2023-03-31-accounts

ANNUAL REPORT LATIN LINK 2022-23

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

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ANNUAL REPORT 2022-2023
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LATIN LINK

Report and financial statements of the trustees for the year ended 31 March 2023.

The trustees are pleased to present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023.

This report also contains the information required by the directors’ report under company law.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

21 Auditor’s report

5 Welcome

Statement of financial 24 activities

6 Objectives and activities

25 Balance sheet

8 Stay programme

26 Statement of cashflows

12 Stride programme

27 Notes to the accounts

14 Step programme

Structure, governance 42 and management

16 Serving in Britain and Ireland

17 Mobilising Churches

44 Administrative details

18 Financial Review

ANNUAL REPORT 2021-2022

LATIN LINK

WELCOME LATIN LINK ANNUAL REPORT 2022-23

I wonder how many times in past weeks and months you’ve said, ‘I can’t believe how time is flying this year!’: I know I’ve made this comment in numerous conversations. I’ve no doubt many of us serving within the Latin Link community look back on the past year and wonder where the time has gone. So, it’s time again for another annual report, but it’s a great opportunity to reflect to how God has been at work.

In my introduction to last year’s report, I made reference to ‘God’s immeasurably more’ which was a theme for us in 2022, and I’m sure many of us can testify to the truth of Ephesians 3:20, as we’re progressing through 2023. In the midst of so many crises, and even tragedy – be that on a personal level, or on a national scale – there is much to make us feel discouraged, drained, or disillusioned. But we have a God who is great, gracious, and generous, and his promises remain true, no matter what our circumstances are or how we feel about them.

The Latin Link Britain and Ireland team continue to work tirelessly in the face of numerous challenges but we’re so thankful for the way the Lord continues to lead us and provide for us. In

the face of these challenges, we are grateful to so many who support us faithfully in prayer, and sacrificially with finance. Your support enables the work of building God’s kingdom in Latin America and beyond to continue. Ultimately, it’s his work, in which we partner with him, and we hope you’ll be encouraged and energised in your support as you read the testimonies of many of our members in this report.

We’ve seen some changes to the team of trustees in the past year, too, saying goodbye to Andrew Binmore and Keith Farman who stood down in September having served a combined 36 years on the Latin Link Britain and Ireland Board. Rachel Stone also stood down due to other pressing work demands. The contributions of all three of these faithful servants are greatly missed but we are in the process of appointing some excellent new people to the team as I write. Pray that the Lord will continue to guide and give us wisdom in all our discussions and decision making.

And so, as we reflect on the financial year that has passed, we give thanks to God for all who are part of the Latin Link

community, and for his provision in each aspect of our ministry. Whilst we’re aware that we’ll continue to face potentially daunting and faith-stretching situations as we move forward, may I encourage us all with the words of Paul in 1 Cor. 15:58: ‘My dear brothers and sisters, remain strong in the faith. Don’t let anything move you. Always give yourselves completely to the work of the Lord. Because you belong to the Lord, you know that your work is not worthless’ (NIRV).

God bless,

Jo Jowett, Chair of Trustees

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OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

CHARITABLE OBJECTIVES

To advance the mission of Christ, principally in and from Latin America and also amongst Spanish and Portuguese speaking people elsewhere in the world, and in particular (but without limitation to the foregoing) to join in evangelism, church-planting, the discipling of Christians and the training of leaders, working in partnership with Christians in Latin America.

To provide relief of those who are suffering hardship or injustice by reason of their physical, social, environmental or economic conditions, including working to prevent the causes of such hardship and injustice.

VISION STATEMENT

Our vision is to see vibrant, Bible-believing Christian communities in every part of Latin America, impacting their neighbours, their societies and the wider world.

This is a reflection of our commitment to integral mission; we believe that sharing the gospel includes addressing both physical and spiritual needs.

Key to our work is partnering with Latin American Christians for the advance of the mission of Christ, principally by placing people strategically in ministries of Mission Mobilisation; the Reduction of Bible Poverty; and the Increase of Human Dignity.

We seek to enable the Latin American Church, flourishing in depth and numbers, to better fulfil its mission in the world.

VALUES

Our mission springs from a desire to be involved with God in his work, and to bring honour to him. We believe that enabling people to follow their heart to fulfil a calling is how God uses Latin Link to achieve his purposes.

WHAT WE DO

The charity works in partnership with churches to send and receive individuals, families, and teams and resources to and from Latin American communities, to share the love of God.

This takes place through three programmes:

Step: short-term mission and discipleship programme for teams, lasting 3–16 weeks

Stride: placements for individuals, couples or families, lasting 6–24 months

Stay: open-ended placements lasting three years and over. This longer-term commitment follows on from a two-year Stride.

In all three programmes, our members are involved in helping local churches and Christians to meet a diverse range of needs, from caring for children at risk to training church leaders; from supporting university students to generating employment opportunities.

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WHERE WE WORK

The major area of activity is the placement of people on an ongoing basis in Latin America and Europe, to work alongside local partner churches and

Christian organisations.

In the year from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023, Latin Link had 51 members serving alongside the local church in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico and Peru (in Latin

America), and 19 members in Britain, Ireland and Spain (in Europe). This does not the include UK office and regional staff, who are also Latin Link members.

WHERE LATIN LINK WORKS

Argentina Bolivia Brazil Britain & Ireland Chile Colombia Costa Rica Ecuador Guatemala Mexico Peru Spain

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

INTRODUCTION

Latin Link is a mission organisation, facilitating individuals, families and teams to share the love of God, with and from Latin American communities. We enable Christians to live out their Godgiven calling to introduce others to Jesus, so they can come to know his life-transforming love and power.

Our members use their skills to serve in integral mission, caring for both the spiritual and physical needs of individuals. They do this in a variety of ways, often focusing particularly on communities affected by poverty and injustice.

In the following sections, we will provide examples of the work being achieved through each of these three programmes. We hope that these give a flavour of

the breadth and impact of Latin Link’s ministry.

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STAY PROGRAMME

Latin Link’s Stay programme is designed for committed Christians who feel a call to longer-term mission. Stay members have previously completed Latin Link’s Stride programme.

51 16 3 Members in Members in Britain Members in Latin America and Ireland (p. 16) Spain

STAY PROGRAMME 2022-23

In 2022, our missionaries moved away from the immediate disruptions that COVID-19 caused, and are now navigating Latin America’s ‘new normal’, which can be seen in the increased levels of poverty and unemployment, lower church attendance, and grief from loss of loved ones.

During the first half of 2023, many ministries were still working out how to navigate a post-COVID landscape in Latin America. The issues faced by many people in Latin America were exacerbated by the pandemic, so there is still a lot of need in the communities our members are working in.

Despite the challenges, God has been steadfast. There have been many opportunities to grow new ministries, and explore new avenues for sharing God’s love and hope.

Also in 2022-23, many members have taken the opportunity (thanks to the lack of travel restrictions) to return to Britain and Ireland on Sending Country Assignment. This has been a great opportunity to catch up with our members and hear about their ministries.

Here are some of our members’ stories from the past year to learn about the ways God has been at work through the Stay programme.

