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2023-03-31-accounts

DORCAS al-Repo Help End FG_M

Contents

Report of the Trustees Incorporatng

Summary of Objectves		 Page 1

Chief Executve Ofcer’s Report		 Page 2

What is FGM		 Page 3

Achievements and Performance		 Page 4 -6

Plans for The Future		 Page 7
.
Financial Review Page 7
Structure, Governance and Management Page 8-9

Promotng DORCAS		 Page 10

Legal and Administratve Informaton		 Page 11
Annual Accounts Incorporatng

Independent Examiner’s Report		 Page 12

Receipts and Payment Account		 Page 13

Statement of Assets and Liabilites		 Page 14

Notes to the Accounts		 Page 15-16

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.

Meet The DORCAS Team

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 2023. The financial statements comply with both the Charity’s Constitution and the Charities Act 2011.

Summary of Objectives

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

The latest quarterly statistics provided by the NHS reported there were 1,785 individual women and girls who had an attendance where FGM was identified in the period October 2022 - December 2022. These accounted for 3,100 attendances reported at NHS trusts and GP practices where FGM was identified. Please note this does not include unreported cases. This figure has increased since the previous quarterly statistics and continues to follow that trend; Understandably why FGM costs the NHS 100 million pounds a year.

This year DORCAS has blossomed… We have linked in and worked collaboratively with many statutory and voluntary agencies throughout Birmingham and The Black County. We have received support from Sandwell, Dudley, Birmingham and Wolverhampton Councils to deliver our services in the local communities.

This year we have accomplished far more than we could have ever dreamed we would achieve. With the UK having such a high prevalence, DORCAS is now one of the lead FGM charities in the West Midlands who not only offer support to survivors but raise awareness and provide training. We stand proud that we have held to our aims and objectives, by placing the wellbeing of survivors and those at risk of FGM at the forefront of all of our services. The total number of attendees across all of our services: Parent Consultations, Accredited Training, FGM delivery for students and My Body Belongs to Me equals 8335!

Voices of survivors, children and young people have been and will continue to be used to develop the services further. Working with both male and female community groups and educating them about the dangers of FGM. The Black Country and Birmingham area are culturally diverse and have a high prevalence of FGM, so by reaching out and engaging various community groups and educating them about such abuse, has helped strengthen community cohesion, breakdown barriers, unite social groups and most importantly raise awareness about the serious health complications of FGM.

We work with women’s health groups and discuss topics such as cervical cancer and breast screening, that allow us to open the doors of conversation and awareness to FGM. We target areas and community groups where FGM is prevalent. We provide advocacy and signpost to partnership agencies for complex health cases and also provide court support to obtain protective orders.

The services we deliver have been so successfully received throughout the Birmingham and Black Country area, that we are now in the process of working towards duplicating our services to Leicestershire.

Small charities often get overlooked for funding, but with the support of the generous funders who have supported us, DORCAS has been able to develop and deliver high quality services. FGM is a hidden crime and affects so many lives and this funding has enabled us to support those who are vulnerable.

On behalf of DORCAS, I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the partnership agencies and funders for all of their support, in helping us to continue to raise awareness about FGM, protect those at risk and support survivors, as we believe together, we can end FGM!

Tessa Clarke, Chief Executive Officer

2

What is FGM

is the par al or

ale genitalia for ne

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a procedure where the female genitals are deliberately cut, injured or changed, but there's no medical reason for this to be done. It's also known as female circumcision or cutting, and by other terms, such as Sunna, gudniin, halalays, tahur, megrez and khitan, among others.

Instruments such as a knife, scalpel, scissors, glass or a razor blade are commonly used. Children are rarely given anaesthetic 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. FGM is not based on religion but on cultural tradition, which is passed down from generation to generation for decades.

Consequences of FGM

The effects of FGM in Children - excessive bleeding are common consequences of the procedures, both of which can be deadly. Death can occur as a direct result of being cut. These deaths can be caused by a range of complications, including haemorrhage, contracting septicaemia, tetanus, or HIV, due to unsterilised tools. A girl will also experience shock, fear, pain and trauma. After undergoing FGM, a girl can experience difficulty in passing urine and difficulties with menstruation, because her urethra and/or vaginal opening may have been blocked through FGM. This can lead to chronic urinary infections and chronic pelvic inflammation. They may also suffer from cysts, abscesses and ulcers after being cut. Young girls who are subjected to FGM may also suffer educationally. Health problems resulting from FGM can cause them to miss school/college/university, leading to poor achievements, which will economically disadvantage them later in their lives. FGM is also often a precursor to child marriage.

