2022-08-31-accounts - Bridge Builders Christian Trust

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Annual Report

Recording The Harvest Journey

2021-2022

A Time for Everything

A classic funeral reading (read in St Giles Cathedral at Queen Elizabeth’s lying-in state), Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 reminds us all of the need to change, that change is inevitable, in the secure knowledge that the love of God is constant and salvation is open to us all through his Son. Sometimes it is good to change even when we are not forced to do so….at the top of the hill when the going is easier, rather than at the bottom when the ground is boggy and difficult.

Bridge Builders is in a reasonably good state, following the pandemic; schools still want to hear what we have to say and we have an excellent team of staff and volunteers who have successfully produced new material for use on YouTube. We also face challenges. Although the Trust’s finances are stable the wider economic climate will be challenging for all concerned, especially the churches and volunteers on whom we depend.

During the year we have welcomed two new Trustees, Lynne Lee-Diep and Revd. Margaret McCarthy, which broadens the range of Christians represented by the Trustees. Sadly, Judy Brown resigned and has moved to Devon with her husband Revd. Dave Brown, who is now Rector of Newton Abbott. Dave and Judy made a lasting contribution to Bridge Builders, not only through their prayerful support but Dave wrote the Christmas Journey script and both Dave and Judy stepped up to write and record a new carol for the Christmas Journey in 2020, when for copyright reasons we could not use the original choice in the YouTube video.

We have also said farewell to Bishop Michael as a Patron as he moves to be Bishop of Bath and Wells. As the parent of young children, as well as Bishop of Hertford, he has been an encouraging supporter of the Trust’s work.

Looking ahead, we already know that we will have to find a new building from which to work (St Paul’s has closed and our lease will cease in July 2023), so our ways of working may have to change again. We would also like to recruit two or three new Trustees to continue to guide the work of the Trust in to the future.

Change is inevitable, but the need for our work is ever present, each year a new group of children is waiting to hear about the unending love of God and salvation of his Son.

Once again, on behalf of all of the trustees I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to all of the staff, volunteers and supporters who made 2021-22 a successful and innovative year.

Anthony Taylor Chair of Trustees

Summary of our work

Christmas Journey 2021

3 churches 22 schools 1057 children 407 in person + 650 online

Easter Journey 2022

All online 26 schools 1091 children

Assemblies 2021 - 22

7 Schools 1800 children

Assemblies on Joy (Christmas assembly), Peace, Patience, Kindness, Hope and Easter

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 year 2021-2022 has been bookended by uncertainty, with uncertainty in September 2021 – Would any schools book in-person assemblies? Would The Christmas or Easter Journey happen in-person, and if so how would they work with Covid restrictions? We also wondered if we would manage to appoint someone to work on our new project. While we had answers to all those questions, the uncertainty remained as it became apparent that we would not be able to remain in our current offices past July 2023. We were given one year to find a new space to work in.

Despite all that, I am delighted to say that Bridge Builders has navigated the year extremely well, supported by our donors, and the churches that we work with. In-person assemblies re-started in three or four schools, and that number gradually increased. The Christmas Journey went ahead, with about half the schools booking The Virtual Christmas Journey, and the rest opting to visit local churches. The churches and volunteers coped well with the various Covid restrictions, including face masks/shields, distancing from the children and cleaning everything between sessions. Thank you to them for all their hard work.

The Bridge Builder’s diary tends to work months ahead as we look to the next project, so we were already discussing Easter before we got to Christmas. The Omicron variant was making its presence felt so we made the difficult decision, before Christmas, to only run an online Easter Journey. A few schools had pulled out of the in-person Christmas Journey, and it was impossible to know the impact of Omicron over the early months of 2022. That was a hard decision for us and for the churches.

In March we had the joy of welcoming Cathy Beach to the team! She has been a fabulous addition as she and Natalie work together on the REach project, with Cathy focusing on the writing and Natalie on the video editing. The Harvest Journey, for year 1, has already been filmed and is currently being edited. It should be ready for harvest 2023, and in the meantime do look out for short clips of it on our Facebook page. Many thanks to both the SMB Trust and The Verulam Trust who have given grants for the REach project. It is encouraging to find that we are doing something new and innovative!

Finally, we really appreciate your prayers, and please do pray for us as we start clearing out some of the office, and pray that the Lord will lead us to the right space in Stevenage, which will meet our needs in the coming years.

Steph Knell

Director

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.

