## **Charity Commission no: 1153530** ## **Report to the Charity Commission 2020/21** |**INDEX**
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| |---|---| |Report of the Trustees 1-4|| |Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities 5|| |Report of the Independent Auditor 6|| |Statement of Financial Activities 7|| |Balance Sheet 8|| |Notes to the Financial Statements 9|| Index 0 ## **POOLE AFRICA LINK Charity commission no:1153530** ## **Foreword** The Trustees present the Charitable Fund Annual Report together with the Audited Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2021, which have been prepared in accordance with Section 130 of the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. The main objective of the Charity is to relieve sickness and to promote good health by advancing and sustaining an education and teaching programme based at Lira Regional hospital and Lira University and schools of nursing in Lira and in Wau South Sudan. It is designed to improve the health care of the people of Uganda and South Sudan. ## **Trustees** The Trustees serving for the financial year 2020-21 were as follows: Mr Andrew Goodwin - Treasurer Dr Frankie Dormon - Medical lead Dr Antoinette McAulay - Chair Rev Canon Jane LLoyd Mr Mark Mould Dr Paul Thompson (resigned July 2020) Mrs Sarah Currell Ms Judy Mella (appointed May 2020) The Charitable Fund is registered with the Charity Commission (no. 1153530) in accordance with the Charities Act 2011. 1 ## **POOLE AFRICA LINK Charity commission no:1153530** ## **Reference and Administrative details** Poole Africa Link Charity (R.C.N. 1153530) was registered with the Charity Commission on 23[rd] August 2013. Prior to this date Poole Africa Link (PAL) was managed as a separate Trust Fund within the Poole Hospital NHS FT Charity (R.C.N. 1055808). Charitable funds received by the Charity are held and administered as funds and held on trust for purposes relating to developing health services in Africa, particularly Uganda and South Sudan. ## **Principal charitable fund advisor to the Board of Trustees** The Deputy Director of Finance of Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has day to day responsibility for the management of the Charity and was responsible for overseeing the financial management and accounting for the Charity during the year. ## **Registered address of the Charity** Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Finance Dept. Longfleet Road Poole Hospital NHS Trust Longfleet Road Poole Dorset BH15 2JB ## **Banking details** Lloyds Bank Poole High Street Poole, Dorset ## **Structure, Governance and Management** The Charity was registered as a single purpose charity with the Charity Commission on 23rd August 2013. PAL is a restricted fund. As such the income and property of the fund are applied totally towards the promotion of the objects of advancing and sustaining an education and training programme designed to improve the healthcare of the people of South Sudan and other areas in Sub Saharan Africa, as agreed by the Trustees. ## **Appointment of Trustees:** New trustees are appointed when existing trustees retire or resign. Trustees would normally be expected to have a professional background (e.g. legal, accounting, medical, or health) or direct involvement in humanitarian aid in sub Saharan Africa and would be expected to have a good understanding of the aims and objectives of the Charity and the relationship with Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. In the first instance new Trustees are nominated to the existing Trustees and appointment is confirmed by a majority vote of the existing Trustees. 2 ## **POOLE AFRICA LINK Charity commission no:1153530** ## **Annual Review: Our Activities** The Poole Africa link was set up in 2009 when a link was formed between Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Wau Hospital in South Sudan and we made twelve successful visits there. October 2015 saw a change in direction for Poole Africa Link. Due to the political situation in South Sudan it was decided to concentrate on a new location in Lira, Northern Uganda. The town of Lira has a referral hospital, with 500 beds, and several schools of nursing. We teach there and Lira University Hospital and Lira University outside town, which currently has three intakes of midwifery students, plus some business and IT courses. In addition they have built a new maternity facility and a hospital both of which are now open and working towards functioning to full capacity. The midwives once trained have an extended role as they work in remote village clinics. As well as midwifery they work as nurse practitioners particularly for sick children, and are trained to give simple anaesthesia and perform caesarean sections. Our partnership is supported by a formal MOU signed in 2016. In previous years there have been ten visits by our teams to Lira. The teams were involved in teaching and running courses in the University, the new University hospital and Lira Referral Hospital where we carried out ward-based teaching and delivered practical changes resulting in improved patient safety and care. Items of essential kit and teaching aid were donated to both the hospital and the university. A visit by a team of five planned for March 2020 was called off at the last minute due to the COVID-19 virus. We were unable to visit during the whole of this reporting year due to COVID-19 restrictions. We were able however to remain in contact with our colleagues in Lira by email, What’s App and regular zoom meetings. During these we ascertained how best we could assist them in the