Company registration number: 07458896 Charity registration number: 1146752
## Alongside Africa
(A company limited by guarantee) Annual Report and Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 December 2023
## **Alongside Africa**
## **Contents**
|Reference and Administrative Details|1|
|---|---|
|Trustees' Report|2 to 3|
|Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities|4|
|Independent Examiner's Report|5|
|Statement of Financial Activities|6|
|Balance Sheet|7|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|8 to 14|
## **Alongside Africa**
## **Reference and Administrative Details**
**Trustees** Dr W Nolan, Chair Mr M Huddart, Treasurer Mr L Titterton Mrs M Titterton Mrs S Nolan Mr A K Sibbald Mrs L E James **Charity Registration Number** 1146752 **Company Registration Number** 07458896 The charity is incorporated in England and Wales. **Registered Office** Oriac House 10 Glenmore Centre Shearway Business Park Folkestone Kent CT19 4RJ **Independent Examiner** Beresfords Chartered Certified Accountants 1-2 Rhodium Point Spindle Close Hawkinge Folkestone Kent CT18 7TQ
Page 1
## **Alongside Africa**
## **Trustees' Report**
The trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charitable company for the year ended 31 December 2023.
## **Objectives and activities**
## _**Objects and aims**_
1. To advance the education of the public in Africa, in particular but not exclusively by assisting communities to establish and maintain new primary schools and promoting leadership and training of effective leaders in Africa, in particular to encourage and support individuals in Africa who are or wish to be in positions of leadership to learn about and develop their leadership skills.
2. To relieve sickness and promote and protect good health in Africa for the public benefit.
3. To relieve poverty and financial hardship amongst the people and communities in Africa by the provision of training, advice and micro-finance enabling them to establish and grow their own businesses.
## _**Objectives, strategies and activities**_
Specifically, Alongside Africa runs three programmes in Kabale, Uganda:
1. Give-a-child-a-chance - a sponsorship programme to send particularly underprivileged children to school. 2. Amasiko Halfway House - a residential centre where groups of young women (aged 15-21) who have dropped out of formal education can learn a skill and become self sufficient.
3. Obumwe Microfinance - a programme through which short term loans are made at a low interest rate to allow womens groups to expand their income generating projects.
## _**Public benefit**_
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
## **Achievements and performance**
This is my first report as Chairman of Alongside Africa and I feel privileged in taking on a named role on the board and humbled by the work that has been done by the team in Uganda in equal measure.
2023 has been a year of ongoing financial challenge for many organisations and the charitable sector has not been immune to this. Inflationary pressures on organisations and individuals have been global and increased costs that have arisen as a result have put pressure on our charitable finances at a time when donors and supporters are also under financial pressure. Squaring this circle was never going to be easy, but we have managed to meet our obligations to the disadvantaged communities we support in Kabale and maintain the projects that we have been running. I think that this comes down to the continued awareness of our supporters of the work that is done on the ground by our amazing team in Kabale and a recognition that, however hard it gets for many of us here in the global north , it is harder still for disadvantaged groups in place like Kabale. The generosity of others keep us afloat and the tireless energy of the work done on the ground by the team in Kabale continues to inspire those others.
As an organisation we have continued to grow the footprint of those actively supporting our organisation and we now have very active groups in Kent, Oxford and Cornwall. Hopefully we will continue to grow and be able to develop the sponsorship program which has been running now for many years with a great deal of success. This supporting these vulnerable children through education in circumstances where they would otherwise be deprived of that educational attainment remains the main focus of what we do and deliver.
Page 2
## **Alongside Africa**
## **Trustees' Report**
The Obumwe Microfinance Programme likewise continues to deliver and we continue to support groups to kick start small projects which create an income for these groups. Typically these are women’s co-operatives who take out loans under the scheme to grow cash crops at a scale where they can make a profit so as to benefit their communities. Currently we are loaning to ten groups and we have restructured this part of the charity to develop a better system for the recovery of these loans so that the project can continue. Alongside Africa also continues to support the a Batwa community close to Kabale through support for a primary school, Graeme Naish School and have supported repairs following damage from floods which have had a devastating impact on communities in the Kabale region.
The Halfway House continues to support older girls who have dropped out of education. On a six month residential program they are trained in tailoring skills and leave with a nationally recognised qualification from a local training college that we have partnered with. Currently we are providing training for a cohorts of ten girls and young women every six months and securing stable long term funding for this part of the project remains a main focus for board.
As an organisation we remain dedicated to working with the children , families and communities that we support in Kabale and the surrounding districts to improve the life chances and reduce the difficulties that these groups face.
## **Financial review**
## _**Policy on reserves**_
The trustees have decided to hold three months operational costs in reserves in case of sudden loss of income.
## **Structure, governance and management**
## _**Nature of governing document**_
Memorandum and articles incorporated 02/12/2010 now articles adopted by special resolution dated 21/02/2012.
## _**Recruitment and appointment of trustees**_
Trustees are appointed by unanimous decision by the current board of trustees.
