Chaplaincy to the University of Leicester
Report and Accounts
Year Ended 31[st] December 2023
Chaplaincy to the University of Leicester
Charity Information
For the year ended 31[st] December 2023
Trustees
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The Venerable Richard Vernon Worsfold
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Dr Christopher John Rowan Willmott
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Professor Robert Ian Norman
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Barry Willamson Wilford (deceased March 2024)
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Richard Louis Brucciani OBE DL
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Anthony Charles Midgley
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Rev Philip Edward Tiplady (appointed 9th November 2023)
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Janet Heaps Perry
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Michael Newton
Chaplains
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Rev Luke Briggs (Anglican and Coordinating Chaplain)
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Ros Henwood (International Students)
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Fr Benedict Jonak (Roman Catholic Chaplain)
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Rev Leigh Greenwood (Baptist Chaplain)
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Ruth Fraser (Quaker Chaplain)
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Rev Liam Dacre-Davis (Methodist Chaplain)
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Lois Young (Assistant Anglican Chaplain)
Staff
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Ros Henwood – Chaplain for International Students (part time)
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Jamie Finlay – Administrator (part time)
Governing Document : Chaplaincy Declaration of Intent and Chaplaincy Constitution (2023)
Principal address: The Gatehouse Chaplaincy Centre, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH
Independent examiner: Brian Niblock CA, AGI
Bankers : HSBC (Branch Identifier Code: HBUKGB4137R, Sort Code: 40-28-08 Account Number: 01156977)
Chaplaincy to the University of Leicester
Report of the Trustees
For the period 1 Jan 2023 – 31 Dec 2023
Objectives
The Constitution states the charity’s objects as follows:
The advancement of the Christian religion within the University of Leicester for the benefit of its students and all other persons connected with the University and for the general public by the provision of Chaplaincy facilities including the equipping of a Chaplaincy Centre for the University for the purpose of worship, prayer, pastoral work and discussion on an ecumenical basis.
In order to fulfil these objectives, the Chaplaincy holds regular meetings serving staff and students of the University of Leicester, as well as giving pastoral support to individuals, applying its funds as appropriate.
Governance
The Chaplaincy was formed in 1991 as a Local Ecumenical Partnership (LEP), formed of various Christian denominations aiming to serve students and staff at the University of Leicester.
The Chaplaincy is overseen by the Chaplaincy council, which is comprised of trustees and representatives of the member denominations. Chaplains and staff are invited to attend. The Chaplaincy Council meets three times per year.
The trustees are nominated by their denominations and the Chaplaincy Council and voted into office by the existing trustees (as detailed in the Constitution). The Officers (Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer and Secretary) are nominated and seconded by members of the Chaplaincy Council and voted into office by the trustees only.
Review of Activities
The Chaplaincy is a Christian organization that exists to provide spiritual support to the students and staff at the University of Leicester. Our team of chaplains draws from a wide variety of Christian traditions, but we're unified in our mission: the advancement of the Christian faith at the university.
Our aims and activities are summarised in our Mission Statements as follows:
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To be a Bridge of Welcome
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To be a Space to Explore
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To be a Prophetic Voice
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To be a House of Prayer
With respect to the charity's objectives, the following summarises the activities of the Chaplaincy
Chaplaincy Lecture
We hosted the first Chaplaincy Lecture since the Pandemic which was a great success. The series of lectures is designed to provide a Christian viewpoint on an important cultural issue. This year, Dr Krish Kandiah OBE spoke on The Cascade of Grace: Transforming Society Through Compassionate Hospitality . The lecture was attended by the Vice Chancellor of the University, as well as staff, students and members of the public.
Welcome on Wednesday
Welcome on Wednesday is our flagship weekly event for International Students, and is a very effective ‘front window’ event for the Chaplaincy. With pizza, board games and a relaxed atmosphere, and a good team of volunteers to build relationships with them, it is a great way for us to get to know students who then return for other groups and events, or whom we can support individually.
Wellbeing Pop-Up
Well-Being Pop-Up ensures an incarnational presence and consistent pastoral availability over on campus each week. As well as supporting students with their mental health, it provides excellent opportunities to partner with staff in the well-being hub, who have seamlessly incorporated our event into their programme.
