Charity No. 1124195
DOLEN FFERMIO (FARMING LINK)
Trustees Report and Financial Statements
For the year ended 28[th] February 2025
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DOLEN FFERMIO (FARMING LINK)
Legal and administrative information
| Trustees | Lorna Brown |
|---|---|
| Ben Jones | |
| Emyr Owen | |
| Cordelia Weedon | |
| Tim Smith | |
| Lena Fritsch | |
| Rona Gunnell | |
| Peter Gunnell | |
| Gideon Nadiope (from April 2025) |
| Bankers | HSBC Bank Plc |
|---|---|
| The Cross | |
| 1 Broad Street | |
| Newtown | |
| Powys | |
| SY16 2LX | |
| Independent | Thomas Ojo, |
| Examiner | PPS Accountants |
| 11 Fames Court | |
| Worksop | |
| Nottinghamshire | |
| S81 0LZ | |
| Principal address | Ty’n-yr-Ardd |
| Church Street | |
| Llanfyllin | |
| Powys | |
| SY22 5BA | |
| Charity number | 1124195 |
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DOLEN FFERMIO (FARMING LINK)
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Legal and administrative information | 2 |
| Trustees Report | 4-7 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 8 |
| Receipts and Payments Account | 9-11 |
| Notes to the Accounts | 12 |
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The trustees present their report and the financial statement for the year ended 28 February 2025. The trustees who served during the year and up to the date in this report are set out on page 2.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The first objective of the organisation is the relief of poverty in two rural areas of Eastern Uganda (Kamuli district and Ngora district) in particular, but not exclusively by the provision of education and training and other such services with the aim that people can become self-supporting and their conditions of life improved. The second objective is raising awareness in the UK of world food and farming issues.
The main activities for the relief of poverty in Kamuli, working with Dolen Ffermio Environmental Farming and Health (DFEFH) our partner organisation there, include goat breeding and agro-forestry programmes and the development of permaculture techniques.
The main activities for the relief of poverty in Ngora district, working with Farming Link Uganda (FARLU) our partner organisation there, include goat breeding, sheep breeding, agro-forestry programmes, development of a vocational training institute to support young people, and a social enterprise company involved with solar energy and construction.
The main activities for awareness raising in the UK in previous years have been:
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Conference for sixth formers
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Public meetings for the farming and wider community
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Stands at agricultural shows, exhibitions.
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Press releases to local newspapers, publicity, and twice-yearly newsletters to all supporters.
The opportunities to undertake some of these activities have been more limited recently for various reasons.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Dolen Ffermio is a registered charity with 9 trustees making up the management committee. Trustee selection is by members at the AGM. Post holders are similarly elected at the AGM. Potential trustees are normally members who have already had substantial involvement with Dolen Ffermio. They are invited to become co-opted members of the management committee before putting their names forward at the AGM. Induction takes place at meetings of trustees.
Traditionally, meetings have been face-to-face but, since the Covid pandemic, many have been held via Zoom. Key meetings, however, including AGMs have been held face-to-face in the usual way.
PUBLIC BENEFIT
This is to confirm that the trustees of Dolen Ffermio have studied the guidance provided by the Charity Commission and take it into account when making decisions to which the guidance is relevant. The trustees consider that the charity’s activities provide public benefit to the communities in Uganda where projects are located and to communities of Montgomeryshire and North Shropshire in global awareness.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE IN 2024/25
General:
In recent years, our activities were overshadowed by the impact of the Covid pandemic. For a while it was not possible to undertake visits to Uganda to see projects and keep up to date with progress and priorities. We did, however, have other good routes of communication and were impressed with the ways in which partners in Uganda continued to develop projects despite challenges such as restricted movement and the closure of schools. Uganda has now, however, been free of restrictions for the past two years, schools have
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been reopened, and in autumn 2023, and again in autumn 2024, our Chair was able to spend a month with our partners in the two areas of Uganda in which we work and to see first hand the progress that has been made.
Developments in Kamuli District:
At the Nakyaka demonstration farm following the retirement of the manager, a new manager has been appointed. He is a retired head teacher and is keen to increase the potential for training at the farm for both the local community and students.
The Dolen Ffermio Farming and Health team is continuing its programme of banana and cocoa companion planting and is increasing the acreage of coffee. These are critical food and export crops which local people and students are keen to learn about.
The major developments in Kamuli in the past year relate to permaculture:
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Permaculture courses for teachers and students were initiated by our consultant, Charles Mugarura of Broadfield Enterprises Uganda, who has persuaded the Ugandan Government to put permaculture on the national curriculum.
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Charles is now focusing on developing trading arrangements through Broadfield Enterprises for export of coffee, dried pineapple, and vanilla pods, which will become part of the school activities.