## **Small companies provision statement**
This report has been prepared in accordance with the small companies regime under the Companies Act 2006.
The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on .................... and signed on its behalf by:
......................................... Mr M Huddart Trustee
Page 3
## **Alongside Africa**
## **Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities**
The trustees (who are also the directors of Alongside Africa for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland". The report and accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions in the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable accounting standards, comprising FRS 102 have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that can disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
Approved by the trustees of the charity on .................... and signed on its behalf by:
......................................... Mr M Huddart Trustee
Page 4
## **Alongside Africa**
## **Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Alongside Africa ('the Company')**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2023.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity’s trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of Alongside Africa as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or
4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].
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.
...................................... Daniel Payne FCCA Beresfords Chartered Certified Accountants 1-2 Rhodium Point Spindle Close Hawkinge Folkestone Kent CT18 7TQ
Date:.............................
Page 5
## **Alongside Africa**
## **Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)**
|**Note**
**Income and Endowments from:**
Donations and legacies
3
Investment income
4
Total income
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
5
Other expenditure
6
Total expenditure
Net expenditure
Net movement in funds
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
15
**Note**
**Income and Endowments from:**
Donations and legacies
3
Investment income
4
Total income
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
5
Other expenditure
6
Total expenditure
Net income
Net movement in funds
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
15|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**
73,719
42
73,761
(75,239)
(228)
(75,467)
(1,706)
(1,706)
21,163
19,457
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**
92,159
12
92,171
(87,342)
(303)
(87,645)
4,526
4,526
16,637
21,163|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
8,000
-
8,000
(8,000)
-
(8,000)
-
-
-
-
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
2,500
-
2,500
(2,500)
-
(2,500)
-
-
-
-|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
81,719
42|
|---|---|---|---|
||||81,761|
||||(83,239)
(228)|
||||(83,467)|
||||(1,706)|
||||(1,706)
21,163|
||||19,457|
||||**Total**
**2022**
**£**
94,659
12|
||||94,671|
||||(89,842)
(303)|
||||(90,145)|
||||4,526|
||||4,526
16,637|
||||21,163|
All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown for 2022 is shown in note 15.
The notes on pages 8 to 14 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 6
## **Alongside Africa**
## **(Registration number: 07458896) Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2023**
|**Note**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
11
**Current assets**
Debtors
12
Cash at bank and in hand
13
**Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**
14
**Net current assets**
**Net assets**
**Funds of the charity:**
**Unrestricted income funds**
Unrestricted funds
**Total funds**
15|**2023**
**£**
682
104
19,002
19,106
(331)
18,775
19,457
19,457
19,457|**2022**
**£**
910
135
20,418|
|---|---|---|
|||20,553
(300)|
|||20,253|
|||21,163|
|||21,163|
|||21,163|
For the financial year ending 31 December 2023 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors' responsibilities:
- The members have not required the charity to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476; and
- The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the small companies regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
The financial statements on pages 6 to 14 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on .................... and signed on their behalf by:
......................................... Mr M Huddart Trustee
The notes on pages 8 to 14 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 7
## **Alongside Africa**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023**
## **1 Charity status**
The charity is limited by guarantee, incorporated in England and Wales, and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £10 towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation.
The address of its registered office is: Oriac House 10 Glenmore Centre Shearway Business Park Folkestone Kent CT19 4RJ
## **2 Accounting policies**
## **Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates**
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.
## **Statement of compliance**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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)) (issued in October 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
## **Basis of preparation**
Alongside Africa meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.
## **Going concern**
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern nor any significant areas of uncertainty that affect the carrying value of assets held by the charity.
## **Income and endowments**
All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of the income receivable can be measured reliably.
## _**Donations and legacies**_
Donations are recognised when the charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance by the charity before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.
Page 8
## **Alongside Africa**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023**
## _**Grants receivable**_
Grants are recognised when the charity has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released.
## _**Investment income**_
Dividends are recognised once the dividend has been declared and notification has been received of the dividend due.
## **Expenditure**
All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.
## _**Charitable activities**_
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
## _**Grant provisions**_
Provisions for grants are made when the intention to make a grant has been communicated to the recipient but there is uncertainty about either the timing of the grant or the amount of grant payable.
## **Governance costs**
These include the costs attributable to the charity’s compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including audit, strategic management and trustees meetings and reimbursed expenses.
## **Taxation**
The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
## **Tangible fixed assets**
Individual fixed assets costing £250.00 or more are initially recorded at cost.
## **Depreciation and amortisation**
Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:
**Asset class** Motor vehicles
**Depreciation method and rate** 25% on reducing balance
Page 9
## **Alongside Africa**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023**
## **Trade debtors**
Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business.
Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.
## **Cash and cash equivalents**
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.
## **Fund structure**
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
## **Financial instruments**
## _**Classification**_
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the charity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the charity after deducting all of its liabilities.
