Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01/04/2024 To 31/03/2025
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 Communities and Nature International (CAN International) is to support communities, particularly disadvantaged and marginalised groups, by relieving poverty, improving living conditions, and conserving the natural environment and resources on which they depend. Specifically, the charity aims to: 1. Promote sustainable development for the public benefit through the relief of poverty, the improvement of conditions of life in socially and economically disadvantaged communities, and the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. 2. Advance public education on sustainable development and environmental conservation, including promoting study and research in these areas. |
| 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 |
During the reporting period, CAN International delivered activities to support ethnic minority communities including Gurkha veterans across England, particularly in Hampshire and the East Midlands. Our work focused on improving welfare, strengthening community empowerment, and promoting social integration. We also provided targeted support for young people through life-skills development and sports activities, helping to build confidence, resilience, and positive community engagement. These initiatives enabled communities to come together, identify shared challenges, and access support to improve overall wellbeing, |
| thereby advancing the charity’s purposes for the public benefit. |
||
|---|---|---|
| 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 does not provide grants. Instead, we implement initiatives directly in collaboration with various stakeholders to support communities and deliver our charitable objectives. |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | N/A |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Volunteers played a vital role in delivering the charity’s activities through community awareness, outreach and mobilisation. They supported the organisation of sports and recreational activities, including cricket and football, particularly in Peterborough, helping to promote inclusion, physical wellbeing and social connection. Volunteers also provided ongoing welfare and wellbeing support to isolated and vulnerable individuals, including Gurkha veterans and their families, as well as other disadvantaged community members. Their support helped address issues such as loneliness, social isolation and reduced wellbeing, and strengthened community resilience and engagement. |
| 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 | During the year, the charity made a positive and measurable difference to the lives of elderly and vulnerable members of ethnic minority communities, including Gurkha veterans and their families, across several areas of England. Through a range of welfare, wellbeing and community-based initiatives, including yoga, Taichi, wellbeing sessions and activities aimed at reducing loneliness (e.g. coffee sessions, workshops), beneficiaries were supported to build social networks, strengthen community connections and reduce social isolation. This resulted in improved health, confidence and overall wellbeing, particularly among elderly groups and veterans’ families. As a result of this ongoing support, disadvantaged beneficiaries were better able to participate in community life and integrate into wider society. In addition, the charity organised the charity supported young people from these communities through the organisation of sports activities and life-skills development programmes, helping to promote teamwork, resilience and positive engagement. The charity also strengthened local capacity by encouraging volunteering, enabling community members to support one another and creating wider benefits for society through increased social cohesion, inclusion and community resilience. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | The charity successfully met its targeted objectives for the reporting period. Planned activities were delivered as intended, resulting in positive outcomes for beneficiaries and contributing effectively to the achievement of the charity’s aims and purposes. |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Due to various constraints, the charity undertook limited fundraising activities during the reporting period. Given the size and capacity of the organisation, overall fundraising performance was considered satisfactory. The charity recognises the importance of developing a more sustainable income |
| base and, in the coming years, aims to allocate dedicated resources to fundraising and implement a more diverse range of income-generating activities to support future delivery of its charitable objectives. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | N/A |
| Other | N/A |
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | As a small charity, the organisation’s overall financial position at the end of the reporting period was satisfactory. The charity maintained careful oversight of expenditure and monitored its financial performance on an ongoing basis. Financial progress was reviewed periodically, particularly at trustees’ meetings, and the Board of Trustees formally reviewed the charity’s financial position at the end of the reporting period to ensure effective financial management and sustainability. |
