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Annual Report 2021
01/01/2021- 31/12/2021 Charity Number: 1122830
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'So then, just as you received Jesus Christ as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness .' - Colossians 2 : 6-7
Wherever we meet youth and children's ministry, of any size, whether it's brand new or well established, we want to help root it, build it up, strengthen it and give thanks for it. Our hope is that every bit of our own ministry will point towards these aims. We do this by running a variety of events, hosting weekends away, holding support groups and mentoring sessions, providing training, consultancy and more. 2021 still had a whole host of restrictions and challenges in place because of the onoging pandemic. We contintue to explore creative ways to encouarge and resource ministry across our network. We are committed to promoting the well-being of all young people, leaders and children through upholding the Safeguarding Policy.
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Training
Podcasts. Blogs and Vlogs: 2021 continued to be a time of finding new and different stories within the world of youth and children's ministry. We have been encouraged by how many people have engaged with our podcasts and blogs, so we made sure we created some engaging material this year. There were podcasts on dating as well as grief and loss. But the most significant conversation was with Ellie, Lauren and Alex on the topic of 'sexual violence against women'. These three young women who are part of our 267 family were deeply inspiring, refreshingly honest and brought some sharp and challenging insight. I loved sitting with them, hearing stories and learning so much.
' The Conversation: We ran a fascinating online discussion around the topic of mentoring and discipleship. 14 youth leaders joined us as we spent an hour so chatting about the best ways to connect with and support young people on their journey. This wasn't just about their faith journey but also how we , as youth leaders, support them through the trials and joys of life.
Special Delivery: We know everyone loves post and so 267 continued to mail out physical 'encouragement packs' to various people. We delivered to youth leaders, young people, church leaders, kids workers, Uni students and the 267 team. While it was still incredibly difficult to meet face-to-face these little connecting points were hugely fruitful.
St Mellitus: Mike also visited St Mellitus which runs a training course for youth ministry. This year he is visiting twice to share about 'budgets and planning' and also 'creating a 10 year vision for youth ministry'
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Youth Ministry
FUEL: For much of 2021 Fuel was online but we did manage a couple of outdoor events in May and June. Then in September 2021 we were able to start a rhythm again of visiting different churches each month and drawing youth groups together. We continue to want to encourage giftings within the young people we disciple and we have had a whole bunch get involved in the planning, preaching, worship leading and games.
It was interesting to note that those slightly younger teenagers found it much easier to engage with FUEL on Zoom, this was something that we were able to build on in the future.
The Haven : Even though this vital ministry works so much better 'in person' it was important that we still supported young people on their mental health journey. The 'Haven in Schools' Course was happening in so many places and 4 schools ran a full course this year. The Haven also had a shiny new website which made it easier to share and promote the ministry. The Haven also began a new drop-in cafe ministry called Thrive. This took place in a local St Albans cafe and hoped to explore what might want to speak into our mental health. It was a small group that engaged with this event but we definitely learnt loads should we choose to run it again in the future.
YouTube: Alex and Ellie planned, hosted and posted a whole bunch of online support. 'Two-minute Tuesday' and 'Five-Minute Friday' gave young people and leaders an opportunity to share some encouragement, testimony or discovery that they thought would be a support and blessing to someone else. Around 20 of these took place in 2021 and alal of them were amazing and so inspirational.
Residentials: After time away was restricted for so long we managed to take away the years 789 guys in October and we had a great time. It was a smaller group (28) but it was so important to make the most of this time. "Residentials are like a years' worth of youth ministry in a weekend" - these times are precious and life-giving.
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X:site: This is a children's event that was started in partnership with churches across Harpenden, St. Albans and Wheathampstead. It's a chance to gather 7-11's for games, craft, songs, mess, fun and a clear message of how good the good news of Jesus is. In 2021 we were unable to run Xsite. We pray and hope to bring X:site back as soon as we are able. Residentials: After our time away was restricted for so long, we managed to take away the years 345 guys in July and we had a great time. We always follow a kids film and draw out biblical ideas from the film. This year we watched 'Big Hero 6' and spoke about our unique giftings and how God could use them. To have the weekend fully booked was also a massive encouragement. The GodBox: In January of 2021 we launched, with a local church, the GodBox material. Its aim was simple; to engage families in a God conversation through while on Zoom. There were 10 families joining us and each had been delivered a 'GodBox' which had all the materials and games they need for the 12-week journey. It was a lot of fun and so great to see kids, young people and adults playing together and having faith conversations and discoveries. In the time since this resources was launched the group have continued to meet and is now a thrving youth group!
