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2021-08-31-accounts

BRISTOL NOISE

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021

Charity Number 1134099

BRISTOL NOISE

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021

CONTENTS Pages
Trustees’ report 1 – 6
Receipts and Payments Account 7
Statement of Assets and Liabilities 8

BRISTOL NOISE

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021

The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 August 2021.

Objectives and activities

The purpose of the Charity is:

To provide or assist in the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances or for the public at large with the object of improving their conditions of life, motivated by Christian compassion.

The challenges of Covid-19 pandemic caused the cancellation of The Noise 2020 event, as mentioned in the previous annual report, and forced the core team and trustees to examine what our vision and strategy going forward would look like. Learning from the early lockdowns and some of the opportunities we saw for churches to connect with communities, this year we have spent time developing a new project, Noise 365, alongside our annual ‘The Noise’ event.

Noise 365

Over the last year, we have developed the project, ‘Noise 365’, which focuses on resourcing and equipping individual Christians and the local church with ways they can ‘show God’s love in practical ways’ throughout the year. It channels the stories, ideas and learning we find across our city and further afield. Each month, we have been sharing:

● Volunteer opportunities from around the city where Christians can make a positive contribution and support the work of other organisations

This year, we showcased seven stories, plus seven resources and ideas. These were disseminated through our mailing list, via our website and social media. In addition, we hosted a pilot training workshop for churches to learn about engaging in practical social action projects in their neighbourhood.

The Covid-19 pandemic threw the digital divide into stark relief with many vulnerable families and young people excluded from education, and social support due to a lack of suitable equipment at home. We partnered with a local project, who provide reconditioned laptops for vulnerable families, by establishing donation drop-off points in nine church buildings at different locations around the city.

We continued to work closely with Christian Action Bristol to coordinate the Bristol Churches Coronavirus Reponse, including hosting regular Zoom conference calls for church leaders to engage with the latest requests for support from the city. We presented several opportunities for churches to

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BRISTOL NOISE

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021

receive support from national initiatives that seek to support vulnerable young people and their families, specifically with mental health and wellbeing.

The Noise 2021

Our annual event was held on the weekend of 1st - 3rd May, with over 420 volunteers participating, from 34 churches and groups across Bristol. Over 25% volunteers were aged under 18 years, and over 25% volunteers over 50 years old.

Across the weekend, churches hosted free community events and tackled practical projects across 10 neighbourhoods in the north, east, centre and south of the city. Due to Covid-19 restrictions at the time, we had to operate in very different ways. This meant that we held no large gatherings for volunteers or large community events. Instead, our volunteer gatherings were held virtually and churches took the opportunity to host small events that focused on reconnecting individuals. In addition, we implemented the ‘rule of 6’ across our project teams and held all face-to-face activities outdoors.

We partnered with churches based in each neighbourhood, who took the lead on deciding what events to host, using knowledge of their own local community. Centrally, we produced a handbook of ideas to inspire and equip their planning.

The Noise 2021 included:

Volunteers also tackled around 50 different practical community projects within homes, in public spaces and at community centres or schools. The projects for individuals and families had been referred to us by professionals working in each community, e.g. support workers, police, etc.. Each neighbourhood hosted a volunteer project coordinator, from a local church, who took responsibility for responding to project referrals and assessing the suitability of the project. This enabled relationships between the local church and referral partners to grow.

We received feedback from people who were supported in different ways over The Noise weekend. One couple who received a cream tea pack delivered to their doorstep, contacted us to say - “Just a short note to thank you for your kind thoughts in bringing my husband and I a beautiful cream tea and nasturtium seeds - such lovely colours they will be for us to enjoy.”

We also received the following feedback from a volunteer leading a practical project - “Today I have witnessed what still seems to be an unfolding miracle. Your work on that garden today has been truly "gob-smacking"... By lunchtime we had already got further than I thought we could possibly achieve in a whole day. By the end of the day you had all transformed the garden. I spoke to the owner several times during the day. Her eyes were full of tears every time and she could not thank you all enough. We can engage in all sorts of clever conversations with folk, but that garden tells a story all of its own.”

