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2023-03-31-accounts

Annual Report and Statement of Accounts

1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023

Founded on Christian values in 1986, Belief in Action aims to be a real force for change in the lives of children and adults in Romania disadvantaged by poverty, ethnicity, belief and disability

We deliver resources, and share skills and knowledge to increasingly sustainable projects run by trusted contacts, local churches and charities who are working in their own communities to break the cycle of poverty, alleviate suffering and engender a positive attitude towards disability.

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Contents:

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Our story

Belief in Action has been helping children and families whose lives have been devastated by poverty and disability in Romania for many years. We are small but effective, supporting grassroots, community-led development where change happens from the bottom up.

Originally supporting Christian believers in Eastern Europe persecuted for their faith, we have evolved, responding to the desperate needs we saw in Romania following the fall of Communism. Many in rural areas still struggle through the effects of poverty, disability and ethnic prejudices, and often all three.

Our three trustees, Ann, Su and Ross, have been visiting Romania for many years, often times leading groups of healthcare professionals and enthusiastic volunteers and we have big plans and a big heart for those who are suffering from neglect.

Through these visits we have built strong relationships with community leaders and pastors who have a passion to make a difference in the lives of those who live on the fringe of society and for whom life is difficult. These long-standing relationships enable us to extend our reach into the most vulnerable communities, delivering skills, knowledge and resource, with the opportunity to challenge social norms and harmful attitudes, particularly around the stigma of disability which still exists in many parts of the country.

All our work is delivered by these outstanding men and women of faith who have a vision for a better future. We partner with them to run food banks, day care centres for the disabled, provide disability aids and physiotherapy, run enterprises to provide food and work for many caught in generational poverty, and provide education. Our work, therefore, is based on local knowledge, local connectivity and is culturally appropriate.

Together, we recognise the importance of not only meeting people’s needs (water, food security, education, health care) but to work with the whole person to provide holistic care - spiritual hope as well as physical needs.

As we grow, it has been good to collaborate with other UK charities, individuals and companies such as Medequip, who supply us with disability aid equipment no longer needed in the UK and otherwise destined for landfill, Waste to Wonder who provide ethical solutions to the disposal of redundant furniture and equipment, Graft4Growth who have committed to work with us on some of our projects, The Hope & Peace Trust who collect and store aid and equipment for shipment and Baby Boxes of Hope, providing for babies born into poverty. It is gratifying to see all these partnerships growing and strengthening.

We continue to benefit from the support of churches, trusts and individuals around the country. These are at the very centre of what we do. Honouring and building these relationships is paramount to us. We love being able to link people here in the UK to those in Romania so they can see the impact their generosity and prayers are making in the lives they are helping to change.

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Our Vision

Our work is with children, the disabled and the elderly, including those from ethnic groups:

Our vision is that they are treated with dignity and respect, they have a sense of belonging and are loved and valued.

We believe in a world where they should be able to break through injustice, deprivation and inequality to fulfil their potential, shape their own destiny and live rich, productive lives and where they:

Our values

Passion - we know that through prayer, compassion and God’s love we can make a real difference to the lives of Romania's most neglected and helpless children and adults, and help the disabled overcome injustice and disadvantage to live full and meaningful lives.

Equality - we believe all children, the disabled and the elderly have equal worth and equal rights. Disability, ethnicity or age should not be a barrier to having the basic necessities of life. We believe in every child and adult's potential, no matter what their disability or ethnicity and that they are loved and valued by God.

Sustainable - we assist local churches, organisations and groups to bring to fulfilment the vision that God has given them and help them provide answers to their own social problems and bring about a lasting and viable ministry.

Choice - our supporters are respected and valued. They know through regular communication that their money is well spent and is getting through to the right beneficiaries. They are able to specify exactly where their money goes and influence how it's used and can see the difference they have made through regular communication.

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Belief in Action

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” issued in 2005 in preparing this annual report and financial statement.

Key Objectives

Main Activities carried out for charitable purposes for the public benefit

The charity’s work continues to be focused in Romania developing its projects to bring long term relief to people suffering from the effects of poverty and disability by helping individuals and groups working in their communities including:

The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives.

Achievements and Performance 2022-23

The main emphasis of our work is supporting pastors, primarily Pastor Ottó Kis in Săcele whose charity is Hope without Limits, and Pastor Attila Tóth in Reghin - Asociata Teleios charity. Because of the intense poverty of many families in their communities there is a huge need to support in many ways - spiritually, emotionally and practically. Food, clothing, transport, and firewood are just some of the needs. By working alongside them we can ensure our support is given to the right people at the right time in the most effective way.

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Providing resources through the Disability Aids Loan Scheme

Romania has a failing health care system. Many disabled children and adults are living severely restricted lives as they have little access to life enhancing equipment.

