## **Annual Report** **1[st] January to 31[st] December 2023** ## **Theme:** ## **Transformation – Now!** Registered Charity Number 1067728 1 ## **PATRON** The Right Revd John Lomas Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, Archbishop of Wales ## **HONORARY LIFE VICE PRESIDENTS** Mrs Ann Jackson Mrs Monica Jones Mrs Ruby Hayden Revd Kay Warrington ## **BOARD OF TRUSTEES** **President** Mrs Ruth Roberts **Vice President Brecon** Mrs Ella Thomas **Vice President Gower** Mrs Jill McPherson **General Trustees** Mrs Moira Bibby Mrs Jeanne Hughes Mrs Rachel Wells **General Trustee / Archdeaconry Leaders** **Gower** Mrs Ailsa Howells **Brecon** Mrs Alison Lawrence ## **Co-opted Trustee** Miss Eleanor Lewis (From 1 January 2023) ## **not Trustees CHAPLAIN ( )** Revd Tim Williams ## **ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS (not Trustees)** **Honorary Secretary Honorary Treasurer Honorary Treasurer** Mrs Helen Williams Mrs Heather Price (to 31 December 2023) Mrs Anne Jones (from 1 January 2024) ## **COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST TRUSTEES/OFFICERS** 2 |**Social Policy**|Mrs Jeanne Hughes / Alison Lawrence| |---|---| |**Diocesan Member**|Mrs Helen Williams| |**Indoor Members**|Mrs Rachel Wells| |**AFIA**|Mrs Jill McPherson| |**Wave of Prayer Rota**|Mrs Helen Williams| |**Social Media**|Mrs Helen Williams| |**Retreats South**|Mrs Jill McPherson| |**Retreats North**|Mrs Ella Thomas| |**Prayer Chain**|Mrs Jill McPherson| |**MU Enterprises**|Mrs Helen Williams| |**Safeguarding**|Mrs Helen Williams| ||**Not on Trustees**| |**MU News**|Revd Kay Warrington| |**Prayer Partners**|Mrs Sally Freedman 31stDecember 2023| 3 **Registered Office:** The Rectory Lamb Road Penderyn Abedare CF44 9JU **Bankers:** Lloyds 38 High Street Brecon LD3 7AR **Independent Examiner:** Mrs Judith Davies Grawen House Grawen Lane Cefn Coed Merthyr Tydfil CF48 2NN **Trustees' report for the year ended 31 December 2023** 4 ## **GOVERNING DOCUMENT** The Swansea and Brecon Diocesan Mothers’ Union is a registered charity which is governed by a constitution (revised 2015). The Charity is affiliated to the Mothers Union Worldwide which is incorporated by Royal Charter ## **OBJECTS** - to uphold Christ’s teaching on the nature of marriage and to 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. ## **MISSION STATEMENT** The Mothers’ Union is a Christian organisation, which promotes the well-being of families worldwide. This is achieved by: - Developing prayer and spiritual growth of members - Studying and reflecting on family life, marriage and its place in society - Resourcing our members to take practical action to improve conditions for families, both nationally and in the communities in which they live. ## **MU Prayer** Loving Lord, we thank you for your love so freely given to us all. - We pray for families around the world. Bless the work of the Mothers’ Union - as we seek to share your love through the encouragement, strengthening and support of marriage and family life. Empowered by your spirit, may we be - united in prayer and worship, and in love and service reach out as your hands across the world. In Jesus name. Amen ## **The Organisation** 5 The Diocese of Swansea and Brecon covers a large and diverse area of some 120 miles in length from North to South. It stretches from Beguildy in the North to the Gower Peninsula in the South. The northern part of the Diocese is predominantly rural with a number of attractive market towns, including Brecon. It includes most of the Brecon Beacons National Park and a rich variety of stunning landscapes. The southern part is a greater mix of urban and rural and includes both the City and County of Swansea and also the Gower Peninsula, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Diocese has a border with all five other Welsh Dioceses, as well as with the English Diocese of Hereford. The Mothers’ Union in the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon is organised into **2** Archdeaconries, and