Faith Welfare Trust
Annual Report 2020-21
FAITH WELFARE TRUST
THE OLD VICARAGE + ACKLINGTON + NORTHUMBERLAND • NE65 9BL
TEL 01670 760620
E-mail.. fwt.news@gmail.com
Web: www.faithwelfaretrust.org
Registered Charity number 327557
Faith Welfare Trust
Annual Report lor year ending September 30, 2021
Introduction
Faith Welfare Trust (Fwf) is constituted by Trust Deed. established in 1987. The
objects of the charity are= to promote the welfare of disadvantaged andlor destitute
children and young people in the area of benefit (India)., and to support
disadvantaged children and young people in the area of benefit in their education
and training. To fulfill these objects, it provides support to 2 homes (one for girls,
one for boys) for deprived children near Chennai, South India, and Faith School in
Raiahmundry (also known as Raiahmahendravaram), Andhra Pradesh slate. India,
350 miles to the North.
The trustees have regard to both the Charity Commission's general guidance on
public benefit and prevention and relief of povety for the public benefit. 'S work
is in accordance with both these guidelines and the main objects set out in the trust
deed.
Governance
The Trustees of Fwf for the year 2020-21 comprised..
Brian Tugwell, Elsie Tugwell, Alistair Coomer, Chris Sayers, Tessa Sayers, John
Fisher, Rachel Fisher, Helen Midda. Joanne Hutchison, April ButteNorth, David
Shipley (Treasurer, from April 21).
Tessa Sayers is the chair of trustees and she and Chris Sayers have the role of
"managing irustees" They arrange the twice-yearly trustee meetings and oversee
the financial affairs of the charity and contact with supporters. both to acknowledge
donations and for information, though much of this work is carried out by other
trustees (see below). To date they have kept financial records. ensured that Gift Aid
is claimed and prepared the annual accounts for the independent examiner, Ihough
these tasks will be carried out by the Treasurer in future. They carry out the annual
return for the Charity Commission.
The newly elected treasurer, David Shipley, has taken over management of the
charity's fi'nancial affairs and record keeping, including Gift Aid claims and preparing
the accounts for the independent examiner. He has been added as a signatory to
the bank account. His experience working with similar charities in the past and his
competence and thoroughness in handling charity finances will be a huge asset to
the board.
John and Rachel Fisher prepare the once or twice-yearly newsletter to supporters
which includes significant events OCCUTring at the projects suppoited by F. the
impact of work done at the projects on some of the benficiaries of the projects and
articles giving relevant background informalion. They manage the website
and update F'S FaceBook account with regular posts.
Brian and Elsie Tugwell play a major role in liaising wilh the charity's projects in
India as they are based in India for several months each year. although in 20-21
they weren't able to visit due to the coronavirus pandemic. Normally, (hey attend the
meetings of Nambikkai Illam Trust whenever possible and are in regular contact
with the staff at the childien's homes and Faith School. They keep the other
trustees informed of any changes or developments.
Helen Midda's experience and qualifi'cations as a school teacher and her first-hand
knowledge of the children's homes and school in India make her advice very
relevant to the operation of F.
Alistair Coomer has been on the board of trustees from the charity's inception and
this long-term view, together with financial and managerial experience, is very
beneficial to the governance of .
Joanne Hutchison has visited the children's homes and Faith school. She (with
David) ensures that online gifts are individually acknowledged and she contributes
to the FaceBook page. As a person living with a disability she brings an additional
very valuable perspective to board discussions.
April Butterworth has experience working wilh and supporting children and families
with mental health problems (especially autism). She visited the homes in
December 2019. Her knowledge of how the homes operate and supporting young
people with mental health issues make her advice very valuable to the board.
The trustees meet Iwice a year (spring and autumn). Due to their geographical
dispersal In the UK, it is not always practical to meet in person and all meetings in
20-21 were conducted over Zoom. Correspondence is conducted by WhatsApp and
email on relevant matters arising between meetings, to inform and consult with
trustees. When vacancies on the board of trustees arise or when there is an
opportunity to recruit a valuable new board member. potential new trustees ale
invited by the existing board. The trust deed does not specify the maximum number
of trustees.
