Mother '
Christian care for f amilies
Diocese of
IIEIIZZJ Portsmouth
CHARITY NUMBER 1067369
ANNUAL
REPORT
2024

Mothers, Union in the Diocese of
Portsmouth Annual Report for the year
ending 31" December 2024
Mothers, Union in the Portsmouth Diocese, is registered with the Charity
Commission (no 1067369). The Bishop of Portsmouth is our patron.
Mothers, Union Aim is the advancement of the Christian religion in the sphere
of marriage and family life. To carry out its aim its objectives are:
To uphold Christ's teaching on the nature of marriage and promote its
wider understanding.
To encourage parents to bring up their children in the faith and life of
the Church.
To maintain a worldwide fellowship of Christians united in prayer,
worship and service.
To promote conditions in society favourable to stable family life and the
protection of children.
To help those whose family life has met with adversity.
Our Mission
We aim to show our Christian faith by helping the sustainable transformation
of communities worldwide. We do this by helping nature strong relationships
at all levels, promoting peace and reconciliation nationally and globally.
Our Vision
Our vision is a world where everyone prospers. We actively purpose this vision
through prayer and action, helping to build confident people and resilient
communities. Our movement challenges prejudice and advocates change.
Prayer Is at the heart of everythlng we do
Our prayer and worship are central to our work. We believe that prayer can be
transformational and can make a huge difference to the lives of individuals and
communities.
Here in the Diocese of Portsmouth we believe in praying with our feet moving
and our prayer, with purpose, underpins all of our activities.

st
The Trustee Board as of l January 2024
Felicity Keeping
Yvette Dawson
Valerie Griffiths
Vacant
Diocesan President & Chair of Trustees
Diocesan Secretary (Ex-off icio)
Diocesan Treasurer (Ex-officio)
Diocesan Chaplain (Ex-off icio)
Sue Williams
Caroline Scull
Sabrina Gwyn
Sue Hamilton
Vivien Gowlett
Archdeaconry Vice-chair Isle of Wight
Archdeaconry Vice-chair Mainland
Deanery Co-ordinator Bishops Waltham
Deanery Co-ordinator Fareham and Gosport
Deanery Co-ordinator Havant and Portsmouth
Vacant
Vacant
Unit Co-ordinator Training
Unit Co-ordinator Diocesan Members
Other Trustees:
Hilary Batchelor
Theresa Bignall
Chris Long

Mothers, Union is a worldwide Christian
membership charity that aims to demonstrate
the Christian faith in action through the
transformation of communities worldwide.
We are working with people of all faiths and none in 83 countries to promote
stable marriage, family life and the protection of children through praying,
enabling and campaigning.
Our aims and objectives are:
To promote and support married life
To encourage parents in their role to develop the faith of their children
To maintain a worldwide fellowship of Christians united ih prayer,
worship and service
To promote conditions in society favourable to stable family life and the
protection of children
To help those whose family life has met with adversity
Mission Statement
The Mothers, Union is a Christian organisation which promotes the wellbeing
of families world-wide.
We achieve this by:
Developing prayer and spiritual growth in families
Studying and reflecting on family life and marriage and their place in society.
Resourcing our members to take practical action to improve conditions for
families, both nationally and internationally and in the communities in which
they live

The Mothers, Union was established in 1876. Its purpose
was to encourage parents in caring for their children, not
just physically and mentally but also spiritually. From the
outset it recognised that strong relationships and the role of
the family, however defined, are critical in building healthy
communication.
Our vision
While the ways in which we operate to fulfil that need may
be different from that of the world of the 19th century, our
vision today is still of a world where God's love is,shown
through loving, respectful and flourishing relationships. This
is still the essence of our work.
Our mission
We aim to show our Christian faith by the transformation of
communities worldwide. We try to do this through the
promotion of stable marriage, family life and the protection
of children. This is our mission. It is what we aim to achieve.
Our values
There are more than four million members of the Mothers,
Union today in 83 countries around the world. Each member
subscribes to the same values; the moral and ethical codes
that are central to the ways in which we operate.
Firstly, we are firmly rooted in a voluntary ethos centred on
mutual respect and collaboration.

Secondly, our governance, leadership and programmes are
driven by and undertaken through members within their own
communities worldwide.
Thirdly, we work with people of all faiths and none.
The Diocese of Portsmouth
The Mother's Union in the Portsmouth Diocese extends from
Petersfield to the North, Bishops Waltham and Fareham in the
West, Emsworth to the East, and all of the south including the
Isle of Wight.
We currently have approximately 433 members in 22 branches.
Members of Mothers, Union in the Portsmouth Diocese elect the
Trustees every three years. 2024 is the end of our current
triennium.
The charity owns I laptop, I colour printer, large advertising
banner, and display boards and a roll-down banner for the
Wedding Fayres.
The board of Trustees acknowledges its responsibility to identify,
assess and manage risks. This is undertaken on an ongoing basis
regarding all activities undertaken by the Portsmouth Mother's
Union. Dynamic risk assessments are undertaken for all activities
and formal documented risk assessments are carried out where
any larger event for example those events involving a variety of
activities and the general public.
Each Member organising an activity is responsible for the initial
dynamic assessment and judge whether the activity requires a
documented risk assessment. Formal risk assessment documents
are available on request from the Board of Trustees and the
completed forms are sent to the Trustees for approval.