Children's Ministry
6 2021 Fundraising Events
Wine Tasting
Golf Day
'Chef Live'
Night
In November we hosted our annual Wine Tasting evening at The Academy venue in London Colney. As usual we were served by an abundance of wonderful young people and 95 guests enjoyed a stunning evening, which this year included an art display and sale, making profits of c£7,000.
In July Porters Park hosted our Golf Day once again, and even with a few restrictions still in place we had a superb day. A huge number of people joined us again and over c£7,000 profit was raised to continue and grow the ministry of 267.
To combat the restrictions and not being able to gather people we embarked on a new fundraiser for us; a guest chef night, 'Chef Live'. Chef Doug Crampton) guided everyone on the Zoom to cook a Thai masterpiece along with him. We had over100 people logged in for this event and it was such a joy. Even though we were in the depths of a February lockdown I felt like I was having dinner with a bunch of friends. So thankful for this event which raised over £2,000
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KEY EVENTS
Our 10th Houseparty
I will confess New Years Houseparty is probably the thing I enjoy most in my ministry! It was hard to miss it in 2020 so we were really looking forward to our 10th Houseparty in 2021. It did not disappoint, we had such a blast and even the all LFT’s we had to do during the event did not dampen the mood. 8 leaders and 23 young people joined us at our favourite venue of Felden Lodge. This year for the gatherings we paired leaders and young people together to present the talks and sessions, this was such encouragement all round and some stunning gift sings were on show. New Years Eve was spent ice skating, eating pizza, in fancy dress, chatting and dancing; simply, joyful community.
Breakfast begins again!
It wasn't until late in 2021 that we were allowed to gather in groups larger than 6. The 'Tribe' breakfasts were a key part of 267 life and it enabled us to be a blessing to many but also to catch up, encourage, share stories, mentor and check in. To be able to start these monthly gatherings over food again was simply a huge highlight of the year.
BackToLife
-‘BackToLife’ was everything we could have wanted or imagined. God was soooo good. 42 of us gathered and embraced the simple joys of being together. We had wonderful food, we got creative with pottery, we got energetic on inflatables, we got spoilt with ice creams, we threw frisbees and water bombs,we shared stories of faith and challenge, we discussed and debated big issues, we reflected on the year gone by and we laughed a lot! Check out the B2L Highlights Video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=85rfNLUc2m8
8 BackToLife 2021
The reason I want to mention B2L again is because of the continuing effect it had in our ministry. The connections, adventure, relationships and laughter that we experienced in the summer of 2021 have had an incredible ongoing benefit. Many of the young people that attended have come to other events, new gifts have been explored, relationships between groups have strenghtened and individuals mental health and positivity have been boosted. I am so thankful for all those who donated and gave time so that B2L could run and be so fruitful.
Haven on Zoom!
Have is 4 years old in 2021 and continues to be a vital lifeline to those young people suffering with anxiety. Even during lockdown Haven was connecting via Zoom with the young people who needed it. As the world opened up Haven jumped at the chance to head back into school and work face-to-face with young people who needed them more than ever.
Thrive
The thrive cafe was a chance to connect with young people in a relaxed and safe environment and be able to continue support them on their mental health journey.
The Academy
During 2021 the 267 community went on an adventure which we hoped would lead us to have a retreat/event space of our own. 'The Academy', or All Saints Pastoral Centre, was a retreat and residential venue for the church and we had been talking with them about taking over a small part of it called St Annes. This would give us new office space, meeting rooms, a chapel and a training/podcast/vlog recording area. During 2021, we raised funds and were offered donations of time, equipment and labour to be able to refurbish the venue, and we had shared with our supporters about our plans. Sadly though in late November 2021 we would discover the managing company of The Academy would go into liquidation, resulting in likely losses of c5k for 267 (which have been booked in the 2021 accounts) and a setback to our plans. It was a time of challenge for us as a team. The vision for
what we were wanting to do has not changed and we have regrouped and are on the hunt for a new space to build a 267 venue that will be a blessing to the entire youth and kids work community.