We collect, store and transport disability aids no longer needed in the UK to Romania. We have forged strong relationships with companies such as Medequip who do an amazing job getting equipment to us to help people in Romania AND reducing waste and landfill in the UK.

We partner with Pastor Ottó Kis and the Hope without Limits team (Hope team) in Săcele who reach out and connect with those who have additional needs in their community. The Scheme, established 17years ago, helps many who would otherwise be housebound or restricted improve their mobility and encourages them to become more independent.

The Scheme is developing and a known presence in the area with a good reputation by word-ofmouth. There is a local resource of community leaders who have excellent outreach into the community, a willingness to assist those with disability and an appetite to learn 'best practice' and to show the love of Jesus in a practical and meaningful way.

It has grown significantly, so much so that we have to hire 40ft lorries to transport the equipment four times a year, rent extended storage space in Săcele and run a workshop within it to operate from. The administrators of the Loan Scheme keep records and since its start, thousands of people have been helped. This year, 256 people have sought help and 412 items have been lent in Săcele. The most asked for items were: walking frames; rollators; crutches; profiling beds; mattresses; shower stools and chairs; perching stools; commodes; children’s standers. The volunteers who manage the Loan Scheme have been trained in assessment and provision of items through Belief in Action.

Supporting Ottó Kis - Hope without Limits (Săcele)

As a missionary pastor, Pastor Ottó Kis has dedicated his life to working with children, orphans, teenagers, those living in poverty and, in particular, he has a ‘heart’ for the disabled. Many disabled children and adults are living severely restricted lives as they have little support or access to life enhancing equipment.

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Future Plans/Needs :

Both the children's and adult's special needs groups are growing. The aim is to increase these sessions, provide a broader range of activities and therapeutic interventions, provide carer support and training. Potentially there will be opportunities for vocational skill development. The Hope team need more support and ongoing training, particularly in physiotherapy.

The Hope team need a place to meet which will accommodate groups, church meetings, training sessions and therapy provision.

Derelict outhouses at the Mission House require renovation. This will extend the scope of the mission work and establish opportunities for income generation to build a self-sustaining organisation locally. Work will commence on these buildings as and when funds are available.

The Disability Aid Loan Scheme is expanding rapidly and there is a plan to provide satellite hubs in other areas of Romania. Resources are needed for training those who will manage these hubs.

All of the projects are developing and the Hope team, many of them willing volunteers, need to be financially supported in their roles. This will enable further expansion of the work. Of utmost importance is for Ottó to have an Operations Manager to manage the day-to-day running of the projects and free him to fulfil his prime purpose of missionary pastor.

Supporting Pastor Attila Tóth - Asociatia Teleios (Reghin)

We continued to support the growing work of Attila and Adél Tóth amongst rural village communities where they are having a real impact. Dealing with poverty among the people has always been a significant need. Conditions in the villages are shocking - people face problems of overcrowding, poor sanitation, insufficient shelter and food insecurity on a daily basis. Generational poverty is rampant leading to hopelessness. Attila says “Even though I have been working among the Roma here for 18 years, I am still shocked at how poor some families are among them.”

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Future Plans/Needs :

The farm will continue to be developed to generate income and Attila plans to build three more poly tunnels to maximise this potential.

Volunteers' visits to Romania

There are a large number of children who have skills and abilities but are not able to fulfil their potential or be involved in meaningful, purposeful activity or learn about Jesus.

We lead groups, including therapists, and healthcare professionals, to visit Ottó Kis and the Hope team in Săcele to facilitate, support, provide advice, and give specialist training to the network of community leaders, pastors and organisations we work with there. They visit individual homes and institutions to increase awareness of aid and equipment, assessing various needs, advising about mobility and accessibility to buildings, and teaching some basic physiotherapy which would enable a better quality of life. Thirteen clients were visited in their homes aged from 5 – 80; the majority had cerebral palsy. The therapists provided chairs, wheelchairs, advice and other equipment.

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Ross Evans, the Trustees' Chairman led a successful volunteers’ trip to Reghin to run holiday clubs for gypsy children with Attila. This provided an excellent opportunity for young people from the UK to benefit from a cross-cultural experience and strengthen relationships developed on previous visits.

Ukrainian Refugee Crisis

The war in Ukraine and resulting refugee crisis had a profound effect on the work. As women and children fled the conflict, our partners in Săcele and Reghin straight away sent aid from their warehouses to the refugee centres on the border.

For many months both Attila and Ottó, were fully engaged with helping refugees who had fled to Romania and needed much wisdom in dealing with this humanitarian crisis on their doorstep. They were already over-committed and this added to their workloads.. With millions fleeing their homes, leaving behind loved ones, jobs and belongings they needed shelter, food and water. Ottó, having specialist skills in caring for people with disabilities, was contacted and asked to connect with the disabled refugees from Ukrainian and take them from the border back to Săcele.

