## **Bell Farm Christian Centre (a company limited by guarantee)**
**Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 5 April 2023**
## **Bell Farm Christian Centre Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 5 April 2023**
## **Contents**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Trustees’ report|3 – 26|
|Independent examiner’s report|27|
|Statement of financial activities|28|
|(including the Income and Expenditure account)||
|Balance sheet|29|
|Notes to the accounts|30 – 40|
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## **Bell Farm Christian Centre**
## **Report of the trustees for the year ended 5 April 2023**
The trustees present their report, together with the financial statements of the charity, for the year ended 5 April 2023
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**Bell Farm Christian Centre Report of the trustees For year ended 5 April 2023**
## **1. Reference and Administrative Details**
Charity number 1085450 Company number 04110617 Registered Office and Bell Farm Christian Centre operational address South Road West Drayton Middlesex UB7 9LW
## **Directors and Trustees**
The directors of the charitable company (the charity) are its trustees for the purpose of charity law and throughout this report are collectively referred to as the trustees.
Trustees Mr P N Waine (Resigned 05.04.2023) Mr S M Holliday Mr M Crane (Resigned 18.04.2023) Ms J Duncan Mr T Heron Mrs A Widgington (Resigned 25.04.2023) Mr William Jhon (Appointed 13.09.2022) Mr Robert Charrington (Appointed 05.12.2023) Chairperson Mr P N Waine Secretary Mr S M Holliday Senior Management CEO Mr S P Mathers Head of Projects Mrs D H Faichney Minister Mr G W Foster Independent Examiners Bruton Charles, Chartered Accountants The Coach House Greys Green Business Centre Henley-on-Thames RG9 4QG Bankers CAF Bank Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4TA
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**Bell Farm Christian Centre Report of the trustees For year ended 5 April 2023**
## **2. Structure, Governance and Management**
## **Governing Document**
Bell Farm Christian Centre (BFCC) is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 20 November 2000 and registered as a charity on 8 March 2001. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up, members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 each.
## **Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees**
The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law. Under the requirements of the Articles of Association the trustees are not subject to retirement by rotation and powers of appointment or removal rest with the trustees.
The trustees bring a wide range of skills to the charity, and when considering inviting additional trustees to join the board, the trustees will consider those with a similar vision who can bring specialist skills and experience needed for future development.
## **Trustee Induction and Training**
Existing trustees are already familiar with the practical work of the charity and new trustees are encouraged to meet the existing trustees and key employees to familiarise themselves with the charity and the context in which it operates. Trustees will also be provided with induction training and orientation.
As well as keeping up to date with relevant essential policy and legislation, trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate on-going external training events where these will facilitate the undertaking of their role.
## **Organisation**
The board of trustees is responsible for the administration, strategic direction and policy of the charity and meets six times a year. The responsibilities of the trustees are defined in part by the Charity Commission and in part by company law. In addition, trustees are bound by the charity’s Memorandum and Articles of Association.
At BFCC the trustees’ roles are akin to those of executive and non-executive directors in commercial organisations, with non-executive directors offering strategic, specific and objective advice at board meetings and executive directors managing operational aspects of the organisation.
The CEO, supported by the senior management, is responsible for implementing the directives of the trustee board and ensuring that the organisation’s resources (human and financial) are brought to bear in the achievement of the charitable objectives. The Senior Management team consists of the Head of Projects, Church Minister and CEO.
At BFCC operational, strategic and financial day to day decisions (excluding acceptance of annual returns and employee remuneration) are made by the CEO, collaboratively with the
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**Bell Farm Christian Centre Report of the trustees For year ended 5 April 2023**
Head of Projects and Church Minister and in regular consultation with employees, volunteers and service users as appropriate.
The CEO works with the Head of Projects and Church Minster to ensure that the organisation can evaluate and rapidly respond to changes in its operating environment. The trustees keep the senior management to account to maintain transparency and openness which is integral to the decision-making process and ensures that the direction and activities of the organisation are sympathetic to and supportive of the needs of the communities that BFCC serves.
Salaries for all staff are reviewed by the trustees on an annual basis following annual staff appraisals.
## **A special note of thanks**
After over 20 years of service Pete Waine, our Chair of Trustees, retired as a trustee, as expected, at the end of the financial year. Pete’s contribution to the charity from its inception has enabled the significant impact that the organisation has had on the local community over the decades possible. Our thanks goes to him and longstanding trustee Mike Crane for their commitment and support.
## **3. Related Parties**
BFCC recognises the value of diversity not only in the communities it serves but also in the people and organisations with whom it chooses to work. BFCC works closely with local and national government representatives, local businesses, the Metropolitan Police, local and national charities, local educational establishments, churches, other likeminded organisations and, of course, its clients in the local community. Joint ventures, partnerships and collaborative working are an essential and integral part of BFCC’s success, and we continue to invest in building relationships.
The charity has close relationships, locally and across a wider area, with a number of other organisations and charities with similar aims. These include :
## **Partners**
**Churches** Age UK Hillingdon, Harrow and Brent St Matthew’s Church DASH West Drayton Baptist Church Drayton Court Yiewsley Baptist Church Give Space CIC Yiewsley Methodist Church H4All Cornerstone Arabic Fellowship Hillingdon CAB St Margarets Church, Uxbridge Hillingdon Community Transport St Anslem's Church, Hayes HFCA Hillingdon Food Bank **Other Agencies** Hillingdon MIND Advice UK Hillingdon Traveller and Gypsy Interagency
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**Bell Farm Christian Centre Report of the trustees For year ended 5 April 2023**
Forum London Borough of Hillingdon Institute of Money Advice REAP Livability Ward Councillors Local Members of Parliament Yiewsley and West Drayton Food Bank MTG Solicitors Yiewsley Court Metropolitan Police SNT Local NHS and health partners
## **4. Risk Management**
The trustees have a risk management strategy which comprises of an annual review of the risk register recording risks the charity may face, the establishment of systems and procedures to mitigate the risks identified and the implementation of procedures designed to minimise any potential impact on the charity should those risks materialise.
All insurable risks are subject to normal insurance policies, covering matters such as employer’s liability, third party liability, business interruption, buildings and contents, etc. The organisation also has professional indemnity insurance for the services provided by the organisation. Special activities are individually assessed for risk and additional insurance taken out to cover these, if required.
Contractual risks are reviewed before being entered into to assess that they would not significantly impact upon the organisation’s ability to fulfil its objectives. Significant external risks to funding have led to the development of a three-year plan which will allow for diversification of funding and activities. A key element in the management of financial risk is the setting of a reserves policy and the careful financial management of each of the individual projects undertaken by the organisation.
Internal risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for authorisation of all transactions and to ensure consistent quality of delivery for all operational aspects of the charity. These procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure that they still meet the needs of the charity.
Policies and procedures are in place to ensure that all legislative requirements are met and best practice is maintained. These are subject to annual review by the trustees.
## **5. Objectives**
## **The objects of the charity are :**
- To advance the Christian faith in accordance with the statement of beliefs
- To relieve persons who are in conditions of need or hardship or who are aged or sick
- To undertake other charitable activities for the benefit of the community
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**Bell Farm Christian Centre Report of the trustees For year ended 5 April 2023**
## **Main objectives for the year :**
The main objectives for the year were :
- To fulfil the objects of the organisation
- To begin strategic business transformation to improve the effectiveness of the charity in meeting its objectives.
- To continue to deliver the existing services and develop services and activities against the backdrop of post pandemic Britain and the rising inflation causing a cost of living crisis leading to higher demand due to increased need within the community.
In addition to traditional church activities, the policies adopted in furtherance of these aims are to operate activities which are for the good of the residents of the London Borough of Hillingdon and surrounding areas, with continuous review of the needs of the area leading to the development of projects to cater for these, as appropriate.
The activities, which are for the benefit of all sections of the community in the London Borough of Hillingdon and beyond, are described below.
The trustees have referred to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit when reviewing the aims and objectives and in planning future activities.
