CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1081250
The Synergy Christian Trust Financial Statements 31st August 2021
McGILLS Chartered Accountants Oakley House Tetbury Road Cirencester Gloucestershire GL7 1US
The Synergy Christian Trust
Financial Statements
Year ended 31st August 2021
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Partners' annual report | 1 |
| Independent examiner's report to the partners | 5 |
| Statement of financial activities | 6 |
| Statement of financial position | 7 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 8 |
| The following pages do not form part of the financial statements | |
| Detailed statement of financial activities | 14 |
| Notes to the detailed statement of financial activities | 15 |
The Synergy Christian Trust
Partners' Annual Report
Year ended 31st August 2021
The partners present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st August 2021.
Reference and administrative details
Registered charity name The Synergy Christian Trust Charity registration number 1081250 Principal office 11 Sandes Close Chippenham Wilts SN15 2NH The partners Mrs J Spence Mrs R Read Mrs M Hardy Mr R Bailey Mr A Paddock Mrs R Simpkins Independent examiner S.G. Nuttall Oakley House Tetbury Road Cirencester Gloucestershire GL7 1US
Structure, governance and management
The Trust is managed by a team of volunteer trustees who receive no remuneration for their work. Trustees meetings are held as and when required. On such occasions as new trustees are required, they are recruited from churches and educational establishments, within the North Wiltshire area.
The Trust is governed by a trust deed.
The principal address for operations is 11 Sandes Close, Chippenham.
Objectives and activities
The objects of the Trust are to:
"Advance the Christian faith in accordance with our statement of beliefs, in the United Kingdom and elsewhere as the trustees may from time to time think fit"
The core activities of the trust during the year were the employment of Trevor Ranger as a children's worker. Trevor worked chiefly within schools and Churches to further the Trust's objectives.
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The Synergy Christian Trust
Partners' Annual Report (continued)
Year ended 31st August 2021
Achievements and performance
Introduction
This was the 20th year of Synergy Christian Trust's work with schools and churches in helping children, young people and adults explore and consider the Christian faith. Today, it continues to employ Trevor and Ruth Ranger as Field Worker and Administrator respectively.
For the second year running, the imposing and lifting of Covid 19 restrictions had a profound effect on the trust's work with the trust having to adapt to an ever-changing situation in the schools and churches with which Synergy is involved.
Given the extraordinary circumstances, the trustees decided to 'meet' (using Zoom) on 4 different occasions with Trevor and Ruth present. In addition, they communicated with one another at other times by telephone and by email.
Synergy continues to be a Local Mission Partner of Scripture Union (SU) and in the course of the year, Trevor 'attended' regular Zoom meetings with the regional team and its leader for support and encouragement.
The trust continues to operate its website, outlining its work and giving people the opportunity of contacting Trevor and the trustees. Synergy also produces a newsletter three times a year, which keeps supporters up to date with developments in the work.
Throughout the last year, Trevor's YouTube channel, featuring videos of his songs, assemblies and all-age talks has been used by many churches and schools.
Schools
Before the pandemic hit the UK, Trevor would regularly visit 15 schools to conduct assemblies. In this last year, Synergy invested a lot of time and effort in maintaining relationships with these schools even when visitors like Trevor were unable to be in school.
A number of schools accepted Trevor's invitation for him to host Zoom assemblies from his home office. Each month, he would put together an assembly looking at a different aspect of God's nature, according to the Bible. Each assembly in the series called "What is God like?" consisted of a short activity, a Bible story and a song video. Towards the end of the year, some of these schools began to invite Trevor back into school. In total, Trevor conducted 75 assemblies, either by Zoom or in person.
For those schools which were unwilling or unable to conduct live on-line assemblies, Trevor produced a pre-recorded version of his assembly each month, uploaded it onto his YouTube channel and sent the schools the link to the video. At the time, it was difficult to gauge if the videos were being watched and whether they were meeting a need. Synergy has since become aware that they were used quite extensively (even by schools that Trevor doesn't usually visit) and that the teachers (and children) really appreciated maintaining the relationship with the school even in the grip of the pandemic. These 11 pre-recorded assemblies were obviously less interactive but more convenient for individual class teachers to use at a time of their choosing.
Trevor was invited by one school to conduct a number of RE lessons on Zoom, during which he answered children's questions about Christmas and Easter. He also distributed "It's Your Move" booklets to Year 6 children in two schools who were preparing to move on to secondary school.
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The Synergy Christian Trust
Partners' Annual Report (continued)
Year ended 31st August 2021
Although a number of planning meetings took place on line, it soon became apparent to the leadership of Lifepath, that for the second year running, the Malmesbury Abbey schools event could not go ahead due to Covid restrictions.
