The Friends of Seva Mandir REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Year ended 31 March 2023 

Charity No. 328428 



The Friends of Seva Mandir TRUSTEES’ REPORT 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022** 

The trustees of the charity present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on pages 8 and 9 and comply with the charity's constitution, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standards applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) published on 16 July 2014, as amended on 2 February 2016, the Financial Reporting Standard (FRS102), the charity’s governing document, and the Charities Act 2011. 

## **Objectives and activities** 

The purpose of the charity is to relieve the poverty, sickness and distress, and advance the education and selfgovernance of persons resident in the State of Rajasthan, India, by supporting the work of Seva Mandir, a nonprofit voluntary organisation registered in India. 

The Friends of Seva Mandir furthers its charitable purposes for the public benefit through its remittances to Seva Mandir and from helping to attract other sources of UK and European funding that are made directly to Seva Mandir. The trustees confirm that they have reviewed the charity’s activities and confirm they meet the guidance given by the Charity Commission with regard to public benefit. 

## **Achievements and performance** 

For over half a century, Seva Mandir has served the rural areas of Southern Rajasthan, making lasting improvements in the lives of hugely disadvantaged people in around 1,500 villages and hamlets. The growth of Seva Mandir is testament to its unique approach, transforming the lives of over half a million people and establishing permanent change. Villages become communities enabled to take responsibility for their own development through educating children, providing healthcare, cultivating land, running youth programmes, promoting livelihoods, empowering women, developing sustainable energy, improving nutrition, sanitation & hygiene, and in many other ways. 

The Trustees report that, through the generous support of Friends here in the UK, we have raised £35,247. Including donations of approximately £3,000 sent directly to Seva Mandir, we have raised approximately £38,247. More detail is provided in the financial review. 

Our work with foundations and grant-giving bodies has continued and we are particularly grateful for the continued support of The Lord Deedes of Aldington Charitable Trust. 

In November, Olympia Auctions kindly hosted for us a reception for our supporters at an exhibition held at their beautiful showroom in Olympia, London. The exhibition was of Asian art and antiquities, many of them Indian. Arthur Millner, a leading curator and specialist in Asian art & antiquities and one of the foremost authorities on Indian classical pottery and tiles, gave a fascinating talk. Overall, the evening raised around £6,500 for Friends of Seva Mandir. 

We intend to build up and broaden our institutional fundraising and to explore appropriate affiliations and partnerships which support our activities. To that end, we will seek to identify volunteer or intern support to leverage and guide the efforts of our entirely non-executive trustees. 

Overall, Seva Mandir continues to make a significant and sustainable difference to very many thousands of people. We are deeply grateful to our donors for their ongoing and generous support. 

_1_ 



The Friends of Seva Mandir TRUSTEES’ REPORT 

## **Financial Review** 

## Review of financial position 

In the financial year ending 31 March 2023, the Friends of Seva Mandir received donations totalling £35,247 (2022: £72,614). 

In addition, Seva Mandir in India received a further £3,000 (2022: £2,500) as a direct result of the efforts of the Friends of Seva Mandir.  These additional amounts do not pass through, and are not controlled by, the Friends of Seva Mandir and consequently do not get recorded in the financial statements of the Friends of Seva Mandir. 

Overall donations from the UK, including those sent directly to Seva Mandir in India, totalled £38,247 (2022: £75,114). 

One event was held during the prior year which was sponsored in full and the costs were included in the financial statements shown equally both in income, as a gift in kind, and expenditure, as a cost of raising funds.  The costs of the independent examination of £1,950 (2022: £1,860) have been included in the financial statements.  Other costs were just £322 (2022: £558), which includes the cost of insurance and bank charges.  Trustees provide services on a voluntary basis and did not reclaim any expenses. 