Each year. some trustees usually visit the school and homes in India to see for
themselves how things are and make contact with the staff and trustees of the
Nambikkai Illam Trust (NIT), the Indian charity that manages the homes and school.
In the year from Oct 2020 to Sept 2021, travel restrictions related to the pandemic
prevented any trustees from visits'ng India. Contact with trustees and staff at the
homes and school was all by phone and via email and WhatsApp.
None of the Trustees received any remuneration for their seNices.
The homes are managed locally by the trustees of the Narnbikkai Illam Trust (Nln,
based in Chennai, who normally meet approximately every 2 months to deal with
strategic and practical issues as they arise, although the pandemic prevented this in
2020-21. The chair of trustees is R Prabakaran, a lawyer, who has been on the
board of trustees for over 20 years. He was unwell for a large part of this year but is
now much recovered. The other trustees in 2020-21 comprised Dr Esther (a GP), Dr
Livingstone (retired teacher at Madras Christian College) and Mrs Sunithy
Jeyakaran (runs a local old peole's home). NIT holds a bank account at ICICI bank
to which sends funds as necessary to meet the costs of the homes and Faith
School. To comply with new government regulations, an account was set up with
the State Bank of India in Delhi for the receipt of foreign fLsnds, which are then
transferred to the usual ICICI account. Minutes of their meetings are sent to Fwr
trustees as well as copies of their bank statements and their audited accounts. The
wardens of the homes send a monthly breakdown of income and expenditure to
both NIT trustees and trustees as well as regular summaries of what has been
happening al the homes.
Faith School is managed locally by Dr Samuel Moses and his wife Kamala. The
school's management and finance arrangements are overseen by trustees of
Nambikkai Illam Trust who arrange for appropriate funds to be sent from the main
Nambikkai Iilam bank account lo the school to pay staff salaries, food for lunches
and other overheads.
Nambikkai Illam Children's Homes
supports 2 children's homes near Sriperumbudur, just outside Chennai, Tamil
Nadu State, South India. The accommodation comprises..
Junior and Senior Boys Home at Vengadu village
Junior and Senior Girls Home at Navalur village
The two homes are less than a mile apart. As schools were closed and the
government had mandated that children living in children's homes should return to
their natural family if at all possible, there were no children at the homes in
September 2020 (since April 2020). In January and February the older children
returned to the homes as schools reopened for the senior 4 year groups but they
were soon closed again as cases rose. Children began to reiurn to the homes in
August 2021 for school in September. Hygiene measures were put in place and
the homes passed an inspection by the Child Welfare committee. Several of the
children had finished their public exams during the lockdown and didn't return to
the homes in autumn, so numbers were down from 38 pre lockdown to 34 in
autumn 2021, of whom Most had been with Nambikkai Illam before the pandemic.
The children normally attend the local primary school in Vengadu village and
secondary schools in Sriperumbudur, where they are taken by bus each day. The
older children are found appropriate further education or training if they wish to
continue their education beyond school age and. where appropriate, conlinue to
live at the homes. Two boys continued to stay with us whilst studying for higher
qualifications and 2 girls continued to be supported in their nursing studies in
Vellore.
In July. when the children were away from Nambikkai Illam with their relations,
Chandra and Sumathi visited all families, Iravelling long distances, to give them
food, educational materials and some financial support, as well as to see the
children and check on their wellbeing.
Ruth and Chandrika continued as warden and assistant warden for the girls, home.
Chandra Rao is warden of the boys, home and also overall manager, helped by his
wife Sumathi who is assistant warden. Chandia and Sumathi have held these
posts for around 15 years and in 2021 Chandra gained a masters degree in social
work.
Members of the Church of God in Pernarnpet normally assist with the spiritual
development of the children and visit Ihe Homes regularly. A Sunday service for all
the children is held most weeks at the homes or church hall in Navalur. In addition,
other Christian activities take place from time to time, such as a weekend "camp"
run at the homes by a local Scripture Union group, which is much enjoyed by the
children. When trustees visit the homes they also help with talks, activities
and singing. Because of the pandemic, none of these activities have taken place in
20-21.
SIPCOT, the development agency, had informed NIT in April 2015 that they would
require a plot of land adjacent to the boys, home where the boys currently have
small gardens. As last year, there has still been no actlvlty by SIPCOT on this plot
of land in the current year and it now seems that the land will not be required. As
ever, the situation is being monitored closely, particularly by Mr Prabakaran, the
chair of NIT trustees, In order to get maximum notice of any new developments.
Faith School, Rajahmundry
The Faith Public School opened at the start of the academic year in June 2004, with
the aim of providing a free English medium education for poorer students who
would not otherwise be able to afford to go to school. Those who can afford it pay
the normal fee but they are a small minority. Faith School's classes range from
lower kindergarten to 7th standard, providing a high standard of education for
children from the ages of 4 (lower kindergarten) to 13 (7th standard). All pupils are
provided with a nutritious free lunch every day. The children are mainly from Hindu
families, with some Muslim children also attending. They receive some Christian
teaching and singing at their assembly every day and the ethos of the school is
generally Christian.
This year has been severely affeGted by the coronavirus pandemic and in October
2020 the school was still closed, by order of the government. Online teaching was
provided by staff where possible and there was a distribution of food stuffs to help
the families of school students. The school began to reopen in December 2020 and
was taking all classes from the beginning of February 2021 but on 20° April 2021
the school had to close its doors again and return to online teaching. In August
2021 schools were allowed to reopen and Faith School resumed with 100 children
initially, rising to 2CtI by October 2021, taking all hygiene precautions such as mask
wearing, regular hand sanitising and disinfecting. They passed a government
hygiene inspection
Fund raising
The vast majority of F'S funds continues to be raised through standing orders
from individual supporters and one-off donations by individuals (or legacies) and
collections from vaTiOUS churches in the United Kingdom and North America,
together with boxes in shops, stalls at fetes, sponsored walks and the like. All one-
off donations are acknowledged with a personal letter of thanks. Supporters
worldwide receive one or 0 copies of the newsletter each year to keep them
updated about events at the homes and school, including case studies and more
general articles. There is also a website and a Facebook page which are updated
regularly with news of activities at Faith School and Nambikkai Illam homes. Online
donations are collected using GoldeTrGiving which has comprised an increasing
share of the income. W does not operate any individual child sponsorship
scheme.
Over the year from October 2020 to September 2021, income was £176,204, of
which £6838 was a gift aid payment from HMRC, £326 was bank interest and
£40328 the balance of a legacy. Outgoings were £55,292, of which £55,000 went
directly to India to fund the school and homes and the remainder was spent on
administrative costs.
Funds in Fwf bank accounts at the end of the financial year 2020-21 total
£194,466.
Locally, the children's homes have been attracting increasing amounts of support
from individuals and businesses - money, gifts (informed by a list of needs
compiled by the manager- for example kitchen equipment, sports equipment),
treats for the children (for example a Irip to a local hotel for a Christmas celebration)
or labour {foc example, local hotel employees helped to tidy up the compound
garden). These are encouraged and greatly appreciated by NIT and trustees.
Reserves
The policy of the Trustees is to hold adequate reserves of funds to ensure that
standing commitments lo support the trust's projects can be met for at least a year.
This extended period is because if it were decided to stop funding the homes or
school, alternatives would have to be found for all the children currently supported
and this could not be done quickly.
It is important that a regular flow of funds to the proiects is maintained as a high
proportion of the disbursed funds go towards food, salaries, clothing and Inedical
costs. After consideration, trustees decided that reseNes sufficient to fund the
homes and school in India for a year should be held. If W were unable to
ontinue raising funds, this would allow allernative accommodationlschooling to be
found for our beneficiaries or alternative funding to be sought. A shorter period
would risk leaving vulnerable chtldren without suitable homes or education. The
agreed amount was £60.000.
