Lovewise (Registered Charity Number 1098210)
LOVEWISE TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
1[st] April 2022 to 31[st] March 2023
Administrative details
Name: Lovewise
Registration Number: 1098210
Office Address: The Stables Dinsdale Place Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 1BD
Trustees: Dr Chris Richards Dr Liz Jones Mr Jim Cockburn
Structure, Governance and Management
Lovewise was founded in September 2002 and received charitable status in February 2003. Its aim is to provide Christian teaching on marriage, relationships and sex to children and young people in schools, youth groups, churches and online. It also offers support to parents through resources, including books, to help them engage with and teach their children about these matters. Lovewise has three trustees: Dr Chris Richards (Hospital Paediatrician), Dr Liz Jones (Retired Community Paediatrician) and Mr James Cockburn (Retired Principal of Longbenton Community College, North Tyneside). This report describes the activity from April 2022 to March 2023, our twenty-first year. Final decisions regarding the structure and running of the charity are taken by the trustees.
Objectives and Activities
Lovewise provides Christian teaching on puberty, marriage, relationships and sex to children and young people in schools, youth groups, churches and online. It also supports parents with resources for teaching their own children. The charity’s office is based in Newcastle upon Tyne where it continues to employ a part-time administrator and a part-time media and research assistant. In January 2023 a part-time Administrative Assistant was appointed. In March 2023 a part-time (paid) Deputy Director was appointed; this was previously an unpaid position. Lovewise programmes of teaching have been prepared and are offered in primary and secondary schools by Lovewise volunteers or by teachers. Lovewise also accepts invitations to give this teaching to youth groups and to speak to groups of parents in churches or at conferences.
Achievements and Performance
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Lovewise (Registered Charity Number 1098210)
During our twenty-first year approximately 32 Lovewise presentations were given by Lovewise presenters nationwide. All Lovewise volunteers have been interviewed and reference and DBS checked. In addition, Lovewise resources have been used by individual teachers and leaders in their own schools and youth groups. We have continued to update and in some cases re-design our existing resources, making an increasing number available in digital format.
We have continued to respond to calls and emails from parents, teachers and ministers, particularly regarding school relationships and sex education.
This year we have continued to update our website designed for young people to access directly. The website includes short articles on relationships, sex and living wisely, written from a Christian perspective.
Our media assistant engages with and promotes our resources via social media.
The charity continues to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation. We have continued to adhere to those policies in our practice throughout the year.
The sale of resources
Lovewise resources were sold to teachers, parents and youth group leaders as requested via our main office. Most of the resources now accessed by teachers are available free and online. A large number of books have been purchased by parents, and some by young people. We have promoted our materials at ten conferences.
Financial Summary (see Receipts and Payments Accounts)
Income £53,195.28 Expenditure £47,524.48
Trustees:
Dr Chris Richards Dr Liz Jones Mr Jim Cockburn
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:
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Lovewise (Registered Charity Number 1098210)
Christopher Graham Morgan Richards Trustee and Director
Date: 16th October 2023
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Lovewise (Registered Charity Number 1098210)
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£
Receipts:
Donations 41,410.33
Tax reclaimed 4,761.25
Sale of materials 6,153.20
Other 870.50
TOTAL 53,195.28
Payments:
Staff costs 21,684.84
Office & building costs 18,632.77
Conferences 2,413.54
Production of materials 3,845.10
Other 948.23
TOTAL 47,524.48
Surplus/(Deficit) 5,670.80
Balance b/f 55,273.63
Balance c/f 60,944.43
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I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity for the year ended 31 March 2023, which are set out on page 1.
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 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
WO 17 May 2023
Mark Nicholson BA Hons (Oxon) CPFA 23 Derwentdale Gardens, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7QN
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