2022-03-31-accounts - Friends Of Kolkata Bhalobashi Foundation (Kbf)

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Trustees' Annual Report for the period

Period start date Period end date Day Month Year Day Month Year From 1 April 2021 To 31 March 2022

Section A Reference and administration details

Charity name Friends of Kolkata Bhalobashi Foundation (KBF) Other names charity is known by Friends of KBF Registered charity number (if any) 1176527 Charity's principal address 2 Stamford Road Carrington Manchester Postcode M31 4BA

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
	Catherine Meredith	Chair
	Monika Wiselka	Trustee
	Anke Raabe	Trustee
	Elizabeth Peppiatt	Trustee

Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)

Name Dates acted if not for whole year

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Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of adviser Name Address

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Type of governing document

Trust deed

(eg. trust deed, constitution)

How the charity is constituted

Trust

(eg. trust, association, company)

Trustee selection methods

Appointed by existing trustees by majority vote

(eg. appointed by, elected by)

Additional governance issues (Optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:

policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
relationship with any related parties;
trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.
“Friends of KBF” exists to support the work of “Kolkata Bhalobashi Foundation”(KBF), a charitable organisation based in Kolkata, India which runs an educational project for children from the slum area, a hospice/carehome for people who have been left to die with no one to care for them; and children’s clubs in a variety of locations. “Friends of KBF” achieves this by raising funds, providing resources and visiting/being in contact with KBF on a regular basis in order to support its leaders and assist in decision making.
“Friends of KBF” is managed by 4 trustees as named in section A, plus 1 associate who meet at regular trustee meetings. Named trustees have the final vote on decisions, but all contribute to the discussions, perform administrative and fundraising tasks, and have contact with the leaders of KBF in India.
Issues considered to present risk to the running of “Friends of KBF” or “KBF” in India are discussed between the two parties as soon as possible by telephone/WhatsApp call as detailed in the “Joint working agreement”, in order for a decision to be made. A special meeting may be called as detailed in the Trust Deed if required.
In terms of policies/procedures, a signed joint working agreement is in place between the trustees of “Friends of KBF” and the leaders of “KBF” in India. A safeguarding policy and visiting policy are also in operation.

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Section C Objectives and activities

The objects of the charity are, for the benefit of people living in Kolkata and West Bengal, India:

The advancement of education of children who, due to disability and/or poverty are otherwise unable to access education, in particular but not exclusively by assisting in the provision of schooling including the provision of educational materials and school meals.

Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document

The prevention or relief of poverty, in particular but not exclusively by providing grants, items and services to individuals in need and/or charities, or other organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty.
The advancement of health, the relief of sickness and/or the saving of lives by supporting individuals who, due to poverty, homelessness or other factors are unable to access healthcare by assisting in the provision of medical aid, access to a care home or hospice and medical care or facilities and services not normally provided by the statutory authorities.
The above objects to be furthered by providing grants and support to Kolkata Bhalobashi Foundation (KBF) in India.

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The trustees of Friends of KBF have read the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance and have regard to this when making decisions about activities to be carried out. These must be of benefit to the people served by Kolkata Bhalobashi Foundation in India and must seek to manage any risks to their welfare as far as possible.

To this end, Friends of KBF supports and raises funds for the three main projects run by Kolkata Bhalobashi Foundation in India:

• A school project for children from the slum and surrounding poor area whose families would otherwise be unable to afford for them to be educated. The project provides education for these children and then supports them to attend local government schools. Funding is provided for uniforms, books and admission costs, and these children continue to attend the project for support with their Summary of the main studies. They also receive food and clean drinking water daily at activities undertaken for the the project. public benefit in relation to In addition, the school project runs a class for children with these objects (include within disabilities and special educational needs living in the area. They this section the statutory receive some basic education, stimulation and physiotherapy declaration that trustees have input whilst in attendance. had regard to the guidance • Children’s clubs run in three locations in Kolkata which seek to issued by the Charity provide an opportunity for children from very poor backgrounds to Commission on public play, socialise and learn away from the challenges and benefit) responsibilities of their everyday life.

