## **The Vine Branch Charity (TVBC)**
## **Trustees Annual Report**
**29th September 2022 - 31st March 2023**
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## **TRUSTEES FOREWORD**
Welcome to The Vine Branch Charity (TVBC)’s first Annual Report covering the inception period 29[th] September 2022 to 31[st] March 2023.
## **The Vine Branch Charity (TVBC)**
## **Trustees**
_Nicholas John Burn_ _**Chairman**_
_Lovemore Sisimayi_ _**Trustee**_
This annual report provides details of the activity that the charity has been able to perform in its first six months of existence as well as referring to scoping studies which took place in Uganda prior to the official registration process.
Up to the end of March 2023, and despite numerous applications to a variety of donors, TVBC has not yet been able to secure any significant funds, which would allow foundational activities to be carried out. We intend to continue to pursue opportunities as they arise.
_Nicholas John Burn_
## **Board of Trustees Chairman**
_Terence Farayi Mutsambiwa_ _**Trustee**_
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## **Areas of Operation**
## **List of regions**
Uganda Zambia Haiti Republic of South Sudan Zimbabwe Peru Zambia Malawi Bangladesh Warwickshire – United Kingdom
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## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT 29[th] September 2022 – 31st March 2023**
## _**Charity details**_
**Charity name:**
The Vine Branch Charity (TVBC)
**Registered charity number:** 1200516
C/O 27 Perkins Grove, Rugby, **Charity address:** Warwickshire, CV21 4HU
**Trustees: (See page 2 above)**
## _**Structure, Governance and Management:**_
**Governing document:** Constitution
**How is the charity** Constitution adopted 7th July, 2022 **constituted?**
**Trustee selection method:**
By resolution of the Trustees
## _**Objectives and Activities:**_
## **Vision of the charity:**
_is a world free of poverty and injustice in which people live a decent and fulfilling life._
_._
## **Our Purpose:**
_is the prevention or relief of poverty anywhere in the world, by helping people in need with items and services that enable them to live a purpose-driven, fruitful life, in_
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_harmony with others and the environment, in which their needs and expectations are met._
_Since the problems giving rise to poverty and injustice are multi-dimensional and cumulative, the organisation will achieve its purpose by following these specific objectives to prevent or relieve poverty anywhere in the world for the public benefit of people in poverty:_
- _The dissemination of information and adaptation of systems in relation to climate change_
- _The advancement of environmental protection and improvement_
- _The promotion of sustainable development and biodiversity_
- _The relief of poverty for all, including those vulnerable by reason of family circumstance, age, ill-health, disability, financial or other disadvantage_
- _Access to education_
- _Improved health care_
- _Use of technology to improve livelihoods_
- _The moral, emotional and spiritual welfare of individuals and communities_
- _The advancement of such charitable purposes (according to the law of England and Wales) as the Trustees see fit_
## **Methodological Approach:**
_Individuals and communities understand best the challenges they face in life and the steps need to achieve their desires and aspirations. We will identify disadvantaged communities and individuals, observe and listen to their struggles and then work together with them to achieve their dreams, beginning with developing a clear vision and making sound plans. We aim for local solutions, supported, where relevant, by cross-regional learning and global approaches. In keeping with the teachings of Jesus Christ to love God and our neighbour, we are non-discriminative, openminded, and compassionate, and our aim is to help all regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity, relationship status or age._
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## _**Summary of Main Achievements During Year 2022 - 2023:**_
## **Uganda Scoping Study**
Alex Mugova, our Trustee Adviser and international development consultant based in Zambia, identified Uganda as our first country of operation. Through his networks in East Africa and knowledge of the region, Alex helped the charity recruit a local Ugandan consultant who spearheaded the scoping study that identified our two flagship projects namely:
_1. Strengthening access to water and household food security, and enhancing resilience to climate change in Lira and Omoro districts_
_2. and Supporting the commercialization of smallholder agriculture in Lira and Omoro districts_
Since this work was sponsored by the founding Trustee using his own pocket money in February 2022, i.e. before registration of the charity, the amount involved has not been included in the charity Accounts covering this reporting period 29[th] September, 2022 to 31[st] March 2023.
## **Charity Registration**
The charity was officially registered by the Charity Commission of England and Wales with charity registration number 1200516 on 29[th] September, 2022. This followed a period of several months of recruitment of suitable Trustees.
## **Bank Account Opening**
Following charity registration, Trustees had bank account opening as their next major priority. A bank account with Lloyds Bank was eventually opened in late December 2022.
## **Project Design and Fundraising**
The remaining 3 months of the reporting period under consideration were spent on designing and developing project proposals for submission to UK Trusts and Foundations and members of the public. Unfortunately, the charity has not been able to attract significant funding but only £200 from the public. The main challenge has been the traditional chicken and egg conundrum. How can a new start up get funding
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to implement projects and demonstrate its capability without a track record and how can the charity have a track record to demonstrate its capability without funding?