The effect on women adults - With FGM, sex can be painful and traumatic. Women and girls who have undergone infibulation (narrowing the vaginal opening). This will often have to be re-cut to have sex or may experience forced penetration. It is not only the first time that is painful. For many women, scar tissue will continue to cause pain during sex throughout their lifetimes, whilst their partners may also experience pain and trauma during sex. After a girl/young woman is cut, there can be an increased risk of infertility, which within some communities may cause her to be abandoned by her husband. FGM has a direct impact on maternal and infant mortality. Women who have undergone FGM Type 3 are 70% more likely to suffer haemorrhage through giving birth. They are twice as likely to die in childbirth and have a higher likelihood of stillbirth due to obstructed labour. Women who have undergone FGM Type 3 are also more likely to experience other complications including obstetric fistula, foetal asphyxia, and perineal tears.

It is estimated that more than200 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM worldwide, with the majority of children cut before the age of 5.

Bottom line FGM is abuse!

3

Achievements, Performance and Services

By supporting community groups and educating them about the dangers of FGM, we have been able to dispel myths and create a better understanding for those groups who practice FGM. Over time our hope is that 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; challenging the misconceptions that is attached 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, impacting on their lives and the next generations.

FGM awareness programme - Primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities.

The programme enables preventative methods to be implemented at the earliest stage possible. Offer protection, counselling and support to identified young girls at risk from FGM. Help and support them to reach their fullest potential, not just in school but later in life when they reach womanhood. Creative arts and awareness gives them the confidence and empowers them to change their own cultural traditions, not just for themselves but their children. By understanding that all forms of abuse are not just wrong but extremely harmful, with devastating long-lasting effects. It will educate children and young people about the dangers of FGM.

We create opportunities for conversations, empowering children and young people to challenge these deep-rooted traditions that are based on fear and suppression. They gain the courage to say no to FGM and feel they have strong support across their community in tackling this abuse. After one of our FGM awareness sessions in a secondary school, a girl came forward and disclosed that after hearing the session, she believed her families plan of having this practice done to her. Emergency protective orders were but in place to safeguard the child, as her fear turned out to be correct. By educating young people will help break the cycle of generational abuse.

4

Counselling and one to one support

Our counsellors provide therapeutic services to survivors of FGM, who live within our geographical area. We offer: Trauma therapy, CBT, EMDR, psychosexual therapy, relationship issues, mindfulness, hypnotherapy, person centred and group therapy. The counsellor will work alongside a support worker, who will offer continued support throughout the duration of counselling.

One to one emotional and practical support is also available to survivors, those at risk and their families. This year we were able to apply for and be granted our first Female Genital Mutilation Protective Order through the Birmingham Family Court. We were also instrumental in another order being granted to protect a young school girl being taken out of the country for the sole purpose of carrying out FGM on her.

Community Cohesion/Outreach/Awareness

This creates strong community partnership working. Encourage multi faith groups working together and united, instead of seclusion/exclusion. Community members being supported and understand where and how to access support. DORCAS has now become known within the community and FGM awareness continues to be raised. We work with many community and faith groups and even hold certain events for the men, as we believe they too should be educated and be part of the fight against ending FGM.

Voices of survivors, children and young people have been and will continue to be used to develop the services further. Working with both male and female community groups and educating them about the dangers of FGM. The Black Country and Birmingham area are culturally diverse and have a high prevalence of FGM, so by reaching out and engaging various community groups and educating them about such abuse, has helped strengthen community cohesion, breakdown barriers, unite social groups and most importantly raise awareness about the serious health complications of FGM.

We work with women’s health groups and discuss topics such as cervical cancer and breast screening, that allow us to open the doors of conversation and awareness to FGM. We target areas and community groups where FGM is prevalent. We provide advocacy and signpost to partnership agencies for complex health cases and also provide court support to obtain protective orders.

We received the grant at the start of our journey and have accomplished far more than we ever dreamed we could achieve. With the UK having such a high prevalence, DORCAS is now one of the lead FGM charities in the West Midlands who not only offer support to survivors, but raise awareness and provide training.

We are proud that with the support of funders and partnership agencies, the services we offer have been so successfully received and delivered throughout the Birmingham and Black Country.

Professionals Training Course:

We also deliver CPD accredited training to professionals. It provides the learner with valuable cultural insight to the practice of FGM as well as practical knowledge, which can support them in their professional role to protect those at risk.

5

My Body Belongs to Me

We understand that FGM cannot be taught to young children, so we created ‘My Body Belongs To Me’, which is a fun interactive programme aimed at early years and teaches them the importance about keeping their bodies safe, protected and that their privates are private, like precious jewels.

Prior to any of our sessions with the children, we support schools by delivering parent consultations. This enables parents to meet the DORCAS team, learn about FGM, have an opportunity to see the material we will be delivering and ask any consultation questions.

Below are some posters created by local schools where we have delivered our FGM awareness programme and My Body Belongs to Me sessions.

