SATIPANYA BUDDHIST TRUST TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 December 2025
The trustees, who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act, present their annual report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. The Trustees confirm that the annual report and financial statements of the Charity comply with current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charity's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) 2015 “Accounting and Reporting by Charities”.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Trustees
James Edward Tibby (Chair) Richard Benjamin (Treasurer) Noirin Sheahan (Secretary), Michael Thomas Vincent Regan Gwen Sanderson
Trust Secretary
Noirin Sheahan
Company Registered Number: 05924965
Charity Registered Number: 1116668
Registered Office
Satipanya, White Gritt, Minsterley, Shropshire, SY5 0JN
Solicitors
Wace Morgan , 2 Belmont , Shrewsbury , SY1 1TD
Bankers
HSBC
42 Courtenay Street , Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 2EB
Co-Operative Bank
Delf House, Skelmersdale, MN8 6WT
Unity Trust Bank
4 Brindley Pl, Birmingham , B1 2JB
SATIPANYA BUDDHIST TRUST Trustees Report (Continued)
STRUCTURE AND GOVERNANCE
Constitution and Governing Document
The charity is a charitable company limited by guarantee and was established on 5 September 2006, as a successor to an unincorporated trust of the same name. It is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. These have not been amended since incorporation. Legal responsibility for the management and stewardship of the Charity is vested in the board of trustees.
Organisational structure and decision making
As set out in the Articles of Association, one-third of the directors/trustees are subject to retirement by rotation on an annual basis. The maximum number of trustees is 5 (of whom up to 2 may be co-opted) at any one point in time. There are currently 5 trustees.
The board of trustees, which meets at least once a year and also holds meetings by electronic communication , administers the charity. Regular administrative and compliance matters are carried out by the Trust Secretary in consultation with the trustees.
Method of appointment or election of trustees
Trustees are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Induction and training of new trustees
As part of their induction programme, all new trustees are required to read and be familiar with a number of key documents, including: the company's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the financial statements for prior years, the minutes of board meetings and Annual General Meetings. They are also provided with information relating to their duties as trustees and encouraged to make full use of the relevant publications on the Charity Commission website.
Relationship with other organisations
The charity is not closely associated with any other organisations. Occasionally it may liaise with similar organisations, for example in arranging venues for meditation classes.
Risk management
The Trustees have established procedures to minimise risks in the areas including Fire Safety, Food Hygiene Safety, Water Safety, Electrical Safety, Financial Safety (including the establishment of a reserve fund) & Psychological Safety (including a policy on Safeguarding). As a small enterprise with no staff we are not legally obliged to have a written Health and Safety policy. However, in view of the Charites Commission recommendation that such a policy be written and formally adopted, we have developed a Health and Safety Policy statement along with detailed risk assessments, adopted at the 2023 AGM.
Related Party Transactions
The Trust does not make any payments to Managers and thus has no related party transactions.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives of the Charity as set out in its Governing Document
The principal objectives of the Charity are to advance Buddhism by:
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Teaching the practice of Insight Meditation (Vipassana Bhavana) as taught by the Mahasi Tradition of Burma and the Buddhadhamma (the teachings of Buddha);
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Providing teacher training in Insight Meditation within the Mahasi Tradition; and
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Furthering the Buddhadhamma and Insight Meditation.
Review of activities
Residential Courses:
Summer and autumn retreats (April – December) were all offered as residential courses, and also the wintertime course in January.
On-Line Teachings and Support:
In parallel with the residential courses, Noirin’s Daily Life Study-Practice courses were offered in Spring and Autumn while the On-line Meditation Hall, the Satipanya Spiritual Companions and the London and South-East Satipanya Sangha all continued, thereby offering meditation and teaching / Sangha support for people in their ordinary daily lives. All programs continued to be well supported.
Bhante Bodhidhamma continued to offer the Wintertime “Practice in Ordinary Daily Life” (PODL) course which runs during January, February and March. Each month starts with a Day Retreat which includes a discussion in the late afternoon on how to take the practice into ordinary daily life. Retreatants then email Bhante with their commitments. The following Sunday there is a meeting for meditation practice which follows with an opportunity to share experiences.
Gwen Sanderson continued facilitating monthly on-line Zoom meetings “Satipanya Climate and Crisis Conversations” to provide meditative discussion on climate-change and how this is impacting on people’s lives.
Nóirín continued supporting the on-line forum based around the ‘Six Maxims’ – practices that have been suggested as ethical training to prepare for the challenges that will be presented if and when social structures collapse under pressure from climate change.