On the ground, however, we have identified very strong partners namely, WET Consulting Pvt Ltd, to help us with the bore hole drilling aspects of our projects.
## **Trustees’ recruitment and Board meetings**
The affairs of the charity are governed by Trustees, who are recruited from members of the public. New Trustees are introduced to their role and responsibilities by the Chairman at which time relevant Charity Commission literature is issued together with copies of The Vine Branch Charity (TVBC’s) Constitution.
As and when available, Trustees attend recommended trainings or meetings offered by the Charity Commission.
The Trustees hold Board Meetings generally on a quarterly basis and as and when necessary to discuss the charity’s policy, financial and operational matters.
## **Future Plans and Vision**
We believe TVBC’s Trustees are well experienced and that the two main projects we are currently fundraising for are viable. We therefore think it’s just a matter of time for us to find a funder or philanthropist willing to believe in our potential and sponsor us.
## **Finances**
## **Reserves Policy**
According to the Charity Commission’s Charity **Financial Reserves Guidance Notes (10[th] May, 2013), “** _**by law, a charity must spend income it receives within a reasonable period of time unless there’s a good reason not to”**_ **.** In accordance with this, The Vine Branch Chrity (TVBC) will maintain its reserves at a level to cover 6 months’ core running expenses _of the previous year._ Any surplus reserves held over this amount will be utilised on other charitable activities and projects to be decided by TVBC Trustees and in line with the charity’s objects.
## **Public benefit**
In order to ensure that our work is for the benefit of the public, all new work is preceded by scoping and feasibility studies guided by the Vision, Purpose and Mission of TVBC in any particular location.
This covers: 1) Informal consultations with local experts, other charities, local communities and literature review of World Bank, United Nations and
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other international organisations' human development indicator reports, Country and National Development Strategies including District and local development plans of the countries we plan to operate in, leading to identification of potential areas of operation with people in need. 2) Once an area with people in need has been identified, introductions of the organisation to local authorities and communities is then made 3) Field surveys with specific objectives, outcomes, activities and budget are then carried out. We do not impose projects or solutions on people we work with. Instead, we believe that individuals and communities understand best the challenges they face in life and the steps needed to achieve their desires and aspirations. We will identify those disadvantaged communities and individuals, observe and listen to their struggles and then work together with them to achieve their dreams, beginning with developing a clear vision of what they want to achieve and making sound plans of delivering the solution. We aim for local solutions, supported, where relevant, by crossregional learning and global approaches.
In keeping with the teachings of Jesus Christ to love God and our neighbour, we are non-discriminative, open-minded, and compassionate, and our aim is to help all regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity, relationship status or age.
The two flagship projects mentioned above were developed using the above approach. The entire project design process was led by the communities themselves and local leadership and experts. The projects clearly show how everyone involved will benefit irrespective of gender, creed, religion, culture, etc.
In discharging their duties, Trustees believe that they have complied with the Charity Commission’s Trustee guidance notes entitled _**“New Welcome Pack for Charity Trustees”**_ updated May 2018.
## **Declaration**
The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees report above.
## **Signed on behalf of The Vine Branch Charity (TVBC) Trustees:**
**Full name:** _Nicholas John Burn_
**Position:** _Chairman_
**Signature and Date:**
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## **The Vine Branch Charit TVBC ’s Financial Re ort y ( ) p**
## **CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL REPORT SUMMARY 29[th] September 2022 to March 2023**
|||||**31 March 2023**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||£|
||||||
||**INCOMING RESOURCES**|**Unrestricted Income**|**Restricted Income**|**Total**|
||||||
||Voluntary Income|£200|£0.00|£200|
||HMRC Rebate|£0|£0.00|£0|
||||||
||**Total incoming resources**|**£200**|**£0**|**£200**|
||||||
||**RESOURCES EXPENDED**|**Unrestricted**
**Expenditure**|**Restricted Expenditure**||
||||||
||Charitable activities|£0|£0|£0|
||Fundraising Regular Fees|£50|£0|£50|
||Governance|£0|£0|£0|
||Financial charges|£7|£0|£7|
||Other–purchase of computer|£84|£0|£84|
||**Total resources expended**|**£141**|**£0**|**£141**|
||||||
||**EXCESS OF INCOME OVER**
**EXPENDITURE**|**£59**|**£0**|**£59**|
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|**Balance brought forward**|**£0**|**£0**|**£0**|
|---|---|---|---|
|||||
|**BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD**|**£59**|**£0**|**£59**|
|||||
|**Balance as per statements**|**£59**|**£0**|**£59**|
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## **The Vine Branch Charity (TVBC)**
C/O 27 Perkins Grove Rugby Warwickshire CV21 4HU
**Tele:** 07944843858
**E-mail:** info@thevinebranchcharity.org
_**The Vine Branch Charity (TVBC) Registered Charity No.1200516**_
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