DORCAS
Truste,e AArtal Repo
Help End FGM
## **Contents**
|**Report of the Trustees Incorporating**||
|---|---|
|**Summary of Objectives**|**Page 1**|
|**Chief Executive Officer’s Report**|**Page 2**|
|**What is FGM**|**Page 3**|
|**Achievements and Performance**|**Page 4**|
|**FGM Awareness Programme**|**Page 5**|
|**Financial Review**|**Page 6**|
|**Structure, Governance and Management**|**Page 7-8**|
|**Legal and Administrative Information**|**Page 9**|
|**Annual Accounts Incorporating**||
|**Independent Examiner’s Report**|**Page 10**|
|**Receipts and Payment Account**|**Page 11**|
|**Statement of Assets and Liabilities**|**Page 12**|
|**Notes to the Accounts**|**Page 13-14**|
DORCAS (Daughters, Optimistic, Respect, Courage, Assurance & Support) is a registered charity that was created to promote and protect the human rights of girls and women who are at risk of abuse; in particular those who are at risk of or have undergone Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
We aim to raise awareness about FGM and work in collaboration with partnership agencies throughout the West Midlands, to help people who are affected by this practice and ultimately help bring an end to this abhorrent crime.
We take a holistic approach, offering advice and support to those who need it most and place their wellbeing at the front of all our services. We also provide FGM awareness programme to primary and secondary school pupils, parent consultations, CPD accredited training to professionals, counselling, advocacy, emotional and practical support and an under 5’s activity session called My Body Belongs to Me, which teaches younger children the importance of their body being protected and safe.
We have been successful in securing funding for our children’s project, women’s support group and therapeutic services. This enables us to provide a service free of charge to victims. Early this year we moved into our new office which has a designated therapy room, for women to access for counselling and support. The office is based in the Black Country area. This provides a safe space and an accessible location to those, who require support. It is also in a central location for easy access, with free car parking and public transport close by.
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF DORCAS (Daughters, Optimistic, Respect, Courage, Assurance & Support)**
The Charity Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2022. The financial statements comply with both the Charity’s Constitution and the Charities Act 2011.
## **Summary of Objectives**
- (1) To promote, preserve and protect the physical and mental health of girls and women living in the Black Country and Birmingham area, especially by provision of:
- One to one emotional and practical support to women and girls at risk or have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM).
- Advocacy, support and referrals to health services and internal counselling.
- (2) To advance education, provide information and raise awareness of FGM within the community through the provision of:
-
-
-
-
- Training to professionals
- Partnerships working
- Delivery of FGM awareness programme to schools.
- Engaging with faith and cultural groups.
## **Public Benefit**
The trustees have given regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit (Charities and Public Benefit) in the relation to the charitable purpose of the charity. In providing support to women and girls of all ages and from any culture who live within the Black Country and Birmingham area, the trustees believe that the objectives of the charity fall within the remit of ‘for public benefit’.
**1**
## **Chief Executive Officer’s Report**
Covid-19 brought our Nation to a standstill and for many of us the lockdown not only brought heartbreak but many challenges. As we slowly come through what appears to be the end of the pandemic, we do not forget those we have lost, but press forward with a renewed hope that change and unity will now set the precedence. DORCAS was born during the pandemic and overcame many obstacles. This not only strengthen our vision but our purpose, as UNICEF estimated that due to lockdown 4 million cases of FGM will surface by the year 2030.
The Charity was registered 12th April 2021, in response to the need of those who at risk of or have undergone FGM, as there was little to no support available to survivors in the local area. Through consultations, community steering groups and the voices of those with lived experience, we were able to establish the need for our services. Birmingham and the Black Country are culturally diverse and have a high prevalence of FGM practicing communities, but yet, with funding cuts disadvantaged communities were overlooked.
