered in Uganda as a NonGovernmental/Community Based Organisation (NGO/CBO) under an affiliate name of Latitude Care Network Uganda (LCNU). LCNU provides an essential links, management, co- ordination, guidance, as well as frontline services while consulting, liaising, and reporting regularly to LCN UK. The organisation also operates in the region with the supports of the local partners.

Over the years, LCN programmes in the region of northern Uganda have included Humanitarian Relief, The Educational Support Program, The Livelihoods Support Program, The Children and Community Development Centre Project, Overseas Volunteers Program and Mission Partners Link and Connections.

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LCN – Annual Report (Cont.)

The year under review, because of the global Covid pandemic outbreaks and restriction lockdowns, likewise in the UK, many of the programmes and activities in the region of northern Uganda had to be either curtails, put on hold or cancelled altogether. Much of our responses and agility were focus and geared towards the mitigation of the acute humanitarian impacts of the Covid pandemic on the poorest and most vulnerable people.

HUMANITARIAN EMERGENCY RELIEF

The COVID-19 pandemic presented multiple problem of health and economic shock in Uganda just like in any other parts of world particularly affecting mostly the poor and most vulnerable households. The economically and socially vulnerable groups in the country comprises of all age poorest households, older people 60 years and above, workers in the lower tier of the informal sector, child and female headed households, people with disabilities.

The worse geographically isolated communities notably are those in the rural part of the country who experienced a greater impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the severe lockdown on their livelihoods, health, and well-being, hance the need and request for the basic essential handouts were overwhelming from the vulnerable groups whom many we were already supporting with in one way or another including the working age who due to total lockdown imposed most could not carry on with their petty income generation activities forced to stay at home. We, therefore, with the support of the local wholesale and retail suppliers, other businesses, and individuals, we have been able to supply distributed emergency relief handouts of basic essential needs which included:

The year under review, within our means, we supported over 1,000 households with an average of a family of 6 people individuals in 4 districts of northern Uganda . To this day of completing the annual report, a total lockdown is still imposed unknow when it will be lifted. These activities depending on the resources generations and continues support of the local supporter, it is expected the demand for the support with the same will continue.

THE EDUCATIOBAL SUPPORT PROGRAMME

This programme has been running since the beginning of LCN operation in the region of northern Uganda in the 4 districts local areas where we operate. The program has been delivering:

Operation Noah – The Educational Support Project

This project has been running since 2015 supporting pre-school and primary education children from the rural poor household through paying school and examination fees, and other requirements to enable them attend schools or are maintained at school. The Uganda academic year starts at the beginning of every year and end at the end of the year. The year under review, a total of 318 Primary 1-7 school children were paid school and examination fees as well as other associated costs in January 2020 and therefore, all the 318 students started schooling on 3/02/2020, but barely over a month, the Covid pandemic struct.

On the 18th of March 2020, the President of Uganda announced the first total national lockdown which included the closing of all schools all children were sent home, private offices and banned on public gatherings

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LCN – Annual Report (Cont.)

at places of worships/social events, initially all were for a period of 32 days. However, the efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the 32 days effectively led to much longer lockdown of closer of schools for the whole year and most sources of income generation activities for most low-income earners, who are to this of writing the annual report are still forced to stay at home. The 2021 academic year should have started in late January or early February 2021. However, it is not known when the lockdown and/or the school closers will be lifted. Thus, the school project.

The Children and Community Development Centre Project

This centre project came about in 2006 through the link by LCN the Sunday School children of St. Andrew Church of Uganda, Angwetangwet, Lira district and the Sunday School Children of St Gabriel’s Church of England, Cricklewood, London to become Pen-Pal. Once the two side were connected, the Sunday School children of St. Andrew’s Church of Uganda made an official request to the Sunday School children of St. Gabriel’s Church of England to support them with learning materials and a roof under their heads so that them may learn, play, and grow as children. The Children and Community Development Centre project was then born with the construction of the centre and supply of the learning resources been in operation since then. The year under review, from the start of the Covid-19 outbreaks and lockdown restriction in the beginning of March 2020, the centre has been shut and all the routines activities that normally takes place on daily basis have been put on hold and it is not known when the lockdown restrictions will be lifted for the centre to resume activities.