## **Strategies and Activities to Achieve the Stated Objectives for the Public Benefit :**
The objectives have been achieved through the following strategies and activities :
An **Advice, Information and Care Service** provides free, confidential, impartial and independent information, advice, advocacy and support to members of the local community who have issues concerning: housing (including stopping evictions), housing benefits, benefits, consumer affairs, debt, hate crime, domestic violence, advocacy, form filling and support both at Bell Farm and at St Matthews Church Centre. The same service has been delivering increased locations alongside Foodbanks in Hillingdon as part of the Help4Hillingdon Partnership.
The Advice, Information and Care Service provides a ‘one stop shop’ approach to assist local people with any matter. The service can deal with most requests but will also signpost clients where necessary.
The **Children and Families Section** provides safe support and activities for children, families and young people within the local community. The section currently provides: carer and toddler groups, community parent support groups, holiday clubs and special events, so as to support families in the local area.
The **Older Persons Section** organises a weekly lunch and social club which provides a freshly cooked meal and social contact for older people within the community. Other activities, including day trips and long weekends away, have also been provided to reduce the isolation felt by older people. Outreach is undertaken to isolated elderly in the community
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**Bell Farm Christian Centre Report of the trustees For year ended 5 April 2023**
to enable them to access the services provided for them or to provide other appropriate support.
The **International Café** provides a warm welcome with support, advice, and information as well as the distribution of clothing and other essential items to predominantly asylum seekers based locally in initial accommodation but also to others in need.
**Church Services** and meetings have been provided to advance the Christian Faith. Regular Sunday morning and evening worship, prayer meetings, fellowship activities and evangelistic events are provided throughout the year.
**Community Meetings and Networks :** The Centre has been significantly involved in various community meetings and events so as to support the community with regard to issues that would impact upon their quality of life. These have included Ward Councillors' surgeries, Health Roadshows and public meetings which are held at BFCC. BFCC was involved in the development and delivery of local networks that support other local organisations.
**Training** courses are held in various subjects to BFCC staff and members of the local networks to increase local expertise and knowledge.
**Other Support** is provided in response to identified need including the provision of food through Fare-share and a Food Bank. Due to local demand the Food Bank is open when the Advice Centre is open. A Samaritans Fund, Energy Support Fund, Free Sim cards and BFCC emergency funds benefited people who were in dire need of urgent financial assistance.
## **New activities in 2022/23**
In 2022 our services fully resumed following the pandemic restrictions. Additional funding enabled BFCC to further achieve our objectives by undertaking some shorter-term projects to compliment the above regular services and emerging needs. These included :
- A partnership with Give Space CIC enhancing mental resilience through well-being workshops with older people.
- A partnership with DASH to improve digital skills with older people and Doorway clients.
- Expansion of our advisers’ skills and knowledge to provide information and Advice around energy in partnership with Hillingdon Citizens Advice.
- Expansion of advice services providing more follow up appointments for complex cases.
- Development of a consistent offer of advice, information and support for asylum seekers.
- Issuance of SIM cards with free data for six months in partnership with Vodafone to those in financial hardship.
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**Bell Farm Christian Centre Report of the trustees For year ended 5 April 2023**
- Provision of hardship grants to those experiencing fuel poverty.
- Hosting ESOL classes in partnership with REAP.
- Creating a network to develop Food Aid and wrap around financial support in Hillingdon.
## **6. Review of the Activities**
## **Doorway Advice, Information and Care Service**
## **Aims and Objectives**
- To provide advice, information and care as required by clients
- To advocate on behalf of clients where necessary
- To empower people
- To provide support when needed
- To work in partnership with and develop relationships with other agencies
- To work in partnership with other projects situated in the Centre
- To relieve suffering, stress or hardship
- To identify gaps in the provision available to clients and to work towards filling the gaps either as an organisation or in partnership with other agencies.
- To show the love of God in word and deed
The Advice Information and Care Service is open two days a week for clients to drop in. Appointments may be made at other times to see an advisor and home visits can be arranged if the client is unable to attend the Centre because of ill health or disability or because the issue concerns the housing conditions in which they are living. Outreach advice sessions take place twice a week at St Matthews Church in Yiewsley and other locations as part of the Help4Hillingdon partnership thus increasing the capacity of the service and making it more accessible to a wider group of the local population. Sessions are run in conjunction with the Foodbank.
This year **886 individuals** made **over 1,799 visits** across all locations not including followup calls or appointments outside of opening hours. 511 cases were closed during the year reflecting the significance of a larger number of complex cases needing multiple visits and follow-up, many of which are on-going.
The Advice, Information and Care Service has continued to work closely with other agencies to provide a more holistic and confidential approach for clients presenting with complex needs and to build capacity within the service. BFCC has significantly benefited from a collaborative partnership with DASH and Hillingdon CAB supported by H4ALL. This has helped to expand advice into other settings such as GP surgeries in the coming year and standardise practice across the borough and learn from best practice.
As well as attending drop-ins of their own accord, clients are referred from a wide range of agencies including the London Borough of Hillingdon Council.
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**Bell Farm Christian Centre Report of the trustees For year ended 5 April 2023**
The benefits to individuals, families and the local community through the work of Doorway are both immediate and long-term and include but are not restricted to :
- Increased household income
- Lowered stress levels, anxiety and associated health issues
- Improved financial skills
- Bailiff action stopped
- Benefits reinstated or corrected
- Evictions stopped
- Resolving issues with energy billing
- Council tax issues resolved removing threats of court action
- Housing found for people who are homeless and preventing homelessness
- Families able to access education for their children
- Debt rescheduling of multiple debts to reduce the risk of legal action
- Reduction of stress through emotional support
- Improved ability to maintain their tenancy
- Increase in ability to self-manage
## **Type of advice given 2022-23** (Change from 2021-22)
|**DWP**|**SUPPORT**|**EMPLOYMENT**|**DLA/PIP**|**HMRC**|**WARD CLLR**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|71|198|2|49|0|3|
|+24|+64|-1|+47|No change|-2|
|**LEGAL**|**TCREDITS**|**EVICTION**|**INFO**|**HOUSING**|**APPEAL**|
|23|0|13|40|90|4|
|+8|-3|+7|+15|+57|No change|
|**FORM**
**FILLING**|**HOUSING**
**BENEFIT**|**C TAX**
**REDUCTION**|**COUNCIL**
**TAX**|**ADVOCACY**|**DOMESTIC**
**VIOLENCE**|
|66|50|32|31|17|1|
|+66|+31|+21|+14|+14|No change|
|**DEBT**|**HOMELESS**|**EDUCATION**|**BAILIFFS**|**FOODBANK**|**ADVICE**|
|44|17|4|5|265|88|
|+17|-92|-22|No change|-85|+22|
|**DHP**|**U/ CREDITS**|**IMMIGRATION**|**GRANTS**|**CARERS**
**ALL**|**LETTER**
**WRITING**|
|4|47|149|15|2|25|
|-1|+22|-245|-55|No change|+19|
|**NASS**|**MEDICAL**|**CONSUMER**|**OTHER**|**ENERGY**|**BENEFIT**
**CHECKS**|
|137|10|7|1|21|212|
|-137|-2|+5|+1|NEW|NEW|
Doorway Advice gave out 1,019 vouchers of the 1,893 vouchers generated for our partner Yiewsley and West Drayton Food Bank. Of the 1,984 parcels distributed BFCC gave 449 food parcels supporting 981 beneficiaries. 265 specifically came into Doorway Advice for
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**Bell Farm Christian Centre Report of the trustees For year ended 5 April 2023**
Foodbank and were provided with basic income/benefits checks in order to maximise their income and reduce dependency on Foodbank.
The Advice Centre has one full-time and two part-time advisors assisted by two volunteer receptionists and a volunteer advisor. The full-time advisor has retained their specialist debt qualification with the Institute of Money Advisors with regular on-going training. CPD training continues to be undertaken by staff and volunteers. Through a partnership project with Hillingdon CAB and DASH called Heat4Hillingdon, advisers have been providing Energy advice to support the rise in energy poverty.
The Help4Hillingdon partnership which includes the above partners with H4All as lead organisation funded by the Mayor of London has enabled a much more flexible approach to providing advice alongside Foodbanks in the borough as multiple charities are able to cover one another when staff capacity has been stretched. The partnership also adds value in reducing the BFCC management capacity needed to manage and report to the funder enabling the service to focus on delivery.
