Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01/01/2024 To 31/12/2024
Charity name: Midwives at Maternity Azur
Charity registration number: 1173745
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | • To promote and protect, for the benefit of the public, the good health of the people in Hoima and Kikuube Districts, Uganda particularly in relation to maternity care, women’s health and sexual health. In particular this is achieved by providing support to Azur CHC IV in Hoima Town, to deliver high quality healthcare for patients across Hoima District. • Provide training, mentoring, knowledge transfer and support to healthcare workers at Azur CHC IV and MAMA clinics and at health centre in the surrounding area. • Promoting good healthcare practices and support high quality care at the clinic and in the surrounding area. • To raise awareness and promote understanding in the UK, particularly amongst healthcare professionals, of the unique challenges faced by healthcare workers, and women at Azur CHC IV and in the community in the surrounding area in relation to maternity care, women’s health and sexual health. |
| 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 |
• Running two rural midwifery-led health clinics and supporting the maternity unit at a non- governmental, not for profit hospital in Hoima town; • We have maintained the independent registration of Runga Clinic as a health centre II with the Hoima District Health Office, and in 2024 we registered Kyarushesha MAMA Grace Clinic as an independent health centre III with Kikuube District Health Office; • Healthcare staff training; • Developed our relationship with the local government hospital by providing clinical support, teaching and advice in district meetings; • Maintained good relationships with our partner Azur CHC IV and district health officers. |
| Statement confirming whether |
Para 1.18 | As trustees we work hard to ensure all our decisions are made for the benefit of our beneficiaries in the |
| the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Hoima and Kikuube districts. We use our existing knowledge and skills to enhance the work we do and to guide who we work with in order to meet our objectives. |
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| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| SORP reference | ||
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | N/A |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | N/A |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | The volunteer trustees made 5 trips between them (total 20 weeks by midwives, one obstetrician for 2 weeks). Two UK midwives came to Hoima for two weeks offering clinical support and some teaching. We continue to receive a supply of knitting and baby items from friends and relatives which are essential for the care of our newborn babies. A former trustee arranged to take over the Rotations Charity Shop for 1 week, raising inexcess of£1000. |
| Other |
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 | Kyarushesha: The clinic continues to grow and develop services. We now hold our own childhood immunisation clinic twice a month, currently collecting vaccines from a nearby health centre until we receive our own fridge/freezer for storage. We are also now able to report our data to Kikuube District where our work is now recognised. There were 5 stillbirths (6 in 2023), no neonatal deaths & no maternal deaths: • 593 births, monthly mean 49 (compared with 611 in 2023); • 6185 antenatal visits, monthly mean 515 (increased from 5877 in 2023); • 2699 general outpatients’ appointments, monthly mean 225 (similar to 2022/3); • 121 family planning appointments, monthly mean 10 (this has fallen due to |
supply issues and is an area for us to focus on moving forwards as it is a key part of safe maternal and child healthcare); • 2194 maternity admissions, monthly mean 183 (similar to 2023); • 874 general admissions, monthly mean 73 (this has reduced compared to previous years); • 176 pregnant and 34 non-pregnant referrals to hospital (monthly means 15 and 5 respectively). Runga: We have successfully registered our clinic with Hoima District and are receiving regular inspections from the District Health Officer. This facility generally had a similar year in terms of numbers, and once again had no maternal deaths, stillbirths nor neonatal deaths: • 173 births, monthly mean 14; • 1304 antenatal visits, monthly mean 109; • 536 outpatient reviews, monthly mean 45 (increased compared to 2023); • 83 family planning appointments, monthly mean 7 (approximately half that of 2023 – an area that needs addressing as for Kyarushesha); • 318 maternity admissions, monthly mean 27; • 252 general admissions, monthly mean 21; • 24 pregnant & 6 non-pregnant referrals to hospital (monthly means 2 and 1 respectively).