This reserve can also act as a contingency fund against major disasters, as the
region around the Nambikkai Illam children's homes has been subject to
earthquakes on more than one occasion. There Is also a risk of damage during the
monsoons, which occur each year. While insurances are maintained, in the event of
a natural disaster it would be many months before the homes could be repaired and
re-built, so it Is deemed prudent to retain a reserve against this eventuality.
In addition, no written guarantee has yet been received from SIPCOT that they will
not require some or all of the land currently occupied by the boys, home. although
nothing has been heard from them for some years. It is theiefore prudent to keep
reserves to at least cushion that eventuaiity until such a guarantee can be obtained.
The current balance is substantially higher than the reserve amount, which enable5
longer term plans to be made for the work in India and protects against exchange
rate fluctuation. Indian regulations for charities that receive foreign contributions
mean that money sent to India has to match very closely with their ongoing
expenditure or risks being taxed, so the reserves are held in the UK. Trustees are
mindful that money held should be spent appropriately according to F'S
charitable objects.
Future Developments
The events of 2021 continued to be strongly influenced by the worldwide Covid-19
pandemic, though by the end of September 2021 the severe disruption was
lessening and there was a return to normal operations in both school and homes.
The longer lasting effects will continue to be felt for some time and the experience
may make Indian staff and trustees consider alternative ways to help vulnerable
children, particularly in the homes. Trustees plan to carry out the following
development of W's work:
Encourage trustees in India to consider alternative models of SLrpport which
may enable children to remain with their families - particularly in the light of
iecommendations by a national body that children's homes in Tamil Nadu be
closed.
Monitor Ihe effectiveness of the Board of trustees of Nambikkai Illam Trust and
Ihe advisory committee at Faith School and recommend courses of action to
improve. If appropriate.
Continue to strengthen online information and giving which is an increasingly
important part of Fwf's work with supporters, widening the demographic of Ihe
people who can be reached with news of our work.
Declaration
The trustees declare thal they have approved the annual report above.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees..
Signature
/1
Full name
Tessa Sayers
Chris Sayers
Position
Chair of trustees
Trustee
Date
10 July 2022
## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2021**
## **For**
**FAITH WELFARE TRUST**
## **FAITH WELFARE TRUST**
## **GENERAL INFORMATION for the Year Ended 30 September 2021**
**ADDRESS:** 18 Field House Close Acklington Morpeth NE65 9PE
**ACCOUNTANTS:** 60 North Accounts Ltd Hillside Cottage Voe Shetland ZE2 9PT
## **NOTES:**
1. These accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis in accordance with the SORP 2015 Accounting and Reporting by Charities and the Charities Act 2011.
2. All funds received from donors are unrestricted.
## **FAITH WELFARE TRUST**
## **Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Faith Welfare Trust**
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2021, which are set out on pages 2 and 3.
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required this year under S144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011
- to follow the proceedures laid down in the general direction given by the Charity Commission under section 145 (5) (b) of the Act; and
- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention
## **Basis of independent examiner's report**
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explainations from you as trustees concering any such matters. The proceedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently, no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
1. Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Act; and
- to prepare accounts in accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
have not been met;
## or
2. To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
|Rosalind Nicol|27-Jun|2022|
|---|---|---|
|R Nicol ACCA|60 North Accounts Ltd||
||Hillside Cottage||
|Independent Examiner|Voe||
||Shetland||
||ZE2 9PT||
## **FAITH WELFARE TRUST**
## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT for the Year Ended 30 September 2021**
|**GENERAL FUND**
**_Income Receipts:_**
From Voluntary Sources
Legacy
Donations
Donations under Gift Aid
Gift Aid: Tax Claims
From Assets:
Deposit Interest
**_TOTAL RECEIPTS_**
**_Payments:_**
Charitable Activity Direct Expenditure
Transfers to Nambikkai Illam Trust
Management and Administration
Telephone, Fax, Postage & Stationery
Travel
Accountancy
Bank Charges
**_TOTAL PAYMENTS_**
Net Receipts (Payments)
Bank Deposit and Current Account Balances
at 30 September 2020
Bank Deposit and Current Account Balances
at 30 September 2021|107328
35552
26160
6839
326|**2021**|**2020**
0
20988
22099
5681
671
49439
53400
106
0
150
50
306
53706
-4267
77821
73555|
|---|---|---|---|
||192
0
75
25|176205||
|||55000
292||
|||||
|||55292||
|||120912
73555||
|||194467||
2
## **FAITH WELFARE TRUST**
## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES As at 30 September 2021**
|**MONETARY ASSETS:**
Bank Current Account
Bank Deposits
**DEBTOR:**Tax on gift aid
**TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS**
**LIABILITIES:**
Accountancy
Other expenses|**2021**
76249
118218
194467
9298
203765
75
0
75|**2020**
1684
71871|
|---|---|---|
|||73555
6839|
|||80393|
|||75
0|
|||75|
The statement of accounts are approved by the Board of Trustees
||)|Chris Sayers|
|---|---|---|
||)||
||) Trustees||
||)||
||)|David Shipley|
|Dated:|2022||
3
## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2021**
## **For**
**FAITH WELFARE TRUST**
## **FAITH WELFARE TRUST**
## **GENERAL INFORMATION for the Year Ended 30 September 2021**
**ADDRESS:** 18 Field House Close Acklington Morpeth NE65 9PE
**ACCOUNTANTS:** 60 North Accounts Ltd Hillside Cottage Voe Shetland ZE2 9PT
## **NOTES:**
1. These accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis in accordance with the SORP 2015 Accounting and Reporting by Charities and the Charities Act 2011.
2. All funds received from donors are unrestricted.
## **FAITH WELFARE TRUST**
## **Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Faith Welfare Trust**
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2021, which are set out on pages 2 and 3.
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required this year under S144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011
- to follow the proceedures laid down in the general direction given by the Charity Commission under section 145 (5) (b) of the Act; and
- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention
## **Basis of independent examiner's report**
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explainations from you as trustees concering any such matters. The proceedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently, no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
1. Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Act; and
- to prepare accounts in accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
have not been met;
## or
2. To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
|Rosalind Nicol|27-Jun|2022|
|---|---|---|
|R Nicol ACCA|60 North Accounts Ltd||
||Hillside Cottage||
|Independent Examiner|Voe||
||Shetland||
||ZE2 9PT||
## **FAITH WELFARE TRUST**
## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT for the Year Ended 30 September 2021**
|**GENERAL FUND**
**_Income Receipts:_**
From Voluntary Sources
Legacy
Donations
Donations under Gift Aid
Gift Aid: Tax Claims
From Assets:
Deposit Interest
**_TOTAL RECEIPTS_**
**_Payments:_**
Charitable Activity Direct Expenditure
Transfers to Nambikkai Illam Trust
Management and Administration
Telephone, Fax, Postage & Stationery
Travel
Accountancy
Bank Charges
**_TOTAL PAYMENTS_**
Net Receipts (Payments)
Bank Deposit and Current Account Balances
at 30 September 2020
Bank Deposit and Current Account Balances
at 30 September 2021|107328
35552
26160
6839
326|**2021**|**2020**
0
20988
22099
5681
671
49439
53400
106
0
150
50
306
53706
-4267
77821
73555|
|---|---|---|---|
||192
0
75
25|176205||
|||55000
292||
|||||
|||55292||
|||120912
73555||
|||194467||
2
## **FAITH WELFARE TRUST**
## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES As at 30 September 2021**
|**MONETARY ASSETS:**
Bank Current Account
Bank Deposits
**DEBTOR:**Tax on gift aid
**TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS**
**LIABILITIES:**
Accountancy
Other expenses|**2021**
76249
118218
194467
9298
203765
75
0
75|**2020**
1684
71871|
|---|---|---|
|||73555
6839|
|||80393|
|||75
0|
|||75|
The statement of accounts are approved by the Board of Trustees
||)|Chris Sayers|
|---|---|---|
||)||
||) Trustees||
||)||
||)|David Shipley|
|Dated:|2022||
3