CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examinerfs Report Report to the trusteesl members of L2}RJai f4 CONccf2tyJ ui% On accounts for the year ended og/oLF / 14- Charity no (if any) 11.33 L+WO Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for the year ended Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report 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 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examiner's statement I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the wor in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Date: Name: TOFINJ c RO- Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: I l Huw"rLCY (4 NftTh4u IER October 2018
Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER October 2018
UGAND CONCERN U UGANDA CONCERN UK Registered Charity No: 1133440 TRusfEES' ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5th APRIL 2024 LEGAL & ADMINI¥fRATIVE INFORMATION Governing Document: Trust Deed, adopted 4th January 2010 Objects: 'The prevention or relief of povety in Uganda, in particular by supporting the charitsble work of Uganda Women Concern Ministry, Bank: Lloyds TSB, Clevedon, North Somerset Trustees: Mrs Bridget Withell (Chair) Mr Terry Game (Treasurer) Mr Keith Ketchum Mr Stephen Withell Mrs Terry Game Registered address: l Birch Avenue, Clevedon, North Somerset, BS217JT Uganda Concern UK primarily supports the work of Uganda Women Concern Ministry (UWCM) in the Mbale region of Uganda. UWCM is an indigenous Christian NGO, established in 1991 to assist and empower people living in poverty in hard to reach communities in the remote foothills of Mount Elgon where there is little or no access to any other support. They focus on rural communities and in addition to creating self- help groups, skills training and small-scale saving schemes, UWCM identifies those in greatest need and offers hope through individualised practical, emotional and spiritual support. The combination of these interventions is very effective in equipping and enabling people to lift themselves out of poverty in a sustainable way. Funding: The total amount raised by UCUK during this financial year was £91,483.24 an increase of £39,280.70 (75 % ) from last year. Gift Aid of £8,387.72 was reclaimed during the year. Transfers are made to Uganda Women Concern Ministry on a monthly basis and this frequency will continue to be reviewed by the Trustees. The increase in monies raised was due to an extremely generous one-off donation from Faversham Gospel Mission to purchase a new 4WD vehicle for UWCM to enable them to continue to carry out the incredible work which they do in Uganda. It should be noted that all donations are sen¢ without deduction, to UWCM.
The main ways in which UCUK generate funds are as follows: l. We have a small, but growing, base of regular supporters and also a number of individuals and churches who kindly make ad-hoc donations. Some supporters choose to make a donation in lieu of special birthdayslanniversaries; bequeath gifts to Uganda Concern UK or make a donation in memory of a loved one and we are extremely grateful for the continued generosity of everyone who chooses to support UCUK. 2. Fundraising events: various fundraising events are held throughout the year and Trustees are always pleased to be invited to speak at churches or groups about the work of UWCM and this often results in a financial donation. 3. We are registered with Everyclick.com and this has continued to generate funding by the 'give as you live, scheme simply by shopping on line. 4. We are also registered with Easyfundraising.org.uk which also raises funds by shopping on line. Use of funds by UWCM: UWCM Vehicle: In recent years, UWCM'S old Landcruiser had become increasingly unreliable and it was clear that, unless a new 4WD vehicle was purchased, their work in the remote and mountsinous regions of Mount Elgon would not be able to continue for much longer. We were, therefore, extremely grateful to the members of Faversham Gospel Mission when we received their donation in May 2023 which allowed us to buy a brand new Toyota Landcruiser, plus various 'extras' including a new set of deep-tread tyres which are essential for the driving conditions during the rainy seasons. The vehicle was purchased through WEM Hamburg GmbH and UWCM took delivery of it in January 2024. Stsff were completely overwhelmed by this gift and have frequently reported how much safer and more comfortable they are in the new vehicle and that it is the first time in many years that they have not had to cancel any of their monitoring visits due to heavy rains making roads very difficult to navigate. Women's Grou s." The work with Women's Groups in rural communities continues to progress well and forms the major part of our funding. There is always a waiting list of groups who wish to receive training as they have seen the impact that other groups are having within their communities. UWCM offers support and training to these groups at various levels in a number of activities which help to bring about sustainable development and transformation in the lives of individuals and communities. They help communities and groups to identify ways to generate funds using local skills and resources including CMMF (Community Managed Micro Finance) training. Group members also identify and assist the poorest in their community in various prattical ways but with the aim of promoting income-generation and increasing the family's financial independence. We continue to provide funds to buy sewing machines and materials which enable groups to earn an income as well as making and distributing re-usable sanitary pads to young women who would otherwise not be able to afford them. The Rainwater Tanks revolving fund project has also been successful in enabling the groups to provide tanks to members of their communities. Pra er & Porrid ro ects at Lwan oli and Saki a: We have been supporting the P&P project at Lwangoli since 2019 and, in April 2022, we were delighted to recommence our funding for the P&P project at Sakiya. The aim of each Prayer & Porridge project is to provide support, counselling, prayer, Bible study, a nutritional meal, games & activities, plus assistance with school fees and scholastic materials whenever possible to very vulnerable children. They give the children a real sense of belonging and increases their feelings of self-worth and confidence and parents confirm that it has a very positive impact on their children. Both projects are run by volunteers from local churches and overseen by UWCM with approximately 150 children registered at each projett but there is an increasing need for more funding for school fees and medical fees. Sarah's Shelters: This fund enables Women's Groups to assist vulnerable families (often a mother with children) to buy a small plot of land (if necessary) and construrt a traditional home. Members of the communities donate the wooden poles and work together to build the new shelters. Our funding buys materials such as the iron sheets for the roof, wooden door and window frames, land (if necessary) and also provide a small IGA eg a pair of goats and also mattresses, bedding, cooking pots etc as often these families have nothing. The money we send out is usually sufficient to build 2 or 3 new shelters each quarter but there is always a list of families waiting for new shelters.