As a team we wanted to put FGM back on the agenda of community leaders and bring this abusive practice to the forefront, so that people are aware of this hidden crime that is affecting many of our community groups. This harmful practice is destroying the lives of so many children and women, who have no choice or voice. DORCAS set out to be that voice! We wanted to establish help to those who are vulnerable and be guided by survivors through their own experiences, to help shape our services. We also wanted to provide access to a safe haven to heal, form friendships, and help those affected to achieve their potential through building a strong sustainable supportive community. This year we have been able to achieve just that. With the doors of DORCAS now open since March 2022, we have created opportunities for conversations, empowering women and men to challenge these deep-rooted traditions that are based on fear and suppression. We are giving women and communities the confidence to say no to FGM and feel they have strong support across their community.
By supporting community groups and educating them about the dangers of FGM, together we will stamp out myths and create a better understanding for those groups who practice FGM. Over time we will start to see an improvement from the impact of FGM on women’s mental and physical health, which will make a lasting difference to their lives. It will also change the dynamics between genders in the community and seek to improve a woman’s ‘value’ in the family, home and community.
On behalf of DORCAS, I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the partnership agencies for all of their help and support, in helping us become a community support service and for given us the extra courage to rise up, as well as keep going, even when doors were unfairly closed. We have already made some strong community links and partnerships with other agencies and local authorities, so our vision is to see our services reach more communities and support those at risk, as we believe together, we can end FGM!
Tessa Clarke, Chief Executive Officer
**2**
## **What is FGM**
Female genital mu la on FGM is the par al or total removal of the e ternal female genitalia for non medical reasons t s also known as female circumcision or cu ng
FGM is often performed by someone with no medical training – usually a family member such as a grandmother or by the community cutter, who is responsible for cutting all females from that local community.
## **Instruments such as a knife, scalpel, scissors, glass or razor blade are used.**
Children are rarely given anesthetic or antiseptic treatment and are often forcibly restrained; meaning that they are awake during the procedure and are held down by family members while they are being cut.
## **The bottom Line - FGM is abuse!**
## **The Government has included it into their statutory definition of domestic abuse.**
Female genital mutilation has no health benefits, but has terrible lasting: physical, psychological, and emotional consequences.
It is estimated that more than 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM worldwide, with the majority of children cut before the age of 5.
**3**
## **Achievements and Performance**
Our services were officially launched in March 2022 after the Covid restrictions were lifted and in just one month, we were delighted to have delivered FGM Awareness raising to 1,000 pupils and linked in with both statutory and voluntary agencies.
We have continued to grow from strength to strength and are currently delivering the below services throughout the Black Country and Birmingham area and are confident that our next year of service will be one of growth, as we have continued to deliver services since we opened our Willenhall offices and have expanded our team to meet the needs of the community.
By working in collaboration with partnership agencies, we are addressing this taboo topic to protect and save lives. Our aim is to challenge the fallacies that are attached to FGM and to those who are persecuted by this practice, to give them a voice, so that they can enjoy community life and access help without feeling stigmatised. Our goal is to tackle FGM head on and reduce the negative impact it has on many lives.
Raising awareness about FGM in educational settings and in the community, will educate about the dangers of FGM, with the view of breaking this tradition. Understanding the health implications of FGM will help families to be fully informed of the risks.
Our target is communities where FGM is still practised. By creating opportunities for survivors to receive support and for communities to be equipped with knowledge, will enable them to not just be better informed about the practice of FGM and the risks it poses, but also it will empower them to act on the information/support and challenge such harmful practices, bringing about a reduction and end to FGM for their own daughter’s and other family members
## **DORCAS Services:**
- ❖ Emotional and practical support to survivors of FGM through our senior practitioner
- ❖ Counselling through an accredited BACP counsellor
- ❖ Advocacy
- ❖ FGM Awareness raising to community groups
- ❖ CPD accredited FGM training to professionals
- ❖ Primary and Secondary school awareness programme
- ❖ FGM women’s health care and advice through our FGM Nurse Specialist
- ❖ Community cohesion and engagement
- ❖ Fun activity session to under 5’s called My Body Belongs to Me
**4**
## **FGM Awareness Programme**
Our schools FGM awareness programme runs alongside each school’s personal, social, health and economic education (PHSE), which is an important part of the children’s national curriculum learning
We explore the issue of FGM in a sensitive and age-appropriate way, helping pupils to understand what FGM is, the impact, identify myths and facts through group engagement/discussions, but most importantly teaching them that FGM is child abuse and how to seek help for themselves or their friends.