6

Plans for The Future

We are excited about what the future holds for DORCAS. As we continue our work in the community, we are developing new projects, such as our: awesome Men Against FGM campaign and our Women's Well-being programme, which incorporates a fantastic Zumba session by our qualified Health & Fitness Co-ordinator.

2023/24 will see the launch of our DORCAS Leicestershire services, as we continue to branch out nationally. It is our goal to be in every major city where FGM has a prevalence and there no services.

For us, partnership working is key and we will continue to work with other voluntary and statutory agencies, as Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility!

Our focus will always remain on those who are who are at risk of, or who have been subjected to FGM. Placing their wellbeing at the forefront of all of our services and ensuring they are supported, given a voice and choice.

Together we can End FGM!

Financial Review

We have had a remarkable first full year and have been privileged to have been awarded funding from the following organisation; without their support our charity would not be able to provide the support we do.

The total receipts received during this year was £31,982, payments were £47,870. All of these transactions were restricted.

Since the year end we have already been blessed with £85,820 of which £16,000 is unrestricted. As we continue to raise awareness, more supporters and funders join our fight against FGM.

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 2022-23, the charity reserves were £ £5,577. Broken down £482 of these reserves were unrestricted, and £5,095.

7

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.

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.

8

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:

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 7[th] October 2023 and were signed on their behalf by

…………………………………………………… Cyrillia Augustin, 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 year.

9

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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:

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 Cyrillia Augustin (appointed Mar 2023) Treasurer Kayon Bailey (appointed July 2023) 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

11

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF DORCAS

I report on the financial statements of DORCAS for the year ended 31 March 2023 which are set out on pages 13 to 16.

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:

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:

have not been met; or

Bev Richardson M.A.A.T.

Date: 07[th] October 2023

On Behalf of

Charity AID Accountancy Services Woodland Lodge, Dunston Business Village, Stafford Road, Dunston, Staffordshire, ST18 9AB

12

DORCAS

Receipts and Payments Account for the period 1[st] April 2022 – 31[st] March 2023

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
2023
2022
£
£
£
£
0
0
0
100
0
31,982
31,982
22,500
0
0
0
382
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
31,982
31,982
22,982
0
0
0
0
0
1,685
1,685
0
0
32,619
32,619
0
0
13,366
13,366
1,517
0
200
200
0
0
0
0
0
0
47,870
47,870
1,517
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
47,870
47,870
1,517
0
(15,888) (15,888)
21,465
0
0
0
0
482
20,983
21,465
0
482
5,095
5,577
21,465

13

DORCAS

Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31[st] March 2023

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
Unrestricted Restricted Total
CASH FUNDS
Business Current Account 482 5,095 5,577
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 375

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 07[th] October 2023 and were signed on their behalf by

……………………………………………………. ……………………………………………………. Cyrillia Augustin, Chair Kayon Bailey, Treasurer

14

Notes to the Accounts

Unrestricted Restricted 2023 2022
£ £ £ £
1 Donations
Gift Aid Donations 0 0 0 0
Other Donations 0 0 0 100
Gift Aid Inland Revenue 0 0 0 0
Charitable Donations 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 100
2 Charitable Activities
Contracts 0 19,984 19,984 0
Grants 0 11,998 11,998 22,500
0 31,982 31,982 22,500
3 Fundraising
Crowdfunder 0 0 0 382
General Fundraising 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 382
4 Investments
Bank Interest 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
5 Other Income
Miscellaneous 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0

15

Notes to the Accounts continued

6
Raising Funds
Fundraising Costs
7
Charitable Activities
Professional CPD Training
Counselling
Activities
Resources & Materials
Refreshments
8
Staff Costs
Staff
Payroll Services
Sessional Staff
Volunteers
Mobile Phone
Supervision
Travel
Training
DBS
9
Charity Running Costs
Office Rent inc Utilities
Rates
Room Hire
IT & Telephone
Stationery, Printing, Postage
Office Equipment
Insurance
Publicity
Annual Fees
10
Governance
Governance Costs
Independent Examination
Professional Fees
11
Other Payments
Miscellaneous		 Unrestricted
Restricted
2023
2022
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
480
480
0
0
160
160
0
0
0
0
0
0
1,015
1,015
0
0
30
30
0
0
1,685
1,685
0
0
30,834
30,834
0
0
347
347
0
0
792
792
0
0
0
0
0
0
481
481
0
0
0
0
0
0
69
69
0
0
0
0
0
0
96
96
0
0
32,619
32,619
0
0
6,310
6,310
1,265
0
68
68
0
0
418
418
0
0
1,837
1,837
0
0
1,064
1,064
0
0
258
258
219
0
159
159
0
0
3,252
3,252
33
0
0
0
0
0
13,366
13,366
1,517
0
0
0
0
0
200
200
0
0
0
0
0
0
200
200
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

16