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SHARON JONES

Sharon Jones is based in Peru. She coordinates the Buena Tierra (Good Soil) ministry, writing Bible-based teaching materials for children and teenagers, as well as coordinating and delivering training for those involved in children’s ministry.

In the autumn of 2022 Sharon was feeling overwhelmed - the materials and publicity for their new resource You’re invited, come and eat with Jesus weren’t ready, the training for teachers wasn’t prepared and the booksellers they work with said they wouldn’t sell the book. In the midst of this, God gave Sharon the promise from Joshua 3:5 and peace in facing every obstacle. By the end of January 2023, even in the midst of political unrest, the team had trained 1,094 teachers.

Sharon shares: “Many have never had the chance to learn how to guide kids to Jesus and teach the Bible with life and clarity. I love being invited in to help them do this better. In Abancay, a mountain town, one lady shared her testimony. She lives in a small, remote village and has the desire

SHARING FAITH IN A TAXI

to work with the children there. She felt her skills were inadequate so prayed that God would help her, either through a book or other Christians. She looked at us and said we were the answer to that prayer!”

The opportunity to travel across Peru to deliver training also provides Sharon the opportunity to share the good news of Jesus in unexpected places.

10,000 CHILDREN

“There is a great team of ‘Latin Linkers’ in Lima and across Peru. I really appreciate being a part of such a great group! We meet together once a year for our annual conference. I have also been able to visit a few during my travels around Peru for Buena Tierra training.

If each teacher Sharon and her team trained is responsible for just 10 children, this will result in 10,000 children hearing the good news of Jesus! The resources and training Sharon and her team create not only have an impact on the children they are written for, but also on the team as they create them.

“Whilst researching the content for our new Holiday Bible Club material, I was struck by how often Jesus was welcomed into people’s homes. Looking through the many stories that Luke narrates made me ponder the way we often think we have to invite others in, whereas it is often more powerful to let them be the host and we become the guest.

Being welcomed into conversations and discussions about Jesus as I travel around keeps me on my toes. I feel very weak in this area and can only pray that my ramblings about God and the Bible will impact all the taxi drivers I’ve chatted with!”

It is something I see at work in my travels across Peru to deliver training to those involved in kids ministry. We work to create teaching sessions that are welcoming and where everyone feels included, however, most of the time it is us who are impacted by the welcome of our brothers and sisters in each town.”

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RUTH MCKEE

Ruth McKee lives in Arequipa, Peru. She is a physiotherapist and works primarily in the Shalom Centre, a school for children with disabilities. They have two programmes: one for children who attend every weekday and receive education and therapy; the other is for children and young adults who attend with their parents/grandparents once a week for therapy.

Through the work at the Shalom Centre the team seek to share God’s love with each of the students and their families.

“Many of our children with additional needs have experienced rejection from others and not been made to feel welcome in society or even in their extended family circle. For us in Shalom to give them respect and love, in addition to the education and therapy that is provided is invaluable. This welcome and acceptance allows them to thrive. It also provides hope for the family and points them to the hope we all have in Christ.”

SHALOM FAMILY CAMP

Ruth and her colleagues run an annual Shalom Family Camp at a retreat centre in the countryside. The activities involve Bible talks, horse riding, swimming, games, and crafts, with around 70 people attending including Shalom students, their family members, and Shalom staff. It is a wonderful opportunity to share about Jesus especially with family members who don’t normally attend Shalom and may have never had the opportunity to hear the gospel before.

“One Shalom mum recently told us ‘Before Shalom I had tried to take my son to other special needs schools or centres but because of the severity of his condition they didn’t give him a place. In Shalom we found a welcome, we found a family who share with us, showed and taught us about God’s love and accepted us for who we were.’”

WELCOMED IN

Ruth also runs a physiotherapy group for children in a local church on the outskirts of the city. This involves therapy, Bible stories and prayer for those unable to travel to Arequipa due to costs. Ruth often visits families in their homes to provide physiotherapy and pastoral care which provides more opportunities to build relationships and share the love of God.

“I enjoy visiting the children and their families in their homes. Many of the children can’t communicate verbally, but once they see me and know that someone is visiting them, their big smile gives me the biggest welcome.

Food is a big part of culture here in Peru; it is the conversation topic rather than the weather. If you want someone to feel really welcomed, you give them food when they come to your house I have been offered a range of foods and dishes during the visits and especially when I know some of the families don’t have much, it is very humbling.”

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HANS AND PRISCILLA BREEKVELDT

Some of our Stay members really do stay! Hans and Priscilla Breekveldt live in Salta, Argentina and in 2023 marked 30 years’ service in Argentina, having been amongst the first Latin Link members to be sent out.

They are both on the pastoral team of San Andrés Church, where Hans teaches a variety of Biblical courses, and serves as the coordinating pastor.

Priscilla is part of Latin Link and COMIBAM Member Care Teams serving in Third Culture Kid ministry. She is also the coordinator for the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement for Northern Argentina.

MISSION AROUND THE TABLE

Their ministry has taken many shapes over the past 30 years, but they have seen God at work in every season, from around their own kitchen table to remote Wichí villages in the far north of Argentina.

“A prominent feature of our kitchen is the big table. For years, after the Sunday-morning church service, scores of Salta youngsters would congregate around it. The conversation was often fascinating and not only for evaluation of the

“Twice a week around 40 hot lunches are served in an atmosphere of welcoming acceptance. There are the true down-and-outs and those struggling with substance abuse, the frail and elderly, abandoned and looking for some friendly chat. For others, the free meals make a huge difference in a country suffering from high inflation. “They treat us differently here” one visitor remarked. As we cleaned up, another said “Why do we need to leave? This is our home!””

sermon or worship. Most came from broken homes and the stories and jokes created a positive and enjoyable atmosphere. Sharing food and banter led to a greater sense of belonging and strengthened significant friendships. These Sunday afternoons were important moments for expressing care and accompaniment.

Hans also visited many indigenous Anglican churches in the far north of Argentina, organising Bible schools and teaching the Old Testament. The students playfully nicknamed him Tutsag Lanek - “Hair of Smoke” in the Wichí language. His European white hair stood out, but it also spoke of respect for the seniority it signalled. During one particularly gruelling trip while working as special assistant to the Bishop, an entire Wichí family moved out of their house for two days to provide them with a base and a place to rest. The tiny village church bent over backwards to make them feel welcome; freshly caught fish, homemade bread and a roasted kid-goat completed the hospitality. This humbling gesture of costly grace stayed with Hans for a long time.”

To find out more about the impact of their work, watch a video prayer update from Priscilla filmed at the Latin Link International Gathering in February 2023 by scanning the QR code here:

THIS IS OUR HOME

Over the last year their ministry has not only included supporting churches locally and across Argentina through offering leadership, training and resources, but has also involved practical service in their local community.

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STRIDE PROGRAMME

are encouraged that they are wanting to serve for a long time.

Using individual skills and giftings, Striders are generally based in a project for between 6 to 24 months (shorter medical electives are available). Even in the shorter placements, Striders find that they can have a big impact– as well as being greatly impacted themselves.

While numbers of accepted and prospective Striders are lower than pre-pandemic levels, the numbers do seem to be increasing. We praise God for this, as well as trusting in his timing. We hope to see the programme continue to grow in the coming year.

