Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 27/07/24 Period start date To Period end date
26/07/25
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. Rice has been supplied to widows and other families facing hunger and destitution on a regular basis. 3. A perimeter fence has been started around a school and vocational centre to provide security for school children and students and to prevent vandalism. 4. Funding for a graduation ceremony for students has been provided. |
| 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
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Volunteers have been the key fundraisers for projects supported by SFFLS and remain interested in the work that is being done to support the work of Family Homes Movement. |
|---|---|---|
| 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 catering and tailoring courses which will enable them to gain employment in local hospitality venues and as self employed tailors. The previous cohort have graduated successfully. ⚫ Bags of rice have been funded every month for the hungry and destitute as distributed by Family Homes Movement. ⚫ A perimeter fence has been started to provide security for pupils, students and buildings on the campus. ⚫ Repairs to roof and general upkeep of the Vocational Centre. ⚫ Supply of materials and machines for the students at the Vocational Centre. |
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. Two trustees had a 3 week visit to Sierra Leone in April 2025 to support the work of Family Homes Movement and see progress made on projects funded by SFFLS. |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Fundraising has successfully supported all projects that have been agreed with Family Homes Movement. These include information events giving accounts of the visit completed by trustees in March 2025. |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | Not applicable. |
Other
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 | £3,000 (3 months salaries for staff in Sierra Leone). |
| 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, largely through regular giving and gift aid where applicable. Fund raising events include summer garden parties in July 2024 and 2025. A thanksgiving service was held in October 2024 reflecting on the work and impact of the charity over the past ten years. A sponsored walk on 18th July in Church Stretton was completed by one of the trustees. A grant was given to fund the building of a perimeter fence around a school and vocational centre. This was granted by The Kitchen Table Charities Trust. |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Recommendations for attendance of relevant webinars delivered by the Charity Commission. The following policies have been agreed by the trustees: Safeguarding Internal financial controls Social Media Data Protection |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | Family Homes Movement in Freetown is our local partner in Sierra Leone. |
| 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
| 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 | ||
| Caroline Monro | Trustee | ||
| Rev Clive Devonish | Trustee | ||
| JeremyNuttall | 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 adviser Name Address |
Type of adviser Name Address |
Type of adviser Name Address |
|---|---|---|
| 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) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date |
Verity Lowe | |
|---|---|---|
| Verity Janet Lowe | ||
Chair |
||
| 01.08.25 | ||
| 01.08.25 |
SIERRA FOUNDATION FOR LIFE SKILLS RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE PERIOD 27/7/2024 - 26/7/2025
| RECEIPTS 2025 |
RECEIPTS 2025 |
2024 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted Unrestricted | Restricted Unrestricted | |||
| DONATIONS 28666.38 16032.51 |
||||
| FUNDRAISING 2647.19 4597.58 |
||||
| PCC 521.82 423.00 |
||||
| STEWARDSHIP 300.00 |
350.00 | |||
| GIFT AID 0.00 5414.42 TOTAL RECEIPTS 32135.39 26817.51 PAYMENTS |
||||
| FUNDRAISING COSTS 0.00 40.00 |
||||
| SIERRA LEONE PROJECT COSTS 26261.79 14935.00 |
||||
| INSURANCE | 561.87 549.88 |
|||
| PRINTING & POSTAGE 101.98 36.17 |
||||
| FLIGHTS & TRAVEL COSTS | 4308.00 3030.00 |
|||
| ACCOUNTANTS FEES 300.00 300.00 |
||||
| WEBSITE / I.T 663.93 533.99 |
||||
| BANK CHARGES & FEES 45.00 40.00 |
||||
| OTHER 0.00 0.00 |
||||
| TOTAL PAYMENTS 32242.57 19465.04 |
||||
| NET INCOMING/ (OUTGOING) | (107.18) |
7352.47 | ||
| RESOURCES FOR THE YEAR |
SIERRA FOUNDATION FOR LIFE SKILLS
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
FOR THE PERIOD 27/7/2024 - 26/7/2025
| 2025 2024 |
2025 2024 |
2025 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| CASH FUNDS | ||
| BANK CURRENT ACCOUNT 9854.15 9961.33 |
||
| TOTAL CASH FUNDS 9854.15 9961.33 |
||
| FUNDS | ||
| OPENING BALANCE 9961.33 2608.86 |
||
| SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR (107.18) |
7352.47 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS CLOSING BALANCE | 9854.15 9961.33 |
I have audited the books and financial statements of the Sierra Foundation for Life Skills for the 12 month period ended 26/7/2025. 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 8th January 2026
SIERRA FOUNDATION FOR LIFE SKILLS RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE PERIOD 27/7/2024 - 26/7/2025
| RECEIPTS 2025 |
RECEIPTS 2025 |
2024 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted Unrestricted | Restricted Unrestricted | |||
| DONATIONS 28666.38 16032.51 |
||||
| FUNDRAISING 2647.19 4597.58 |
||||
| PCC 521.82 423.00 |
||||
| STEWARDSHIP 300.00 |
350.00 | |||
| GIFT AID 0.00 5414.42 TOTAL RECEIPTS 32135.39 26817.51 PAYMENTS |
||||
| FUNDRAISING COSTS 0.00 40.00 |
||||
| SIERRA LEONE PROJECT COSTS 26261.79 14935.00 |
||||
| INSURANCE | 561.87 549.88 |
|||
| PRINTING & POSTAGE 101.98 36.17 |
||||
| FLIGHTS & TRAVEL COSTS | 4308.00 3030.00 |
|||
| ACCOUNTANTS FEES 300.00 300.00 |
||||
| WEBSITE / I.T 663.93 533.99 |
||||
| BANK CHARGES & FEES 45.00 40.00 |
||||
| OTHER 0.00 0.00 |
||||
| TOTAL PAYMENTS 32242.57 19465.04 |
||||
| NET INCOMING/ (OUTGOING) | (107.18) |
7352.47 | ||
| RESOURCES FOR THE YEAR |
SIERRA FOUNDATION FOR LIFE SKILLS
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
FOR THE PERIOD 27/7/2024 - 26/7/2025
| 2025 2024 |
2025 2024 |
2025 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| CASH FUNDS | ||
| BANK CURRENT ACCOUNT 9854.15 9961.33 |
||
| TOTAL CASH FUNDS 9854.15 9961.33 |
||
| FUNDS | ||
| OPENING BALANCE 9961.33 2608.86 |
||
| SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR (107.18) |
7352.47 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS CLOSING BALANCE | 9854.15 9961.33 |
I have audited the books and financial statements of the Sierra Foundation for Life Skills for the 12 month period ended 26/7/2025. 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 8th January 2026