The Advice Information and Care Service has computers and access to iPads in the reception area which service users are able to use when they need to apply for benefits online, undertake job searches or complete housing forms which are often online. If they need assistance one of the volunteers helps the service user.
The Advice Centre and outreach services have seen the demand of clients presenting with complex and multiple needs grow significantly this year with a greater proportion of clients presenting with arrears and energy concerns as the cost-of-living crisis began to impact the lowest income households.
The West Drayton Ward Councillors have continued to hold their monthly surgeries at the centre alongside Doorway Advice.
DASH has provided specific support with disability advice. Solicitors from MTG have assisted where legal advice was needed, and clients identified and referred by Doorway advisors often receive free legal advice.
## **Case study A**
A gentleman from the Traveller Community came to the Advice Centre stating that he wanted to help other travellers from his community as the suicide rate with men had escalated significantly. He knew that this was down to the depression that many of the men feel but will not talk about as it is seen as taboo and a sign of weakness. This service user turned to us as he himself had been to the Advice Centre many times and had grown to trust us.
His plan was to start a charity using sports such as snooker leagues and football where men would also be encouraged to talk about how they feel with a big emphasis on mental health. As this was very new to him he didn’t know where to start so over many visits in the following months he was guided and helped to create a charity called the Gypsy Traveller League. This has grown from strength to strength and most recently they went to Downing Street to present a petition with regards to discrimination against their community. Doorway Advice at BFCC is delighted to be have been part of such a powerful initiative.
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**Bell Farm Christian Centre Report of the trustees For year ended 5 April 2023**
## **Case study B**
An older gentleman came to the centre in need of help. He was originally from India but had lived in the UK for many years where he was in receipt of Pension Credit and a small state pension. In January 2020 he went to India for a few weeks to visit family but while there the UK went into lockdown, and he was unable to return due to the restrictions. As he was out of the country so long his Pension Credit stopped. Finally, when he came back in late 2021, he had lost his home and was destitute.
He was given a room in a home by a lady with a family and in return for the room he did cleaning and looked after her children. Any little money he did have he had to pay to her. He couldn’t receive housing benefit as the landlady refused to accept this and she only wanted cash. This left him without any food. When he came to the Advice Service, he hadn’t eaten for three days.
Firstly, we gave him food to eat right away. Following this we issued food from foodbank for him to take away with the offer of continuing to provide the food until we had helped resolve his issues. We then assisted with getting his benefit money restarted very much aware he would have to use it for the room he was in and still leave him in poverty. Finally, we were able to get him rehoused in a studio flat with a new contact who works with the voluntary sector that offers studios without deposit geared only at those on benefits. The agency applied for the housing benefit for our client, and he was then able to move into his new home knowing that his benefit money could now be spent on his food. This gentleman was lifted out of poverty with the impact being improved health and well-being as well as having a safe place to live without fear of being made homeless at any time.
## **Children and Families**
## **Aims and Objectives**
- Provide children of all ages with a safe environment
- Provide play and learning opportunities
- To empower children
- To empower parents/carers
- To provide support when needed
- To work in partnership with other agencies
- To work in partnership with other projects situated in the Centre
- To show the love of God in word and deed
## **Supporting 243 individuals in 2022-23**
The Children and Families Section provided support and activities for children, families and young people within the local community through carer and toddler groups, holiday activities, holiday clubs and the distribution of toys and food.
## **Carers and Toddlers groups**
Tiny Gems and Little Gems provided safe and educational play opportunities for pre-school children. Parents and children have the opportunity to socialise. Attachment between the parent and child is supported and promoted. Trained staff provide parenting advice. Parents
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**Bell Farm Christian Centre Report of the trustees For year ended 5 April 2023**
are able to talk about their needs. Little Gems and Tiny Gems groups for 0-4 years provided two 1.5 hour sessions each week for 30 weeks in the year.
## **School Holidays**
Our targeted holiday provision is aimed at those within the local estates, which are areas of multiple deprivation, free-to-access sessions with qualified children’s and youth workers. The activities have been successful in encouraging social engagement and development since the pandemic restrictions and as an opportunity for those on low incomes to access recreation and informal educational opportunities. 148 individual children attended the holiday events throughout the year.
||**Number of children attended**|
|---|---|
|**Event**||
|||
|||
|**Easter Event 2022**|**60**|
|**BFCC Holiday club**|**76**|
|**October Half term**|**26**|
|**Christmas Event**|**36**|
|**February Half term**|**31**|
|**Easter 2023**|**44**|
|||
|**Total**|**306**|
|||
The summer holidays saw the return of our five full days of entertainment, crafts, games and recreation. The theme was Joseph. This was supported by the ward councillors and helped by a number of volunteers and junior helpers. The children played sports and made crafts alongside activities such as an entertainer, inflatable adventure courses and indoor gokarts.
At Christmas 182 children received toys donated by Hasbro and 108 Christmas food hampers were provided to parents in hardship.
## **Fellowship**
## **Aims and Objectives**
To be :
- A Serving Church.
- A Witnessing Church.
- A Worshipping Church.
- A Praying Church.
- A Giving Church.
- A Teaching Church.
- A Caring Church.
The past year has been a wonderful year of growth within the Bell Farm Church. The congregation has taken deliberate action to seek the face of God, to be in His presence and
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**Bell Farm Christian Centre Report of the trustees For year ended 5 April 2023**
to engage truly in authenticity. By God’s grace, His hand of favour and peace has been upon our lives in these turbulent times.
The Church leadership team, a team of 11 volunteers who support the Minister to deliver church activities remains unchanged. The fellowship has been blessed with a diverse group of gifted individuals, mature in faith to support the work of the fellowship in their purpose to build God’s kingdom on earth. The fellowship grew last year welcoming new people throughout the year.
Sunday worship service is held every Sunday at 10.30 am, both in person and online. The Sunday morning services run concurrently with a main hall service mainly for adults, youth service and children’s church service. The congregation receives regular communication as part of services.
There have been considerable developments in individuals’ lives and families. God has touched many people and is drawing them into a deeper relationship with Him. Many have, for the first time, come to the knowledge of who Jesus Christ is. Some have experienced spiritual cleansing, deliverance and emotional healing. There is a deepening in the commitment and growth of the congregation in general.
Many of the congregation participated this year with prayer and fasting, trusting God for personal miracles and revival in our community and country.
Worship has grown dramatically with the commencement of a live worship band on Sunday mornings and Friday evenings. We have had new worship team members and leaders join the church and get involved.
## **Events**
- Prayer & Fasting has taken place throughout the year.
- A new annual event in August called the feast of nations, which was a tremendous blessing.
- A glow in the dark praise party in October.
- Christmas nativity service run by the children’s church.
- Over the Christmas period we hosted a prayer walk throughout the neighbourhood, and a Christmas market of activities and games for the community.
- On New Year’s Eve we had an evening service of Praise, Worship and Prayer; the purpose was to be in the presence of the Lord right at the start of the year.
The minister meets and networks with other local ministers and church leaders where possible.
Improvement of communication and technology has been a continuous focus area of Bell Farm Church this year with the church launching a new website independent of the wider charity.
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**Bell Farm Christian Centre Report of the trustees For year ended 5 April 2023**
## **Older Persons**
## **Aims and Objectives**
- To provide a lunch and social club on one day per week.
- To provide outreach to the isolated older people in the community.
- To provide other activities to the older people in the community.
- To provide or obtain services for the older people in response to need.
- To show the love of God in action & word, providing pastoral care to the older people.
- • Where appropriate, to provide support to the families and carers of older persons.
The weekly Lunch & Social Club operates alongside our Doorway Advice, Care and Information Service and Foodbank distribution. These services are designed to be colocated to provide a holistic support for local older people. Our other community services are similarly designed to promote crossover. The Dining Club had 88 members this year.
We continue to receive referrals from a number of agencies such as H4all and local GPs surgeries as well as receiving referrals directly from the community via Facebook. We continue to have a strong relationship with Drayton Court sheltered accommodation.