2021 Key Highlights
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Income £147.2k Expenditure £138.5k
Other
Gift Aid
Fundraising Costs
£6k
£9.9k
£12.4k
Donations and grants
Activity Fees
(includes churches and Other £14.9K
£15.2k
individuals)
£87.1k Activities &
Events
£24.6k
Team
Fundraising
Staff Costs
£28.9k Equipment,
£73.9k
Resources &
Travel
£12.7k
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2021 Finances
Policy, in case of reduction in donations and fundraising income, is to keep minimum reserves (c£12k) wherever possible, to cover 3 months' employment of minimum staff numbers. Disposal of owned assets would provide further cover. 267 does not hold funds as a Custodian. Full Accounts and Examiners Report to be found in Appendices / on Charity Commission website.
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Mike Palin Director Liz Buckley Project Administrator Ben Fitzsimons Media Wizard
Claire Banham Project Youth Worker and Haven Director Alex Stoney Legendary Intern
The Team
Ellie Catlin Events & Social Media Coordinator
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The Trustees
Jane Munroe
Dec 2007
Alan MacKinnon
June 2020
Nigel Bretton
Aug 2011
Tori Redding
Feb 2019
Hannah Puddefoot Apr 2017
Kate Collis
Sean Ryan July 2012 Dec 2007
Anne Clark
Jan 2017
Claire Oliver
Sept 2021
The 267 Project is a Charitable Trust which has been governed according to its Trust Deed since Dec 2007 and registered with the Charity Commission since Feb 2008. New trustees are elected by existing trustees and team members. Trustees regularly meet with the team for monthly meetings and inspiring Strategy Days.
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A Word From Us
As I have shared with many people, running a youth and kids ministry that thrives on gathering people was incredibly hard during the pandemic. Not only did we simply miss being with people, we felt as though we were unable to do ‘what we were made to do!’
Also, many of the team found energy themselves from being in these gathering spaces where we ‘did life’ with a whole range of people. As the year went on life opened up again and it became clear our calling was more essential than ever but probably got just a little bit harder. Our times of isolation had meant we were out of ‘practice’ in being together but more than that, for many individuals time without face-to-face contact had left its mark. Our time at ‘BackToLife’ reminded us of our calling and of the huge blessing and benefit gathering is. Our challenge for the coming year is to create safe and joyful spaces where people can take baby steps back into community, these lifegiving spaces are what 267 are about so we are excited for seeing God move in them. But as we ‘lick our wounds’ from The Academy let down we are committed more than ever to find a place we can call home where we can build a residential and retreat space for youth and children’s ministry, and all those who serve it. Getting to this ‘home’ feels a mountain to climb but one that we believe God has prepared us for, so we are able to get to somewhere He is preparing for us!
But this year we are also celebrating the wonderful growth of The Haven which is more important than ever at this time. Claire longs to grow her team so that Haven can grow and more young people can get support for their anxiety and build resilience as they move forward.
Sean Ryan Chair of Trustees
Mike Palin Director
The pain of lockdown and what that has mean to young people, their youth workers and Mike and the project team was tangible. Personally, I found it all quite conflicting: Mike is the267project’s Director who is accountable to the trustees but he is also a much loved and respected friend and it was hard to see him challenged in a way that I had not see before. However, in time he rose to the challenges and was able to steer the project through pandemic life as well as any other organisation. Mike’s pain was, of course, rooted in the needs of the young people God has placed on his heart to serve. Lockdowns meant disrupted learning, disengagement, social media pressures and a growing mountain of mental health issues that they faced and that we were compelled to respond to. the267project has needed to respond and completely re-think, to create and apply new strategies and ways of working; regressing in order to move forward once again. We find ourselves in new and challenging 'small steps' territory, with a backdrop of fewer and fewer paid and volunteer youthworkers and increasing pressures in funding - yet how we look after and develop our young people has never been more critical. the267project is still more than committed to resourcing and encouraging ministry of all shapes and sizes, whether new or established, struggling or thriving - and as a body of trustees we will continue to support Mike as Director and all of his amazing team.
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Looking Ahead...