THE LIVELIHOODS SUPPORT PROGRAMME

LCN in 2010 piloted the livelihood support Goat’s project in northern Ugandan with the objective of promoting equality and humanity to live in harmony with fundamental rights and capacity to support selfsustainable development to meet the moral, social, and economic needs. The activities undertaken in collaboration with the local partners, 200 orphans and other vulnerable children each were provided with a Goat livestock for rearing and supplied 4 local partners each with a pair of Oxen, Ox-Plough and 100 kilograms of cultivation seeds and grains.

Operation Noah Goat’s Project (ONGP)

The pilot Goat’s project success led to the Operation Noah Goat’s Project in 2013 with the objective of furthering the pilot project to extend support many any more children and young people from the selected rural poorest family households in the 4 districts of Gulu, Kitgum, Lira and Pader where LCN. Operation Noah Goat’s Project has financially been supported by St. Gabriel’s Church of England, Cricklewood, London matched by LCN fundraising and other local well-wishers.

The project is ongoing with so far more than 10,000 Goat’s Livestock been reproduced, commercially traded and in some cases exchange with cattle or plots of land acquisition. Also, every year a certain proportion of the multiple reproduction of the livestock is pass on to siblings and those from other households. Eery year we carry out monitoring and evaluation of the project to determine how many more goats were reproduced, however the year under review, it has not been possible to carry out these activities due to the Covid outbreaks and lockdowns. The project is expected to continue in the years to come.

OVERSEAS VOLUNTEERING PROGRAMME (OVP)

This program was initiated by two friends (Jack & Ben) who in 2009 approached LCN that they were looking for an overseas vocational volunteering opportunity to broaden their international experience by giving back to the local communities through various actions including fundraising to support local causes.

The two friends from London who were by then also planning to thereafter travel to South Africa 2010 Football World Cup, then set up a JustGiving fundraising campaign which raised substantial sum of money and other in-kinds donations before they travelled with to the region of northern Uganda. The two friends then worked for and with LCN Uganda for a period of six months on various local projects until they left for South Africa World Cup and then back to the UK. Since then, the OVP have been ongoing attracting and recruiting volunteers with great attitudes, talents, skills, experience, and willing people with the passions of giving back and supporting those most in needs, who whenever it was possible do travel to northern Uganda region deployed to volunteer in the community. However, the year under review because of the Covid outbreaks and lockdowns, the project has been curtailed or put on hold until when overseas travel will resume and safe to do so.

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LCN – Annual Report (Cont.)

ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS

LCN remained a learning organisation which is constantly learning to expand capacity and create result we all truly desired to meet and deliver on our promises while embracing partnerships, collaboration, networks, commitment, accountability, encouragement, and creativity. We are also membership of several capacity building organisations where regularly access vital resources, trainings, and updates.

FUNDRAISING AND IN-KIND COLLECTIONS

Fundraising like for many other organisations remained the biggest challenge, however, we all must be creative and maintain relationships with established supporters while building new ones. Our volunteers’ years on years have pulled together go the extra miles giving their times and comes up with ideas of fundraising and in-kinds collections that are making a different however little it maybe. Every contribution we received whether monetary, in-kind collections or volunteer’s times, massively support to deliver on our promise to make a difference in the lives of people we served. We are forever indebted; our outmost sincere gratitude goes out to all although words alone cannot express how much we feel and appreciates the acts of the kindness and generosities.

ACCESS TO OUR SERVICES

To ensure equality, people access our services from several sources: self-referral, peers and family referral and referrals from other service providers including GP, local authorities, and many other agencies. We also promote our activities through networks, distribution of leaflets, website, words of mouth and public recreational and cultural activities.

