**Registered Charity no. 1106417**
**REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 FOR THE LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL CHARITY**
Page 1
**LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL CHARITY CONTENTS PAGE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023**
||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|
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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).
- **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).
- **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.
- **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.
- **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.
Page 4
## **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:
- 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**
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.
Page 5
## **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
Page 7
## **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
Page 8
## **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**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Page 9
## **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|
|---|---|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 30th January 2024 were signed on its behalf by:
Mr Daniel Parkes Trustee
Page 10
**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|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Page 12
**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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