Here is a story from one of the Stride members we are celebrating.

STRIDE PROGRAMME 2022-23

Over 2022-23, we sent seven Striders to Latin America. One of these Striders was someone who was planning to go on Stride before the COVID-19 pandemic, but postponed it because of the restrictions. It was encouraging to see this placement come to completion.

This year we have seen an increase in the amount of people enquiring about shorter, 3-4 month Stride placements. This is something we hope to explore with Short Term Coodinators based in Latin America in the coming year.

One challenge facing Stride this year has been the continuing cost of living crisis and its effect on potential funding. Despite this, we have still sent seven Striders and are preparing to send five in the next year.

Finally, at the end of 2022 we sent a couple on Stride who are hoping to serve in Latin America long-term. Though there have been challenges, we

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JEMIMA’S STORY

Jemima did a nine-month Stride placement, spending her first six months in Custódia, Pernambuco, Brazil volunteering for a Compassion project designed to reach out to local children and families through activities, healthcare provision, spiritual programmes and more. She then moved to Santa Cruz, Bolivia, where she helped with children’s and student ministry in a local church.

Here’s what she had to say about her experience as she joined in the mission of God in Brazil and Bolivia:

“As a language student of Spanish and Portuguese, I was required to spend my third year abroad and I knew fairly early on that I wanted to do something faith-based, that allowed me to experience church crossculturally. Nothing I had imagined matched the totally immersive and transformative nine months that awaited me”.

IN AT THE DEEP END

Going into it, I knew that I would be working in social care projects for children, but I had little knowledge of what this would look like. Perhaps this was for the best; if someone had told me last year that I would be leading English lessons, devotionals for staff, all-age services or have to nurse a severely burnt puppy back to health, I definitely would have recoiled with nerves.

I now believe that everyone should have the opportunity of spending time abroad. From the little adjustments of having to throw toilet paper in the bin, or shower at least once (but

preferably twice) every day to avoid total Brazilian horror, to the impacts of full-blown culture shock; it definitely uncovers what’s at the core of who we are.

ENCOUNTERING GOD IN NEW WAYS

This is something that has really rung true to me with regards to church culture. On arriving in Brazil, I reflected that the evangelical church was generally a lot louder than I was used to. I found the slightly ear-deafening worship and shouting preachers quite confrontational and would mentally disassociate from them, often allowing myself to believe that they were worshiping the expressive, Brazilian God and I the meditative, peaceful English God. This took a while for me to shift, and I still would say that I feel calmest in more gentle approaches, yet it helped me to deconstruct all the preferences that we unconsciously feel necessary to be able to connect with God.

A SPLASH MORE COLOUR

It’s helped me to see a slice of the great diversity and character of God’s church that is not reduced to just one particular style or country. They say that our culture is the lens through which we see the world and although there have been some tough moments in the last nine months (and some even tougher goodbyes), I will always be hugely grateful to God for being given the opportunity to see the world with a splash more colour.”

Hannah Flatman, our Short Term Coodinator in Brazil reflected that “Jemima’s friendliness and enthusiasm were contagious. She inspired the young people to join in God’s local and worldwide mission”.

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STEP PROGRAMME

Step is Latin Link’s short-term mission programme for teams. Step teams share God’s love in a very tangible way as they live and work alongside Latin Americans, offering their support through practical and community-based projects.

STEP PROGRAMME 2022-23

Throughout 2022, we were able to send out a number of Step teams, which was a real encouragement after the disappointment of not being able to send teams in 2021. We sent one team to Ecuador for 12 weeks in the spring, and two teams to Guatemala and Argentina respectively for three weeks in the summer.

The rest of 2022 was spent preparing for the Step teams in 2023. Our Spring Step programme saw high numbers of applications (13 in total), which meant we were able to send two Spring teams for the first time in many years. One team spent eight weeks in Argentina and eight weeks in Bolivia. The other team spent eight weeks in Mexico and then eight weeks in Costa Rica.

2023 has also seen us prepare to send three Step teams to Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru for three weeks each. Perhaps the most exciting of these teams is the one going to Ecuador, which will be our first Connecting Step team. This means that part of the team are from Britain and Ireland, and part from Latin America. This aligns with Latin Link’s goal of mobilising the Latin American church for mission,

and engaging in cross-cultural mission. We are looking forward to seeing how Connecting Step develops in the future.

THE ROAD AHEAD

We look forward with great excitement for the direction of Step. God continues to use the programme to help Latin American churches meet the immediate needs in their communities, as well as growing people’s understanding and love of mission.

We’re grateful that Step provides an avenue to partner in God’s global work, to encourage the church, and build up a generation of mission-minded, servant-hearted people.

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ECUADOR

Our Spring Step team spent 12 weeks serving in projects across Ecuador.

“We were involved in English teaching at school and have noticed that lots of the younger children really struggle to understand Spanish words, let alone trying to teach them English. The pandemic affected two crucial years in their educational development so please pray for these young people as they try to catch up on missed time in school. We’re really hoping that encouraging them to learn in a variety of ways will help to keep them engaged and excited about school.

We helped with the kids club in Gran Colombia, including giving out clothes to the children. It’s a poor area and what the church is doing there is really special, and we could see how much everyone appreciated the help. We’re praying that through these actions, the people in Gran Colombia will see the blessings that God is providing and be eager to seek and follow him.

We organised a Community Day in the village near the campamento . Before starting the event we all prayed together – we asked for God’s presence in the afternoon, in our hearts and for those coming to learn of his love and sacrifice for us. It was a very special and reflective moment as we realised how much God has blessed us while we have been here, how much his Spirit has been with us and how he is at work here.

We arranged a range of activities for the afternoon, from colouring and games for the children, to craft and English lessons for the adults. We shared our testimonies of why God brought us here and sang ‘Your Love’ with them which they all loved dancing to. The pastor shared a short Bible message and then we gave out food. It was such a joyful and glorious day and we praise God that 97 people came, including many of the children we teach at school, and the day ran smoothly.

We wanted to share God’s love through spending time with the community. This was the first time some people heard of God’s word and mission, so it was an amazing opportunity for us to be a part of! It really brought Latin Link’s aim of “community with a calling” to life and we’re so grateful that we were able to organise this with help from the church.

We’re so thankful for the way God has been working in us, for the new friendships we have made and for all the opportunities we have been given to serve him in a new environment. This has included practical work at the campamento , such as digging steps in the mud, creating a footpath down to the river. This was hard work but we all really enjoyed it!”

ARGENTINA

One summer Step team were based in Salta, in the north of Argentina. They were involved in the church’s various ministries, such as Sunday school, and serving on the worship team, as well as running a holiday club for the children during their winter break. Alongside this, the team were also involved in some practical work at the church, such as redecorating the Sunday school classrooms.

“We helped out at the kids club in the church. We were all excited to see so many lovely kids. We led the song, game, and Bible story for them, and the kids were really happy to have recently returned to the club after two years of lockdown. On Sunday, we also joined our first church service. Our team introduced themselves and contributed a song and testimony. The service went smoothly and everyone felt really encouraged.

In addition, after two days of intensive painting and one day of cleaning and tidying up, the kitchen was renewed! It was great to see the difference we’ve made!”