During 2024
The 2024 theme is Transformation Now,. This and is what Mothers, Union has
been undertaking during the last one hundred and fortyeight years that is how
we shall present our report. Transforming the lives of people we meet who
need our help.
Transformatlon Now
We all need to rebuild hope and confidence following the Covid pandemic
which has affected 50 many people in many ways. We need to help our
members regain the confidence to start enjoying their local branches again in
person and to meet with other branches. We need to follow in Mary Sumner's
footsteps in rebuilding this hope and confidence.
Pray
Prayer is at the heart of Mothers, Union life and all we undertake is upheld by
it.
Each month on the third Wednesday at mid-day members gather in the
Cathedral for Holy Communion celebrated by a member of the Cathedral
staff or a member of the retired clergy in the absence of a MU diocesan
chaplain assisted by members from the deaneries in rotation who read
the lessons and lead the intercessions.

The 430 + members in the diocese each receive a copy of Connected
which encourages and enables daily prayer for families throughout the
world. It provides information about MU projects and our link dioceses
and their leaders to aid prayer and understanding. Members are
encouraged to pray at mid-day each day. We also produce a Diocesan
magazine 'Contact' which is delivered to all members in the Portsmouth
Diocese to keep them up to date in events in the Diocese.
th
th
Wave of Prayer- From June 15 to 17 the branches in the
archdeaconry were allocated different times to meet for the Wave of
Prayer services. We prayed for the work of MU and specially for our link
dioceses abroad, which are New Guinea Islands in Papua New Guinea,
Gboko in Benue State Nigeria, Bukavu Diocese in the Democratic
Republic of Congo, and Nyahururu in Kenya.
Prayer Chain - The prayer chain is made up of a representative from
each deanery. They undertake to pray regularly for those who are sick
or who have asked for prayer.
th
Every year on Lady Day, March 25 , Havant and Portsmouth Deanery
th
hold a Lady Day Service. A service on Mary Sumner Day, August 9 , was
held in the Havant and Portsmouth Deanery.
Council and Trustee meetings begin with prayer usually led by the
Diocesan President in the absence of the Mothers, Union Chaplain and
also at mid-day. There are two Council meetings a year, one of which
includes the AGM and four Trustee meetings a year.
During the Sixteen Days of Activism against Gender Violence, some of
our branches meet to pray for people suffering from the effects of
gender based violence. We also held a Zoom service for Gender
Violence instead of meeting in a centralised church.
Members of Portsmouth Mothers, Union volunteer help at the Roberts
Child Contact Centre. The Child Contact Centre is a place where
children living with one parent can meet the parent they do not live
with in a safe comfortable environment. Research tells us that children
have better outcomes when they have contact with their non-resident
parent. The Child Contact Centre is run by a team of trained staff and
volunteers whose primary role is to help parents make sure their chilsj's
contact experience is positive.,

We have two projects supporting Queen Alexandra Hospital. MGN
Support Project (Maternity, Gynaecological and Neo-Natal Support) we
supply tiny baby-grows for the neo-natal unit and knitted matinee
jackets and blankets. The knitted hats have to be knitted to a special
pattern to allow tube to go through the hat. We a150 provide black-out
quilts to go on top of the incubators. Many members also sew gowns
for still-born babies, they always make two of each garment so that the
bereaved parents can keep one in their memory box. If any of the
knitted garments are unsuitable for the hospital, too big, too small,
wrong colour etc., the finished garments are taken to the Roberts
Centre for use with the families.
The Fareham and Gosport deanery provide twiddle-
muffs for people suffering from dementia. These go to a
local nursing home and a local Memory Clinic.
Members in the Isle of Wight support the Seafarers,
Mission by knitting hats and mittens. They also knit for the neonatal
unit at St Mary's Hospital and collect toiletries for those admitted
unexpectedly to St Mary's Hospital.
We provide recipe cards for all the Food Banks in the Portsmouth
Diocese. These are suitable recipes to be made with the food given by
the banks.
Throughout the year member5 raised funds for us to provide a week's
holiday or days away for families who are unable to
fund a holiday themselves.
We provide holidays or breaks for vulnerable families
who are recommended to us by the clergy or other
organizations such as schools. We offer days out or
short-break holidays. We also provide an annual AFIA
day at Lee on Solent for families from the local
Women's refuges.
This year we gave 15 families a break at the seaside. Unfortunately, it
was very cold and windy but this did not prevent the families from
having fun in a nearby water park. We had a fish and chip lunch
followed by tea on our return from the beach and games in the hall and
garden. We are supported by a faithful group of volunteers who join in
the fun with the families.

