ANNUAL REPORT AND STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5th APRIL 2021
Charity Registration Number 1152631
Contents
Page 1 Charity Information Pages 2-4 Trustees Report Page 5 Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees Page 6 Statement of Financial Activities Page 7 Balance Sheet Pages 8-12 Notes to the Financial Statements
Amplifying Voices (UK)
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Charity Number 1152631 Start of Financial Year 6th April 2020 End of Financial Year 5th April 2021 Trustees Mr Terry Edmondson (Chair) Mr Christopher Dunn-Coleman Dr William Ferguson Mrs Gail Lawther Mr Iain Taylor Mrs Judith Thompson Registered Office Pilgrim House 51-63 St Dunstans Road Worthing West Sussex BN13 1AA Primary Bankers CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ Independent Examiner Mr P Coram 30 Welland Road Worthing West Sussex BN13 3NP
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Amplifying Voices Trustees Report to financial year-end 5[th ] April, 2021
Amplifying Voices is the new operating name for Health Communication Resources as registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales in January 2021. The Trustees are pleased to present their annual report and independently examined accounts for the year ended 5th April, 2021 and confirm they comply with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011, the CIO’s constitution and the Charities SORP (FRS 102).
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing Document
Amplifying Voices UK was established in 2013 under the name Health Communication Resources as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and is governed by a Constitution.
Trustees and organisational structure
A board of six trustees oversees the work of Amplifying Voices. They are appointed in accordance with the Constitution and are responsible for the good governance of the charity and the maintenance of its charitable objects for the public benefit. The trustees bring a wide range of experience from the business, education, health and charity sectors.
All Trustees give their time freely and no one was paid for the time they contributed as a Trustee during the year.
The day-to-day running of the charity is handled by four associates who manage the organisation’s projects around the world and who meet with the trustees four times a year.
Public benefit
The Trustees have considered the guidelines issued by the Charity Commission with regard to public benefit and how the charity complies with these requirements. They are confident that they have complied with the duty in section 17(5) of the Charities Act 2011 with regard to public benefit.
Operational Overview
While the Covid19 pandemic prevented our team’s ability to travel to provide in-person support for projects in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, they developed a range of online resources and tools to build the capacity of local partners. This included the creation of video and audio resources, multiple on-line training webinars, and coaching for local teams, especially in their efforts to combat the widespread rumours and misinformation related to the spread of the SARSCoV-2 virus. Another key focus was to help project partners to grow in their understanding of asset-based community development, building on local strengths and capacities to enable communities to become more resilient and rebuild after the pandemic. During the year the charity also used its resources to provide partners with additional funding for food, hygiene packs, facemasks and medicines.
In addition to supporting the charity’s own projects, the Amplifying Voices team provided training and coaching for a number of teams from six international development charities working in Asia, Africa and Latin America. This equipped them to use community-centred media to help their primary beneficiaries in the fight against the spread of the corona virus. Community-centred media is Amplifying Voices’ primary approach for equipping communities
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with media tools to get people talking, listening and taking action to improve health, well-being and resilience.
Alongside the Covid19 relief initiatives, considerable progress was made in a number of key areas, as follows:
South Asia
After the evaluation of the pilot media project reaching indigenous tribal (Adivasi) communities, Amplifying Voices supported the expansion of the project to 11 new villages. Adivasi communities are inordinately affected by poverty and poor health and often socially excluded from mainstream Indian society. The pilot project demonstrated significant changes in knowledge, attitudes and practices in 15 out of 17 key indicators, especially with respect to:
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A decrease in gastro-intestinal diseases due to poor hygiene and sanitation
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An increase in school attendance, especially among female children
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A reduction in alcohol and tobacco abuse
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An increase in community cohesion and general well-being
The learning from the pilot project has greatly informed the expansion into new tribal areas and a number of new partners have been trained in the principles and practices of communitycentred media.
In neighbouring Pakistan, Amplifying Voices UK supported sister organisation, Amplifying Voices Pakistan with ongoing community-centred media operations and emergency Covid19 relief operations in the Naway Saher (New Dawn) project near Charsadda. The Naway Saher team has:
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Distributed food packages, facemasks and hand cleansers to around 150 families who lost income due to Covid19 lockdowns
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Negotiated the use of the Mosque loudspeaker to provide community announcements to reduce the spread of Covid19
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Continued to create radio programmes in which community members’ voices addressed ongoing health and hygiene issues in the village
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Conducted a survey among women so that media content and community activities could better address the issues that women face
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Conducted a health and hygiene workshop for women
We also supported Amplifying Voices Pakistan to explore and start up a new project, ‘New Hope’ in Jauharabad, Punjab. ‘New Hope’ mobilises a Christian youth group, part of a marginalised minority in which young people face very limited prospects, and where marginalisation contributes to poverty and social problems related to addiction and domestic violence.