With the increase of FGM, schools throughout England and Wales have been encouraged to report concerns regarding FGM. Safeguarding children against FGM is all our responsibility, the key to reducing FGM in the first place is to educate young people about FGM.
Below are some posters produced by young girls through our schools FGM awareness programme.
**5**
## **Financial Review**
We have had a remarkable first year and have been privileged to have been awarded funding from the following organisation; without their support our charity could not have been formed.
- ❖ The National Lottery Community Fund
- ❖ The People’s Postcode Lottery
- ❖ Heart of England Community Foundation
- ❖ The Harry Payne Trust
- ❖ Crowdfunder
- ❖ Royal Bank of Scotland
The total income received during 2021-22 was £22,982. Initially, funding received was a donation from our Royal Bank of Scotland and via our Crowdfunder page. Our first grant of £10,000, was awarded in September 2021 from The National Lottery Community Fund. Other grants following over the next three months including £10,000 from The People’s Postcode Lottery, £2,000 from Birmingham & Black Country Communities Fund, administrated by Heart of England Community Foundation and £200 from The Harry Payne Trust. After locating suitable premises, we moved into our offices in March 2022. Expenditure during 2021-22 was £1,265.
As we have moved into our second financial year, DORCAS has successfully been awarded funding from The Victims Fund, through The West Midlands, Police and Crime Commissioner.
## **Reserves Policy**
The trustees recognise that it is good practice to hold reserves in place for emergencies such as a reduction in funding or the need to increase the delivery of service to meet demand for support. With this is mind, the trustees’ goal is to maintain the equivalent of 6 months expenditure as unrestricted reserves.
To achieve this, the financial strategy is to continually review the charity’s expenditure to ensure funds are used appropriately and economically. In addition, the charity plans to engage in internal and external fundraising activities including securing funds from charitable trusts and foundations.
At the end of 2001-22, the charity reserves were £21,456, £482 of which were unrestricted.
**6**
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
## **Governing Document**
DORCAS is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) based in Willenhall in the West Midlands. It is governed by a constitution and was entered on the Register of Charities by the Charity Commission of England and Wales on 12[th] April 2021.
## **Organisational Structure**
The Trustees delegate the running of the charity to the Chief Executive Officer who is responsible for running the operational aspect of the charity. The charity has a Board of Trustees consisting of at least 4 but no more than 10 individuals. The board consists of a chair, a treasurer, and up to 8 elected trustees. Charity trustees are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the charity.
## **Recruitment and Trustee Induction and Training**
All potential new trustees must complete an application form and are encouraged to read through literature available on the Charity commission website to ensure they are aware of their responsibilities. New trustee are then invited to attend an informal meeting with two trustees who will discuss the following aspects of the organisation and answer any questions arising.
- The role, responsibility and obligations of the charity trustees
- The main documents which set out the operational framework for the charity
- The current financial position as set out in the latest published accounts
- Future plans and objectives of the charity
If appropriate the new trustee will be invited to attend a trustee meeting as a guest in order to gain an understanding of trustee meetings and if all parties are happy to proceed, the new trustee will be formally appointed at the following trustee meeting.
In addition to the above, a copy of the latest Trustee Annual Report is given to anew trustees along with a charity trustee role description, a copy of the constitution, the Charity Commission’s Trustee Handbook, the charity’s main policy documents and the latest financial statement. Where appropriate and required, training for trustees is provided.
