2023 TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT for
CHRISTIAN CONCERN FOR ONE WORLD Registered charity no. 1008146
Principal address:
The Rectory Church End Blewbury Oxon OX11 9QH
Trustees:
Colin Date Acting Chair Catriona Cappleman Secretary and Treasurer Keith Whyte
Senior staff:
Maranda St John Nicolle Director
Structure, Governance and Management
The charity is a trust governed by a trust deed dated 20 December 1991. Trustees are selected by the existing trustees.
Objectives and Activities
Objects of the charity as set out in the governing document
The advancement of Christian religion, relief of poverty, the advancement of education and for such other charitable purposes, trusts or institutions as the trustees shall in their absolute discretion from time to time think fit.
Summary of Main Activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects
CCOW’s strapline is “helping Christians love God and neighbour in a globalised world”. We focus in particular on three areas which offer particular opportunities for local Christians to live out their love: support for refugees and asylum seekers; care for creation and tackling climate change; and economic justice, especially Fair Trade and trade justice.
In order to encourage Christians and their churches to deepen their engagement in these areas, the charity carries out three forms of activity. Firstly, we provide resources – including background information, theological reflections, worship materials, and suggestions for action –that enable individuals and their churches to reflect, pray and act more knowledgeably and effectively.
Secondly, we supplement these with in-person talks, training, and mentoring, acting as a catalyst for action by particular groups and communities.
Thirdly, we network people and groups with each other. We are an ecumenical charity, so connected to churches from a variety of traditions. We are also involved with a wide range of community groups, local and national charities, statutory bodies, and coalitions that work in our focal areas. We
seek, where possible, to link individuals, churches, and wider groups that have similar aims and objectives, to help them accomplish more together.
The trustees confirm that they have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.
Achievements and Performance
STANDING ALONGSIDE REFUGEES
We believe …
each human being is made in the image and likeness of God and possesses inherent dignity and value.
every person has the right to seek safety when fleeing armed conflict and persecution.
all of us are called to love our neighbours – near and far - as ourselves … and love responds to people’s needs
We help people turn principles into action through:
… providing information and resources to inform prayer and practical action
Our quarterly refugee support newsletter is a valued resource for people in the Thames Valley with an interest in standing alongside refugees. As well as features, it includes updates from local groups, links to selected resources, and a list of local and online events. For a wider audience, the ‘Refugees and Forced Migration’ section of our website was updated this year with a new format, new case studies, new and updated materials on prayer and advocacy, and links to our online calendar of events.
In 2023, we focused particular attention on our Christmas campaign. This had two elements. The first was a series of nine short videos called ‘Christmas Lights’ in which Thames Valley Christians who are active in supporting refugees shared how they got involved, what activities they were doing, moments that had moved them, and a Christmas message. These were shared on our website and on social media. The second was a Christmas poster: a picture of a candle with the slogan ‘Refugees Welcome’ and a reminder of the tradition of leaving candles in the window to light the way for Jesus’ family or others seeking safety. This proved popular: over 300 posters were distributed to people at events or by mail in response to requests.
… making connections and being a catalyst
We feel that local groups of churches, working ecumenically, are well placed to respond to the needs of asylum seekers and refugees. With that in mind, we have begun to focus our networking on helping to form or strengthen such groups.
In early 2023, we joined with the Benefice of Witney, Care4Calais, Didcot Churches Refugees Welcome, the Diocese of Oxford, and West Berkshire Action for Refugees to put on an online event ‘Supporting asylum seekers and refugees in hotels’. Almost 90 people registered, and there were speakers covering a variety of areas, from legal issues to practicalities of working with hotels to avoiding burn-out. The recordings and resources for that event were then placed on our website for wider use.
In April of 2023, we spoke at a Banbury Christians Together meeting; this led to a second meeting bringing together over 40 people from area churches and then to the formation of the Banbury Christians Together Care for Refugees project, of which our director is on the steering group. The project is active in responding to the practical needs of asylum seekers accommodated in the Banbury area.
In Didcot, we were aware that individuals and churches working with refugees felt a weekly drop-in café would be an invaluable resource, providing a central point where individuals could find friendship and assistance. We provided a small amount of funding and seconded our Refugee Networking Officer to form a steering group and to set up a month-long pilot of an ‘international café’ at Didcot Baptist Church (DBC). The café offered a place to meet, form friendships, have homemade refreshments, and find information and connections: each week a speaker from a local refugee charity, company, or statutory body addressed questions around a key topic such as housing, benefits, or employment. The pilot was very successful, and the café is now an institution at DBC, run by Didcot Churches Refugees Welcome, with an expanded group of volunteers and guests helping to manage the programme.