We sent a mother and her children to a play park in Gosport for the day
so that they could spend some 'quality time, together.
We also sent a lady who was caring for her disabled husband for a
cream tea at a local garden centre. As the centre was accessible, the
couple were able to go together and have a good time.
We sent seven families away to local holiday parks for a short break of
three or four nights. We usually use parks at Selsey and Bognor Regis.
We also provide a £50 voucher to help cover the cost of food. Families
are very appreciative that they can give their children a well-needed
break.
Four of our members look after the Mue (Mothers, Union enterprises)
stall. They sell cards, badges, gifts etc., that are ordered from Mary
Sumner House. The proceeds go to help the running of Central
Mothers Union and a percentage is received back annually.
The members from different branches run Mothers & Baby groups.
With the "cost of living" crisis, more families are now turning to
Grandparents to look after their children during the day, whilst they
work. We now provide Grandparent and Toddler groups which give the
Grandparents support and enable them to socialize, to combat
isolation. The friendship they make at the groups often continue when
the grandchildren move on to school.
Many branches also provide 'bags of love, to parents whose children
are starting reception class at a local school. The bags include a tea-
bag, a pouch of tissues, a bar of chocolate and a prayer. These gifts are
welcomed by the parents.
Slgned on behalf of the Trustees:
Felicity Keeping
Portsmouth Diocesan President

CHARITY COMMISSION '
FOR ENGLAND AND WAIES
Mothern Unlon Portsmouth Diocosg
Receipts and payments accounts
CC16a
For th8 perlod
from
To
0110112024
3111212024
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Endowment
funds
Total fund8
Last year
to tm nooro•t
to thF nOa￿t £
to thg nwar•st £
to th• Th￿￿8¢ £
toth• n•JMt£
Al Recelpts
Donors
L￿8¢Y
Operath'ng Activib"88
Fund Raising
Invèstment8
16,688
16,583
5,431
810
624
6,431
6,846
379
17,213
64S
1.003
ross income
or
AR)
24,033
7,225
31.2S8
39.832
8et and
($08 tsble).
nv•stmenl 8a
31,258
A3Pa
Pro
Acbvitses
Managwn¢nt
mgnts
1.333
17,840
4,380
6.701
17.840
4.380
5,227
16.793
16.30B
Sub total
23.553
28,921
38,328
A4 A880t and inve•tmont
ur¢ha806
see tsbl•
Sub total
23.553
5,368
28,921
Net of rKelpts/(payments)
A5 Tr8n8terB betwoon fund8
A6 Cash fund8 last yoar end
Cash funds thls year end
480
,337
20,133
20.61
12,822
14,679
32,955
35.292
CCXX R1 a¢oiunts (SS}
0610212025

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
UnrestriGted
funds
to ngar08t £
Restrlcted
funds
to n••rn8t £
Endowment
funds
to n•arnst É
Categorles
L)etails
B1 Cash funds
Deposit Accwnt
12,381
Current Accoup.t
6,486
1751
Business Account
1,747
Afia Fund
6,207
Aff8 Deposit
S.721
Total cash funds
20,614
14.679
b•l•nrxswNh rK•ipts aTrJ p8ynwnt•
C￿￿tI$ll
Unrestrfctsd
funds
to n•aM8t £
Rè8trfcted
funds
to £
Endowm•nt
funds
to ngar•st £
Dota 118
Fund to whlch
￿l¢>n
Cobt (optlonthll
Curr•nt valu•
tbonal
Oclails
Fund towhkh
set belon
Curr•nt val
lonol
Detall$
Co•t loptlonthll
84 Assets retslned for tho
charlty'8 own use
Fund to whlch
11a1￿11
relate&
Arnount du•
Whèn du•
onal
LIL%tiills
B5 Llabllltlos
Signed by one or Iwo Iru8tees on
behaff of all the tru$tee$
Signature
Prlnt Name
Date of
roval
CCXX R2 a¢¢ounts ISSI
0610212025

CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Independent examiner's
report on the accounts
Section A
Independent Examiner's Report
Report to the trusteesl
members of
Mothers, Union Portsmouth Diocese
On accounts for the year
ended
5t
31 December 2024
Charity no
(if any)
1067369
Set out on pages
1&2
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity
("the Trust") for the year ended 31112 12024.
Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation of
basis of report the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011
("the Act")
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under
section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have
followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under
section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have
come to my attention (other than that disclosed on page 2) in connection with
the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the
Act or
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
Independent
examiner's statemant
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with
the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a
proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed:
Date:
1110412025
Name:
Gill Lodge
Relevant professional
qualification(s) or body
(if any):
FCCA
Address:
University of Portsmouth
Richmond 8uilding
Portland Street
Portsmouth
P013DE
IER
October 2018

Section B
Disclosure
Only complete rf the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32,
Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for
examiners).
Give here brlef detalls of
any items that the
examiner wishes to
disclose.
The trLlStees' annual report was not available at the time of the independent
examination.
IER
October 2018