MANAGING VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers represent huge human resource which can sometimes be overlooked and undervalued. Along with increased recognition, the importance of effective volunteer management should be at the forefront and acknowledged as benefiting the organisations, encouraging community participation, initiates and extend outreach while providing cost-effective services. Also, effective volunteer management is key to ensuring their times, skills, experience, and commitments are put to the best possible use and valued so that goals are achieved for all to relish the experience. Meeting the challenges of managing volunteers required the joint efforts of the organisation, coordination, and the volunteers themselves.

At LCN, we ensure volunteers received mandatory induction orientation including safeguarding awareness, personal development aspiration and motivation. With these in mind, we offer people looking for real opportunity to become involved in their community through volunteering. Our volunteers are local people, peers, students, and service user themselves. Although volunteers should not expect monetary rewards for their services, we do support them with safety working environments, insurance covers, rights to access training and personal development activities, and rights to claim out of pocket expenses unless they opted not to. In additions, we regularly give feedback, recognitions, and referencing including for employment.

QUALITY ASSURANCE MARKS

LCN have in place several Quality Marks including Practical Quality Assurance Standard for Small Organisation (PQASSO) of 12 Quality Areas, Chartered Management Institute and Positive About Disabled People which guides our operational standards. Besides, we have received many other accreditations and nomination awards testament to our commitments and determinations. We remained a learning organisation continuously seeking to learn, develop and improve in all areas of operations.

FUTURE PLANS

2021 marked 16 years in operation, reflecting on the past years it has not been so easy or a clear cut, but we have shown resilience and commitments. The year ahead present even much more challenges, however, we anticipate will continue operating as existing and remained open minded to any new development and opportunity that may emerge along the way adapt to the changes.

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LCN – Statements of Accounts for the Year Ended 31[st] March 2021.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEE’S BOARD

Under the charity and company laws, the Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts which gives a true and fair view of the state of affair of the charity at end of the year and application of resources in the period, including net incoming and expenditure for the year ended.

In preparing the account statments, the board of trustee is required to:

The board of trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with resoanable accuracy at any time the financial position to enable ensure that the financial statement comply with the Comapnies Act 2006. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hench for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud or other irregularities.

Reserves

LCN does not currently have reserve funds, the Board of Trustees are optimistic the organisation will in future be able to raise and hold financial reserves in line with the reserve’s policy.

Investment Policy

Whether we will realise and retain reserve fund, most of the organisation’s funds are to be spent in the short term so there are few funds for long term investment. Having considered options available, in the financial year we reinvested the small MAF loan repayment circle lending to clients. LCN is registered for tax relief and donations received from individuals who are UK taxpayer’s permission are sort to claim tax relief as part of investment funds.

Internal Financial Control

LCN have in place systems of internal control designed to provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance against material mismanagement or loss. Fund transfer for overseas activities is done through a registered and trusted Remittance or Credit Union Entities. The funds are transfer directly into LCN Uganda affiliate bank account where the overall fund’s management, direction for use and distribution’s responsibility lies with LCN (UK). The Affiliate Chair, Treasurer and Secretary are responsible for financial management of local projects and are accountable to LCN UK.

Risk Management

LCN continues to place a high priority on minimising and managing risks to meet objectives and mission outlined in the governing document and activities plans. LCN reviewed risk management registered and revised during the year. The risks management register identified thirteen main risk areas in order of importance, and these included the viability of LCN, and its affiliate body’s processes and robust policy documentation and financial management. Each risk is accorded with appropriate treatments (current or planned response) and responsibility is assigned from within the LCN management team. A further review of the register is undertaken annually

The Trustee’s report was approved by the board of Directors on 20[th] Dec. 2021 and signed on its behalf by:

Board Chair, Grace Adok

12

LCN – Statements of Accounts (Conts)