While our particular strength is helping churches to link faith and local action, it is a principle of our work with refugees that we work with people of all faiths and none, finding common ground in our concern for the rights and dignity of people seeking safety in the UK. We are active members of the Together with Refugees coalition and partner with individual community groups, statutory bodies, and other refugee-focused charities.
Among other pieces of joint work, we joined with Sanctuary Hosting to organise a dinner in Reading aimed at people who were already hosts and people who might be interested in opening their homes to asylum seekers, refugees or vulnerable migrants. We were also delighted to have a stall and chair the faith panel at the ‘Sanctuary Fair’ that Asylum Welcome organised jointly with Oxford University’s Refugee Studies Centre.
At the end of the year, thanks to a donation from church members who wanted to help Ukrainian refugees, we set up another pilot project, ‘Make a House a Home’, with the South and Vale District Council. In this project, Council staff referred to us Ukrainians who would benefit from some assistance in purchasing materials to furnish new accommodation, having moved from sponsors’ homes. We provided an opportunity for those referred to choose up to £100 of goods from Argos/Sainsbury’s. The pilot was very limited, but both the Council and the recipients appreciated it, and we hope to find funding to expand it in the future.
… assisting in advocacy
Our advocacy in 2023 primarily focused on helping church members respond to the ‘Illegal Migration Bill’. In particular, we invited supporters and others to advocate in favour of several amendments proposed by the House of Lords. We provided a page of resources for people to write to their MPs, including a list of the amendments made by the House of Lords and their significance, a compilation of key advocacy points supported by quotes Christians made during the Lords debates; a compilation of quotes from Conservative peers supporting key advocacy points; suggestions for writing, and links to template letters.
CARING FOR CREATION and TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE
We believe …
-
that the earth is the Lord’s – and that all are called to join in creation’s praise of the Maker.
-
that it is necessary to recognise and repent of the role that we human beings and our institutions play in disturbing the balance of nature and imperilling ecosystems, the diversity of species, and our brothers and sisters.
-
that prayer, practical action, and advocacy on creation care in general and the climate crisis in particular is an essential part of Christian discipleship, a vital part of living out the call to love God and neighbour.
In 2023 we focused our work primarily through Pray and Fast for the Climate
Pray and Fast for the Climate was started in 2014 as part of the Faith for the Climate movement: in Autumn 2023, we marked ten years’ worth of climate-related monthly prayer points sent to individuals and churches.
CCOW now hosts Pray and Fast for the Climate. The materials, which we prepare, are a combination of information, prayer points, short prayers and reflections. They are used by individuals and small groups across the UK and in several other countries. The materials are regularly mentioned by Green Christian, which asks its supporters to join in with the prayers on the 1[st] of every month, and are promoted by other groups such as the Anglican Alliance, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, and Worship Words.
“This movement provides monthly Prayer Points focusing on current climate concerns. These current and relevant Prayer Points are designed for inclusion in prayers of intercession or other segments of a worship service.” (Worship Words, ‘Season of Creation – Ecumenical Resources’)
“Pray and Fast for the Climate provides extremely helpful and well-researched prayer points each month.” (Anglican Alliance)
PROMOTING FAIR TRADE
We believe …
-
that, as theologian Dewi Hughes said, “Since Jesus asks us as Christians to love our neighbours as ourselves, and our neighbour is any other human being with whom we come into contact, the demand to love must prevail when we shop."
-
that Fair Trade promotes a positive model for relationships between people who produce goods and those who use them.
-
that the existence of dedicated Fair Trade Organisations, including producers and retailers, is essential to safeguarding the integrity of the Fair Trade movement.
In 2023, we explored the situation of cocoa and citrus producers in Ghana and shared the learning with churches in our area and beyond.
In 2023, our director was asked to represent a network at the Anglican Consultative Council meeting in Accra, Ghana. Following the council meeting, she and Elizabeth Perry from the Anglican Alliance visited A Rocha Ghana in the Kumasi area to learn about their carbon sequestration and community development projects. They also met with cocoa producers gathered for a meeting in Kumasi and, through the auspices of the Fair Trade Ghana Network, travelled with Mr Emmanuel Nana Kwame
Addo, CEO of Matamiss Pottery, and a film crew who were visiting and filming cocoa and citrus producers in different parts of Ghana.