## _**Recognition and measurement**_
All financial assets and liabilities are initially measured at transaction price (including transaction costs), except for those financial assets classified as at fair value through profit or loss, which are initially measured at fair value (which is normally the transaction price excluding transaction costs), unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction. If an arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, the financial asset or financial liability is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are only offset in the statement of financial position when, and only when there exists a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and the charity intends either to settle on a net basis, or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Financial assets are derecognised when and only when a) the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire or are settled, b) the charity transfers to another party substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset, or c) the charity, despite having retained some, but not all, significant risks and rewards of ownership, has transferred control of the asset to another party.
Financial liabilities are derecognised only when the obligation specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled or expires.
Page 10
## **Alongside Africa**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023**
## **3 Income from donations and legacies**
|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
Donations and legacies;
Gift aid reclaimed
13,321
Donations
60,398
Grants, including capital grants
-
73,719
**4**
**Investment income**
Interest receivable and similar income;
Interest receivable on bank deposits
**5**
**Expenditure on charitable activities**
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Note**
**General**
**£**
Grant funding of
activities
71,046
Direct costs
560
Insurance
219
Computer software
and maintenance
costs
442
Printing, postage and
stationery
57
Sundry expenses
48
Travel expenses
1,800
Bank charges
737
Governance costs
7
330
75,239|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
-
8,000
8,000
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
42
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
8,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
8,000|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
13,321
60,398
8,000
81,719
**Total**
**2023**
**£**
42
**Total**
**2023**
**£**
79,046
560
219
442
57
48
1,800
737
330
83,239|**Total**
**2022**
**£**
10,038
82,121
2,500|
|---|---|---|---|
||||94,659|
||||**Total**
**2022**
**£**
12|
||||**Total**
**2022**
**£**
85,438
608
108
284
-
48
2,345
711
300|
||||89,842|
Page 11
## **Alongside Africa**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023**
## **6 Other expenditure**
|**Note**
Depreciation, amortisation and other similar
costs|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
228
228|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
228
228|**Total**
**2022**
**£**
303|
|---|---|---|---|
||||303|
## **7 Analysis of governance and support costs**
## **Governance costs**
|Independent examiner fees
Independent examiners fee
**8**
**Net incoming/outgoing resources**
Net (outgoing)/incoming resources for the year include:
Depreciation of fixed assets|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
330
330|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
330
330
**2023**
**£**
228|**Total**
**2022**
**£**
300|
|---|---|---|---|
||||300|
||||**2022**
**£**
303|
## **9 Trustees remuneration and expenses**
No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.
## **10 Taxation**
The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.
Page 12
## **Alongside Africa**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023**
## **11 Tangible fixed assets**
|**Cost**
At 1 January 2023
At 31 December 2023
**Depreciation**
At 1 January 2023
Charge for the year
At 31 December 2023
**Net book value**
At 31 December 2023
At 31 December 2022
**12 Debtors**
Prepayments
**13 Cash and cash equivalents**
Cash on hand
Cash at bank
**14 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
Accruals||**Motor vehicles**
**£**
3,000
3,000
2,090
228
2,318
682
910
**2023**
**£**
104
**2023**
**£**
33
18,969
19,002
**2023**
**£**
331|**Motor vehicles**
**£**
3,000
3,000
2,090
228
2,318
682
910
**2023**
**£**
104
**2023**
**£**
33
18,969
19,002
**2023**
**£**
331|**Total**
**£**
3,000
3,000
2,090
228
2,318
682
910
**2022**
**£**
135|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||3,000|||
|||2,090
228|||
|||2,318|||
|||682|||
|||910|||
|||**2023**
**£**
104
**2023**
**£**
33
18,969
19,002
**2023**
**£**
331|||
|||||**2022**
**£**
33
20,385|
|||||20,418|
|||||**2022**
**£**
300|
Page 13
## **Alongside Africa**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023**
## **15 Funds**
|**Unrestricted funds**
General
**Restricted funds**
**Total funds**
**Unrestricted funds**
General
**Restricted funds**
**Total funds**|**Balance at 1**
**January 2023**
**£**
21,163
-
21,163
**Balance at 1**
**January 2022**
**£**
16,637
-
16,637|**Incoming**
**resources**
**£**
73,761
8,000
81,761
**Incoming**
**resources**
**£**
92,171
2,500
94,671|**Resources**
**expended**
**£**
(75,467)
(8,000)
(83,467)
**Resources**
**expended**
**£**
(87,645)
(2,500)
(90,145)|**Balance at 31**
**December**
**2023**
**£**
19,457
-|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||19,457|
|||||**Balance at 31**
**December**
**2022**
**£**
21,163
-|
|||||21,163|
## **16 Analysis of net assets between funds**
|Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
682
19,106
(331)
19,457
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
910
20,553
(300)
21,163|**Total funds at**
**31 December**
**2023**
**£**
682
19,106
(331)|
|---|---|---|
|||19,457|
|||**Total funds at**
**31 December**
**2022**
**£**
910
20,553
(300)|
|||21,163|
Page 14