2024-03-31-accounts

Docusign Envelope ID: 6534B7F7-113D-4006-9509-1D86F6B45D6F

Charity registration number 1060589 (England and Wales)

AMIDA TRUST

ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Docusign Envelope ID: 6534B7F7-113D-4006-9509-1D86F6B45D6F

AMIDA TRUST

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees J Croxon (Safeguarding Officer) F M Curnow (Treasurer) K G J Thompson (Chair) (Appointed 13 December 2024) J Morris (Appointed 17 August 2025) E Fraser (Appointed 23 February 2025) Charity registration England and Wales 1060589 Independent examiner Affinia 3rd Floor Chancery House St Nicholas Way Sutton Surrey SM1 1JB

Docusign Envelope ID: 6534B7F7-113D-4006-9509-1D86F6B45D6F

AMIDA TRUST

CONTENTS

	Page
Trustees' report	1 - 3
Independent examiner's report	4
Statement of financial activities	5
Balance sheet	6
Notes to the financial statements	7 - 11

Docusign Envelope ID: 6534B7F7-113D-4006-9509-1D86F6B45D6F

AMIDA TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and the Statement of Recommended Practice, "Accounting and Reporting by Charities", issued in March 2005.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

The aim of the Trust is the furtherance of the Buddhist religion. In pursuit of this aim, the Trust has adopted the following broad strategies:

• to seek to provide means for individuals to learn about and commit themselves to the Buddhist faith;

• to seek to provide facilities for suitable persons to pursue a religious vocation;

• to engage in public activities congruent with the implementation of Buddhist ethical standards;

• to conduct retreats, gatherings, rites of passage, and other ceremonies associated with the active life of the faith;

• to sponsor educational and cultural activities that embody Buddhist principles;

• to actively foster harmonious inter-denominational, inter-faith and inter-communal relations.

Public benefit

The Trustees confirm they have complied with their duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have the regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit.

The charity seeks to achieve its charitable aims by providing:

• Education and training in Buddhism;

• Buddhist Chaplaincy in educational establishments, hospitals and other healthcare environments;

• Inter-faith and other outreach work;

• Spiritual support for those of all faiths and none;

• Individual retreats at the Bright Earth Temple

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

ACTIVITIES AND BUDDHIST GROUP SUPPORTED

Chaplaincy work:

Christine Earle-Storey continued to offer fortnightly guided meditation sessions for all staff and students as part of the Chaplaincy team at Newcastle University, until she stepped down from the role at the end of July 2023. Dayamay Dunsby worked as a prison chaplain throughout this reporting period.

Bright Earth Buddhist Temple, Malvern:

The following activities were undertaken during the reporting period. These were supported by the Trust through the use of the Bright Temple at Malvern and the allocation of funding.

• A significant review of Temple maintenance was undertaken by Garry Hart and Dayamay Dunsby. This led to the creation of a work schedule and prioritised list of tasks required to ensure the future viability of the building. High priority work has already been completed, with the programme of improvements continuing into the next reporting year.

• Twice weekly Buddhist practice sessions offered to members of the public.

• A series of book study groups offered both in person and online throughout the reporting period.

• The ministry training programme continued to offer training and pastoral support to trainees

• Monthly volunteer mornings

• Meetings for ministers for mutual support in their vocation

• Retreat days including the Bodhi day retreat in December

• Hosting chanting days and a meditation ‘marathon’

• Providing a home for 10 community members.

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Docusign Envelope ID: 6534B7F7-113D-4006-9509-1D86F6B45D6F

AMIDA TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Pure Land Conference

Satyavani Robyn - a Bright Earth Minister - co-hosted a Pure Land Buddhism conference in Malvern at which others ministers presented talks.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Financial review

It is the policy of the charity that, under normal circumstances, unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure. The trustees considers that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.

However, the Trust is responsible for the maintenance of a Grade 2 Georgian Listed building and recently significant structural work was identified by the Trustees, which included replacing a retaining wall in the garden and stonework on the balcony. Additional funds were therefore carried forward at the end of the year to ensure this and other works critical to the safety of the building could be undertaken.

Risk Management

The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.

Future Developments

The ongoing effects of Brexit and the Covid pandemic, coupled with the cost-of-living crisis, continued to give concern in terms of their effect on donations. However, income has been largely unaffected, with a fall in donations offset by an increase in tenant numbers, and therefore the total amount of rent paid, at the Bright Earth Temple.

Following changes within the Amida Order, the Trust resolved to continue to support the Bright Earth Temple as the primary means of achieving its aims and objectives. The work and activities of the growing community at the Bright Earth Temple continues to impress the Trust.

In recent months, the Amida Order, now under the guidance of Susthama Kim, has re-formed into a smaller and clearly-defined organisation with the aim of promoting the Pureland Buddhist message. The Trustees have resolved to offer support to the Amida Order on request, as funds and circumstances permit.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust

The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were: J Croxon (Safeguarding Officer)

C M Earle-Storey (Resigned 1 March 2025) M S Lodge (Chair) (Resigned 31 December 2024) M Trotter (Secretary) (Resigned 31 December 2024) F M Curnow (Treasurer) G Hart (Appointed 10 March 2024 and resigned 31 December 2024) K G J Thompson (Chair) (Appointed 13 December 2024) J Morris (Appointed 17 August 2025) E Fraser (Appointed 23 February 2025)

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Docusign Envelope ID: 6534B7F7-113D-4006-9509-1D86F6B45D6F

AMIDA TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Organisational structure

The Amida Trust is constituted as a trust with a board of trustees. It is an unincorporated body.

Trustees have continued to introduce new structures of governance and financial procedures and protocols to ensure that the Trust is fit-for-purpose in continuing to achieve its aims and objectives, including a revised deed to bring it up to date and in line with charity law. The Trust has established: a conflict of interest register; a health and safety policy; safeguarding and child protection policies; a Trustee appointment policy; and full and transparent financial accountability and control, with consolidation of the Trust’s bank accounts and accountancy procedures. More recently, the Trustees have drawn up a formal procedure for handling complaints, which has been adopted by the Bright Earth Temple.

PERSONNEL

The Amida Trust has no employees. All work is voluntary and in the current reporting period was carried out by members of the Bright Earth Temple community. Kaspalita Thompson and Satyavani Robyn, the Bright Earth ministers at Malvern, are housed free of charge within the Bright Earth Temple.

The Trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

K G J Thompson (Chair)

Trustee

29 January 2026

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Docusign Envelope ID: 6534B7F7-113D-4006-9509-1D86F6B45D6F

AMIDA TRUST

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF AMIDA TRUST

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Amida Trust (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.

Independent examiner's statement

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared the financial statements in accordance with the relevant version of the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn. I understand that this has been done in order for the financial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

• 1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Charities Act 2011.

• 2 the financial statements do not accord with those records; or

• 3 the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of financial statements set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.

Andrew Seton FCCA Affinia 3rd Floor Chancery House St Nicholas Way Sutton Surrey SM1 1JB 20 February 2026

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Docusign Envelope ID: 6534B7F7-113D-4006-9509-1D86F6B45D6F

AMIDA TRUST

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

		Unrestricted	Unrestricted
		funds	funds
		2024	2023
	Notes	£	£
Income from:
Charitable activities
Income and donations received through Buddhist religious activities	3	55,709	40,455
Total income		55,709	40,455
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
Buddhist religious activities	4	50,244	29,824
Total expenditure		50,244	29,824
Net income and movement in funds		5,465	10,631
Reconciliation of funds:
Fund balances at 1 April 2023		649,042	638,411
Fund balances at 31 March 2024		654,507	649,042

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

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Docusign Envelope ID: 6534B7F7-113D-4006-9509-1D86F6B45D6F

AMIDA TRUST

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 MARCH 2024

		2024		2023
	Notes	£	£	£	£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets	9		595,000		595,000
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand		63,107		56,922
Creditors: amounts falling due within one	10
year		(3,600)		(2,880)
Net current assets			59,507		54,042
Total assets less current liabilities			654,507		649,042
The funds of the charity
Unrestricted funds	11		654,507		649,042
			654,507		649,042

The financial statements were approved by the trustees on 29 January 2026

7C6C7894E18F4C4... F M Curnow (Treasurer)

Trustee

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Docusign Envelope ID: 6534B7F7-113D-4006-9509-1D86F6B45D6F

AMIDA TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

Amida Trust is constituted as a trust with a board of trustees. It is an unincorporated body.

1.1 Basis of preparation

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards, the Charities Act 2011 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

1.4 Income

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

1.5 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with use of resources.

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Docusign Envelope ID: 6534B7F7-113D-4006-9509-1D86F6B45D6F

AMIDA TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Land and buildings

No depreciation

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

1.7 Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

1.8 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

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Docusign Envelope ID: 6534B7F7-113D-4006-9509-1D86F6B45D6F

AMIDA TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

3	Income from charitable activities
		Unrestricted	Unrestricted
		funds	funds
		2024	2023
		£	£
	Income and donations received through Buddhist religious activities	55,709	40,455
4	Expenditure on charitable activities
		Buddhist	Buddhist
		religious	religious
		activities	activities
		2024	2023
		£	£
	Share of support and governance costs (see note 5)
	Support	47,814	27,850
	Governance	2,430	1,974
		50,244	29,824
	Analysis by fund
	Unrestricted funds	50,244	29,824
5	Support costs allocated to activities
		2024	2023
		£	£
	Other costs	47,814	27,850
	Governance costs	2,430	1,974
		50,244	29,824
	Analysed between:
	Buddhist religious activities	50,244	29,824

6 Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration from the charity during the year.

7 Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

	2024	2023
	Number	Number
Total	-	-

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Docusign Envelope ID: 6534B7F7-113D-4006-9509-1D86F6B45D6F

AMIDA TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

7 Employees

(Continued)

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.

8 Taxation

The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.

9 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets
		Land and
		buildings
		£
Cost
At 1 April 2023		595,000
At 31 March 2024		595,000
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2024		595,000
At 31 March 2023		595,000
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
	2024	2023
	£	£
Accruals and deferred income	3,600	2,880

10 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

11 Unrestricted funds

The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.

	At 1 April 2023	Incoming	Resources	At 31 March
		resources	expended	2024
	£	£	£	£
Amida Order	5,664	-	(3,719)	1,945
General funds	643,378	55,709	(46,525)	652,562
	649,042	55,709	(50,244)	654,507
Previous year:	At 1 April 2022	Incoming	Resources	At 31 March
		resources	expended	2023
	£	£	£	£
Amida Order	5,664	-	-	5,664
General funds	632,747	40,455	(29,824)	643,378
	638,411	40,455	(29,824)	649,042

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Docusign Envelope ID: 6534B7F7-113D-4006-9509-1D86F6B45D6F

AMIDA TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

11 Unrestricted funds

(Continued)

During a prior year the Barclays accounts were closed and the money transferred to the main Amida Trust account. It was felt that the Amida Order may have a claim on this money as it was mainly the result of donations by their supporters. Therefore, the Trustees agreed with the Amida Order that post year end the balance will be transferred to them in two tranches. As a result these funds were classified as designated funds.

The first of the two tranches was paid during the current year, with the remaining balance to be paid next year.

12 Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2023 - none).

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