Hundreds of refugees were housed in and around Brasov, Săcele and Reghin. In Săcele, Ottó,was doing much of the local co-ordinating, trying to find proper, accessible accommodation. In Reghin, Attila housed many in the Children’s Home and newly renovated Refuge. Much of the equipment off our aid lorries was used to help Ukrainian refugees.

Honey for Hope

We raise money through our Honey for Hope enterprise to help support Hope without Limits. We buy honey in barrels from a known source and bring it to the UK for jarring, labelling and selling. All along the way volunteers help in these tasks; this ensures that ALL the profits go directly to people and projects and provides income to the Master Beekeeper in Romania.

We sell by word of mouth, in churches, markets, craft fairs and delis. We use fully recyclable or biodegradable packaging.

In this financial year, all profits raised help fund the aid lorries.

Baby Boxes of Hope

These boxes are supplied to us by Christine and David Howe who raise money and have a network of people who knit and source the contents. The boxes contain everything needed for babies born to impoverished mothers and are distributed in Săcele and Reghin. Strict identification methods are used to ensure the boxes are given to those in need.

Graft for Growth

A growing collaboration with Jon Williams who runs the social enterprise Graft for Growth (www.graft4growth.co.uk) and has been visiting Romania for many years, practically helping Pastor Atilla Tóth in Reghin, has been of benefit to both parties and our partners in Romania. His company is designed to support visionary faith leaders such as Ottó and Attila who have strong

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social and spiritual programmes. His modus operandi is to develop self-reliance through the provision of support, education, housing, work and job opportunities in Romania by engaging UK adults groups to work on projects and develop a deep sense of global, social responsibility. He has committed to work alongside us to support a building programme envisioned by Ottó Kis in Săcele supply work parties and finance many aspects of this charitable cause especially with the creation of a functioning farm which can supply meat, vegetables, jobs and finance, which he has been achieving with Attila Tóth in Reghin. He is also interested in supporting business enterprises to support the work towards sustainability.

All our projects are in partnership with external organisations and community leaders who share our Christian values of integrity, gratitude and accountability. Those same values define our relationship with supporters and every aspect of our fundraising and spending. We continue to operate Belief in Action on biblical principles.

We want our supporters to understand and engage with our work, and share in our mission to see people living life in all its fullness. We report back regularly on how our income is spent and we take every opportunity to thank people for their generosity. We work hard to ensure we’re accountable and transparent; we review our spending and costs regularly and monitor our impact, to make sure we make best use of our resources.

It has been a privilege to work with so many different people and provide help to many who have expressed enormous gratitude for the support Belief in Action is able to provide through the generosity of its donors, supporters and partners. Our prayer is that people will see God’s love in action through our work.

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Legal and administrative information

Charity Registration Number: 327245 Trustees Ross Evans (Chairman) Ann Heslington Croft (Treasurer) Su Davies (MPhil DipRCOT) Registered Address 3 Hemlingford Road Sutton Coldfield West Midlands B76 1JG Bankers Barclays Bank Plc, Bearwood Branch, Smethwick Independent Examiner Expressway Business Services 332 Marsh Lane, Erdington Birmingham, B23 6HP

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Structure, governance and management

The charity was created by Trust Deed on 23 April 1986. The names of the trustees are contained in the legal and administrative information. They meet at least three times a year, and are responsible for overall governance of the charity and keep under review its policies and practices to make sure they still meet the needs of the charity. At each meeting the business of the charity is reviewed, as well as any reports received from our charity partners in Romania about their work.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees is undertaken by the Chairman in consultation with existing trustees and he also has the power to remove trustees in accordance with the provisions in the Trust Deed. They keep their skill requirements under review and provide induction procedures relevant to the individuals’ knowledge and understanding.

Responsibilities of the Trustees

Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the disposition of the charity at the end of the financial year and of the financial transactions for the year. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Statement of Recommended Practice and the Charities Acts. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity, and hence for taking steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The day-to-day administration of the charity was carried out by the trustees.

Risk Review

The Trustees are responsible for the overseeing of risks faced by the charity and are satisfied that systems are in place and risks are identified, assessed and controls established throughout the year. A formal review of the charity’s risk management processes is undertaken on an annual basis. Fraud is now a major problem both in the UK and Romania and we recognise it as one of the major risks that now has to be managed. We are committed to learning and are continually strengthening our safeguarding policies and processes. Both Hope without Limits and Asociata Telios have Safeguarding Policies which conform to requirements in Romania. We recognise, even as a Christian organisation, we are not immune from safeguarding incidents, and we remain vigilant in this regard.

Long standing relationships with our partners mean we have high levels of accountability. There is much less risk of aid going astray, as we are working through trusted partnerships and frequent Trustee visits mean visibility and connection over the long term holds people accountable.

