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2022-12-31-accounts

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1185516

Report of the Trustees and

Unaudited Financial Statements

for the Period 1 November 2021 to 31 December 2022

for

ACORN INITIATIVE

Ark Accountancy Chartered Certified Accountant 31 Cheam Road Epsom Surrey KT17 1QX

ACORN INITIATIVE

Contents of the Financial Statements for the Period 1 November 2021 to 31 December 2022

Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 5
Independent Examiner's Report 6
Statement of Financial Activities 7
Balance Sheet 8
Notes to the Financial Statements 9 to 13
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 14

ACORN INITIATIVE

for the Period 1 November 2021 to 31 December 2022

Report of the Trustees

The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the period 1 November 2021 to 31 December 2022. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

The objects of the CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) are:

To relieve poverty of persons who are in internally displaced person (DP) camps in Nigeria, particularly in Benue State, by the provision of first aid kits, books, access to potable water and the teaching of skills to adults to enable them to earn a living when they are resettled

To advance the education of children and young people in Hampshire and Bedfordshire by providing supplementary schools and support with homework

Significant activities

ACORN Initiative over the years has undertaken projects in all our program focus areas which includes, Health, Water Hygiene and Sanitation (WASH), Education and Skills Acquisition. With over 72,000 Internal Displaced Persons as beneficiaries.

Health in A Box: Provided 26 fully equipped first aid boxes to 9 camps with one-year medical supplies and check up with treatments.

WASH: Provided clean safe water for over 14,000 IDPs, by setting up 3 x 2000 litres GP tanks with weekly supply of water. Setting up WASH Committee executive for effective sustainability of project. Skill Toolbox: Trained and empowered over 752 women in IDP in soap making, craft making, and pastry and honey production.

Library in A Box: Provided Information Education & Communication Materials for over 2750 IDPs and paid tuition fees for over 58 orphans and vulnerable children.

2022 activities.

A grant from Tesco to facilitate tech learning for children at 1st Ash Vale Scott to enhance their ability work together within their community.

A Bi-weekly visitation of IDP camps by ACORN medical team to deliver hand sanitizers, toilet papers, detergent, and other palliatives.

Providing over 800 pieces of Laboratory Apparatus for student at the Dept of Chemistry, Benue State University, Nigeria to aid their learning and knowledge during practical sessions and training under our Library in the Box program.

Our Skill in Box project is providing basis tailoring, knitting and soap making skills to over 170 women with 4 camps with the aid of grant which will run for a duration of 12 months.

Our LIB project provided school materials including books, shoes and uniform for over 100 students under the age of 12 as they prepare to resume school in September also payment for after school coaching classes

Page 1

ACORN INITIATIVE

for the Period 1 November 2021 to 31 December 2022

Report of the Trustees

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Public benefit

Under the guidance of the UK charity commission on public benefit, we have carried out charitable activities in the following areas.

WASH and Health Care: Provision of WASH and Health care services to 47 IDP camps which targeted over 52500 and their dependents in the past64 months. Our WASH services have provided clean and hygienic drinking water to persons in camps, first aid boxes and medical supplies.

Skills Toolbox. Our Charity efforts in this area has provided relevant skills to women in camp providing them with the knowledge of soap making, handbag, pastry, and shoe making.

Health in a Box. Our Charity efforts in this aspect has provided basic health care to occupants of different IDP camps ranging from the provision of First Aid Boxes, delivery of health and hygiene awareness talks.

Library in a Box. Educational materials aimed at developing and maintaining a reading culture in both children and adults in IDP camps have been provided over the past months. Books with varying degrees of educational content designed to engage the minds of children and adults have been provided.

Volunteers

Our charity efforts have been made possible working with a team of volunteers to offer humanitarian services. With a team of over 85 Volunteers in Nigeria and 3 in the UK have helped in all our efforts aimed at bringing hope to the physically displaced, mentally distressed, and emotionally desolated in communities.