Following the initial workshops, young people were excited to hear themselves on recorded programmes and said they felt empowered to make a difference. They have since gone on to create several high-quality radio programmes incorporating interviews with local business people and service providers. These have been distributed via social media platforms and have been used to convince a local FM radio station to provide airtime slots.
Sub-Saharan Africa
During the year, Amplifying Voices continued support for Umoja FM, the community radio station that the charity set up in 2016 in the town of Nobili in the eastern DRC. Following a lightning strike at the station, which damaged the transmitter, Amplifying Voices was able to rapidly deploy a new replacement transmitter and arranged for the damaged one to be repaired. The
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backup transmitter safeguards the stability of the station and ensures that it continues its vital work to support the health, livelihoods and well-being of the communities it serves.
In eastern Kenya, Amplifying Voices supported the work of Amani FM as they navigated the Covid19 pandemic in Tana River County. Besides continuing their vital peacebuilding work between different ethnic groups, the radio station became an educational life-line for many families across the region as schools were closed throughout 2020.
In Sierra Leone, Amplifying Voices was able to repurpose funding designated for a project evaluation to support the local partner BBN to provide food for 60 families who had lost income due to lockdowns. Unfortunately Covid19 restricted house-to-house visitations that are central to the ‘SALT’ community engagement project, however they were able to make some visits during November, and again in March 2021. BBN reports that the SALT project, which includes regular community visits, has had a dramatic impact on communities in the last 5 years. The radio station has amplified the voices of local people and helped them tackle misinformation and rumours, and encourage community-led activities. In one community this led to the installation of better water supplies. In another community, women pooled resources and to provide essential food and supplies to those most in need. BBN also forged new relationships with Mental Health service providers, to provide special radio content to help people with the emotional and mental impact of Covid19.
Despite the pandemic, in Northern Uganda, our South Sudanese partner, Community Development Centre (CDC), was given special permission to continue visits to the refugee settlement in Omugo zone of Rhino Camp. This enabled our joint ‘Voice of Compassion’ pilot project to continue and even expand into new areas and establish new listener groups. An evaluation reported that refugees felt the project allowed them to teach each other, rather than feeling like outsiders were always telling them what to do.
CDC aims to expand the Voice of Compassion’s impact through providing additional speakerboxes, solar charging stations, and bringing more women volunteers into the production team.
The Year Ahead
Operationally, the anticipation of the lifting of travel restrictions as the pandemic is brought under control, the Amplifying Voices team is actively exploring a number of new opportunities to support communities facing crises due to poverty, injustice, conflict or natural disasters. As part of this, while continuing to support the work of the CDAC (Communicating with Disaster Affected Communities) Network, the charity is also looking to strengthen its disaster response work. The involvement of affected communities as a central part of the decision-making processes before, during and after disasters is seen internationally as a shortfall in disaster response. We believe Amplifying Voices has particular strengths to bring to this field.
From a governance perspective, the board of trustees are also looking forward to conducting a thorough review of the make-up of the board with a view to identifying gaps in the current skillssets and experience in order to tackle the emerging challenges the charity will face going forward.
Terry Edmondson Chair of Trustees
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Independent Examiner's Report on the Accounts
Report to the trustees and members of Amplifying Voices (UK)
(Charity number 1152631) on the accounts for the year ended 5th April 2021.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act), and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to
- examine the accounts (under section 145 of the Charities Act) - to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities 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 General Directions given by the Charity Commission. 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 the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.
