Out & Proud African LGBTI Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2021
Registered Charity No. 1169497
Trustees:
OUT AND PROUD AFRICAN LGBTI CHARITY Unaudited annual Report and Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2020
CHARITY INFORMATION
Trustees:
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Abbey Kiwanuka
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Edrisa Kiyembna
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Meble Nalule
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Chukwuma Ewulu
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Juliet Ewo
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Osei Gerning
Registered Office: 198 Railton Road SE24 0JD
Bankers:
Barclays Bank 193 Camden Town London NW1 7PJ
CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2019
The chairman presents his statement for the period.
I start my report with a huge thank you, to you, our supporters. Without your moral and financial support, the Out and Proud African LGBTI would not exist, your continued commitment is valued, and we ask you to encourage your friends to support our work.
My appreciation also goes to my fellow number of volunteers. Since we do not have any paid staff, our work hugely depends on the volunteers.
We trustees act in an unpaid volunteer capacity as directors of the organisation; and provide advice, human resources, volunteer support, public relations, information
technology, policy research, office management and fundraising and events assistance.
I am pleased to report a year of significant progress in developing a more robust organisation and working towards securing many African Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals legal status in the UK and working massively on their integration in the British society. We have worked hard to establish a robust set of internal controls, governance and due diligence principles - with financial advice.
In 2020- 2021, the global world encountered the COVID-19 pandemic, and because of our work and the people we support, the pandemic affected us a lot. However, we learned how to navigate it and helped our vulnerable people through financial support, especially members who did not have income and were outside the government safety net.
If you would like to know more about our Charity, please look at our website and contact us.
Name Abbey Kiwanuka
Chair, Board of Directors
Date: 02 January 2022
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
The trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2020. The Board of trustees approved this report on 19 December 2021 and signed on its behalf
The trustees present their report and financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2021. The statements appear in the format required by the Statement of Recommended Practice for the Accounting and Reporting by Charities.
Objective and Activities
The charity’s objects (‘Objects’) are specifically restricted to the following:
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1- To promote equality, diversity for the public benefit of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex persons by,
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Advancing education and raising awareness in equality and diversity
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Conducting research on equality and diversity issues and publishing the results to
the public
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Cultivating a sentiment on favour of equality and diversity; and
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The elimination of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation
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To relieve the needs of LGBTI persons including asylum seekers and refugees who
are in distress or vulnerable on the grounds of their sexuality, gender identity or
immigration status.
- To Preserve and promote physical, sexual and mental health of LGBTI Persons.
Activities
We provide advice, information, support, casework, education, awareness, research, publicity and advocacy on human rights issues and human rights law and safe space to lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and queer refugees and asylum seekers in the UK.
We do casework advising and supporting individuals who are victims of human rights violations basing on their sexuality and gender identity. We advocate for their human rights and, where appropriate, refer them to specialist agencies. We also seek to influence public consciousness, value and culture regarding human rights.
OPAL works on a selected range of human rights law and issues in the UK and supports people fleeing their countries because of their sexuality. We consciously aim to avoid duplicating other human rights bodies' work, and our selective, targeted approach gives us a significant impact despite our small size.
Structure of Governance and Management
Out & Proud African LGBTI is a human rights organisation registered as a charity on 05 October 2016, no 1169497. We have a Board of Trustee (the Board) who are charged with the proper conduct of the OPAL in achieving its charitable objects. OPAL conforms fully to the Charity Commission’s guidance on the requirement of charitable objects public benefits.
The Trustees regularly review the activities of OPAL to ensure that its activities are undertaken in furtherance of its stated charitable objects. The Board is made of the refugees and former refugees. All new Trustees are briefed on the Memorandum & Article of Association, policies, procedures, delegation of authority, risk register, reserves, conflict of interest and current and previous years’ financial performance.
The Chair is responsible for the Board's leadership, ensuring that all Trustees can play a full part in its activities and conform to their obligation as Trustees. The Board determines the work of the Foundation. It receives regular detailed briefings, reports and recommendations from relevant trustees and the Director of OPAL on its activities, financial management and current/future plans. This enables the Board to robustly monitor, evaluate and develop the organisation to achieve its charitable objects.
Achievements and Performance
Through our casework, we are making a tangible, positive difference to the lives of people who have fled their home countries because of their sexual orientation and gender identity to the UK to seek asylum. One of our great strength is our ability to respond professionally to calls for help whenever they are from.
Very often, people contacting us are depressed, harassed and emotionally drained. OPAL is a small charity with a small budget. Despite this, we assist people in many ways; listen to their concerns Guide with information; provided tailored advice; provide moral support; and refer to specialist agencies.
This casework is provided free of charge and funded by our donors, to who we are very grateful.
Casework for the year ending 31 March 2021
The biggest category of people contacted us were those from African countries seeking asylum in the UK on grounds of their sexual orientation and gender identity. We supported 46 LGBT asylum seekers in the UK to obtain their refugee status. We did this through working with them by linking them to legal professional. 10 of the cases where fresh applications – the said members having failed their initial asylum application. We supported 13 members to go back to education. Provided 19 members who were self-isolating with food parcel
Why do people come to us?
We are one of the most visible African LGBT organisations in Europe. We have a big following on our social media, and since refugee and former refugees run the charity, people trust us, and we are known for getting things done. OPAL is the first contact for help on issues such as asylum based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Fundraising
OPAL relies on the generous support of its individual and corporate donors. Without it we would not be able to meet our charitable objectives. We fundraise for OPAL in many ways, including appeals on social media, payments for talks, organising or supporting fundraising events and applying for and receiving grants from individual organisations.
Financial Review
The accounts for the year to 31 March 2021 show that the charity's financial position is not good.
Plans
In the coming year, the trustees of OPAL have authorised the following work:
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Casework to assist LGBT asylum seekers and refugee.
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Human rights, equality and diversity talks in universities.
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Collaboration with Artists
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Continue HIV outreach work in BAME communities.
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Continue to provide safe space to socialise for asylum seekers and refugees.
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Organising retreats, social events such as beach parties, and boat parties all aimed to help our communities’ members with mental health issues.
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Hiring an office space/employing a professional fundraiser.
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
The charity trustees (who are also directors of OPAL) are responsible for preparing the trustees’ annual report and the financial statements under applicable law and the United Kingdom Accounting Standards.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the charity's financial position. They are also responsible for safeguarding charity's assets and taking appropriate steps to prevent fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by the Board of Trustee on: And signed on its behalf by Director and Chair of Trustees
Income statement
FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE FY - 2019/2020 Financial Statement For the FY - 2020/2021 Time Period: 26/03/2020 to 25/03/2021 TIME PERIOD: 26/03/2019 TO 25/03/2020
Financial statements in Pound Sterling DONATIONS AND GRANTS DONATIONS GRANTS NET DONATIONS AND GRANTS
12,875.00 11,502.79 24,377.79
EXPENSES
ONLINE SUBSCRIPTIONS 2,439.31 REFRESHMENTS 881.75 TELEPHONE AND POSTAGE 553.90 MEMBER HARDSHIP SUPPORT 9,510.86 RENT AND FUNCTIONS 4,950.03 TRANSPORTATION AND TRAVEL 1,278.05 STATIONERY 2,652.93 BANK INTEREST CHARGED 0.00 TOTAL EXPENSES 22,266.83
OTHER INCOME REFUNDS 116.48 BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD 6,564.18 INTEREST INCOME 0.00 Total other income 6,680.66 TOTAL INCOME 31,058.45 058.45
31,058.45
Abbey Kiwanuka Chukuwa Ewulu Mable Nalule