In particular, the REach project needs a number of volunteers, including one off roles such as appearing in one of the videos, to regular weekly volunteering preparing craft materials and other resources for the journeys.

Contact our office 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.

Introducing Cathy

I started work at Bridge Builders in March 2022. So far most of my time has been spent planning and writing the Harvest Journey for the REach I have also found time to with some project. help – assemblies and other tasks around the office there is always something to do!

I have a I attend St BD(hons) Theology I am the mother of Ippolyts Church and MA(Applied Theology) and two children Christchurch in PGDip (Information and (age 6 & 12) Hitchin Library Studies) I am the chairperson for the I enjoy reading, North Herts branch of Sands walking and music (of I love archery and (the national Stillbirth and any genre) shoot a recurve bow Neonatal Death Charity)

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Many Thanks
Allchurches Trust, Broadwater Fair Trading, Bunyan Baptist Church, Churches
Together In Stevenage, Hertfordshire County Council, Holy Trinity, Knebworth Golf
Seniors, St. Andrews Church Hertford, St. Hugh & St. John, St Ippolyts, St Martin ’ s
Knebworth, St. Mary ’ s Graveley, St. Mary ’ s Shephall, St. Nicholas, St Paul ’ s Methodist,
St. Peter ’ s, Sirius Digital Solutions, SMB Trust, Stevenage Borough Council, Stevenage
Family History Society, Trinity Church Knebworth, United Reformed Church, Veralum
Trust and individual donors for your generous support, .
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It aims to provide one recorded
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….has started!

It aims to provide one recorded “Journey” for each year of Primary school, introducing children to some of the different beliefs and of a series of video and messages Christianity through clips associated activities. All the journeys are linked to the Hertfordshire R.E. Curriculum. The Christmas and Easter Journey, which have been successful in-person events are now available in virtual form.

We are nearing completion of the Harvest Journey which is aimed at Year One children. In autumn 2023 Primary Schools in Stevenage will be invited to sign up to the Harvest Journey and we hope to reach children from as many diverse backgrounds as possible.

Estimated 44+ hours spent writing and editing the script	Approximately 10 hours sourcing costumes and props	4 hours ironing the green screen	4 hours setting up for recording
13 volunteers helping with recording	10 hours resourcing activities…so far	12 hours preparing accompanying booklets…so far	FILM NOW BEING EDITED

The Harvest Journey

The Harvest Journey is about feast and famine in the Bible, including stories of Joseph, Ruth and Naomi, Elijah and the widow of Zarephath and the feeding of the 5000. The children learn about the significance of harvest and being thankful to God for his provision.

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!

The Christmas Journey in 2021

Following the successful virtual pilot in 2020, in 2021 The Christmas Journey ran as a hybrid project for the first time; in-person in churches and online. Staff have told us how much they appreciate being able to choose which event format to attend.

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3 local churches
407 1057 650
In-person children virtually
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A local special needs school took part virtually, and we ensured that the schools who chose to deliver via the online option had the craft resources necessary. The resources were kindly funded by some of our local councillors from their Locality Budget purses.

Many thanks to all volunteers who helped with this popular and free event for local primary schools.

“I just wanted to wanted to extend our thanks to everyone involved in the Virtual Christmas Journey. We have always enjoyed attending the event as a year group as the children have always got so much from it. We were so pleased that you were so creative and were able to deliver this in a different way this year. The children absolutely loved it! They were engaged with it throughout and the activities were thoroughly enjoyed by all. Thank you for providing all the resources too!“

“Our year 2 teacher has asked me to send you all a massive thank you. The Christmas Journey was brilliant, the children loved it and were very engaged.”

The Easter Journey in 2022

Just as the Omicron variant of Covid was rearing its head at the end of 2021, we made the decision to deliver The Easter Journey 2022 only as an online event, but that didn’t stop schools booking. An amazing 1080 children from Stevenage and the surrounding areas experienced the interactive event.

Once again we worked hard to ensure that the school staff had all the information required to facilitate the Journey online – they each received a Teacher’s Pack featuring links to the video clips, information supporting the questions asked in the clips, templates for the crafts and more.

“Thank you for sending the Easter pack. We thoroughly enjoyed it! We really enjoyed the booklets and loved how interactive they were. I personally, loved that every resource we needed was sent so that we were organised.”