Nóirín continued with her twice yearly teaching programme, where participants study Dhamma notes and follow the suggested practices for meditation and daily life before reporting their reflections and observations to a Forum on the Satipanya website.
Following from the above, Nóirín had collected the notes and exercises from courses over the past several years, and these have been collated for publication online and in paperback as a new Satipanya Publication. The book, published in March 2025, is titled: “Sharing the Path” and addresses the first three sections of the Satipatthana Sutta which explore mindfulness of body, feelings, and mind. As well as Nóirín’s notes, the book includes reflections from students who participated in the courses and posted comments on the Forum. The notes and reflections pertaining to the final section of the Satipatthana Sutta, Mindfulness of Dhamma, are now being prepared for publication as Part 2 of this series.
The Trust has a website, www.satipanya.org, which sets out full details of the Trust's work. The website also provides the public with access to Buddhist teachings, including essays, recommended further reading and audio files that can be downloaded free of charge.
A monthly newsletter is also published. This is sent to the Trust's supporters and is also available on the website.
Public Benefit
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.
The spiritual and psychological benefits of meditation are well-established. Regular meditation is recommended to help manage conditions such as depression, bereavement and relationship difficulties as well as illnesses such as chronic pain. Meditation adds joy to life and helps prevent burn-out and other psychological problems. All our retreats (both residential and on-line) are open to all adult members of the public. Thus Satipanya provides much benefit to the public.
For residential retreats, a small deposit of £20 a day to cover daily running costs is taken, and participants are given the opportunity to offer donations ( dana ) at the end of the retreat. Online courses are given entirely on a donation basis.
The Trust's website includes video and audio files, which are available for free downloading, and printed essays on a range of Buddhist related subjects.
Volunteers
The charity is very grateful for the contribution made by its volunteers, who assist in a wide variety of areas including office and administrative work, maintaining and updating the Satipanya website, together with maintenance work, gardening, and cooking at Satipanya Buddhist Retreat.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Review of Performance against Objectives
In last year’s Trustee Report the Trustees identified the main objectives for 2025
Objective: Progress to date: • To look for a property in Shrewsbury to allow Bhante to retire 31 Tilbrook Drive was from his very active leadership of Satipanya, and to act as a p urchased on Full Moon Day Vihara for a local group. Legal and other costs borne by Bhante. Thurs 10 July 2025. Subsequent plumbing, electrical and building works undertaken. • To continue furnishing / preparation of 44 Corporation St, so Shower, water heater installed. as to make it available as for personal retreats . Personal retreat bookings opened in June 2025. House named “Sativasa”. Application for non-domestic rate valuation made to Council. • To continue to explore the appointment of managers to ensure Tomas Remiarz acted as Satipanya will continue to function as Noirin plans to follow Property Manager, and Bhante into retirement in 2028 . job description developed for a Household Manager. • To complete the upgrade of the Internet. Carl installed a state of the art Network system, including wiring upgrade from to 10mps. • To expand our ‘Visiting Teacher’ program as we move Hui Hui Ng taught for closer towards Bhante Bodhidhamma’s and Noirin’s 8 weeks, Ven Vajiranani, , retirements. Ven Obhassa and Pierre Gallaz taught for a fortnight each, while Mark Arthur taught his first week-long course. • To approach potential new teachers regarding future teaching Bhante secured commitments at Satipanya. to teach from Hannes Huber and Tisara, while Guus agreed to teach a second fortnight. • To add a week to the 24-week spring / summer course and Courses commenced continue the 8-week autumn program as well as the weekend end March and ran till course. early December. • To continue the fortnight course in winter to facilitate The course was offered gardeners etc who have little work at this time of year. by Bhante Bodhidhamma in January. • To publish Noirin’s book: “Sharing the Path, Part 1”. Book published in March 2025.
• To continue to develop the grounds and garden for beauty The pond hosted n ewts, frogs, and biodiversity. moorhen s & reed warblers, while meadow hosted 100s of red tail bees including autumn queen.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Review of financial position
The Trust is well supported in its tasks by the generosity of its many friends and supporters, with total income from donations (together with Gift Aid claimed) deposits and grants for the year ended 31 December 2025 of £122,579
The generosity of friends and supporters has enabled the Trust’s provision, enhancement and maintenance of the facilities at Satipanya Buddhist Retreat. There has a been a growing number of people making regular donations mainly on PayPal.
