## Canvas (Birmingham) Report and Accounts Year ended 30 June 2021 1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk ## **CANVAS BIRMINGHAM** ## **LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2021** ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE 3A Teignmouth Road Birmingham B29 7BA GOVERNING DOCUMENT CIO - Foundation Conversion Dated 18 Jun 2019 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1138522 TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR Christine Barber MANAGING THE CHARITY Peter Horrox Elizabeth Walker (resigned August 2021) Peter Walker (resigned August 2021) Thomas Gallant (appointed November 2021) Ashley Dukart (appointed July 2021) INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Jacob Farley ACA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB ## **INDEX** Page 1 Pages 2-3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Legal & Administrative Details Trustees' Report Independent Examiner's Report Receipts and Payments Account Statement of Assets & Liabilities Notes to the Accounts Page 1 ## **CANVAS BIRMINGHAM REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2021** The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 June 2021. ## **Objects of the charity** The charity is a charitable incorporated organisation and is governed by its Constitution. The objects of the charity, as set out in the governing document are: The advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the statement of beliefs appearing in the schedule hereto in Birmingham and in such other parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the trustees may from time to time think fit and to fulfil such other purposes which are exclusively charitable according to the law of England and Wales and are connected with the charitable work of the charity. ## **Summary of the charity's main activities and achievements** In planning the activities the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission. To further the above objects and vision, the charity's main activities and achievements were as follows: Throughout the 2020-21 academic year, Canvas continued to work towards its mission in both Birmingham and Nottingham. The principal aim of the charity is to advance the Christian faith by bringing New Testament concepts of the church into the 21st century in a university student environment. The charity provides space for students to experience real community, figure out life & faith together, and bring a bit more love to their local area. Both locations have a building, which is a home away from home where students can drop by for free tea and coffee, play games, or complete university work throughout the week. We are a diverse community where anyone is welcome and can belong, regardless of religion, ethnicity, background, sexuality, and be a part of something bigger than themselves. Around 80 students were part of the overall Canvas community, fostered by 10 staff members. In Birmingham, we were able to re-open the Canvas house for the start of term. We completed Covid-19 specific risk assessments so this could happen safely. Activities were moved online again when lockdown measures were reintroduced in November. About 20 students continued to engage with these online events, where we would have time for community, faith talks, games and deep chats about life and faith. We also made dinner once a week for students to drop into the house and takeaway to eat at home. We also engaged smaller groups of students throughout the week with online calls with activities like board game groups, Netflix watch parties, book club and chats about the Bible. Student leaders met once a week to help develop leadership and teamwork skills, as well as exploring faith together. They also took the time to plan and execute the online Christmas party. Instead of the weekend retreats we normally have, we planned a ‘Weekend A-Stay’ - creative, fun online events that 19 students were a part of on and off for a whole weekend. In the summer, when restrictions were eased, we had a week of in person events focused around creating fun memories for students, bringing closure to the year, and celebrating those who graduated. Between 10 and 20 people came to each event and we were able to do all of it outside because the weather was so good. The Canvas Birmingham team met online regularly throughout the year to discuss how to meet the needs of students, as well as praying and reading the Bible together. Looking back at the year, we came up with creative ways to achieve our goals, given the limitations, and direct Canvas through this unprecedented time, still enabling students to feel known and loved and hear something about who Jesus is. In Nottingham, due to Covid restrictions, we were forced to host almost all Canvas events virtually. Rather than having two lengthy events each week like we’ve done in years past, we decided to diversify the types of gatherings which allowed us to cut down on the amount of time each event took place because of Zoom fatigue. We hosted a variety of interest groups as a place where students could continue to develop community and feel connected to their peers. The groups met to eat lunch, bake, discuss various fiction books, and play games like Among Us and Dungeons and Dragons. Page 2 ## **CANVAS BIRMINGHAM** ## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2021** One of the most creative ideas we came up with last year was to start a Canvas podcast called Uni Life with Canvas Nottingham. Each week, we released a new episode that focused on different area of life and faith. We interviewed teammates and various professionals. The podcast provided a way for the Canvas community to continue to grow together while navigating a season of being separated physically. Along with the podcast, we hosted a weekly Zoom call where students gathered to discuss the most recent episode. We also hosted two faith-based small groups; one met to discuss Christian books and the other met to discuss a book of the Bible and the topic of prayer. Although we were unable to meet many new students throughout the year, we took advantage of the opportunity we had to develop deeper relationships with the students we knew going into the school year. Looking back on the year, we embraced the limitations faced by Covid and discovered creative ways to achieve our goals despite them. ## **Financial review** During the year income decreased by £42,383, to £88,074, and expenditure decreased by £26,524, to £86,049. As a result the cash held by the charity increased by £2,025, to £39,900, of which £39,618 is unrestricted and can be used for any charitable purpose. ## **Reserves policy** The Board of Directors have established a policy whereby free reserves held by the charity should be maintained at a sufficient level to maintain the charity’s operations which does not need to be substantial due to the level of commitment from its supporter network. At year end the charity has approximately four months equivalent expenditure in free cash reserves £39,618 (2020: £37,594) ## **Governance** Responsibility for setting policy, for determining the parameters within which the charity should operate and for making operating decisions rests with the trustees who meet regularly to monitor the activities of the charity. Responsibility for the day to day operation of the charity has been delegated to a senior management team led by the team leaders/managers of both the Birmingham and Nottingham locations. New trustees are recruited and appointed by the existing trustees, by a majority vote. ## **Risk statement** The charity is exposed to various risks - be they operational, financial or reputational. The trustees review the charity's activities regularly to identify significant risks and, where possible, they take appropriate measures to mitigate those risks. ## **Responsibilities of trustees** Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year. We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities. ## **Approval** This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by: Peter Horrox Date: 27 April 2022 Page 3 ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT** ## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF** ## **CANVAS BIRMINGHAM** I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Canvas (Birmingham) ('the charity') for the year ended 30 June 2021 on pages 5 to 7 following. ## **Responsibilities and basis of report** As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable 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: 1. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Jacob Farley ACA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB Date: 27 April 2022 Page 4 ## **CANVAS BIRMINGHAM** ## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2021** |Notes
**_Income receipts_**
Donations
Gift aid receipts
Income from courses and events
**_Total receipts_**
**_Payments_**
2
**_Total payments_**
Transfers between funds
4
**Net movement in funds**
Cash funds as at last year end
**Cash funds at this year end**
A
Net of receipts / (payments) before
Payments
in
relation
to
charitable
activities undertaken directly|General
Funds
£
83,760
4,314
-
88,074
86,049
86,049
2,025
-
2,025
37,594
39,618|Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
282
282|2021
£
83,760
4,314
-
88,074
86,049
86,049
2,025
-
2,025
37,876
39,900|2020
£| |---|---|---|---|---| |||||121,670
6,385
2,403| |||||130,457| |||||112,573| |||||112,573| |||||17,885
-| |||||17,885
19,991| |||||37,876| The notes on page 7 form part of these accounts. Page 5 ## **CANVAS BIRMINGHAM** ## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2021** |Notes
**A Cash funds**
Cash at bank with immediate access
Petty cash
**B Other monetary assets**
Gift aid due to charity
Rent Deposits
Rent Prepayments
Funding for tax liability from US partner
**C Liabilities**
**Falling due within one year**
Fee for Independent Examination
Liability for tax on US Residents
Accrued expenses
**Total**
**D Assets retained for charity's own use**
Land and buildings
Equipment
Motor vehicles|General
funds
£
39,317
302
**39,618**
589
3,725
3,125
100,014
**107,453**
2,640
2,640
100,014
**105,294**|Restricted
funds
£
282

-
**282**
-
-
-
-
**-**
-
-
-
**-**
Fund to
which asset
belongs|2021
£
39,599
302
**39,900**
589
3,725
3,125
100,014
**107,453**
2,640
2,640
100,014
**105,294**
Cost
£
-
-
-
-|2020
£| |---|---|---|---|---| |||||37,303
573| |||||**37,876**| |||||542

3,725
3,125
-| |||||**7,392**| |||||1,320

1,320
-| |||||**2,640**
| |||||Current
value
£| |||||-
-
-| |||||-| ## **E Guarantees and secured debts** The charity has not given any guarantees and has not provided its assets as security for any liabilities. The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by: ## Peter Horrox Date: 27 April 2022 The notes on page 7 form part of these accounts. Page 6 ## **CANVAS BIRMINGHAM** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2021** ## **1 Accounting policies** The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs. General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects. |**2**
**Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly**
Outreach Activities
Payroll
Team retreat, meetings and expenses
Rent
Equipment and refurbishment
Travel
Exchange Student costs
Independent examiner's fee
Legal fees
Office running costs
Visa|General
funds
£
6,631
39,075
3,072
20,360
694
-
204
-
1,301
14,712
-
86,049|Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|Total
2021
£
6,631
39,075
3,072
20,360
694
-
204
-
1,301
14,712
-
86,049|Total
2020
£| |---|---|---|---|---| |||||14,186
49,192
4,008
20,348
2,856
422

396

1,800
-
16,856
2,509| |||||112,573
| ## **3 Transactions with related parties** There were no transactions with related parties during the year (2020: £nil) ## **Movement of funds** |General funds
Restricted funds
Weekend scholarships
Total funds|Opening
balance
£
37,594
282
37,876|Receipts
£
88,074

-
88,074
|Payments
£
86,049
-
-
86,049
-|Closing
Transfers
balance
£
£
-
39,618
-
282

-
39,900| |---|---|---|---|---| The restricted fund balance is to be used towards scholarships for students to be able to go on our bi-annual weekend retreat in March. Page 7