Independent examiner's statement
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the trustees have not met the requirements to ensure that: - proper accounting records are kept (in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act); and - accounts are prepared which agree with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act; or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
P Coram May-21
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Amplifying Voices (UK)
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5th April 2021
| Notes Income from: Donations, Grants and Legacies 2 Investments (Bank Interest) Total Expenditure on: Raising Funds Charitable Activities 3,4 Other 4,5 Total Net Income/(Expenditure) Transfers Between Funds Reconciliation of funds: Total Funds Brought Forward Total Funds Carried Forward |
Unrestricted Restricted 2021 Funds Funds Total £ £ £ 105,388 32,864 138,252 20 - 20 105,408 32,864 138,272 6,000 0 6,000 69,379 27,461 96,839 488 0 488 75,867 27,461 103,327 29,541 5,404 34,945 (5,878) 5,878 0 28,617 2,570 31,187 52,280 13,852 66,132 |
Unrestricted Restricted 2020 Funds Funds Total £ £ £ 52,151 60,597 112,748 70 0 70 |
|---|---|---|
| 52,221 60,597 112,818 |
||
| 3,600 0 3,600 47,249 81,238 128,487 0 0 0 |
||
| 50,849 81,238 132,087 |
||
| 1,372 (20,641) (19,269) (21,185) 21,185 0 48,430 2,026 50,456 |
||
| 28,617 2,570 31,187 |
Movement on all freserves and recognised gains/loses where appropriate are shown above All of the operations are classed as on-going
The notes on pages 8 to 12 form part of these accounts
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Amplifying Voices (UK)
Charity Number 1152631
BALANCE SHEET
| Notes Fixed Assets Tangible Assets 5 (Net of Depreciation) Current Assets Prepaid expenses 6 Cash at Bank Foreign Currency Total Current Assets Creditors: Falling due within 6 one year Net Current Assets Funds of the Charity General Reserve General Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds |
Unrestricted Restricted 2021 Funds Funds Total £ £ £ 1,466 - 1,466 - 50,617 13,852 64,469 197 - 197 50,814 13,852 64,666 - 52,280 13,852 66,132 10,000 - 10,000 42,280 - 42,280 - 13,852 13,852 52,280 13,852 66,132 |
Unrestricted Restricted 2020 Funds Funds Total £ £ £ - - - - 28,296 2,570 30,866 321 - 321 |
|---|---|---|
| 28,617 2,570 31,187 - |
||
| 28,617 2,570 31,187 |
||
| 6,000 - 6,000 22,617 - 22,617 - 2,570 2,570 |
||
| 28,617 2,570 31,187 |
Approved by the Trustees on 1st June, 2021
Signed on their behalf ……………………………………………………………………………………… I. M. Taylor, Trustee
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Amplifying Voices (UK) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5th April 2021
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Income
Income is recognised in the SORP
From donations and grants when:
there is evidence of entitlement to the gift > receipt is probable
and its amount can be measured reliably.
> Incoming Resources with related expenditure
Where incoming resources have related expenditure (as with fundraising or contract income) the incoming resource and related expenditure are reported gross in the SOFA
> Grants and Donations
Grants and Donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources
> Tax Reclaims on Donations and Gifts
Incoming resources from gift aid tax reclaims are included in the SOFA in the period in which they are received
> Donated Services and Facilities
These are only included in incoming resources (with an equivalent amount in resources expended) where the benefit to the charity is reasonably quantifiable, measurable and material. The value placed on these resources is the estimated value to the charity of the service or facility received
> Investment Income
This is included in the accounts when received.
Basis Of Preparation
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with applicable accounting standards. In preparing the financial statements the charity follows best practice as laid down in the Statement of Recommended Practice 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities' FRS 102 SORP 2015.
Expenditure and Liabilities > Liability Recognition
Liabilites are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources
> Governance Costs
Whilst no longer required to be shown separaely they will (when charged) include costs of preparation and examination of statutory accounts, the costs of trustee meetings and the cost of any legal advice to trustees on goverance or constitutional matters
> Grants With Performance Conditions
Where the charity gives a grant with conditions for its payment being a specific level of service or output to be provided, such grants are only recognised in the SOFA once the recipient of the grant has provided the specified service or output
> Grants Payable Without Performance Condtions
These are only recognised in the accounts when a commitment has been made and there is no conditions to be met relating to that grant
2. Assets
Tangible fixed assets - for use by the charity:
Are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and cost at least £500.
