Bridge Builders Christian Trust Annual Report 1¢¢ US qd Dfv• 0000 2020-2021 **----- Start of picture text -----**
Many Thanks
Allchurches Trust, Broadwater Fair Trading, Bunyan Baptist Church, Churches
Together In Stevenage, Hertfordshire County Council, Holy Trinity, Great Ashby
Community Church, Longmeadow Evangelical Church, North Hertfordshire Methodist
’
Circuit, Ravenstone PCC, St. Andrews Church Hertford, St. Hugh & St. John, St Martin s
Knebworth, St. Mary ’ s Graveley, St. Mary ’ s Shephall, St. Nicholas, St. Peter ’ s, Sirius
Digital Solutions, Stevenage Borough Council, United Reformed Church, Trinity Church
Knebworth, and individual donors for your generous support, .
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## **Surviving the challenge of a global pandemic!** The last year has been a challenging time for us all - for some it has been a time of loss and great sadness. Thankfully, Bridge Builders, through the grace of God, has survived. Even though it is a tiny charity, through the skills and hard work of the staff and volunteers, blessed by your prayerful support, we have found new ways to help local schools educate children about our faith in Christ. In April this year we, the Trustees, had the pleasure of appointing Steph Knell to become Director of the Trust's work. Steph had been acting Director since June 2020 and had done an excellent job under very difficult circumstances, so it was a very easy decision for us to promote her to Director, to continue to lead the Trust’s work. Finding resources to do our work is a continuing challenge. As a Christian charity it is very difficult, if not impossible, to obtain grants from national or secular grant giving bodies. We are therefore even more thankful for the local support of county and borough councillors, churches and more than 40 individuals who make regular donations, who see and appreciate our work first hand. Please continue to pray for the work of Bridge Builders. Although the pandemic is drawing to end, (or maybe just entering a new phase!), we are operating at a time of great uncertainty and stress. If you feel able to do so, please also support us with a regular/monthly donation, however small. The challenge continues year on year; each year a fresh group of children are waiting to hear and be educated about Christmas, Easter and our wider faith as Christians. The Trustees and I would like to thank all of our supporters for their continued and generous support for the work of Bridge Builders through prayer, volunteering and financial gifts. Anthony Taylor Chair of Trustees ## Fundraising We rely on donations to keep our work going. We cover the £8 cost for each child who attends one of our journeys. There are many different ways in which you can support us: Shopping online, select Bridge Builders as your beneficiary and we will receive a donation for every £1 you spend donation is worth 25% more. ## **Director’s Report** The last academic year has been a challenge, as I’m sure many of you have found. At Bridge Builders there have been stressful times as we have spent hours trying to learn how to record, edit and release the Journeys. There have been joyful times as we have seen a greater take up of The Christmas Journey, or as the Lord has provided what we needed. There have been mind-bending times as we have made decisions about what the Journeys will look like in six months’ time – will we be able to do them in person or not? But it gives me great joy and a sense of encouragement to look back and say that Bridge Builders has responded well to the challenges. We have had to change what we do and how we do it. We have had to find different ways of letting local churches and supporters know what our needs are. We have had to learn a variety of new skills. The team has worked well and effectively, and has met the challenges head on. 1,200 children ‘attended’ The Virtual Christmas Journey, which was more than usual, and we worked hard preparing the craft for that - we missed our volunteers who could not come into the office. The half termly, online assemblies have been well received by a variety of schools, covering topics such as trust, change, friendship, and love as well as Christmas and Easter. We have also tried recording a lesson and putting that online. The last year has given us time to pause, think and pray about what we are doing, and how we can be more effective. To that end, some of you will know that we are currently raising money for a new position at Bridge Builders. The online Journeys have worked so well that we want to create one for every year group in primary school. We have realised that there is a possibility of reaching 10,000 primary school children in Stevenage and the surrounding areas if we create a Journey for every year group. We are extremely excited about this possibility and would ask you to pray with us, and for us, as we recruit for the project. The observant among you will have noticed a new logo. Amazing Creative have been working on a new website, and they very kindly designed a new logo for us as well. In case you missed it, have another look at the front cover. Natalie has also adapted the logos for The Christmas Journey and The Easter Journey, to keep them in line with our ‘new look’, and also make them more user friendly for the online world we now live in. It has been 20 years since Bridge Builders became a charity and we are very aware that we would not be here without all of you, so thank you so much for your ongoing support and prayer. We look forward to the coming years, and seeing all that the Lord will do. Steph Knell Director ## TARGET We need your help to raise **£21,000** to support this three year project. ## PRAYER Please do for the work of pray Bridge Builders as well as for our local schools and children. ## DONATE Please consider giving a monthly or one-off donation. The REach project is an exciting opportunity to reach even more children, with the good news of Jesus, throughout Stevenage and surrounding areas. on the success of the online The REach Building Journeys, project aims to produce an online interactive journey for each and every year group throughout primary school, reaching upwards of 10,000 children **EACH** year! ## All Change in a Covid Pandemic ## The Christmas Journey in 2020 The Virtual Christmas Journey was a new venture for us, involving recording, editing and releasing YouTube clips to schools. We want to say a big thank you to the volunteers who took part, in quite trying circumstances. In particular, go and have a look at the narrators and shepherds on our YouTube channel, who were recorded individually on a green screen, and then ‘stitched’ together, due to adhering to the 2 metre rule! |**6 hours setting up**
**and setting down the**
**equipment**|**2 days spent**
**delivering the craft to**
**the schools**|**13 volunteers helped**
**with the recording**| |---|---|---| |4.5 hours spent ironing
a green screen|90+ hours spent video
editing The Virtual
Christmas Journey|1200 children
attended from 21
schools| “I just wanted to send you an email to say a huge 'thank you' for the fantastic virtual Christmas Journey, which we completed with our Year 2 classes yesterday.” “We were extremely impressed with the high quality of the videos and the acting was brilliant! The children were so engaged and learnt so much. They loved the activities too, they were pitched at exactly the right level and kept them busy for most of the day. The instructions were clear, and everything was so well organised. I really cannot thank you enough for making it such a wonderful day for both children and staff.” ## All Change in a Covid Pandemic ## The Easter Journey in 2021 We decided before Christmas that it was unlikely The Easter Journey would be in person so decided to make that virtual. We planned to record in person, in January, and the schedule was set in early December. However, plans had to change again, due to lockdown, and rather than using those who had volunteered, we had to use mainly local clergy who we knew had the right equipment. They sent their recordings into the office to be edited. Thanks to all those who were happy to help! If you wish to have a peek at our Journeys please visit our Bridge Builders YouTube channel. We have also spent hours writing, recording and editing assemblies for local schools. There has been good feedback from a couple of schools. “I had planned to contact you with regards assemblies as we would like to continue accessing these. Many thanks for providing them, and I can honestly say the children really do like and appreciate them.…..we would still be interested in any other assemblies that you provide.” **From a local teacher.** In addition, we have finally managed to record a year 6 lesson on ‘Overcoming evil and promoting good’. One or two schools have used that over the summer term. Please pray for us as we work on getting more lessons recorded. ## Volunteer At Bridge Builders our volunteers are a huge part of our ministry. The time and skills of our volunteers are a valuable resource, helping us with a wide range of tasks throughout the year. Visit our website to find out more about our volunteering We would love for to be involved in our opportunities. you ministry work, helping to share the gospel of Jesus Christ to the children across Stevenage. ## Prayer Meetings & Fundraising Events The friends of Bridge Builders meet regularly to support, fundraise and to pray for the work of Bridge Builders. ## Accounts ## **Income and Expenditure (£) for the Year Ended 31 August 2021** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Income
Other
£1,528 Personal
£16,601
Grants 45%
4%
£3,350
9%
£36,894
Tax Refunds
8% Total
under Gift Aid
£3,079
34%
Church
£12,336
Expenditure
Legal & …
Rent
£5,321
14%
Office
Expenses 9%
£4,155
11%
Insurance £38,544
£1,193 3% Total
3%
2%
58%
Other Employment*
£1,020 £22,579
Project costs
£797
*Offset of £850 HMRC JRS Grant
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## The Team Mrs Stephanie Knell—Acting Director until May 2021/ Director from June 2021 Mrs Janice Hawketts—Finance and IT Manager Miss Natalie James—Schools Worker Mrs Karen Ashton—Administrator (resigned May 2021) Mrs Amanda Bryant—Communications Officer and Administrator Mr Anthony Taylor (Chair) Mr Peter Gordon Revd. Steven Cooper (resigned December 2020) Mrs Penny Paton Mrs Helen Gale Mrs Judy Brown Bridge Bullders Christian Trust REPORTS & ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2021 Bridge Bullders Christian Trust Forthe Year Ended 31st August 2021 LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Bridge Builders Christian Trust St Paul's Methodist Church Turpins Rise Stevenage Herts. SG2 8QR GOVERNING DOCUMENT Declaration of Trust dated l March 2(Kii CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 10888, TRUSTEES Mr Anthony Taylor Ichairl Rev. Steven Cooper IResigned Dec 20201 Mrs Helen Gale Mrs Penelope Paton Mrs Judith Brown Mr Peter Gordon BANKERS Barclays Bank Unit 3, The Forum Centre Stevenage, SGI IES INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Mr William Anderson INDEX Page I Legal & Administrative Details Page 2-3 Trustees, Report Page 4 Independent Examiner's Report Page 5 Income & Expenditure Account Page 6 Statement of Assets & Liabilities Page 7 Notes to the Accounts l of 7 pages Bridge Builders Chrlstlan Trust Forthe Year Ended 31st August 2021 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES The Trustee5 have pleasure in submittino the ReDort and Accounts for the vear. Objerts of the charity To advance the Christian faith To advance education in accordance with Christian principles To provide facilities in the interest of social welfare The vision of the Trust is that all children will have opportunities to explore the values of the Christian faith, and to look forward with hope as they experience Christian love in action. The mission is to reach out to primary school children, and introduce them to Christian faith and love through conducting Christian assemblies and teaching Christian religiou5 education in schools in conjunction with local churches, and by organising themed visits to churches. Government The policy and operating decisions of the charity rest with the Trustees who meet formally 51X times each year to monitor the activities of the charity, to set policy and overall direction. There are currently five Trustees. New trustees are appointed by the Trustees who seek committed Christians with broad experience representing a wide ranEe of denominations. Day to day operations are run by a part time Director supported by a number of part-time highly motivated professionals working in schools or supporting the activities from the central resource centre. Review of Activities In our 20th year as a Charity, Bridge Builder5 has responded well to the challenges of the restrictions imposed due to the COVID19 pandemic. We have had to change what we do and how we do it. We have had to find different ways of letting local churches and supporters know what our needs are and learn a variety of new skills. The team has worked well and effectively, and has met the challenges head on. 1200 children 'attended' The Virtual Christmas Journey, and 900 children 'attended' The Virtual Easter Journey. We worked hard preparing the craft which was delivered to the schools. For that we missed our volunteers who could not come into the office. The half termly, online assemblies have been well received by a variety of schools, covering topics such as trust, change, friendship, and love as well as Christmas and Easter. We have also recorded a lesson and put that online. 2 of 7 pages We are currently fundraising for an exiting new project, to include recruiting an additional member of staff and supplying resources. Following the success of moving The Easter Journey & The Christmas Journey online during Covid, we have launched our REach project, which aims to support primary school teachers with the Christian element of the RE curriculum. Using our experience, Bridge Builders will be writing, recording, editing and resourcing five virtual 'Journeys' which schools can use at any point of the year to help student5 engage with Christianity, at their keystage. We will be resourcing the Journeys with a craft to give a practical, hands-on element for schools. Having an online interactive Journey for each and every year group throughout primary school, will mean we will be reaching upwards of 10,000 children EACH year with the good news of Jesus, throughout Stevenage and surrounding areas. Financial Review In the year to 31st August 2021 the Trust had income of £36,893 and expenditures of £38,533 leaving a deficit in the year of £1,640. The income is derived mainly from personal giving including associated Gift Aid £19,795 & from local partnering churches, £12,336. A Grant of £2k was received for Lessons, £950 was received to buy recoding equipment and local councillors gave grants totalling £400 towards purchasing crafts for Christmas Journey. Expenditure in the year was mainly for payroll costs, £22,579 offset by the HMRC JRS Grant £850 when some staff were fvrloughed due to the Covid19 pandemic,. Rent of Resource Centre, £5.321; Insurance £1,193 and HR consultancy El,204. Reserves Policy The Trustees have decided that a reserve of cash and other current assets less current liabilities is held, sufficient to fund an orderly wind down of the activities of the Charitv, should that ever become necessary. At the end of the accounting year unrestristed reserves stood at £18,420 and resricted £12,345. Of the restricted reserves £1,220 is committed to the completion of an IT related project part funded by a grant from Allchurches TrLtst and the remainder £11,125 is commited to the new REach project. The trustees agreed that £IOk of the unrestricted reserves should be designated to the REach project. Tru5tees' Responsibilities Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the income & expenditure of the charity for the year. We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities. Anthony Taylor Chair of Trustees l¥fM (20 11 date 3 of 7 pages Bridge Builders Chrlstian Trust Forthe Year Ended 31st August 2021 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORTTO THE TRUSTEES I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Bridge Builders Christian Trust for the year ended 31 August 2021 on pages 5 to 7 following. Responslbllltles and basis of report As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111'the Act'l. I report in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the Act. Independent examiner'5 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.. l. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act- or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. William A Address.. 6 The Green Park Lane Old Knebworth Herts. SG3 6QN on date 4 of 7 pages Brldge Bullders Christian Trust For the Year Ended 31st August 2021 INCOMÉ & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT Notes Restrlcted Unrtstrirted Funds General 2021 2020 Income Volunrory income Grants anil gifts received Tax refund5 under Gift Aid 3.340 113 28,947 2,966 32,287 3,079 28,944 3,143 3,453 31.913 35,365 32,086 Other income Interest received Other 15 413 15 1.513 53 2.777 1,100 Total Income 4,552 32,341 36,893 34.915 Expenditure Poyment infvrtheronce of the Trust'5 objectives Direct costs 26.852 11,691 38,544 38,714 Total Expendlture 26,852 11,691 38.544 38,714 Net In¢omellExpenditure 122.3001 £ 20.649 11,6511 £ 13,7991 Transfers between funds 31,150 £ 131,1501 Net Movement in Funds 8,850 E 110,5001 11,6511 E 13.7991 Balances brought forward 3,495 E 28,910 32,405 E 36,204 Balances carried Fowward 12.345 £ 18,410 30,755 £ 32,405 5 of 7 pages Bridge Builders Christian Trust For the Year Ended 31st August 2021 STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES l. Bank & Cash Balances 2021 2020 Held at Bank Cash float 30,004 13 30,017 30.334 24 30,358 2. Other Assets & Liabilities Assets Debtors Other monetary assets 1,531 1,926 188 2,114 1,531 LiobAlitAes Creditors & Accruals 794 66 66 794 The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by date Anthony Taylo IW( loii 6 of 7 pages Bridle Bullders Chrlstlan Trust For the Year Ended 31stAu8USt 2021 NOTES TOTHEACCOUNT IA¢¢ountln8 Policie5 The accovnis have been pre￿re￿ on an accrua15 basis with a 51atement of assets and li3bilities 2. Dlrect co$is General Fund$ Re$trirted Funds Total 2021 Totsi 2020 Employment costs INote 31 HMRCJR5 Grant Reni 23,429 23.429 I8￿) 5,321 1.193 4,155 3,479 797 29,961 14.6581 5.29) 1,163 2.981 1,314 2,217 5,321 1,193 2,999 1,204 Insurance Office Expenses 2.2?5 797 Materials and Resources Independent examinèrion Olhertosts 975 11,691 45 1.020 38.$44 446 38.714 Z6.852 The 8rant5 to institutions amountingto mofe than £l.((l) in the yearwere nll. 3. Employees The charity had 5 part time employees up to 04 May 2021 and at 31 Au8USt 2021 theie We￿ 4 parttime employees, io whom the employment C05t5 above refer. HMRC Job Retention Scheme IJRS) was Introduced in March 2020 in response io the Co¥id19 pandemic £170 paid to Judith Brown (Trusteel in respect of expense5 incuired on behalf of the charity. No amounis were paid or are payable ¢0 any othei trustee orto any person connected to ihem. 4. Mo¥emontof Funds Balance at 31st Au8 20 B•lante¥t 315tAui21 In¢ome ExpendltUTe Tt8thsters Restritted Funds ExpbRE tr Project Reach Proiect Totsi Restri¢ted 3.428 124,5771 12.2751 21.150 3.495 1,220 11.125 12,34S 1.125 4,552 io.cth) 31,150 3.495 26.8S2 Untsstrlrted Fund$ General Resetves Z8.910 32,341 111,6911 131,1501 18AIO Total All Fund$ 32AOS 36.89a 13B,5441 30.755 7of 7 pJse5