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | We continue to serve the needs of the local population and engage with nearby health centres who support us when we need a higher level of care. Our objective was always to continue to run the Kyarushesha clinic beyond the end of the UK Aid Direct SCCF grant (in Feb 2022), and so far we have been successful in achieving this. The Kyarushesha now has a fully functional lab and an ultrasound machine with regular sonographer clinics. |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Dimitri very kindly held a social event in Athens introducing MAMA and explaining our work and fund raised at the same time. |
| The two midwives from the UK also very kindly did some fund raising before joining us in Hoima. We have again been successful in generating enough income to cover all the necessary costs of the charity’s activities. We have continued to increase our regular monthly donations to cover the day-to-day running costs of our activities in Uganda. We have received a few large donations including our usual pop-up charity shop where we normally raise approximately £1000. |
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| 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 started 2024 with a higher than usual amount of unrestricted reserves in the charity account (£10,370) and as would be expected finished the year with a smaller, but still reasonable reserve. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Ideally, we would have 6 months’ of unrestricted reserves in the bank in order to underpin our sustainability – this remains a work in progress. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £2255 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | Nil |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | No uncertainties. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
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 | All of our funds are from voluntary donations and fundraising activities. The two clinics charge small sums (less than cost) for their services – all of which goes directly back into the running costs in Uganda, and is not transferred to the UK (this appears as clinic income in the Audited Accounts). |
| 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 | We work in a high-risk country, with multiple challenges including infectious diseases, governmental instability, crime and corruption. Internationally governments have reduced their commitments to spending on international aid making it difficult to find financial support for projects. The economic climate continues to make charitable fundraising more uncertain. We have compiled a comprehensive risk assessment/register for our work and volunteers in Hoima, and have charity insurance in place. |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
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|---|---|---|
| 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 | Trustees are appointed by the board of 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 | We have a number of polices (approved by UKAid Direct) relating to management and training of Trustees and volunteers, including safeguarding. We also have clinical guidelines and operational guidelines for staff to refer to as needed, approved by our trustees and our local medical staff. |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | In 2024 we had three trustees managing the charity and projects from the UK, some of whom visit Hoima on a regular basis to support staff and monitor projects. We have no paid staff in the UK, keeping our overheads extremely low. In Hoima, Uganda, MAMA works closely with Azur Christian Health Centre IV whose support is invaluable in running our clinics and ensuring wages are paid, we are registered with the correct authority and data collection is collated for the districts. Both clinics are now registered with their local District Health Offices. We work closely with the local district health officers for Hoima and Kikuube to ensure we offer high standards of care and follow local and international guidance. We work with the local communities we serve, including village and church leaders (although our organisation is non-religious), to enable us to offer services needed for their geographical areas. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | We have retained our downstream partner in Hoima, Azur. We meet with the director on a regular basis and plan any obstetric activities and training together. Although we |
provide salaries for our staff, Azur employs and holds the contracts. We have supported them in some improvements to clinical areas. We have improved our relationship with the local government Hosptial through providing obstetric clinical support, teaching and advice on many cases. Other
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Midwives at Maternity Azur |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | MAMA |
| Registered charity number | 1173745 |
| Charity’s principal address | 1 Church View, Hook, Hampshire, RG27 9HN |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sofia Giannopoulou |
Secretary | 2022 to present | Trustees | |
| Alexandra Kennedy |
Treasurer | 2019 to present | Trustees | |
| Rhi Grindle | Chairperson | 2017 topresent | Trustees |
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
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)
Type of Name Address adviser
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Full name(s) Rhiannon Grindle Alexandra Kennedy ~~oo~~ Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) ~~ee~~[Chair ] Date 17/10/2025
Midwives at Maternity Azur (MAMA)
Income & Expenditure Account
Year Ended 31[st] December 2024
CHARITY REGISTERED IN ENGLAND & WALES REGISTERED NO 1173745
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Income & Expenditure Account for year ended 31[st] December 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £’s | £’s | |
| Income | ||
| Unrestricted Funds | 36,977 | 41,202 |
| Restricted Funds | - | 1,500 |
| Gift Aid | 5,997 | 12,107 |
| Clinic Income | 20,509 | 22,291 |
| Total Income | 63,483 | 77,100 |
| Expenditure | ||
| In Country (Uganda) | 70,715 | 66,775 |
| Charity Insurance | 140 | 140 |
| Website | 254 | 330 |
| Bank Charges | 489 | 474 |
| Total Expenditure | 71,598 | 67,719 |
| Surplus/(deficit) for the year | (8,155) | 9,381 |
CHARITY REGISTERED IN ENGLAND & WALES REGISTERED NO 1173745
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| UK Bank Account | 1st January | 10,370 | 989 |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK Bank Account | 31st December | 2,255 | 10,370 |
Accounts prepared by R C Stanhope (ACMA) October 2025
CHARITY REGISTERED IN ENGLAND & WALES REGISTERED NO 1173745
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Independent examiner's report on the accounts
| SectionA | Independent Examiner’s Report | |
|---|---|---|
| Report to the trust F |
. | . Midwives at Maternity Azur (MAMA) |
| On accounts fortheyear ended |
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| charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended : |
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| Responsibilities and | As the charity's trustees, you are responsible forthe preparation ofthe | |
| basis of report | accounts in accordance with the requirements ofthe Charities Act 2011 | |
| (“the Act”). | ||
| under section 145 ofthe 2011 Act and in carrying outmy examination, |
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| have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission | ||
| under section 145(5)(b) ofthe Act. | ||
| Independent examiner's statement |
[The-charity’s gress income-exceeded £250,000 and tam qualified to Uundertakethe-examination-by-being-a-qualified member offinsertname-of |
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| applicableisted-bedy]]. Delete [ ] ifnot applicable. | ||
| come to my attention in connection with the examination (otherthan that | ||
| disclosed-below.*) which gives me cause to believe that in, any material | ||
| respect: | ||
| e the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 |
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| ofthe Charities Act; or | ||
| e the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or |
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| e the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements |
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| concerning the form and content ofaccounts set out in the Charities | ||
| (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 otherthan any requirement thatthe accounts givea ‘true and fair’ viewwhich is not a matter |
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| considered as part of an independent examination. | ||
| with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in | ||
| order to enable a proper understanding ofthe accounts to be reached. | ||
| * Please delete the words in the brackets iftheydo not apply. | ||
| Name: | ||
| Relevant professional | ||
| qualification(s) or body | ||
| IER | 1 Oct2018 |
IER
Address: | Walnut House, Tanners Lane, Reading RG4 9AA
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).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose.
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IER
2
Oct 2018