Registered Charity no. 1106417
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 FOR THE LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL CHARITY
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LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL CHARITY CONTENTS PAGE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
| Page | |
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| 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 |
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LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL CHARITY TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
The Trustees present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2023.
Reference and Administrative Details
Trustees
Mrs Lois Claire Parkes Mr Daniel Parkes Mr David Cookson
*Mrs Lois Claire Parkes and Mr Daniel Parkes are unrelated – not connected by birth or family.
The trustee board completed a skills audit and a strategic review of the board’s roles and responsibilities during this year as part of trustee recruitment and succession planning activities in this reporting period. Subsequent trustee appointments were made outside of this accounting period in the Charity’s AGM in October 2023.
Mr Peter Hopper Mrs Nicola Low
Charity Name and Registration Number
Living Hope International 1106417
Operating Name and Registered Office Address
Living Hope Church Former Church of St Barnabas Middlepark Road Dudley West Midlands DY1 2LD
Lead Pastor
Mrs Lisa Parkes
Charity Finance Manager
Mrs Tracey Tromans FCCA
Organisational structure
The charity was created by Trust Deed on 3[rd] October 2004.
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LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL CHARITY TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
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 (1) the return to ‘normal operations’ post-COVID-19 and the increased requirement for sustainable commitment from volunteers and (2) the management of operations in the church’s new ‘home’; a permanent building (the former Church of St Barnabas, Middlepark Road, Russells Hall).
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Building refurbishment and readiness: The church ‘moved into its new home’ on the Russells Hall estate throughout the summer and autumn 2022 under a license to occupy, with a full lease agreement with the Church of England (Diocese of Worcester) in place from January 2023. A summer programme of works to refurbish the building were completed, funded through the strategic investment of reserves. Professional refurbishment works were further enhanced by the support of volunteers with light duties including painting (for which we are most grateful).
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Financial Risks associated with building running costs: The church took full responsibility for the operating costs of the building during this period – at a time where global energy prices were escalating, and subsequent operating costs were significantly higher than originally forecast.
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Post pandemic return to in-person routines: Multiple challenges (including workload) associated with a return to in-person gatherings (and a transition away from online models) including new and sustained volunteering from church members.
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New relationships and partnerships: Work to build relationships with local businesses and community groups including building users and partner organisations serving the Russells hall estate and central Dudley.
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. 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 during this reporting period.
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LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL CHARITY REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
Networks and Membership Groups
Living Hope Church is a member of 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.
Volunteers from partner churches and organisations supported our work in this period (particularly with the refurbishment and grounds maintenance of our new building). We value our partners from local churches including through the DUDLEY CHURCHES TOGETHER and the LOVE DUDLEY network (THE BLACK COUNTRY NET) where our Lead Pastor, Lisa Parkes, now serves on the leadership core team.
Objectives and Activities
The objects of the charity are:
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To advance the Christian faith
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To advance education, in particular but not exclusively by providing training to leaders of activities
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To relieve poverty, sickness and distress in any part of the world
Achievements and Performance
This period (April 2022 to March 2023) was the first full year free from COVID restrictions. We have rebuilt the pre-pandemic routines of regular in-person gatherings, both for Sunday congregational worship and several community events and activities midweek and at weekends throughout the year.
This has been a strong financial year for the charity with a 62% increase in income compared to last financial year. Development of new revenue sources (grant funding) provides effective supplementary income for developments of our building and community work. Significant increases in tithes and offerings from the church congregation (+48% compared to the previous year) provided comfort and assurance to trustees that the strategic investment of reserves made in this period is appropriate and does not negatively impact the financial stability and sustainability of the charity. Beyond the strategic investment of reserves for the refurbishment of the former St Barnabas Church building, the outgoings in this period included the transfer of the Albania bequest fund which was made with assurances that all appropriate statutory and non-statutory guidance was being followed. This is listed in the accompanying financial statements of direct charitable activity and is included in the listing of Benevolence Gifts in note 6a.
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LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL CHARITY REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
Achievements and Performance cont.
In-person Easter events and activities were a highlight for us at the start of the period with services hosted in our temporary home at Park Congregational Church across the Easter weekend. We celebrated with church members getting baptised in our first post-pandemic baptisms in May 2022. We led our local communities in celebrations and reflections of national significance including The Platinum Jubilee celebrations hosted at Park Congregational Church and providing a book of remembrance following The Queen’s death in September 2022. Our Pastor, Lisa Parkes, led a service of reflection and remembrance at ‘Top Church, Dudley’ alongside the Bishop of Dudley, Rt Revd Martin Gorick, for all those in the local community who had lost family, friends, and colleagues in the pandemic.