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BRISTOL NOISE

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021

Behind the scenes, it was a huge challenge to navigate the changing landscape of Covid-19 restrictions throughout the preparations for The Noise 2021. As well as limiting the size of volunteer teams and holding activities outdoors, we carefully reviewed our risk assessments for all activities and implemented strict health and safety measures to limit the spread of the virus, including providing volunteers with additional cleaning materials. We are grateful for the ongoing relationships with Bristol Waste and other local community organisations that have helped with providing services to enable the smooth running of practical projects during The Noise 2021.

The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Charity’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities.

Achievements and performance

The initiatives that were run under ‘The Noise’ weekend and as part of Noise 365, aimed to benefit many different sectors of the community, particularly across urban estate areas of North, East and South Bristol. This year, a large proportion of our work continued to support individuals and families facing financial difficulties, as well as those affected by social and practical isolation during the lockdown seasons, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the preparation time for ‘The Noise’ event, we continued to encourage and equip churches in how they connect with statutory and voluntary organisations who work in the local community. This work varied between communities depending on the relationships already held locally and support required.

Our community activities work towards community cohesion and social inclusion and have helped with crime reduction in the communities we work in on The Noise weekend. We continue to look for other ways to partner with the local council, police and other influential institutions.

The Noise event achieved our objectives of encouraging volunteers from local churches to start to reconnect and find Covid-19 safe ways for those living neighbourhoods to reconnect with others in the midst of an unsettling season.

Bristol Noise charity continued to be the lead charity in the ‘Building Bristol as a City of Hope’ project and encouraging churches to work together on a common vision. This continues to be a developing vision and sees us partnering with other citywide organisations and churches.

Financial review

The charity's income for the year ended 31[st] August 2021 was £25,409 (2020: £23,622) and consisted principally of grants and donations from charitable trusts and supporting churches.

Expenditure was £24,925 for the year (2020: £18,188).

As in the previous year, the COVID-19 pandemic continued to factor into the finances of Bristol Noise, with significantly less volunteers and charitable activities taking place at the Noise event weekend, compared to events in the pre-Covid world.

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BRISTOL NOISE

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021

Basis of Accounts

For the year ended 31[st] August 2021, we have prepared accounts on a cash basis rather than on an accruals basis, available to any entity in the UK with turnover/income under a £150,000 limit. We have therefore included prior year comparatives on a cash basis to facilitate the readers understanding of this annual report.

Reserves

The Trustees’ long-term policy on free reserves is to maintain sufficient funds to meet the day-to-day costs of developing the long-term vision and strategy of the charity’s work and to seek to meet the costs of the annual Bristol Noise weekend from grants and donations raised in that financial year rather than from free reserves. The charity’s policy is to hold free reserves of approximately one year’s payments (around £25,000). At the year end, the charity had free reserves of £44,891, which is in excess of this reserves target. The charity considers this appropriate at present whilst the charity repositions itself for achieving its objectives in a COVID-19 impacted world, and with the term end of the grant received in previous years from the Sir Halley Stewart Trust. Further consideration of the staffing model and financial reserves needed to operate future activities is being discussed by the Trustees as we head into 2022.

Plans for future periods

The medium to long term aims of the charity, as we continue to develop the Noise project in Bristol region, include:

● Continue to look at ways to build a larger core team (paid and voluntary) to take on roles within the preparation and planning of the weekend and to work together closely as a team.

● Continue to develop resources to equip churches to host a wider range of projects/events that benefit different sectors of local communities (e.g. family film afternoons, youth events, family photo events, other smaller indoor projects, etc)

● Continued networking with statutory and voluntary organisations across Bristol, as well increased involvement with Bristol City Council and Avon and Somerset Police.

● Continued involvement of more young people aged between 14-18 years old and connecting with citywide youth events to inspire them.

● Inspiring and facilitating Noise projects throughout the year by providing tools and health and safety advice to churches that want to run projects during other times in the year.

● Being the lead charity for ‘Building Bristol as a city of hope’ project and helping develop that vision in the city.

