Registered number 05595112
Friends of Sabeel UK (FOSUK)
Report and Financial Statements
31 December 2022
(A company limited by guarantee) Charity number 1116817
Friends of Sabeel UK (FOSUK) Company Information
Directors
Kate Aspinwall Lesley Dawson Karen Fairfax-Cholmeley Garth Hewitt (resigned on 12 September 2022) John Howard Lynn McAllister Miranda Pinch Jenny Richardson Stephen Sizer (resigned on 3 February 2023) Peter Woodall
Secretary
Peter Woodall
Key management personnel
Charlotte Marshall and Phoebe Rison, the Sabeel-Kairos advocacy workers
Independent examiner
N Westbury BSc(Hons) FCCA The Old Engine Shed Whettons Yard Chapel Street Bloxham Banbury Oxon OX15 4NB
Bankers
National Westminster Bank PLC & The Co-Operative Bank PLC
Address
PO Box 18336 Birmingham B31 9FY
Registered number
05595112
Charity number 1116817
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Friends of Sabeel UK (FOSUK) Registered number: 05595112 Trustees' Report
The trustees are pleased to present their annual directors' report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ending 31 December 2022 which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a directors' report and accounts for Companies Act purposes.
The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and 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 2015).
Achievements and performance
During 2022 the organisation has:
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Established a group working within the Church of Scotland and Baptist Churches as part of our Investing for Peace campaign
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Delivered a successful 5-part online Lent course on Cry for Hope
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Continued to lobby the Methodist Church on their investment policy and regarding the World Council of Church Assembly in 2023
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We have pushed to hold the United Reformed Church to account for its 2021 resolutions which amongst others urged screening their investments more closely to exclude companies profiting from the occupation
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Promoted the resolution at the Carlisle Diocesan Synod meeting in Oct 2021 concerning the plight of Palestinian Christians which will now proceed to the Church of England’s General Synod in the next 4 years.
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Successfully held a fundraising appeals at Christmas, raising more funds for our work here in the UK and the work of our partners in Jerusalem and the West Bank.
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Launched several public statements in coalition with other organisations in the UK challenging UK policy on Israel/Palestine and calling for accountability and international law to be upheld.
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Continued to develop our Young Advocates Forum, helping to establish our work with young Christians and raise up a new generation of campaigners in the UK Churches.
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Raised the profile of our Palestinian partners and brought their voice into the UK Churches through a number of online events, including our national conference and AGM, seminars on Cry for Hope, promoting the weekly Kumi Now series, an Advent series looking at apartheid and linked themes - Promoted documents and reports written by our partners including Easter and Advent Alerts by Kairos Palestine, and the Cornerstone magazine f rom Sabeel Jerusalem.
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Worked in partnership with the Unreached Network to put on an advent series (online videos) about Bethlehem and the plight of Palestinian Christians, reaching over 2,000 new people unconnected to Sabeel-Kairos.
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Successfully raised awareness of the culture, heritage and history of Palestine through several Palestinian cookalongs in partnership with local Sabeel-Kairos groups across the UK
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Friends of Sabeel UK (FOSUK) Registered number: 05595112 Trustees' Report
Structure, Governance and Management
Friends of Sabeel UK (FOSUK) is governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association, constituted as a company limited by guarantee. The Trustees are duly elected at the Annual General Meeting, on a rolling basis, as agreed by the Board at its meeting on 8 March 2006 and approved at the AGM of 8 April 2006. The Advocacy Workers are ex officio members of the Board, and responsible to it for the day-to-day management of the charity, assisted by a part-time Administrator. The Advocacy Workers receive a consultancy fee plus expenses.
The Treasurer is also ex officio.
In May 2017 Friends of Sabeel UK and Kairos Britain merged. The working name for the new organisation has become Sabeel-Kairos and works to support both the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Centre in Jerusalem and Kairos Palestine.
Friends of Sabeel UK (FOSUK) has active regional groups in the North West and Yorkshire and many other active members around the UK.
Objectives and Activities
The objectives are:
1) to support the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Centre in Jerusalem in its work for the promotion of religion for the benefit of the community;
2) to support and encourage the Christian community in the Holy Land (Israel and the Palestinian areas of Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem) in their life and witness;
3) to raise awareness in the United Kingdom concerning Christians in the Holy Land and to promote links with them.
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Friends of Sabeel UK (FOSUK) Registered number: 05595112 Trustees' Report
In pursuit of these objectives we have:
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Continued to promote Palestinian-led initiatives and campaigns focussed on ending the occupation through non-violent means.
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Continued to organise, promote and run our Investing for Peace campaign in the UK, working with members f rom the UK Church denominations and other organisations that partner with us in the campaign.
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Continued to raise awareness in the UK Churches about the situation in Israel and Palestine, promoting justice, peace, equality and dignity for all who live there through online events, producing promotional materials and information, answering queries and sharing a platform with other organisations working on the same issues.
