RIVER OF LIFE CHRISTAIN COMMUNITY ANNUAL REPORT CHARITY NUMBER 1103942 UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 2023 



## RIVER OF LIFE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY 

## ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION 

|Trustees:|||
|---|---|---|
|||M B Bolonda|
|||E Lokwa|
|||T Lofandga|
|||S Lotafe|
|||M Kalunga|
|||G Bolonda|
|Secretary:||G Bolonda|
|Legal representatve DR||Congo<br>:Jonathan Lofandje|
|Charity number:||1131042|
|Registered ofce<br>|UK|21 Cheadle Avenue,|
|||Salford|
|||M7 3RE|
|Registered ofce|DRC|Kingunda 2|
|||Yolo Nord|
|||Kalamu|
|||Kinshasa|
|Bankers||Barclays bank|
|||17 St. Ann's Square,|
|||Manchester|
|||M2 7PW|
|Accountant:||E. Lokwa|





## CONTENT 

## TRUSTEE REPORT 

Achievements and performance in the reporting year 2022/23 

## ACTIVITIES 

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 

BALANCE SHEET 



## TRUSTEE REPORT 

## RIVER OF LIFE CHRISTAIN COMMUNITY ANNUAL REPORT 2022-2023 CHARITY NUMBER 1103942 

The trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2022. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and "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)". 

## Objectves and actvites 

The charity's objects are for the benefit of the public. The charity's objects are set out by the trust deed as: - 

- a. The advancement of the Christian faith 

- b. The relief of sickness and financial hardship and to promote and preserve good health by the provision of funds, goods or services of any kind including through the provision of counselling, support and advocacy. 

- c. The advancement of education 

- d. Preserving the environment. 

In preparing this report we have complied and paid due regard to public benefit guidance published by the UK Charity Commission. We have sought to demonstrate that the charity provides identifiable benefits which relate directly to its aims as stated in its Governing Document and which outweigh any potential detriment or harm. Further, the benefits are publicly available to all and are not in any way restricted to those able to pay.  River of Life Christian Community was created to serve the communities of Greater Manchester and SubSaharan African countries addressing issues of disadvantage, hardship and poverty. The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake. 

River of life Christian community works to see disadvantaged groups transformed and individuals empowered to have access to equal resources, poverty alleviation for sustainable livelihood, for sustainable community development. We work with women, men, young people and children to support disadvantaged groups (children, young people and adults) within communities on education, health issues, mental wellbeing, providing support, counselling, advocacy and practical tools to build a better future. We have various projects that support young people against knife crime and gang violence, mental health and wellbeing, music and awareness in various subjects. We also work with women, supporting mental wellbeing, advocacy, support and providing resources and empowering them in their fields. We have projects in Manchester and in Congo. 



## Achievements and performance in the reportng year 2022/23 

## River of Life Christian Community delivered the following activities: Post-natal depression: 

The project aims to provide mental health; post-natal depression; and anxiety support to BAME young people 15- 25 years old providing awareness and practical support package. Provide practical support for new mums and general support for others on various mental health issues. We provide one to one and group support on practical support for mums for 6 weeks post-partum, such as shopping, cleaning, cooking, housework, companionship and, group support to break isolation and postpartum depression, anxiety, and worrying thoughts. We also provide workshops on awareness of various mental illnesses, particularly post-natal depression, and signposting to where they could receive support. Many factors affect new mums; compelling evidence that the effect of giving birth on mental illness was agedependent for depression; anxiety; and affective psychosis; with the effect being far greater in young women. Our beneficiaries are most likely to experience deprivation, stigma, isolation, and health inequalities due to poverty and other factors. 

Sebene Project : the Sebene project is fighting knife crime and gang violence by empowering young ethnic minorities about their identity, cultural heritage, mental health, and wellbeing. It offers them a safe place to discuss issues and a platform to learn. We worked throughout the pandemic, supporting young people with mental health and wellbeing activities, music sessions, sport activities, basketball, and boxing, football, and zoom sessions to alleviate isolation. We have organised various projects, activities, workshops, events, outings for young people. 