Page 2

ACORN INITIATIVE

for the Period 1 November 2021 to 31 December 2022

Report of the Trustees

FINANCIAL REVIEW Reserves policy

Purpose

The purpose of the Operating Reserve Policy for ACORN Initiative is to ensure the stability of the mission, programs, employment, and ongoing operations of the organization. The Reserve is intended to provide an internal source of funds for situations such as a sudden increase in expenses, onetime unbudgeted expenses, unanticipated loss in funding, or uninsured losses. The Reserve may also be used for one-time, nonrecurring expenses that will build long-term capacity, such as staff development and other sustainability efforts of programs and projects. Reserves are not intended to replace a permanent loss of funds or eliminate an ongoing budget gap. It is the intention of ACORN initiative for the Reserves to be used and replenished within a reasonably short period of time. Our Reserve Policy will be implemented in concert with the organizations missions, objectives, definitions and goals .The Reserve Fund is defined as a designated fund set aside by action of the Board of Trustees. The minimum amount to be designated as Reserve will be established in an amount sufficient to maintain ongoing operations and programs for a set period of time, measured in months. The Reserve serves a dynamic role and will be reviewed and adjusted in response to internal and external changes. The target minimum Reserve Fund is equal to three months of average operating costs. The calculation of average monthly operating costs includes all recurring, predictable expenses such as benefits, occupancy, office, travel, program, and ongoing professional services. The calculation of average monthly expenses also excludes some expenses which are Capital in nature and usually one time. The amount of the Reserve Fund target minimum will be calculated each year after approval of the annual budget, reported to the Finance Committee/Board of Trustees, and included in the regular financial reports.

Accounting for Reserves :

The Reserve Fund will be recorded in the financial records as Reserves. The Fund will be funded and available in cash. Reserves of Acorn Initiative will be maintained in the same bank with the general cash of the organization.

Funding of Reserves :

The Reserve Fund will be funded with surplus unrestricted operating funds. The Board of Trustees may from time to time direct that a specific source of revenue be set aside for funding the Reserves which may include one-time gifts or bequests, special grants, or special appeals.

Use of Reserves:

Use of the Reserves involves 3 steps which includes,

1. Identification of appropriate use of reserve funds . The Co-Founders and staff will identify the need for access to reserve funds and confirm that the use is consistent with the purpose of the reserves as described in this Policy. This step requires analysis of the reason for the shortfall, the availability of any other sources of funds before using reserves, and evaluation of the time period that the funds will be required and replenished.

2. Authority to use Reserves : Our approach to use reserves in Acorn initiatives shall be subject to authorization and consultation between the Board of Trustees and the Treasurer and/ or Chair of the Finance Committee. The use of Reserves will be reported to the Executive committee in the next scheduled meeting accompanied by a description of the analysis and determination of the use of funds and plans for replenishment to restore the Reserve to the target minimum amount. Approval mus t however be received before the use of Reserves of any given amount.

3. Reporting and monitoring . The Board of Trustees is responsible for ensuring that the Reserve Fund is maintained and used only as described in this Policy. Upon approval for the use of Reserve funds, the Treasurer will maintain records of the use of funds and plan for replenishment. He/she will provide regular reports to the Finance Committee/ Board of Directors of progr ess to restore the Fund to the target minimum amount.

4. Review of Policy . This Policy will be reviewed every other year, at minimum, by the Finance Committee, or sooner if warranted by internal or external events or changes. Changes to the Policy will be recommended by Acorn initiatives Finance Committee t o the Board of Trustees.

Page 3

ACORN INITIATIVE

for the Period 1 November 2021 to 31 December 2022

Report of the Trustees

FUTURE PLANS

The initiative has drawn out plans with certain time frames ranging from 2 to 3 and 5 years encompassing all her charity activities and services to IDPs both in the UK and Nigeria.

WASH . Building over 9 -12 boreholes and over 42 latrines in the next 2 years in over 7 communities in addition to offering proper hygiene and sanitation awareness programs to IDPs on how to maintain proper health and sanitation efforts in both the camps and communities.

Skills Toolbox : Training and empowerment of over 7000 women and dependents on various skills and crafts development wi th the necessary sustainability guidelines in place within the period of 2-3 years. Health in a Box: ACORN seeks to build 5 mobile health units in sheltered camps within 2 years in order to assist the health crisis in camps site.

Migration: ACORN intends to provide systematic approach with the local communities in the UK where migrant's families will have the opportunity to continue to network together either utilizing online web facilities or brick & mortar to learn, integrate, assist each other during homework classes periodically, hence strengthen diversity, culture and also social independence.

