2024-08-31-accounts - Altogether Giving Africa (Aga)

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

Docusign Envelope ID: 741DAE5B-E786-4363-94DA-62A4344EBC90

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 28 March 2023 Period start date To 31 August 2024 Period end date

Charity name: Altogether Giving Africa (AGA)

Charity registration number: 1202521

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	AGA’s core charitable purposes are to: • support education and training for children and young people; • advance health and save lives for people of particular ethnic or racial origin; • assist people with disabilities; and • prevent or relieve poverty. These purposes, alongside other charitable aims, benefit the public. AGA operates in the UK and The Gambia, building bridges between diaspora communities and vulnerable populations in West Africa. AGA complies with its duty under section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to consider the Charity Commission’s public-benefit guidance. Our activities deliver tangible benefits—primarily to isolated elders and volunteers in the UK, and to underserved communities in The Gambia.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	1. London-based “Clearance with Purpose” community-wellness programme. 2. Support for the Diaspora Community visiting and living in the Gambia. 3. Informal volunteer training – manual handling, basic first aid, health & safety, basic admin and logistics.

Docusign Envelope ID: 741DAE5B-E786-4363-94DA-62A4344EBC90

		4. Digital engagement and outreach via website, social media and community channels. 5. Support for UK charities (e.g., British Heart Foundation) and diaspora- focused donations. 6. Launch and Ongoing maintenance of the website (https://www.agaafrica.com)— updated weekly with impact stories, donation appeals and governance notices. 7. Delivery of educational materials to schools, libraries and health institutions in The Gambia. 8. Delivery of medical supplies in partnership with C3G during health- outreach campaigns. 9. To advance education, including health education, for children, young people and adults in the Gambia, by: a. Providing or assisting in the provision of stationery, books, educational aids and IT equipment to support learning. b. Facilitating and contributing to an annual Health Awareness Day, to raise awareness about health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	AGA has complied with their duty under section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission. Our activities clearly provide tangible benefit, especially among isolated elders and volunteers in the UK, and throughout under- resourced communities in The Gambia. The Trustees have all examined the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit and are all highly committed to ensuring that all our activities follow the Charity Commission rules and regulations and maintain AGA and our individual personal and professional reputations. We are in the process of formally including clear guidance in our handbook and have started to develop a Trustees’ version with more detailed guidance

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	Our mandate is to provide in-kind support rather than to make grants – in light of several requests for financial support

Docusign Envelope ID: 741DAE5B-E786-4363-94DA-62A4344EBC90

		(school fees and general support) we are in the process of amending both our constitution and handbook in order to facilitate the process of formalisation should the need arise. It must be noted again at this point that we are not a grant- making organisation. Further considerations include: Anti-Money Laundering (AML):Under the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating of Terrorist Financing Act, due diligence must be exercised to prevent AGA from inadvertently funding illegal activity. All beneficiaries should be screened; large grants (£1,000 and over) should trigger enhanced due diligence. Foreign Exchange Rules:The Central Bank of The Gambia regulates foreign currency flows. Ensure all grant disbursements comply with Gambian banking and foreign exchange regulations.
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38	At present, the charity does not undertake social investment or programme related investment. The trustees will review this position periodically in line with AGA’s risk management and investment policies.
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	Volunteers are encouraged to contribute to the charity with clear representations of the work their contributions. Anti money Laundering and Foreign Exchange rules will be duly and carefully considered.
Other

Achievements and Performance

SORP reference

Docusign Envelope ID: 741DAE5B-E786-4363-94DA-62A4344EBC90

Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	1.UK Impact – Clearance with Purpose Volunteers collected and quality-checked surplus goods from dozens of London institutions including 3 Law University Campuses (Guildford and London), several local school, businesses and organisations, healthcare institutions. This meant that we successfully divertedan estimated 2 tonnesof reusable items from landfill. Beneficiaries noted improved well-being; volunteers reported increased physical activity and social connection. 2. Volunteer Development: Feedback has shown that our volunteers value the emotional, social, and physical health benefits of participating. Plans are underway to formalise training around manual handling, safeguarding, and CV- building. AGA will launch a formal certified-training pathway in the near future (manual handling, safeguarding, CV-building). Provision of PPE for both our UK based and International Teams; Proactive informal training of Volunteers. 3. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Support: Our clearance service helps universities, healthcare facilities, schools and businesses meet their sustainability targets and free storage space. Usable goods supply UK charity shops first; The provision of free/ reduced cost shipping for volunteers’ personal items shipped to Gambia; Our surplus supports Gambian programmes. 4. International Impact – The Gambia: Repurposed educational and household items were brought, successfully raising living standards for children and under- privileged families and communities; Partnership with C3G enabled cancer- screening outreach to over 600 rural participants (Pink October 2024);

