## THE VERBUM DEI COMMUNITY
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
_(Registered Charity Number 1007825)_
Verbum Dei Centre Nunnery Lane Carisbrooke Isle of Wight PO30 1YR
THE VERBUM DEI COMMUNITY
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
_(Registered Charity Number 1007825)_
## **Declaration**
The income and expenditure account for the financial year 1 January to 31 December 2023, set out on pages 5 and 6, the balance sheet as at 31 December 2023 set out on page 7, and the notes to the accounts set out on page 8 are all as approved by the trustees.
Catherine Cruz
For and on behalf of the Trustees
10[th] October 2024
Page 2
## THE VERBUM DEI COMMUNITY
## ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
## Annual Report of the Trustees
The Verbum Dei Community, “Verbum Dei Centre”, Nunnery Lane, Carisbrooke, Isle of Wight PO30 1YR is registered with the Charity Commissioners (No 1007825) and constituted by Deed of Trust.
The Charity is administered by the following trustees: Catherine M Cavaco Cruz Dora Luz Gonzalez Cortez Anabel Gonzalez Castañeda Maria de la Portilla Costa María Yadira Betsabé Calderón Peralta Sue J Cooper
We continue our outreach in the three locations where we are based, namely the Isle of Wight, Southampton, and London, as well as leading groups in other towns and areas. We also have a network of lay people committed to prayer and evangelisation working where they live with our support. The emphasis of our work has followed the focus of the previous year.
## Young people
A highlight of 2023 was the World Youth Day in Lisbon. The Verbum Dei Missionaries in the UK were very involved in organising a Verbum Dei event with young people from all over the world and they also brought over 120 young people to participate in the main World Youth Day celebrations. This included people from all the University Chaplaincies we are working in, both in Southampton and Portsmouth, as well as from London and other student groups we are in contact with. As in previous years both in London and on the Isle of Wight the Community are running Confirmation programmes, and so are involved in ministry with adolescents.
## Retreat house
On the Isle of Wight there has been a continued uptake for retreats for all groups, young people and families and opportunities for all for quiet space to deepen in prayer. An important event at the Isle of Wight Centre was the celebration of 60 years of the Verbum Dei Community since the foundation of the Community in 1963 in Mallorca. As well as a celebration in London, the previous autumn, on the 25[th] March we held a ‘party’ weekend, with many people attending from the Isle of Wight and Southampton and quite a few coming to stay for the weekend. There have been numerous maintenance projects at the retreat centre, including replacing various wooden window frames with PVC ones.
## Training
During 2023 the group of two young women continued with the for initial training (Novitiate) programme based at the Isle of Wight centre. The young women receive a lot from the community environment and are able to support the work of the retreat centre in many practical ways. This training programme is reflected in the accounts as we received some money from our central organisation to support this particular group.
## London
In spring of 2023 it was decided that the London Community would move from the larger property in Vincent Road, which was being used as a small retreat centre, to the smaller property on the same road, both owned by the St. John Vianney parish on West Green road, Tottenham. This was due to a change of priests and also the Communities own wish to reduce slightly the different areas of ministry due to a reduction in members of the London Community. The move took place successfully in September 2023.
The pastoral work of the Community is open to everyone on a totally non-discriminational basis. The financial situation of the Community is considered to be satisfactory and the Trustees can confirm that there have been no serious incidents.
Catherine Cruz On behalf of the Trustees 10[th] October 2024
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THE VERBUM DEI COMMUNITY
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
## _(Registered Charity Number 1007825)_
## **Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of the Verbum Dei Community**
This report is on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023, which are set out on pages 5 to 7.
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
The charity’s Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
- follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 145 (5) (b) of the 2011 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 General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes 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 the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit; consequently, I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
In the course of 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 2011 Act; and - to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and 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.
Ashley Rebello ACCA Independent Examiner
Flat 92, 581 North End Road HA9 0UT
Date 10[th] Oct 2024
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## **THE VERBUM DEI COMMUNITY**
## **Income & expenditure account for the year ended 31 December 2023**
## **Building Fund**
|**Income**
Donations
**Total Income**
**Expenditure**
Repairs and maintenance
Bank Charges
**Total Expenditure**
**Net Expenditure for the Year**
Balance at 1 January
Transfer from General Purposes Fund
**Fund Balance at 31 December**|**2023**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
10,638
14,476
**10,638**
**14,476**
150
-
-
40
**150**
**40**
**10,488**
**14,436**
45,155
30,719
-
-
**55,643**
**45,155**|
|---|---|
Page 5
## **THE VERBUM DEI COMMUNITY**
## **Income and expenditure account for the year ended 31 December 2023**
## **Summary of Funds**
|**Income**
_Grants and Donations_
Donations
Tax reclaimed on Gift Aided Donations
Bank Interest
Other Income
Transfer from Verbum Dei overseas
**Total Income**
**Expenditure**
_Direct Charitable Expenditure_
Living Costs and Retreat Costs
Travel and motoring
_Other Expenditure_
Repairs and maintenance
Heating, Lighting and Water
Rent and Council Tax
Printing, Stationery and Postage
Telephone and Fax
Bank Charges
Studies
Sundry Items
Transfer to Verbum Dei overseas
**Total Expenditure**
**Net Income/(Expenditure) for the Year**
Balance at 1 January (Bank Deposits)
Debtor carried forward
Regulation of Debtor
Gift Aid claim
Transfer from / (to) Building Fund
**Fund Balances at 31 December**|**2023**
General
Purposes
£
69,864
11,245
81,109
54,295
6,769
**142,173**
52,960
28,725
81,686
28,746
18,895
1,879
1,518
3,296
295
1,276
10,175
5,025
71,106
**152,791**
**(10,618)**
55,985
11,837
(11,837)
10,890
-
**56,257**|Building
Fund
**Total**
£
**£**
10,638
**80,501**
-
**11,245**
10,638
**91,747**
-
**54,295**
-
**6,769**
**10,638**
**152,811**
-
**52,960**
-
**28,725**
-
**81,686**
150
**28,896**
-
**18,895**
-
**1,879**
-
**1,518**
-
**3,296**
-
**295**
-
**1,276**
-
**10,175**
-
**5,025**
150
**71,256**
**150**
**152,941**
**10,488**
**(131)**
45,155
**101,140**
-
**11,837**
-
**(11,837)**
-
**10,890**
-
**-**
**55,643**
**111,900**|
|---|---|---|
Page 6
## **THE VERBUM DEI COMMUNITY**
## **Balance sheet as at 31 December 2023**
|Fixed Assets
Debtor
Bank and Cash Deposits
Net funds
_Represented by:_
General Purposes Fund
Building Fund|2023
Note
2022
£
£
-
1
-
10,890
2
11,837
101,010
101,141
111,900
112,978
56,257
67,823
55,643
45,155
111,900
112,978|
|---|---|
Page 7
## **THE VERBUM DEI COMMUNITY**
## **Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023**
## **Notes to the accounts**
## **1. Fixed Assets**
For the use of the Charity and belonging to the General Purposes Fund are buildings at the Verbum Dei Centre, Carisbrooke, Isle of Wight, as well as several cars and furniture & fittings. All fixed assets are recorded in the accounts at a net book value of zero.
## **2. Debtor**
The amount receivable at 31 December represents income tax recoverable from the Inland Revenue on gift aided donations. The entire amount is receivable within one year.
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