Churches
Like schools, churches in the West of England have had to grapple with the practicalities of Covid restrictions and guidelines. In some respects, the gradual re-opening of church buildings presented more challenges to Synergy than the initial lockdown.
Many churches took the first opportunity to re-open their buildings when restrictions were lifted and Trevor enjoyed leading 8 services in person. Other churches were more cautious and asked Trevor to conduct services online. This is he did on 10 different occasions. Trevor was also asked by churches to provide pre-recorded videos for people to watch at home and in their own time.
While Trevor was able to lead one Holiday Club for children in the summer of 2021, two other similar clubs had to be cancelled because of local Covid outbreaks, as was a church weekend away that Trevor has been invited to help lead.
Given all the Covid uncertainties, the Synergy trustees agreed that Trevor should work more closely with Sheldon Road Methodist Church in Chippenham where he and Ruth are members. During the year, Trevor organised an online games afternoon for children, provided talks for the church's online programme and co-wrote a new Christmas song for the church's Nativity video, watched by more than 1000 people.
Music
In the first few months of the year, Trevor was involved in writing the final few songs for the new album of his all-age worship songs. At a time when many of his schools worker colleagues were 'furloughed' for the lack of work, Trevor was busy liaising with the record company on the final lyrics, musical arrangements and playlist of songs. The "Hold On!" album was eventually released in February and the feedback from people who have heard it is that it is the strongest of the four albums that Synergy has been involved in releasing. It is hoped that many of these songs will be used in schools and churches in the West of England area and beyond.
Synergy's only financial commitment to the album was met by new funding by two of its supporters and as such, there was no risk to any of the trust's ongoing work in schools and churches. Each of the schools that Trevor usually visits was sent a complimentary copy of the new album and many of the songs have already been used in assemblies and lessons.
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The Synergy Christian Trust
Partners' Annual Report (continued)
Year ended 31st August 2021
Achievements and performance (continued)
Training
In April, Trevor renewed his Paediatric First Aid qualification with a course run by St John's Ambulance. The first part of the course took place online, but the more practical elements required in-person training at their Swindon centre.
Future plans
As Covid restrictions are lifted and schools and churches begin to open up more to visitors, the Synergy trustees are more confident about plans that they have for the next year.
A more normal programme of school's work is expected to begin in September with Trevor leading a series of assemblies on the "I am" sayings of Jesus. The Lifepath leadership team will consider plans to run the schools event at Malmesbury Abbey for the first time in 3 years.
More Churches are expected to invite Trevor to speak at services and it's likely that he will be asked to lead Holiday Clubs in at least 3 locations. It is hoped that some of these invitations will come from churches that are new to Synergy.
Trevor will be promoting the songs from his new album in schools and churches as a practical resource for their work.
Financial review
Results for the year are acceptable.
The Trust reserves policy is to hold approximately six months income, this has now been achieved.
The partners' annual report was approved on .............................. and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:
Mr A Paddock Trustee
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The Synergy Christian Trust
Independent Examiner's Report to the Partners of The Synergy Christian Trust
Year ended 31st August 2021
I report to the partners on my examination of the financial statements of The Synergy Christian Trust ('the charity') for the year ended 31st August 2021.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the partners of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statements 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.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
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the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts 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 accounts to be reached.
S.G. Nuttall Independent Examiner
Oakley House Tetbury Road Cirencester Gloucestershire GL7 1US
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The Synergy Christian Trust
Statement of Financial Activities
Year ended 31st August 2021
| 2021 | 2021 | 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | ||||
| funds | Total funds | Total funds | ||
| Note | £ | £ | £ | |
| Income and endowments | ||||
| Donations and legacies | 4 | 31,657 | 31,657 | 35,527 |
| Investment income | 5 | 1 | 1 | 16 |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ||
| Total income | 31,658 | 31,658 | 35,543 | |
| ============================ | ============================ | ============================ | ||
| Expenditure | ||||
| Expenditure on charitable activities | 6,7 | 40,655 | 40,655 | 34,287 |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ||
| Total expenditure | 40,655 | 40,655 | 34,287 | |
| ============================ | ============================ | ============================ | ||
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ||
| Net (expenditure)/income and net movement in funds | (8,997) | (8,997) | 1,256 | |
| ============================ | ============================ | ============================ | ||
| Reconciliation of funds | ||||
| Total funds brought forward | 39,654 | 39,654 | 38,398 | |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ||
| Total funds carried forward | 30,657 | 30,657 | 39,654 | |
| ============================ | ============================ | ============================ |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The notes on pages 8 to 12 form part of these financial statements.
