NEnMoRK FOR A BErrER WORLD
Registered Charity Number 1151591
TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024
Reference and administration details
Charity name:
Network for a Better World
Other names Charity is known by: N4BW
Registered Charity Number:
1151571
Charity's principal address:
St Vincent's School, Yew Tree Lane, Liverpool, L12 9HN
Contact:
Telephone".
Website:
Email:
Mrs Barbara Charles
0151228 9968
www.n4bw.org,uk
nauiries
n4bw.or
Names of trustees who managed the charity during 2024:
Mr Andrew Clark (Chair)
Mrs Mary Clark (Data Protection)
Ms Sheila Cogley {Safeguarding)
Ms Alice Davidson (Founder and main fundraiser)
Ms Marian Kearney (Projects & Publicity)
Principal Bankers:
The Co-operative Bank,
PO Box 250, Delf House, Skelmersdale, WN8 6WT
Independent Examiner:
Dominic lon
Structure, governance and management
Governing Document
Network for a Better World became a registered charity on 10th April 2013 under a trust deed signed
on 4th February 2013 and operated in accordance with the provisions of that document.
Trustees
Network for a Better World appoints trustees according to skills and experience, especially relevant
experience of working in the developing world. The trustees administer the charity and take decisions
on the deployment of funds and human resources to meet the charitable objectives of N4BW. The
trustees who Served during the year are listed above.
Officers
In addition to the trustees a number of other officers are appointed to assist with the organisation and
administration of the charity. Together with the trustees they form the management team and
regularly attend or report to quarterly meetings.
Secretary and Administration Officer:
Treasurer:
M rs Barbara Cha rles
Professor Ken Holden.
Active Supporters
A nurnber of other people attend meetings regularly and play an active part in fundraising,
promotional activities and short-term volunteering overseas.

Meetings
Trustee meetings are held quarterly with an Annual General meeting held usually in the spring. At the
AGM all trustees present will vote for the office bearers. The annual accounts will also be presented
and a review of the organisation's yearly objective will take place. The organisation will also agree on
priorities for the next year. In 2024 the trustees met 4 times and the AGM was held in April.
Induction and training
Induction and training is through attendance at trustee meetings and the Annual General Meeting. All
trustees, officers and supporters give their time voluntarily and receive no remuneration or other
benefits. Volunteers receive induction and training prior to travelling overseas and are required to hold
a DBS Clearance. N4BW is registered with CSAS (Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service). This means
that we are able to process DBS checks for our volunteers rather than relying on other agencies. There
is a Safeguarding policy which all trustees, officers, active members and volunteers are required to
follow. This includes a reporting proced ure in case of any safeguarding issues occurring either in the UK
or in our overseas field of operations. To date no safeguarding incidents requiring investigation have
been reported.
Objectives and activities
The objects of the charity are:
(l) The prevention or relief of poverty anywhere in the world by providing grants, items and services to
individuals in need and/or charities, or other organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty.
(2) The prevention or relief of poverty anywhere in the world by providing or assisting in the provision
of education, training, healthcare projects, and all the necessary support designed to enable
individuals to generate a sustainable income and be self-sufficient.
Public Benefit
The objects of the charity are to act as a forurn for the missionary members to promote their aims and
objectives within the wider context of the Roman Catholic Church of England and Wales. When
planning the activities of the charity, the trustees have considered the Charity Commission's guidance
on public benefit. Our humanitarian work in the developing world is primarily focused on the relief of
poverty and sustainable development to enable disadvantaged people to support themselves and their
families. Although we are a lay missionary organisation we make no distinction in the religion or
cultural background of our beneficiaries and seek to help people of all faiths or none.
Overview of Attivities in 2024
2024 turned out to be a very busy and productive year with seven volunteers spending a total of 40
weeks in Sitima. Each volunteer brought with them their own particular skills which greatly enhanced
the experiences of the people living, learning and working in this vibrant yet impoverished community.
Our education prograrnme continued together with ongoing improvements to school buildings and the
provision of desks for older classes. Community work too, continued with craft workshops, support for
kitchen gardens, tree-planting and entrepreneurial initiatives. Other activities include support for
families with disabled members and the local prison.

