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2022-10-31-accounts

Report of the Trustees & Annual Accounts

For the year: 1st November 2021 to 31st October 2022

Contents

Charity Information 3 Report of the Trustees 4 Report of the Independent Examiner 11 Statement of Financial Activities 12 Balance Sheet 13 Notes to the Financial Statements 14

Clean Water . Sustainable Farming . Livelihood . Training & Education . Bee Framing . Carbon Life Balancing Details and impact of our programme in over 50 villages in South East Sierra Leone can be found on: www.roryswell.org

For more information about Rory’s Well visit: www.roryswell.org or contact Karen Binns on: 07970 549443 email: roryswell@icloud.com Rory’s Well is a Registered Charity no:1165664

Charity information

Trustees:

Karen Binns (Chair)

Nicholas Acland (appointed 15th March 2023)

Neil Brent (Treasurer)

Leonard Sean Mills

Katherine Brent

Halliday Macfie (resigned 15th March 2023)

Geoffrey Higgins (resigned 15th March 2023)

Registered Office: The Keepers, Symn Lane, Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire, GL12 7BD

Registered Charity Number: 1165664

Independent Examiner: Keith Du-Rose

42 Longs View, Charfield, Glos. GL12 8HZ

Bankers: Barclays Bank

Leicester LE87 2BB

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Rory’s Well Annual Report & Accounts 31 October 2022

Report of the Trustees

Overview of the charity

Rory’s Well works in the Pujehun region of Sierra Leone to provide clean water, improve food security and build resilience to climate change and economic challenges; through digging and maintaining wells, environmentally sustainable farming and livelihood creation.

We are a life-giving charity working sensitively and co-operatively within rural Sierra Leone, empowering local people and transferring skills for future independence - helping those in need to help themselves in a truly sustainable way.

Why is our work needed?

Pujehun is one of the poorest regions in Sierra Leone, which in turn is the 6th poorest country in the world in terms of per capita GDP with high mortality rates.

The rural communities have no access to clean safe drinking water without NGO support meaning people drink contaminated water from the local streams. This leads to a wide range of health issues and is a time-consuming and physically exhausting process taking time from other activities such as more sustainable and effective food production and education for the children.

The communities are largely subsistence farmers whose crops cannot always provide adequate food and nutrition for their families or any surplus to sell to provide income for other needs e.g., education, housing or healthcare. Post the civil war communities have lost the ability and knowledge to work in traditional communal ways in the fertile swamplands exacerbating the issue. Farming yields are also being further impacted by more difficult weather patterns due to climate change.

Our Vision

Our vision is that Communities in Sierra Leone have food security without on going support, achieve greater resilience, and are farming in ways that will protect their land and the environment in the longer term. In 5 years from now, our aim is that everyone in the areas where Rory’s Well works should have access to safe clean water all year round and also that families have achieved a basic level of economic self-sufficiency.

Our Values

TRUST:

Trust is a core value of many organisations as it is the glue that makes relationships work which is vital. We see it as a vital focus that guides our decisions and actions in all aspects of Rory’s Well. With trust, complex things become simple and doable, and without it, especially in such a different culture, things stall or worse go wrong. To build trust you’ve got to be there through the good and the bad times and deliver on your promises.

We understand that trust is a continuous process and we will always strive to ensure our relationships are mutually strong.

AMBITION:

Ambition is something that we as an organisation have strived to achieve from day one. Often charities who work with rural communities in developing countries have a single project. Our goal didn’t allow for a single project, so instead we developed multiple projects which together met our goal and benefited the communities as a whole.

The current Rory’s Well projects are: Clean Water, Swamp Rice Farming, Women’s Farming, Bees. Although these are our main focuses after many years of development, we understand that the needs of the communities we work with can change. If their needs do change and we identify a suitable project then together our ambitious nature will adapt once more.

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Rory’s Well Annual Report & Accounts 31 October 2022

EMPOWERMENT:

Our goal from the outset of Rory’s Well has been to work collaboratively with the communities from inception, to planning and then implementation. A key principle we consider throughout any project is ensuring that it is self-sustaining by the communities themselves. We feel our collaborative approach and self-sustaining principle ensures the communities we work with are empowered to lead on the projects once we have worked together to implement them.