The regular craft and games activities are enhanced with live entertainment. This provides access to events many would struggle to get to such as pantomimes as well as sing-a-longs which prompt memories and create a sense of nostalgia. As part of our Lunch and Social Club programme of activities last year, we have had several different types of sing-a-long entertainers actively encouraging our Lunch Club members to get up and have a dance. Our varied activities also included art classes, colouring therapy, green fingers (planting flower seeds to grow) and gentle sit-down exercises. A variety of board games, cards etc are available as well as regular bingo and Play Your Cards Right competitions. There were two celebration parties, one for the Queens Jubilee and one at Christmas.
The Dining Club is enhanced by our outreach and support service to those struggling with health and well-being. We provide an outreach service to support service users in accessing public services thereby reducing isolation. Through our community champions and mental health first aid trained staff we promote health and well-being. Over the past year 42 home visits and 18 hospital visits were undertaken to the isolated older persons in the community. These individuals will have been referred by Age UK, Social Services or families. Support was also provided to older people who have been at risk in the community, alongside other agencies, successfully helping move clients into safer sheltered housing where there has been a consequential improvement in the quality of their lives.
The project continues to contribute to sustaining and safeguarding the health and well-being of older people that attend the club. Each week 20-25 telephone calls are made to undertake welfare checks, resolve issues the service users are facing or as an act of befriending to reduce loneliness and isolation.
In addition to our regular activities there were two assisted holidays to Torquay and Eastbourne and a seaside trip in August 2022 with a walk around the sea front, shopping and fish and chips and ice cream enjoyed by all.
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**Bell Farm Christian Centre Report of the trustees For year ended 5 April 2023**
Our work with partners enabled two short term projects adding extra benefit to the older people.
A Well Being Course took place for a period of 3 months with three different cohorts. Lunch Club members attended for 4 weeks. 15 Lunch Club members attended these sessions, and it was very well enjoyed by all. The course encouraged service users to open up and talk, also reminiscing on childhood memories. The group built up confidence and many individuals found that it broke down some of the barriers that they felt about sharing and were more able to confide in staff and others about their struggles with older age.
A Digital Inclusion course took place alongside the Lunch Club activities. 4 Lunch Club members attended. This course was in partnership with DASH, teaching how to use mobile phones and computers. It improved IT literacy and reduced barriers to online access.
## **International Café**
The café opens weekly for 3 hours with 1,960 individuals attending in 2022-23. The majority of service users are from initial accommodation housed by the home office and remain in Hillingdon on average 9-18 months, especially families who make up nearly half the cohort. We provide food and refreshments donated through FairShare and cakes baked by volunteers. Donated clothes are distributed, especially to new arrivals and 147 individuals visited a Doorway advisor. There is a children’s play area which is well used and additional children’s activities once a month which are often facilitated by young people from ACS international School.
Around 62 volunteers have come directly from those in the hotel with another 21 volunteers coming from the community and other organisations.
We have worked closely with other organisations, businesses and the community to provide a steady flow of donations. This project received funding enabling our advice services to open alongside the café. We continue to work with the Home Office and Migrant Help to troubleshoot individual and systemic issues that impact the individuals and wider community. We have been strategically working with the CCG, HHS, colleges, and other charities to ensure we are complementing the statutory provision and increasing community cohesion. We engage regularly with local colleges delivering ESOL and have begun to host ESOL classes. The GLA also worked with us to research the needs of asylum seekers in London to improve services.
The beauty of this project is the way in which it has brought the local community and those in initial accommodation together. This is reflected in our mix of volunteers of both asylum seekers and local people, the joint working has broken down barriers, celebrated cultural differences and provided asylum seekers a sense of purpose and belonging. Further to this we have had asylum seekers volunteer in other BFCC projects such as the Older Persons Dining Club, building links to the wider community.
Through specific targeting staff have been able to encourage parents of young children to attend our parent and family groups, holiday events as well as support pregnant women with
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**Bell Farm Christian Centre Report of the trustees For year ended 5 April 2023**
essential items and access to health services. The integration of parents has developed understanding and empathy of all the participants.
Finally, this project has equipped BFCC to be able to respond to the local needs as a result of refugee crises such as Afghanistan and the war in Ukraine.
## **Community Support**
## **Food Bank for Yiewsley and West Drayton**
Working with the other churches of Yiewsley and West Drayton a local food bank for Yiewsley, West Drayton and the Heathrow Villages has continued having been launched in May 2017 and is distributing food parcels to those that find themselves in hard situations.
**Community Meetings :** The Centre has been significantly involved in various community meetings and events so as to support the community with regard to issues that would impact upon their quality of life. These have included Ward Councillors' surgeries, Health Roadshows and public meetings which are held at BFCC. Joining the public health focus on health resilience this year, BFCC amplified public messages as well as hosting and facilitating health check-ups targeting hard to reach groups such as travellers.
**Networks and Food Roots :** BFCC is often involved in the development and delivery of local networks that support other local organisations. This includes facilitating the Traveller forum as well as being a leading voice in the coordination of support for local asylum seekers and refugees. This year the Charity was funded by the Mayor of London to develop and support organisations involved in Food Aid and Financial Wraparound support services with the aim of expanding the support for those needing to use foodbanks during the cost of living crisis. This 3-month project brought together around 10 organisations and sought views from a number of stakeholders to develop future joint working. The network meetings and shared learnings were extremely beneficial, creating greater synergies and direct referral pathways, expanding the capacity and effectiveness of wraparound support for Foodbank clients in Hillingdon.
**Training** courses are held in various subjects to BFCC staff and members of the local networks to increase local expertise and knowledge.
**Other Support** is provided in response to identified need including the provision of food through Fare-share and a Food Bank. Due to local demand the Food Bank is open when the Advice Centre is open. A Samaritans Fund, Energy Support Fund, Free SIM cards and BFCC emergency funds benefited people who were in dire need of urgent financial assistance.
## **Samaritans Fund**
BFCC administers an emergency fund which benefited people who were in need of urgent financial assistance, this is funded by a local trust. Most grants were for electricity with a number for over-the-counter prescriptions. **26 grants** were given totalling **£387.84** . In addition five £20 energy grants for emergency prepayment top ups to relieve fuel poverty
- 18 -
**Bell Farm Christian Centre Report of the trustees For year ended 5 April 2023**
were given and, thanks to donations, a further 21 grants of up to £20 were given for essential items for those in hardship.
## **7. Volunteers and support**
Volunteers provide an invaluable resource for the organisation. Volunteers assist in various activities within the organisation; these include:
Administration Assisting at holiday clubs and children’s events Assisting with the carers and toddler groups Cooking and assisting with the Older Persons’ Lunch and Social Club Christmas events Gardening and maintenance IT support Kitchen cleaning Management committee Pastoral care Reception duties for the Advice, Information and Care Service Sunday school Trustees Worship leading Providing advice
BFCC can sustainably maintain its charitable activities with talented and skillful volunteers who support our services. In 2022-23 **128 people volunteered** in our projects, **giving 11,297 hours** , sustaining our projects alongside our small but committed staff team. This equates to a £135,000 saving in staff costs.
85% of our volunteers have been or were users of our services, providing greater outcomes for them personally but having the added advantage of an increased empathy and understanding towards those accessing the services. Having service users involved as volunteers enables significant and helpful feedback in shaping our services to meet the needs of all our service users.
As well as grants and financial donations, BFCC receives a number of in-kind donations from waste collection to raffle prizes. We have been fortunate to have a number of strong corporate partnerships with companies such as Tesco, ASDA, Hasbro, Richmond Toys, Funky Flowers and more.
We are extremely thankful of our volunteers and supporters.