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SERVING IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND

Alongside sending members to Latin America, Latin Link facilitates Latin Americans to serve on mission across Britain and Ireland. We firmly believe in the effectiveness and necessity of multi-directional mission whereby God calls and sends people between all nations, to use their gifts in a cross-cultural setting.

Between April 2022 and March 2023, we had 16 Stay members serving throughout Britain and Ireland in a variety of placements.

This year, we have been greatly encouraged by how God has used our members in their local ministries. There are so many stories we could share of how God has been at work, and one such example is through the ministry of two of our Stay members Lelmer and Renata Campos.

Originally from Brazil, Lelmer and Renata now serve with Latin Link in Weymouth, England. They lead Ebenezer Evangelical Church, where as well as preaching and church leadership, they are involved in thriving children’s and youth work, and are engaged with a wider range community outreach projects, including debt help.

Lelmer reflects on their experience as Stay Members in Britain.

“Renata and I arrived in Weymouth, Dorset in August 2012 to serve a local church as children’s workers and to pioneer their schools ministry. We were greeted at the train station by one of the elders from Ebenezer Evangelical Church, and they welcomed us to

members of our church family..

their home with open arms and blessed us with their hospitality and practical love.

In a world that divides itself into groups and categories of all sorts, in a society that is fragmented at every level, the Church provides an alternative. At Ebenezer Evangelical Church we seek to welcome the stranger, we love the outcast, because in Christ Jesus we are all one.”

The same welcome was given to us by the church leadership and congregation who made us feel immediately part of the family. Unconsciously, and very naturally, they were living out the gospel challenge to welcome a stranger as Christ. They believed our calling to serve the local church and exercised immense patience in helping us adapt to a new culture, learn a new language and develop our gifts in a foreign environment.

Fast forward eleven years… and we are still serving in that same church. It is not a perfect church by any stretch of the imagination and it is full of imperfect people (myself included). It is a church that tries to see Christ in the face of a stranger.”

As with previous years, a key need that the Latin Link team has identified is the development of church partnerships, to inspire more churches across Britain and Ireland to consider receiving and hosting mission workers, and to commit to supporting them. There is no shortage of Latin Americans with a call and desire to serve here, but there is a limited number of placements available. Our hope and prayer is to see more opportunities arising in the year ahead.

Over the past year the Campos family and their church congregation have been part of the warm spaces initiative, opening up their church building to help people in the community struggling to afford to turn on the heating, as the cost of living crisis in the UK has worsened. The act of welcoming people from all backgrounds is central to Lelmer and Renata’s vision for their ministry in Weymouth.

“Many visitors have shared with me that they felt very welcomed the moment they stepped into our building and were greeted by

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MOBILISING CHURCHES
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Latin Link is a community with a calling to love God and our neighbour. This community comprises different gifts, passions, and abilities; from those wanting to go and serve on a mission placement in Latin America, to those who earnestly pray for the advancement of God’s global church. We love to equip people to step into God’s story however they can.

Our network of volunteers across Britain and Ireland, known as Story-sharers and Mobilisers, help us do just this! They meet together once a term for online training and equipping sessions, to be inspired by the testimonies of other mission workers, learn new skills, and hear about new resources that help them spread the word about Latin Link in their context.

STORY-SHARERS

Our Story-sharers find ways to share their unique experience of mission, to encourage the next generation. They speak at churches and Christian Unions, represent Latin Link at events, and record video interviews to be shared on social media. As they share their story of mission, they seek to encourage others to start writing their own.

MOBILISERS

local churches across Britain and Ireland, which gather together anyone with a heart for mission for prayer, worship and inspiration! They usually take place on a Saturday morning, and involve interviews with Stay, Stride and Step team members, video updates from Latin America, biblical reflection, a time of worship, and creative prayer stations. In 2022-2023, Inspire events took place in Exeter, Eastbourne, Diss, and Edinburgh.

Being a Mobiliser is a slightly bigger commitment, but is flexible and determined by each volunteers’ skills and experience. It still includes story sharing, but is more proactive in terms of searching out opportunities to speak, fundraise, start a prayer group, or run an event. Mobilisers receive regular support and training from the Latin Link team and receive invitations to speak and take part in other mobilisation activities.

Over the past year our volunteers have been actively involved in supporting us at a range of events. Highlights have included:

SPANISH WORSHIP NIGHTS

We love hosting these worship nights with an international mission twist! Latin Link Spanish Worship Night are great evenings of prayer, hearing about what God is doing in Latin America, and worshipping together in both Spanish and English. Our events in Belfast and Plymouth saw dozens of people come together to worship, to hear from God’s word, and be inspired and challenged to join God in his big mission for the world. In Plymouth we were particularly inspired to hear from Raquel Lima who has travelled from São Paulo to serve young people in Devon.

Inspire events have been a great way for individuals to connect with Latin Link as a community, to catch the spark for mission as they discover what God is doing through mission workers at the moment, what to pray for, and how to step into Gods big mission story in a fresh way through going, praying, receiving or giving.

Across our events it is incredibly powerful to have returned and retired missionaries connecting with those just at the beginning of their journey, as well as the opportunity to connect with supporters, church partners and volunteers. We love seeing each person discovering their part in God’s mission in and from Latin America.

INSPIRE BRUNCH EVENTS

Latin Link Inspire brunch events are regional events, hosted by

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FINANCIAL REVIEW 2022-2023

INTRODUCTION

The financial year ended 31 March 2023 has again seen many challenges for most of the year with the cost-of-living crisis and the war in Ukraine increasing the economic uncertainty at home and abroad. We thank God for the constant prayer and financial support we receive in these difficult times.

Our General Funds level has decreased by £30k ending the year with a total of £100k (2022: decreased by £31k ending the year with £131k). Designated Funds have increased by £12k (2022: £11k) whilst Restricted Funds have increased by £93k (2022: decreased by £8k). Within the Restricted Funds, the Step Fund has a deficit of £45k (2022: deficit of £59k) which accumulated during 2020-22 as the Step Programme was curtailed due to the pandemic. As this programme has re-emerged, we expect the deficit will reduce year on year. As such one of our main priorities is to increase the numbers on our Step and Stride programmes.

FUNDRAISING

Latin Link is registered with the Fundraising Regulator and all our fundraising activities comply with the Code of Fundraising Practice. Fundraising staff monitor this and report regularly to the trustees. Fundraising Guidelines are always provided to all volunteers who are involved in raising funds.

The trustees wish to express their gratitude to all the individuals, churches, and other organisations who have donated

funds to Latin Link and our members. We acknowledge that in the current financial situation within the UK and overseas that some supporters may be in financial difficulties and for this reason we never pressure anyone to make a gift. Our Fundraising Complaints Policy is easily accessible on our website.

Latin Link continues to receive support from some commercial participators, and we have an agreement in place with each, which fully complies with the Code of Fundraising Practice requirements. We do not use professional fundraisers. There have been no complaints or criticisms during the year about our fundraising activities.

LOOKING FORWARD

Our main objectives are:

1. As set out in the introduction, a key priority is to increase the numbers on our Step and Stride programmes, as these have a direct connection to our long-term Stay programme.

2. Continuing to develop our contacts with UK Christians, and engage them in what God is doing in Latin America, with the aim of sustaining and expanding multi-directional mission.

3. Continuing to develop our church engagement strategy.

4. Developing our work and impact in Latin America through our programmes.

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1. With all the current financial uncertainties in the world a priority must be to secure and maintain a sustainable balanced budget, together with having a flexible approach to developments in Global Mission.

GOING CONCERN

The trustees have reviewed the circumstances of the charity and consider that it is a going concern and that they believe that sufficient resources are available to fund the activities for the foreseeable future.

RESERVES POLICY

Our current reserves policy is that the unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets held by the charity should be at least equal to 25% of expected unrestricted expenditure for the next year, which equates to approximately three months of operational costs (currently calculated at £178k). Free reserves at 31 March 2023 were £139k (2022: £174k). This is below the reserves policy level but early results in the following year are helping the move towards the required level.

PRINCIPAL FUNDING SOURCES

We do depend on the faithful support and generosity of so many individuals, churches, and other organisations. Without this giving, we would not be able to serve God in this way, so we continue to be thankful for the Lord’s faithfulness to our work.

INVESTMENT POLICY

Under the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the charity has the power to deposit or invest funds subject to the same conditions as trustees of a trust are permitted to do so by the Trustee Act 2000, as set out in the standard investment criteria of that Act.

The trustees, having regard to the liquidity requirements of the charity and to the reserves policy, have operated a policy of keeping available funds in easily realisable assets, seeking to maximise income and capital growth in line with principles relating to sustainable and responsible investment. Our investment in our residential apartments shows excellent occupation level and continues to provide a steady income and to contribute to our mortgage costs. The overall return achieved on other investments and deposits during this period has been very low, but currently a recovery in interest rates gives rise to a degree of optimism that rates will continue to improve.

• make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent

• state whether applicable UK Accounting

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19

Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements

As far as the trustees are aware:

1. there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company’s auditor is unaware; and

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.

1. the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor is aware of that information.

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006, The Charities Act 2011 and UK GAAP. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Auditors

A resolution will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting that Jacob Cavenagh & Skeet be re-appointed as auditors to the charity for the ensuing year.

By order of the trustees

Jo Jowett Chair of Trustees

29th September 2023

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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF LATIN LINK

OPINION

We have audited the financial statements of Latin Link (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2023 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Statement of Cash Flows and the notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

• give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company’s affairs as at 31 March 2023 and of its incoming resources and application of resources for the year then ended;

• have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

• have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, the Charities and Trustee

Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and regulation 8 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006.

BASIS FOR OPINION

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

CONCLUSIONS RELATING TO GOING CONCERN

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that,

individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least 12 months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

OTHER INFORMATION

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, including the directors’ report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material

ANNUAL REPORT 2022-2023

21

inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

OPINIONS ON OTHER MATTERS PRESCRIBED BY THE COMPANIES ACT 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:

• the information given in the Trustees’ Report, which includes the directors’ report prepared for the purposes of company law, for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

• the directors’ report included within the Trustees’ Report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

MATTERS ON WHICH WE ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT BY EXCEPTION

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors’ report included with the trustees’ report.

We have nothing to report

in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

• adequate and proper accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

• the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

• certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or

• we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or

• the directors were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies exemptions in preparing the directors’ report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF DIRECTORS

As explained more fully in the directors’ responsibilities statement, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for

such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

AUDITOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

We have been appointed as auditor under section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustees Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and under the Companies Act 2006 and report in accordance with the Acts and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted

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in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Based on our understanding of the company, we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations related to company, employment and financial reporting legislation and we considered the extent to which non-compliance might have a material effect on the financial statements. We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial statements such as the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011.

We assessed the susceptibility of the company’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by making enquiries of management, considering the internal controls in place and discussion amongst the engagement team. We determined that the principal risks were related to management bias in

accounting estimates,

possible omission of legacy debtors, revenue recognition, insufficient evidence of how charitable funds are ultimately spent, presentation of separately disclosed items and management override of controls.

In response to the risks identified we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to: challenging significant accounting estimates, reviewing all legacy correspondence, performing substantive testing on a sample of income and expenditure transactions, agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation, identifying and testing journal entries, reviewing Trustees’ meeting minutes and evaluating the charity’s internal controls.

There are inherent

limitations in the audit

procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of

non-compliance. Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion. A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: http://www.frc.org.uk/ auditorsresponsibilities. This

description forms part of our auditor’s report.

USE OF OUR REPORT

This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and to the charitable company’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Regulation 10 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors’ report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and its members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Miriam Hickson FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Jacob Cavenagh & Skeet Statutory Auditor

Chartered Accountants

5 Robin Hood Lane Sutton, Surrey SM1 2SW

Dated: .........................

ANNUAL REPORT 2022-2023

23

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Notes Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies: Donations & Legacies 2 Other trading activities 3 Charitable activities: Stay programme Stride programme Step programme 4 4 4 Total income and endowments Expenditure on: Raising Funds 5 Charitable activities 5 Total expenditure Realised gains/(losses) Net income/(expenditure) for period 6 Transfers between funds 15 Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward 15 FUND BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD	Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total Total Funds Funds Funds 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ £ 343,767 4,932 75,000 423,699 351,170 110,291 - - 110,291 97,321 254,350 6,581 800,902 1,061,833 1,144,652 - - 74,473 74,473 63,140 - - 73,711 73,711 17,728
	708,408 11,513 1,024,086 1,744,007 1,674,011
	114,828 - - 114,828 122,264 623,802 - 930,710 1,554,512 1,580,250
	738,630 - 930,710 1,669,340 1,702,514
	- - - - -
	(30,222) 11,513 93,376 74,667 (28,503) - - - - -
	(30,222) 11,513 93,376 74,667 (28,503) 130,630 1,547,423 482,777 2,160,830 2,189,333
	100,408 1,558,936 576,153 2,235,497 2,160,830

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

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BALANCE SHEET AT 31 MARCH 2023 COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 2811525

Notes Fixed Assets Tangible Assets 9 Investment Property 10 Investments 11 Current Assets Stock Debtors 12 Cash at bank and in hand Current Liabilities Creditors falling due within one year 13 Net Current Assets Total Assets less Current Liabilities Creditors falling due after more than one year 14 Net Assets 16 The funds of the charity Restricted income funds 15 Unrestricted income funds: Designated 15 General 15 (including revaluation reserve of £689,313) Total charity funds	1,558,936 100,408	2023 £ 355,576 1,900,000 50,018	1,547,423 130,630	2022 £ 352,832 1,900,000 50,018
		2,305,594 400 178,423 623,565		2,302,850 20 67,633 676,813
		802,388 137,457		744,466 136,956
		137,457		136,956
		664,931		607,510
		2,970,525 735,028		2,910,360 749,530
		2,235,497		2,160,830
		576,153 1,659,344		482,777 1,678,053
		2,235,497		2,160,830

The notes on the following pages form part of these accounts Approved by the Board on 7th September 2023 and signed on its behalf by:

Jo Jowett Director and Chair of the Trustees

ANNUAL REPORT 2022-2023

25

STATEMENT OF CASHFLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

		Note	2023	2022
			£	£
Cash used in operating activities
Surplus / (defcit) from ordinary activities			74,667	(28,503)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges			10,527	8,942
Mortgage interest paid			34,287	28,909
Dividends, interest and rents from investments			(109,991)	(100,231)
Decrease / (increase) in stock			(380)	393
Decrease / (increase) in debtors			(110,790)	32,731
(Decrease) / Increase in creditors (excluding mortgage)			2,548	9,429
Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities			(99,132)	(48,330)
Cash fows from investing activities
Dividends, interest and rents from investments			109,991	100,231
Purchase of fxed assets			(13,271)	(1,359)
Net cash provided by / (used in) investing activities			96,720	98,872
Cash fows from fnancing activities
Repayment of borrowing			(16,549)	(18,108)
Interest paid			(34,287)	(28,909)
Net cash provided by / (used in) fnancing activities			(50,836)	(47,017)
Increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			(53,248)	3,525
in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the	year		676,813	673,288
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year		(i)	623,565	676,813
(i) Analysis of Changes in Net Cash/(Debt)	At	1 Apr	Cash Other	At 31 Mar
		2022	fows non-cash	2023
			changes
Cash at bank and in hand	676,813		(53,248) -	623,565
Bank Loans Falling Due Within One Year	(18,701)		2,047 -	(16,654)
Bank Loans Falling Due In More Than One Year	(749,530)		14,502 -	(735,028)
Total Net Cash/(Debt)	(91,418)		(36,699) -	(128,117)

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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The principal accounting policies are summarised below.

The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year and in the preceding year.

(a) Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified for the revaluation of investments to fair value, with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes to these financial statements. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006, Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and Financial Reporting Standard 102 (FRS 102).

Latin Link meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

(b) Company status

The charity is a company incorporated in the United Kingdom and limited by guarantee. The address of its registered office can be found on the inside back cover.

(c) Going concern basis of accounting

The trustees have considered

the net incoming resources and cash flow forecasts for a period of twelve months from the date the accounts were approved. They believe that sufficient resources exist for the charity to continue its activities and meet all liabilities as they fall due for that period and therefore deem it appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis.

(d) Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Directors in furtherance of the

general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds set aside by the Directors for specific purposes.

Restricted funds are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by the donors or through the terms of an appeal.

(e) Income recognition

All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:

• Voluntary income is received by way of donations, gifts and legacies and is included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable;

• Legacies are included where the legacy has been received or where it has been received after the year-end, the date the legacy becomes receivable is within the financial year and the amount is known with sufficient certainty;

• Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included in these accounts;

• Investment income and appeal income is included when receivable; and income from charitable activities in respect of team members, projects and short-term programmes is included when receivable;

(f) Expenditure recognition

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates:

• Raising funds comprises costs associated with attracting voluntary income and the costs of attracting

ANNUAL REPORT 2022-2023

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income for fundraising purposes;

• 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;

• Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the audit fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity; and

• 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; costs not directly attributable to specific activities have been apportioned on the basis of the relative size of their direct costs.

(g) Operating leases

Rentals applicable to operating leases in respect of office premises and office equipment are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities over the period in which the cost is incurred.

(h) Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets, apart from freehold land, are depreciated on a straight line

basis to write off the cost, less estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives.

Office equipment is depreciated at 20% per annum of cost, new computer equipment at 33% per annum of cost and freehold buildings at 2% per annum of cost.

Freehold land is not depreciated. Individual items under £1,000 are written off in the year of acquisition.

(i) Investments

Investments held as fixed assets are valued at fair value at the balance sheet date and the gain or loss taken to the Statement of Financial Activities.

(j) Debtors

Debtors are included at the settlement amount due and prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid.

(k) Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand consists of all amounts held in banks and short term deposits with maturity value of 30 days or less.

(l) Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation arising from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and

provisions are recognised at their settlement amount.

(m) Financial instruments

The charity only has financial assets and liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments.

Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

(n) Pension costs

Pension contributions are paid to defined contributions schemes operated by the EMA Pension Scheme. The assets of the pension schemes are held in funds that are administered independently of the company.

Contributions to the EMA Pension Scheme and other non-funded pensions are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

(o) Foreign currencies

Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Balances denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date and all differences are taken to the Statement of Financial Activities.

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2 DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
Donations Legacies	Unrestricted Designated Restricted 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ £ 259,812 4,932 - 264,744 306,824 83,955 - 75,000 158,955 44,346
	343,767 4,932 75,000 423,699 351,170

3 OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES

OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
Property Rental Investment income Exchange rate gains/(losses) Income from sundry sales	2023 2022 £ £ 103,145 100,231 6,846 224 - (3,174) 300 40
	110,291 97,321

4 INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Team & retired members, ofce staf Ministries & Projects Administration and Events Step and Stride programmes	Unrestricted Designated Restricted 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ £ 159,698 6,581 647,336 813,615 880,470 - - 153,566 153,566 157,961 94,652 - - 94,652 106,221 - - 148,184 148,184 80,868
	254,350 6,581 949,086 1,210,017 1,225,520

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5. EXPENDITURE

Costs directly allocated to activities Team Member costs Latin Partners costs Ministries & Projects Events Fundraising & Publicity Staf costs Strider & Stepper costs Professional fees Trustee meetings Other costs Support costs allocated to activities General ofce, fnance and coordinator staf Premises Ofce costs Depreciation Travel & hospitality Other operational costs Total expenditure

Vountary Income Stride & Step programme Stay programme Governance Fundraising & Publicity 2023 Total 2022 Total £ £ £ £ £ £ £ - - 883,164 - - 883,164 904,627 - - - - - - 33 - - 93,094 - - 93,094 123,672 1,717 - - - 2,575 4,292 1,147 12,188 - - - 18,282 30,470 30,515 - 30,536 - - - 30,536 29,617 - 94,679 - - - 94,679 71,637 - - - 12,957 - 12,957 21,061 - - - 1,882 - 1,882 1,221 45,968 - - 1,138 1,815 48,921 58,264 19,374 40,519 315,908 5,170 7,337 388,308 392,197 291 610 4,753 78 110 5,842 5,828 1,826 3,819 29,773 487 691 36,596 36,271 525 1,098 8,564 140 199 10,526 8,942 544 1,138 8,875 145 206 10,908 3,475 856 1,791 13,965 229 324 17,165 14,007

83,289 174,190 1,358,096 22,226 31,539 1,669,340 1,702,514

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6 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) FOR THE YEAR

This is stated after charging/(crediting) the following:

This is stated after charging/(crediting) the following:
	2023	2022
	£	£
Depreciation	10,527	8,942
Operating lease rentals: ofce equipment	-	-
Auditors’ remuneration for audit services	7,680	7,020
Auditors’ remuneration for other services	-	-

7 TAXATION

The charitable activities of the company are exempt from Corporation Tax.

8 STAFF INFORMATION

Staf costs were as follows: Salaries Social security costs Pension costs Termination payment	2023 2022 £ £ 518,826 489,592 24,055 24,107 30,288 29,686 - 14,268
	573,169 557,653

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No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the current or previous year.

The trustees consider members of the Leadership Team, as disclosed elsewhere in these accounts, to be the key management personnel. The total employer’s cost for these staff which includes gross salaries, pensions and employer’s NIC is £93,824 (2022: £96,009). Relatives of the key management personnel were paid £38,343 during the year (2022: £28,213).

During the prior financial year, the former CEO left the charity and an ex-gratia termination payment of £14,268 was made in lieu of notice. Termination payments are recognised when there is a legal or constructive obligation arising. No termination pay was outstanding at the balance sheet date.

The average number of employees during the year, calculated on the basis of full time equivalents, was as follows:

Charitable activities Ofce and administration	2023 2022 14 19 10 11
	24 30

The average number of employees during the year, calculated on the basis of headcount, was as follows:

Charitable activities Ofce and administration	2023 2022 18 21 15 17
	33 38

The charity continues to make an ex-gratia payment to top-up members’ pensions, in lieu of inadequate pension provision for EUSA members who started serving before 1980. This year 14 members received these payments (2022: 15).

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9 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Cost At 1 April 2022 Disposals Additions At 31 March 2023 Depreciation At 1 April 2022 Disposals Charge for the year At 31 March 2023 Net Book Value At 31 March 2023 At 31 March 2022	Freehold Ofce Property Equipment Total £ £ £ 426,645 5,180 431,825 - - - - 13,271 13,271
	426,645 18,451 445,096
	76,307 2,686 78,993 - - - 7,366 3,161 10,527
	83,673 5,847 89,520
	342,972 12,604 355,576
	350,338 2,494 352,832

These assets are all used to support all of the charity’s activities.

10 INVESTMENT PROPERTY

INVESTMENT PROPERTY
Brought forward Disposals Additions Revaluation	2023 2022 £ £ 1,900,000 1,900,000 - - - - - -
	1,900,000 1,900,000

The property is measured at fair value as advised by Lawson Mann Property Consultants, who are independent chartered surveyors. The valuation took place in August 2016, and has been updated by the trustees since.

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11 INVESTMENTS

UK holdings Fixed income bonds £ Cost At 1 April 2022 50,000 At 31 March 2023 50,000 Market Value At 1 April 2022 50,000 At 31 March 2023 50,000 12 DEBTORS Income tax recoverable Other debtors Prepayments Income receivable 13 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Taxation and social security Mortgage Other creditors Deferred income Accruals	Fixed income bonds £ 50,000	Alternative Investments Total £ £ 18 50,018
	50,000	18 50,018
	50,000	18 50,018
		18 50,018 2023 2022 £ £ 12,090 13,664 12,273 17,571 12,260 8,306 141,800 28,092
		178,423 67,633
		2023 2022 £ £ 21,199 20,898 16,654 18,701 85,181 80,247 2,376 3,125 12,047 13,985
		137,457 136,956

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14 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR

CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE	YEAR
Mortgage Loan Mortgage Due within 1 -2 years Due within 2 -5 years Due in more than 5 years	2023 2022 £ £ 735,028 749,530
	735,028 749,530
	15,182 19,899 50,760 63,788 669,086 665,843
	735,028 749,530

Included within Creditors in notes 13 and 14 above is a mortgage originally of £825,000 which was used to redevelop the premises. The mortgage is secured on freehold property which represented 16% of the value of the property when it was fully redeveloped. The loan is fully repayable in 30 years. Interest paid during the year ranged between 4.25% and 5.30% and is currently charged at 6.20%.

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15 MOVEMENTS IN FUNDS

Restricted funds: Individual project and personnel funds Step Stride Disadvantaged children Peru Cochabamba Total restricted funds Unrestricted funds: Designated pension funds Designated education fund Designated capital fund Designated members’ excess support fund Designated launch fund Designated mission fund Designated SFM 1% General Funds Total unrestricted funds Total funds	At 1 April Gains & At 31 March 2022 Income Expenditure Transfers Losses 2023 £ £ £ £ £ £ 354,278 800,902 (804,603) - - 350,577 (59,605) 73,711 (59,233) - - (45,127) 25,836 74,473 (65,982) - - 34,327 120,699 - (892) - - 119,807 - 75,000 - - - 75,000 41,569 - - - - 41,569
	482,777 1,024,086 (930,710) - - 576,153
	60 - - - - 60 2,751 - - - - 2,751 1,360,024 - - - - 1,360,024 8,762 - - - - 8,762 118,025 6,581 - - - 124,606 18,606 - - - - 18,606 39,195 4,932 - - - 44,127 130,630 708,408 (738,630) - - 100,408
	1,678,053 719,921 (738,630) - - 1,659,344
	2,160,830 1,744,007 (1,669,340) - - 2,235,497

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15 MOVEMENTS IN FUNDS (CONTINUED)

Restricted funds: Individual project and personnel funds Step Stride Disadvantaged Children Cochabamba Total restricted funds Unrestricted funds: Designated pension funds Designated education fund Designated capital fund Designated members’ excess support fund Designated launch fund Designated mission fund Designated SFM 1% General Funds Total unrestricted funds Total funds	At 1 April 2021 Income Expenditure Transfers Gains & Losses At 31 March 2022 £ £ £ £ £ £ 342,374 862,512 (850,608) - - 354,278 (59,322) 17,728 (18,011) - - (59,605) 45,940 63,140 (83,244) - - 25,836 120,699 - - - - 120,699 41,569 - - - - 41,569
	491,260 943,380 (951,863) - - 482,777
	60 - - - - 60 2,751 - - - - 2,751 1,360,024 - - - - 1,360,024 8,762 - - - - 8,762 112,762 5,263 - - - 118,025 18,606 - - - - 18,606 33,280 5,915 - - - 39,195 161,828 719,453 (750,651) - - 130,630
	1,698,073 730,631 (750,651) - - 1,678,053
	2,189,333 1,674,011 (1,702,514) - -2,160,830

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15 MOVEMENTS IN FUNDS (CONTINUED)

Purposes of Restricted Funds

Individual projects and personnel funds: Funds raised to provide financial support for projects and mission partners in Latin America and in Britain & Ireland.

Step fund: Funds used for the short-term Step programme.

Stride fund: For the short-term Stride programme.

Disadvantaged children: Funds used to help disadvantaged children in South America in accordance with the Will of a legator.

Peru: Funds used for work in Peru in accordance with the Will of a legator

Cochabamba: Funds used for Cochabamba in Bolivia in accordance with the Will of a legator.

Purposes of Designated Funds

Pensions fund: For the benefit of personnel on attaining their normal retirement age.

Education fund: Provision of financial assistance for the education of serving team members’ teenage children.

Capital fund: Funds set aside for the freehold property and office equipment.

Members’ excess support fund: Provision of financial assistance to be nominated by those members towards their car, education, pension, housing, personal support or ministry. Any elements unclaimed by members are un-designated and returned to General Fund.

Launch funds: Set aside to provide for the start-up and settling-in costs of new members on the Stay programme.

Mission fund: Funds set aside to enable the charity to actively engage in preparing for the future in the changing world of missions.

SFM % fund: Funds set aside to support struggling members.