Collaboration is not the only way we try and empower the communities, education is another vital tool we us. With each project we have developed an education section, which ensures there are experts within the community, and learning can be transferred from within. We feel empowerment through collaboration and learning will ensure the long-term success of the projects.

REGENERATION:

Along with humanitarian work, helping the environment is a key part of what we do as a charity, as we believe that the two are intrinsically linked. We will always strive to be sustainable, however moving forwards we want to go a step further and move towards being regenerative wherever possible. Whereas sustainable practices seek to maintain the same - to meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future - regenerative practices go a step further, seeking to restore and enhance natural systems.

By working holistically with the communities in Sierra Leone, using regenerative farming techniques we hope to help people and the environment. Through regenerative agriculture techniques such as swamp rice farming and inga alley cropping, arises the opportunity for communities to build livelihoods through productive farms. As well as the humanitarian benefits, these practices help to reduce deforestation by providing an alternative to slash and burn, as well as restoring and maintaining soil health.

Our Programmes

Clean Water:

Why is the project needed?

The Barri Chiefdom in Pujehun is one of the poorest areas in Sierra Leone with no infrastructure to provide clean drinking water. So in this area Rory’s Well has taken the responsibility of maintaining functioning wells for rural villagers who would otherwise depend on contaminated water from rivers and streams. We currently provide water to around 50,000 people.

What are we doing?

At the time of writing this report, we maintain and service 157 wells, up from 129 in 2021, while running training programmes to enable villagers to carry out basic preventative maintenance themselves. Currently we repair five to six pumps every month. In addition we plan to extend the programme to installing solar powered pumps, which have proved more reliable in the dry season and need less maintenance. We have identified five villages, which would benefit from this extension of our operations.

Achievements in the last year (November 21 – October 22)

Priorities for next year (November 22 – October 23)

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Rory’s Well Annual Report & Accounts 31 October 2022

Our Programmes (continued...)

Farming:

Why is the project needed?

Sierra Leone sits 7th from the bottom of the UN Human development Index at 181 out of 195 countries (2022 figures) and the situation worsened in rural areas in 2022 when extreme poverty rose from 9-13% (World Bank figures). Rural households headed by women suffer worse poverty (MDPI report 2019).

We work in remote villages near the Gola rainforest where subsistence farming means moving the upland farms every 2-3 years by ‘slash & burn’ cultivation, leading to deforestation and erosion which are worsened by changing rain patterns due to climate change.

What are we doing?

Our farming projects improve food and income security by supporting the development of sustainable community farms using swamp rice farming and Inga agroforestry to enhance soil fertility and create permanent farms; and grainstores to enable crop storage for sale and replanting.

• Community swamp rice farms (CIVS) retain fertility better than the upland farms and the harvest is shared among those working the farm giving more food and enabling seed rice to be stored for both the community and individual farms. By the end of 2023 we will have developed 29 CIVS farms with grainstores and drying floors

• Community Women’s Farms (CWF) These are upland farms worked by village women’s groups to grow groundnuts and other crops which supplement the family diet and can be sold to generate income. We are planting Inga Alleys within these farms to improve soil fertility and create permanent farms and cash crop orchards to improve income. By the end of 2023 we will have developed 23 CWF with Inga.

Achievements in the last year (November 21 – October 22)

Priorities for next year (November 22 – October 23)

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Rory’s Well Annual Report & Accounts 31 October 2022

Our Programmes (continued...)

Bee Farming:

Why is the project needed?

We work in an environmentally sensitive area largely populated by subsistence farmers where livelihood opportunities that do not damage that environment are not readily available. Bee-farming in the way we teach it offers households an opportunity to add to their income by producing honey and beeswax products for sale. Others not directly involved in production also benefit by earning money from blacksmithing, tailoring, sales etc. Honey and beeswax products can be categorised as a NonTimber Forest Products (NTFP). Not only does it cause minimal environmental damage there is evidence that it promotes forest protection.

What are we doing?