Our work with children and young people was re-established in this period. We provided memorable experiences for our young people including camping at the national ELIM Limitless Youth festival in the summer and for our children with an ‘Light Party’ (alternative to Halloween) in the October half term school holiday.
It was in this period that we moved into our permanent ‘new home’ on the Russells Hall estate (the former Church of St Barnabas building in Middlepark road). Refurbishment work undertaken by building contractors throughout the summer, alongside notable contributions from church volunteers and other from the local community, ensured the building was refurbished and redecorated in time for our 20th Anniversary celebrations and community fun day to celebrate the official opening of our new home. We hosted more than 300 people in our new building across this celebration weekend 10th and 11th September 2022) which provided opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the last 20 years and set out exciting opportunities for future years.
Our Christmas programme 2022 was the first in our new location and included outdoor Christmas carol singing as well as Christmas services and an extension of our REVIVE project with school holiday food and children’s theatre for local primary school aged children. Each year we support another local charity at Christmas, this year we supported the Black Country Santa Toy appeal with the donation of toys for children from disadvantaged and vulnerable families in the area.
In January 2023 we launched our first evening Alpha course in our new building as well as opening up the church hall for a range of church-led and community-led activities and groups. We also piloted an afternoon drop-in group as part of the national ‘Warm Space’ initiative through the winter months.
In this period, we re-connected with our partners working to further our charitable objectives overseas both via video-calls into our Church services and through welcoming visits to our building to receive mission update reports. Our affiliation as an ELIM network church was also strengthened with visits from Stuart Blount, National Director of Ministry, as well as support for our Lead Pastor and wider leadership team from regional leaders and pastoral groups.
Our Little Stars stay and play joint venture with Silverbells pre-school ran throughout this period. Although the pre-school itself announced their decision to close in April 2023 shortly after this accounting period our Little Stars ‘stay and play’ has continued into the next reporting period.
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LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL CHARITY REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
Future Developments
2023/24 will be a year of consolidation in our new building and continued growth in numbers and partnerships. We plan for 2023/24 to be a year where new community partnerships and relationships are established and sustained. We expect to secure the capital funding required for the next phase of building repair and refurbishment and we expect to increase the number of community activities and events throughout the year.
We plan to increase the number of church-led midweek activities and to build on the successful relaunch of our Sunday gatherings with our first Baptism service to mark the first-year anniversary in the new building.
Financial Review
The net outgoing unrestricted resources including designated funds before transfers for the year amounted to (£13,150) (2022 outgoing unrestricted and designated resources £3,473). The net outgoing restricted resources before transfers for the year amounted to (£16,443) (2022 incoming restricted resources totalled £15,880). Transfers between funds are detailed in note 4 of the accounts. At 31st March 2023 unrestricted funds amounted to £14,261 (2022 £16,110) designated funds amounted to £3,758 (2022 £6,849) and restricted funds amounted to £11,763 (2022 £36,416)
Reserves and reserves policy
Our reserves policy is to maintain a minimum of two months minimum operating costs as a contingency fund.
Approved by the trustees on 30th January 2024 and signed on their behalf by
Mr Daniel Parkes
Trustee
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LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL CHARITY INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31st March 2023.
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
S A Reeves FCCA S A R Accountants Broadway Worcs
30th January 2024
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LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL CHARITY RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
| 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 31/03/22 CASH FUNDS AS AT 31/03/23 4 |
Unrestricted Funds 2023 £ 45,374 - 9,784 - 3,823 - 58,981 - 69,478 69,478 - (10,497) 8,648 16,110 14,261 |
Designated funds 2023 £ 10,386 - 651 - - - 11,037 13,690 13,690 (2,653) (438) 6,849 3,758 |
Restricted Funds 2023 £ - 2,600 - 10,000 - - 12,600 29,043 29,043 (16,443) (8,210) 36,416 11,763 |
Total Funds 2023 £ 55,760 2,600 10,435 10,000 3,823 - 82,618 112,211 112,211 (29,593) - 59,375 29,782 |
Total Funds 2022 £ 37,813 2,930 8,234 2,097 - 35 51,109 70,462 70,462 (19,353) - 78,728 59,375 |
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LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL CHARITY STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31ST MARCH 2023
| Notes Unrestricted Funds 2023 £ Cash funds Current account 14,261 Deposit accounts - 4 14,261 Other monetary assets Gift aid recoverable 1,003 Assets for charitable use Fixtures & Fittings - Equipment - |
Designated funds 2023 £ 3,758 - 3,758 - 139 487 |
Restricted Funds 2023 £ 11,763 - 11,763 - - - |
Total Funds 2023 £ 29,782 - 29,782 1,003 139 487 |
Total Funds 2022 £ 41,628 17,747 59,375 773 185 727 |
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The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 30th January 2024 were signed on its behalf by:
Mr Daniel Parkes Trustee
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LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL CHARITY NOTES TO THE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
1 Trustees' Remuneration and benefits
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31st March 2023 nor for the year ended 31st March 2022.