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16 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

Tangible fxed assets Fixed Asset Investment Investments Bank Other current assets Current liabilities Long-Term Liabilities Net Assets at 31 March 2023	2023 General Designated Restricted Total Funds Funds Funds Funds £ £ £ £ - 355,576 - 355,576 - 1,900,000 - 1,900,000 50,018 - - 50,018 67,370 55,042 501,153 623,565 103,823 - 75,000 178,823 (120,803) (16,654) - (137,457) - (735,028) - (735,028)
	100,408 1,558,936 576,153 2,235,497

Tangible fxed assets Fixed Asset Investment Investments Current assets Current liabilities Long-Term Liabilities Net Assets at 31 March 2022	2022 General Designated Restricted Total Funds Funds Funds Funds £ £ £ £ - 352,832 - 352,832 - 1,900,000 - 1,900,000 50,018 - - 50,018 198,867 62,822 482,777 744,466 (118,255) (18,701) - (136,956) - (749,530) - (749,530)
	130,630 1,547,423 482,777 2,160,830

17 PENSION SCHEME

The cost to the Company of providing pension and death in service benefits during the year ended 31 March 2023 was as follows:

Payments with respect to current staf Payments with respect to team members currently serving overseas	2023 2022 £ £ 30,275 29,686 85,291 79,988
	115,565 109,674

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18 OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS

The total future amounts payable in respect of operating leases shown below are analysed according to the expiry of the leases.

Hire of plant and machinery Within one year Between one and fve years:	2023 2022 £ £ 960 960 960 1,920
	1,920 2,880

19 TRUSTEES

No remuneration was paid to the trustees during the year (2022: £nil). No expenses were paid to trustees during the year (2022: £nil).

20 RELATED PARTIES

There were no related party transactions during the year.

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21 PRIOR YEAR COMPARATIVES

PRIOR YEAR COMPARATIVES
Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies: Donations & Legacies 2 Other trading activities 3 Charitable activities: Stay programme Stride programme Step programme 4 4 4 Total income and endowments Expenditure on: Raising Funds 5 Charitable activities 5 Total expenditure Realised gains/(losses) Net income/(expenditure) for the year 6 Transfers between funds 15 Net movement in funds	Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total Funds Funds Funds 2022 £ £ £ £ 345,255 5,915 - 351,170 97,321 - - 97,321 276,877 5,263 862,512 1,144,652 - - 63,140 63,140 - - 17,728 17,728
	719,453 11,178 943,380 1,674,011
	122,264 - - 122,264 628,387 - 951,863 1,580,250
	750,651 - 951,863 1,702,514
	- - - - (31,198) 11,178 (8,483) (28,503) - - - -
	(31,198) 11,178 (8,483) (28,503)

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STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

GOVERNING DOCUMENT

The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 21 April 1993 and registered as a charity on 12 May 1993. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.

RECRUITMENT AND APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTORS

The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law and under the company’s Articles are known as members of the Executive, which is the management committee of the charity. Executive membership is determined by the trustees and under the requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Association the trustees are elected to serve for a period of three years, after which they must be re-elected at the next Annual General Meeting.

The trustees seek to ensure that the needs of this group are appropriately reflected through the diversity of the trustee body and look to achieve a balance of expertise and experience. In the event of particular skills being lost due to retirement, individuals are approached to offer themselves for election to the trustee board.

TRUSTEE INDUCTION AND TRAINING

Prior to appointment a substantial proportion of trustees are already familiar with the practical work of the charity having either served abroad or at home in one of its activities. New trustees are given relevant information from the various Charity Commission publications, copies of the charity’s Memorandum and Articles and International Handbook, and the latest financial statements, and are encouraged to attend relevant public courses as available.

ORGANISATION

The board of trustees, whose number is unlimited, administers the charity. The board meets five times per year to review strategy and performance and to set the operating plans and budgets. They are assisted by a number of Action Groups:

• Link (serving former charity members)

• Finance

• Regional groups in Ireland and Scotland

The Action Groups comprise trustees and other individuals, and operate under specific terms of reference that delegate certain functions from the trustee board. Each Action Group has its decisions ratified by the trustee board.

A Chief Executive known as the Team Leader is appointed by the trustees and has delegated authority over the day to day operations, including programmes, publicity, employment and financial administration. The Team Leader is assisted by the Leadership Team, who are listed below.

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The pay for the Leadership Team is reviewed annually and changes are considered by the Finance Committee and approved by the trustees. When setting the pay for this group primary consideration is given to equivalent roles in other similar-sized charities.

VOLUNTEERS

Latin Link continues to benefit from committed people who are willing to give their time to help the work of the charity. This ranges from those serving on the Action Groups to helping with office administration, office maintenance, catering and representing Latin Link at public events.

RISK MANAGEMENT

The charity has a risk management strategy involving an annual rolling review and update by the trustees of identified operational, personnel, financial, reputation and strategic risks. As trustees, we are satisfied that appropriate systems and procedures are in place to monitor, manage and where appropriate mitigate Latin Link Britain and Ireland’s exposure to the major risks identified by our risk register.

The challenges that face the charity at the moment are to make sure that we are in a sustainable position for the future and then to position ourselves correctly to adapt to the changing

mission scene in the UK and Latin America. Dealing with these issues is a key part of the strategic development plan.

PUBLIC BENEFIT

The trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit, when reviewing the aims and objectives and in planning for future activities. In particular, the trustees have considered how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.

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ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

LEADERSHIP TEAM

DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES

Terry Lockyer Team Leader / CEO

Esther Stansfield Head of Mobilisation

The directors of the charitable company are its trustees for the purpose of charity law and those serving during the year and since the year end were as follows:

• Jo Jowett (Chair)

Simone Lockyer Head of Programmes

• James Butler

• Richard Stainton

• Evan Winter

Kathie Davis-Bater

Head of Central Services and HR

• Noreen Bennett

• Iván Neira

• John Harris (Treasurer)

• Charles Douglas

CHARITY DETAILS

Charity number: 1020826 and in Scotland SC052161

• Nicole Gleghorne

• Keith Farman (resigned 09/22)

• Andrew Binmore (resigned 09/22)

• Rachel Stone (resigned 01/23)

Company number: 2811525

Registered office and 87 London Street, operational address: Reading, Berkshire RG1 4QA

Auditors: Jacob Cavenagh & Skeet, 5 Robin Hood Lane, Sutton, Surrey SM1 2SW

Solicitors: Anthony Collins, 134 Edmund Street, Birmingham, B3 2ES

Mark Mason Employment Law Ltd, Unit 3 Mallusk Enterprise Park, Mallusk Drive, Newtownabbey, BT36 4GN

Bankers: Bank of Scotland, West End Office, St James’ Gate, 14-16 Cockspur Street, London, SW1Y 5BL

Working Names: Latin Link also operates under the working names of Latin Link Britain and Ireland, Latin Link B&I, Latin Link Ireland, Latin Link Scotland, and Latin Partners

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JT" ANNUAL REPORT 2022-2025 45

LATIN LINK

England and Wales

tel: [phone] email: [e-mail] web: latinlink.org.uk

Ireland

tel: [phone] email: [e-mail]

Scotland

tel: [phone] email: [e-mail]

Registered office:

87 London Street, Reading RG1 4QA

Latin Link is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England 2811525. Registered charity no. 1020826 and in Scotland, registered charity no. SC052161.