The John Aves Education Project (JAEP)
Charity Number 1170414
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT 2023/24
(1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024)
JAEP has been operational since 2007. JAEP has been an independent charity since the end of November 2016. The Trustees’ annual report outlines progress made in respect to compliance and financial control, philosophy and working practices, as well as a progress update on numbers of students supported and our current financial position.
The John Aves Education Project team
JAEP’s policy has always been to enrol Trustees and committee members with relevant experience and skills to fulfil the objects of the JAEP. This is to identify and monitor selection of suitable candidates from the Dheisheh Refugee Camp in Palestine as well as to manage efficiently and with compliance the administration of the charity.
JAEP currently has four Trustees and two committee members who join in the Board of Trustees meetings and regularly liaise ~~s~~ with the Trustees. The experience, skills and interest of the team are wide and all are mentioned here:
Trustees:
Anne Aves is JAEP’s Chair and Treasurer. Anne is the widow of John, in whose memory JAEP was founded. Anne worked at City College Norwich from 1984 until her retirement in 2017. Her roles have included teaching, Head of Department and managing regional projects to re-engage vulnerable young people. Anne has returned to Dheisheh Camp, Al Quds and Bethlehem universities more than ten times.
Liz Magem is the secretary for JAEP’s committee. Liz has been involved in education for over 30 years. Her roles have included Head of Department at City College Norwich, a training consultant for Aviva, a principal lecturer for QA, the UK's leading learning company and 10 years as a freelancer trainer. Liz and Anne Aves have been friends for over 40 years, and through that
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friendship Liz came to know John. Liz has accompanied Anne on her visits to Dheisheh Camp in 2018, 2020 and 2023.
Nick Taylor is a retired local businessman with solid financial and management skills. His companies won many local and national business awards and he brings a discipline and focus to the charity.
Ben Aves is a son of John and Anne. Ben is Director – Global Communications Strategy at The LEGO group the UK base is in London.
Committee members
Edmund Aves is a son of John and Anne. Edmund works as a freelance photographer.
Samia Tabari is a social development expert with a focus on refugee programmes, in the Middle East. She retains professional and personal connections to the Middle East and speaks Arabic. Samia leads on JAEP’s scholarship process. She is based in the UK.
Compliance
We have a Trust Deed that fully complies with the requirements of the Charities Commission. We have further controls beyond our statutory obligations which are outlined in our Procedures and Policies documents. Here we outline some of our key working procedures that enable full and accountable management of our charity.
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We only commit to the funding of a student if we have sufficient funds (plus a reserve) to finance the entire duration of their course.
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The Reserve. We quantify the total financial commitment to our students for their entire course. To this figure we add 10% and a further £1,000. This becomes our reserve and no expenditure can dip into this amount.
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Risk Register. This is regularly updated to ensure that risk is identified, measured and minimised. If weaknesses are identified then the Procedures and Rules are amended to mitigate any identified risk.
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Data Protection. We take our responsibilities seriously and do not share any individual’s information with any other organisation except with Inland Revenue in respect to claiming Gift Aid and according to our data protection. JAEP takes all reasonable precautions to preserve the integrity of personal data and uses personal data in accordance with its Privacy Policy.
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Safeguarding Policy. Informed by attendance at a Charity Commission International Engagement Team webinar our safeguarding policy and procedures have been updated and embedded in our procedures and policies.
Financial control & Report
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Changes to income.
During the 2023/24 financial year our income increased by 58%. This was for the following reasons:
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£2492 Bishop of Norwich Open Gardens in May 2023.
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£6488 Mannington Open House and Gardens September 2023 run jointly with The Matthew Project.
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£4538 5 church services and 11 talks to mark the 20[th] anniversary of John’s death in January 2004 and to celebrate the achievements of JAEP.
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All raised the awareness and importance of the work of JAEP. Regular gift aid increased on the previous year by £1579. From 15 new standing orders and 10 increased standing orders.
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Income from card sales was a new high, with an increase of more than £1000 on the previous year. This was because greetings cards sold well at events.
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Support for the work of JAEP increased after 07/10/23 which had a significant impact for our students and their families.
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Following a suggestion from JAEP independent examiner in August 2023, the 2023-2024 accounts record fund raising expenditure as a separate item, thereby enabling us to calculate the effectiveness of the different events. Mannington, an event run jointly incurred the highest costs (£3797), as we shared the profits 50/50. Costs for the Bishop Open Gardens were £533.35. The 20[th] Anniversary events incurred the lowest costs (£220).
The changing political, economic, and social situation for students and impact on expenditure.
Our partners at both universities and Ibdaa Community Centre in Dheisheh have recommended that JAEP does not fund 100% of student tuition fees, to ensure that students do not rely on one source of funding. The remaining fees are paid either by the families or a government loan. Since the pandemic and then again by plummeting family incomes after 07/10/23 because there are no pilgrims, or tourists and all work in Israel is prohibited, families have struggled to pay their contribution to the fees. Students cannot graduate until the fees have been paid. Our partners at both universities update us with the outstanding fees for each student. JAEP includes these amounts in our calculations / commitments before offering scholarships to new students.