Achievements and Performance in 2024
School Improvements.
In the past 5-6 years our main focus has been on supporting schools, in particularthe primary sector,
Our aim is to improve the learning environment for primary age children to give them the best possible
means to access secondary education, which is not compulsory in Malawi but is the key to career
opportunities and a better future. Our work involves not only improvements to school buildings, the
provision of school furniture and other resources but also providing teacher training and supporting
initiatives in partnership with the Education Authority to address the problem of absenteeism.
a) School buildings.
Thanks to some very generous donations frorn various funding groups, we were able to make
improvernents to the physical environment of several schools. In January, one school, Milepa which
had suffered severe damage from Storm Freddy in February 2023 received a new 3-classroom block,
complete with desks and benches. Where we were unable to provide new buildings, we funded the
refurbishment of several schools by replacing or repositioning windows to create more light, damp-
proofing, repairing floors, re-plastering and re painting walls and chalkboards, and creating storage
space.
Christ the King Millennium Group, Childwall, Liverpool made a substantial donation to renovate
Matunduzi, one of the poorest schools in the Sitima area. When we came across the School, the
headteacher was poorly and not managing, the teachers were working under the shade of a mango
tree, the buildings were in a rotten state. Thanks to their very generous donation we completely
transformed the school. Classrooms were totally renovated with new windows, floors, doors and walls
were painted. Access ramps were also fitted to classrooms.
Toilets for boys and for girls were constructed. Also, instead of the headteacher and deputy
headteacher operating from within a cupboard in the corner of a classroom, they now have a working
space which they are sharing with the other teachers.
b) Classroom desks.
Few classrooms in the primary schools we support have desks for the children. Mostly the 100 or so
children in each classroom sit on the floor with books resting on their knees. Over the last few years
we have worked with schools to renovate some of the desks they already had but were broken
through constant wear and tear. In 2023, having sourced a durable design, we installed new desks and
benches in five classrooms for older learners. In 2024 w exceeded that number, installing desks in 12
classrooms. Our aim over the next 2-3 years is to provide every one of the 20 primary schools in our
area with desks for Standards 7 and 8 {exam classes), so that the children can study for their exams in
comfort and with dignity. A generous donation from the Passionists in June this year combined with a
grant from the Ferguson Trust and a contribution from our own funds took us a huge step towards
achieving this goal.
c) Other renovations
In one school, Mpyupyu a toilet was converted to a disabled toilet for a wheelchair user.
Tippy taps were installed for handwashing.
d) Work with headteachers, teachers and learners.
Education is at the forefront of our work sometimes approached in a creative way as we work in
partnership with a number of groups and organisations to break the cycle of poverty as we aim to build
sustainable futures. This year our volunteers spent time teaching in schools, providing revision classes
to secondary school students prior to sitting public exams and extending the skill base of primary

school teachers with targeted training programmes. In addition they helped with renovation work and
repairs to bicycles donated by a US charity for distribution to schools. One volunteer delivered self-
defence training to teachers, students and teenagers from the village. Another delivered training in
compost-making and investigated problems with water pumps.
Community Projects
Work has continued in support of the community in the following areas:
a) Green initiatives- training and supporting villagers in creating kitchen gardens, supporting
teachers and pupils in growing fruit and vegetables, installation of fuel-efficient stoves in 5 schools,
growing and providing shade and fruit trees to schools, churches and prisons. Sn June we were
pleased to facilitate a research project by a student of Norwich University, the subject of which was
the monitoring and evaluation of the fuel-efficient stoves which we had provided to ten schools.
Her report gave detailed observations, conclusions and recommendations which we welcomed.
b) Enabling self-employment- grants and guidance in setting up small businesses including tailoringi
block making (for building), clothes selling, market stalls, soap making.
c) Empowering girls and women- focussed work in schools and the community supporting them to
achieve their personal potential.
d) Sports leagues and competltlons- Netball and football leagues for people of differing ages.
e) Distributions- girls, personal hygiene kits, baby clothes to new mothers, knitted woolly hats and
clothing.
Support for prisoners- regular assistance with toiletries and foodstuffs. Setting up of skill-based
workshops.
Priorities for the future
Our focus in 2025 will continue to be on education since there is still much to be done in this area. We
are delighted that several volunteers have expressed a wish to travel to Malawi next year, including
one or two new recruits who will be accompanied and supported by experienced volunteers.
We will continue our school improvement programme particularly the provision of desks and benches
to all exam classes.
We will continue to build on the success of the kitchen garden scheme, address the practical problems
and extend to a wider area.
We will continue to encourage the use of fuel*fficient stoves and address the challenges identified in
the research project.
We will continue to support development of entrepreneurial initiatives, such as the soap-making
enterprise run by the women's group which has led to the creation of a small co-operative.
Our Parish Appeals programme will continue - this is an important activity which not only generates
much needed income but is also our main source of volunteer recruitment.