The Trustees have decided to depreciate all assets on a 4 year straight line method
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Amplifying Voices (UK) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5th APRIL 2021
| Income | Unrestricted | Restricted | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | Funds | Funds | Total | |
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| 2a | Donations, Grants and Legacies | |||
| General | 80,908 | - | 80,908 | |
| Support | 7,864 | 7,864 | ||
| Projects | 24,480 | 25,000 | 49,480 | |
| Legacies | - | - | - | |
| Gifts in kind | - | - | - | |
| Other donations and gifts | - | - | ||
| Total | 105,388 | 32,864 | 138,252 | |
| Summary of Donations, Grants and Legacies | ||||
| General Fund | 80,908 | - | 80,908 | |
| Restricted | - | 7,864 | 7,864 | |
| Project - Adivasi, India | 13,208 | 20,000 | 33,208 | |
| Project - Tana River, Kenya | - | 5,000 | 5,000 | |
| Project - YES - Kenya | - | - | - | |
| Project - Sierra Leone | - | - | - | |
| Project - First Response Radio | 6,078 | 6,078 | ||
| Project - Pakistan | - | - | - | |
| Project - Umoja, DRC | - | - | - | |
| Project - Covid 19 | 5,194 | - | 5,194 | |
| Project - South Sudan | - | - | - | |
| 105,388 | 32,864 | 138,252 | ||
| 2b | Unrestricted | Restricted | 2020 | |
| Notes | Funds | Funds | Total | |
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Donations and Trusts | ||||
| General | 52,151 | - | 52,151 | |
| Support | 6,703 | 6,703 | ||
| Projects | 53,894 | 53,894 | ||
| Legacies | - | - | - | |
| Gifts in kind | - | - | - | |
| Other donations and gifts | - | - | ||
| 52,151 | 60,597 | 112,748 | ||
| Summary of Donations and Legacies | ||||
| General Fund | 52,151 | - | 52,151 | |
| Restricted | - | 6,703 | 6,703 | |
| Project - Adivasi - India | - | 21,593 | 21,593 | |
| Project - Tana River, Kenya | - | - | - | |
| Project - YES - Kenya | - | 5,291 | 5,291 | |
| Project - Sierra Leone | - | 7,500 | 7,500 | |
| Project - First Response Radio | - | 14,241 | 14,241 | |
| Project - Pakistan | - | - | - | |
| Project - Umoja, DRC | - | - | - | |
| Project - Kinshasa DRC | - | 437 | 437 | |
| Project - South Sudan | - | 4,833 | 4,833 | |
| 52,151 | 60,597 | 112,748 |
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Amplifying Voices (UK)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5th APRIL 2021
| 3a | Expenditure on Charitable Activities | Unrestricted | Restricted | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | Funds | Funds | Total | |
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Operations | 39,194 | 39,194 | ||
| Travel | 154 | 154 | ||
| Gifts and Gift Aid passed On | - | 8,483 | 8,483 | |
| Hospitality | 111 | 111 | ||
| Premises Costs | 3,392 | 3,392 | ||
| Projects | 26,528 | 18,978 | 45,506 | |
| 69,379 | 27,461 | 96,839 | ||
| Summary of Expenditure on Charitable Activities | ||||
| General Fund | 42,851 | - | 42,851 | |
| Restricted | - | 8,483 | 8,483 | |
| Project - Adivasi, India | 4,867 | 9,900 | 14,767 | |
| Project - Tana River, Kenya | - | 3,000 | 3,000 | |
| Project - Mtaani, Kenya | 434 | - | 434 | |
| Project - Sierra Leone | 3,544 | - | 3,544 | |
| Project - Disaster Response Radio | - | 6,078 | 6,078 | |
| Project - Pakistan | 3,020 | - | 3,020 | |
| Project - Umoja, DRC | 2,828 | - | 2,828 | |
| Project - South Sudan | 6,641 | - | 6,641 | |
| Project - Covid | 5,194 | - | 5,194 | |
| 69,379 | 27,461 | 96,839 |
The direct costs of each project do not include the salary/freelance costs associated in various ways with those projects - these are included in the General Fund category.