Education Fund: In addition to providing basic scholastic materials to some of the most vulnerable children in various communities, we also fund individuals identified to us by UWCM through primary and secondary education or through an apprenticeship program. Contribution towards staff salaries and admin costs: We currently contribute towards 8 members of UWCM stsff salaries. We also provide funds to assist UWCM with various administrative costs Mini-conferences for oun eo le and arents uardians: In late December/early January UWCM hold non-residential conferences in 4 different communities with approximately 50 young people attending each day. Each mini conference tskes place over 3 days and topics covered include: children's rights and responsibilities; life skills and decision making criteria. self-esteem; drug and alcohol awareness. people trafficking. This is followed by a l-day training in each community for up to 25 parents/guardians when UWCM staff share skills on how to handle teenagers at home, in church and in society. UWCM staff are the lead facilitators but each community is involved with the planning and running of these events by contributing a venue; firewood, preparation of meals and ensuring the safety and security of the young people. Staff and those who attend the conferences, confirm that they are extremely beneficial and have a lasting impact on the young people and their parents/guardians. There is always a huge demand from communities to host the conferences. Details of all the main projects we support can be seen on our website www.ugandaconcemuk.org. We also produce a twice-yearly newsletter which is sent to all our supporters plus latest news is posted on the blog on our website. Visits to UWCM: We work closely with UWCM throughout the year to offer support and guidance and also to try and secure additional funding. Three UCUK Trustees visited in January 2024 to monitor the projects we fund and also to support and encourage the stsff. "Working To Support Uganda Women ConnI Ministry- cernuk live.co.uk website: www. aconcernuk.o e-mail:
2023 - Apnl 2024 BREAKDOWN OF INCOME Opening Balan¢e 39,922.63 Regular Glvlng 11255.00 Donatlons 66,298.75 Fundralslng actlvltleg 4h16.43 Glft Ald Recovery 8,387.72 Collertion Boxe$ 125.34 Totsl Income for 2023 - 2024 91,483.24 TOTAL £ 131h05.87 6th April 2023 - 5th April 2024 BREAKDOWN OF EXPENDrruRE As in previous years, nSfer5 continue to be made to Uganda Women Concem Ministry on a monthly basis and th1$ frequency will contlnue to be reviewed by the Trustees at the Trustee meetings held twice yearfy. Children'$ Conference l Training Days 3,000.00 Shelter Qlnstruction - Sarnh'$ Shelters 1600.00 Sakiya & Lwangoli Prayer & Porridge Fkngrammes 5,000.00 Purthase of new Toyots Landcruiser for iIWCM (incorporates final costs refund} 44,274.22 Women's Groups & Community Groups 9,840.00 Sewing Machine$ I Sanltary Pad Project 610.00 Contrlbutlon to UWCM Salarles 13,587.00 UWCM Admlnlstratlon 6,640.00 Bank Charyes for Money Trnnsfers to Uganda 195.00 Education Fees & A5SqKiated costs 3,799.00 Sundries & Ad Hoc donations in response to requests from UWCM 4,934.62 Totsl Expendlture for 2023 - 2024 94,479.84 Closlng Balance 36,926.03 TOTAL £ 131,405.87 Signed: TTUStee / TSUr