## **The Vine Branch Charity (TVBC)** ## **Trustees Annual Report** **1[st] April 2023 - 31st March 2024** _Page_ 1 ## **TRUSTEES FOREWORD** Welcome to The Vine Branch Charity (TVBC)’s second Annual Report covering the inception period 1[st] April 2023 to 31[st] March 2024. Throughout this year, our primary focus has been on consistently **The Vine** submitting applications to various institutional donors in order to kickstart the organisation's activities. Regrettably, like many new **Branch Charity** ventures, we have not received any donations. This is primarily due to **(TVBC)** the fact that the Trustees are not personally known, the organisation lacks recognition, and without financial support, we are unable to carry out the impactful projects we have planned with our partners in the field. **Trustees** The absence of tangible progress on the ground has made potential funders hesitant to invest in an organisation and individuals lacking in _Nicholas John Burn_ proven experience. This situation presents a classic dilemma. _**Chairman**_ ## **The Vine Branch Charity (TVBC)** ## **Trustees** Nonetheless, we maintain optimism that by persistently seizing _Lovemore Sisimayi_ opportunities as they arise, we will eventually achieve a breakthrough. _**Trustee**_ _Nicholas John Burn_ _Terence Farayi Mutsambiwa_ **Board of Trustees Chairman** _**Trustee**_ _Page_ 2 ## **Areas of Operation** ## **List of regions** Uganda Zambia Haiti Republic of South Sudan Zimbabwe Peru Zambia Malawi Bangladesh Warwickshire – United Kingdom _Page_ 3 ## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT 1[st] April 2023 – 31st March 2024** ## _**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_ _Page_ 4 _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._ _Page_ 5 ## _**Summary of Main Achievements During Year 2023 - 2024:**_ ## **Fundraising** Numerous applications were sent to Trusts and Foundations in the UK, all centred around our two main projects that were identified through a scoping study and developed in collaboration with local communities in Uganda. These include: _1. Strengthening access to water and household food security, and enhancing resilience to climate change in Lira and Omoro districts_ _2. and Supporting the commercialisation of smallholder agriculture in Lira and Omoro districts_ Regrettably, none of the donors have shown faith in us without concrete on-theground experience. However, both we and our field partners at WET Consulting Ltd are optimistic about receiving a £200,000 donation to help launch TVBC's operations. ## **Trustees’ recruitment and Board meetings** The charity's operations are overseen by Trustees, who are selected from the general public. Upon joining, new Trustees are briefed on their duties and obligations by the Chairman, during which they receive Charity Commission materials and copies of The Vine Branch Charity (TVBC’s) Constitution. Trustees are encouraged to attend training sessions or meetings provided by the Charity Commission when possible. The Board Meetings are typically held quarterly by the Trustees to address the charity's policies, finances, and operations as needed. ## **Future Plans and Vision** We remain committed to seeking funding for the initial project work, in Uganda. _Page_ 6 ## **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 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. _Page_ 7 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:** 15 July 2024 _Page_ 8 ## **The Vine Branch Charit TVBC ’s Financial Re ort y ( ) p** ||**CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL REPORT SUMMARY 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024**|**CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL REPORT SUMMARY 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024**|**CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL REPORT SUMMARY 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024**||| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |||||**31 March 2024**|**31 March 2023**| |||||£|£| ||**INCOMING RESOURCES**|**Unrestricted**
**Income**|||
**Total**| ||||**Restricted Income**|**Total**|| ||Voluntary Income|£0|£0|£0|£200| ||HMRC Rebate|£0|£0|£0|£0| ||**Total incoming resources**|**£0**|**£0**|**£0**|**£200**| ||**RESOURCES EXPENDED**|**Unrestricted**
**Expenditure**|**Restricted**||| ||||**Expenditure**||| ||Charitable activities|£0|£0|£0|£0| ||Fundraising Regular Fees|£0|£0|£0|£50| ||Governance|£0|£0|£0|£0| ||Financial charges|£0|£0|£0|£7| ||Other–purchase of computer|£0|£0|£0|£84| ||**Total resources expended**|**£0**|**£0**|**£0**|**£141**| ||**EXCESS OF INCOME OVER**
**EXPENDITURE**|**£0**|**£0**|**£0**|**£59**| ||**Balance brought forward**|**£0**|**£0**|**£59**|**£0**| ||**BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD**|**£0**|**£0**|**£59**|**£59**| ||**Balance as per statements**|**£59**|**£0**|**£59**|**£59**| _Page_ 9 # **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**_ _Page_ 10