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The charity holds a small level of reserves to support financial stability and continuity of activities. Where use of the reserves is proposed, the trustee(s) will submit a request to the Board of Trustees, setting out the rationale for use, the intended purpose, and a plan for replenishment. The charity’s objective is to replenish any reserves used within 12 months in order to restore the reserve fund to the agreed minimum level. Where replenishment is expected to take longer than 12 months, such requests will be subject to more detailed scrutiny. The Board of Trustees will review, approve or amend the request and authorise the transfer of funds as appropriate. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £5,000 |
| 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 charity’s principal sources of funds are project grants, which are secured by submitting relevant project proposals to UK-based funding organisations. Contributions from individual donations were minimal during the year. The charity aims to diversify its sources of funding in the future to ensure greater financial sustainability. |
|---|---|---|
| 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 facing the charity is the sustainability of income. Limited staffing and resources make fundraising and income generation challenging, which could affect the delivery of programmes and services to beneficiaries. The charity is working to diversify funding sources and strengthen capacity to mitigate this risk. |
| Other | N/A |
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) | Additional information (optional) | Additional information (optional) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: | |||
| CAN International has a supportive policy | |||
| for developing the capacity of its trustees | |||
| Policies and procedures | through participation in training and | ||
| adopted for the induction | Para 1.51 | development activities. Trustees meet | |
| and training of trustees | formally, usually once a month, and | ||
| maintain regular contact via email and | |||
| phone. During the reporting period, trustees | |||
| were informed about available training | |||
| opportunities and encouraged to participate | |||
| to enhance their knowledge and | |||
| effectiveness in governance. | |||
| The board of the trustees manages the | |||
| charity. The board oversees overall charity | |||
| The charity’s organisational | governance and organisation’s activities | ||
| structure and any wider | Para 1.51 | including recruitment of staff, contracts, and | |
| network with which the | partnerships. | ||
| charity works |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
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 for developing the capacity of its trustees through participation in training and development activities. Trustees meet formally, usually once a month, and maintain regular contact via email and phone. During the reporting period, trustees were informed about available training opportunities and encouraged to participate to enhance their knowledge and effectiveness in governance. |
| 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 has developed strong working relationships with partners and stakeholders, including ethnic minority communities (such as Gurkha veterans and Nepali communities), other charities, and local councils. Projects and initiatives aimed at supporting people in need were successfully delivered in collaboration with these partners and stakeholders. |
| Other | Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no financial benefit. They are fully aware of their roles and responsibilities within the charity and regularly review the charity’s activities, including risks, during formal meetings or via email and phone. Trustees take appropriate actions to manage these risks in line with the charity’s policies and guidelines. |
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) Dr Balram Dhakal Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc)[Trustee ] Date 27/12/2025
Charity No. 1166983
Communities and Nature International Receipts and Payments Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025
Communities and Nature International
(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 (served during the reporting period)
Mr Govind Belbase, Chair Dr Balram Dhakal, Trustee Dr Pushpa Datta Upreti, Trustee
Bankers
Lloyds Bank PLC
Business address:
42 Wilton Drive Peterborough PE7 8RU
1
Communities and Nature International
Approval statement
We approve these accounts which comprise the Receipts and Payments Accounts, Balance Sheet and related notes. We 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.
Board of Trustees CAN International
2
Communities and Nature International
Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 31 March 2025
| Income: Grants received - Restricted Donation received Total Balance from previous year 2023/24: Expenditure: Project delivery costs Travel costs Project staff costs Volunteer expenses Rent and rates, utilities and telephone Adminstration and management Communication expenses Insurance IT and computer Office supplies Donation Advertising, Web and PR expenses Total Surplus / (Deficit) |
£ 1,000.00 561.00 |
|
|---|---|---|
| 1,561.00 | ||
| 20,690 3,428.27 407.50 2,325.00 548.00 900.91 700.00 200.00 661.00 950.00 600.00 186.00 645.84 |
||
| 11,552.52 | ||
| 10,698.48 |
3
Communities and Nature International Balance Sheet As at 31 March 2025
==> picture [316 x 181] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
Notes £
Current assets
Bank and cash balances
10,698.48
Net Current Assets 10,698.48
Fixed assets
Computer 476.00
Net Assets 11,174.48
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Balance as at 31 March 2025
| Unrestricted fund | £7450.52 |
|---|---|
| Restricted fund | £3,247.96 |
| Total balance | £10,698.48 |
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