Registered Charity no. 1106417
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021 FOR THE LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL CHARITY
Page 1
LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL CHARITY CONTENTS PAGE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 3 to 7 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 8 |
| Receipts and Payments Account | 9 |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 10 |
| Notes to the Receipts and Payments Accounts | 11 - 13 |
Page 2
LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL CHARITY REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered charity number 1106417
Principal address Brindley House 48-50 Hall Street Dudley West Midlands DY2 7DT
Trustees
Mrs Lois Claire Parkes Mr Daniel Parkes Mr Jeremy Parkes Mr David Cookson Mr Christopher Vincent Welch
Lead Pastor Mrs Lisa Parkes
Independent examiner
Sally-Ann Reeves FCCA Shire Barn Hewell Lane Tardebigge B97 6QH
Page 3
LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL CHARITY TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021
The Trustees present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2021
Organisational structure
Living Hope International Charity is constituted by a Deed of Trust dated 3rd October 2004 and is a registered charity, No. 1106417.
Governance and Management
Appointment of trustees
Trustees are appointed or reappointed annually at the annual general meeting held in October.
Risk policy and review
The trustees have examined the major strategic, business and operational risks that the charity faces and consider that they are adequately mitigated through insurance, strategic planning, policies, systems and procedures.
During this period the most significant risks have been those associated with the COVID-19 pandemic:
-
Inability to meet together regularly in person (and inside an appropriate building) for congregational worship.
-
Excessive workload for the Lead Pastor and small team of volunteers leading and managing ‘online church’ and associated ministries alongside increased community mission (COVIDresponse)
Safeguarding
Trustees are assured of the ongoing implementation (and appropriate adaptation) of our safeguarding processes and procedures during this period Our Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults Policy is reviewed and updated as required. Despite the operational challenges of COVID-19 we continued to engage with our independent safeguarding advisors Thirtyone:eight (formerly CCPAS) in the effective management of safeguarding risk and response to any concerns identified or disclosed.
Networks and Membership Groups
Volunteers from partner churches and organisations were secured for our work in this period (particularly with our REVIVE Project). We are grateful to our partners from local churches including through the DUDLEY CHURCHES TOGETHER and the LOVE DUDLEY network (THE NET). For some years our church leaders have considered, reviewed and evaluated potential membership networks and church denominations. During this period the church leaders took the decision to join the ELIM NETWORK. Elim is a growing movement of Christian congregations in the UK and Ireland committed to making disciples, developing leaders, growing churches and reaching nations.It is envisaged that formally joining the Elim Network will further enable us to benefit from being part of a bigger family of churches while continuing to hold our own church vision and identity. Becoming a member of the Elim Network does not change the legal status of our charity and we retain our own local church leadership team as well as charity trustees.
Page 4
LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL CHARITY REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021
Objectives and Activities
The objects of the charity are:
-
To advance the Christian faith
-
To advance education, in particular but not exclusively by providing training to leaders of activities
-
To relieve poverty, sickness and distress in any part of the world
Achievements and Performance
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted many aspects of how Living Hope Church operated and how activities were undertaken in relation to its charitable objects during this period. Church members were required to demonstrate flexibility and agility in meeting together online through large parts of the period as government restrictions prevented church gatherings from taking place in person as they would typically happen. A number of our mid-week community activities including our coffee afternoon and our stay and play group were paused or ‘re-imagined’ online. Working with Dudley CVS (council voluntary services) we supported vulnerable people in our community (who were no longer able to access our midweek activities). They received phone calls, visits and grocery deliveries throughout this period.
‘LHC Online Church’ (broadcasted via ‘YouTube’ and hosted virtually via ‘Zoom’) became the most prominent expression of collective worship during this period. Church members connected together more readily using social media platforms and we were encouraged by new people engaging with the church through our online content (and despite having no prior association with the church).
Church members also embraced new, creative opportunities to reach the local communities we serve – often outside – and often in connection with the wider community engagement and support work being undertaken to alleviate potential poverty and isolation arising as a result of the pandemic.
Through our online presence we have reached more people than ever before and new people (who have never been to church) have accessed church online. Feedback from new people watching LHC online include:
“ I’ve been watching online, when you next open, let me know, I would like to start coming.”
“I don’t know how I came across Living Hope Church, it just appeared in my newsfeed. The GPS series really spoke to me because I feel a little lost at the moment and trying to find my way.”
The appreciation of our in-person work that continued in the community was also summarised with this feedback from a mother from our LITTLE STARS, stay and play group:
“It was lovely to see everyone tonight. It’s nice to see there are people out there who genuinely care for our lonely and vulnerable community members. I am thinking of starting to come to church once we are back to normal.”
Page 5
LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL CHARITY REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021
During this period our work in relation to our charitable objectives changed significantly and included:
-
45 online services, planned, filmed, edited, watched and discussed online afterwards
-
24 advent devotionals delivered for each day in the run up to Christmas 2020
-
700+ crafts, and activities gift bags delivered to families on our estates (our Little Stars group)
-
25 people in a hybrid meeting (in person and online) studying the Bible Society’s ‘The Bible Course’ together midweek each week.