Children’s clubs run in three locations in Kolkata which seek to provide an opportunity for children from very poor backgrounds to play, socialise and learn away from the challenges and responsibilities of their everyday life.
A hospice/care home project which provides shelter, food and basic healthcare for people who have been left to die with no one to care for them. Residents are cared for by a nurse and have weekly input from a doctor and physiotherapist. With basic care, some will recover and will then be able to move on from the care home. Others choose to remain and continue to be cared for at the care home. Those who do not recover will be allowed to die with dignity in a safe environment.

Safeguarding and Visitors policies are in place to ensure protection of the wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults served by the projects.

Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)

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You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:

Friends of Kolkata Bhalobashi Foundation sends money to Kolkata Bhalobashi Foundation to support the work of its projects as outlined above, on a monthly basis. The amount of money to be sent is agreed in advance between the two organisations in accordance with the “Joint working agreement”. Restricted donations must be used only for the purpose for which they have been donated. The accounts of both organisations are independently audited on an annual basis in order to ensure funds are properly used.
All trustees and associates of Friends of KBF are volunteers and are not paid for their time. Other volunteers may also contribute to the work by carrying out fundraising activities/events or by visiting the projects in India in order to assist with activities for the people served by the projects.
All visitors to the projects are supervised at all times by the leaders and staff of Kolkata Bhalobashi Foundation, and are safer recruited and vetted beforehand by the trustees of Friends of KBF, including DBS checks.
policy on grantmaking;
policy programme related investment;
contribution made by volunteers.

Section D Achievements and performance

The financial year running from April 2021 to March 2022 continued to be Summary of the main significantly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in India. achievements of the charity during the year At the beginning of the financial year, Kolkata was still in lockdown and there was a further 2 week lockdown in January 2022. The KBF Director also became hospitalised with covid during this year and Friends of KBF trustees were very thankful that he made a full recovery following treatment. Below is a summary of the work of KBF in India during this time which is fully funded by Friends of KBF in the UK. School project As covid restrictions eased and then became stricter again, the KBF school was open in line with state government guidance. Initially the older children returned, then the younger children and finally in January 2022, the children with disabilities (‘special stars’) returned to the KBF school Children have continued to receive lessons in Bengali and English as well as opportunities for after school craft lessons.

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Section D Achievements and performance

The children with disabilities have their own class which includes a physiotherapist to help with the childrens physical development and mobility. It was noted after the children with disabilities returned from lockdown that some of them had gained significant weight, likely to be as a result of not being able to leave the home and exercise.

Overall, education has been provided for up to 60 children during this financial year. This has included 26 children enrolled in government schools. 4 children were new admissions to government schools in January 2022. KBF has continued to assist with a ‘school starter kit’ for the children who attend government school with a set of uniform, bag and stationery to help children with their studies and integration.

Hospice/Care Home project The hospice/care home continued to remain covid free this year. This year also saw a significant event in that the hospice moved into its own premises. Following a private donor gifting land and a new building to KBF, Friends of KBF provided funds for the fixtures, fittings and furniture for the new building.

When the residents moved into the new building in March 2022, the name was changed to a care home, to reflect that the majority of the residents who come often make a recovery, rather than die as many would do in a hospice. Positively one of the residents was rehabilitated back home with their family in early 2022 after support from staff.

Children’s clubs

In November 2021, the big children’s club started again with a smaller group of older children wearing masks and then by February 2022 this was then able to be opened up to all ages. This childrens club sees many children attend from the local community and is a highlight of their week.

Two other smaller childrens clubs continued, as per restrictions allowed during the year. One of these is outside so had less covid restrictions.