The outbreak of COVID-19 and thereafter the war in Ukraine had a significant impact in the UK and caused a high degree of volatility in the financial markets. This has had a minimal impact on the Friends of Seva Mandir: assets almost entirely comprise cash at bank; liabilities are minimal; grants to Seva Mandir are only paid when funds become available; trustee meetings continue; and we do not have any staff in the UK. 

International remittance of donations to India totalled £57,000 in the financial year. 

## Reserves Policy 

We aim to ensure income received is forwarded to Seva Mandir within a reasonable period from receipt.  A base level of unrestricted cash reserves of approximately £5,000 is maintained for unforeseen operational costs and to assist funding for future events. Remittances to Seva Mandir of amounts above the base level are made subject to unrestricted cash reserves exceeding the base level by at least £3,000. 

Reserves in excess of this level may be held at specific times for a particular purpose if agreed by the trustees. There has been no such requirement to hold cash reserves in excess of this level during the year. 

Restricted funds are remitted to Seva Mandir for the specific purpose for which they were given. 

Reserves at the end of the year totalled £18,815 (2022: £43,413). Cash balances at year end stood at £9,708 (2022: £38,991). 

## **Structure, governance and management** 

The Friends of Seva Mandir is an unincorporated association registered with the Charity Commission (number 328428).  The charity is governed by its constitution of 25 March 2012 as updated on 16 May 2018. 

The power of appointing new or additional trustees is vested in the majority of the trustees. Investment decisions are at the discretion of the trustees. 

_2_ 



The Friends of Seva Mandir TRUSTEES’ REPORT 

## **Reference and administration information** 

## Life President: 

## Chris Wiscarson 

## Vice Patrons: 

Kamini Banga Kully Dhadda Lady Flather Ravi Govindia Celia Imrie Penny Madden Giulia Ajmone Marsan Araddhya Mehta Surekha Mehta Praveen Moman Lady Wade-Gery Robert Westlake 

## Trustees: 

Tony Bourne Don Baladasan Jonathan Berman Deepu Chintamaneni Vinay Ghai (Treasurer) David Moorhouse (Secretary) John Pheasant (resigned 3 October 2022) Raj Ragoowansi (resigned 3 October 2022) Abdy Yeganeh (appointed 3 October 2022) 

## Principal Office: 

14 Holland Park Avenue, London, W11 3QU 

## Charity number: 328428 

## Website: 

Regular newsletters, photographs and movies from visitors to Seva Mandir are shared on our website at http://www.sevamandirfriends.org/ 

## Bankers: 

CAF Bank, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4TA Barclays Bank plc, Westminster Branch, 2 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0ND 

## Independent Examiner: 

Ian Bailey (FCA), Clay GBP Limited, St Johns House, Church Street, Bromsgrove, England, B61 8DN 

_3_ 



The Friends of Seva Mandir TRUSTEES’ REPORT 

## **Trustees’ responsibilities in relation to the financial statements** 

The trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees’ annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). 

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, of the charity for that period.  In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to: 

- select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently; 

- observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP; 

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 

- state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures that must be disclosed and explained in the financial statements; 

- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business. 

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations, and the provisions of the constitution. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity’s website in accordance with legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements. 

## Nov 14, 2023 

Approved by the trustees on ……………………… and signed on their behalf by: 

## A R Bourne 

A R Bourne (Nov 14, 2023 17:02 GMT) 

………………….. 

Tony Bourne Chairman 

...................................... Vinay Ghai (Nov 14, 2023 20:50 GMT+1) Vinay Ghai Treasurer 

_4_ 



The Friends of Seva Mandir INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE FRIENDS OF SEVA MANDIR 

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the The Friends of Seva Mandir (the Charity) for the year ended 31 March 2023. 

## **Respective Responsibilities of trustees and examiner** 

As the trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’). 

I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’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. 

## **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 explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures 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** 

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or 

2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or 

3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. 

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. 

Ian Bailey FCA Ian Bailey FCA (Nov 16, 2023 12:56 GMT).............................................................. 

Ian Bailey (FCA) Date: Nov 16, 2023 Clay GBP Limited St Johns House Church Street Bromsgrove England B61 8DN 

_5_ 



The Friends of Seva Mandir STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for the year ended 31 March 2023 

|----------------------2023--------------------<br>Restricted Unrestricted<br>Total<br>funds<br>funds<br>funds<br>Note<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS<br>Donations<br>1<br>5,000<br>30,247<br>35,247<br>Gifts in kind<br>2<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>Investment income<br>3<br>-<br>27<br>27<br>  <br> <br>TOTAL INCOME<br>5,000<br>30,274<br>35,274<br>  <br> <br>EXPENDITURE<br>Charitable Activities:<br>Grants payable<br>4<br>5,000<br>52,000<br>57,000<br>Bursary payment<br>5<br>-<br>600<br>600<br>Support costs<br>6<br>-<br>165<br>165<br>Raising funds<br>7<br>-<br>2,107<br>2,107<br>  <br> <br>TOTAL EXPENDITURE<br>5,000<br>54,872<br>59,872<br>  <br> <br>NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) AND NET<br>-<br>(24,598)<br>(24,598)<br>MOVEMENT IN FUNDS<br>RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS<br>TOTAL FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD<br>10<br>-<br>43,413<br>43,413<br>  <br> <br>TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD<br>10<br>-<br>18,815<br>18,815<br>  <br>|2022<br>Total<br>funds<br>£<br>72,614<br>2,000<br>-<br> <br>74,614<br> <br>75,500<br>-<br>401<br>4,017<br> <br>79,918<br> <br>(5,304)<br>48,717<br> <br>43,413<br>|
|---|---|



All activities are classed as continuing.  The Charity has had no recognised gains and losses during this year and last year other than the net outgoing resources for the financial year. 

Note 14 provides comparative information by fund. 

_6_ 

These unaudited financial statements were subject to an independent examination.  See report on page 5 



The Friends of Seva Mandir BALANCE SHEET as at 31 March 2023 

|||2023|2022|
|---|---|---|---|
|||£|£|
|Debtors|9|11,207|6,282|
|Cash at bank:||||
|PayPal account||324|235|
|Barclays Bank account||698|695|
|CAF cash account||8,686|38,061|
|||-------------|------------|
|||9,708|38,991|
|Creditors|10|(2,100)|(1,860)|
|||-------------|------------|
|NET ASSETS|12|18,815|43,413|
|||**------------**|**------------**|
|FUNDS:||||
|Unrestricted funds||||
|-<br>General fund||18,815|43,413|
|-<br>Designated fund||-|-|
|Restricted Income Fund||-|-|
|||-------------|------------|
|TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS|12|18,815|43,413|
|||**------------**|**------------**|



The financial statements on pages 6 to 13 were approved and authorised for issue by the trustees on ………………………….. and signed on their behalf by: Nov 14, 2023 

Vinay Ghai (Nov 14, 2023 20:50 GMT+1)................................ Vinay Ghai Treasurer 

_7_ 

These unaudited financial statements were subject to an independent examination.  See report on page 5 



The Friends of Seva Mandir NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2023 

## BASIS OF ACCOUNTING 

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. 

In preparing the financial statements the Charity follows best practice in accordance with applicable accounting standards, the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP): Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) issued on 16 July 2014, as amended on 2 February 2016, the Financial Reporting Standard (FRS102), the charity’s governing document, and the Charities Act 2011. 

The Charity has taken advantage of the provisions available to smaller entities as proscribed in the update to the SORP published in February 2016, including the ability to dispense with the presentation of a cash flow statement. 

The Charity comprises a public benefit entity as defined by FRS102 and the trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the ability to continue as a going concern. 

## INCOME RECOGNITION 

Donations, grants and other income are recognised once there is evidence of entitlement, receipt is probable and the amount can be measured reliably.  Gifts in kind and donated services are recognised when received, providing the value of the gift or service can be measured reliably. Value is based on the amount that would be payable in the open market for an alternative item or service.  Investment income is recognised when its receipt is probable and the amount receivable can be measured reliably. 

## EXPENDITURE RECOGNITION 

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred.  Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the category of resources expended from which it was incurred. 

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them. 

All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the Statement of Financial Activities on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource.  Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly whilst others are apportioned on an appropriate basis. 

## COST OF RAISING FUNDS 

Cost of raising funds comprises those costs directly attributable to the Charity's fund raising activities. 

## GRANTS PAYABLE AND BURSARY PAYMENTS 

Grants payable and bursary payments are charged in the year when the offer is conveyed and payment date is confirmed. 

ALLOCATION OF SUPPORT COSTS AND GOVERNANCE COSTS 

The cost of support functions and governance is allocated to the Charity’s sole activity. 

## DEBTORS 

Debtors which are receivable within one year are measured at their recoverable amounts. 

## CASH 

Cash and bank balances includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of less than 90 days from the date of acquisition. 

_8_ 

These unaudited financial statements were subject to an independent examination.  See report on page 5 



The Friends of Seva Mandir NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2023 

## CREDITORS 

Creditors and Liabilities payable within one year are measured at the transaction price. 

FUNDS 

Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resources receivable or generated for the objects of the charity without further specified purpose and are available as general funds.  Restricted funds are donations and other incoming resources receivable for which the donor has specified a purpose. 

## RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

The trustees all give freely their time and expertise without any form of remuneration or other benefit in cash or kind. Donations from trustees totalled £1,300 (2022: £1,865).  There are other related party transactions totalling £6,740 in the year (2022: £3,945). 

_9_ 

These unaudited financial statements were subject to an independent examination.  See report on page 5 



The Friends of Seva Mandir NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2023 

## 1. DONATIONS 

## 2. 

|DONATIONS|||
|---|---|---|
||2023|2022|
||£|£|
|Supporters’ donations|28,065|40,256|
|Charitable trusts and foundations|5,000|30,000|
|Administrative support|2,182|2,358|
||------------|------------|
||35,247|72,614|
||======|======|
|GIFTS IN KIND|||
||2023|2022|
||£|£|
|Event sponsorship|-|2,000|
||------------|------------|
||-|2,000|
||======|======|



One event was held in the last financial year where the charity benefitted from donated facilities and services for one main event. 

## 3. INVESTMENT INCOME 

## 4. 

|INVESTMENT INCOME|||
|---|---|---|
||2023|2022|
||£|£|
|Interest receivable|27|-|
||======|======|
|GRANTS PAYABLE|||
||2023|2022|
||£|£|
|Seva Mandir|57,000|75,500|
||======|======|



During the year the charity made 2 grants (2022: 3) to Seva Mandir, an Indian registered charity which continues to work with some 500,000 village people in Southern Rajasthan.  All grants have been paid to an institution. 

## 5. BURSARY PAYMENTS 

|BURSARY PAYMENTS|||
|---|---|---|
||2023|2022|
||£|£|
|Bursary payments|600|-|
||======|======|



In 2022/23, payments totalling £600 were made from the designated fund to support the travel, living and accommodation expenses of one individual from the UK, in their direct support of work at Seva Mandir India. 

## 6. SUPPORT COSTS 

|SUPPORT COSTS|||
|---|---|---|
||2023|2022|
||£|£|
|Bank charges|165|251|
||======|======|



_10_ 

These unaudited financial statements were subject to an independent examination.  See report on page 5 



The Friends of Seva Mandir NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2023 

## 7. RAISING FUNDS 

|RAISING FUNDS|||
|---|---|---|
||2023|2022|
||£|£|
|Insurance|157|157|
|Events|-|2,000|
|Independent examination|1,950|1,860|
||------------|------------|
||2,107|4,017|
||======|======|



The charity has incurred no direct expenditure in relation to the cost of raising funds other than insurance and the independent examination of these accounts. Cost of events relate entirely to those donated facilities and services as shown in note 2. 