- 19 -
**Bell Farm Christian Centre Report of the trustees For year ended 5 April 2023**
## **8. Our Impact and Performance against Objectives 2022-23 Table**
## **During 2022-23 our Church fellowship activities supported 573 individuals and our community projects helped 3,020 individual beneficiaries and their families.**
|**Outputs**|**Outcomes and Impact**|**Number/ Value**|
|---|---|---|
|Warm packs out
during the cost of
living crisis|Client able to save on some energy and keep warm during
winter|80|
|Benefit checks
Benefits advice
Disability Benefit
advice|Benefit check to ensure service users are receiving all
benefits they are entitled to as well as benefits advice,
disability advice and support to apply.|325|
|Debt advice including
arrears on rent and
Council Tax
Rescheduling of debt,
debts written off|Debts rescheduled, arrears written off, debt advice allowing
users to manage their income more effectively.|79|
|Debt written off|Advocacy to reduce the burden of personal debt impacting
service users|£5,849.37|
|Rescheduling of debt|Advocacy to enable service users to better manage out-
goings and improve budgeting.|£9,973.64|
|Benefits reinstated|Service users’ benefits reinstated after support and
advocacy
Backdated payments|51
£16,775.44|
|Less stress for service
users|Numbers of service users less stressed due to intervention
from advice services|533|
|Energy rebate claims
and energy
compensation|Number of energy rebates or compensation for poor service
from energy companies collected for service users to assist
with the higher energy costs and enable them to heat their
homes.|16
£4,400|
|Homelessness
prevented|Advocacy to stop homelessness|5|
|Housing issue
resolved|Service users supported in housing issues, disrepair,
services needed, etc.|13|
|Increase in income|Households more able to balance their budgets due to
increased income.
Total of service users increased income on an annual
calculation.|51
£138,948.50*|
|SIM cards|SIM cards donated to service users unable to afford to top
up mobiles.
SIM cards with 6 months of free calls, texts and 40GB of
data
Saving service user £90 per SIM card.|250|
|Toys and hamper
distribution|Hampers and toys for those in need at Christmas|182 Children
126 Adults|
|Support for Older
People to tackle
isolation and
loneliness|Reduced isolation and loneliness and increase in sense of
wellbeing and belonging through Lunch Club and social
activities|88|
- 20 -
**Bell Farm Christian Centre Report of the trustees For year ended 5 April 2023**
|Providing outreach,
home and hospital
visits and befriending
calls in response to
need.|Prevent harm and enhance well-being through befriending
calls.
Support the transition to return home after a period of
hospitalisation|1150 calls
60 visits|
|---|---|---|
|Building mental
resilience in older
people|Service users building confidence and independence
through well-being workshops.|15|
|Increasing IT literacy
and digital access|Supporting service users to improve their skills in accessing
services online and using their devices.|8|
|Support for parents
and safe play area
provided for early
years.|Improving the development of the child through play as well
as increasing knowledge and confidence in parenting.|33 children
28 adults|
|Holiday provision
provided for children &
young people.|Reduced boredom, increased knowledge and learning of
new skills. Safe play space, reduce anti-social behaviour.|148 children|
|Providing support for
locally accommodated
asylum seekers.|Relieving the pressure on local services such as A&E by
equipping asylum seekers with knowledge of services and
increasing their independence to access prescriptions,
clothing and other basic needs through advocating for
Section 95 payments|147|
|Distributing clothing
and essential items to
those with no recourse
to public funds.|Supporting individuals and their families with recycled
clothing and safe space to socialise and seek support
boosting mental and physical well-being.|1,960|
*Does not include energy rebates, back payments or other figures within this table.
## **Demographics of the service users**
|**Beneficiaries/Clients**|**Beneficiaries/Clients**|**2022-23**|
|---|---|---|
|Number of|service usersaccessingservice|3,020|
|Details of ethnicity of clients
_Asian_
_Black_
_Chinese_
_European_
_Mixed parentage_
_White_
_Other_
_Unknown /Prefer not to say_||146
140
1
163
20
507
607
1,436|
|Number of clients with a disability||203|
|Children & young people
Seniors
Women||27%
6%
46%|
- 21 -
**Bell Farm Christian Centre Report of the trustees For year ended 5 April 2023**
## **Demographics of the Church Congregation and Visitors**
|**Total**
**Attendees**|**Male**|**Female**|**Age**
**0-5yrs**|**Age**
**6-11yrs**|**Age**
**12-19yrs**|**Disabled**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|573|269|304|53|62|64|3%|
|**White**|**Asian**|**Black**|**Mixed**
**Race**|**European**|**Other**||
|6%|14%|60%|2%|1.5%|16.5%||
## Energy rebate for traveller community
During the cost-of-living crisis those living on traveller caravan sites where unable to access the government’s cost-of-living payment towards higher energy bills. BFCC advocated for this community to the local authority and members of parliament. As soon as the government process was announced our staff visited the caravan site with basic instructions as to how to claim this money and directed travellers to Doorway Advice Services, supporting 15 households to claim.
## Support for children and families
Our consistent delivery of school holiday provision has enabled opportunities for low-income families already engaging in our advice or other services to access activities free of charge. We have also been able to provide activities for children from asylum seeking families and renewed strong links with the local children centre and families’ information service who regularly access our service users to expand the reach of their services.
## Collaborative working
Our continued partnership working has increased the funding we have been able to attract and secure through joint bids. This has been particularly successful with advice services, generating an additional £20,000 per annum with less demand on management capacity, enabling the charity to focus on operational delivery and continue to raise standards.
## Enriching older persons engagement
Our improved curriculum of activities for Older People has enabled public health messaging to be passed on effectively. In addition to this our focus on small group workshops has successfully used our Lunch Club as a catalyst for more intensive intervention to support independent living in older age.
## **9. The Factors Affecting the Achievement of the Objectives**
The factors affecting the achievement of the objectives of the organisation are as follows :
**1.** The position of the organisation within the wider community. BFCC has a very good relationship with the local community, including good working relationships with the local
- 22 -
**Bell Farm Christian Centre Report of the trustees For year ended 5 April 2023**
Members of Parliament, Ward Councillors and other agencies working in the area. This provides a good platform for partnership working.
**2.** BFCC has a very good relationship with members of the local community and many members of the local community are very happy to be able to attend the activities and services that are provided at the Centre. This is particularly good for the sections of the community that are particularly marginalised and vulnerable. The Organisation is pleased that some of these groups such as the Travellers and migrants feel able to attend the activities.
**3.** BFCC has a good relationship with funders. Agencies and funders have often approached BFCC to see if we would deliver services on their behalf if funding was provided, or to work in partnership with them to deliver services.
**4.** BFCC has a good, hardworking and loyal work force and all its members of staff are highly motivated and committed to the work that they do.
**5.** BFCC has a hard working and loyal group of volunteers who help deliver the services to the local community.
No specific significant events occurred during the year that would have had a financial impact on BFCC.
## **10. Future Plans**
The Organisation will be developing a new five-year business development plan with the current one coming to completion at the end of 2023/24. We continue to progress with the final year of key priorities as shown below :
- Sustaining our Organisation in challenging times.
- Managing risks and costs associated with inflation and increased demand. Systematically reviewing our working practices and introducing business transformation.
- New diverse sources of fundraising with multi-year grants and unrestricted income.
- Development work of the older persons provision will include : Developing curriculum and partnerships
- Sustaining services for older people
- Additional capacity for outreach work
Develop activities and services for children and families including :
- After school activities for children
- Increase hours and capacity of toy library
Development of the Doorway Advice Information and Care service includes :
- Additional services specialisms and locations Additional member of staff
- 23 -
**Bell Farm Christian Centre Report of the trustees For year ended 5 April 2023**
Additional opening hours
- Additional collaborations
Achieving the Advice Quality Standard
## Development of the Church ministries:
Continued discipleship within the current congregation
- Reaching out to our immediate community, friends, family and work colleagues. Increasing midweek Small Groups
- Bible studies will continue to take place during the week in the evenings. Developing ministries for young people
Explore appointment of Youth and Children’s Ministry Worker. Develop provision for spiritual counselling. Consider support for overseas missions
Explore ministries for those with addictions
Areas for future consideration :
- Preparations for re-establishing the training and employment department including : Scope appointment of a manager for training
- Explore providing various courses such as budgeting ESOL, First Aid, Food Hygiene PAN support to enable service users to access employment
Develop the core services of the organisation and employ additional staff including : Centre Manager
Receptionist/Administrator (full time)
Develop new projects to include :
- Prepare plans to extend the centre (phase two) including additional offices
- Explore the offer of counselling and ministry service
- Provide a mobile toy library for outlying communities and the Traveller sites
## **11. Financial Review**
Bell Farm Christian Centre's operation is dependent upon the receipt of grants and donations from various organisations and individuals, services provided by unpaid volunteers and the generosity of many individuals and businesses who provide various services and goods free of charge.