In addition, during the pandemic, KBF has provided the following: • Continued full salaries paid to all staff to support their families throughout the pandemic.
Multiple distributions of food parcels (including kerosine to enable cooking) to 60 children (and their families) attending the KBF school project to support them during lockdowns.
Regular food distributions of both cooked meals and dry food, as well as soap in the red light area and to a group of homeless children who live near to this area. Food has been distributed to up to 1000 people at a time.
• Provided funding for all staff to receive covid vaccinations

Friends of KBF raised money through appeals for provision of food during lockdowns.

A grant was again received to continue to provide a physiotherapist and nutritional food for the school children. Friends of KBF held an event for supporters in November 2021 and has continued to update supporters via letters sent by email.

Section E Financial review

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Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves

We aim to keep 3 months’ worth of supporting money in reserve at all times to ensure that the work of Kolkata Bhalobashi Foundation in India may be maintained.

Details of any funds materially in deficit

Not applicable

Further financial review details (Optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:

the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;
investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.

“Friends of KBF” raises funds via:

a small scale child sponsorship programme, which raises monthly donations from regular sponsors, specifically for the running of the school project.
a small scale care home sponsorship programme, which raises monthly donations from regular sponsors, specifically for the running of the care home.
Ad hoc donations from supporters which may/may not be specified as restricted to a particular area of the work.
Fundraising activities such as sponsored events, coffee afternoons and alternative Christmas presents.
Applying for grants for specific purposes such as to fund a physiotherapist to work in the care home and with the children with disabilities.

Any restricted donations or grants must be spent only on the purpose for which that money has been donated. This is confirmed with the leaders of KBF in India via ongoing reporting on expenditure.

As detailed in Section C, an agreed amount of funding is sent to Kolkata Bhalobashi Foundation in India on a monthly basis in order to support the work of the projects.

Section F Other optional information

Section G Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s)

Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc)

Catherine Meredith	Elizabeth Peppiatt
Chair	Trustee

March 2012

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Date 1010112023 1010112023 TAR March 2012

CHARITY COAIMISSION FOR INGIAP40 IINO WALES CharlEy N F•[1 ol Kolk•ta 8h•lob4•hl Fovn4•lbDn F4D111 any 11765Z7 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For ih• p•rloJ from P•iLOd SIAII d3ie d• 0110412021 Section A Receipts and, payments Utir$siriLied Re2111¢hd Endownitnt fund¥ Total nd• Ly•ar Al Att•1 rJoTra1rt1 .1 )12 ).24 J.1 ).??• Sub tot4ilGf05S Inc(¥ fo ARI A2 A¥••t fid lfiNY¥tm•nt •al••. 11,2 4J,341 Sub total 16.234 45,J49 AJP ents Cojl ofC.li>rtaDl¢ A¢tMts 23. 41437 Pu(15 Cl)sL Sub to 17,132 41JDI Sub total 23.511 43,506 17.1J2 N•t olr•e•lptsifp•ym•n(sJ A6 Yran¥f•rn b•tween lund• A6 C••h fund¥ l••t y••r •nd C•sh fvnds th1• y••r•n41 T.)1 1.763 5,54• 17 9.401 2.177 1.721 11.129 1.424 CCXX R1 *¢¢<wty Issi

S•ction B Stat•mènt of.a5sets"and liabilities at the end of the period lund fuThd• 81 CMh fvAd•

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees/ members of

Friends of Kolkata Bhalobashi Foundation (KBF)

On accounts for the 31 March 2022 Charity no (if any) 1176527 year ended Set out on pages 1 to 10

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Charities Act”) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by examiner’s statement the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention examiner's 1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the statement requirements:

to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
have not been met; or
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed:

Date: 22[nd] January 2023

Name: Fiona Norton

IER

Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any):

Address:

150 Lock Lane

Partington Manchester M31 4PW

Section B Disclosure

Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material problems (E.g. Accounting records have not been kept in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; the accounts do not accord with the accounting records; any material expenditure or action which appears not to be in accordance with the trusts of the charity; any failure to be provided with information and explanation by any past or present trustee, officer or employee; and in the case of accruals accounts any material inconsistency between the accounts and the trustees’ annual report, and in the case of a charitable company with the director’s report.)

IER