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Financial Review

We continue to meet all our core commitments, supporting individuals and groups, our finances being provided by gifts from supporters, grant-making funds and legacies. Gift Aid is recovered wherever possible.

Reserves Policy

As we have no salaries to pay and very few overheads, our reserves £1,000 are considered adequate by the Trustees to provide for day-to-day expenditure and any core objectives we might be called upon to meet at short notice. The Trustees monitor the situation closely and take any action necessary to safeguard the charity.

As our supporters understand and engage with our work, many donate to specific projects, and share in our desire to see people living life in all its fullness.

It remains a priority of the Trustees that all financial practices continue with full and transparent accountability; we review our spending and costs regularly and monitor our impact, to make sure we make best use of our resources. We report back regularly on how our income is spent and we take every opportunity to thank people for their generosity.

To ensure financial rectitude in the way funds are distributed we have robust controls and procedures in place. We rely upon Pastor Ottó Kis (Hope without Limits charity) and Pastor Attila Tóth (Associata Teleios charity) who are based in their communities to exercise due diligence and monitor how equipment and funds are distributed, and to ensure this is done wisely, in accordance with the objectives and aims of Belief in Action to whom they are accountable. Regular visits to assess and monitor our various projects are made by the Trustees.

As we continue to see such desperate need we are more determined than ever, through God's grace, to serve those who are experiencing severe difficulties in their lives through poverty and/or disability and thank everyone who stand with us as together we continue to help those who suffer.

Approved by the Board of Trustees of Belief in Action on 9 January 2024 and signed on their behalf by:-

Ross Evans Chairman

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RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2023

2023
2023
2023
2022
2022
Restricted
Funds
Unrestricted
Funds
Total
Restricted
Funds
Unrestricted
Funds
Incoming Resources
£
£
£
£
£
Donations & other income
108,650
108,650
58,497
Tax recovered (Gift Aid)
19,310
19,310
4,049
Grant-making Trusts
4,500
4,500
5,400
Honey for Hope (Note 1)
14,012
14,012
13,675
Other Activities:
Volunteer visits (Note 4)
3,890
3,890
0
Mission Romania (Note 3)
2,830
2,830
5,114
Graft4Growth (Note 2)
41,954
41,954
58,392
Total Receipts
195,146
Resources Expended
Charitable activities
141,280
141,280
94,690
Governance & admin
750
750
671
Generating Volunary Income
575
575
1,655
Honey for Hope of which £5468 was charitable
giving
12,804
12,804
8,643
Other Activities:
Volunteer visits
4,079
4,079
Graft4Growth
42,113
42,113
70,690
Mission Romania
1,134
1,134
4,850
202,735
Surplus for the year
-7,589
Statement of assets and liabilities for the year to 31 March 2023
2023
Cash Funds:
£
Cash at Bank
118,996
Cash at Bank – Restricted
34,861
Reserves
1,000
154,857
Accumulated Funds
Opening Balance
162,446
Deficit for the year
-7,589
Closing Balance
**154,857 **		 2022
Total
£
99,390
8,130
5,550
13,290
0
1,680
36,606
164,646
112,880
515
823
15,760
0
22,198
1,300
153,476
11,170
2021
£
132,968
28,478
1,000
162,446
151,276
11,170
162,446

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BELIEF IN ACTION

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

31 MARCH 2023

Note 1 - Honey for Hope

This is a small enterprise raising funds to help run some of our projects, supporting Pastor Ottó Kis in Săcele (Hope without Limits), Pastor Attila Tóth in Reghin. (Asociatia Teleios) and paying for aid lorries. Honey from Transylvania is sold in churches, markets, craft fairs and by word of mouth.

Note 2 - Graft4Growth

Moving towards collaboration with other charities and organisations to optimise our effectiveness, we are partnering with Graft4Growth and handle their finances. Following the pandemic Graft4Growth take adult teams to Romania on building projects.

Note 3 – Mission Romania

Again, moving towards collaboration with other charities and organisations to optimise our effectiveness, we are partnering with Mission Romania and handle some of their finances. Mission Romania supports the work of Marius and Roxana Dancovici and their charity Pater Nostra, who work in prisons, with the homeless and in children’s homes. Belief in Action also support Marius and Roxana.

Note 4 – Volunteer Visits

We usually run two/three visits per year for therapists, healthcare professionals and enthusiastic volunteers to support and encourage the work being undertaken by Pastor Ottó Kis in Săcele and Pastor Attila Tóth in Reghin.

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Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees/ Charity Name members of Belief in Action On accounts for the year 31 March 2023 Charity no 327245 ended (if any) Set out on pages 1 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets) I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/03/2023. Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below *) which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: • the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed: Date: 29/12/2023 Name: Rabina Begum - Expressway Business Services Relevant professional ACCA qualification(s) or body (if any): IER 1 Oct 2018

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