Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 27/07/20 Period start date To 26/07/21 Period end date
Charity name: Sierra Foundation for Life Skills
Charity registration number: 1157293
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | Advancement of education and training in Sierra Leone, particularly females facing social exclusion and economic disadvantage. Relief of poverty in Sierra Leone. Advancement of the Christian faith in Sierra Leone. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
1. SFFLS has paid salaries for tutors and support staff at the Vocational Centre for young women. 2. The latest student cohort has graduated and more students have been recruited for catering training at the Vocational Centre. 3. Rice has been supplied to widows and other families facing hunger and destitution on a regular basis. 4. Funds for the sinking of a well in a rural community have been raised. Completion of the work has been hampered by Covid 19. 5. The building of 2 homes for war widows and their families has continued as funds have been raised. Completion has been hampered by Covid 19. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | Due note has been taken on issues regarding public benefit by the charity. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making
Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers Other
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | SFFLS works in partnership with Family Homes Movement in Freetown. It is through this charity that projects are established and completed. A new cohort of young women have enrolled on a catering course which will enable them to gain employment in local hospitality venues. The previous cohort have graduated successfully. Hygenic toilets have been erected at a school of 1,500 pupils in Mayenkeni. Homes being built for war widows and their families are in progress. Bags of rice have been funded every month for the hungry and destitute as distributed by Family Homes Movement. A well in a rural setting has been started with the initial depth dug by hand, and awaiting the weather conditions to be completed. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
All objectives are either in progress or completed as set out by the trustees. There have been no trustee visits during this period due to the restrictions of Covid 19 in both the UK and Sierra Leone. Funds for the erection of a Palava Hut remain with SFFLS until such time as Family Homes Movement are ready to begin the work. |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising | Fundraising has successfully supported all projects that have been agreed with Family Homes Movement. |
| activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
|---|---|---|
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | Not applicable. |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The charity is in credit with financial assets as seen in attached accounts, with all commitments having been met. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Reserves of £500 are maintained in the SFFLS account. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £500.00 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | None |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | Individual donations from supporters. Events have been impeded by Covid 19, but include a Zoom quiz, and an outside Plant sale in May 2021. A sponsored dog walking marathon raised money for a Palava hut. Cream teas, Cheese and Wine and home made chocolates were all made and delivered as fund raising events during the isolation periods between July - December 2020. A garden party fundraiser was held on July 17th 2021. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | None. |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | The trustees operate a low risk position regarding the use of funds for distribution. |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Charitable Incorporated organisation |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Appointed by existing trustees. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Sierra Foundation for Life Skills |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | SFFLS |
| Registered charity number | 1157293 |
| Charity’s principal address | 37, Fairview Drive, Bayston Hill Shrewsbury SY3 0LD |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VerityLowe | Chair | |||
| Sarah Wolton | Secretary | |||
| Sandra Lloyd | Treasurer | |||
| Steven Butterworth | Trustee | |||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets None held in this capacity
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects
Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Verity Lowe Full name(s) Verity Janet Lowe Position (eg Secretary, Chair Chair, etc) Date 29.03.22
SIERRA FOUNDATION FOR LIFE SKILLS RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE PERIOD 27/7/2020 - 26/7/2021
| RECEIPTS | 2021 | 2020 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted Unrestricted | Restricted | Unrestricted | |
| DONATIONS | 13492.61 | 4000.00 | 21295.03 |
| FUNDRAISING | 4753.65 | 3341.20 | |
| GIFT AID | 1908.77 | 1733.87 | |
| OTHER | 456.22 | 0.00 | |
| TOTAL RECEIPTS | 20611.25 | 4000.00 | 26370.10 |
| PAYMENTS | |||
| FUNDRAISING COSTS | 100.00 | 39.48 | |
| PROJECT COSTS | 16443.99 | 4000.00 | 19848.88 |
| INSURANCE | 508.00 | 503.00 | |
| PRINTING & POSTAGE | 96.99 | 40.75 | |
| FLIGHTS | 0 | 1592.00 | |
| ACCOUNTANTS FEES | 400.00 | 400.00 | |
| WEBSITE / I.T | 506.99 | 432.00 | |
| BANK CHARGES & FEES | 64.00 | 120.99 | |
| TOTAL PAYMENTS | 18119.97 | 4000.00 | 22977.10 |
| NET INCOMING RESOURCES | 2491.28 | 3393.00 | |
| FOR THE YEAR |
SIERRA FOUNDATION FOR LIFE SKILLS
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
FOR THE PERIOD 27/7/2020 - 26/7/2021
| 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| CASH FUNDS | ||
| BANK CURRENT ACCOUNT | 7561.94 | 5070.66 |
| TOTAL CASH FUNDS | 7561.94 | 5070.66 |
| FUNDS | ||
| OPENING BALANCE | 5070.66 | 1677.66 |
| SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR | 2491.28 | 3393.00 |
| TOTAL FUNDS CLOSING BALANCE | 7561.94 | 5070.66 |
I have audited the books and financial statements of the Sierra Foundation for Life Skills for the 12 month period ended 26/7/2021. In my view the above accounts are a true and fair record of the Foundations financial affairs during that period.
Signed R. Harper, Auditor
Date 3rd March 2022