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Continued to promote and support the work of our partner organisations in Israel/Palestine, Sabeel Jerusalem and Kairos Palestine through regular e newsletters, website, social media and postal mailings (including the quarterly Cornerstone magazine f rom Sabeel Jerusalem).
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Continued to organise a number of online events to raise the profile of our Palestinian partners in the UK, including organising a successful conference and AGM (online) for our members with international speakers, workshops and resources.
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Continued to work in coalition with other like-minded organisations, attending joint meetings and taking part in joint advocacy activities such as letters to parliamentarians, briefings, events and conferences.
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Continued to communicate and support our regional Sabeel-Kairos community groups, providing help with events, resources and assistance when needed.
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Continued to promote our key messages and campaigns through our website, email newsletters, postal mailings and social media platforms including facebook, twitter and instagram.
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Continued to promote the weekly Sabeel prayer initiative ‘the Wave of Prayer’ and the campaigning initiative ‘Kumi Now’.
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Continued to focus more time on reaching a younger audience, particularly the under 35s in UK Churches.
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Friends of Sabeel UK (FOSUK) Registered number: 05595112 Trustees' Report
Financial Review
The main income during 2022 came from subscriptions and donations amounting to £44,220, (2021: £39,343). Total income from all sources for 2022 was £44,270 (2021: £39,343).
Total expenditure for the year was £31,994 (2021: £33,591). The majority of expenditure focuses on supporting the objectives and aims of Friends of Sabeel UK (FOSUK) in the UK. This includes the provision of the magazine Cornerstone, other publications and books, activities of the UK Advocacy workers in support of the objects of Friends of Sabeel UK (FOSUK) around the country, administration and support, rent and office costs. Administrative staff costs were £11,691 (2021: £Nil).
Net Assets at the end of the year are £61,459 (2021: £49,183).
The Trustees have been notified that the Friends of Sabeel is a residuary beneficiary named in the will of one of our long-standing supporters. The amount is still uncertain and so this has not been included in the 2022 accounts. The Trustees are very grateful to supporters and f riends who remember the work of the charity in this way.
The trustees continue to work to ensure a solid financial foundation to support the objectives and aims of the organisation by encouraging new members and to ensure that the generous stream of regular donations is maintained. We are grateful to all those who donate to the work of Friends of Sabeel UK(FOSUK) and are particularly grateful to all those who make donations above the minimum rate of membership, and to those who make one-off donations to support special activities. Gift Aid remains an important source of income and we are grateful to all those who have signed Gift Aid declarations. It is always our intention to use wisely the resources given to us and expenditure will continue to be monitored to make sure that money is used in the most effective ways to further the objectives of Friends of Sabeel UK (FOSUK).
Plans for the future
The trustees will continue to promote the objectives and activities and adapt them to deal with future events.
Public Benefit
The trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission in exercising their powers and duties.
This report was approved by the Board of trustees on 18 September 2023
K Fairfax-Cholmeley Trustee
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Friends of Sabeel UK (FOSUK) Independent Examiner's report to the trustees of Friends of Sabeel UK (FOSUK)
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2022, which are set out on the attached pages.
This report is made solely to the Trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 and regulations made under section 154 of that Act. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent Examiner's Report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) This has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.
Respective responsibilities of trustee and examiner
The charity's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this period under Section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of the independent examiner's statement
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 comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent Examiner's Statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: > to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 and 131 of the 2011 Act; and
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to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records, Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and in other respects comply with the accounting requirements of the Act have not been met; or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
N Westbury BSc(Hons) FCCA 18 September 2023
The Old Engine Shed Whettons Yard Chapel Street Bloxham Banbury Oxon OX15 4NB
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Friends of Sabeel UK (FOSUK) Statement of Financial Activities or Income Statement (Profit and loss account) for the year ended 31 December 2022
| Notes Income Donations, subscriptions and appeals Conference 2 Expenditure Expenditure on charitable activities 3 Net expenditure Transfers between funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted Restricted Total funds 2022 2022 2022 £ £ £ 40,387 3,833 44,220 50 - 50 40,437 3,833 44,270 31,994 - 31,994 31,994 - 31,994 8,443 3,833 12,276 2,000 (2,000) - 45,560 3,623 49,183 56,003 5,456 61,459 |
2021 £ 39,343 - 39,343 33,591 33,591 5,752 - 43,431 49,183 |
|---|---|---|
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses in the year. All incoming resources and resources expended derived from continuing activities.