2 Staff Costs
The average monthly number of employees during the year was 1 (2022: 1) No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000
3 Related party transactions
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31st March 2023.
4 Movement in funds
The movements in designated and restricted funds during the year were:
| General (unrestricted) Designated Evangelical & Discipleship Vision Fund Little Stars Restricted Albania General Albanian Bequest Fund Allchurches Awards 4 All Elona School Holiday Activity Innovation Fund - Little stars Innovation Fund - Revive Lottery - Revive Total funds |
Balance b/fwd Receipts Payments Transfers Balance c/fwd 01/04/2022 31/03/2023 £ £ £ £ £ 16,110 58,981 69,478 8,648 14,261 3,750 582 1,473 - 2,859 2,999 9,648 12,217 (430) - 100 807 - (8) 899 6,849 11,037 13,690 (438) 3,758 405 1,880 2,160 - 125 17,747 - 13,661 - 4,086 46 - - (46) - - 10,000 2,580 - 7,420 542 720 1,130 - 132 429 - 613 184 - 10,729 - 4,138 (6,591) - 2,517 - 4,195 1,678 - 4,001 - 566 (3,435) - 36,416 12,600 29,043 (8,210) 11,763 59,375 82,618 112,211 - 29,782 |
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LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL CHARITY NOTES TO THE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
5 Further analysis of Receipts
| Receipts a) Tithes and offerings Tithes & gifts Church offering b) Donations Specific donation - Albania Specific donation - Elona c) Gift Aid Gift Aid tax recovered d) Grants Grants from institutions e) Receipts from charitable activities Room hire and rent f) Interest and dividends Bank interest TOTAL RECEIPTS |
Unrestricted Funds 2023 £ 35,601 9,773 45,374 - - - 9,784 - 3,823 58,981 |
Designated funds 2023 £ 10,386 - 10,386 - - - 651 - - - 11,037 |
Restricted Funds 2023 £ - - - 1,880 720 2,600 - 10,000 - - 12,600 |
Total 2023 £ 45,987 9,773 55,760 1,880 720 2,600 10,435 10,000 3,823 - 82,618 |
Total 2022 £ 31,675 6,138 37,813 2,220 710 2,930 8,234 2,097 - 35 51,109 |
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LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL CHARITY NOTES TO THE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
6 Further analysis of Payments
| Payments a) Direct charitable activity Ministry salaries Ministry pension costs Training & CPDL Benevolence Gifts Visiting speakers Travelling & motor expenses Mission - outgoing support Mission - direct gifts Evangelism and Alpha Hospitality Children & Youth Revive Holiday Club Revive craft & activities Revive professional fees Revive consumables & packaging Revive food & refreshments Revive communications Revive - licenses & subscriptions Outreach - Hospitality Outreach - Resources Little Stars Little Stars craft Rent - Sunday & Lock up Rent - office Insurance Equipment Repairs & renewals Books, publications & media Licenses & subscriptions Professional fees Office sundries St Barnabas Renovation Costs St Barnabas Utilities St Barnabas Repair & Maintenance St Barnabas Cleaning & Hygiene St Barnabas Toiletries & Consumables Telephone, broadband & mobiles Bank charges TOTAL PAYMENTS |
Unrestricted Funds 2023 £ 15,437 543 418 2,007 217 91 9,540 - 207 1,712 444 15 - - - - 14 - 937 947 - - 1,611 4,883 1,100 2,706 287 - 2,578 6,359 989 13,286 842 303 1,429 142 370 64 69,478 |
Designated funds 2023 £ - - 236 - - - - 100 122 1,101 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 10 - - 32 12,089 - - - - - - 13,690 |
Restricted Funds 2023 £ 2,675 - - 12,900 - - 3,969 - - - 2,145 781 - 23 993 68 15 325 288 2,068 32 - - - 100 - - - - - 2,580 - - - - - 81 29,043 |
Total Total 2023 2022 £ £ 18,112 17,508 543 525 654 306 14,907 2,561 217 220 91 25 9,540 9,540 3,969 2,840 307 226 1,834 1,346 1,545 467 2,160 722 781 4,908 - 5,614 23 142 993 438 82 452 15 120 1,262 - 1,235 - 2,068 1,240 32 802 1,611 1,108 4,883 6,254 1,100 686 2,806 4,736 287 8 10 117 2,578 1,704 6,359 4,697 1,021 630 27,955 - 842 - 303 - 1,429 - 142 - 370 421 145 99 112,211 70,462 |
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