Reference and administrative details

Charity number: 1134099 Registered office: 286 Filton Avenue, Horfield, Bristol, BS7 0BA Website address: www.thenoise.org.uk

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BRISTOL NOISE

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021

Bankers: Bank of Scotland, 2[nd] Floor, Pentland House, 8 Lochside Avenue, South Gyle, Edinburgh, EH12 9DJ

Directors and Trustees:

The Trustees serving during the year and since the year end were as follows:

S D North (Chairman) T J Dobson E J Marsh (resigned 12[th] December 2021) G M Sims M O A Deniran (appointed 7[th] October 2021) R Brown (appointed 7[th] October 2021)

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing Document

On 5 November 2018, the Charity converted to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation having previously been incorporated as a company limited by guarantee on 7 November 2009 and registered as a charity with the Charity Commission on 4 February 2010. The Charity is now governed by its Foundation Constitution dated 5 November 2018.

Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees

New Trustees are recruited on the basis of the knowledge of the existing Trustees of suitable candidates. In selecting persons to be appointed, the Trustees shall take into account the benefits of appointing a person who is able by virtue of his or her professional qualifications or experience to make a contribution to the pursuit of the objects or the management of Bristol Noise. Selected candidates are appointed by a simple majority of the votes cast by the Trustees at a meeting.

New Trustees receive an Induction pack appropriate to their level of existing knowledge of and involvement with Bristol Noise. As a minimum, new Trustees receive a copy of the Charity Commission publication CC3 – The Essential Trustee: what you need to know together with the charity’s governing document and latest annual report and accounts.

Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

……………………………………… S D North Chairman of Trustees

12th June 2022

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BRISTOL NOISE

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021

Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees of Bristol Noise

I report on the accounts of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation for the year ended 31 August 2021, which are set out on pages 6 to 7.

Respective responsibilities of trustees 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 year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act)) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

 to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. 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 the seeking of 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, I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

 which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the

requirements:

have not been met;

or

 to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Paul Brown FCIE DChA Rose & Leaf Ltd

Suite 2 14 – 15 Triangle South Bristol BS8 1EY

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Bristol Noise

YEAR TO 31 AUGUST 2021

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

----- Start of picture text -----
Total Total
Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds
Funds Funds 2021 2020
RECEIPTS FROM: £ £ £ £
Donations
Grant Income 1,080 20,000 21,080 20,464
Gifts & Donations 312 - 312 -
Gift Aid received - - - -
Church Donations 2,000 - 2,000 1,600
Individual gifts 100 - 100 1,305
Charitable Activities - -
Banner Sales 27 - 27 -
Volunteer Signups 1,890 - 1,890 252
TOTAL RECEIPTS 5,409 20,000 25,409 23,622
PAYMENTS FOR:
Charitable Activities
Bristol Noise Weekend 4,478 1,712 6,190 2,511
Long term development 2,478 16,207 18,686 15,677
Other costs relating to community p - 49 49 -
TOTAL PAYMENTS 6,956 17,969 24,925 18,188
NET RECEIPTS/(PAYMENTS) (1,547) 2,031 484 5,433
----- End of picture text -----

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Bristol Noise

AT 31 AUGUST 2021

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

----- Start of picture text -----
2021 2021 2020 2020
£ £ £ £
Cash funds
BOS Current account 46,615 45,976
Co-op Credit Card (151) (25)
Paypal Account 16 45
Affirmative Deposit Fund 6 6
iZettle Account - -
Total Cash at Bank 46,486 46,002
- -
Total Assets 46,486 46,002
CASH RESERVES
Unrestricted funds
Brought forward 46,438 40,533
Net receipts/(payments) for the period (1,547) 5,905
44,891 46,438
Restricted funds
Brought forward (436) 36
Net receipts/(payments) for the period 2,031 (472)
1,595 (436)
Total cash reserves 46,486 46,002
----- End of picture text -----

Signed on behalf of the trustees on 12th June 2022

………………………….

S D North (Chair of Trustees)

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