Just over half of the income received during the year was restricted income, which was provided to enable a specific activity or project to take place or for a particular service to be provided. Funding was received from a number of new sources to strengthen and increase existing projects and for capital improvements.
Income for the year was £217,461 (2022 - £235,743) and expenditure was £280,263 (2022 - £244,161). The net result was an overall deficit for the year of £62,802 (2022 deficit - £8,418). This included a deficit of £40,926 (2022 deficit - £4,657) on restricted funds which will be funded from surpluses brought forward from previous years.
- 24 -
**Bell Farm Christian Centre Report of the trustees For year ended 5 April 2023**
The trustees are aware of the continual need to attempt to obtain additional “core funding” in order to strengthen the central administration and support services of Bell Farm Christian Centre. This would then release project staff to spend additional time on activities directly relating to their project and would strengthen the overall operation of Bell Farm Christian Centre.
## **Principal Funding Sources**
The main grants and donations for the work of Bell Farm Christian Centre have come from the following organisations :
London Borough of Hillingdon Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Emigrant Support Programme Greater London Authority LHC Community Benefit Fund Energy Saving Trust
## **Investment powers and policy**
Under the Memorandum and Articles of Association, Bell Farm Christian Centre has the power to invest in any way the trustees wish.
The trustees, having regard to the fact that most funding is from grants which are paid on a quarterly basis or six-monthly basis, have operated a policy of keeping available funds in interest bearing deposit accounts.
## **Reserves policy**
The trustees have established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets held by the charity should be between 1 and 2 months of the resources expended, which equates to £23,000 to £47,000 in general funds. However following lessons from the pandemic, the trustees are looking to increase this threshold to over 3 months but no greater than 5 months, which equates to £70,000 to £117,000. At this level, the trustees feel that they would be able to continue the current activities of the charity in the event of a significant drop in funding. It would then be necessary to consider how the funding would be replaced or activities changed. At present the reserves amount to £43,262, with the trustees hoping to reach the new reserves threshold within the next four years.
## **Trustees’ responsibilities in relation to the financial statements**
The trustees (who are also directors for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with general applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charitable company for that period. Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- 25 -
**Bell Farm Christian Centre Report of the trustees For year ended 5 April 2023**
- Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- State whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
- Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
## **Independent Examiners**
Bruton Charles, Chartered Accountants were appointed as Independent Examiners in 2016 and have expressed their willingness to continue in that capacity. A resolution proposing their reappointment will be put to the Annual General Meeting.
In preparing this report, advantage has been taken of the small companies’ exemption in the Companies Act 2006.
Approved by the trustees on 5 December 2023 and signed on their behalf by
S M Holliday
- 26 -
**Bell Farm Christian Centre Independent Examiner’s report For the year ended 5 April 2023**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 5 April 2023, which are set out on pages 30 to 42.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity’s trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
## **Independent Examiner’s Statement**
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 :
- i. accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
- ii. the accounts do not accord with those accounting records; or
- iii. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the account give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of the independent examination; or
- iv. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102)].
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.
Name: Jonathan Lawrence-Archer Bruton Charles, Chartered Accountants
Address: The Coach House, Greys Green Business Centre, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 4QG
Date: 3 January 2024
27
## **Bell Farm Christian Centre Statement of Financial Activities For the year ended 5 April 2023**
|**Notes**
**Income**
Donations
**2**
Income from charitable activities
Grants receivable
**3**
Other income
**4**
Investment income
**5**
Rental income
**6**
**Total income**
**Expenditure**
Costs of raising funds
**7**
Charitable activities
**8**
**Total expenditure**
**Net income**
**10**
Transfers between reserves
**15**
**Net movement in funds**
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought forward
**Total funds carried forward**|**Unrestricted Restricted**
**Total**
**Total**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**2023**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
19,677
4,442
24,119
29,050
76,722
70,219
146,941
164,101
1,132
37,301
38,433
34,029
965
-
965
88
7,003
-
7,003
8,475
105,499
111,962
217,461
235,743
2,741
3,842
6,583
5,872
164,011
109,669
273,680
238,289
166,752
113,511
280,263
244,161
(61,253)
(1,549)
(62,802)
(8,418)
39,377
(39,377)
-
-
(21,876)
(40,926)
(62,802)
(8,418)
88,771
229,763
318,534
326,952
66,895
188,837
255,732
318,534|
|---|---|
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derives from continuing activities.
This statement of financial activities includes an income and expenditure account in accordance with Companies Act 2006 requirements.
28
**Bell Farm Christian Centre Balance Sheet As at 5 April 2023**
||**Notes**||**2023**||**2022**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|**Fixed assets**||||||
|Tangible assets|**12**||124,158||139,133|
|**Current assets**||||||
|Debtors|**13**|28,259||18,292||
|Cash at bank and in hand||142,149||178,970||
|||170,408||197,262||
|**Creditors**: amounts falling due||||||
|within one year|**14**|38,834||17,861||
|**Net current assets**|||131,574||179,401|
|**Net assets**|||255,732||318,534|
|**Capital and Reserves**|**15 & 16**|||||
|Restricted funds|||188,837||229,763|
|Unrestricted funds||||||
|Designated funds|||23,149||27,356|
|General funds|||43,746||61,415|
||||255,732||318,534|
The trustees have taken advantage of the Companies Act 2006 in not having these accounts audited under section 477(1). No members have required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476.
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with s386 and s387 of the Companies Act 2006 and section 138 of the Charities Act 2011.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions in part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies and constitute the annual accounts required by the Companies Act 2006 and are for circulation to the members of the company.
The notes on pages 30 to 40 form part of these financial statements.
Approved by the Board of Trustees on 5 December 2023 and signed on its behalf by
S M Holliday Trustee
Company registration number 04110617
- 29 -
**Bell Farm Christian Centre Notes forming part of the Financial Statements For the year ended 5 April 2023**
## **1 Accounting Policies**
The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:
## **1.1 Basis of preparation**
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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 (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019) – (Charities SORP (FRS102)), the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006.
The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.
The Charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
## **1.2 Changes to previous accounts**
No changes have been made to the financial statements for previous years unless otherwise stated within the notes as a prior year adjustment.
## **1.3 Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis**
The directors consider that the company is a going concern.
## **1.4 Income recognition policies**
Items of income are recognised and included in the accounts when all of the following criteria are met:
- the charity has entitlement to the funds;
- any performance conditions attached to the items of income have been met or are fully within the control of the charity;
- there is sufficient certainty that receipt of the income is considered probable; and
- the amount can be measured reliably.
Where incoming resources have related expenditure (as with fundraising or contract income) the incoming resources and related expenditure are reported gross in the SoFA.
Voluntary income is received by way of donations and gifts and is included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included.
Income from charitable activities includes grant income received subject to performance conditions and is recognised as earned (as the related services are provided).
## **1.5 Interest receivable**
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.
## **1.6 Fund accounting**
Funds held by the charitable company are:
- Unrestricted general funds – these are funds which can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the trustees.
- 30 -
## **Bell Farm Christian Centre Notes forming part of the Financial Statements For the year ended 5 April 2023**
- Designated funds – these are funds set aside by the trustees out of unrestricted general funds for specific purposes.
- Restricted funds – these are funds which can only be used for particular purposes within the objects of the charitable company. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
The trustees make transfers between funds as agreed by the funder.
## **1.7 Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT**
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.
## **1.8 Allocation of costs**
Certain expenditure is directly attributable to specific activities in accordance with the budget submitted to the funder and this expenditure has been allocated directly to those activities. Support costs have been apportioned as agreed and allocated to specific activities on the basis of time spent or resources used.
## **1.9 Operating leases**
Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to income as incurred.
## **1.10 Pensions**
The charitable company contributes to the personal defined-contribution pension schemes of employees. The annual contributions paid are charged against income.
