The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and “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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2019).
The objective of the charity is to provide financial and other support to the young and vulnerable people who benefit from the services that Restart Africa provides in Gilgil, Kenya. The operations of Restart are overseen by the Kenyan Board of Trustees, which liaise with the Sanata Charitable Trust UK, and both adhere to a common agreed strategy document, which is reviewed annually.
In planning the charity’s activities, the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity commission on Public Benefit.
The main activities in relation to these objects are the raising of funds to support the health, education, and general wellbeing of young and vulnerable people in Kenya, overseeing the operation of the Sanata Children’s Home, and ensuring proper and accountable use of the funds raised.
Charity Policies
During the year, the trustees have once again reviewed all the main policies of the charity which included well-being and safeguarding of the Restart children, and current employment policies in line with Kenyan law and practice.
The new Restart building has now been occupied for over 9 years. The building remains structurally sound, and additional buildings originally planned for 2019 have again been postponed until finance is guaranteed. Work continues to improve the site, and the sports field, children’s play area and a large vegetable garden are now in full use. The protective electric fence has been overhauled and repaired guaranteeing the security of the area.
The link with the British Army which involves visits by them to Restart where they help with routine maintenance has developed and this led to visits by The Coldstream Guards (February) and The Rifles (March) this year. There have also been visits by the RAF (16 guests) and an academic trip from Shrewsbury School (20 students and 4 staff).
The website (www.restartafrica.org) is well-established, properly monitored, and has played an increasingly important part in raising awareness and through that, funds.
The UK Charity’s main concern has always been the Restart, but its original Memorandum and Articles also emphasised a commitment to self-sufficiency and general uplift in the deprived community of Gilgil. Small business enterprises such as craft and design, and the manufacture of briquettes (from waste) have been in existence for several years but have required financial support. The improved accounting, financial practice and management structure now sees them at least breaking even, and the long-term aim remains that these community enterprises will contribute to the financing of Restart.
The charity’s football team, which plays an important part in raising the profile of the charity in Gilgil and contributes to the uplift of the community has continued its progress and importance in Gilgil.
Nine young adults have been successfully admitted to higher learning institutions in Kenya. 7 on BA courses, 1 on a Diploma course and 1 on a Certificate course.
The initiative linking Restart students with students at Shrewsbury School via monitored interactive sessions is proving to be very successful and the school’s fundraising activities in support of Restart have been a major boost to Restart’s finances.
The Trust continued to commit to raise half the annual cost of running the charity, with the remainder coming from support in Kenya and other countries, notably Australia and the USA. The grants paid by the charity to the Kenyan charity are transferred via Barclays Bank to a dedicated sterling account in Barclays Bank, Kenya. However, during the year, major donors in Australia and the USA reduced the amount donated for personal reasons. The Sanata Charitable Trust is currently working on ensuring that donations will remain at similar levels to the past.
The financial accounts for the twelve months ended 31 December 2024 have been prepared and approved by the Trustees.
Sources of funds include fundraising events, standing orders, single donations, either on-line or by post, and donations from family charities.
The financial position at the year end remained stable with an increase in reserves to £618,180 from £584,523. Total income was £151,869 (2023: £103,985). Final net surplus for the year was £33,657 (2023: £28,298). There was a positive impact in the end of year investment valuation showing an increase in value of £16,037. The overall investment valuation increased from £350,194 to £366,231.
The charity is able to cover all its liabilities as they fall due. The financial position for the year ending 31 December 2024 to date is showing a further increase in the charity’s reserves.
Reserves Policy
The charity continues to apply its net income for the benefit of the Restart in Kenya, in accordance with its objectives. The reserves policy is to continue to build funds for this purpose, and it aims to hold funds amounting to at least six months operating costs of Restart, which are calculated to be £220,000 in total for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Investment Policy
The Trustees are authorised to invest the assets of the Charity in whatever way they believe to be in the interests of the Charity and its objectives.
Risk Management
The Trustees have examined the major strategic, business and operational risks which the Charity faces and confirm that systems have been established to ensure the minimisation of those risks. The financial position of the Charity is robust, resources are sufficient to meet any eventualities that may arise for the foreseeable future.
The charity is constituted as a company limited by guarantee and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Reference and administrative details
There have been two changes in trustees during the year 2024. The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year were:
New Trustees may be nominated by any trustee but must be elected by all trustees.
The focus of attention continued to be the strengthening of the controls over the charity's work and finances in Kenya, which is overseen by the UK Trustees.
The Board meeting in February 2024 was held on Teams. The AGM was a face-to face affair in London which was planned to coincide with the fundraising visit of Mary Coulson (CEO) and Marvine Gaye (Operations Director) to the UK. The plan for 2025 is to copy this structure for meetings.
During the year, the usual visits to Restart by the Chairman and some trustees have continued. Chris Conway, Patrick Smith, James Plastow, Julia Head and Giles Bell all visited during the year and Alison Costello worked as a volunteer accountant early in 2024 before she became a Trustee.
The Trustees' report has been approved by the Board of Trustees and is signed on their behalf by:
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of The Sanata Charitable Trust (the charity) for the year ended 31 December 2024 which are set out on pages 5 to 13.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
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 financial statements to be reached.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The Sanata Charitable Trust is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 58 Trinity Street, Belle Vue, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY3 7PQ. The charity is a registered charity with Charity Commission for England and Wales, number 1132766.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and “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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2019). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Fixed asset investments are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred. Changes in fair value are recognised in other recognised gains and losses except to the extent that a gain reverses a loss previously recognised in net income expenditure, or a loss exceeds the accumulated gains recognised in equity; such gains and loss are recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year.
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitiables activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year (2023: £nil).
During the year, there were no trustees' expenses reimbursed (2023: £694).
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
Sowerby Fund
During 2020, the Trust received a grant of £250,000 on condition that the grant received is invested as an endowment in order to maintain the capital value of the principal sum whilst producing annually an amount that may be spent to support the objects of the Trust.
Income arising on the endowment funds, used to support the objects of the Trust, is included as unrestricted income. Any unrealised capital gains or losses arising on the assets form part of the fund.
Whilst corporate charities do not normally hold investments as a permanent endowment. The Trustees have sought clarification from the donor who has consulted their lawyers and has agreed that the endowed funds should remain in the Trust’s balance sheet, as a restricted fund.
Generator Fund
During the year to 31 December 2024, £5,000 was received from the Colefax Charitable Trust on behalf of two parents whose daughters volunteered at Restart in 2024. This donation was restricted towards the purchase of an electric generator which can provide emergency cover at Restart when there are power cuts.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
The funds are sent in Sterling to Kenya which are then converted at the prevailing rate into Kenyan shillings.
The Charity received donations of £1,500 (2023: £1,500) from The Plastow Family Charitable Trust, of which James Plastow is a also trustee.
The Charity received total donation of £1,200 (2023: £nil) from the spouse and parent of Robert Stabler (£600) and spouse of James Plastow (£600).
Additionally the Charity received donations without conditions from four Trustees totaling £3,540 (2023: £5,400 from five Trustees).