CHRIST CHURCH ARMLEY COMMUNITY PROJECTS LIMITED Annual Report and Financial Statements For the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 Registered charity number 1137501 A company limited by guarantee number 06864933
CHRIST CHURCH ARMLEY COMMUNITY PROJECTS LIMITED
Annual Report and Financial Statements
For the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024
Contents
| Contents | |
|---|---|
| Page | |
| Trustees’ Report | |
| Chair’s introduction | 1 |
| Reference and administrative information | 2 |
| History and governance | 3 |
| Charity objectives and public benefit | 4 |
| Key quantitative measures | 4 |
| Meeting Point |
5 |
| Financial review | 13 |
| Statement of trustees’ responsibilities | 14 |
| Independent examiner’s report | 15 |
| Financial statements | |
| Statement of financial activities | 16 |
| Balance sheet | 17 |
| Notes to the accounts | 18 |
CHRIST CHURCH ARMLEY COMMUNITY PROJECTS LIMITED
Trustees’ report for the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024
Chair’s introduction
Steve Appleton Chair of Directors
I am pleased to introduce the Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2023/24. The report sets out how Christ Church Armley Community Projects Limited (‘the Charity’) has fulfilled its charitable objectives during the past year through the Meeting Point project.
We celebrated Meeting Point’s 20[th] anniversary in May 2023 with a vibrant and well-attended community event bringing together people from many diverse backgrounds. Looking back, we are so thankful for the very many people who have supported Meeting Point over the years. The needs of refugees and asylum seekers are ongoing so we look forward to continue providing vital support in the years ahead.
The project is underpinned by a Christian ethos which is an important legacy from the foundation of the project by Christ Church Upper Armley Parochial Church Council (‘the PCC’). Although the Charity is separate from the PCC, we maintain good working relationships and I am very thankful for the continuing support of the PCC and the church congregation.
The trustees remain aware of our responsibilities as a charity to have full regard to public benefit in planning and delivering our activities. The Charity provides services without regard to race, religion, culture or gender or sexual orientation. For me, one of the strengths of Meeting Point is the willingness to reach out to those in need without prejudice or judgement. Our ability to do so effectively is considerably enhanced by working in partnership with others. Our report sets out more information about how we work with our partners and the difference it makes to our beneficiaries.
On behalf of the trustees, I wish to thank our funding partners and individual donors who give generously to enable our work to take place. The financial statements show the grant-making bodies that supported us during the year. I also wish to thank many other partners who regularly provide us with food and other items for distribution for refugees and asylum seekers.
The trustees have assessed the Charity’s finances for the year ahead and have reasonable grounds for considering that the Charity remains a going concern able to meet its financial liabilities as they fall due and able to continue core activities as planned.
I also wish to thank staff and volunteers who are the backbone of Meeting Point and make extensive and varied contributions to the project’s many achievements. A high level of teamwork is essential to the successful services that Meeting Point provides and I am incredibly impressed by the ability of staff, volunteers, and beneficiaries to work together to achieve shared aims supporting refugees and asylum seekers.
I am also grateful for the support and wisdom of my fellow trustees and the valuable contribution to trustee meetings made by the Project Manager and the volunteer and beneficiary representatives.
As I write my remarks, we have learned that our Project Manager, Emma Crossley, has decided to move on to new challenges. All trustees are incredibly grateful to Emma for her inspiring leadership of Meeting Point over the past 12 years and we wish her well for the future. The Board has agreed an interim plan to ensure the continuing stability of Meeting Point provision and appointed Judith Shalkowski as Interim Project Manager whilst we recruit a permanent Project Manager.
In conclusion, the role of the charitable and voluntary sector in supporting refugees and asylum seekers remains vital and Meeting Point will continue to play a full part in supporting refugees and asylum seekers in Leeds.
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Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and Advisors
The Trustees during the financial year and up to and including the date the report was approved were:
Name Position Notes Steve Appleton Chair Philip Arnold Christ Church PCC appointee Laurence Dilworth Christ Church PCC appointee Kathleen Hynes Finance Director Joyce Le Masurier Philip Le Masurier Christ Church PCC appointee Helen Radelaar Ann Weir
Dates
Re-appointed July 2022 Appointed September 2020 Appointed December 2012 Re-appointed July 2023 Re-appointed July 2022 Appointed November 2009 Appointed July 2023 Re-appointed June 2021
Charity Number 1137501 Registered in England and Wales Company Number 06864933 Registered in England and Wales Registered Address Working Address Postal Address Bankers 22 Hill End Crescent Christ Church Upper Armley CCACP Ltd Unity Trust Bank plc LEEDS Armley Ridge Road 81 Blue Hill Lane Four Brindleyplace LS12 3PW LEEDS LEEDS BIRMINGHAM LS12 3LE LS12 4NT B1 2JB
Independent Examiner Simon Bostrom FCIE West Yorkshire Community Accounting Service CIO Stringer House 34 Lupton Street LEEDS LS10 2QW
Insurers Aviva Insurance Limited Pitheavlis PERTH SCOTLAND PH2 0NH
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Brief history of the Meeting Point project
Meeting Point was set up by Christ Church in 2003 initially in partnership with the local Further Education College, to provide social support to asylum seeker and refugee students. The funding for this lasted only a few months, but Christ Church continued the drop-in on a voluntary basis.
In 2004/05 grants were received to develop the project and employ staff. Meeting Point has always operated from its base at Christ Church, Upper Armley in West Leeds.
The Charity assumed responsibility for Meeting Point on 1 January 2011. The ever-changing needs of the project have been identified by consultation with beneficiaries, community members and partner agencies and this continues to be the case for Meeting Point.
Structure and Governance
The Charity is a Company Limited by Guarantee and was incorporated on 31 March 2009 and registered as a charity on 16 August 2010. It is governed by a Memorandum as amended by special resolution at the Annual General Meeting on 16 November 2009 and by Articles of Association as amended by special resolutions at the Annual General Meetings on 1 November 2010 and on 27 June 2021. The liability of the members in the event of the Company being wound up is limited to a sum not exceeding £10.
Method of recruitment and appointment of trustees
The trustees of the Charity are also the directors for the purpose of company law and are appointed by the members at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The Memorandum and Articles give the right to Christ Church Parochial Church Council to appoint four trustees. A third of the trustees, appointed by members retire by rotation each year at the AGM and may offer themselves for re-election. Co-opted trustees retire at the next AGM and may seek election.
The Charity primarily recruits trustees by personal contact through the Charity’s ‘Meeting Point’ project and through Christ Church Upper Armley. New trustees receive guidance about their role and responsibilities as charity trustees and company directors.
All trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no remuneration or other benefits.
Management
The trustees met seven times during the year to oversee the strategic direction of the Charity and to exercise stewardship and governance of Meeting Point, the Charity’s sole project. The trustees agreed in March 2020 that meetings could be held virtually using technology. Trustee meetings during the year have been a mix of in-person and on-line.
The Project Manager and representatives of service users and volunteers attend Board meetings as non-voting members to improve engagement and to ensure trustee decision-making is better informed. Staff may also attend trustee meetings.
The Project Manager has responsibility for the day-to-day management.
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Charity objectives and public benefit
Public Benefit
The Charity’s Objects
The Objects, as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association are:
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1) to develop the capacity and skills of the members of the socially and economically disadvantaged community of Armley and the surrounding area in such a way that they are better able to identify, and help meet, their needs and to participate more fully in society; and
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2) the provision of facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation in Armley and the surrounding area with the object of improving the conditions of life of those persons who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social or economic circumstances.
The Charity’s main activities
The trustees give serious consideration to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in planning and delivering the Charity’s activities. The trustees seek to fulfil the Charity’s objectives primarily through Meeting Point, a project working with refugees and asylum seekers.
Public benefit Statement
In setting our objectives and planning our activities the trustees have given serious consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit. The Charity’s achievements and performance are set out in detail in the Meeting Point project report on pages 5 to 12.
The table below summarises key quantitative measures for the weekly drop-in, an important part of Meeting Point’s activities.
| Quantitative measures | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | 2021/22 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beneficiary attendances at the drop-in or food bank |
4,917 | 4,897 | 4,405 |
| Food parcels distributed to beneficiaries |
3,619 | 3,511 | 3,652 |
| Hot meals or take-away meals provided to beneficiaries |
4,930 | 2,900 | 5,000 |
Safeguarding
The trustees are committed to the protection, prevention of harm and promotion of the wellbeing and development of children, young people and adults. The trustees approved an updated policy for the Safeguarding of Children, Young People and Adults in January 2024. Safeguarding is a standing item on the agenda of all trustees’ meetings.
During the year no safeguarding matters were reported to the relevant public authorities nor to the Charity Commission under the serious incident reporting procedure.
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Meeting Point
"The Meeting Point team is a source of inspiration and encouragement to all of us - we love and appreciate you all!"
Project Manager’s report (Emma Crossley)
Meeting Point celebrated a momentous 20-year anniversary this year – a wonderful achievement for such a fabulous project. To mark the occasion, we put on an open celebratory drop-in, opening It up to other organisations and the local community, resulting in quite a remarkable afternoon of community cohesion, food, music, magic and dancing. Thank you to the team who made it possible, and for all those involved in any way, shape, or form over the past 20 years. You all made it possible!
All in all, it has been a positive year for Meeting Point, but once again the global and national picture has been disruptive. The war in Ukraine has continued and once more, as I write this, we see conflict and horrendous tragedy taking place in the Middle East. Thousands of desperate people continue to seek sanctuary in the UK, met by an increasingly hostile and
dysfunctional immigration policy environment. Often it is small front line third sector organisations that have to deal with the forefront of this and here at Meeting Point, we have seen higher numbers than ever before coming to us for support.
Early in the year we were delighted to partner with ChildsSide to run a series of Life in the UK workshops for Ukrainian and other families new to the UK on integration and family life in the UK. We were also excited to welcome medical students to the drop-in to run CPR training to the community as part of their ‘Restart a Heart’ campaign. Other new additions included having The Growth Company run outreach clinics at the project, focussing on employment and housing support for refugees, as well as visits from MESMAC (sexual health and HIV testing) and Citizens UK who build grass roots social justice campaigns. Meeting
Point is a small team and we could not provide the level of support that we do without our working partners, so a big thank you to all who have worked alongside us this year.
‘Such a lovely place to be. You just come here and smile and say hello. The food, the clothes and household items are all amazing’.
Staff and volunteers
The staff team, and a large proportion of the volunteer team, has remained unchanged this year. Some volunteers have moved on or found employment but we have several other new starters
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who have settled in well. We have also welcomed students on placement from both Leeds Trinity and Leeds Beckett Universities. We are proud to retain such a committed and diverse volunteer team, approximately half of which are beneficiaries, and welcome approximately 25 on Mondays and 10 on Wednesdays, to keep the project running as it does.
A few words from our current volunteer representative, Anne McCaffrey:
Meeting Point continues to have a fantastic team of volunteers. On a Monday there are a consistent team of regular volunteers turning up, working hard and most importantly providing a friendly welcome to the beneficiaries.
The volunteers have various roles including driving to supermarkets to collect food donations and then working with the donations to provide the beneficiaries with hot and cold food to eat at the drop in and food parcels to take home. Two volunteers teach English each week. Two volunteers register new beneficiaries and provide support and advice. A group of volunteers always sorts and supervises the giving out of clothing, period products and household items.
The volunteers all say they are very happy in their roles. The roles are changed for those who like to try different things, this way they can then learn about the different aspects of the drop-in. Two new volunteers have been recruited from Trinity University since March. They have settled in well also enjoy the work.
This February a celebration for volunteers was held after the drop-in with a visiting magician and free pizzas for dinner. The volunteers appreciated this event which was a way of thanking them for their continued support.
A piece from our volunteer Helen Ford:
I really enjoy being a volunteer at The Meeting Point. I love being part of the team: there is laughter, news, a bit of friendly teasing and some interesting cross-cultural conversations while we work together. I mostly help in the kitchen, and each week is a surprise to know what food has come – but peeling lots of eggs for egg mayonnaise sandwiches is a regular fixture! We know how much The Meeting Point is needed, as beneficiaries pour in during the afternoon, keen to eat, collect food bags, choose clothes and goods and get advice. It is a reminder of the hard life of an asylum seeker when someone says (fairly frequently) ‘I’m so hungry’ and when those egg mayonnaise sandwiches all disappear.
A piece from our volunteer Lucy Holloway:
I have been volunteering with Meeting Point for over a year, and hope to continue for many more. It's a diverse group of lovely people, working together to make donations stretch as far as possible to help people of all ages, who are sadly often vulnerable and unfairly vilified.
I've volunteered with various charities and organisations, including other asylum seeker/refugee charities, and none have done what Meeting Point does in creating such a safe, welcoming place for people in the most difficult of circumstances to spend time together, relax, and hopefully get some relief and respite. Much as I would prefer it if an organisation like Meeting Point did not need to exist, while it does, I hope
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they can continue to do the excellent work they've been doing for over two decades, and that they receive the recognition they deserve. I am grateful that I get to be a part of it.
A few words from our beneficiary representative, Alesya Moisenko
We are receiving a great support and understanding from both staff and volunteers. They are there to help and make our day nice, and feeling as a family gives us strength to the week ahead. I look forward to Mondays…my best day of the week! We feel looked after. They are amazing people that look after us; what a great support when you need it. Staff and volunteers are the very best to help and support us.
‘Your whole team can rightly feel proud to have reached this milestone: it's not easy for any small charity to keep going year after year. So well done!’
Monday Provision
“I always feel welcome here, that’s what makes this place so special,”
The drop-in continues to be a safe social space for refugees and asylum seekers to come and meet and access support. At the drop-in clients can access hot and cold food that we prepare on site, as well as refreshments, food parcels, toiletries, period products, clothing, and household goods. They can also access advocacy and support, hardship payments and the opportunity to meet with other organisations there in outreach capacity – employment support/ refugee projects/ advocacy.
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Food is sourced from local supermarkets (via Fareshare and Neighbourly redistribution programmes); donated by The Headingley Greengrocer as well as from the local community.
Numbers benefiting from our provision have increased this year to the highest it’s ever been. In the year ending 31[st] March 2024, we had 4917 visits to the drop-in by 653 individuals and welcomed 318 new clients to the project (these figures are double what they were ten years ago). We gave out 3619 food parcels, 4930 meals, thousands of clothing items, 384 hardship payments, 2728 bus tickets and 2003 period products. 3337 contact visits were also held, supporting clients with a range of advocacy and support issues. In addition to this, a number beneficiaries were helped
with ‘My New Home’ deliveries, supporting their transition from one home to another. More than ever were helped with deliveries of items for a new baby and referrals were made to Leeds Baby Bank, Baby Basics, Leeds North West Foodbank, Reduce Reuse Kids Clothes Project, and Give a Gift. In partnership with Christ Church, the Christian giving platform Acts 435 helped 65 of our clients with cash needs for various items.
We anticipate need to increase in 2024/25, as the cost of living crisis continues to affect us all and the environment for asylum seekers and refugees becomes ever more hostile and challenging.
"These kind people didn't stop caring for us and this thought, this love, I will keep carrying with me as I go."
English classes
The face-to-face English classes have continued this year and have been held twice a week with two different teachers. The classes are on Mondays 1-2pm and on Wednesdays 10.15 – 11.45am. The classes now have consistently 10-14 students each. On a Monday there is a volunteer classroom assistant who has also taken the class independently when the Monday teacher has been away.
The first languages of the students are: Ukrainian, Pushto (Afghanistan), Kurdish (Iraq), Amharic (Ethiopia), Women from Afghanistan form the majority of the students in both classes. Two teenagers have been attending with their mother while they wait for school places. They make very rapid progress in class. This year there has been a continued focus on teaching the students to say, write and spell their names, addresses and phone numbers. This is an essential skill for many situations in everyday life and also very important in emergency situations. Progress has been slow as many of the women are not literate in their mother tongue and do not have the experience of holding a pen and forming letters. The purchase of white boards and dry wipe marker pens has helped a lot with this activity. All students can now say their names and addresses clearly. Other vocabulary has been covered e.g. food, clothing, household items, colours. Verbs and pronouns have been taught and the students can form simple sentences and ask
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simple questions in class. There is some carry over to everyday situations as witnessed by a member of staff over hearing one of the students speaking English in a local supermarket.
’ – Women s Group (Judith Shalkowski Project Worker)
The Women’s Group at Meeting Point had a most wonderful and eventful year with many opportunities organised by the team, including via partner organisations providing women with new skills and activities. While some women move on to education, volunteering and employment, new women join the group and benefit from making new friends and enjoying each other. We continue to plan and each week benefit from a healthy lunch and activities over the two hours on Wednesdays.
This year we held the following activities: BINGO (learning more English with our word BINGO games and prizes); Pamper (also with henna and haircuts, and children’s activities); Crafts - cardmaking, lantern making, sewing, knitting, crocheting, jewellery making; Singing - with LUUMIC university students and the New Connections Project; Cooking and baking – (banana bread is one of our favourites and we even sold some on our Christmas stall (unique gifts made - raising funds for our Christmas lunch together); Sculpture workshops and Henry Moore Institute (guided trip to an amazing Art Exhibition); Health and Wellbeing - mindfulness, art journals, prayer times, health talks, gut health, and house plant care.
In May to July, over 18 women were involved in an amazing project, New Connections, with Leeds Conservatoire and Orchestra Live which meant weeks of writing songs, practicing and singing for a concert performance in Leeds. Ten of the women performed the songs they wrote and were accompanied by the orchestra who learned and performed the music. They were grateful for the exciting opportunity to create new music and take part in such an dynamic project.
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Once again, at the end of the school year, over 50 beneficiaries including their children were able to travel by train to North Yorkshire and enjoy a day of play with BINGO games, lunch and face painting, thanks to the volunteers at Impulse Decisions and St Roberts Church, Pannal. Everyone went home feeling so cared about and with some lovely gifts, ice lollies and prizes. Summer activities also involved paying for and getting families signed up to BREEZE events near their homes and accompanying women without children to visit museums near Meeting Point.
In February half term, the team supported a Leeds city trip for over 50 adults and 50 children to attend free activities: Leeds City Museum, Leeds City Library, and the Playhouse. The women received further information on how to access other museums and activities across Leeds and info on transportation.
All activities at Women’s Group are planned involving the women themselves and taking account of their interests, and over 58 were able to benefit greatly this year. We are always impressed with the skills of beneficiaries themselves, which they bring and share with each other.
The team continues to provide a range of skills including preparing and serving lunch, welcoming and registering, casework, caring for children, leading activities, alongside the responsibilities to prepare and tidy away the venue. Partners and visitors remark on the friendly and multi-cultural activities present and the women work to promote Meeting Point as a charity to their friends and contacts.
In the future, we plan to help women to access further opportunities such as: personal and home safety and repair, child safety, female health, local trips, IT instruction, and gentle exercise.
Leeds Together for Ukraine Fund - Life in the UK Workshops, in partnership with ChildsSide
In June, as part of the Leeds Together for Ukraine Fund, 45 Meeting Point beneficiaries engaged with one of three workshops, led by ChildsSide CIC. Individual women and parents benefited from reduced isolation and information on UK opportunities, up-to-date info on parenting in the UK, and links to local and national organisations to support their new life in the UK. Community interpreters facilitated dynamic conversations and supported the four
languages per workshop. The events provided refreshments, free bus passes, and extra resources as well as childcare to 15 children. Participants engaged well, provided overwhelmingly positive comments, evaluated the sessions as excellent and went away with helpful resources.
“Having been for the first ChildsSide programme this has been like a recall or refreshing my mind on what to do if I cannot figure out if I am stuck. So this has been so helpful that I’m going home with new approaches on how to manage my struggles and very hopeful.”
“This event taught me how to live in this country more easily. Thank you very much.”
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The Allotment
Meeting Point has had an allotment plot on a local site for a number of years and this year has seen huge development of the space. It has been a place of sanctuary and tranquility, improving the mental and physical health of the volunteers and beneficiaires involved. We have all benefited from the delicious fresh produce harvested from it too!
Summer Trips
"This is my summer and it's started off with a very special day! My children are so happy and that makes me happy, too, thank you!
During the summer we were delighted to return to Scarborough with a large group of beneficiaries. We also had a wonderful day out to our friends of St Roberts Church, Pannal, as well as supporting our families to attend the Council Breeze events in and around the city parks.
Case Study
Across the past year, we saw a rise in the needs of women and their children. As families received notice of their leave to remain, they often were moved to temporary housing. One family found themselves unable to get their children to school and their accommodation was not suitable for their young children, without meals, laundry and transportation. More than ever, families needed advocacy and support to explain their problems. Often families were moved to accommodations that were moldy and difficult for children, all crowded into one room together. The project worker was able to support two families to move into more suitable housing and access support to continue education and help for basic needs.
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Looking ahead
We are looking forward to another busy year ahead, and have secured funding from Leeds City Council Migration Partnership Fund to help support our work. We are looking forward to working alongside local Universities to offer students placements at the project, as well as working with local and city wide partners to help bring a varied and appropriately tailored programme of support services and activities. Thank you to everyone who has made this year possible; we certainly could not have done it without you!
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CHRIST CHURCH ARMLEY COMMUNITY PROJECTS LIMITED Financial Review
Income for the year 2023/24 together with reserves were sufficient to provide a full resumption of onsite activities for refugees and asylum seekers. We have also funded some trips. Two substantial awards later in the year along with funding through the Household Support Scheme have placed us in a strong financial position for the coming year.
The staff work tirelessly with the support of the team of volunteers to provide the support and activities to beneficiaries. The numbers attending the project have increased considerably in the last few months.
Incoming resources for the Charity totalled £71,429 for 2023/24 which represents an increase of £12,200 on the previous year’s income of £59,229. Income from regular giving (and associated gift aid) provided £11,904 of income this last year (approx. 17%), a slight increase on last year’s £11,300.
Expenditure for the year was £79,080 being an increase of £6,857 from last year’s expenditure of £72,223. This reflects higher staff costs and rent. Staff pay is linked to NJC pay scales and the flat rate increase was almost 11%. Expenditure on hardship payments and prepaid fares is dependent on donations and grants received for the purpose. The fact that the total of £15,565 represents almost 20% of our expenditure reflects the financial need of our beneficiaries.
Overall, there was a net deficit for the year of £7,651. At 31 March 2024 the Charity holds reserves totalling £64,147 of which £11,397 are restricted to be spent on specified purposes (Note 5 to the accounts) and £52,750 are unrestricted to be spent at the trustees’ discretion. All the Charity’s year end liabilities are covered by available funds. A substantial grant of £34,000 restricted funding is already secured for 2024/25.
The trustees have assessed that the existing level of reserves, secured grant for 2024/25 and anticipated regular income is likely to be more than sufficient to sustain Meeting Point activities throughout 2024/25. Further funding bids are planned to ensure the longer-term financial security of the Project.
The Charity continues to closely monitor its finances during the year and to manage the scale of its activities to ensure it can meet its liabilities as they fall due.
Reserves Policy
The reserves policy, approved by the Board January 2018, aims to maintain free reserves to cover between 3 and 9 months’ running costs to protect the Charity’s core activities from any short-term funding shortfall. In addition, the trustees have set aside free reserves to meet the estimated costs of staff redundancies and closure costs should they crystallise in future. This does not imply any expectation that staff will need to be made redundant but recognises that the funding environment means trustees should act prudently to ensure funds are available to fulfil all contractual liabilities.
Unrestricted funds total £52,750 at 31 March 2024 which, after set aside of £9,536, represents 5.5 months’ worth of budgeted expenditure for the Charity’s core activities. This figure falls within the range adopted by the trustees. The trustees regularly monitor the level of reserves to comply with the reserves policy.
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CHRIST CHURCH ARMLEY COMMUNITY PROJECTS LIMITED Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
The individuals who were trustees at some point during the year ended 31 March 2024 are pictured below.
----- Start of picture text -----
Steve Appleton
Rev Phil Arnold
(Chair)
Joyce le Masurier
Philip le Masurier
----- End of picture text -----
----- Start of picture text -----
Laurence Dilworth Kath Hynes
----- End of picture text -----
Ann Weir Helen Radelaar
The trustees (who are also the directors for the purpose of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements in accordance with the applicable law and UK Accounting Standards.
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure of the charitable company for the year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the Financial Statements; and
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prepare the accounts on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose the reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial accounts comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: 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) (effective 1 January 2019) and in accordance with the special provisions of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Signed on behalf of the Board of Trustees:
Signed : Steve Appleton (Chair of Trustees) Date : 4[th] June 2024
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Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Christ Church Armley Community Projects Limited
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charitable company for the year ended 31 March 2024, which are set out on pages 16 to 21
Responsibilities and basis of report Independent examiner's statement
As the charity's trustees of the charitable company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the charitable company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 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:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
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the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].
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 a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Simon Bostrom FCIE
10 June 2024
West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO
Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW
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----- Start of picture text -----
Statement of Financial Activities (including summary income and expenditure
account) for the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024
Notes 2023/24 2023/24 2023/24 2022/23 2022/23 2022/23
Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total
funds funds funds funds funds funds
£ £ £ £ £ £
Incoming resources
Grants &
(2) 27,703 42,187 69,890 13,729 43,878 57,607
donations
Fundraising 2 159 161 689 278 967
Interest Earned 1,308 - 1,308 612 - 612
Other 70 - 70 43 - 43
Total incoming
29,083 42,346 71,429 15,073 44,156 59,229
resources
Resources expended
Staff costs (3) 15,203 23,659 38,862 1,508 33,590 35,098
Events &
586 13,141 13,727 879 11,489 12,368
activities
Facilities & rent (4) 1,500 4,500 6,000 - 4,200 4,200
Office expenses 1,147 - 1,147 909 290 1,199
Hardship
payments & 409 15,156 15,565 956 13,319 14,275
expenses
Professional
- -
1,069 1,069 1,629 1,629
services
Insurance 1,221 - 1,221 1,415 - 1,415
Training 238 - 238 170 167 337
Volunteer
- 520 520 - 1,015 1,015
expenses
Independent (12) 630 - 630 630 - 630
examination fee
Advertising & 49 52 101 57 - 57
publicity
Total resources
22,052 57,028 79,080 8,153 64,070 72,223
expended
Net income/
7,031 (14,682) (7,651) 6,920 (19,914) (12,994)
(expenditure)
Fund balances 45,719 26,079 71,798 38,799 45,993 84,792
brought forward
Fund balances (5) 52,750 11,397 64,147 45,719 26,079 71,798
carried forward
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CHRIST CHURCH ARMLEY COMMUNITY PROJECTS LIMITED
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Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2024
Notes
31 March 2024 31 March 2024 31 March 2024 31 March 2023
Unrestricted Restricted
Total funds Total funds
funds funds
£ £ £ £
Current assets
Stock (7) - 747 747 166
Debtors and prepayments (8) 565 359 924 601
Cash at bank and in hand (9) 54,129 10,995 65,124 73,502
Total current assets 54,694 12,101 66,795 74,269
Current liabilities:amounts
falling due within one year
Creditors and accruals (10) 1,944 704 2,648 2,471
Total current liabilities 1,944 704 2,648 2,471
Net current assets/(liabilities) 52,750 11,397 64,147 71,798
Net assets 52,750 11,397 64,147 71,798
Funds
Unrestricted funds 52,750 - 52,750 45,719
Restricted funds (6) - 11,397 11,397 26,079
Total funds 52,750 11,397 64,147 71,798
For the year ending 31 March 2024 the charitable company was entitled to exemption from audit
under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The members have not required the charitable company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year
in question in accordance with section 476. The trustees (who also the directors for the purposes of
company law) acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with
respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies
subject to the small companies’ regime and with the Financial Reporting Standard 102 (effective
The financial statements, which include notes 1 to 12, were approved at a meeting of the trustees
and signed on its behalf by:
Signed: Kath Hynes (Finance Director)
Date: 4th June 2024
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CHRIST CHURCH ARMLEY COMMUNITY PROJECTS LIMITED
Notes to the accounts for the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023
1. Accounting policies
Basis of accounting
These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes to the accounts. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland (FRS102)(effective 1 January 2019) and with the Charities Act 2011. The Charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS102.
Going concern
The trustees have assessed the Charity's going concern and are satisfied that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity's ability to continue.
Incoming resources
All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the Charity becomes entitled to the resources, the trustees are virtually certain they will receive the resources and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.
Grants and donations
Grants and donations are only included in the SOFA when the Charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources. Future instalments on multi-year grants are only recognised when the trustees are virtually certain that conditions for future payment have been satisfied.
Gifts in kind
The Charity receives gifts of food, second hand clothes, footwear and household items for use at the Meeting Point drop-in and for distribution to asylum seekers and refugees. As the fair value of donated items is non-material they are not recognised in the financial statements. The work of volunteers is not included in the financial statements.
Expenditure and liabilities
Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Liabilities are recognised when it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the Charity to pay out resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty. Employee benefits
Annual leave untaken at year end is recognised as a liability to the extent that it may be carried forward. Leases
Rents under operating leases are charged on a straight-line basis over the lease term or to an earlier date if the lease can be determined without financial penalty. Taxation As a charity the organisation is generally exempt from income tax and capital gains tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates. Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets costing more than £1,000 are capitalised and included at cost including any incidental acquisition expenses. Gifted assets are shown at the value to the Charity on receipt. Stock Stock is valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Fund accounting Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity. Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or grant making body. Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in Note 5 to the accounts.
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CHRIST CHURCH ARMLEY COMMUNITY PROJECTS LIMITED
| Notes to the accounts for theperiod 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 | |||||||||||||||
| **2 ** | Grants and donations | 2023/24 | 2023/24 | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | ||||||||||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | ||||||||||||
| funds | funds | funds | funds | ||||||||||||
| Meeting Point | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||||||||||
| National Lottery CommunityFund (Cost of LivingFund | ) 12,958 |
14,374 | 27,332 | 10,500 | |||||||||||
| Unityin PovertyAction | - | 13,950 | 13,950 | 9,483 | |||||||||||
| SirGeorgeMartin Trust | - | 2,500 | 2,500 | 6,018 | |||||||||||
| Neighbourly (Sainsburys) | - | 1,500 | 1,500 | 4,700 | |||||||||||
| Neighbourly (Lidl) | - | 1,000 | 1,000 | 3000 | |||||||||||
| YorkshireBuilding Society Charity | - | 1,000 | 1,000 | 2,097 | |||||||||||
| CommunityFoundation for Lancashire (Hills) | - | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | |||||||||||
| Wade's Charity | - | 800 | 800 | 1,000 | |||||||||||
| St. Robert'sPannel PCC | 1,186 | - | 1,186 | 520 | |||||||||||
| Other donations | 13,559 | 6,063 | 19,622 | 19,289 | |||||||||||
| Totalgrants and donations | 27,703 | 42,187 | 69,890 | 57,607 | |||||||||||
| **3 ** | Staff costs and numbers | ||||||||||||||
| 2023/24 | 2022/23 | ||||||||||||||
| £ | £ | ||||||||||||||
| Gross salaries | 37,979 | 34,273 | |||||||||||||
| Pensions | 883 | 825 | |||||||||||||
| Total staff costs | 38,862 | 35,098 | |||||||||||||
| Defined contributionpension scheme | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | |||||||||||||
| £ | £ | ||||||||||||||
| Costs of the scheme to the charitable companyfor theyear | 883 | 825 | |||||||||||||
| The number of employees analysed byactivityand expressed as full time equivalents(FTE) | |||||||||||||||
| 2023/24 | 2022/23 | ||||||||||||||
| FTE | FTE | ||||||||||||||
| MeetingPoint | 1.4 | 1.4 | |||||||||||||
| Core administration | 0.1 | 0.1 | |||||||||||||
| Total | 1.5 | 1.5 | |||||||||||||
| The average number of employees during the year was 3 (3 2022/23) being an average | |||||||||||||||
| of 1.5 FTEs (1.5 2022/23). All employees were part-time for both 2023/24 and 2022/23. | |||||||||||||||
| There were no employees with emoluments above £60,000 (nil 2022/23). |
| Notes to the accounts for theperiod 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 | |||||||||||||||
| **2 ** | Grants and donations | 2023/24 | 2023/24 | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | ||||||||||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | ||||||||||||
| funds | funds | funds | funds | ||||||||||||
| Meeting Point | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||||||||||
| National Lottery CommunityFund (Cost of LivingFund | ) 12,958 |
14,374 | 27,332 | 10,500 | |||||||||||
| Unityin PovertyAction | - | 13,950 | 13,950 | 9,483 | |||||||||||
| SirGeorgeMartin Trust | - | 2,500 | 2,500 | 6,018 | |||||||||||
| Neighbourly (Sainsburys) | - | 1,500 | 1,500 | 4,700 | |||||||||||
| Neighbourly (Lidl) | - | 1,000 | 1,000 | 3000 | |||||||||||
| YorkshireBuilding Society Charity | - | 1,000 | 1,000 | 2,097 | |||||||||||
| CommunityFoundation for Lancashire (Hills) | - | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | |||||||||||
| Wade's Charity | - | 800 | 800 | 1,000 | |||||||||||
| St. Robert'sPannel PCC | 1,186 | - | 1,186 | 520 | |||||||||||
| Other donations | 13,559 | 6,063 | 19,622 | 19,289 | |||||||||||
| Totalgrants and donations | 27,703 | 42,187 | 69,890 | 57,607 | |||||||||||
| **3 ** | Staff costs and numbers | ||||||||||||||
| 2023/24 | 2022/23 | ||||||||||||||
| £ | £ | ||||||||||||||
| Gross salaries | 37,979 | 34,273 | |||||||||||||
| Pensions | 883 | 825 | |||||||||||||
| Total staff costs | 38,862 | 35,098 | |||||||||||||
| Defined contributionpension scheme | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | |||||||||||||
| £ | £ | ||||||||||||||
| Costs of the scheme to the charitable companyfor theyear | 883 | 825 | |||||||||||||
| The number of employees analysed byactivityand expressed as full time equivalents(FTE) | |||||||||||||||
| 2023/24 | 2022/23 | ||||||||||||||
| FTE | FTE | ||||||||||||||
| MeetingPoint | 1.4 | 1.4 | |||||||||||||
| Core administration | 0.1 | 0.1 | |||||||||||||
| Total | 1.5 | 1.5 | |||||||||||||
| The average number of employees during the year was 3 (3 2022/23) being an average | |||||||||||||||
| of 1.5 FTEs (1.5 2022/23). All employees were part-time for both 2023/24 and 2022/23. | |||||||||||||||
| There were no employees with emoluments above £60,000 (nil 2022/23). |
Page 19
CHRIST CHURCH ARMLEY COMMUNITY PROJECTS LIMITED
| Notes to the accounts for theperiod 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 | |||||||
| **4 ** | Operating leases | ||||||
| The Charity uses part ofChrist ChurchUpper Armley under licencefromtheParochialChurchCouncil(PCC) | |||||||
| as a basefor its activities. The agreement canbe terminated by eitherpartywithout penalty sonofuture | |||||||
| commitments arise. The Charity paid £6,000 to thePCC (£4,2002022/23)forthe use ofthe building | |||||||
| and provisionofcleaning. | |||||||
| **5 ** | Restricted Funds | Balances | Incoming | Expended | Balances | ||
| 1 April 2023 | resources | resources | 31 March 2024 | ||||
| Meeting Point: | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| CommunitiesinCrisisFund (Leeds Community) | 2,495 | - | (2,495) | - | |||
| CommunityFoundation for Lancashire (Hills) | - | 1,000 | - | 1,000 | |||
| Community Organisations Cost of LivingFnd (Nat.Lottery | ) - |
14,374 | (14,374) | - | |||
| Destitution Fund | 2,895 | 6,055 | (4,485) | 4,465 | |||
| English Language ClassesFund | 464 | - | (452) | 12 | |||
| Greater LincolnshireArea ofSanctuary | 161 | - | (161) | - | |||
| Groundwork TescoBags of Help | 170 | - | (170) | - | |||
| Hillards CharitableTrust | 573 | - | (573) | - | |||
| Julia andHansRausingTrust | 4,600 | - | (4,600) | - | |||
| Leeds City Council(MICE) | 1,000 | - | (1,000) | - | |||
| Neighbourly (Aldi) | 1,000 | - | (1,000) | - | |||
| Neighbourly (Lidl) | 484 | 1,000 | (728) | 756 | |||
| Neighbourly (M&S) | 912 | (169) | 743 | ||||
| Neighbourly (Sainsburys) | - | 1,500 | (300) | 1,200 | |||
| SewingMachineFund | 96 | - | (96) | - | |||
| SirGeorgeMartin Trust | - | 2,500 | (2,500) | - | |||
| Together forUkraineFund (Leeds CommunityFoundat'n) | 9,483 | - | (9,483) | - | |||
| Unityin PovertyAction | 166 | 13,950 | (13,369) | 747 | |||
| Wade's Charity | - | 800 | (800) | - | |||
| Women's GroupFund | 1,580 | 167 | (273) | 1,474 | |||
| YorkshireBuilding Society Charity | - | 1,000 | - | 1,000 | |||
| Total Restricted Funds | 26,079 | 42,346 | (57,028) | 11,397 | |||
| Restricted Fund | Purpose of restriction | ||||||
| CommunitiesinCrisisFund (Leeds Community) | Forsalaries,rent,food & office costs | ||||||
| CommunityFoundation for Lancashire (Hills) | ForSummer Trips | ||||||
| Community Organisations Cost of LivingFnd (Nat.Lottery | )ForSalaries,Rent andVolunteer Fares | ||||||
| Destitution Fund | For hardship payments to asylumseekers andrefugees | ||||||
| English Language ClassesFund | For English language classes | ||||||
| Greater LincolnshireArea ofSanctuary | Forprovisionof food & othersupplies | ||||||
| Groundwork TescoBags of Help | Forcore project costs | ||||||
| Hillards CharitableTruts | For food &fares | ||||||
| Julia andHansRausingTrust | Forsalaries,rent &food | ||||||
| Leeds City Council(MICE) | ForCoronationevent & summertrips | ||||||
| Neighbourly (Aldi) | For Food,Fares andRent | ||||||
| Neighbourly (Lidl) | For Food | ||||||
| Neighbourly (M&S) | For Food | ||||||
| Neighbourly (Sainsburys) | For Rent and Salaries | ||||||
| SewingMachineFund | Forsewingmachines,related equipment & accessories | ||||||
| SirGeorgeMartin Trust | ForCore costs | ||||||
| Together forUkraineFund (Leeds CommunityFoundat'n) | Forsalaries,rent,food &workshops | ||||||
| Unityin PovertyAction | Forprovisionof food andrelated costs | ||||||
| Wade's Charity | ForSummer Trips | ||||||
| Women's GroupFund | For Women's Groupworkand activities | ||||||
| YorkshireBuilding Society Charity | ForSalaries | ||||||
| **6 ** | Stock | 31/03/2024 | 31/03/2023 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||||
| FirstWestYorkshire bus tickets | 0 | 166 | |||||
| Total | 747 | 166 |
Page 20
CHRIST CHURCH ARMLEY COMMUNITY PROJECTS LIMITED Notes to the accounts for the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024
| CHRIST CHURCH ARMLEY COMMUNITY PROJECTS LIMITED | CHRIST CHURCH ARMLEY COMMUNITY PROJECTS LIMITED | CHRIST CHURCH ARMLEY COMMUNITY PROJECTS LIMITED | CHRIST CHURCH ARMLEY COMMUNITY PROJECTS LIMITED | CHRIST CHURCH ARMLEY COMMUNITY PROJECTS LIMITED | CHRIST CHURCH ARMLEY COMMUNITY PROJECTS LIMITED | CHRIST CHURCH ARMLEY COMMUNITY PROJECTS LIMITED | CHRIST CHURCH ARMLEY COMMUNITY PROJECTS LIMITED | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes to the accounts for theperiod 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 | ||||||||||
| **7 ** | Debtors & Prepayments | 31 March 2024 | 31 March 2023 | |||||||
| £ | £ | |||||||||
| Debtors | 571 | 311 | ||||||||
| Prepayments | 353 | 290 | ||||||||
| Total | 924 | 601 | ||||||||
| No debtors have been impaired and are expected to be fully settled within 12 months. | ||||||||||
| **8 ** | Cash at bank and in hand | 31 March 2024 | 31 March 2023 | |||||||
| £ | £ | |||||||||
| UnityTrust Bank | 64,540 | 73,208 | ||||||||
| Pettycash | 584 | 294 | ||||||||
| Total | 65,124 | 73,502 | ||||||||
| **9 ** | Creditors and accruals | 31 March 2024 | 31 March 2023 | |||||||
| £ | £ | |||||||||
| Trade creditors | 777 | 480 | ||||||||
| Accruals | 1,871 | 1,991 | ||||||||
| Total | 2,648 | 2,471 | ||||||||
| **10 ** | Trustee remuneration, expenses and donations | |||||||||
| No trustee received any remuneration or other benefits, either directly or indirectly, or any expenses duringtheyear(nil 2022/23). |
||||||||||
| The total donations received from trustees during the year was £1,200 (£1,760 2022/23). | ||||||||||
| **11 ** | Relatedparty transactions | |||||||||
| Key managementpersonnel | ||||||||||
| Employee benefits of the charitable company's key management personnel totalled £18,335 for the year (£17,210 2022/23). The Project Manager is the key management personnel. |
||||||||||
| Other relatedparty transations | ||||||||||
| Christ Church Upper Armley Parochial Church Council (the PCC) is a related party of the charitable company. Under the company's articles of association the PCC has the right to appoint 4 trustees out of a maximum of 12. |
||||||||||
| Stephen Appleton became a member of the PCC on 17 November 2019. Reverend Phil Arnold became the chair of the PCC on 22 September 2020. |
||||||||||
| The company paid the PCC £6,000 for use of the church building (2022/23 £4,200). There were no balances with the PCC at 31 March 2024 (nil at 31 March 2023). |
||||||||||
| **12 ** | Independent examination | |||||||||
| The estimated £630 fee payable to West Yorkshire Community Accounting Services (WYCAS)(£630 2022/23), as reported on the Statement of Financial Activities, relates solely to independent examination. The Charity also paid WYCAS £270 during 2023/24 (£270 2022/23) for a licence to use QuickBooks Online. |
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Page 21