The conversations with and visits to cocoa producers indicated the positive impacts of Fairtrade, the challenges many Fairtrade producers face because of companies switching from the FAIRTRADE Mark into other certification systems, and the nuances of the different systems, some of which were offering substantial benefits to producers, and some of which appeared to have resulted in a decline in income. We are committed to doing further research to enable campaigning in this area; this year, we began by sharing some stories and initial reflections via our supporter communications, website, and talks.
We also mobilised church support for Fair Trade artisans in the West Bank .
Two World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) members in the West Bank, the Holy Land Handicrafts Cooperative Society (HLHCS) and Bethlehem Fair Trade Artisans, seek to provide sustainable livelihoods, preserve traditional crafts, and promote peace. In Autumn 2023, HLHCS contacted friends overseas to ask for their help. The artisans in the cooperative were losing much of their income because of the conflict in the Holy Land: tourists were no longer coming to Bethlehem and buying their wares. Overseas sales were, therefore, becoming critical. When we were made aware of the situation, we asked both WFTO members how we could assist, and they put us in touch with their UK importers, Shared Earth and Fair To Trade.
We ran a Christmas campaign, buying olive-wood ornaments wholesale and selling them to or through churches at cost. In about six weeks, almost 450 ornaments were purchased, which both contributed some income and raised awareness of the artisans’ situation. We also purchased holding crosses from HLHCS to sell in the New Year.
We worked with other members of the Oxford Fair Trade Coalition to promote Fairtrade in Oxford. Our Director is a member of the steering group of the coalition, works on communications, and gave one of her Fairtrade chocolate talks at an event that it co-sponsored.
WORK WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS
In addition to the coalitions mentioned in other parts of this report, CCOW is a corporate member of the Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility , now known as the Just Money Movement, and the Director is a member of the steering group for the International Anglican Family Network.
By longstanding agreement, CCOW’s Director has been seconded to the Diocese of Oxford for two days a week to work in areas relating to development, the environment and global partnerships. In 2023, she continued throughout the year to work for one day a week to work as Partners in World Mission Project Officer, resourcing work with global partners and UK and other mission and development agencies. Until July, she spent the other day a week in the Department of Mission, acting as a consultant to the Environment Action Programme, helping the diocese with its net zero planning, energy audit programme for churches, training for environmental action, and other environmental projects. The board agreed that she should resign from the latter role in order to give more time to CCOW.
Financial Review
In 2023 income was £26,326 (£1,331 restricted) and expenditure £29,533 (£1,554 from restricted funds). CCOW aims to keep a minimum six months’ expenditure in reserves. It has £3,000 set aside in a 60-day notice account and £2,000 in a 12-month fixed rate saver.
Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the Charity’s trustees
Charity number: 1008146
Christian Concern for One World Receipts and Payments Account for the period from 01/01/2023 to 31/12/2023
| Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds (note 1) Total 2023 Total 2022 to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ A1 Receipts |
Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds (note 1) Total 2023 Total 2022 to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ A1 Receipts |
Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds (note 1) Total 2023 Total 2022 to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ A1 Receipts |
Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds (note 1) Total 2023 Total 2022 to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ A1 Receipts |
Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds (note 1) Total 2023 Total 2022 to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ A1 Receipts |
Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds (note 1) Total 2023 Total 2022 to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ A1 Receipts |
Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds (note 1) Total 2023 Total 2022 to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ A1 Receipts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grants from church organisation | 11,734 | - | 11,734 | 14,290 | ||
| Donations from churches | - | - | - |
- | ||
| Donations from individuals(GA) | 1,939 | - | 1,939 | 1,707 | ||