## **Risk Management**
The trustees monitor and review risk during the course of the year. A risk register is maintained describing the major risks to which the charity may be exposed and outlining the systems that have been established to help mitigate any identified risks. The main risks to the charity are lack of adequate funding, health and safety and safeguarding.
To help reduce these risks, a reserves policy is in place as well as health and safety procedures to ensure compliance with Health and Safety for all visitors to the charity offices. Disclosure and Barring checks are made on all staff and potential new volunteers where appropriate prior to them supporting service users. General Data Protection Regulations, Safeguarding Adults and Child Protection and Prevent policies are all adhered to.
**7**
## **Responsibilities of the Trustees**
The charity must hold a minimum of 6 meetings a year and there must be a quorum of 3 elected trustees at each meeting.
Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its financial position at the end of that year. In preparing these financial statements the Trustees are required to:
- Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
- Make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
- State whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- Prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is appropriate to presume that the charity will not continue in existence.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charity (Accounts Reports) Regulations 2008. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
**The Trustee Annual Report was approved by the Board of Trustees on the 14[th] October 2022 and were signed on their behalf by**
………………………………………………… … Seema Poleon, Chair
## _**Our behalf of DORCAS, we would like to thank our funders for all of their support and help!**_
_**In addition, the trustees would like to say a massive thank you to all of the staff for their support and hard work during this amazing first year.**_
**8**
## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
DORCAS is a Constitution of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), whose only voting members are its charity trustees.
The Charities Act 2011 creates the basic legal framework for the CIO. This framework is completed by regulations:
- The Charitable ncorporated Organisations General Regulations 2012 ‘General Regulations’ and
- The Charitable Incorporated Organisations (Insolvency and Dissolution) Regulations 2012 ‘Dissolution Regulations’
DORCAS is overseen by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
## **Charity Details:**
Charity Name: DORCAS Daughters, Optimistic, Respect, Courage, Assurance & Support Charity Status: Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered Charity Number: 1194064 Registered Office West Midlands House and Operational Address: Gipsy Lane Willenhall WV13 2HA Telephone or Text: 07462837349 Telephone: 0121 667 9496 Email Address: dorcas@gmx.com Website: www.dorcasuk.com
## **Charity Trustees:**
Chair Seema Poleon (appointed Mar 2021) Treasurer Cyrillia Augustin (appointed Mar 2021) Trustee Nigel Oram (appointed Mar 2021) Trustee Nathalie Neza Bigimbi (appointed Mar 2021)
## **Independent Examiner:**
Bev Richardson M.A.A.T. Charity AID Accountancy Services **,** Woodland Lodge, Dunston Business Village **,** Stafford Road, Dunston **,** Staffordshire **,** ST18 9AB
## **Bank:**
Royal Bank of Scotland 46 – 48 Deansgate Bolton Lancashire BL1 1BH
**9**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF DORCAS**
I report on the financial statements of DORCAS for the year ended 31 March 2022 which are set out on pages 11 to 14
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under Section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 ‘the 2011 Act’ and that an independent e amination is required
It is my responsibility to:
- Examine the accounts under Section 145 of the 2011 Act 2011
- To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under Section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act); and
- To state whether any particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis of independent examiner’s report**
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by 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 you as 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 examiner’s statement**
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
- (1) Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements
- To keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
- To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
have not been met; or
- (2) To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Bev Richardson M.A.A.T.