current situation. We continued to fundraise and were able to purchase several large lots of essential PPE and hand sanitizer which we had driven up from Kampala to Lira. We also sent teaching lectures about COVID-19 and safe use of PPE on USB sticks and via the internet. Our ties and communication have remained strong despite the pandemic. We also continue to support the population of Wau via the Sister Grace’s children’s feeding program; helping children in dire situations at risk from starvation. ## **Public Benefit** The benefits include increased knowledge and education for student nurses and qualified health care professionals in the developing world, particularly Lira hospital and University. This will lead to improved mortality rates and improvements in all areas of patient health care and safety for those we are involved with, which relates to the aims of our work. We also continue to assist in South Sudan. There are no risks of detriment or harm to those we seek to assist and educate and the view from hospital managers and the university in Lira is that we bring a very positive and vital input to healthcare and patient survival. At present we work mostly amongst health care professionals in Lira Referral hospital and Lira University. We support where we can in South 3 Sudan during the time of conflict. This is not exclusive and our only restrictions are around time and funding. Those overseas staff visiting the UK will benefit from education and development in the UK and knowledge of new ways of working to assist with the care of their patients in the developing world and their personal self-development. Staff from UK visiting Uganda will gain a fresh insight into health care from a differing perspective and assist with their self-development, resourcefulness, confidence and knowledge ## **POOLE AFRICA LINK Charity commission no:1153530** Benefits are measured through regular reporting and evaluation of each visit by all team members The beneficiaries are primarily those with health care needs and in poverty in the developing world which our aims seek to address. When able our teams travel to the hospital and university in Lira where currently most of our work is carried out, no fees are charged to the people there. Team members fundraise towards their fares but no set amount is levied for their contribution. The private benefits may be said to be those incidental ones experienced by team members giving freely of their time and expertise to carry out the visits and ongoing contact with our colleagues in Lira. No other private benefits are received. ## **Reserves Policy** The Charity aims to spend all funds within a 2-3 year period. Most of the expenditure incurred by the Charity is normally in respect of contributions to team travel to Lira Uganda and subsistence during the trip. During this reporting year we have provided several large batches of PPE to Lira university hospital. Other expenditure normally includes insurance and medication. The charity also donates items of kit needed at the hospital in Lira and teaching aids for the university in Lira and nurse training school in Wau. The Charity applies for various grants from international organisations. Team members and supporters engage in fund raising activities to replenish reserves. ## **Investment Policy** The Charity aims to always ensure that it has a minimum of two years’ operational costs in reserve. The Charity aims to spend all funds within a 2-3 year period and the Trustees have therefore decided to invest all of the charitable funds in short term fixed and instant access deposit accounts. ## **Risk Management** The major risks to which the Charity is exposed have been identified and considered. They have been reviewed and systems established to mitigate those risks. New risk assessments have been produced this year. ## **Acknowledgements** 4 We express our thanks to all our colleagues in Lira, Uganda. As always we learn as much from our visits as we teach and Poole staff have a great personal developmental opportunity. More information can be found on our website: www.pooleafricalink.org.uk ## **HILARY FENTON-HARRIS DR ANTOINETTE McAULAY Poole Africa Link Co-ordinator Poole Africa Link Chair** ## **12[th] December 2021** 5 POOLE AFRICA UNK- REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1153530 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021 INDEX PAGE Index Statement of Tru5tees' Responsibilities Report of the Independent Auditor Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet Notes to the Financial Statements Index POOLE AFRICA LINK- REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1153530 FINANaAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021 Ststemenl of Truslees, respon8lbllllle8 The trustee5 are responsible for preparing the Tru5tee5' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Praaicel. The law applicable to charitie5 in England and Wales require5 the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fairview of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the incomin8 resources and application of resources of the Charity for that period. In preparin8 these financial statements. the trustees are required to: select Suitable accounting policie5 and then apply them consistently- obseNe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP: . make judgements and estimate5 that are reasonable and prudent; . state whether applicable accounting Standards have been followed. Subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; prepare the financval statements on the going concem basis unles5 it is ir￿pprOprIate to presume that the Charity will continue in business. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. the Charity IAccounts and Reports) Regulations 21))8 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Mr. A Goothvln- Tru8tee Page 2 POOLE AFRICA LINK- REGISTERED CHARtrY NUMBER: 1153530 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021 Independent examinerf5 report to the trustees of Poole Africa Link (Charlty No. 11535301 I report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2021. which are Set out on pa8es Respertlve responsibilitles of trustee5 and examlner The charivs trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The chariws trustees consider that an audit is not required for thi5 year under section 144121 of the Charities Act 2011 {the 2011 Act} and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act to follow the procedures laid down in the 8eneral Directions Biven by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the 2011 Art to state whether particular matters have come to my attention Basls of Independent examinerfs report My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination include5 a review of the accountinB records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It a150 includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts. and seeking explanations from you as tru5tee5 concerning any such rnatter5. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and Consequent￿ no opinion is given a5 to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair wew, and the report 15 limited to those matters setout in the statement below. Independent examinerfs statement In connection with my examination, no matter has corne to my attention: . which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: to keep accountin8 records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act to prepare accounts which accord with the attounting records and comply with the accountin8 requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met. or 2. to which, in my opinion. attention Should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 5i8nature: Name: K eMi¥É Relevant professional qualificatlon or body: Chartered Institute of Management Accountants Address: Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Longfieet Road. Poole. Dorset BHIS 2JB Date: Page 3 UNK- REG TERED CHARITY N MBER.. 11 IAL STATEME R THE YEAH ENDED 31 MAR H 2￿21 TA EMEwr F FINAN IALA vi 2020121 Totsl 2019120 Total Incomlry rE8Durce Voluntary Incorne Oonation5 Other irKome Investment IrKome Totsl Voluntary In¢om• 3,250 L154 12 4.416 4,180 2.150 iii 6.441 Artfvltles for Generathy Fund5 Events Inc(Kne Project Income 1162 IZ,300 12,141 8,670 Tolal Incomlng resour￿% 18.87B 27.25Z R•gourc•8 •xp•nd8d Cort of Generatint Funds 5,028 Charltsble Actr4ft1Ès South Sudan local project support Visits I,soo 20.025 21&25 Support Cg5ts 7.755 11,174 Tolal re8ource8 expended 11.511 37.727 Nel movement In funds #nd wrl¢d forwwd 7.367 IIOA751 Reconclllatlon of Funds: Fund balan￿ bro￿ht forward at i Awil 26,951 37,426 Fund b•lance8 carrled lon¥ard al 31 March 21f21 (2020) 343 26.951 Pw4 LE AFRI LINK- RE&STERED CH NUM 3530 FINANCI STATE E YEAR ENDED 31 MARQI 2021 at 31 March 2021 at31 March 2020 Totsl Total Current Auets Debtors Cash at knk (Lloyds TSB s￿rtterrn depxit xcowtl 34,318 34.318 26.951 26.951 Creditor5: fallin8 due withln one ye Total N•tAssets 34J 26.951 Openlng Reserves Swplus of Expenditurèovw I￿oMe fur Year 26.951 7,367 37,426 110.4751 T¢)tsl Re5er¥•s 343 26.951 fil.a4 POOLE AFRICA LINK- REGisfERED CHARifY NUMBER: IIS3530 FINANCIALSTATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDEO 31 MARCH 2021 NOTES TO ThE FINANCIALSTATEMENTS PAL ACCOUNTING pouaES 1.1 BASIS OF PREPARATION The fmandal stateme1￿ havè been prÈpaTèd ifft at£ordartcè with the Ststernent of Recommended Prartl¢e'Ac¢wnti￿ arHI Reportin8 by Charities. issued in March 2005. 1.2 INCOME Donatlons and glfts All monetary donation5 and gifts are Induded in full in the siatement of financial attivities whèn ret*Va￿e. prtivided that there are no donor4mposed restrictions as to the timinB of the related expenditure. in wlmch case recognitiori 15 deferred until the pre-condltlon has been met. All income ts recognisèd gross of expenditure. Le8aLie$ 3re accounted for as Incomi￿ resource5 either upon receipt w wher? the receipt of the le8aCV 15 ¥irtuallycertain,' thi5 will be once confirmation has been received from the representatNes of the e5tatdsl that payment of the legacy will be made o¥ property tran￿effed aNI ¢Jnce all CorKliti￿5 attached to the legacy have been fulfilled. Cash collected to whith the Charity 15 lega￿ entitled but which ha5 not been receSved at the year end 15 included as income. Donation5 under deed of covenant together with the associated income tax recoveries are credited ès income when the donations are fe(ebved. Investment Income Investment income. includthi8 assotlated IKome tax recoverles. is rLICO8nised when receivable. 1.3 EXPENDITVRE Expenditure 15 reco8ni5ed when a liability ￿ incurred and is accounted for on an accruals basls. The expenditure comprises: charitable expenditure incurred directly lor the fuifiment of the Charity's objectlves: to deliver its activities and service5 for its benef￿lar1eS. Thi5 includes costs that can be allocated direct￿ to actlvltles and those of an indirect nature nece55ary to support them. lill costs of Eenerating funds Imirred dIrect￿ k) the effort to raise voluntsry contributions i.e. fundrais1r￿ and publiclty. lili) expenditure incurred in the mwgement administrntion of the Charity 15UPPOrt costs): and Page 6