| 3b Expenditure on Charitable Activities Notes Operations Travel Gifts and Gift Aid passed On Support Development Hospitality Premises Costs Equipment (not capitalised) Projects |
Unrestricted Restricted 2020 Funds Funds Total £ £ £ 12,826 - 12,826 2,586 - 2,586 - 6,158 6,158 - - - - - - - - - - - - 31,838 75,080 106,918 |
|---|---|
| 47,249 81,238 128,487 |
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Amplifying Voices (UK) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5th APRIL 2021
| Notes | Unrestricted | Unrestricted | Restricted | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Total | |||
| £ | £ | £ | |||
| 3b ctd | Summary of Expenditure on Charitable Activities | ||||
| General Fund | 47,249 | - | 47,249 | ||
| Restricted | - | 6,158 | 6,158 | ||
| Project - Adivasi - India | 22,108 | 22,108 | |||
| Project - Tana River, Kenya | - | 3,314 | 3,314 | ||
| Project - YES - Kenya | - | - | - | ||
| Project - Mtaani FM - Kenya | - | - | - | ||
| Project - Sierra Leone | - | 6,342 | 6,342 | ||
| Project - First Response Radio | - | 21,431 | 21,431 | ||
| Project - Pakistan | - | 8,611 | 8,611 | ||
| Project - Umoja, DRC | - | 422 | 422 | ||
| Project - Kinshasa DRC | - | 1,014 | 1,014 | ||
| Project - South Sudan | - | 11,840 | 11,840 | ||
| 47,249 | 81,238 | 128,487 | |||
| 4a | Other Expenditure | Unrestricted | Restricted | 2021 | |
| Notes | Funds | Funds | Total | ||
| £ | £ | £ | |||
| Depreciation | 488 | - | 488 | ||
| Total | 488 | - | 488 | ||
| 4b | Other Expenditure | Unrestricted | Restricted | 2020 | |
| Notes | Funds | Funds | Total | ||
| £ | £ | £ | |||
| Depreciation | - | - | - | ||
| Total | - | - | - | ||
| 5 | Tangible fixed assets | Unrestricted | Unrestricted | ||
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||
| Equipment | |||||
| Cost | |||||
| At 6th April 2020 | 3,221 | 3,221 | |||
| Additions | 1,954 | - | |||
| At 5th April 2021 | 5,175 | 3,221 | |||
| Depreciation | |||||
| At 6th April 2020 | 3,221 | 3,221 | |||
| Charge for year | 488 | - | |||
| At 5th April 2021 | 3,709 | 3,221 | |||
| Net Book Value | |||||
| At 5th April 2021 | 1,466 | - | |||
| At 6th April 2020 | - | - |
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Amplifying Voices (UK) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5th APRIL 2021
6 Debtors, Prepayments and Creditors, Accruals and Deferred Income
There were no Debtors, Prepayments and Creditors, Accruals and Deferred Income at the end of this or the previous financial year.
- 7 Staff Costs, Numbers and Key Personnel Management
AV (UK) employed its first member of staff on 1.08.2020. Total emplyment costs including basic pay, National Insurance and employer pension contributions amounted to £23,568. (2020 - Nil). Freelancers are paid via invoices submitted based on hours worked. Our Associates are responsible for raising their own support with Stewardship being their prefered channel. They are eligible to reclaim their expenses and related costs for the work they do on behalf of the charity. Nothing has been paid to Key Personnel (which comprises Associates and Trustees) from our General Fund in the year, other than designated gifts received on their behalf. (2020: Nil)
The trustees consider it clearer to record the amount relating to donated services in this note. The estimated figure for the current year is a minimum of £75,000 and for 2020 (£75,000)
8 Trustees and Other Related Parties
No payments were made to trustees or any persons connected with them during this financial year. No material transaction took place between the charity and a trustee or any person connected to them. (2020: Nil) The aggregate total of donations made by trustees in the year amounted to £6,140 (2020: £9,304)
- 9 Risk Assessment
The trustees actively review major risks which the charity faces on a regular basis and particularly those of a Safeguarding nature. They seek to maintain adequate free reserves, and combine that review with an annual review of the controls of key financial systems,includin anti money laundering . This provides a high degree of confidence in our resources and systems. However the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and the Governments lockdown policy has led to severe challenges throughoput this financial year - not least being unable to benefit from Job Retention scheme grants from which we were precluded because our one employee didn't commence until after the qualifying date. Staff and Associates have worked full time throughout the past year. The trustees have also examined other operational and business risks especially in countries which have to deal with internal wars and major health challenges, and mitigate significant risks where possible.
10 Reserves
The trustees have reviewed their reserves in the light of the Charity's size and financial commitments. They aim to ensure that the charity will be able to continue to fulfil its charitable objectives whatever the level of income or in the face of unexpected expenditure. The General Reserve has been increased this year to reflect our new the responsibilities of an employer. However with so much uknown in relation to the response to COVID-19, the trustees continue to closely monitor the situation.
11 Public Benefit
The charity acknowledges its requirement to demonstrate clearly that it must have charitable purposes or 'aims' that are for the public benefit. Details of how the charity has achieved this in some of the most volitile parts of the world are provided in the trustees report. The trustees confirm that they have paid due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit before deciding upon which activities to undertake.
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