Catholic Student Mass
Catholic Student Mass gathers 20-30 weekly at Holy Cross. As well as the student mass, the Catholic Chaplain has pioneered a weekly hot meal event at Holy Cross, catering for up to 50-60 students.
Alpha & Open
We have run an Alpha Course (in partnership with the Christian Union) which gathered students interested in exploring the basic claims of Christian faith. In addition to the privilege of journeying alongside these spiritual seekers, the series was an excellent opportunity to provide training for those CU members who comprised the team. We also ran a welcome event after Freshers Week and a follow-up series in partnership with the Christian Union. Keeping the format that had worked well with Alpha, but writing our own material, we called it Open and aimed at students who are not religious but are open to exploring the big questions of life and basic claims of faith. It was very encouraging to engage with several young adults who were either asking these questions for the first time or taking tentative steps back towards a faith they had previously left behind.
PGR Lunches
This year, we have launched a series of lunches for post-graduate research students. These aim to be a social connection point and an antidote to the isolation they sometimes feel as research students. There has been a very genuine sense of gratitude for this.
Cooking on a Budget
We have run several ‘Cooking on a Budget’ sessions to provide students with practical skills around cookery and eating on a budget. These garnered a lot of interest from the University and was also featured on BBC Radio Leicester.
Staff Lunch & Staff Prayer
It has been good to see a steady development of our ministry among staff, having focused more on ministry to students over the preceding few turbulent years. We have re-launched our weekly staff lunch, which provides a regular social opportunity open to all university staff. While the advent of hybrid working means fewer staff are on campus, we have noted that there is no duplicate offering of a shared lunch opportunity. Many staff have talked about the sense of isolation that not having a bustling workplace brings, so the lunches have been well received as an opportunity to connect with other staff. Similarly, we have a fortnightly staff-facing prayer breakfast has gathered a group of committed regulars who value the time and space and feel that gathering to pray here makes a difference.
Bereavement Journey Course
Also for staff, we have piloted a course aimed at supporting staff members who have recently gone through a bereavement. This has been well received by its recipients and by the Staff Health and Wellbeing team.
Social Events
Aside from these regular ministries, we have a programme of ad hoc events, such as our everpopular Pancake Party on Shrove Tuesday, a walk with students to an event marking International Women’s Day, firepit nights, and a Community Cohesion Meal with the Dialogue Society which provided opportunity for students of different faiths to come together.
1:1 Support
Aside from the formal courses, programmes and events, a significant part of the ministry of the Chaplaincy comes in the form of personal support given to individual students and staff. We support people regardless of their faith background with a listening ear.
Approval
The Trustees consider that the Chaplaincy continues to meet the objectives set out in the constitution and have complied with the duty to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission in December 2008.
This report was approved by the Trustees and is signed on their behalf by:
Chris Willmott
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C. Willmott, Chair of Trustees
Date 31st October 2024
Chaplaincy to the Univorslty of Lelce•tsr Registefgd Chaiity Numbef 1048391 Financsal Accounts Year ended 31 Docamber 2023
Chaplamcy to ts University of Leicester Reference and Administrative Details Trustees.. The Venerable Richard Vemon Worsfold Dr Christopher John R<yaran Willmott Professor Robert lan Norman Mithael Nffivton Barry WIllrn Wilford (deceased Marth 2024) Richard Louis Bruccaani OBE DL AnthY Charles MKlgley Rev Philip E(*ard Tiplady {apFrfxnted 9th November 2023) Janet Heaps Pe Principal Address.. The Gatehouse Universty Road Leicester LE17RH Independent Examiner. B C Niblth CAAGI 43 Englefield Road Leicester LE5 6PJ HSBC UK Branch Identifier Code". HBUKGB4137R Sort Code. 40-288 Account Number. 01156977
Treasurerfs Report A(xountiThJ Basis: Financial Review. A receipt and paywnts surplus of £4.851 and unrealised investment gain of £1,195 have resufted in an overall surplus ft)r the year of £6.046. compared to a defiot of £10.528 in 2022. The main factors impacted on the year were as fdlows.. Total recwts of £36.539 £11.982 above the knl in 2022 {£24.55n. The buikling TKas hired (xrt (m several Oa510n3 and excess Offi space continued to be leased ou( gwratiThJ income of £7.784 (up from £873 in 2022). Addonal reStrted income VRS received from the Universty of Leicester covering the annual cx)st of the ChaaIncS Administrator (£10,127 in 2023 from £5.912 in 2022). T(rtal expeThJibJre of £31,688 was £1,708 above the level in 2022 {£29.980). In wevious years this figure 4tsThild have been increased by the indusion of an acuual for the November I I)ernber 2023 ts"11 (£1,352). No inv88bn furKJs TAere s(J dwing the . Hvkner. due to an KKxease in the sha prices Sin the start of the year. the bKI market value of the Chaplaincls tM)Idings has increased by £1.195, £38,437 at 31 De(£mber 2022 to £39,632 at 31 December 2023. The surplus for 2023 has been added to the reserves. stsnd at £48,439 as at 31 December 2023. Going Con(wn.' The financial statements have been prepared on a going (x)ncm basis. Tr trustees have considered Anthony M1 Honorary Treasurer
Independent Examlnerfs Report I report on the attounts of the Chanty for year ended 31 December 2023. set out on pages 6 and 7. The chantys trustees are responsible for tt)e preparalion of Ihe acccxjnts. The charivs trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 ¢the CharTlies Ad) and that an independent examinati 18 reded. It is my responsibilty to.. • examine the accounts under se(awJn 145 of the Charilies Art • to follow the procedures laid down in the general Direclions gNen by the Charty Commission (under secon 14515) (b) of Ihe Charities Act). and • to state whether particuLar matters have come to my atttion. Basis of Independent Examlnefs report My eXam1rl10n vas carned out in a¢¢cWtsn the general Diredions given by Ihe Charty Commission. An eXam1rli indudes a vIeW of the lnting records kept by the <anty and unusual items or dwlosures in the accounts, and seekn'ng ewanations from the trustees concerning any suth rnatt3. The procedures undertaken do not provKle all the evthnc£ Ihat uld be required in an audrt arKI consequenty no opin1 is gNen as to ter the accounts present a kn and fair vith¥ and ts rerth is limrted lo those matters set out in the stalement bekm. In connection wilh my examination. no material matters have come to my altenti(m whith give me use to believe lh& in any Mate respert • The accounb.ng rec¥xds were nol kept in acdan sethon 130 of the chariti.es Ac( or • The a(unts did not a(wd Imih the aco)mtiNJ records", or • The accounts did not o)mply th the applicable requirements concerning the forni and ntents of ac0nts get out in the Charities (A¢c4)unts arKI Reports) Regulations 2008 other than ary requirement that the acUnts give a and fai¢ view is not a tter conswjered as part of an independent examinat. I have come across no olher mattsrs in (x)nnediM th the examinabon to vthith attention shwld be drwn in thrs report in order to enable a proper understar5j of the ac{unts to be read)ed. Brian NibkKk Chartered A¢cxyJntsnt. CA. AGI
Chaplaincy to the University of Leicester APPENDIX A FOR THE YEhR ENL)ED 31 OECÉIABER 2023 Funds Fundl FuThls 9.995 10.995 10.(Q7 11.[7 25 1,477 873 1.4n 873 hirè 7.784 7.784 10,128 Xl.123 10.128 5,912 15.919 5.912 X557 16A16 9,995 10 489 10.128 10.128 1938 1,581 10.ryJ7 5.912 10.YJ1 5.912 3.583 1.581 420 420 4.862 TMThng 3.402 31,688 1.910 14061 1.910 Totsl P•ym•nts 20,123 15.919 4851 4.851 4A23 15.105) 15,105) Totsl l (Ios8oBI 6.046 -10.528 -10.528 LLLLW 2AJI,ILp A Wjbty
Chaplaincy to the Universrty of Leicester APPENDIX B Balance Sheets AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 2023 2022 Funds: Balance brought forward at l January 42.393 52.921 Receipts and Payments galn/bss -10,528 Balance G7rrfed forward at 31 Dember 44439 42.393 Represented by: Cash and Bank Investments 8.403 40,036 3,956 38,437 Total funds 48A39 4¥93 A I'bi A MKlgley Honorary Treasurer LthL 1,),, Brian NIbIc CA AGI Inde[KIent Examiner