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2021-09-30-accounts

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 05156475 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1105173

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER 2021

FOR

THE BLESS NETWORK

D E Ball & Co Limited Chartered Accountants 15 Bridge Road Wellington Telford Shropshire TF1 1EB

THE BLESS NETWORK

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the Year Ended 30th September 2021

Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 3
Independent Examiner's Report 4
Statement of Financial Activities 5
Balance Sheet 6 to 7
Notes to the Financial Statements 8 to 13
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 14

THE BLESS NETWORK

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 30th September 2021

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30th September 2021. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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 (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and activities

The objective of The Bless Network ('Bless'), is the advancement of the Christian faith throughout Europe in accordance with the articles of faith set out in the Company's articles of association. Bless uses a range of programmes to mobilise Christian individuals and groups to engage in relevant and missional strategies in contemporary European culture. Recognising the place of the local church at the heart of Christian mission, Bless provides opportunities for individuals and groups to connect with dynamic local churches in strategic locations on mainland Europe.

Charity's Mission Statement

'The Bless Network exists to transform the lives of people in Europe by empowering Christians through prayer, personal creativity and strategic partnerships to live for the service of others.'

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

Charitable activities

The continuing restrictions in 2020/ 21 associated with the Covid pandemic again impacted the activities of the charity, limiting the capacity of participants from the UK, USA and Netherlands to engage in programmes based on mainland Europe. This particularly affects the work of Bethanie, our residential centre in France, which had another quiet year. The lull in residential activities gave the trustees the opportunity to move forward with overdue maintenance activities, particularly the replacement of windows to the main farmhouse. This work was funded by designated donations.

Our local work in France, both the planting of a bilingual / international church in Caen and our regular support of the refugee community in the city, continued strongly despite the restrictions. We were able to supply vital supplies and support to refugees through the winter of 2020/21 at a time when many other organisations were closed to them.

The set-backs of the pandemic also gave us the opportunity to plan for the publishing of our "Seven Stories" course online. Having edited and published the course workbook in 2020, we were able in 2021 to schedule for the training sessions to be filmed. Filming and online publication is scheduled for 2022.

Stichting Bless Holland, the Dutch-based charity supporting the work of Bless, has grown in 2021, with two significant events in the Netherlands and a growing number of Dutch participants.

The trustees have also taken time in 2021 to consider the future of Bethanie, not only in response to the two very (financially) difficult years of the pandemic, but also in the light of the long-term development of the charity. Activities in France outside the running of Bethanie as a residential centre have grown significantly, and have potential to grow further, and it is not the opinion of the trustees that a continued emphasis on residential events should necessarily be at the heart of the charity going forward. The possibility of selling the property was discussed and a valuation obtained, but the decision was taken, in the first instance, to initiate a search for a partner organisation willing to take-on the management of the centre in continuity with the broad parameters of the Bless vision. Significant progress has been made in this endeavour, and a full proposal will be considered by the Trustees in 2022.

Issues around the implementation, in January 2021, of the decision of the UK to leave the European Union have also impacted the charities activities. UK interns and potential team members are now subject to visa restrictions, meaning that they cannot spend more than 90 days in any period of 180 days in the Schengen zone, unless they have been granted a visa. The visa process is restrictive and complex, and does not cover many of our potential interns - young people under 25 who are completing an internship without the specific involvement of an institute of Higher Education in France. This has led to a slowing-down of UK applications for our intern programme, and to difficulties in recruiting long-term volunteers. The trustees are exploring creative ways to overcome these difficulties, and are aware that they will change the relationship of Uk nationals to the charity's work in France.

Page 1

THE BLESS NETWORK

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 30th September 2021

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Reserves policy

The policy on reserves is to maintain funds equivalent to keeping the charity operational for 3 months before additional income is required from grants, donations or contributions from Bless programmes, i.e. approximately £6,000. Action is in hand to improve the reserves position by increasing the level of unrestricted income via donations and fund-raising, and by reducing the net operating costs of the charity.

Financial Review

Core running costs are continually kept under review; it is also acknowledged that the trustees and volunteer team often cover expenses incurred on behalf of Bless. None of the trustees or volunteers receive any remuneration.

The higher-than-normal net assets at the year-end reflect income set aside for Bethanie renovation projects. Around £10,500 was subsequently spent in November 2021 on new windows for Bethanie, leaving a further £6,500 for other maintenance or running costs (at the discretion of the trustees).