“Online has continued to work well and we are grateful for the effort which went into producing the materials; this has allowed flexibility in how we deliver as well as accommodating anyone who was unwell / needed to access online at home. We like the fact it is delivered before Easter as this fits in with our curriculum offer for RE.”

If you wish to have a peek at our Journeys please visit our Bridge Builders YouTube channel.

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 2022

Income

Expenditure

The Team

Mrs Stephanie Knell—Director

Mrs Janice Hawketts—Finance and IT Manager Miss Natalie James—ExploRE Manager Mrs Cathy Beach – ExploRE Manager (started employment 1 March 2022) Mrs Amanda Bryant—Communications Officer and Administrator

Mr Anthony Taylor (Chair) Mr Peter Gordon Mrs Penny Paton Mrs Helen Gale Mrs Judy Brown (resigned June 2022) Mrs Lynne Lee-Diep (appointed September 2021) Revd. Margaret McCarthy (appointed November 2021)

Bridge Builders Chrlstlan Trust REPORTS & ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2022

Bridge Builders Christian Trust For the Year Ended 31st August 2022 LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Bridge Builders Christian Trust St Paul'5 Methodist Church Turpins Rise Stevenage Herts. SG2 8QR GOVERNING DOCUMENT Declaration of Trust dated l March 2001 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 10888 TRUSTEES Mr Anthony Taylor (Chair} Mrs Helen Gale Mrs Penelope Paton Mrs Judith Brown (Resigned July 20221 Mr Peter Gordon Mrs Hock Lynn Lee-Diep (Appointed 28th Sept 20211 Margaret Maccarthy (Appointed 16 Nov 20211 BANKERS Barclays Bank Unit 3, The Forum Centre Stevenage. SGI IES INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Mr William Anderson INDEX Page I Legal & Administrative Details Page 2-4 Trustees, Report Page 5 Independent Examiner's Report Page 6 Income & Expenditure Account Page 7 Statement of Assets & Liabilities Page 8 Notes to the Accounts l of 8 pages

Bridge Builders Chrlstian Trust Forthe Year Ended 31st August 2022 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year. Objects 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 opportunitie5 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 religious 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 Trustee5 who meet formally six times each year to monitor the activities of the charity, to set policy and overall direction. There are currently six Trustees. New Trustees are appointed by the Trustees who seek committed Christians with broad experience representing a wide range 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 Activltles The year 2021-2022 has been bookended by uncertainty: at the beginning o* year - Would any schools book in-person assemblies? Would The Christmas or Easter Journey happen in- person, and if so how would they work with Covid restrictions? Would we manage to appoint someone to work on our new REach project? and at the end of the year we have the uncertainty of having to find new offices as we are unable to remain where we are past July 2023. Despite all that, Bridge Builders has navigated the year extremely well, supported by our donors, and the churche5 that we work with. In-person assemblies re-started in six schools, once every half term. reaching 1380 children. The topic for the year was the fruit of the Spirit. so we covered Love, Joy, Peace, Patience and Kindne55 and there was also one on Easter. 2 of 8 pages

For the first time The Christmas Journey ran as hybrid project, and 22 schools signed up in total,. 407 children attended the in-person event at a local church and 650 children heard the me55age of Christmas in school having been supplied with all craft and teacher resources required. The churches and volunteers coped well with the various Covid restrictions, including face masks/shields, distancing from the children and cleaning everything between sessions. Thank you to them for all their hard work. Due to the Omicron variant of Covid, the Easter Journey remained online in 2022, with an amazing 1080 children experiencing this interactive event. Feedback from school st3ff showed how much they appreciated the work of BB staff and volunteers in putting together and delivering a complete package '1 personally loved that every resource we needed was sent so that we were organi5ed In March we welcomed Cathy Beach to the team. She is working with another member of staff on the REach project which aims to provide one recorded "Journey" for each year of Primary school, introducing children to some of the different beliefs and messages of Christianity through a series of videos and associated activities. All the journeys are linked to the Hertfordshire R.E. Curriculum. The Harvest Journey for children in Year One (ages 5-6yrsl, has been written and filmed, and is now being edited. The full package of videos, crafts and teacher information will all be ready to celebrate Harvest 2023. Many thanks to both the SMB Trust and The Verulam Trust who have given grants for the REach project. Financial Review In the year to 31st August 2022 the Trust had income of £37,753 and expenditures of £41,245 leaving a deficit in the year of £3,492. The income is derived mainly from personal giving including associated Gift Aid £20,514 & from local partnering churches. £11,056. Two Grants totalling £2500 were awarded for the REach project and local councillors gave grants totalling £650 towards purchasing craft5 for Christmas Journey. Expenditure in the year was mainly for payroll costs, £25,895,. Rent of Resource Centre, E5,327,. Insurance £1,252 and HR consultancy £875. 3 of 8 pages

