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2024-03-31-accounts

The Friends of Seva Mandir REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Year ended 31 March 2024

Charity No. 328428

The Friends of Seva Mandir TRUSTEES’ REPORT

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The trustees of the charity present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on pages 9 and 10 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) (effective 1 January 2019), 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 £50,656. 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 and generous donation this year from Cati Patel.

Cati Patel has generously donated €22,500 in memory of her late husband, Peter. Of this amount €10,000 is to fund the first year of a newly established Peter Patel Next Step Fund while €12,500 is to fund the first year of the Peter Patel Scholarship. The Next Step Fund is to provide small grants as a critical catalyst to unlock individual, group or community potential by means of education or necessary training, entrepreneurship or village projects. The Scholarship is to provide ten girls aged 16-18 with two-year residential schooling at Vidhya Bhawan in Udaipur.

Rachel Patel from FSM UK was an intern at Seva Mandir in Udaipur about a year from late 2022 to late 2023. Her priority projects were the relaunch of the Seva Mandir Newsletter, work on the 10th Comprehensive Plan and preparing the Seva Mandir Brochure. In addition, she worked on communications, social media content, fundraising materials, website updates, induction for new staff and internal communications. She came back to the UK earlier in 2024 to start a permanent position in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. In April 2024, she made a full presentation to the FSM board on her activities and on her observations and recommendations for more effective working between Udaipur and FSM.

In early January 2024, Tony Bourne and a couple of established donors spent a whole day in Kherwada Block, about 1.5 to 2 hours drive south of Udaipur, visiting four villages and seeing at first hand a balwadi, a sports ground together with a village committee, a shiksha kendra (bridge school) and the Amrit Clinic (so far, Seva Mandir’s only one). After the tour, we had a meeting back at Seva Mandir’s office in Udaipur with Ronak Shah, CEO, and Professor Janat Shah, President.

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The Friends of Seva Mandir TRUSTEES’ REPORT

A few weeks later, FSM’s Life President, Chris Wiscarson and his wife visited a number of villages and projects at Seva Mandir and provided a full written report which FSM’s board reviewed earlier this year.

During the year, Tony Bourne took the opportunity provided by the appointment of a new principal to renew contact with St Christopher School in Letchworth, a long-standing supporter of Seva Mandir. Every year, the School takes a party of pupils to visit Seva Mandir and various villages and projects in and around Udaipur. Funds raised from all pupils, their families and friends are donated to FSM. A further meeting in London is scheduled in October.

We are delighted to welcome as a Trustee Bridget Barker who also visited Seva Mandir in Udaipur in February. Bridget had a very distinguished career with Macfarlanes, where she became partner in 1988 and eventually head of Macfarlanes Investment Management Group. In 2018, Bridget left Macfarlanes to focus on consultancy work and independent non-executive directorships including as Chief Executive of the charity Race Against Dementia.

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 many thousands of people. We are deeply grateful to our donors for their ongoing and generous support.

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The Friends of Seva Mandir TRUSTEES’ REPORT

Financial Review

Review of financial position

In the financial year ending 31 March 2024, the Friends of Seva Mandir received donations totalling £50,656 (2023: £35,247).

In addition, Seva Mandir in India received £3,000 in 2023 (2024: £nil) 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 £50,656 (2023: £38,247).

The costs of the independent examination of £2,010 (2023: £1,950) have been included in the financial statements. Other costs were just £272 (2023: £322), 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 £30,000 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 £35,876 (2023: £18,815). Cash balances at year end stood at £22,654 (2023: £9,708).

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.

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The Friends of Seva Mandir TRUSTEES’ REPORT

Reference and administration information

Life President:

Chris Wiscarson

Vice Patrons:

Kamini Banga Kully Dhadda Lady Flather (resigned 06/02/2024) Ravi Govindia Celia Imrie Penny Madden Giulia Ajmone Marsan Araddhya Mehta Surekha Mehta Praveen Moman Lady Wade-Gery Robert Westlake

Trustees:

Tony Bourne (Chairman) Don Baladasan Deepu Chintamaneni Vinay Ghai (Treasurer) David Moorhouse (Secretary) Abdy Yeganeh Jonathan Berman (resigned 12/09/2023) Bridget Barker (appointed 09/10/2024)

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/

Banker:

CAF Bank, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4TA

Independent Examiner:

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

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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:

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.

Oct 28, 2024

Approved by the trustees on ……………………… and signed on their behalf by: Oct 28, 2024

Tony Bourne (Oct 28, 2024 13:25 GMT)………………….. Tony Bourne Chairman

...................................... Vinay Ghai (Oct 28, 2024 15:09 GMT) Vinay Ghai Treasurer

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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 2024.