## **1.11 Tax status**
The charitable company is a registered charity within the definitions of section 506(1) Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 and therefore it is not assessable to corporation tax on any surplus charitable funds
## **1.12 Governance costs**
Include all costs relating to the public accountability of the charitable company and its compliance with regulation and good practice. They include costs relating to the examination of statutory accounts.
## **1.13 Tangible fixed assets**
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less deprecation and are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year and cost at least £1,000.
Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life as follows, unless assets are purchased from grants for a particular short term project, in which case they are written off over the length of the project.
Building extension over term of lease Computer equipment 33% straight line on cost Fixtures, fittings & other equipment 20% straight line on cost
## **1.14 Creditors and provisions**
Creditors and provisions are recognised at their settlement amount where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably.
- 31 -
**Bell Farm Christian Centre Notes forming part of the Financial Statements For the year ended 5 April 2023**
## **1.15 Volunteer help**
The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the trustees report.
## **1.16 Financial instruments**
The Charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
## **2 Income from donations**
|General Fund
Advice Service
Asylum Seekers
Toy Library
Older Persons
Children and Families
Other Funds|**Un-**
**restricted**
**Restricted**
**Total**
**Un-**
**restricted**
**Restricted**
**Total**
**2023**
**2023**
**2023**
**2022**
**2022**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
19,477
-
19,477
23,882
-
23,882
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
801
801
-
2,530
2,530
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,641
3,641
-
1,883
1,883
-
-
-
417
-
417
200
-
200
338
-
338
19,677
4,442
24,119
24,637
4,413
29,050|
|---|---|
## **3 Grants receivable**
|General Fund
Advice Service
Asylum Seekers
Children and Families
Manager
Holiday Club
Other
Older Persons
Dining Club
Transport
Other
Other Funds
Operations Manager
Samaritan Fund
Other|**Un-**
**restricted**
**Restricted**
**Total**
**Un-**
**restricted**
**Restricted**
**Total**
**2023**
**2023**
**2023**
**2022**
**2022**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
23,896
-
23,896
21,000
-
21,000
21,658
35,362
57,020
19,158
62,743
81,901
7,342
8,287
15,629
-
4,199
4,199
13,826
-
13,826
19,842
-
19,842
-
1,324
1,324
-
1,050
1,050
-
-
-
-
1,960
1,960
10,000
18,000
28,000
10,000
18,000
28,000
-
-
-
-
169
169
-
5,070
5,070
-
5,980
5,980
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,000
1,000
-
-
-
-
1,176
1,176
-
-
-
76,722
70,219
146,941
70,000
94,101
164,101|
|---|---|
- 32 -
## **Bell Farm Christian Centre Notes forming part of the Financial Statements For the year ended 5 April 2023**
## **4 Other income from charitable activities**
|General Fund
Advice
Children and Families
Older Persons
Other Funds|**Un-**
**restricted**
**Restricted**
**Total**
**Un-**
**restricted**
**Restricted**
**Total**
**2023**
**2023**
**2023**
**2022**
**2022**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
787
-
787
200
-
200
-
-
0
-
150
150
345
243
588
256
319
575
-
37,058
37,058
-
33,047
33,047
-
-
0
5
52
57
1,132
37,301
38,433
461
33,568
34,029|
|---|---|
## **5 Investment income**
All of the charity’s investment income arises from interest bearing deposit accounts and is unrestricted income.
## **6 Rental income**
Income from use of premises, all of which is unrestricted income.
## **7 Costs of raising funds**
|Staff costs|**Un-**
**restricted**
**Restricted**
**Total**
**Un-**
**restricted**
**Restricted**
**Total**
**2023**
**2023**
**2023**
**2022**
**2022**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
2,741
3,842
6,583
3,736
2,136
5,872
2,741
3,842
6,583
3,736
2,136
5,872|
|---|---|
- 33 -
## **Bell Farm Christian Centre Notes forming part of the Financial Statements For the year ended 5 April 2023**
## **8 Expenditure on charitable activities**
|
**2023**
Staff costs
Direct
Support
Premises costs
Direct
Support
Office costs
Direct
Support
Project costs
Governance costs
Donations
Depreciation
**2022**
Staff costs
Direct
Support
Premises costs
Direct
Support
Office costs
Direct
Support
Project costs
Governance costs
Donations
Depreciation|
**General**
**Fund**
**Advice**
**Service**
**Asylum**
**Seekers**
**Children &**
**Families**
**Older**
**Persons**
**Other**
**Funds**
**Total**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
38,516
43,696
9,220
16,258
19,236
16,402
143,328
(18,674)
9,370
1,325
2,398
3,723
1,858
-
35,280
25
9
-
160
-
35,474
(18,558)
9,311
1,317
2,383
3,700
1,847
-
7,543
1,328
4
3
353
566
9,797
(5,125)
2,571
364
658
1,022
510
-
8,482
145
2,021
3,821
46,009
832
61,310
2,200
-
-
-
-
-
2,200
5,420
-
-
-
-
-
5,420
-
-
-
-
-
16,151
16,151
55,084
66,446
14,260
25,521
74,203
38,166
273,680
**General**
**Fund**
**Advice**
**Service**
**Asylum**
**Seekers**
**Children &**
**Families**
**Older**
**Persons**
**Other**
**Funds**
**Total**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
28,367
41,479
1,565
19,475
16,659
23,272
130,817
(19,341)
9,367
10
3,510
4,353
2,101
-
24,605
21
360
-
158
-
25,144
(14,824)
7,179
8
2,690
3,336
1,611
-
5,447
1,495
-
3
116
96
7,157
(4,607)
2,231
2
836
1,037
501
-
1,589
1,854
4,810
2,787
39,930
506
51,476
2,200
-
-
-
-
-
2,200
5,400
-
-
-
-
-
5,400
-
-
-
-
-
16,095
16,095
28,836
63,626
6,755
29,301
65,589
44,182
238,289|
|---|---|
Expenditure on charitable activities includes £109,669 (2022 – £103,674) of expenditure from restricted funds.
- 34 -
## **Bell Farm Christian Centre Notes forming part of the Financial Statements For the year ended 5 April 2023**
## **9 Governance Costs**
|**10 Net income for year**
This is stated after charging:
**11 Staff Costs**
Independent Examiner's fees
Depreciation
Independent Examination provision
Wages and salaries
Fees
Social security costs
Pension contributions
Life assurance|**2023**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
2,200
2,200
**2023**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
16,151
16,095
2,200
2,200
**2023**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
142,266
129,825
659
543
4,105
3,922
2,881
2,400
-
-
149,911
136,690|
|---|---|
The average number of employees during the year was as follows :
|General Fund
Advice Service
Asylum Seekers
Children and Families
Older Persons
Operations Manager|**Total employees**
**Full time equivalent**
**2023**
**2022**
**2023**
**2022**
4
3
2
2
2
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
10
10
7
7|
|---|---|
No employee of the charity received emoluments of more than £60,000.
The charity contributes to a pension scheme for its employees as required under the automatic enrolment regulations. Pension contributions are accounted for and paid as they fall due and there were no outstanding contributions at the balance sheet date (2022 – £nil).
During the year, no trustees were paid or received any other benefits from employment with the charity (2022 – £nil) and no expenses were paid to trustees during the year (2022 – £nil).
- 35 -
## **Bell Farm Christian Centre Notes forming part of the Financial Statements For the year ended 5 April 2023**
## **12 Tangible fixed assets**
|**Cost**
At 6 April 2022
Additions
Disposals
At 5 April 2023
**Depreciation**
At 6 April 2022
Charge for the year
Disposals
At 5 April 2023
**Net book value**
At 5 April 2023
At 6 April 2022|**Building**
**Computer**
**Fixtures**
**Total**
**extension equipment fittings &**
**equipment**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
230,838
24,547
149,549
404,934
-
1,176
-
1,176
-
(4,440)
-
(4,440)
230,838
21,283
149,549
401,670
93,053
24,547
148,201
265,801
15,310
392
449
16,151
-
(4,440)
-
(4,440)
108,363
20,499
148,650
277,512
122,475
784
899
124,158
137,785
-
1,348
139,133|
|---|---|
All assets are held for direct charitable purposes.