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Laurence Mutabuza has taken over the lead on permaculture and, with financial support from Dolen Ffermio, has set up a new community-based organisation called Permaculture Schools Outreach. A permaculture training programme has been prepared, and training has been offered to school permaculture teachers on the new arrangements.
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Initially, this permaculture training will be offered in the same nine schools in Kamuli where a total of over 7,000 enthusiastic children have already participated in earlier programmes.
Developments in Ngora District:
The main focus has continued to be the development of the Ngora Vocational Training Institute for young people, building upon work already undertaken with the significant grant of almost £25,000 from the Wales Africa Fund by the Wales Council for Voluntary Activity (WCVA). This has been augmented by Dolen Ffermio’s funds and money raised during Christmas Catalogue Campaigns:
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The borehole and pumping system and a three-phase electricity transformer have been completed using the grant from WCVA, and the resulting clean water supply and mains electricity are also benefiting the local Community. The tower building is almost complete and this not only supports two reservoir water tanks but also offers conference and office space on the lower floors. The conference room will be used for teaching and meetings. Initial courses on making fuel efficient stoves and building construction have already been run for 50 students on each course. Trainees from the latter contributed to the building of the first double classroom block. The majority of students have found work with local businesses.
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In February 2025 the requirements of the Ministry of Education were satisfied and the Vocational Training Institute was officially registered. This will enable the Institute to offer longer certificated courses, and five staff members have been recruited and the first four courses have been advertised.
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There are now 4,000 catfish in fishponds on the site and sale of these will provide funds for developments.
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The goat and sheep breeding unit are being repaired, and plans have been made to use the unit for teaching agriculture students at the Institute.
Elsewhere the TECCO construction and social enterprise company continues to service requests for installations, and the retail side of the business is being moved to a more visible high street location.
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School Links and Awareness Raising
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A grant from Community Foundation Wales has enabled the link between Ysgol Llanfyllin and three schools in the Kamuli area to be continued. There has been a sharing of traditional storytelling, puppet shows, and an exchange of videos and artwork. Arts Connection Llanfyllin has also assisted. Material from the project, including narratives, artwork, and links to video material, will be incorporated into a booklet to guide other schools in similar activities. The focus now is on permaculture and climate change.
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A video session linking a group of Llanfyllin students with catering students at the Ngora Institute was well received and showed how the technology could be used as a medium for future exchanges.
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We continue to participate in webinars on international topics, write feature articles in our community newspaper, and distribute newsletters about our activities.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
In the financial year ended 28[th] February 2025 total income was £33,719 and total expenditure £39,669, leading to a deficit for the year of £5,950. Both income and expenditure were significantly lower than in 2023/24 but largely reflect the financial years in which grants were received and spent.
Dolen Ffermio’s income has been mainly from various forms of donations (£18,548 including sponsorship of Ugandan students and gift aid), fundraising events (£7,451), and grants from other bodies (£7,500). Although fundraising is challenging, we remain grateful for the generous contributions by our many supporters.
Dolen Fermio’s expenditure broadly takes three forms:
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A basic budget for administration and publicity (4.7% of expenditure in 2024/25);
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Funds allocated to Ugandan partners to maintain and support existing projects; and
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Funds to develop new projects which have been identified with our partners in Uganda.
Most of the balance of £9,451 at the end of the year was in the form of restricted funds raised or donated for specific purposes (£6,237), leaving Dolen Ffermio’s unrestricted funds or free reserves at £3,214. The trustees have recognised that it is important to try to build up unrestricted funds in order to provide security for our project work in Uganda and hopefully to be in a position to promote more ambitious developments. This is reflected in the reserves policy set out in a subsequent section.
RESERVES POLICY
The target of the trustees of Dolen Ffermio is to continue to hold sufficient free reserves to be able to continue, if necessary, to operate as a charity and maintain services in Uganda for a period of three months, and eventually to increase the figure to the equivalent of six months.
RISK MANAGEMENT
The trustees have conducted a review of the major risks the charity is exposed to. Where appropriate, procedures have been established to mitigate the risks the charity faces.
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STATEMENT AS TO DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
In so far as the trustees are aware:
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there is no relevant information which the charity’s Independent Examiner is unaware of; and
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the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant information and to establish that the Independent Examiner is aware of that information.
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES
The trustees are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that year. In preparing these financial statements the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the ongoing concern basis, unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time of the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with section 130 Charities Act 2011 and the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations, Charities Act 2011 and the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
On behalf of the Board
Lorna brown
Rona gunnell
Lorna Brown Rona Gunnell Chair Secretary Date: 10/06/2025 Date: 10/06/2025
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Independent examiner's report to the trustees on the unaudited financial statements of Dolen Ffermio
I report on the accounts of Dolen Ffermio for the year ended 28[th] February 2025 set out on pages 9- 11.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and independent examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act), and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act, as amended;
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to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act, and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission and Regulations 11 of the 2006 Regulation. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records.