within those Archdeaconries there are **22** Branches. Branch members meet regularly, and events are also held at Archdeaconry and Diocesan level. There are three types of membership and in 2023 there were **506** members as follows: **Branch membership: 434** members. **Indoor membership: 20** members. These are those who no longer attend meetings because they are house bound through age, illness or because they are carers. These Members received Christmas and Easter Greetings, and Newsletters. They provide prayerful support for the ongoing work of the MU in the diocese. **Diocesan membership: 52 members** . These are either recruited following branch closure and / or who do not wish to attend branch meetings but are keen to support the ethos of Mothers’ Union. Elections of new officers are held triennially and the elections for 2022-2024 were held at the end of 2021, when the President, Trustee Board, Archdeaconry Leaders, and Branch Officers were elected. ## **Responsibilities** The Mothers’ Union in the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon is governed by a Trustee Board, which meets 4 times a year. The Board of Trustees reports to the Diocesan Council meetings which have met twice this year. And information has been distributed by post. one of the meetings being the Annual General Meeting at which the Annual Report and Accounts are presented. Induction and Training is given to new trustees at the beginning of each triennial, all are provided with and made aware of the contents of Charity Commission publication CC3. Ongoing training is provided as required. The Trustees have identified the major risks which the charity faces, and these are addressed and reviewed on a regular basis. Charity Law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the financial activities of the Swansea and Brecon Diocesan Mothers’ Union during the year and the financial position at the end of the year. ## **TRUSTEES’ REVIEW OF 2023** This year the Diocese celebrated its Centenary having previously being linked to the Diocese of St. David’s. Our links with all Dioceses in the Province remain strong and 6 as the Mothers’ Union we meet regularly and support each other as much as we can. To celebrate this significant event the MU were asked to produce a Celebratory Cookbook of 100 recipes from our members across the Diocese, intermingled with which were many “graces” from our clerics. The Cookbook has been sold far and wide – some reaching Tennessee, Vancouver and Dubai! Our two Archdeaconries of Gower and Brecon held special events to raise the profile of Mothers’ Union, to celebrate and to fundraise. The Archdeaconry of Gower mounted a beautiful Flower Festival in St. Mary’s Church, Swansea, when branches depicted in flowers and artefacts a particular decade in those 100 years. Both Archdeaconries held very thoughtful, joyful, and well attended Festivals and the MU attended the Centenary Celebration in Builth Wells, again promoting the MU and meeting and greeting friends old and new. The Trustee Board have met on four occasions, and, by kind permission of the Dean, we have been able to use Chapter in the Diocesan Centre and we thank him for that, as we do all of the Cathedral clergy and staff for allowing us to enjoy the Diocesan Festival in the Cathedral again this year. The festival was a lovely service with our Patron, Bishop John, as our speaker and Celebrant at the Eucharist. It is such a joy to meet with our friends across the Diocese and to thank God for our wonderful organisation. The monthly Archidiaconal Eucharist in Gower is well attended each month and we have also held quarterly services in the Cathedral for the Brecon Archdeaconry. We thank our Chaplain, Fr. Tim Williams for all his work in putting together these services taking into account each new church season in the liturgy. We also thank the many clerics who come to preside over these services, each bringing their unique style and enriching our worship. There have been retreats in Llangasty and a