Bee-farming involves:

Achievements in the last year (November 21 – October 22)

Priorities for next year (November 22 – October 23)

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Rory’s Well Annual Report & Accounts 31 October 2022

Monitoring and Evaluation of Projects

Financial Statement

In the previous financial year 2020/2021, Rory's Well had experienced both significant challenges and successes. The charity received substantial support from various sources, including generous contributions of £5,000 from Lush, £15,000 from The Fore, and £35,000 from Clean Bandit. However, it was also a difficult year for Rory's Well operationally. Towards the end of 2020 we suffered the loss of one of our Founders, who not only played a pivotal role in guiding the organization but was also a trustee and managed several of our key projects. This had a huge impact of both the day-to-day operations and the strategic direction of the charity.

Moreover, the global pandemic, COVID-19, created unprecedented challenges for Rory's Well. The restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the virus prevented us from visiting our projects and engaging directly with the communities we serve. A number of projects were put on hold.

As a result of the difficulties faced in the previous financial year 2020/2021, the funds received were not fully utilised during that year. Instead, we carried £106,000 forward into 2021/2022. We also made the decision not to raise further funds in 2021/2022 until we could personally assess the conditions on the ground and ensure the effective utilisation of the income we had already received. This has led to a situation where our reported income (£59,000) appears low in relation to our expenditure (£116,000).

Main funding sources for next year

Our main funding sources for next year will:

Reserves Policy 2021/22

Our reserves policy is set to ensure that our work is protected from the risk of disruption at short notice due to a lack of funds, whilst at the same time ensuring that we do not retain income for longer than required. The trustees have determined that the Charity needs free reserves for the following purposes:

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Rory’s Well Annual Report & Accounts 31 October 2022

Reserves are currently £17,356, representing just under two months outgoings in a year of unusually high expenditure due to catch up activity post covid. Trustees nonetheless recognise that this level is below their policy of holding between three and six months reserves and have taken steps to address this.

Structure, governance and management

Governing document

We became registered as a charitable incorporated organisation on 22nd February 2016.

Governance

The trustees meet on a quarterly basis to approve the strategy, and review the finances, policy, risk and governance of the charity. They will hold additional meetings if key decisions need to be made. Overall management is delegated to Karen Binns, and day-to-day operations are delegated to members of the Trustee Board who each oversee particular projects – Kath Brent (farming activites), Neil Brent (bees), and Sean Mills (wells).

The trustees who served during the year are listed on page 3. New trustees are appointed as necessary by a resolution of the majority of existing trustees. New trustees are recruited following a skills audit and period of open recruitment. They are then inducted both formally and informally. This includes meetings with the Chair of Trustees and other trustees in advance of their first trustees meeting. They are also supplied with information from the Charity Commission concerning best practice and advice for new trustees.

Conflicts of Interest:

There are two Trustees who are married – Neil and Kath Brent.

Management responsibilities

Overall Karen Binns undertook day-to-day management responsibilities, on a voluntary basis.

There are a number of volunteers who manage certain areas of operations – including project management, communications and marketing, and finance.

Major risks

The trustees actively manage risks – which are review at the quarterly trustee meetings.

The current risks that the trustees have identified as most significant are listed below:

• People – Over reliance on a few key people/volunteers in the UK. To address this risk trustees are working on a succession plan, which includes identifying key current and future skills gaps on the board and within the organisation and developing a strategy for addressing these issues.

• Partners - Over-reliance on key management personnel within our partner organisation in Sierra - PAD (People's Agenda for Development) and variable capacity of villager to manage projects locally. Working with PAD, Trustees are encouraging the senior team at PAD to delegate more and develop the skills of the wider team as well as building capacity in the villages through the training.

• Financial – Over reliance on a few key funders, exchange rate and inflation volatility. Trustees recognise they have no control of exchange rate and inflation but are taking proactive steps to widen the source of funding to underpin the charity’s financial security going forward

• External – Political instability in Sierra Leone, lack of resources needed (e.g., diesel), market for honey doesn’t develop in pace with production, security of wells and hives. The work of Rory’s Well is dependent on the political, social and economic stability within Sierra Leone. In order to mitigate this risk the charity’s has a policy of trying to develop self-sufficiency and independence at a local level through training and provision of equipment and tools for maintenance.

• Environmental - Climate change poses a threat to the viability of wells and also the farming. Rory’s Wells farming methods are specifically designed to be sustainable, reduce environmental and be resilient to climate change. The Charity is also progressively looking at digging wells deeper in order to ensure year round reliability.

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Rory’s Well Annual Report & Accounts 31 October 2022

Statement of trustees’ responsibilities

Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the financial activities of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the provisions of the Constitution. 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.

Independent examiner

The independent examiner, Keith Du-Rose has expressed his willingness to continue in office and a proposal for his re- appointment will be made at the Annual General Meeting.

On behalf of the trustees:

Signature:

Date:

Karen Binns, Chair of Trustees

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Rory’s Well Annual Report & Accounts 31 October 2022

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Rory’s Well

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Rory’s Well (the Charity) for the year ended 31 October 2022.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the Charity, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act). I report in respect of my examination of the Charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. The accounts do not accord with those records; or

  2. The accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns 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.

Signature: Date:

Keith Du-Rose

42 Longs View, Charfield, Glos. GL12 6HZ

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Rory’s Well Annual Report & Accounts 31 October 2022

Rory’s Well - Statement of financial activities for the year ended 31 October 2022
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All income and expenditure is derived from continuing activities.

The charity has no recognised gains or losses for the year other than the results above.

The notes on pages 1 4 to 17 form an integral part of these financial statements.

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Rory’s Well Annual Report & Accounts 31 October 2022

Rory’s Well - Balance sheet as of 31 October 2022

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Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by: ............................................................................. ........................................................................... Karen Binns Neil Brent Chair of Trustees Treasurer Date: .......................................................... Date: ..........................................................

Karen Binns Chair of Trustees

13

Rory’s Well Annual Report & Accounts 31 October 2022

Rory’s Well - Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2022

1. General information

Rory’s Well is a charity, established as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 22nd February 2016. The address of the registered office is provided in the Charity information section on page 3. Details of the charity's operations are provided in the Report of the Trustees.

2. Accounting policies

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgments and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

Basis of preparation

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention and in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) - Charities SORP (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011. The accounts include the results of the charity's operations which are described in the Trustees' Report, all of which are continuing.

The financial Statements have been drawn up on a receipts and payments basis, that is, income and expenditure have only been included when actually received or paid out.

Fund accounting policy

Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees' discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.

Restricted funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.

Further details of each fund are disclosed in note 6.

Income

Voluntary income, including donations and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature, is recognised when received. Gifts and services in kind are included at their estimated open market valuation. Expenditure

All expenditure is accounted for on a cash basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category.

Costs of raising funds are the costs associated with attracting voluntary income.

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Governance and support costs

Support costs have been allocated between governance costs and other support. Governance costs comprise all costs involving public accountability of the charity and its compliance with regulation and good practice.

Going Concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for 12 months from authorising these financial statements. The budgeted income and expenditure is sufficient with the level of reserves for the charity to be able to continue as a going concern.

14

Rory’s Well Annual Report & Accounts 31 October 2022

Rory’s Well - Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2022

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Rory’s Well Annual Report & Accounts 31 October 2022

Rory’s Well - Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2022

6. Charitable activities

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Rory’s Well Annual Report & Accounts 31 October 2022

Rory’s Well - Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2022

9. Employee renumeration

No trustees received any remuneration or expenses during the year.

There were no paid members of staff during this year.

As at the end of October 2022, in addition to the Trustees, there were 5 regular volunteers, collectively working an average of 15 hours each week.

10. Cash at bank and in hand

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11. Related party transactions

Donations totalling £6.097 were made by 4 trustees during the year.

17

Clean Water . Sustainable Farming . Livelihood . Training & Education . Bee Framing . Carbon Life Balancing Details and impact of our programme in over 50 villages in South East Sierra Leone can be found on: www.roryswell.org

For more information about Rory’s Well visit: www.roryswell.org or contact Karen Binns on: 07970 549443 email: roryswell@icloud.com 3 Rory’s Well is a Registered Charity no:1165664