Reserves Policy
As stated in previous years, a formal reserves policy has been established by the trustees. This is reviewed annually (and more often should significant changes in circumstances arise). In accordance with the reserves policy, contingency funds not committed to tangible fixed assets should be sufficient to cover ongoing expenditure for a period of six months together with an estimate of the legal and professional fees that would be incurred should the need to sell the Trust's property ever arise. At the 2021 AGM our accountant advised that this be increased from £15,000 to to £30,000, which was agreed by all Trustees. As at 31 December 2024, contingency reserves (i.e. excluding those funds designated or committed to fixed assets) stood at £30,000. Full details of the charity's reserves are provided in note 5 to the financial statements.
Investment policy
Under the Memorandum and Articles of Association the charity has the power to make any investments which the trustees see fit. In 2024, the trustees considered the most appropriate use of our savings was to purchase a house in Bishop’s Castle as accommodation for a manager when Noirin retires and to facilitate local group meetings. In the interim the house is being used for personal retreats. In 2025 a small bungalow was purchased in Shrewsbury, to facilitate Bhante Bodhidhamma’s retirement as well as provide a vihara for local group meditation meetings. Remaining savings are presently invested in short term cash deposits.
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
The trustees have identified the following objective for the year to come:
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To appoint, house and start training a Manager to replace Noirin.
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To sell Sativasa (44 Corporation St, Bishops Castle) in order to finance the purchase of Poplar Cottage adjacent to Satipanya, where the new Manager will take up residence.
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To continue to develop 31 Tilbrook Drive to facilitate Bhante Bodhidhamma’s retirement as well as provide a meeting place for a local group.
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To continue to expand our ‘Visiting Teacher’ program as we move closer towards Bhante Bodhidhamma’s and Noirin’s retirements.
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To continue with the residential retreat program: 25-week spring / summer, 8-week +weekend autumn. These provide participants with the opportunity to deepen their meditation practice, to develop calmness and to improve their well-being in a peaceful rural setting.
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To continue the on-line support for practice: Wintertime PODL course, bi-annual Daily Life courses, Climate Conversation Meetings, Six Maxim Forum, On-line Meditation Hall, Monthly Spiritual Companions meetings, Online Study Program and Full Moon Celebrations.
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To commence work towards publishing “Sharing the Path Part 2” the collection of notes and exercises from for final section of Noirin’s online courses on the Satipatthana Sutta.
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES
Company and Charity law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial period which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of its financial activities for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts; and
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Prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis, unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees have overall responsibility for ensuring that the company has appropriate systems of control - financial or otherwise. They are also responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose, with reasonable accuracy at any time, the financial position of the Charity and which enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Companies Act 1985. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud or other irregularities.
Audit Exemption The company qu8Jifies as a small company as defined in S477 Companies Act 2006. The directors have taken advantage of the total exemption from an audit provisions in S477 (1) of the Act (as it applies to registered charities). Approval and Signature This report was approved by the Satipanya Buddhist Tnt Board of Directors and Trustees and signed on their behalf by James Edward Tibby (Chair) Signed: James Edward Thbby Chair of the Satipanya Buddhist Trust Date". J*o3-2026
SATIPANYA BUDDHIST TRUST
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Satipanya Buddhist Trust
The Satipanya Buddhist Trust Satipanya, White Grit Minsterley Shrewsbury Shropshire SY5 0JN
Company No. 05924965 Charity 1116668
Accounts for the year ended 31st December 2025
The Satlpanrd auddhtst Tn DIRECTORS REPORT Y••r Ended 31st Detember2025 UL NWnSh•4h•n IS•crmi. 221312
S*lpanya Buddhlst Tnist at 3tst Dttember 2025 3$721 4177 150279 5gU4 1551% IX7799 I794 122B799 Tot•llw 1315255 1251795
The Satipanya Buddhist Trust
Notes to the accounts Year Ended 31st December 2025
1 Accounting Policies
Basis of the preparation of the accounts
These financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities, Statement of Rceommended Practice(SORP revised 2005), and applicable accounting standards.
Incoming resources
All incoming resources are recognised when the charity is legally entiltled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.
Income is deferred only when the charity has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it or where the donor has specified that income is to be expended in a future period.
Resources expended
These have been analysed using both activity and natural classifications.
Depreciation
Depreciation is calculated to write down the cost or valuation, less estimated residual value of all tangible fixed assets over their expected useful lives on a straight line basis.