shortened Lenten retreat in Penllergaer. The prayer chain is running very efficiently in the South, and it is hoped to get this running in the North within the coming year. The Mothers’ Union is grounded in prayer, and it is good to constantly remember our members and their families in this way when they need it most. This last year we have again met within each Archdeaconry for our twice-yearly Council meetings, and welcomed Cherrie Bija to talk on Faith in Families which is one of our on-going projects. We also heard from Catriona Charlesworth on her visit to South Africa as a delegate for G.F.S. We continue to support the Women’s Refuge centres in the Diocese and fund 4 holidays for families in need in Llandaff’s caravan in Trecco Bay as part of the A.F.I.A. scheme. All branches observed their designated time in the joined-up Wave of Prayer, a most important part of our prayer life, remembering and praying for our link branches across the world. 7 We are delighted to be a part of the hospitality in the R.W.A.S. Churches together (CYTUN) pavilion each year and thank that organisation for including us in their plans. We also attended the Wedding Fayre in The Brangwyn Hall and were a listening ear for questions and queries on marriage and church services. We continue to provide news from our branches in the twice-yearly publication, MU News, which is skilfully edited by Kay Warrington, so keeping all members in the Diocese in touch with all that is going on in the name of Mothers’ Union. We stood in solidarity with those suffering domestic abuse and gender violence during the 16 days of Activism in November and held two simultaneous services in Llandrindod and Swansea. Officers from all Dioceses in the Province were invited to Llandaff to meet with our W.W.P. Sheran Harper after her successful visit to talk to the Clergy Synod. She is always such an inspiration to us all – and another Cookbook was passed to her to make its way to her home in Uganda! Sheran was with the Mothers’ Union for the General meeting in York which several of our members attended having travelled with St. David’s Diocese. It was a very informative and enthusing meeting followed by an invitation for us all to join a service of evensong at York Minster with The Archdeacon of York as our preacher. That was an unforgettable experience. Photo: Ruth Roberts, Ann Jackson. Kay Warrington, Moira Bibby, Helen Williams. Thanks to Stephanie Hawkins for taking the photo. Our membership drops year on year but that is a similar pattern throughout the Province and Country. Our wish must be to enrol new members to keep our Christian Global Organisation viable and vibrant for the years to come, so maybe 8 that should be a personal goal for each one of us along with remembering that we need to be “inclusive” and not “exclusive”. My thanks to each and every one of you for all you do to support Mothers’ Union Worldwide and here in the Diocese of Swansea & Brecon. Ruth Roberts. Diocesan President. “May we always see the world through the eyes of Christ, speak to those we meet with the words of Christ and take with us on our journey the peace of Christ” (taken from our Mid-Day prayers). **Financial Review** 9 The Financial Statements are a consolidation of Branches, Archdeaconries and Diocesan Accounts, which demonstrates what has been achieved by the Mothers’ Union movement in the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon. The total receipts for the year were £28,303, a decrease of £5,318 on the previous year. Due to a reduction in the number of members the income from the subscription fell. Total payments were £29,813, which was £3,173 less than previous year. A total of £11,051 was given to Action and Outreach. Total balance as at 31st December 2023 was £19,969 The Annual Report was approved by the Trustees on 5th April 2024 and signed on their behalf by: R Roberts – President 10 SWANSEA AND BRECON DIOCESAN MOTHERS. UNION CONSOLIDATED RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 2023 2023 2023 2022 Unrestricted Restricted Total Totsl Incomlng resources Incoming resourtesfrom generated funds: Subscription5 Donations Legacy Gift Aid Tax Claim Outingsldinnerslpresentations 12.637.C(I 7,438.