Running of accounts.
As in the previous year student grants were paid using some of our reserves and these were reduced by £13k. This was anticipated and reflects the roll out of funding from the very generous gifts received in 2019 and 2020. The donor requested that the money was used to provide more scholarships and not invested.
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The treasurer updates the ledgers once every month onto an Excel spreadsheet. After the bank reconciliation a copy of the account spreadsheets and bank statement is emailed to each of the Trustees to ensure that there is transparency but also to ensure that back-ups are available off site, in addition to regular on-site procedures.
At the year end we are holding £98688 in our bank accounts. £48619 is the amount already committed for grants, including reserve, this leaves us with £50,069 to fund new students.
The accounts are independently verified, and a letter of compliance issued annually.
Selection and monitoring of students
To date, JAEP has funded eighty young people to achieve an undergraduate degree.
At Al Quds University (AQU) selection of new students is carried out in collaboration with the Financial Aid Department (FAD) at the University. Al Quds University remains JAEP’s main partner. JAEP reviews its scholarship guidance notes and application form with each university on an annual basis. The FAD uploads JAEP’s notes and form on the university’s website as part of the annual call for JAEP’s scholarship applications. At Bethlehem University (BU) the Student Finance Manager promotes the project to students from Dheisheh in need of financial aid.
JAEP Trustees and members review the scholarship applications and any supporting documents and then interview shortlisted candidates via Zoom. In 2023/24, four new AQU scholarships were given. The applications from BU were received after the closing date but JAEP accepted two new BU students that year (without interview). This academic year this was further compounded by the situation after 07/10/2023 when all universities were closed, and learning returned online.
In total, JAEP supported 23 students during the academic year 2023/24 (6 new and 17 continuing students). Eighteen students were studying at AQU and the remaining five were at BU.
The JAEP team continues to ensure and provide evidence that we are selecting young people who are academically able to benefit from and in need of our financial support. We further request transcripts of student results at the end of each academic year. Any student who either had poor results or did not complete the year would be contacted by JAEP for further assessment.
Unfortunately, no monitoring visit has been possible this academic year because of the security situation in the region.
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Following 07/10/2023 all checkpoints in the West Bank were closed, students were unable to travel to university, learning returned online. The academic year has been very challenging for students and staff.
JAEP management of the project
Trustee meetings and sub meetings throughout 2023/2024 were all in person, with the option of trustees joining via zoom. Members also have regular e- communications. JAEP does not have an office or paid staff members.
The Chair and Secretary attended in person / webinar Charity Commissioners International Engagement Team training events. These included:
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20 July (in person): Working Overseas: Risks, Responsibilities, and Legal Duties
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17 October (webinar): Safeguarding expectations in an international context.
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21 March (webinar): Charities and Social media.
Outreach and success with grant applications
We have continued to receive support from Unipal. In 2023/2024 Unipal funded three JAEP students Bethlehem University studying nursing (2) and midwifery (1). Unipal have committed to fund the students for the remaining years of their course.
Over 100 attended the Bishop of Norwich Open Gardens on 21 May.
A record number of over 1200 attended the Mannington Hall and Gardens Charity Day on Sunday 3 September.
The five church services and eleven events to mark the 20[th] anniversary of the death of John Aves and celebrate the achievements of JAEP exceeded all expectations, with approximately 1000 attending.
JAEP produced Newsletters in April, November, and January to over 130 supporters, the hit rate remains high at over 80%.
The Future
JAEP has applied for funding to help pay the outstanding family share of student tuition fees from:
Quaker Peace Social Witness (QPSW) £4000 one off grant World Day of Prayer £2000 one off grant
We look forward to the time peace returns to the area and we can resume our regular monitoring visits.