INCOMES & EXPENDITURE

INCOMES

Notes
Income Resources
from Generated Incomes
Grant Income
2
Voluntary Income
2
Investment Income
3
Total Incoming Resources
EXPENDITURES
Resource Expended
UK Activities
4
Overseas Activities
4
Total Resources Expended
Net income/
Net movement in funds
Balance as of 1st April 2020
Balance as of 31st March 2021		 Restricted Unrestricted
Total
Total
Funds
Funds
2021
2020
£
£
£
10,000
5,586
15,586
1,500
9,606
5,371
14,977
19,258
-
1,351
1,351
7,341
19,606
12,308
31,914
28,099
10,683
6,783
17,466
19876
3,880
5,022
8,902
8,207
14,563
11,805
26,368
28,083
5,043
503
5,546
16
-
566
566
550
5,043
1,069
6,112
566

13

LCN – Statements of Accounts (Conts)

BALANCE SHEET – As of 31[st] March 2021

2021 2020
£ Total £ Total
FIXED ASSET
Computer Equipment 5 4,150 242
CURRENT ASSESTS
Cash in Hand and Bank 6,112 566
NET ASSETS 10,262 808
ASSETS
Restricted 5, 043 -
Unrestricted 5,219 808
TOTAL ASSESTS 10,262 808

For the year ended 31[st] March 2020, the company was entitled to exemption from the audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit for it accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Acts.

The directors acknowledged their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and for the preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provision applicable to companies subject to small companies’ regime and with the Financial Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008).

The notes below form part of the financial statements.

Signed for and on behalf of the Management Committee on 20[th] Dec. 2021.

Grace Adok Chair, Board of Trustees

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LCN – Statements of Accounts (Cont.) – Notes to the Accounts

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

Accounting Policies

The following accounting policies have been used consistently in dealing with items which are considered material in relation to the charity’s financial statements.

Basis of Preparation

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by charities – Statement of Recommendation Practice (SORP revised 2005), The financial standard of smaller entities (effective April 2008) and the provisions of applicable to companies subject to the small companies under the companies Act 2006.

Incoming Resources

Financial incoming resources for year under review have been included on a receivable basis as Restricted and Unrestricted Funds included if the date receivable falls within the period covered by the accounts. Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included in the accounts as monetary values.

Resource Expended

Resources expended have been accounted for on an accrual basis in two parts UK and Overseas as shown in the statement of the financial activities.

Depreciation

Depreciation is calculated to write down the cost of or valuation, less estimated residual value of all tangible fixed assets over their expected useful lives on reducing balance. The rates applicable are:

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LCN – Notes to the Accounts (Cont.)

INCOMING RESOURCE

Grant
London C Response
Co-op Local Community
St. Gabriel’s Church
Voluntary Giving
Donation & Fundraising
Membership Fee
The Big Give
Lumego United Project
Receipt Others
Investments
Gift Aid - Inland Revenue
Mutual Aid Fund - Repayment
Bank Interest
Total Incoming Resources		 2
2
3		 Restricted
Unrestricted
Total
Fund
Fund
2021
2020
£
£
£
£
10,000
-
10,000
-
-
5,586
5,586
-
-
-
1,500
10,000
5,586
15,586
1,500
1,000
4,187
5,187
18,158
-
1,125
1,125
1,085
4,131
-
4,131
-
4,475
-
4,475
-
-
59
59 59
9,606
5,371
14,977
19,258
-
-
-
6,591
-
1,350
1,350
750
-
1
1
-
-
1,351 1,351
7,341
19,606 12,308 31,914 28,099

Restricted Fund received during the year under review were £19,606

Unrestricted Fund received during the year under review were £12,308

Volunteer Times and other In-kinds received during the year under review are not reflected in the statements of the accounts in monetary values.

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LCN – Notes to the Accounts (Cont.)