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Friends of Sabeel UK (FOSUK) Statement of Financial Position as at 31 December 2022
| Notes Current assets Debtors 4 Cash at bank and in hand Liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 5 Net current assets Net assets The funds of the charity Restricted funds 6 Other unrestricted funds 6 Total charity funds |
2022 £ 12,776 49,933 62,709 (1,250) 61,459 61,459 5,456 56,003 61,459 |
2021 £ 8,775 41,688 50,463 (1,280) 49,183 49,183 3,623 45,560 49,183 |
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The directors are satisfied that the company is entitled to exemption from the requirement to obtain an audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Act.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
The accounts have been prepared and delivered in accordance with the special provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
K Fairfax-Cholmeley Trustee on behalf of the trustees Approved by the board of trustees on 18 September 2023
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Friends of Sabeel UK (FOSUK) Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022
1 Summary of significant accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Friends of Sabeel UK (FOSUK) meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).
In preparing the accounts, the trustees have considered whether in applying the accounting policies required by FRS 102 and the Charities SORP FRS 102 the restatement of comparative items was required. No such restatement was considered necessary.
Income
Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Income from government and other grants, whether 'capital' grants or 'revenue' grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of charity.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity's work.
Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs of activities undertaken to further the purposes of the charity.
Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a part of the expenditure concerned.
Debtors
Short term debtors are measured at transaction price (which is usually the invoice price), less any impairment losses for bad and doubtful debts. Loans and other financial assets are initially recognised at transaction price including any transaction costs and subsequently measured at amortised cost determined using the effective interest method, less any impairment losses for bad and doubtful debts.
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Friends of Sabeel UK (FOSUK) Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022
Creditors
Short term creditors are measured at transaction price (which is usually the invoice price). Loans and other financial liabilities are initially recognised at transaction price net of any transaction costs and subsequently measured at amortised cost determined using the effective interest method.
| 2 Analysis of income Donations, Subscriptions & Appeal Conference By geographical market: UK 3 Analysis of expenditure Donations - Sabeel Jerusalem Donations - Kairos Palestine Cornerstone magazine, newsletter, etc. Advocacy expenses Advocacy consultancy Staffing Premises Other costs |
2022 £ 44,220 50 44,270 44,270 2022 £ - - 756 1,807 11,881 11,691 4,570 1,289 31,994 |
2021 £ 39,343 - 39,343 39,343 2021 £ 5,485 1,365 1,488 287 18,658 - 5,411 897 33,591 |
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The average number of employees during the year, calculated on the basis of full time equivalents was 0.4 (2021: Nil). The charity does not operate any pension scheme. Staff and the charity make contributions to the NEST scheme.
No members of the Board received any remuneration during the year (2021: £Nil).
No director or person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity during the year.
| 4 Debtors Debtors and prepayments 5 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Accruals |
2022 £ 12,776 2022 £ 1,250 |
2021 £ 8,775 2021 £ 1,280 |
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Friends of Sabeel UK (FOSUK) Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022
| 6 Analysis of Net Assets Current assets Current liabilities At 31 December |
Unrestricted 2022 £ 57,253 (1,250) 56,003 |
Restricted 2022 £ 5,456 - 5,456 |
Total funds 2022 £ 62,709 (1,250) 61,459 |
2021 £ 50,463 (1,280) 49,183 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Restricted Funds
Sabeel Jerusalem and Kairos Palestine. One of Sabeel-Kairos UK's principle activities is to support the work of the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center in Jerusalem and the Kairos Palestine. Donations are, from time to time, made by individual members with the specific request that they be passed directly to these organisations. In 2022 a Christmas appeal was made for funds to support their work.
Income – Donations by members £nil (2021: £675) and Fundraising £3,833 (2021: £3,635)
Expenditure – Nil (2021 £6,850)
Conservative Conference. This is a donation from a member with the purpose of funding a stall at a future Conservative Conference. As noted in the 2021 accounts, the donor advised SabeelKairos that these funds could be used for general purposes and the directors have determined to move the funds to general funds.
Investment for Peace campaign fund. Investment for Peace is a major part of the organisations UK advocacy work. These funds were donated specifically for this work.
Regional Groups . Sabeel-Kairos UK supports a number of active groups around the country who advocate for Palestinian rights. Funds raised locally to support the work of these groups are held by the central group if they are not immediately needed.
| Movements on restricted funds At 1 January Income Expenditure Movement between funds At 31 December |
£ 1,039 1,916 - - 2,955 Sabeel Jerusalem |
£ - 1,917 - - 1,917 Karios Palestine |
£ 2,000 - - (2,000) - Conservative Conference |
£ 31 - - - 31 Investment for Peace |
£ 553 - - - 553 Regional Groups |
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7 Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.
8 Presentation currency
The financial statements are presented in Sterling.
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Friends of Sabeel UK (FOSUK) Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022
9 Legal form of entity and country of incorporation
Friends of Sabeel UK (FOSUK) is a private company limited by guarantee and incorporated in England.
10 Principal place of business
The address of the company's registered office is:
152 Church Road Northfield Birmingham B31 2LU
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