## 8. TRUSTEES AND EMPLOYEES 

The Charity has no employees and relies upon the support given by its volunteers. 

The charity considers its key management personnel to be the trustees.  No trustee received any emoluments during either year.  Furthermore, none of the trustees received reimbursement for any expenses in the year (2022: £nil). 

## 9. DEBTORS 

|9.|DEBTORS|||
|---|---|---|---|
|||2023|2022|
|||£|£|
||Gift Aid receivable|11,207|6,282|
|||------------|------------|
|||11,207|6,282|
|||======|======|
|10.|CREDITORS|||
|||2023|2022|
|||£|£|
||Bursary payment|150|-|
||Independent examination|1,950|1,860|
|||------------|------------|
|||2,100|1,860|
|||======|======|



_11_ 

These unaudited financial statements were subject to an independent examination.  See report on page 5 



The Friends of Seva Mandir NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2023 

## 11. STATEMENT OF FUNDS 

|||At 1 April||||At 31 March|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||2022|Income|Expenditure|Transfers|2023|
|||£|£|£|£|£|
|Restricted fund||-|5,000|(5,000)|-|-|
|Unrestricted funds|||||||
|-|General fund|43,413|30,274|(54,872)|-|18,815|
|||------------|------------|------------|------------|------------|
|Total||43,413|35,274|(59,872)|-|18,815|
|||======|======|======|======|======|



During the year a total of £5,000 was received for a specific purpose.  All restricted amounts were remitted to Seva Mandir during the year to be used specifically for the purpose for which they were given. 

Unrestricted funds represent the free funds of the charity and have been provided by donors without restrictions for specific use.  The designated fund represents an amount of unrestricted funds set aside by trustees for a specific purpose, to support individuals whose work or academic studies or research would, in the opinion of the trustees, be of direct and material benefit to Seva Mandir but who, in the absence of some funding, would not be able to afford to undertake such work, studies or research or to continue or complete it. 

## 12. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS 

||Debtors|Cash at|Creditors||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||Bank||Total|
||£|£|£|£|
|Restricted fund|-|-|-|-|
|Unrestricted fund|11,207|9,708|(2,100)|18,815|
||------------|------------|------------|------------|
|Total|11,207|9,708|(2,100)|18,815|
||======|======|======|======|



## 13. CORPORATION TAX 

No tax provision is included in the financial statements on the basis that all income for the registered charity is derived from wholly charitable activities. 

_12_ 

These unaudited financial statements were subject to an independent examination.  See report on page 5 



The Friends of Seva Mandir NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2023 

## 14. COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 

||----------------------2022--------------------|----------------------2022--------------------|----------------------2022--------------------|
|---|---|---|---|
||Restricted|Unrestricted|Total|
||funds|funds|funds|
||£|<br>£|£|
|INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS||||
|Donations|15,000|57,614|72,614|
|Gifts in kind|-|2,000|2,000|
|Investment income|-<br>|-|-|
|TOTAL INCOME|15,000<br>|59,614|74,614|
|EXPENDITURE||||
|Charitable Activities:||||
|Grants payable|25,000|50,500|75,500|
|Bursary payments|-|-|-|
|Support costs|-|401|401|
|Raising funds|-<br>|4,017|4,017|
|TOTAL EXPENDITURE|25,000<br>|54,918|79,918|
|NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) AND NET|(10,000)|<br>4,696|(5,304)|
|MOVEMENT IN FUNDS||||
|RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS||||
|TOTAL FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD|10,000<br>|38,717|48,717|
|TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD|-<br>|43,413|43,413|



_13_ 

These unaudited financial statements were subject to an independent examination.  See report on page 5