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The Synergy Christian Trust
Statement of Financial Position
31st August 2021
| 2021 | 2020 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | £ | £ | £ | |
| Current assets | ||||
| Debtors | 12 | 1,599 | 1,549 | |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 29,689 | 38,718 | ||
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |||
| 31,288 | 40,267 | |||
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | 13 | 631 | 613 | |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |||
| Net current assets | 30,657 | 39,654 | ||
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |||
| Total assets less current liabilities | 30,657 | 39,654 | ||
| ============================ | ============================ | |||
| Funds of the charity | ||||
| Unrestricted funds | 30,657 | 39,654 | ||
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |||
| Total charity funds | 15 | 30,657 ============================ |
39,654 ============================ |
These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on ........................, and are signed on behalf of the board by:
Mr A Paddock Trustee
The notes on pages 8 to 12 form part of these financial statements.
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The Synergy Christian Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements
Year ended 31st August 2021
1. General information
The charity is a public benefit entity and a registered charity in England and Wales and is unincorporated. The address of the principal office is 11 St Martins Lane, Marshfield, Chippenham, Wilts, SN14 8LZ.
2. Statement of compliance
These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland', the 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) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Charities Act 2011.
3. Accounting policies
Incoming resources
Incoming resources are treated as income upon receipt with the exception of Gift Aid receipts which are dealt with on an accruals basis.
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities and investment properties measured at fair value through income or expenditure.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.
Resources expended
Resources expended are accounted for on an accruals basis.
Going concern
There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.
Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
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The Synergy Christian Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31st August 2021
3. Accounting policies (continued)
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the charity's purposes.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the partners for particular future project or commitment.
Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure declared by the donor or through the terms of an appeal, and fall into one of two sub-classes: restricted income funds or endowment funds.
Tangible assets
Tangible assets are initially recorded at cost, and subsequently stated at cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Any tangible assets carried at revalued amounts are recorded at the fair value at the date of revaluation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.
Depreciation
Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost or valuation of an asset, less its residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:
Equipment - Straight line over 4 years
Impairment of fixed assets
A review for indicators of impairment is carried out at each reporting date, with the recoverable amount being estimated where such indicators exist. Where the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset is impaired accordingly. Prior impairments are also reviewed for possible reversal at each reporting date.
For the purposes of impairment testing, when it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, an estimate is made of the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. The cash-generating unit is the smallest identifiable group of assets that includes the asset and generates cash inflows that largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets.
For impairment testing of goodwill, the goodwill acquired in a business combination is, from the acquisition date, allocated to each of the cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination, irrespective of whether other assets or liabilities of the charity are assigned to those units.
Defined contribution plans
Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as an expense in the period in which the related service is provided. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that the prepayment will lead to a reduction in future payments or a cash refund.
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The Synergy Christian Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31st August 2021
3. Accounting policies (continued)
Defined contribution plans (continued)
When contributions are not expected to be settled wholly within 12 months of the end of the reporting date in which the employees render the related service, the liability is measured on a discounted present value basis. The unwinding of the discount is recognised as an expense in the period in which it arises.
4. Donations and legacies
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | Unrestricted | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | 2021 | Funds | 2020 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Donations | ||||
| Donations and gifts | 27,259 | 27,259 | 31,068 | 31,068 |
| Gift aid refunds | 3,953 | 3,953 | 4,459 | 4,459 |
| Other income- CDs | 445 | 445 | – | – |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| 31,657 ============================ |
31,657 ============================ |
35,527 ============================ |
35,527 ============================ |
5. Investment income
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | Unrestricted | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | 2021 | Funds | 2020 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Bank interest receivable | 1 | 1 | 16 | 16 |
| ============== | ============== | ============== | ============== | |
| Expenditure on charitable activities by fund type | ||||
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | Unrestricted | Total Funds | |
| Funds | 2021 | Funds | 2020 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Core Activities | 40,655 | 40,655 | 34,287 | 34,287 |
| ============================ | ============================ | ============================ | ============================ | |
| Expenditure on charitable activities by activity type | ||||
| Activities | ||||
| undertaken | Total funds | Total fund | ||
| directly | 2021 | 2020 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Core Activities | 40,655 ============================ |
40,655 ============================ |
34,287 ============================ |
6. Expenditure on charitable activities by fund type
7. Expenditure on charitable activities by activity type
8. Independent examination fees
No fee is payable in respect of the independent examination.