4 EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTS

UK - Expenditure
Training and Development
Business Start Support
Volunteer Expenses
Mutual Aid Fund
Equipment and Maintenance
Fundraising Cost
Travel & Transport
Stationery, print & copy
Publication Ref. Materials
Postage & Stamp
Communication
Web Subscription
Legal, Licence & Insurance
Social & Community Support
Events - Venue & Hospitalities
Management & Meetings
Sundry/Pay Others
Overseas Expenditure
Direct Project Transfers
Travel & Transport
G Administration & Meeting
Total UK + Overseas Expended
Net Income/Expenditure
Fund B/F 1st April 2020
Fund C/F 31st March 2021		 Restricted
Unrestricted
Total
Total
Funds
Funds
2021
2020
£
£
£
£
-
-
-
1,126
-
259
259
2,218
1,433
501
1,934
4,153
-
1,000
1,000
820
2,850
1,736
4,586
413
-
-
-
200
476
-
476
538
-
239
239
449
-
-
-
218
-
-
-
16
707
588
1,295
2,081
-
245
245
178
-
232
232
659
5,017
1,758
6, 775
2,685
200
225
425
2,295
-
-
-
425
-
-
-
330
10,683
6,783
17,466
19,876
3,880
4,828
8708
6,492
-
-
-
1,328
-
194
194
387
3,880
5,022
8,902
8,207
14,563
11,805
26,368
28,083
5,043
503
5,546
16
-
566
566
550
5,043
1,069
6,112
566

17

LCN – Note to the Accounts (Cont.)

5. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSET

Cost: -
At 1stApril 2020
5
Additions
At 31st March 2021
DEPRECIATION
As At 1stApril 2020
Disposals
Charge this year
At 31stMarch 2021
NET BOOK VALUE
As At 1stApril 2020
As At 31st March 2021		 Computer
F&F
Total
£
£
£
242
-
242
3,988
-
3,988
4,230
-
4,230
118
-
118
80
-
80
198
-
198
4,230
-
4,230
4,150
-
4,150

6. ANALYSES OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

Assets Bal. As @ 31st March 2021
Tangible Fixed Assets
5

Cash in Hand/Bank
Total Net Current
Assets		 Restricte
d
Unrestricte
d
Total
Total
Funds
Funds
2021
2020
£
£
£
£
-
-
-
-
-
4,150
4,150
242
5,043
1,069
6,112
566
5,043
5,219
10,262
808

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND THANK YOU NOTE

LCN is enormously grateful for the support we receive years on years from all our supporters, the year under review though was challenging, it was exceptional. We foster strong community cohesion, partnerships and work collaboratively to deliver ranges of a person-centred suite of services to positively impact individual, and collective health and wellbeing outcomes.

OUR FUNDING SOURCES:

London Community Responses Funds The Co-operative Local Community Funds St. Gabriel’s Church of Uganda, Cricklewood The Big Give – Christmas Challenge Match Funds The Gift Aid Mutual Aid Funds Lumego United – Peer-Led Membership Members Fees and Voluntary Giving Individual Well-Wishers Donations and Fundraisings

OUR TEAM UK & UGANDA:

The Patrons The Board of Director The Frontline Volunteers Work Placement Students

PARTNERS & OTHER SUPPOERS

UK:

Watford Borough Council COSTCO Wholesale Store Lidl Super Store Co-operative Super Store St. Gabriel’s Hall Facility African Women’s Care Brent CVS Ealing CVS Evelyn Oldfield Unit Refugee Council Other Local Community Contributors

OVERSEAS:

Kong Odong (Help Elders) Initiative – Dokolo District Lagora Children Support Group – Latanya, Pader District Unityhood Community Event – Management & Mobilisation, Kitgum District St Andrew’s Church of Uganda, Angwetangwet, Lira District The Mother’s Union – Church of Uganda, Lira City Voice of Gospel 97.7 Community Outreach Radio Lira City Other Local Community Contributors

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