Date: 14[th ] October 2022
On Behalf of Charity AID Accountancy Services Woodland Lodge, Dunston Business Village, Stafford Road, Dunston, Staffordshire, ST18 9AB
**10**
## **DORCAS**
## **Receipts and Payments Account for the period 12[th] April 2021 – 31[st] March 2022**
|**Note**
**RECEIPTS**
Donations
1
Charitable Activities
2
Fundraising
3
Investments
4
Other Receipts
5
**TOTAL RECEIPTS**
**PAYMENTS**
Raising Funds
6
Charitable Activities
7
Staff Costs
8
Charity Running Costs
9
Governance
10
Other Payments
11
**ASSETS & INVESTMENTS**
Fixed Assets
Investment
**TOTAL PAYMENTS**
**Net incoming resources**
**Transfer between funds**
**Cash funds from last year**
**TOTAL CASH FUNDS**|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**2022**
**2021**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
100
0
100
0
0
22,500
22,500
0
382
0
382
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0|
|---|---|
||**482**
**22,500**
**22,982**
**0**|
||0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1,517
1,517
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0|
||**0**
**1,517**
**1,517**
**0**|
||0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0|
||**0**
**0**
**0**
**0**
**0**
**1,517**
**1,517**
**0**|
|||
||**482**
**20,983**
**21,465**
**0**|
|||
||**0**
**0**
**0**
**0**|
||0
0
0
0|
||**482**
**20,983**
**21,465**
**0**|
**11**
## **DORCAS**
## **Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31[st] March 2022**
|**ASSETS AND LIABILITIES**||||
|---|---|---|---|
||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Total**|
|**CASH FUNDS**||||
|Business Current Account|482|20,983|21,465|
|**OTHER MONETARY ASSETS**|0|0|0|
|**INVESTMENT ASSETS**|0|0|0|
|**ASSETS RETAINED FOR THE**||||
|**CHARITY'S OWN USE**||||
|The Charity does not currently own any assets of monetary value||||
|**LIABILITIES**||
|---|---|
|Independent Examination|200|
**The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 14[th] October 2022 and were signed on their behalf by**
………………………………………………… … ……………………………………………… Seema Poleon, Chair Cyrillia Augustin, Treasurer
**12**
## **Notes to the Accounts**
|**1**
**Donations**
Gift Aid Donations
Other Donations
Gift Aid Inland Revenue
Charitable Donations
**2**
**Charitable Activities**
Contracts
Grants
**3**
**Fundraising**
Crowdfunder
General Fundraising
**4**
**Investments**
Bank Interest
**5**
**Other Income**
Miscellaneous|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**2022**
**2021**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
0
0
0
0
100
0
100
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0|
|---|---|
||**100**
**0**
**100**
**0**|
||0
0
0
0
0
22,500
22,500
0|
||**0**
**22,500**
**22,500**
**0**|
||382
0
382
0
0
0
0
0|
||**382**
**0**
**382**
**0**|
||0
0
0
0|
||**0**
**0**
**0**
**0**|
||0
0
0
0|
||**0**
**0**
**0**
**0**|
**13**
## **Notes to the Accounts continued**
|**6**
**Raising Funds**
Fundraising Costs
Community Events
**7**
**Charitable Activities**
Counselling
Activities
Resources
Materials
Refreshments
**8**
**Staff Costs**
Sessional Staff
Volunteers
Mobile Phone
Supervision
Travel
Training
DBS
**9**
**Charity Running Costs**
Office Rent
Office Utilities
Room Hire
IT & Telephone
Stationery, Printing, Postage
Office Equip
Insurance
Health & Safety
Publicity
Annual Fees
**10**
**Governance**
Governance Costs
Independent Examination
Professional Fees
**11**
**Other Payments**
Miscellaneous|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**2022**
**2021**
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0|
|---|---|
||**0**
**0**
**0**
**0**|
||0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0|
||**0**
**0**
**0**
**0**|
||0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0|
||**0**
**0**
**0**
**0**|
||0
1,265
1,265
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
219
219
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
33
33
0
0
0
0
0|
||**0**
**1,517**
**1,517**
**0**|
||0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0|
||**0**
**0**
**0**
**0**|
||0
0
0
0|
||**0**
**0**
**0**
**0**|
**14**