-
Our new website, designed and launched (livinghopechurch.org.uk)
-
And a new, even bigger REVIVE PROJECT
During this period our REVIVE Project became a critical programme delivering online holiday clubs and food parcel deliveries for families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Local schools identified families who would benefit the most and Dudley Local Authority part-funded food and resources via additional grants. Church leaders, members and volunteers from within our congregation and from a wide range of our partner local churches enabled the project to grow from a small holiday club for children from one school in 2019-2020 to a much bigger operation.
Our REVIVE PROJECT work in this period has grown beyond our initial expectation and planning including:
-
Online Holiday Club Content broadcast LIVE via YouTube (games, puppets, dances etc.)
-
100+ volunteers from 15 different churches
-
700+ packs of food and arts and crafts activities delivered to homes
-
2 distribution centres enabling the sorting, packing and delivery of food to children from 21 different schools
The growth and impact of our work with this project is illustrated clearly with the numbers of disadvantaged and vulnerable children supported:
-
110 children in the summer 2020
-
271 children in the Autumn 2020
-
521 children in February half term 2021
During this period our community youth engagement work (undertaken in partnership with PHASE TRUST) moved initially to online and social media platforms. As government advice was updated we undertook ‘detached youth work’ meeting weekly with teenagers outdoors at local parks.
Page 6
LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL CHARITY INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic is a global pandemic and as such impacted the work of our mission partners in Albania and Lebanon during this period. Planned pastoral and ministry visits overseas were postponed during this period and meetings with our mission partners overseas were conducted via online video calls.
We continued to support the Albanian mission throughout this period and we increased our support to our missionary in Lebanon and her work ‘on the ground’ in response to the Beirut Port Explosion (August 2020) as well as COVID-19.
Future Developments
In 2021/22 we plan to build our in-person congregational gatherings (as COVID-19 restrictions allow). Since 2002 our church has met in various locations but most regularly and consistently at Milking Bank Primary School in Dudley. While we intend to continue to serve our local neighbourhoods of Milking Bank and Russells Hall, at this time we acknowledge COVID-secure measures in place do not enable a return to weekly congregational gatherings in the school building. Furthermore, we plan to develop our engagement with, and support for, additional neighbourhoods in our local community.
We plan to further develop our working relationships and partnership with other local churches including for the use of community church buildings in Dudley for our congregational gatherings. We also plan to engage further in explorative conversations regarding permanent building(s) for the activities of Living Hope Church in the coming period.
Financial review
The net incoming unrestricted resources before transfers for the year amounted to £4,223 and net incoming restricted resources amounted to £24,022. Transfers between funds are shown in note 3.
At 31st March 2021 the unrestricted cash funds after transfers total £19,227, designated cash funds after transfers total £7,205 and restricted funds after transfers total £52,296.
Reserves and reserves policy
Our reserves policy is to maintain a minimum of two months minimum operating costs as a contingency fund.
The amount of 'free' reserves, not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets at 31st March 2021 amounts to £26,432 (2020 £24,316), and equates to approximately 7 months (2020: 4 months) of expenditure.
Approved by the trustees on and signed on their behalf by
Mrs Lois Parkes - Trustee
Page 7
LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL CHARITY INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31st March 2021.
Responsibilities and basis of report.
As the charity trustees of the Trust 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 Trust’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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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 proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
S A Reeves FCCA Shire Barn Hewell Lane Tardebigge Worcs
9th November 2021
Page 8
LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL CHARITY RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021
| Notes RECEIPTS Tithes and offerings 5a Donations 5b Gift Aid tax recovered 5c Grants 5d Receipts from charitable activities 5e Interest and dividends 5f TOTAL RECEIPTS PAYMENTS Direct charitable activity 6a TOTAL PAYMENTS NET OF RECEIPTS/PAYMENTS Transfers between funds CASH FUNDS AS AT 31/03/20 CASH FUNDS AS AT 31/03/21 4 |
Unrestricted Funds 2021 £ 35,753 - 9,672 600 770 10 46,805 42,258 42,258 4,547 1,815 12,865 19,227 |
Designated funds 2021 £ - 460 - - - - 460 784 784 (324) (460) 7,989 7,205 |
Restricted Funds 2021 £ - 2,640 - 56,804 - - 59,444 35,422 35,422 24,022 (1,355) 29,629 52,296 |
Total Funds 2021 £ 35,753 3,100 9,672 57,404 770 10 106,709 78,464 78,464 28,245 - 50,483 78,728 |
Total Funds 2020 £ 49,071 10,359 10,573 - - 38 70,041 73,018 73,018 (2,977) - 53,460 50,483 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Page 9
LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL CHARITY STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31ST MARCH 2021
| Notes Unrestricted Funds 2021 £ Cash funds Current account 19,227 Deposit accounts - 4 19,227 Other monetary assets Gift aid recoverable 664 Assets for charitable use Fixtures & Fittings - Equipment - |
Designated funds 2021 £ 7,205 - 7,205 - 248 1,085 |
Restricted Funds 2021 £ 34,584 17,712 52,296 - - - |
Total Funds 2021 £ 61,016 17,712 78,728 664 248 1,085 |
Total Funds 2020 £ 32,771 17,712 50,483 3,228 330 1,619 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on and were signed on its behalf by:
Mrs Lois Parkes Trustee
Page 10
LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL CHARITY NOTES TO THE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021
1 Trustees' Remuneration and benefits
The charity trustees were neither paid nor received any benefits from employment during the year (2020: J Parkes trustee remuneration £13,000 and expenses £528)
2 Staff Costs
The average monthly number of employees during the year was 2 (2020: 3) No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000
3 Related party transactions
During the year Lisa Parkes, daughter in law of trustee Jeremy Parkes, received remuneration of £14,631 and pension contributions of £515.