Financial Review
Sources of funding
As registered members of the CMU (Catholic Missionary Union of England and Wales) we have an
annual programme of mission appeals in designated parishes. The purpose is not only to raise funds
but to promote the missionary aspect of our work and encourage support from people who are
inspired by our endeavours.
Other regular sources of funding have continued:
Standing orders
Sponsored events by individuals
59 Club- lucky numbers scheme
One-off donations
Internet fundraising
Accounting
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable
accuracy the financial position of the trust and ensure that the financial statements comply with the
Charity Commission's SORP 2005.
Reserves Policy
The General Reserve represents the free funds of the charity which are not designated for particular
purposes. It is the policy of the trustees to maintain reserves at an adequate level, being at least 12
months, expenditure. The trustees continue to monitor the level of free reserves and believe that the
charity will be able to fulfil its objectives in the short to medium term.
Risk Management
The trustees have considered the risks to which the charity is exposed and have reviewed those risks
and established systems and procedures to manage them. The trustees consider the principal risks to
be related to an inability to provide the necessary continuity of funding to enable the projects to
continue.
Financial Outcome
For the financial year ending 31 December 2024 the charity's income was £60,883 and the charity's
spending was £17,083. The bank balance on 31 December 2024 was £67,030 which included
substantial amounts earmarked for further building and community projects.

Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above.
Signed on behalf of th charity's trustees
Signature:
Full Name:
Position:
Date:
:.Ic-/J.r..........................................

N4BW Accounts 2024 (£)
As agreed by the Independent Examiner
Income
Personal Donations
HMRC Gift Aid Refund
CMU Parish Appeals
Other Corporate Donation5
Internet Fundraising
Deposit Account Interest
59 Club Gross Income
Total Income
2024
7,258.97
4,330.91
10,069.05
28,681.16
3,605.44
397.56
6 540.00
60.883.09
2023
14,126.50
3,792.12
5,824.20
6,842.50
2,222.15
375.03
6 845.00
40.027.50
Expenditure
Charitable Expenditure
Education & School Buildings
Cyclone Relief Expenditure
Community & Hea5th Projects
Disabled Assistance
Prisoners, Aid
Small Projects
Bessie's Place
Total Charitable Expenditure
CMU Fundraising Expenses
Office Costs: internet, postage etc
Bank Charges (UK & Malawil
59 Club Prizes
Total Expenses
Total Expenditure
11,491.42
43,410.66
9,892.00
10,734.99
254.27
314.91
240.03
325.45
845.46
79.30
353.12
271.03
137.67
13,178.00
65,172.31
332.10
169.25
68.76
3,335.00
243.77
98.93
138.15
3,345.00
3 905.11
17.083.11
3 825.85
68.998.16
Surplus/Deficit
43,799.98
-28.970.66
Available UK funds as at 111/25
Coop Current Account
Coop Deposit Account
Less Reserve for Emergencies
Balance available for spending
£2,030.39
£65,000.00
£5 000.00
£62.030.39
Malawi funds on 111/25
Current Account
Cash held for Trustees
Day Book balance
Total
Sterling value @ £1= K 2230
£3,166.73
£600.00
-£278.95
£3,487.78
Total Funds as at 31.12.24
£70,518.17

CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Independent examiner's report on the
accounts
Seclion A
Independeni ExamineT'S Report
Report to the trustees
Network for a Better World
On accouÈits for the year
ended
31 st December 2024
Charity no
(if any)
1151591
Set out on pages
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above
charity (Ylie Trust") for the year ended 31sI December 2024,
As the charity's trustees, you are responsibla for the preparation of the
accounts in accordaft￿ with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011
(%he Act.).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out
under section 145 of Ihe 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I
have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission
und6r section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Responsibilities and
basis of report
Independent I have completed my examination. I confiTm that no material matters have
examlner's statement Gome to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me
cause to believe that. in any material respect:
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130
of the Charities Act. or
the accounts did not accord with the a￿)Unting records; or
the accounts did not comply with the applicabSe requirements
conceming the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities
{Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement
that the aGcounts give a Irue and fair, view which is not a matter
consioered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concems 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.
. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.
30 June 2025
Signed:
Name:
lan Dominic lon
Relevaftt wofessional
qualFfication(s) or body
(if anyl:
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy
{FCPFA)
&ft269I8

Add
9 Oakrnere Drive
Greasty Wirral Merseyside
CH49 2RU
Section B
Disclosure
Only complete tf the examiner nee(ts to highlight material matters of concern
(see CC32, Independent examination of charty accounts: directions and
guidance for examiners).
Give heye brfef detalls of
any items that the
examiner wishes to
disclose.
None.
IER
Oct 2018