Any funds raised from a partner organisation willing to take on the management of Bethanie will be used primarily for the repayment of loans associated with the initial purchase.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

Organisational structure

Bless, established as a charitable company in June 2004, is overseen by a board of trustees, who delegate operational tasks to a core team of volunteers. The core team, living mainly in community in France, include trustees Gerard and Chrissie Kelly, who lead this team and operate as the link between it and the trustees. Additionally there continues to be volunteer 'reps' operating in the UK and the Netherlands, as well as France, assisting in the development, in both working practices and values, of a Europe wide Bless network.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company number

05156475 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

1105173

Registered office

c/o Rising Brook Baptist Church Burton Square Stafford Staffordshire ST17 9LT

Trustees

Mrs M A Eccleshall (resigned 6.11.20) Mrs C E Kelly G J Kelly T D Gwilliam M J Young - Board Chairman Prof J M Saker Mrs C L Gwilliam Mrs S C Harrington

Page 2

THE BLESS NETWORK

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 30th September 2021

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Company Secretary T M Herriott

Independent Examiner

D E Ball & Co Limited Chartered Accountants 15 Bridge Road Wellington Telford Shropshire TF1 1EB

Bankers

The Co-operative Bank Plc PO Box 250 Delf House Southway Skelmersdale WN8 6WT

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 24th June 2022 and signed on its behalf by:

M J Young - Trustee

Page 3

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE BLESS NETWORK

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Bless Network ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 30th September 2021.

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:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or

  4. 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 (FRS 102)).

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.

Russell Ball D E Ball & Co Limited Chartered Accountants 15 Bridge Road Wellington Telford Shropshire TF1 1EB

24th June 2022

Page 4

THE BLESS NETWORK

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for the Year Ended 30th September 2021

Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
37,486
Charitable activities
Go2Bless
960
Year2Bless
814
Bethanie
5,319
Management & administration
8,801
Total
53,380
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds
518
Charitable activities
Go2Bless
368
Year2Bless
48
Bethanie
20,484
Management & administration
10,374
SOS Caen
3,565
Total
35,357
NET INCOME
18,023
Transfers between funds
10
(3,500)
Net movement in funds
14,523
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
77,673
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
92,196		 Restricted
fund
£
895
-
-
-
-
895
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
895
3,500
4,395
172,890
177,285		 30.9.21
30.9.20
Total
Total
funds
funds
£
£
38,381
25,933
960
240
814
897
5,319
6,508
8,801
4,287
54,275
37,865
518
1,860
368
1,264
48
-
20,484
17,507
10,374
11,972
3,565
653
35,357
33,256
18,918
4,609
-
-
18,918
4,609
250,563
245,954
269,481
250,563		 30.9.21
30.9.20
Total
Total
funds
funds
£
£
38,381
25,933
960
240
814
897
5,319
6,508
8,801
4,287
54,275
37,865
518
1,860
368
1,264
48
-
20,484
17,507
10,374
11,972
3,565
653
35,357
33,256
18,918
4,609
-
-
18,918
4,609
250,563
245,954
269,481
250,563
37,865
1,860
1,264
-
17,507
11,972
653
33,256
4,609
-
4,609
245,954
250,563

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 5

THE BLESS NETWORK

BALANCE SHEET

30th September 2021

Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
5
198,677
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
6
22,110
Cash at bank
10,901
33,011
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
7
(6,653)
NET CURRENT ASSETS
26,358
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES
225,035
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due after more than one year
8
(132,839)
NET ASSETS
92,196
FUNDS
10
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS		 Restricted
fund
£
177,285
-
-
-
-
-
177,285
-
177,285		 30.9.21
Total
funds
£
375,962
22,110
10,901
33,011
(6,653)
26,358
402,320
(132,839)
269,481
92,196
177,285
269,481		 30.9.20
Total
funds
£
373,602
5,348
14,705
20,053
(7,753)
12,300
385,902
(135,339)
250,563
77,673
172,890
250,563

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 30th September 2021.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 30th September 2021 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 6

continued...

THE BLESS NETWORK

BALANCE SHEET - continued

30th September 2021

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 24th June 2022 and were signed on its behalf by:

M J Young - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 7

THE BLESS NETWORK

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the Year Ended 30th September 2021

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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 (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Motor vehicles - 25% on reducing balance Computer equipment - 33% on cost

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

2. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

30.9.21 30.9.20
£ £
Depreciation - owned assets 908 937

continued...

Page 8

THE BLESS NETWORK

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the Year Ended 30th September 2021

3. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 30th September 2021 nor for the year ended 30th September 2020.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 30th September 2021 nor for the year ended 30th September 2020.

4.

COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted
fund
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
25,023
Charitable activities
Go2Bless
240
Year2Bless
897
Bethanie
6,508
Management & administration
4,287
Total
36,955
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds
1,860
Charitable activities
Go2Bless
1,264
Bethanie
17,507
Management & administration
11,972
SOS Caen
653
Total
33,256
NET INCOME
3,699
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
73,974
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
77,673		 Restricted
fund
£
910
-
-
-
-
910
-
-
-
-
-
-
910
171,980
172,890		 Total
funds
£
25,933
240
897
6,508
4,287
37,865
1,860
1,264
17,507
11,972
653
33,256
4,609
245,954
250,563

continued...