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The Synergy Christian Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31st August 2021
9. Staff costs
The total staff costs and employee benefits for the reporting period are analysed as follows:
| 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Wages and salaries | 30,012 | 28,710 |
| Employer contributions to pension plans | 3,275 | 2,980 |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| 33,287 ============================ |
31,690 ============================ |
The average head count of employees during the year was 2 (2020: Nil). The average number of full-time equivalent employees during the year is analysed as follows:
| 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| No. | No. | |
| Administration staff | 1 | 1 |
| Delivery of Core Activities | 1 | 1 |
| -------------- | -------------- | |
| 2 | 2 | |
| ============== | ============== |
No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2020: Nil).
10. Trustee remuneration and expenses
No remuneration or other benefits from employment with the charity or a related entity were received by the trustees.
11. Tangible fixed assets
| Equipment | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Cost | ||
| At 1st September 2020 and 31st August 2021 | 1,896 | 1,896 |
| ======================= | ======================= | |
| Depreciation | ||
| At 1st September 2020 and 31st August 2021 | 1,896 | 1,896 |
| ======================= | ======================= | |
| Carrying amount | ||
| At 31st August 2021 | – | – |
| ======================= | ======================= | |
| At 31st August 2020 | – | – |
| ======================= | ======================= | |
| Debtors | ||
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Prepayments and accrued income | 217 | 214 |
| Other debtors | 1,382 | 1,335 |
| ----------------------- | ----------------------- | |
| 1,599 | 1,549 | |
| ======================= | ======================= |
12. Debtors
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The Synergy Christian Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31st August 2021
13. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
| 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Social security and other taxes | 631 | 613 |
| ============== | ============== |
14. Pensions and other post retirement benefits
Defined contribution plans
The amount recognised in income or expenditure as an expense in relation to defined contribution plans was £3,275 (2020: £2,980).
15. Analysis of charitable funds
Unrestricted funds
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| At | At | |||
| 1st Septemb | 31st August | |||
| er 2020 | Income | Expenditure | 2021 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| General funds | 39,654 | 31,658 | (40,655) | 30,657 |
| ============================ | ============================ | ============================ | ============================ | |
| At | At | |||
| 1st Septemb | 31st August | |||
| er 2019 | Income | Expenditure | 2020 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| General funds | 38,398 | 35,543 | (34,287) | 39,654 |
| ============================ | ============================ | ============================ | ============================ | |
| Analysis of net assets between funds | ||||
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | |||
| Funds | 2021 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Current assets | 31,288 | 31,288 | ||
| Creditors less than 1 year | (631) | (631) | ||
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |||
| Net assets | 30,657 | 30,657 | ||
| ============================ | ============================ | |||
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | |||
| Funds | 2020 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Current assets | 40,267 | 40,267 | ||
| Creditors less than 1 year | (613) | (613) | ||
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |||
| Net assets | 39,654 | 39,654 | ||
| ============================ | ============================ |
16. Analysis of net assets between funds
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The Synergy Christian Trust
Management Information
Year ended 31st August 2021
The following pages do not form part of the financial statements.
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The Synergy Christian Trust
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
Year ended 31st August 2021
| 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Income and endowments | ||
| Donations and legacies | ||
| Donations and gifts | 27,259 | 31,068 |
| Gift aid refunds | 3,953 | 4,459 |
| Other income- CDs | 445 | – |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| 31,657 | 35,527 | |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| Investment income | ||
| Bank interest receivable | 1 | 16 |
| -------------- | -------------- | |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| Total income | 31,658 | 35,543 |
| ============================ | ============================ | |
| Expenditure | ||
| Expenditure on charitable activities | ||
| Wages and salaries | 30,012 | 28,710 |
| Pension costs | 3,275 | 2,980 |
| Insurance | 431 | 417 |
| Motor vehicle expenses | 234 | 1,371 |
| CD production | 5,000 | – |
| Miscellaneous | 84 | 60 |
| Office expenses | 1,619 | 749 |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| 40,655 | 34,287 | |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| Total expenditure | 40,655 | 34,287 |
| ============================ | ============================ | |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| Net (expenditure)/income | (8,997) | 1,256 |
| ============================ | ============================ |
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The Synergy Christian Trust
Notes to the Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
Year ended 31st August 2021
| 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Expenditure on charitable activities | ||
| Core Activities | ||
| Activities undertaken directly | ||
| Wages/salaries | 30,012 | 28,710 |
| Pension costs | 3,275 | 2,980 |
| Insurance | 431 | 417 |
| Motor and Travel | 234 | 1,371 |
| CD production | 5,000 | – |
| Miscellaneous | 84 | 60 |
| Office expenses | 1,619 | 749 |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| 40,655 | 34,287 | |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| Expenditure on charitable activities | 40,655 | 34,287 |
| ============================ | ============================ |
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