Library in a Box : ACORN wishes to build 2 schools dedicated to IDPs to serve whilst leaving within the communities, alongside pay tu ition and provide scholarship for over 5,000 orphans in 3 years

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The chanty is controlled by its governing document, a constitution, and constitutes a charitable incorporated organisation, company number CE018988. a charity registered as a body corporate under part 11 of the Charities Act 2011

Organisational structure

ACORN initiative has a generic structure of nonprofit organizations which comprises of a Board of Trustees, Advisors, Administrative, Program, and Communication Managers. Underneath the managerial cadres are assistants and other members of staffs who volunteer in different capacities.

Our organizational structure is modelled to make everyone get involved in the process of serving the core mission of the organization as it positions everyone to be a field staff during our outreaches. We have a total of 3 international staff (UK) trustees, and 10 Domestic staff (Nigeria) including over 134 volunteers.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number

1185516

Principal address

21 Shackleton Close Ash Vale Aldershot Hampshire GU12 5SB

Trustees

A J Igoche Mrs L E Igoche Ms S Saduwa

Page 4

ACORN INITIATIVE

for the Period 1 November 2021 to 31 December 2022

Report of the Trustees

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Independent Examiner

Mary E Ryan Ark Accountancy Chartered Certified Accountant 31 Cheam Road Epsom Surrey KT17 1QX

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 24 October 2023 and signed on its behalf by:

A J Igoche - Trustee

Page 5

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of ACORN INITIATIVE

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of ACORN INITIATIVE

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of ACORN INITIATIVE (the Trust) for the period 1 November 2021 to 31 December 2022.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Mary E Ryan

Ark Accountancy Chartered Certified Accountant 31 Cheam Road Epsom Surrey KT17 1QX

25 October 2023

Page 6

ACORN INITIATIVE

for the Period 1 November 2021 to 31 December 2022

Statement of Financial Activities

Period
1.11.21
to Year Ended
31.12.22 31.10.21
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
fund funds funds funds
Notes £ £ £ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies 2 1,732 - 1,732 3,328
Charitable activities
Education 1,000 2,000 3,000 -
Skills - 3,818 3,818 -
Total 2,732 5,818 8,550 3,328
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Borehole - - - 3,120
WASH
- - - 10,170
Camps - - - 103
Support costs 605 - 605 569
Education 200 500 700 -
Skills - 3,950 3,950 -
Total 805 4,450 5,255 13,962
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) 1,927 1,368 3,295 (10,634)
Transfers between funds 10 (8,203) 8,203 - -
Net movement in funds (6,276) 9,571 3,295 (10,634)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward 501 (7,253) (6,752) 3,882
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD (5,775) 2,318 (3,457) (6,752)

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 7

ACORN INITIATIVE

Balance Sheet

31 December 2022

31.12.22 31.10.21
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
fund funds funds funds
Notes £ £ £ £
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors 6 140 - 140 140
Cash at bank - 4,373 4,373 861
140 4,373 4,513 1,001
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year 7 (2,774) (2,055) (4,829) (2,270)
NET CURRENT ASSETS/(LIABILITIES) (2,634) 2,318 (316) (1,269)
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES (2,634) 2,318 (316) (1,269)
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due after more than one year 8 (3,141) - (3,141) (5,483)
NET ASSETS/(LIABILITIES) (5,775) 2,318 (3,457) (6,752)
FUNDS 10
Unrestricted funds (5,775) 501
Restricted funds 2,318 (7,253)
TOTAL FUNDS (3,457) (6,752)

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 24 October 2023 and were signed on its behalf by:

A J Igoche - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 8

ACORN INITIATIVE

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Period 1 November 2021 to 31 December 2022

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end date are noted as a commitment but not accrued as expenditure.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
Period
1.11.21
to Year Ended
31.12.22 31.10.21
£ £
Donations 1,732 3,328

continued...

Page 9

ACORN INITIATIVE

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Period 1 November 2021 to 31 December 2022

3. GRANTS PAYABLE

Period
1.11.21
to Year Ended
31.12.22 31.10.21
£ £
Education 200 -
The total grants paid to institutions during the period was as follows:
Period
1.11.21
to Year Ended
31.12.22 31.10.21
£ £
St Mary's Church, Ash Vale 200 -

4. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the period ended 31 December 2022 nor for the year ended 31 October 2021.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the period ended 31 December 2022 nor for the year ended 31 October 2021.