Wellbeing project : is a project dedicate to online and face to face mental wellbeing, mental health awareness and support. A peer support project to support aimed at young people and women to develop an understanding of various mental health issues and signpost to the right place for support. Supporting people in dealing with stress and anxiety, thoughts, depression and offering practical support and encourage people to be physically active, participating in various activities and wellbeing activities. 

## Tolobela Menopause: 

The purpose of the project is to raise awareness of the menopause and the support options available for improving health and well-being for women of any age and their families in the Congolese community. Men in their 40s – 60s either do not know about the menopause or feel completely helpless in approaching or supporting women. Although menopause is slowly openly talked about, but women of colour are still missing from the conversation causing frequent misdiagnoses of symptoms, a lack of support and further stigma for women within some BAME communities. 

## Masano Project: 

MASANO which means play in Lingala, is a project which is fighting gang violence, child prostitution and child poverty by empowering children and young people about their identity, cultural heritage, mental and physical wellbeing, environmental and community improvement through football and workshops with basic life skills. Providing a safe place to play and learn in a violent, poverty stricken and unstable society. 



The project is a holistic program that uses sport to empower children and young people about their identity, mental and physical well-being, environmental and community improvement to combat gang violence, child prostitution and poverty. We run workshops that cover a variety of topics, including teamwork, life skills, and mental health. It provides children with educational resources while also developing human ability to prepare children for future employment prospects. Young people can become agents of their own development through this project. 

## VOLUNTEERS 

We have 6 trustees and 15 volunteers. We have 6 youth volunteers and 6 adult volunteers. The volunteers have various roles, including: 

- Wellbeing officer/ Safeguarding 

- Music tutor 

- Legal adviser 

- Tutors 

- Post-Natal depression volunteers 

- Workshop facilitators 

- Project coordinator 

- Mental health facilitators 

- Sport facilitator 

- Admin 

- Social media worker 

All the volunteers have an updated DBS, they receive in house training and are familiar with various aspects of the project. We have project with young people and are currently running project about the menopause. The community will benefit from this, young people and their families will also benefit from the volunteering. We work mostly with people from BAME backgrounds. 



Financial report RIVER OF LIFE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL STATEMENT RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 23 September 2023 

## Unrestricted RECEIPTS funds designated funds Total 23/09/23 

|kids of colour||£250.00|£250.00|
|---|---|---|---|
|Salford community||£2,500.00|£2,500.00|
|Natonal lotery||£9,935.00|£9,935.00|
|Salford community -Impact Fund||£14,425.00|£14,425.00|
|Donatons|£3,146.52||£3,146.52|
|Wellbeing project||£1,095.00|£1,095.00|
|Guest speakers||£1,250.00|£1,250.00|
|Refunds|£150.10||£150.10|
|TOTAL RECEIPTS|£3,296.62|£29,455.00|£32,751.62|



## PAYMENTS 

|COMMUNICATION|£224.00|
|---|---|
|COMPANIES HOUSE|£62.00|
|ENERGY SUPPORT PROJECT|£1,306.80|
|FOOD AND REFRESHMENT|£1,406.34|
|FUEL|£766.19|
|GIFTS|£114.63|
|INSURANCE|£100.80|
|MASANO PROJECT|£1,913.10|
|MENOPAUSE PROJECT|£1,517.60|
|PARKING|£105.69|
|POST NATAL DEPRESSION||
|PROJECT|£11,725.32|
|PUBLICITY|£1,166.10|
|SEBENE PROJECT|£1,915.60|
|GUEST SPEAKERS|£1,900.00|
|STATIONARY|£282.68|
|TRAVEL/TRANSPORT|£1,318.67|
|VEHICLE MAINTAINANCE|£325.00|
|VOLUNTEER EXPENSES|£1,336.94|
|WEBSITE|£23.26|
|WELLBEING|£3,712.41|





YOUTH WORKER £577.87 TOTAL PAYMENTS £31,801.00 £29,455.00 £32,751.62 

NET RECEIPTS /(PAYMENTS) FOR THE YEAR Transfers between funds Bank and on call deposit balances at beginning of year £1,169.65 Bank and on call deposit balances at end of year £1,230.71 

Approved by the Trustees on (Date): 23/09/2024 and signed on their behalf by: MAPY Name: BOLONDA Position: CHAIR MAPY Signature: BOLONDA