4 Movement in funds
The movements in designated and restricted funds during the year were:
| General (unrestricted) Designated Evangelical & Discipleship Lebonon Fund Vision Fund Restricted Albania General Albanian Bequest Fund Allchurches Elona School Holiday Activity Heart of England Baptist Innovation Fund - Little stars Innovation Fund - Revive Lottery - Revive Winter Food Fund Total funds |
Balance b/fwd Receipts Payments Transfers Balance c/fwd 01/04/2020 31/03/2021 £ £ £ £ £ 12,865 46,805 42,258 1,815 19,227 4,500 - 294 - 4,206 - 460 - (460) - 3,489 - 490 - 2,999 7,989 460 784 (460) 7,205 (260) 1,920 1,215 (270) 175 17,712 - - - 17,712 - 5,150 665 - 4,485 442 720 1,336 6 (168) - 21,600 13,233 - 8,367 - 5,000 - - 5,000 4,903 5,097 2,830 (328) 6,842 6,832 8,657 15,262 (227) - - 10,000 117 9,883 - 1,300 764 (536) - 29,629 59,444 35,422 (1,355) 52,296 50,483 106,709 78,464 - 78,728 |
|---|---|
Page 11
LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL CHARITY NOTES TO THE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021
| 5 Further analysis of Receipts Receipts a) Tithes and offerings Tithes & gifts Church offering b) Donations Specific donation - Albania Specific donation - Elona Specific donation - Lebanon c) Gift Aid Gift Aid tax recovered d) Grants Grants from institutions e) Receipts from charitable activities Holiday hunger/Revive Income f) Interest and dividends Bank interest TOTAL RECEIPTS |
Unrestricted Funds 2021 £ 35,052 701 35,753 - - - - 9,672 600 770 10 46,805 |
Designated funds 2021 £ - - - - - 460 460 - - - - 460 |
Restricted Funds 2021 £ - - - 1,920 720 - 2,640 - 56,804 - - 59,444 |
Total 2021 £ 35,052 701 35,753 1,920 720 460 3,100 9,672 57,404 770 10 106,709 |
Total 2020 £ 49,071 0 49,071 0 0 0 0 10,573 10,359 0 38 70,041 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Page 12
LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL CHARITY NOTES TO THE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021
| 6 Further analysis of Payments Payments a) Direct charitable activity Ministry salaries Ministry pension costs Training & CPDL Benevolence Gifts - church family Visiting speakers Travelling & motor expenses Mission - outgoing support Mission - direct gifts Evangelism Hospitality Children & Youth Revive Holiday Club Revive craft & activities Revive professional fees Revive consumables & packaging Revive food & refreshments Revive communications Revive - licenses & subscriptions Little Stars Little Stars craft Rent - Sunday & Lock up Rent - office Rent - other Insurance Equipment Repairs & renewals Books, publications & media Licenses & subscriptions Professional fees Office sundries Telephone, broadband & mobiles Bank charges TOTAL PAYMENTS |
Unrestricted Funds 2021 £ 15,230 698 150 2,030 120 - 10,040 270 - 227 309 - - - - - - - - - 936 5,007 53 454 - 135 115 1,013 4,269 516 534 152 42,258 |
Designated funds 2021 £ - - - - - - - - 11 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 490 - 163 - 120 - - - 784 |
Restricted Funds 2021 £ 6,951 11 - - - - - 2,551 - - - 9,308 6,180 6,098 2,421 79 124 33 1,001 665 - - - - - - - - - - - - 35,422 |
Total Total 2021 2020 £ £ 22,181 39,049 709 - 150 597 2,030 1,811 120 715 - 639 10,040 13,065 2,821 - 11 879 227 2,685 309 642 9,308 - 6,180 - 6,098 - 2,421 - 79 - 124 - 33 - 1,001 - 665 - 936 - 5,007 8,950 53 - 454 - 490 - 135 858 278 - 1,013 1,795 4,389 - 516 889 534 349 152 95 78,464 73,018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Page 13