5.

COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted
Restricted
fund
funds
£
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
3,328
-
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Borehole
-
3,120
WASH
-
10,170
Camps
-
103
Support costs
569
-
Total
569
13,393
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
2,759
(13,393)
Transfers between funds
(3,070)
3,070
Net movement in funds
(311)
(10,323)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
812
3,070
Total
funds
£
3,328
3,120
10,170
103
569
13,962
(10,634)
-
(10,634)
3,882

continued...

Page 10

ACORN INITIATIVE

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Period 1 November 2021 to 31 December 2022

5. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued
Unrestricted Restricted Total
fund funds funds
£ £ £
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 501 (7,253) (6,752)
6. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
31.12.22 31.10.21
£ £
Trade debtors 140 -
Other debtors - 140
140 140
7. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
31.12.22 31.10.21
£ £
Bank loans and overdrafts (see note 9) 2,274 -
Other creditors 2,555 2,270
4,829 2,270
8. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR
31.12.22 31.10.21
£ £
Other creditors 3,141 5,483
9. LOANS
An analysis of the maturity of loans is given below:
31.12.22 31.10.21
£ £
Amounts falling due within one year on demand:
Bank overdrafts 2,274 -
Other loans 2,055 1,770
4,329 1,770
Amounts falling between one and two years:
Other loans - 1-2 years 2,055 1,752
Amounts falling due between two and five years:
Other loans - 2-5 years 1,086 3,731

continued...

Page 11

ACORN INITIATIVE

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Period 1 November 2021 to 31 December 2022

10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Net Transfers
At movement between At
1.11.21 in funds funds 31.12.22
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 501 1,927 (8,203) (5,775)
Restricted funds
Honey Farm - Skill Tool box
entrepreneurial project (7,253) - 7,253 -
Gilchrist Educational Trust - 500 - 500
Souter Charitable Trust - (950) 950 -
Allan& Nesta Ferguson Trust - 818 - 818
Tesco - 1,000 - 1,000
(7,253) 1,368 8,203 2,318
TOTAL FUNDS (6,752) 3,295 - (3,457)
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming Resources Movement
resources expended in funds
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 2,732 (805) 1,927
Restricted funds
Gilchrist Educational Trust 1,000 (500) 500
Souter Charitable Trust 3,000 (3,950) (950)
Allan& Nesta Ferguson Trust 818 - 818
Tesco 1,000 - 1,000
5,818 (4,450) 1,368
TOTAL FUNDS 8,550 (5,255) 3,295

continued...

Page 12

ACORN INITIATIVE

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Period 1 November 2021 to 31 December 2022

10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparatives for movement in funds

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
The Waterloo Foundation
Honey Farm - Skill Tool box
entrepreneurial project
Wash in Benue
Kenya project
TOTAL FUNDS
Net
Transfers
At
movement
between
At
1.11.20
in funds
funds
31.10.21
£
£
£
£
812
2,759
(3,070)
501
1,052
-
(1,052)
-
-
-
(7,253)
(7,253)
2,018
(12,093)
10,075
-
-
(1,300)
1,300
-
3,070
(13,393)
3,070
(7,253)
3,882
(10,634)
-
(6,752)

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming Resources Movement
resources expended in funds
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 3,328 (569) 2,759
Restricted funds
Wash in Benue - (12,093) (12,093)
Kenya project - (1,300) (1,300)
- (13,393) (13,393)
TOTAL FUNDS 3,328 (13,962) (10,634)

11. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the period ended 31 December 2022.

Page 13

ACORN INITIATIVE

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Period 1 November 2021 to 31 December 2022

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
for the Period 1 November 2021 to 31 December 2022
Period
1.11.21
to Year En ded
31.12.22 31.10.21
£ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Donations and legacies
Donations 1,732 3,328
Charitable activities
Grants 6,818 -
Total incoming resources 8,550 3,328
EXPENDITURE
Charitable activities
Borehole - 3,120
Camps costs - 103
Other project costs 4,450 10,170
Grants to institutions 200 -
4,650 13,393
Support costs
Finance
Bank charges 105 69
Governance costs
Accountancy and legal fees 500 500
Total resources expended 5,255 13,962
Net income/(expenditure) 3,295 (10,634)

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 14