As a registered charity, we are committed to being transparent about our finances and ensuring that funds are applied responsibly, efficiently and in line with our charitable purposes. We publish annual accounts and reports, maintain appropriate financial controls, and seek to communicate openly with supporters about the costs involved in delivering our work. We work in line the with the The Charities Statement of Recommended Practice which is the accounting and financial guidance provided by the Charity Commission.

The work of caring for vulnerable children and supporting communities across Africa requires people, systems, governance, safeguarding, financial oversight and local leadership. Some administration is therefore necessary to ensure that donations are managed responsibly and achieve lasting impact.

How Programme and Project Donations Are Allocated

For donations made to projects, programmes (including three essential services), our aim is to ensure that the overwhelming majority of funds reach Africa while maintaining the infrastructure necessary to support the work effectively.

At a Glance

For every £100 donated to a project or programme:

• £92.50 is sent to Africa

• £7.50 is used for UK administration and support costs

What Happens to the £92.50 Sent to Africa?

Of the funds reaching Africa:

• £64.75 is used for direct programme delivery (70%)

• £18.50 is used for community support and local mobilisation (20%)

• £9.25 is used for Africa administration and oversight (10%)

Why These Costs Exist

UK Administration (7.5%)

The UK portion helps cover the costs of:

• The national coordinator role which delivers and provides oversight of all UK operations

• Support for Advocates and Partners in the UK

• The encouragement and nurture of new partnerships

• Administrative oversight of Teams and visitors to Africa and associated safeguarding and background checks

• The supervision and care of volunteers

• Processing donations and Gift Aid claims

• Financial management and accounting services

• Governance and trustee oversight including insurance

• Compliance with charity and legal requirements

• Donor communications and support

• Safeguarding, reporting and monitoring

• Systems required to administer giving securely (CRM and financial platforms)

These activities help ensure that donations are handled responsibly and that the charity remains sustainable and accountable.

Africa Administration (10%)

Local and regional administration supports:

• Financial oversight and accountability

• Monitoring and evaluation

• Safeguarding and child protection structures

• Leadership and management

• Training and support for staff and volunteers

• Supporting the volunteer workers

Without these functions, effective programme delivery would not be possible.

Community Support (20%)

Hands at Work's model is built around equipping and strengthening local communities.

These funds help communities to:

• Coordinate local care workers and volunteers

• Provide practical support for vulnerable children

• Strengthen local leadership

• Build community resilience

• Support the holistic needs of care workers

This community-based approach is a key part of ensuring that change is sustainable and locally led.

Direct Programme Delivery (70%)

This funding goes directly towards the direct project costs, including:

• Education support

• The provision of basic healthcare

• Nutrition and food programmes

• Phycological and emotional support

• Family strengthening and livelihood projects

• Other locally delivered interventions that improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families.

Stewardship and Accountability

Our trustees are responsible for ensuring that funds are used appropriately, in accordance with charity law and our charitable objectives. We operate financial controls, budgeting processes, oversight arrangements and reporting mechanisms designed to ensure that donations are used effectively and for their intended purpose.

Questions?

We welcome questions about how donations are used and are committed to being open and accountable to our supporters. If you would like more information about our finances, annual accounts or funding model, please get in touch. Our annual accounts and trustee report is published at Companies house and we produce a web based annual report at the end of each of our accounting years

Together we can ensure that vulnerable children, families and communities receive the care, support and hope they deserve.

If you have any questions about giving, please email us at give@uk.handsatwork.org.

Thank you!

Established in 2006, Hands at Work in Africa (UK) is a registered charity (No. 1117446).

You can read more about Hands at Work in Africa and the impact your donations make in our latest Annual Report.