The rates applicable are:
Land and buildings 1% Fixtures, Fittings & Equipment 20% Bishop's Castle House 0%
2 Tangible Fixed Assets
| Cost At 1st January 2025 Additions/disposals At 31st December 2025 Depreciation At 1st January 2025 Charge for the year At 31st December 2025 Net Book Value At 1st January 2025 At 31st December 2025 |
Total 861142 290000 220000 80172 1451314 Land & Buildings Bishop's Castle House Shrewsbury House Fixtures, Fittings & Equipment |
|---|---|
| 861142 290000 220000 80172 1451314 117420 80172 197592 8611 8611 |
|
| 126031 80172 206203 743722 290000 1033722 |
|
| 735111 290000 220000 1245111 |
3 Net incoming/outgoing resources for the year This is stated after charging: Depreciation
2025 2024 Total Total 8611 5606
The Satipanya Buddhist Trust
Notes to the accounts Year Ended 31st December 2025
4 Taxation
The Charity is exempt from Corporation Tax on its charitable activities.
5 Movements in funds
| Unrestricted Funds General Fund Reserve Fund Restricted Funds |
Balance Transfers Balance 01.01.2025 Incoming Outgoing 31.12.2025 1228799 121246 (56373) (8416) 1285255 30000 30000 Movements in year |
|---|---|
| 1258799 121246 (56373) (8416) 1315255 0 1333 (9749) 8416 0 |
|
| 1258799 121246 (46624) 1315255 |
The Satipanya Buddhist Trust Statement of Financial Activities(incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account) Natural Classification Year Ended 31st December 2025
| Receipts Deposits for courses Donations - Gift Aid Donations Non Gift Aid Gift Aid Income from HMRC Grants Interest Earned Other Income and RHI Total Receipts Expenditure Accountancy Bank Charges Electricity Expenses Food Food delivery cost Garden Maintenance Improvements Insurance Maintenance - building Maintenance - interior Maintenance - interior:Furniture Office costs Paypal Fees Professional Fees Visiting Teacher Donations/Expenses Rates Sewage Subscriptions Sundry Telephone and internet Travel and fuel Vehicle Depreciation Total Expenditure Net Income Transfers to/from Brought Forward Carried Forward |
Unrestricted | Town Viharas | Town Viharas | Total Funds | Total Funds 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sativasa | Shrewsbury | ||||
| £ 35720 31890 43470 3430 2500 2548 1688 |
£ | £ | £ 35720 31890 43470 3430 2500 2548 3021 |
£ 32430 31094 54781 9324 8035 906 |
|
| 1333 | |||||
| 121246 216 12626 871 9444 96 2407 2475 1034 1983 471 1603 1601 1396 5998 1471 312 125 578 931 275 1849 8611 |
442 171 2492 4 3889 |
1333 335 1422 182 812 |
122579 216 13069 871 9444 96 2407 171 2810 3526 3406 471 1603 1601 1582 5998 6172 312 125 578 931 275 1849 8611 |
136571 1080 241 12265 452 7476 96 2125 159 1921 2568 1858 4117 62 2034 4499 2252 823 230 125 1532 841 235 1342 5606 |
|
| 56373 64873 (8416) 1258799 |
6998 (6998) 3921 |
2751 (1418) 4495 0 |
66122 56457 1258799 |
53941 82631 1176168 |
|
| 1315257 | 3077 | 1315255 | 1258799 |
Independent examinerfs report to the tntstees of Satlpanya Buddhist Trust Charity Number 1116668 I report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 December 2025 Respertlve responsibifrties of trtee5 aThl examlner The trustees (who are also the dirertors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accwnts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section Charities Act 2011 and that an independent examination is needed. Having satisfied melf that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination. it is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act; to follow the prOdureS laid down in the general Directi$ given by the Charity CIKnmission under section 145{51{bl of the 2011 Act: and to state whether particular matters have come to my attentlon. Basis of independent examlnerfs report My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a compari50n of the accounts presented with those records. It also indudes consideration of any unusual items or disdosures in the accounts. and seeking explanations from you as trustees concernin8 any suth matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the eviden that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair Vie and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examlnerfs statement In connettion with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: (11 which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: to keep accounting record5 in accordan with section 386 of the Companies Act 21x16: and to prepare accounts whith accord with the accounting reCd$, comply with the accountin8 requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 21x16 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities have not been met: or {2) to whid), in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understsnding of the accounts to be reached. John Higson BSC Oak Ridge. Edgton Craven Arms Shropshire SY7 8HW Date: