Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01/04/2023 To 31/03/2024
Charity name: Communities and Nature International (CAN International)
Charity registration number: 1166983 (Scotland SC047810)
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The principal objective of our charity is to support the communities, particularly the disadvantaged and marginalised communities, to relieve poverty and improve the conditions of lives, and conserve the nature and natural resources on which they depend. In specific terms, the objects of CAN International are: (i) to promote sustainable development for the benefit of the public by: • the relief of poverty and the improvement of the conditions of life in socially and economically disadvantaged communities; • the conservation and the protection of the environment and the sustainable use of natural resources; and (ii) to advance the education of the public in subjects related to sustainable development and the protection and conservation of the environment and to promote study and research in such subjects. |
| 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 |
We were able to support the members of ethnic minority communities across different parts of England, mainly in Hampshire, London and East Midland regarding their welfare, community empowerment and integration. We were also able to support youth members of these communities in terms of their skills development and sports activities. Our initiatives not only helped these communities to come together, identify their challenges and get supported to address these challenges. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The trustees have high regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. |
|---|---|---|
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: | |
| SORP reference | ||
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | N/A. Our charity do not provide grants, rather implement initiatives working with different stakeholders. |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | N/A |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Volunteers contributed to the delivery of the project initiatives mainly through community awareness and mobilisation. They also helped to organise sports (volleyball and football) activities. They continued to support the isolated and needy veterans and families to address the challenges that the communities are facing – loneliness, social isolation and overall social wellbeing. |
| Other | N/A |
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 | We were able to support the elderly, vulnerable members of ethnic minority communities and the Gurkha veterans and their families across different areas in England to develop networks, improve their social connections, reduce isolation and loneliness and improve their overall wellbeing. Because of these ongoing support, the beneficiary disadvantaged members of the community were not only able to improve their health and wellbeing, but also managed to integrate into the wider society. During this period, we were also able to support the youth groups in these communities to organise different sports activities and develop their life skills. We are really proud that we were able to help these people in need. We were also able to develop local capacity to support needy community members through volunteering. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: | |
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | We were able to meet our targeted objectives. |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | For a small team like ours, the overall performance of fundraising was satisfactory. However, we are interested to invest more resources in coming years to implement diverse fundraising activities. |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | N/A |
| Other | N/A |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | We are a small charity – overall, our financial position of our charity is good. In addition to continuous assessment of our expenses, we review our financial progress periodically, especially during trustees’ meetings. Our Board of Trustees reviewed the financial position at the end of the reporting period. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Our charity has a small amount of reserve. In order to use the reserves, the trustee(s) will submit a request to the Board of Trustees, explaining the rationale and plan of use along with the plans for replenishment. The organisation’s goal is to replenish the funds used within 12 months to restore the Reserve fund to the target minimum amount. If it takes more than 12 months to replenish, the request(s) will be scrutinised more carefully. The board of trustees will approve or modify the request and authorise the transfer of the fund. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £1,374 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | None. |
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 | The principal sources of our charity’s funds are project grants. We secure the grants by submitting the relevant project proposals for funding to the UK-based funding organisations. The contribution from individual donation was minimal this year. We are aiming to diversify our sources of funds in the future. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | N/A |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | The principal risk that we are facing is the sustained income. Due to lack of resources, particularly human resources, we are struggling to put enough efforts towards fund raising, resulting lack of funding available to implement the critical programmes that we wanted to deliver to support needy communities. |
| 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 | CIO |