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

.............................................................. Ian Bailey (Oct 31, 2024 17:04 GMT)

Ian Bailey (FCA) Date: Oct 31, 2024 Clay GBP Limited St Johns House Church Street Bromsgrove England B61 8DN

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The Friends of Seva Mandir STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for the year ended 31 March 2024

----------------------2024--------------------
Restricted Unrestricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
Note
£
£
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Donations
1
23,866
26,790
50,656
Gifts in kind
2
-
-
-
Investment income
3
-
55
55
TOTAL INCOME
23,866
26,845
50,711

EXPENDITURE
Charitable Activities:
Grants payable
4
14,461
15,539
30,000
Bursary payment
5
-
1,368
1,368
Support costs
6
-
115
115
Raising funds
7
-
2,167
2,167
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
14,461
19,189
33,650
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) AND NET
9,405
7,656
17,061
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
TOTAL FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD
10
-
18,815
18,815
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
10
9,405
26,471
35,876
2023
Total
funds
£
35,247
-
27
35,274
57,000
600
165
2,017
59,872
(24,598)
43,413
18,815

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 incoming / outgoing resources for the financial year.

Note 14 provides comparative information by fund.

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These unaudited financial statements were subject to an independent examination. See report on page 6

The Friends of Seva Mandir BALANCE SHEET as at 31 March 2024

2024 2023
£ £
Debtors 9 15,202 11,207
Cash at bank:
PayPal account - 324
Barclays Bank account - 698
CAF cash account 22,654 8,686
------------- ------------
22,654 9,708
Creditors 10 (1,980) (2,100)
------------- ------------
NET ASSETS 12 35,876 18,815
------------ ------------
FUNDS:
Unrestricted funds
-
General fund
26,471 18,815
-
Designated fund
- -
Restricted Income Fund 9,405 -
------------- ------------
TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS 12 35,876 18,815
------------ ------------

The financial statements on pages 7 to 14 were approved and authorised for issue by the trustees on ………………………….. and signed on their behalf by: Oct 28, 2024

Vinay Ghai (Oct 28, 2024 15:09 GMT)

................................

Vinay Ghai Treasurer

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These unaudited financial statements were subject to an independent examination. See report on page 6

The Friends of Seva Mandir NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2024

BASIS OF ACCOUNTING

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

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019), 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 October 2018, 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.

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These unaudited financial statements were subject to an independent examination. See report on page 6

The Friends of Seva Mandir NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2024

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 £2,500 (2023: £1,300). There are other related party transactions totalling £3,520 in the year (2023: £6,740).

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These unaudited financial statements were subject to an independent examination. See report on page 6

The Friends of Seva Mandir NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2024

1. DONATIONS

1. DONATIONS
2024 2023
£ £
Supporters’ donations 21,538 28,065
Charitable trusts and foundations 26,866 5,000
Administrative support 2,252 2,182
------------ ------------
50,656 35,247
====== ======
2. GIFTS IN KIND
2024 2023
£ £
Event sponsorship - -
------------ ------------
- -
====== ======
3. INVESTMENT INCOME
2024 2023
£ £
Interest receivable 55 27
====== ======
4. GRANTS PAYABLE
2024 2023
£ £
Seva Mandir 30,000 57,000
====== ======

During the year the charity made 1 grant (2023: 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
2024 2023
£ £
Bursary payments 1,368 600
====== ======

In 2023/24, payments totalling £1,368 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
2024 2023
£ £
Bank charges 115 165
====== ======

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These unaudited financial statements were subject to an independent examination. See report on page 6

The Friends of Seva Mandir NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2024

7. RAISING FUNDS

RAISING FUNDS
2024 2023
£ £
Insurance 157 157
Events - -
Independent examination 2,010 1,950
------------ ------------
2,167 2,017
====== ======

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 (2023: £nil).

9. DEBTORS

9. DEBTORS
2024 2023
£ £
Gift Aid receivable 15,202 11,207
------------ ------------
15,202 11,207
====== ======
10. CREDITORS
2024 2023
£ £
Bursary payment - 150
Independent examination 1,980 1,950
------------ ------------
1,980 2,100
====== ======

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These unaudited financial statements were subject to an independent examination. See report on page 6

The Friends of Seva Mandir NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2024

11. STATEMENT OF FUNDS

At 1 April At 31 March
2023
Income
Expenditure Transfers 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Restricted fund - 23,866 (14,461) - 9,405
Unrestricted funds
- General fund 18,815 26,845 (19,189) - 26,471
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Total 18,815 50,711 (33,650) - 35,876
====== ====== ====== ====== ======

During the year a total of £23,866 was received for specific purposes. Except for one tranche of £9,405 from the overall donation made by the Peter Patel family, 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 - 9,405 - 9,405
Unrestricted fund 15,203 13,248 (1,980) 26,471
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Total 15,203 22,653 (1,980) 35,876
====== ====== ====== ======

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.

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These unaudited financial statements were subject to an independent examination. See report on page 6

The Friends of Seva Mandir NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2024

14. COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

----------------------2023-------------------- ----------------------2023-------------------- ----------------------2023--------------------
Restricted Unrestricted Total
funds funds funds
£
£
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Donations 5,000 30,247 35,247
Gifts in kind - - -
Investment income - 27 27
TOTAL INCOME 5,000 30,274 35,274
EXPENDITURE
Charitable Activities:
Grants payable 5,000 52,000 57,000
Bursary payments - 600 600
Support costs - 165 165
Raising funds - 2,107 2,107
TOTAL EXPENDITURE 5,000 54,872 59,872
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) AND NET - (24,598) (24,598)
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
TOTAL FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD - 43,413 43,413
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD - 18,815 18,815

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These unaudited financial statements were subject to an independent examination. See report on page 6