Anne Aves (Trustee)
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Liz Magem (Trustee)
Nick Taylor (Trustee)
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JOHN AVES EDUCATION PROJECT YEAR END 31st March, 2024
| INCOME | 2023/24 | |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Gift Aid Donations | 8,159 | |
| One-off Gift Aids | 4,074 | |
| Tax reclaim Gift Aid | 2,931 | |
| Other Donations | 14,471 | |
| Fund Raising | 12,947 | |
| St. Eds printing refund | 270 | |
| Bank Interest / other | 1,197 | |
| Cmas Cards and other sales | 4,698 | |
| £ | 48,747 | |
| EXPENDITURE | 2023/24 | |
| Bank Charges | 0 | |
| Educational Grants | 53,938 | |
| Administration Expenses | 55 | |
| Fund raising | 5,616 | |
| Foreign Travel Expenses | 0 | |
| Other Costs squarespace & google | 379 | |
| Cmas /greeting cards | 2,658 | |
| £ | 62,646 |
STATEMENT of FUNDS
| 2023/24 | ||
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Balance at beginning of year | ||
| Current & Business | 112,589 | |
| 112,589 | ||
| Add Surplus (loss) for year | ||
| Income | 48,747 | |
| Expenditure | 62,646 | -13,899 |
| £ | 98,690 | |
| Represented by | ||
| Current Account | £ | 1,351 |
| Saving Account | £ | 97,337 |
| £ | 98,688 |
2022/23
| 6,580 | |
|---|---|
| 5,186 | |
| 2,223 | |
| 10,929 | |
| 253 | |
| 3,334 | |
| £ | 28,505 |
2022/23
| 0 | |
|---|---|
| 67,501 | |
| 55 | |
| 2,719 | |
| 3,182 | |
| £ | 73,457 |
| 2022/23 | |
|---|---|
| £ | £ |
| 157,541 | |
| 157,541 | |
| 28,505 | |
| 73,457 | -44,952 |
| £ | 112,589 |
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CHARITY COMMISSION Independent examiner's report on the Ww CHARITY FOR ENGLAND COMMISSION AND WALES | Independent examiner's accounts report on the A: / FOR ENGLAND AND WALES accounts Section Section A A mdependent Independent Examiner's Examiner's Report Report Report Report to to the the trustees trustees sa = por Teun AVES Ese lATiIoN PROTECT On On accounts accounts for for the the year year Charity Charity no no ended 202-+ (if any) ended| SIS MARCK 2O2Z4 tteny | [TOs II+OQ-II-{rs Set out on pages I | report report to to the the trustees trustees on on my my examination examination of of the the accounts accounts of of the the above above charity charity ("the (“the Trust”) Trust") for for the the year year ended ended ; Responsibilities Responsibilities and and As As the the charity's charity's[trustees,] trustees, you you are are responsible responsible for for the the preparation preparation[of] of the the basis basis[of] of[report] report accounts accounts[in] in accordance accordance[with] with the the requirements requirements[of] of the the Charities Charities Act Act 2011 2011 ("the (“the Act”). Act"). I | report report in in respect respect of of my my examination examination of of the the Trust's Trust’s accounts accounts carried carried out out under under section section 145 145 of[of] the the 2011 2011 Act Act and and in in carrying carrying out out my my examination, examination,[I] | have have followed followed all all the the applicable applicable Directions Directions given given by by the the Charity Charity Commission Commission under under section section 145(5)(b) 145(5)(b)[of] of the the Act. Act. Independent Independent [The-charitys-gressincome_exceeded £256-666-anctanr qtratifiedto— examiner's examiner's statement statement €ppUcab4e-hsted-bedy}]. applicabletisted-bedy}].[Delete] Delete|[[][]] ] if if not not[applicable.] applicable. I | have have completed completed my examination. my examination. | I confirm confirm that that no no material material matters matters have have come come to[to][my] my[attention] attention[in] in[connection] connection[with] with the[the][examination40t.Åer-th&R-tÅ.at—] examination-lotherthanthat— -diselesed dise+esed-belew+which beleow—}which gives gives me me cause cause to[to] believe believe that that in,[in,] any any material material respect: respect: • e the the accounting accounting[records] records were were not not kept[kept] in[in] accordance accordance[with] with section section 130 130 of of the the Charities Charities Act; Act; or or e • the the accounts accounts[did] did not not accord accord with[with] the the accounting[accounting] records; records; or or e e the the accounts accounts[did] did not not comply comply with[with] the the applicable applicable requirements requirements concerning concerning[the] the[form] form and[and] content[content] of[of] accounts accounts set[set] out out[in] in[the] the Charities Charities (Accounts (Accounts and and Reports) Reports) Regulations Regulations 2008 2008 other other than[than] any any requirement requirement that that the the accounts accounts give give a a 'true ‘true and and fair fair' view view which which is is not not a a matter matter considered considered as as[part] part[of] of an an[independent] independent examination.[examination.] I | have have no no concerns concerns and and have have come come across across no no other other matters matters in in connection connection with with the the examination examination to[to] which which[attention] attention[should] should be[be] drawn drawn in[in][this] this report report[in] in order order[to] to enable enable a a proper proper understanding understanding[of] of the the accounts accounts[to] to be[be][reached.] reached. * * Please Please delete delete the the words words in in the the brackets brackets if if they they do do not not apply. apply. Signed: SE, •zezee Name: Name: BARBARA A C7 R C->EÄ./I CHEN/ 7 qualification(s) qualification(s)Relevant Relevant professional professionalor or body body hccoVtVfÉt\J AccOUI TAN Zz r FiCA QUALI F1€)) IER IER 1 1 Oct Oct 2018 2018
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(if any):
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Section SectiomB B Disclosure Disclosure
Only Only [complete] complete [if] if the [ the] [examiner] examiner [needs] needs [to] to highlight [highlight] material [material] matters [matters] of [of] concern concern
(see (see CC32, CC32, Independent Independent examination examination of of charity charity accounts: accounts: directions [directions] and and
guidance guidance [for] for examiners). [examiners).]
Give Give here here brief [brief] details details [of] of _
any any items [items] [that the] that the NoNe
examiner examiner wishes wishes [to] to
disclose. disclose.
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IER IER
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