| 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 members of the Committee/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 | CAN International has a supportive policy towards the development of the capacity of trustees, mainly through their participation in training and development activities. Trustees meet formally usually once in a month and are in email and phone contact regularly. Trustees were informed about the training and development opportunities available during this reporting period and encouraged to participate in the available opportunities. |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | The board of the trustees manages the charity. The board oversees overall charity governance and organisation’s activities including recruitment of staff, contracts, and partnerships. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | CAN International team has developed a good working relationship with the partners and stakeholders including ethnic minority communities (e.g., Gurkha veteran/Nepali communities), other charities and local Councils. The projects and initiatives aimed at helping the people in need were delivered successfully in collaboration with these partners and stakeholders. |
| Other | Trustees give their time for free and receive no financial benefit while managing the charity. Trustees are aware of their roles and responsibilities in our charity structure. They assess the charity works including any risks during their periodical meetings (or via emails/phone contacts) and take appropriate actions to manage them following charity’s guidelines and policies. |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Communities and Nature International |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | CAN International |
| Registered charity number | 1166983 |
| Charity’s principal address | 42 Wilton Drive Peterborough PE7 8 RU |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Govind Belbase | Chair | Wholeyear | ||
| Dr Pushpa D Upreti | Member | Wholeyear | ||
| Dr Balram Dhakal | Member | Wholeyear | ||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name N/A
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | **Dates acted if not for whole year ** | |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | ||
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for N/A safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| ames and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | ames and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | ames and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of adviser Name Address |
||
| N/A | ||
| Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) | ||
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
None
Other optional information
None
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Balram Dhakal Full name(s) Balram Dhakal Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc)[Trustee ] Date 21/12/2024
Charity No. 1166983
Communities and Nature International Receipts and Payments Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024
CAN International
Communities and Nature International Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Information | 1 |
| Approval statement | 2 |
| Receipts and payments accounts | 3 |
| Balance sheet | 4 |
Communities and Nature International Business Information
Trustees
Mr Govind Belbase, Chair Dr Balram Dhakal, Trustee
Dr Pushpa Datta Upreti, Trustee
Accountants
GNS Associates Limited Boundary House Cricket Field Road Uxbridge UB8 1QG
Bankers
Lloyds Bank PLC
Business address:
42 Wilton Drive Peterborough PE7 8RU
1
Communities and Nature International
Approval statement
I approve these accounts which comprise the Receipts and Payments Accounts, Balance Sheet and related notes. I acknowledge my responsibility for the accounts, including the appropriateness of the accounting basis as set out in note 1, and for providing all the information and explanations necessary for their compilation.
Govinda Belbase, Chair
2
Communities and Nature International
Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 31 March 2024
| Income: Grants received - Restricted Donation received Total Expenditure: Project delivery costs Travelling expenses Staff costs Volunteer expenses Rent and rates; utilities and telephone Admin, printing, postage and stationery Communication expenses Accountancy fee Insurance Software Advertising, Web and PR expenses Total Surplus / (Deficit) |
£ 21,600.00 36.41 |
£ 21,600.00 36.41 |
|---|---|---|
| 21,636.41 | ||
| 11,080.00 873.20 2,700.00 600.00 2,801.00 1,593.30 619.52 600.00 278.40 85.00 221.60 |
||
| 21,452.02 | ||
| 184.41 |
3
Communities and Nature International Balance Sheet As at 31 March 2024
----- Start of picture text -----
Notes £
Current assets
Bank and cash balances
20,690.5
Net Current Assets 20,690.5
Fixed assets
Computer 205.00
Net Assets 20,895.50
----- End of picture text -----
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ members of
Communities and Nature International (CAN International)
On accounts for the year 31[st] March 2024 Charity no 1166983 ended (if any) ( SC047810)
Set out on pages
(remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/03/2024.
Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 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 [The charity’s gross income does not exceed £250,000 and I am qualified to examiner's statement undertake the examination by being a qualified member of [insert name of applicable listed body]]. Delete [ ] if not applicable.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below *) which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
-
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
-
the accounts did 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.
- Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.
Date: 21/12/2024
Signed:
Oct 2018
1
IER
Name: Aravind Gautam
Relevant professional MA in Human Resource Management qualification(s) or body (if any):
Address: 2 Camwood Gardens Ipswich IP3 8HY
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Oct 2018
2
IER
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
Oct 2018
3
IER