The Vine Branch Charity (TVBC)
Trustees Annual Report
1[st] April 2024 - 31st March 2025
Page 1
TRUSTEES FOREWORD
Welcome to The Vine Branch Charity's third Annual Report, covering the period from 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025.
This year, Nicholas John Burn stepped down as Chairperson and The Vine Branch Trustee. He had completed his full one-year term as planned. We appreciate Nick’s experience, dedication, and continued support Charity (TVBC) during TVBC’s early stages. His contributions helped guide us through a critical time.
Trustees
Terence Mutsambiwa Chairman
As in previous years, we continued to build the groundwork for launching our activities in Uganda. Our focus remains on raising funds to turn our plans into action.
Lovemore Sisimayi We stayed in contact with our Ugandan partners at WET Consulting Trustee Ltd. We have identified potential sites and communities in Northern Uganda where we hope to work. Once funding is secured, we plan to drill deep water wells, establish community gardens, and train farmers in climate-smart farming practices.
We remain hopeful that our persistent efforts to find funding will lead to a significant breakthrough. Our goal is to make a real difference in the communities we serve.
Terence Mutsambiwa
Board Chairman
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 2024 – 31st March 2025
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 2024 - 2025:
Fundraising
Following a scoping study in Northern Uganda, fundraising efforts in the UK have continued, focusing on two community-led projects aimed at reducing poverty. The first will improve access to water, increase household food security, and build resilience to climate change in Lira and Omoro districts. The second supports smallholder farmers in selling their produce better and growing their farming activities in the same districts. Both projects are driven by local communities and address key needs in the area. The focus remains on helping people tackle climate problems and build sustainable ways to make a living to fight poverty. These efforts build on the groundwork laid during the initial study, aiming to bring lasting change to the region.
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.
After serving his full one-year term of office, our previous chairman Nicholas John Burn resigned on 26th July 2024. Trustees are thankful for Nick’s leadership and groundwork in Uganda without which the charity would not have been registered. Nick remains interested in the activities of TVBC as the work goes forward.
Future Plans and Vision
We remain committed to seeking funding for the initial project work, in Uganda.
Finances
Reserves Policy
Page 6
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.
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.
Page 7
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: Terence Mutsambiwa
Position:
Chairman
Date and Signature: 23[rd] July 2025
Page 8
The Vine Branch Charit TVBC ’s Financial Re ort y ( ) p
| CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL REPORT SUMMARY 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025 | CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL REPORT SUMMARY 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025 | CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL REPORT SUMMARY 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 March 2025 | 31 March 2024 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| INCOMING RESOURCES | Unrestricted Income |
Total |
|||
| Restricted Income | Total | ||||
| Voluntary Income | £0 | £0 | £0 | £0 | |
| HMRC Rebate | £0 | £0 | £0 | £0 | |
| Total incoming resources | £0 | £0 | £0 | £0 | |
| RESOURCES EXPENDED | Unrestricted Expenditure |
Restricted Expenditure |
|||
| Charitable activities | £0 | £0 | £0 | £0 | |
| Fundraising Regular Fees | £0 | £0 | £0 | £0 | |
| Governance | £0 | £0 | £0 | £0 | |
| Financial charges | £0 | £0 | £0 | £0 | |
| Other–purchase of computer | £0 | £0 | £0 | £0 | |
| Total resources expended | £0 | £0 | £0 | £0 | |
| EXCESS OF INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE |
£0 | £0 | £0 | £0 | |
| Balance brought forward | £0 | £0 | £59 | £59 | |
| 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
The Vine Branch Charity (TVBC) Registered Charity No. 1200516
Page 10