Docusign Envelope ID: 741DAE5B-E786-4363-94DA-62A4344EBC90

Procured a larger storage space to make the working environment safer, and to facilitate storage of larger items and more in-person training for volunteers (informal and group training sessions, particularly work-based skills); Provided equipment and work tools for the Gambia Volunteer team (Laptops, Mobile phones, stationery, workstations, PPE) health and safety gear; Provided one-to-one and group training of individuals (admin, use of digital tools, safeguarding, health and safety, manual handling, conflict of interest, values-led community work); Provided facilitation for UK citizens’ charitable efforts (brought books for a sponsored school in the Gambia). 5. Digital Transparency The website, updated weekly, now hosts quarterly snapshots, and beneficiary and volunteer’s stories, increasing donor confidence. Volunteer’s pathway is available on our website - permitting existing and potential volunteers to see what our work entails and to join our team. We have reviewed our processes to streamline the donation process, with full consultation of both the UK and Gambian teams.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41	Increased time and expertise leveraged towards sustainability and financial performance – this would include increased reporting standards from all team members, continued branded communications for transparency (ie Social media posts and website updates)
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41	AGA continues to be largely funded by the Founder, but the trustees have started to apply for fundraising calls and a solid plan of action has now been established. Furthermore, small scale campaigns have been launched to encourage donations for

Docusign Envelope ID: 741DAE5B-E786-4363-94DA-62A4344EBC90

Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41	n/a
Other

Docusign Envelope ID: 741DAE5B-E786-4363-94DA-62A4344EBC90

Financial Review

Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	Reserves Policy:Current reserves are minimal while operations and fundraising efforts scale up, nonetheless the Trustees have committed to building up unrestricted reserves, with a view to holding a sum at least equal to three months’ core annual costs by the end of June 2026 (in the AGA bank account);
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:


The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46	In progress. We are currently finalising and signing off on AGA’s official Investment Policy. It has already been agreed at Trustee Level and is to be included in the next version of the AGA handbook for transparency and reference, then formally adopted to the AGA Constitution. Our primary aim is to ensure AGA’s funds are managed prudently, securely, and transparently, supporting the charity’s long-term stability and public trust. AGA operates a low-risk approach to all activities, maintaining robust controls and oversight. Risks are regularly identified, assessed, and mitigated through a Board- reviewed register. The charity’s risk appetite is low, with public and founder support ensuring stability and flexibility.

Docusign Envelope ID: 741DAE5B-E786-4363-94DA-62A4344EBC90

		AGA’s investment policy prioritises capital preservation and liquidity. All funds are held in reputable banks; no speculative or high- risk investments are permitted. The policy is reviewed annually and all investment activity is reported to the Board.
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46
Other

Docusign Envelope ID: 741DAE5B-E786-4363-94DA-62A4344EBC90

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	Para 1.51	Ongoing training and Continuous development of trustees and members remains one of our core values. Monthly Trustee meetings are scheduled to discuss and identify risks, training needs, etc and we have identified the need to schedule annual reviews of training undertaken in order to ensure that capacity remains relevant and fit for purpose, and that any changes in Law or policy are accounted for and up to date.
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Altogether Giving Africa (AGA)
Other name the charity uses	AGA
Registered charity number	1202521

Docusign Envelope ID: 741DAE5B-E786-4363-94DA-62A4344EBC90

Charity’s principal address	FLAT 85 BONNINGTON HOUSE AYLEY CROFT ENFIELD EN1 1XU

Docusign Envelope ID: 741DAE5B-E786-4363-94DA-62A4344EBC90

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year
Micheal Campbell	Chairman	From 07 March 2022 to date
Angela Graham	Trustee and Founder	From 07 March 2022 to date
Khadijah Ward	Trustee	23 November 2023 to date
Soma Njie	Trustee	31 March 2024 to date

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name	Dates acted if not for whole year

Docusign Envelope ID: 741DAE5B-E786-4363-94DA-62A4344EBC90

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address




Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

Docusign Envelope ID: 741DAE5B-E786-4363-94DA-62A4344EBC90

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date

	Angela Graham	Soma Njie
	Founder	Trustee
	6/30/2025
	6/30/2025