It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
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:
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Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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The accounts do not accord with those records.
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 as proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Thomas ojo
.................................................
Thomas Ojo (BA, BSc, FCPA) Independent examiner
Date: 10/06/2025
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DOLEN FFERMIO (FARMING LINK) Registered Charity number 1124195
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS 1[st] March 2024 to 28[th] February 2025
| Unrestricted funds £ |
Restricted funds £ |
Total 2025 £ |
Total 2024 £ |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RECEIPTS | |||||
| Fund-raising activities | |||||
| • The BigGive(inc.pledges) | -- | -- | -- | 300 | |
| • The Catalogue | -- | 2,516 | 2,516 | 2,900 | |
| • Plant sales | 3,512 | -- | 3,512 | 3,463 | |
| • Grand Draw | 625 | -- | 625 | 650 | |
| • Other fund-raising | 798 | -- | 798 | 1,825 | |
| Membership subscriptions | 220 | -- | 220 | 190 | |
| Sponsorship by individuals or groups of school places for children |
-- | 1,000 | 1,000 | 2,807 | |
| Wills/legacies | -- | -- | -- | 1,025 | |
| Donations | |||||
| • Via CAF Online | 211 | -- | 211 | 544 | |
| • Via standingorders | 2,677 | -- | 2,677 | 3,033 | |
| • Dolen Llanbrynmair Fund | 115 | 1,560 | 1,675 | 245 | |
| • Other donations | 8,615 | 320 | 8,935 | 10,833 | |
| Gift Aid reclaimed from HMRC | 4,050 | -- | 4,050 | 4,533 | |
| Grants • Lord Merthyr Fund (CFW) • WCVA Wales Africa Fund • Farthing Trust |
-- -- 5,000 |
2,500 -- -- |
2,500 -- 5,000 |
2,500 4,962 5,000 |
|
| Other receipts | -- | -- | -- | - | |
| Total receipts | 25,823 | 7,896 | 33,719 | 44,810 |
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| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds |
Total 2025 |
Total 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAYMENTS | |||||
| Support forprojects in Uganda | |||||
| • Demonstration Farm, Nakyaka | 3,080 | -- | 3,080 | 4,800 | |
| • WCVA Wales Africa grant for FARLU Institute |
-- | 3,837 | 3,837 | 16,158 | |
| • Other support for development of FARLU Technical &Vocational TrainingInstitute,Ngora |
14,625 | 2,112 | 16,737 | 13,418 | |
| • Sponsorship of training for young people |
-- | 1,250 | 1,250 | 1,720 | |
| • Ngora management support | 5,086 | -- | 5,086 | 6,205 | |
| • Permaculture courses | 2,734 | 4,963 | 7,697 | 9,393 | |
| Joint schools project | -- | -- | -- | 1,537 | |
| Trustees’ and volunteers’ expenses | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Expenses related to fund-raising | 413 | -- | 413 | 273 | |
| Printing and other administrative costs | 323 | -- | 323 | 779 | |
| Bank charges | 681 | -- | 681 | 641 | |
| Accounting and examiner’s fees in Wales and Ngora |
450 | -- | 450 | 450 | |
| Miscellaneous | 115 | - | 115 | - | |
| Total payments | 27,507 | 12,162 | 39,669 | 55,374 |
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| NET OF RECEIPTS/(PAYMENTS) | (1,684) | (4,266) | (5,950) | (10,564) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transfers between funds | - | -- |
-- | -- |
| Cash funds at 29th February 2024 | 4,898 | 10,503 | 15,401 | |
| Cash Funds as of 28th February 2025 | 3,214 | 6,237 | 9,451 |
| Details | Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 28TH February 2025 |
|||
| Cash funds | 3,214 | 6,237 | |
| Other monetary assets | - | - | |
| Investment assets | - | - | |
| Assets retained for charity’s own use |
- | - | |
| Liabilities | 450 | - |
Approval of accounts by the Executive Committee (Trustees) of Dolen Ffermio (Farming Link)
Date of approval: 10[th] June 2025 Signed on behalf of the Executive Committee
| Signature | Name | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Lorna brown | Lorna Brown | Chair |
| Peter gunnell | Peter Gunnell | Treasurer |
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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDED 28[th ] February 2025
Accounting Conventions
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1 The financial statements have been prepared using the historical cost convention on a receipt and payments basis.
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2 Income is made up of mainly donations, restricted and unrestricted and grants.
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All receipts and payments relate to general charitable income and
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3 expenses.
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4 Charity Trustees are only paid to cover out of pocket expenses.
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5 There is no reason to suggest that the charity will not continue as a going concern.
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