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 Charity. should that ever become necessary. At the end of the accounting year unrestricted reserves stood at £14,900 and restricted £12,363. Of the restricted reserves £1,220 is committed to the completion of an IT related project part funded by a grant from Allchurches Trust and the remainder £11, 143 is commited to the new REach project. Trustees, 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 asset5 of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities. Peter Gordon Trustee date 4 of 8 pages

Bridge Builders Christian Trust Forthe Year Ended 31st August 2022 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Bridge Builders Christian Trust Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's 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 examinerfs statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in any material respect.. l. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities 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 Anderson Addre5S= 6 The Green Park Lane Old Knebworth Herts. SG3 6QN date £: loll 5 of 8 pages

Bridge Builders Chrlstian Trust For the Year Ended 31st Augvst 2022 INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT Notes Restrlrted Unrestricted Funds General 2022 2021 Income Voluntary income Grants and gifts received Tax refunds under Gift Ald 4.468 225 27,166 2.861 31.634 3,086 32,287 3,079 4,693 30,027 34,720 35.365 Other income Interest received Other 15 I,S13 1,181 1.850 3,031 Total Income SA74 31,879 37,753 36,893 Expenditure Poymenr infurthertsnce of the Trusts objertives Dirett 105t5 30,373 10.872 41,245 38,544 Total Exptnditure 30,373 10,872 41,245 38,544 Net lrttome/lExpendituiel 124,4991 £ 21,? 13,4921 £ 11,6511 Transfers between funds 24,517 E 124,5171 Net Movement In Funds 18 £ 13,5101 13,4921 E 11.6511 Balances brou8ht forward 12,345 £ 18.410 30.755 £ 32,405 alances carried Forward 12,363 E 14,900 27,263 £ 30,755 6 of 8 pages

Bridge Bullders Christian Trust For the Year Ended 31st August 2022 STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES l. Bank & Cash Balances 2022 2021 Held at Bank Cash float 27,019 21 27,040 30,004 13 30,017 2. Other Assets & Liabilltles Assets Debtor5 Other monetary assets 1,531 2.550 2,550 1.531 Liobilities Credstors & Accruals 2,328 2.328 794 794 The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf date Peter Gordon Trustee 7 ot 8 pages

Bridge Buiwers Chrf$tlon Trust Forthe Year Ended 315t AuBu5t 202Z NOTESTOTHE ACCOiINTS l AccountlD8 Polltle$ The accounts have been prepared on an accruals basis with a 5tatemeniof asset5 and liabilities 2. Direct Costs General Fuh(t5 Restri¢ted Furkds Totsi Z022 Total ioii Employment tosts (Note 31 HMRCJRS Grant Rent 25,895 25.895 23,429 5.327 1,252 2,985 875 5,327 1,252 5,251 875 1.902 5,321 1,193 4.155 3.479 797 Olce Expenses 2,267 Materia15 3nd Resources IndepÈndeDt examination Oiher cosis 1.902 432 10.872 309 30,373 742 41.245 1.020 38.544 The 8rants io Institutions amountin8to more ¢han £l,(W in the year were nil. 3. Empknyee5 The chèrity had 4 part tiffle employees up lo 01 March 2022 ènd èt 31 Augvst 2022 ¢here were 5 part time employee5, to whom the employmettt cosis above refer. £164.40 paid to Helen Gale ITru5teel in respect of eKpen5e5 incurred on behalf olthe charity. No amo¥nt5 were pald orare payable to anyother trustee or io any person connected to them. 4. Movement of Fuhds &nCe at 31stAv£ 21 Balan¢eat 31st Au822 lts¢ome Expethdiiure Transfers Rèstri¢ted Fund5 ExploRE 2.111 126,6281 24.517 1,220 11.125 12.345 1.220 11,143 Reath Project Totsl Restrirted 3.763 5.874 30,373 24,517 ilnfestricted Funds fjenEral fte5erves 18.410 31.879 110.8721 124.517) Totsl All Funds 27.263 8of8pa8

Bridge Builders Chrlstlan Trust REPORTS & ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2022