(M) 12.637.(Xl 7,438.1)0 13.742.50 8,924.58 i.L￿).Lx7 384. 1.407. Actlvltles fOrger￿rat5￿ fvnd5: Fundraising 6,447.C 6A47.IXI 5,421.82 Income from actlvftles In fvrtherance of charIta￿e objeclivts: Marketing (Muel Faith & Polity 353.(Kl 1.044. 353.00 1.044.00 1.323.19 1,527.00 Investment Income 0.07 other incoming resourres 275.20 Total IncomSng Resources 21,856.CK> 6,447.00 28,303.(KI 33,621.36 Resources Expended Cost of generatln8 funds Fundraising 15.20 Charitable Artivities Subscriptions to The Mother's Union Donations 10,563.LX) 740.LK) 10,563.00 740.00 10,840.00 755. Action & Outreath Marketing (Muel Faith & Policv Officers, & Trustees. Expenses Administration and Meeting Expenses Outingsldinnerslpresentations 1.066. 9.985.CKI 11.051.00 8.870.26 1,181.39 1.901.90 3,795.74 4,462.33 1.164.74 1.234.LMJ 4.475.00 1,366.CKI 384.LK) 1,234.00 4.475.(Kl 1.366.00 Other ftex¥urces Expended Totsl Resour￿ EMpende41 19.828.(KS 9.985.C 29,813.1￿1 32.986.56 Net In¢omln&llout8oln8 resourfes) 2,028.¢XI 13,538.lJ)I 11.510.Th)} 634.80 Trartsfers bÈtwÈen Funds Net incorninglloulgoinB resources} after transfèrs 634.80 8alan¢e at Bank & Cash in Hand at l January 22.607.29 22.607.29 21,972.49 8alance at 8ank & Cash in at 31 Deceffl￿r 19.969.43 19.969.43 22.607.29 11 SWANSEA AND BRECON DIOCESAN MOThERS' UNION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABIUTIES AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 2023 2023 2022 Monetsry Assets Branch Bank Accounts Deanery 8ank Accovnt5 Oiocesan Bank Accotsnts Branch Cash in Hand 9,248.00 429.05 10,610.24 429.05 11.376.82 191.18 9A67.IX) 425.38 19.969.43 22,607.29 Accumulated Funds Unrestirted (Generall Fund 8alance at Jst January Net Movement in funds 22.607.29 12.637.861 I9,￿.43 22.607.29 Balance at 1st January Net Movement in fund5 lo.￿) Totsl A(￿Mul￿d Fund5 19,%9.43 22.607.29 Fixed Assets For the use of the Charity and belonging to the Unrestricted IGenerall Fund= Display board5 (cost £213 in 2CQ61 Powerpoint and accessories Icts5t £791 tn 2(X)81 President'5 laptop computer It05t £534 in 20131 Digital Copier Itost of half share £2.1(Xl in 20131 Digital Copier Icost of half share £1.470 in 20151 The Financial Ststements were approved by the Twstee5 and were signed on its behalf by.. R Robert5- President Date= 12 SWANSEA AND BRECON DIOCESAN MOTHER5. UNION NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 2023 2022 Note I 5ubstrTrptions 10.563.00 13742.50 Note 2 Actlon and Outreach Mothers. Union MSH Pro Make a Mother's Oay Worldwide Projects 818 summer Appeal 162.85 I.2￿.(￿> 2,879.50 468.10 1.2fMI.IKJ 952.00 Diocesan Pro ects". Branch/Deanery Projects Away From It All Holidays Safe Houses Faith in Farnilies 595.74 1.4LX).00 2,069.42 2.000.00 185.00 1.5fy).th) 3.308.86 H05Pital Chaplaincy Crosses 11.051.21 8,870.26 Note 3 Officers. and Trustees. Expenses Branches Deaneries Diocesan 4.475.17 4.475.17 3.795.74 3,795.74 Note 4 Admlnlstratlon and meeti￿ Expenses Brlnches Deaneries Diocesan 3.753.35 118.35 590.63 4,462.33 1.365.55 1,365.55 13 Swansea and Brecon Mothers. Union Accounts for the year ending 31st December 2023 Independent Examlnerfs Report to the Trustees Responslbillties and Basis of Report As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 I'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 all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5)(b) of the Act. Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which give me cause to believe that in any material respect l. AccountinF records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act, or 2. The accounts do not accord with those records. 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 accounts to be reached. Signed: Date Name: Address: 14 Worldwide President Sheran Harper meeting, the Provincial President, Diocesan Presidents and Officers. 15