## **13 Debtors**
|Other debtors
Prepayments|**2023**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
25,021
15,348
3,238
2,944
28,259
18,292|
|---|---|
## **14 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
|Accruals
Deferred income|**2023**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
10,859
9,767
27,975
8,094
38,834
17,861|
|---|---|
Deferred income is the portion of specific grant income which relates to the year ended 5 April 2024.
- 36 -
## **Bell Farm Christian Centre Notes forming part of the Financial Statements For the year ended 5 April 2023**
## **15 Analysis of charitable funds**
|**Analysis of charitable funds**||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Balance**|**Income**|**Expenditure**|**Transfers**|**Balance**|
||**at**||||**at**|
||**6 April**||||**5 April**|
||**2022**||||**2023**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|**Restricted Funds**||||||
|**Advice Service**||||||
|Hillingdon Community Trust|72,312|-|-|(5,417)|66,895|
|Department of Foreign Affairs and||||||
|Trade; Emigrant Support||||||
|Programme|-|7,700|(624)|(6,901)|175|
|City Bridge Trust|1,594|-|-|(1,594)|-|
|Greater London Authority|-|17,614|(17,614)|-|-|
|LHC Community Benefit Fund|-|789|(789)|-|-|
|Energy Saving Trust|-|9,259|(9,259)|-|-|
|Other|14,503|-|(4,849)|(9,654)|-|
|**ProParenting**||||||
|Other Income|1,001|-|-|-|1,001|
|**Children and Families**||||||
|Toy Library||||||
|Richmond Toys|571|-|-|-|571|
|Other|267|-|-|-|267|
|Holiday Club and out of school activities||||||
|Ward Councillors|100|1,324|(1,324)|-|100|
|Other|-|-|(2,779)|2,779|-|
|Toddler Group|-|244|(1)|(243)|-|
|**Older Persons**||||||
|London Borough of Hillingdon|-|18,000|(11,185)|(6,815)|-|
|Dining Club|(22,606)|37,058|(26,453)|(6,938)|(18,939)|
|Ward Councillors|-|800|(800)|-|-|
|London Borough of Hillingdon||||||
|Leaders Initiative|5,192|2,950|(2,952)|2|5,192|
|Give Space CIC|-|1,320|(1,727)|407|-|
|Other Income|9,001|3,641|(12,642)|-|-|
- 37 -
## **Bell Farm Christian Centre Notes forming part of the Financial Statements For the year ended 5 April 2023**
|**Other Grants**
Maintenance Reserve
Development Worker
Pampering Course
Asylum Seekers
Hillingdon Community Trust
LHC Community Benefit Fund
Refugees in Effective and
Active Partnership
Other
Partners in Renewal
Building Fund
**Capital Fund**
Restricted
**Total Restricted Funds**
**Unrestricted Funds**
**Designated Funds**
Giving Fund
London Borough of Hillingdon
Advice Service
Asylum Seekers
Children and Families
Operations Manager
Older Persons
Support costs
Other income
**General Unrestricted Funds**
General Fund
Greater London Authority
LHC Community Benefit Fund
Capital Fund - Unrestricted
Total Funds
London Catalyst Samaritan Fund
Ward Councillors for Equipment|**Balance**
**Income**
**Expenditure**
**Transfers**
**Balance**
**at**
**at**
**6 April**
**5 April**
**2022**
**2023**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
1,123
-
-
-
1,123
549
-
-
-
549
552
-
-
-
552
98
1,000
(453)
-
645
2,496
-
-
-
2,496
-
7,286
(3,910)
(3,376)
-
-
1,000
-
(1,000)
-
1,921
801
-
(627)
2,095
-
1,176
-
(1,176)
-
29
-
-
-
29
2,412
-
-
-
2,412
138,648
-
(16,150)
1,176
123,674|
|---|---|
||229,763
111,962
(113,511)
(39,377)
188,837|
||146
-
(5,400)
5,400
146
5,258
21,658
(21,658)
-
5,258
-
7,342
(7,342)
-
-
9,876
13,826
(15,978)
(7,724)
-
10,318
-
(17,348)
17,348
10,318
-
10,000
(10,000)
-
-
-
27,174
(5,000)
(16,000)
6,174
1,758
545
-
(1,050)
1,253|
||27,356
80,545
(82,726)
(2,026)
23,149|
||60,932
22,058
(81,130)
41,403
43,263
-
2,600
(2,600)
-
-
-
296
(296)
-
-
483
-
-
-
483|
||61,415
24,954
(84,026)
41,403
43,746|
||318,534
217,461
(280,263)
-
255,732|
- 38 -
**Bell Farm Christian Centre Notes forming part of the Financial Statements For the year ended 5 April 2023**
## **Purpose of Restricted Funds**
## **Advice Service**
For running costs of Doorway Advice, Information and Care Service.
## **Parent Support**
For Pro Parenting courses and training.
## **Children and Families Projects**
Toy Library For running costs of Toy Library Holiday Club For Summer Holiday Clubs Out of School activities For other Holiday Events Toddler Group For Carer and Toddler group
## **Older Persons**
London Borough of Hillingdon For older persons work, including employment of manager. Dining Club For running costs of Dining Club London Borough of Hillingdon For capital items and special events Leaders Initiative London Borough of Hillingdon For new equipment and special events Ward Councillors
Transfers are made from the Dining Club fund to the London Borough of Hillingdon fund to cover shortfalls on funding.
## **Other Funds**
Maintenance Reserve For maintenance of building Development Worker Balance from employment of development worker Pampering Course Balance from pampering courses London Catalyst Samaritan For helping those in need Fund Asylum Seekers Working with those seeking asylum in the UK who are temporarily housed in hotels at Heathrow Partners in Renewal For churches in West Drayton and Yiewsley Building Fund For building extension. Costs are transferred from this fund to the Capital fund
## **Purpose of Designated Funds**
**Giving Fund** A proportion of general unrestricted income is set aside to give to other organisations. Transfers into this fund are from the General fund.
## **London Borough of Hillingdon**
Advice Service For running costs of Doorway Advice, Information and Care Service Asylum Seekers For running costs of Asylum Seekers projects Children and Families For running costs of Children and Families projects Operations Manager For employment of Operations Manager Older Persons For running costs of the Older Persons projects Support Costs For support staff and costs of the organisation
- 39 -
## **Bell Farm Christian Centre Notes forming part of the Financial Statements For the year ended 5 April 2023**
## **Transfers**
The projects run by BFCC are supported by available premises as well as management and administrative services. For simplicity the costs of these services are paid entirely from general unrestricted funds. However, many of the grants received include amounts towards these costs. Such agreed amounts are therefore transferred to the general unrestricted fund to cover this expenditure. When equipment is purchased the costs are transferred from specific restricted and designated funds to the Capital fund.
## **16 Analysis of net assets between funds**
|Fund balances at 5 April 2023 are
represented by:
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year|**Restricted Unrestricted**
**Total**
**£**
**£**
**£**
123,671
487
124,158
97,614
72,794
170,408
(32,449)
(6,385)
(38,834)
188,836
66,896
255,732|
|---|---|
## **17 Operating lease commitments**
Bell Farm Christian Centre has use of the church building and manse on a 21 year lease from March 2010. Rentals payable on this lease, through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Landlord, are reduced to a starting value of £2,000 per year, rising annually by inflation.
## **18 Related party transactions**
There were no related party transactions during the year.
## **19 Control**
There is no controlling party.
## **20 Funds held in trust**
The Hillingdon Community Trust was wound up during 2021. The Austin Sewing Club is a community project which had been awarded grant support prior to the pandemic but as the operation had been paused it was not possible to pass the funds to the project. The sum of £10,000 was therefore transferred to Bell Farm Christian Centre in April 2021 to hold on trust and pass to the Austin Sewing Club once its activities recommenced. Transfers totalling £9,090 were made during the year ended 5 April 2022 and the remaining balance of £910 was transferred in May 2022.
These transactions do not form part of the income or expenditure of the charity during the year.
- 40 -