Our hope is for The Haven to grow in schools more and more. The mental health support that Claire and the team bring via this initiative is so essential, needed more than ever after the struggles of 2020/21 lockdown and home-schooling. To support The Haven' ability to connect we are going to be investing time and energy into The Haven's online presence; Alex, Ellie and Claire will be recording content so that young people can be supported through their phone or computer, and also The Haven resources will be available to more people across a wider area.
As we have mentioned we still feel hugely called to building a space where we can grow various 267 ministries such as our residentials, Fuel and The Haven. This space will also provide a venue where we can gather leaders and pour into them through community, training, resources and encouragement. As the ministry grows we are always asking God where we should be investing in new team. It is highly likely that as The Haven grows Claire will need additional support so a new Haven team member is definitely something we will pursue in the coming months. We would also love another intern as they not only serve our events they provide essential insight into ‘life as a young person’ that all of us need to be able to ensure 267 is bringing what is needed.
We want to build upon the work that Ellie has done in producing the ‘Welcome Packs’ and follow up with churches that received them. 267 continues to seek ways in which we can communicate what we do and get the resources to those that need them. Churches often have volunteers that faithfully serve kids and young people all the time, it is these individuals that over the coming year we want to find and support.
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"I will forever be grateful for 267; without them I believe I wouldn't be as confident and happy as I am today. The work they do helped me develop my relationship with God and that is a gift I will never be able to reply." - Lauren, 19 "267 has consistently been a positive influence in my faith journey; they have become my best - friends and a family." Alex, 18
"From a mum's point of view, 267 provides amazing activities and outreach in a safe and fun setting for youngsters. It's so important for our kids to know other Christians and to be able to strengthen their faith through exploring and challenging it. From a trustee point of view: I'm incredibly proud to be part of a team who are striving to provide Christian activity and support for young people that is so needed in our modern world". - Claire, Mum and Trustee
"267 is an absolutely fantastic organisation that excels at running cafes, training and weekends away. The Fuel Weekend Away was a clear demonstration of the Project's ability to mould and shape young people into the future leaders of tomorrow." - Chris, STEP Director.
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267life
The 267 Project
the267project
07789 815516
director@the267project.com
www.the267project.com
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c/o St Albans
Diocese
Holywell Lodge
41 Holywell Hill
St Albans
AL1 1HE
Charity Number: 1122830
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267life
The 267 Project
the267project
07789 815516
director@the267project.com
www.the267project.com
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c/o St Albans
Diocese
Holywell Lodge
41 Holywell Hill
St Albans
AL1 1HE
Charity Number: 1122830
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THE 2:67 PROJECT 1122830
Receipts and payments accounts CC16a
For the period 01/01/2021 31/12/2021
To
from
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total funds Last year
funds funds funds
to the nearest
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
£
A1 Receipts
Donations and grants 87,129 - - 87,129 65,825
Gift aid tax reclaim 9,913 - - 9,913 8,712
Fundraising events 28,900 - - 28,900 30,281
Fees for activities 15,243 - - 15,243 2,624
Other 6,044 - - 6,044 2,934
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total (Gross income for
147,229 - - 147,229 110,376
AR)
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
- - - -
- - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total receipts 147,229 - - 147,229 110,376
A3 Payments
Salaries and NI 73,912 - - 73,912 64,618
Office rent 4,526 - - 4,526 933
Insurance 2,363 - - 2,363 580
Van, equipment and office supplies 6,551 - - 6,551 8,133
Travel 3,188 - - 3,188 1,988
Books and resources 2,946 - - 2,946 1,765
Telephone 758 - - 758 287
Fuel Team costs 117 - - 117 1,187
Youth event costs 23,342 - - 23,342 4,076
Fundraising costs 12,375 - - 12,375 11,344
Other costs 8,395 - - 8,395 7,193
Sub total [ 138,473 ] - - 138,473 102,104
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total [ - ] - - - -
Total payments 138,473 - - 138,473 102,104
Net of receipts/(payments) 8,756 - - 8,756 8,272
A5 Transfers between funds - - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 16,676 - - 16,676 -
Cash funds this year end 25,432 - - 25,432 8,272
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CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
26/10/2022
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Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B1 Cash funds |
Details Details Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details Details Signature |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 25,432 - - - - - 25,432 - OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - - - - - Print Name NIGEL BRETTON |
Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | |||
| OK | |||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - - - - - When due (optional) Date of approval |
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
26/10/2022
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