Page 9

THE BLESS NETWORK

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the Year Ended 30th September 2021

5. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Freehold
property
£
COST
At 1st October 2020
370,792
Additions
-
At 30th September 2021
370,792
DEPRECIATION
At 1st October 2020
-
Charge for year
-
At 30th September 2021
-
NET BOOK VALUE
At 30th September 2021
370,792
At 30th September 2020
370,792
DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Inter-Charity account
Other debtor
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Other loans (see note 9)
Accrued expenses		 Motor
Computer
vehicles
equipment
£
£
5,850
904
3,268
-
9,118
904
3,040
904
908
-
3,948
904
5,170
-
2,810
-
30.9.21
£
21,834
276
22,110
30.9.21
£
5,000
1,653
6,653		 Totals
£
377,546
3,268		 Totals
£
377,546
3,268
380,814
3,944
908
4,852
375,962
373,602
30.9.20
£
3,442
1,906
5,348
30.9.20
£
5,000
2,753
7,753
7,753

6.

7. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

continued...

Page 10

THE BLESS NETWORK

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the Year Ended 30th September 2021

8. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR

Other loans (see note 9)
9.
LOANS
An analysis of the maturity of loans is given below:
Amounts falling due within one year on demand:
Other loans
Amounts falling due between two and five years:
Other loans - 2-5 years
10.
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
At
1.10.20
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
77,673
Restricted funds
Restricted Fund
172,890
TOTAL FUNDS
250,563
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Restricted Fund
TOTAL FUNDS		 Net
movement
in funds
£
18,023
895
18,918
Incoming
resources
£
53,380
895
54,275		 30.9.21
30.9.20
£
£
132,839
135,339
30.9.21
30.9.20
£
£
5,000
5,000
132,839
135,339
Transfers
between
At
funds
30.9.21
£
£
(3,500)
92,196
3,500
177,285
-
269,481
Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(35,357)
18,023
-
895
(35,357)
18,918		 30.9.20
£
135,339		 30.9.20
£
135,339
30.9.20
£
5,000
135,339
At
30.9.21
£
92,196
177,285
269,481
18,918

continued...

Page 11

THE BLESS NETWORK

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the Year Ended 30th September 2021

10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparatives for movement in funds

At
1.10.19
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
73,974
Restricted funds
Restricted Fund
171,980
TOTAL FUNDS
245,954
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming
resources
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
36,955
Restricted funds
Restricted Fund
910
TOTAL FUNDS
37,865
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
Net
At
movement
1.10.19
in funds
£
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
73,974
21,722
Restricted funds
Restricted Fund
171,980
1,805
TOTAL FUNDS
245,954
23,527		 Net
movement
At
in funds
30.9.20
£
£
3,699
77,673
910
172,890
4,609
250,563
Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(33,256)
3,699
-
910
(33,256)
4,609
Transfers
between
At
funds
30.9.21
£
£
(3,500)
92,196
3,500
177,285
-
269,481		 At
30.9.20
£
77,673
172,890
250,563
269,481

continued...

Page 12

THE BLESS NETWORK

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the Year Ended 30th September 2021

10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming Resources Movement
resources expended in funds
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 90,335 (68,613) 21,722
Restricted funds
Restricted Fund 1,805 - 1,805
TOTAL FUNDS 92,140 (68,613) 23,527

Unrestricted funds

These represent funds held to meet the reserves policy. Any surplus funds will be used to fulfil the charitable objectives. Details of both are provided in the Report of the Trustees.

Restricted funds

These relate to the funds donated towards the purchase of the property "Bethanie" at Heurtevent, France.

11. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 30th September 2021.

Page 13

THE BLESS NETWORK

DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for the Year Ended 30th September 2021

30.9.21 30.9.20
£ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Donations and legacies
Donations - general 5,836 17,915
Donations - Bethanie 28,584 6,035
SOS Caen 3,961 1,983
38,381 25,933
Charitable activities
Go2Bless 960 240
Year/Time2Bless 814 897
Bethanie facilities 5,319 6,508
Management fees 8,801 4,287
15,894 11,932
Total incoming resources 54,275 37,865
EXPENDITURE
Raising donations and legacies
Events - 566
Publicity and promotion 292 750
Platform fees 226 544
518 1,860
Charitable activities
Insurance 1,645 1,841
Repairs and maintenance - 31
Motor and travel expenses 4,684 6,639
Mission costs - Bethanie 20,484 17,506
Mission costs - Go2Bless 368 1,265
Mission costs - Year/Time2Bless 48 -
Mission costs - SOS Caen 3,565 653
Sundry expenses 2,344 1,571
Accountancy and legal costs 651 600
Bank charges 142 353
Depreciation of vehicle 908 936
Depreciation of computer - 1
34,839 31,396
Total resources expended 35,357 33,256
Net income 18,918 4,609

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 14