| Donations from individuals(non-GA) | 10,628 | - | 10,628 | 12,573 | ||
| Income tax refund | 493 | - | 493 | 365 | ||
| Grants | - | - | - |
- | ||
| Misc(interest + other) | 200 | - | 200 | 579 | ||
| Make a House a Home | - | 100 | 100 | - | ||
| Christmas 2023project | - | 1,231 | 1,231 | - | ||
| TOTAL Receipts | 24,994 | 1,331 | 26,326 | 29,513 | ||
| A3 Payments - Salaries,NI &pensions 23,994 - 23,994 22,291 Publications 86 - 86 42 Payroll expenses 414 - 414 390 Admin - website/stationery 2,321 - 2,321 3,059 Admin - travel 19 - 19 15 Conferences & meetings - 140 140 63 Insurance 1,010 - 1,010 964 Subscriptions / Donations 75 - 75 75 Make a House a Home - 183 183 - Bank charges 60 - 60 81 Christmas 2023project - 1,231 1,231 - |
||||||
| Salaries,NI &pensions | 23,994 | - | 23,994 | 22,291 | ||
| Publications | 86 | - | 86 | 42 | ||
| Payroll expenses | 414 | - | 414 | 390 | ||
| Admin - website/stationery | 2,321 | - | 2,321 | 3,059 | ||
| Admin - travel | 19 | - | 19 | 15 | ||
| Conferences & meetings | - | 140 | 140 | 63 | ||
| Insurance | 1,010 | - | 1,010 | 964 | ||
| Subscriptions / Donations | 75 | - | 75 | 75 | ||
| Make a House a Home | - | 183 | 183 | - | ||
| Bank charges | 60 | - | 60 | 81 | ||
| Christmas 2023project | - | 1,231 | 1,231 | - | ||
| TOTAL Payments | 27,979 | 1,554 | 29,533 | 26,980 | ||
| - | ||||||
| Net of Receipts/Payments | - 2,985 | - 223 | - 3,208 | 2,534 | ||
| A6 Cash funds lastyear-end | 19,207 | 3,636 | 22,843 | 20,309 | ||
| Cash funds thisyear-end | 16,222 | 3,413 | 19,635 | 22,843 | ||
| Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period B1 Cash funds Unrestricted funds Restricted funds (note 1) to nearest £ to nearest £ |
||||||
| Co-operative Bank current account | 643 | 120 | ||||
| CAF Bank current account | 10,579 | 3,293 | ||||
| CAF 12-month fixed rate saver | 2,000 | |||||
| CAF 60-daynotice account | 3,000 |
| Section B | Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | |||
| B1 Cash funds | funds | **funds (note 1) ** | ||
| to nearest £ | to nearest £ | |||
| Co-operative Bank current account | 643 | 120 | ||
| CAF Bank current account | 10,579 | 3,293 | ||
| CAF 12-month fixed rate saver | 2,000 | |||
| CAF 60-daynotice account | 3,000 |
Section C Notes applicable to CCOW Accounts
| Note 1 | Restricted funds | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at | Balance at | |||
| 1/1/2023 | Income | Expenditure | 31/12/2023 | |
| MF Wright 2 | 382 - 140 242 | 382 - 140 242 | 382 - 140 242 | 382 - 140 242 |
| Capacity building | 2,054 - - 2 | 054 - - 2 | 054 - - 2 | 054 - - 2,054 |
| Barnsbury Trust grant | 1,000 - - 1 | 000 - - 1 | 000 - - 1 | 000 - - 1,000 |
| Make a House a Home | 200 100 183 117 | 200 100 183 117 | 200 100 183 117 | 200 100 183 117 |
| Christmas 2023 project | - 1 | - 1,231 1 | 231 1,231 - | 231 - |
Note 2
The year-end balance includes £8.40 paid to Maranda Loengard St John Nicolle for the September Ionos bill, £83.15 also paid to Maranda for the money spent under the Make a House a Home project in 2023 and £550.52 refunded to Maranda for invoices for the Christmas 2023 project submitted in 2024. It also includes £4283.76 from PWM for HY2 2023, £378.92 received for the Christmas 2023 project including some donations and a £9.70 donation from Grayson made to CAF Donate in December 2023 but received in January 2024.
Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees
Signature Signature Print Name Print Name Date Date
Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner’s Report Report to the trustees/ ~~A[ee]~~ members of Christian Concern for One World ~~pd~~ On accounts for the year 31 December 2023 Charity no 1008146 ended (if any) ~~eeee eee~~ Set out on pages CC16a R & P accounts. Pages 1 & 2 dated 8/4/2024 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets) ~~a~~ Respective The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. responsibilities of The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year trustees and examiner under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
-
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
-
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given examiner’s statement 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 the 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 In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention examiner's statement (other than that disclosed below *)
-
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 Charities Act; and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
-
have not been met; or
-
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
-
Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.
Name: Ian Greer ~~Pt~~ Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): ~~BC~~
1
IER
March 2012
Address:
4 Sarum
BRACKNELL
RG12 8XZ
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material problems.
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
2
IER
March 2012