Annual report and financial statements
1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021
Charity number 1142658
Company number 07556101
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The Bridge Trust Ltd Trustees’ report Year ended 31 March 2021
The trustees are pleased to present their annual directors’ report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ending 31 March 2021 which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a directors’ report and accounts for Companies Act purposes.
The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities.
Chair’s report
The last year has been a very different one for The Bridge Trust Ltd with COVID-19 impacting both what we do and how we do it. Unlike many charities, our finances have remained stable and indeed increased, due to our focus on fundraising to support our partners feeding programme in India, and our regular donors’ unfailing support. One of the impacts of the lockdown on the slums in India has been that people have not been able to work and therefore have no money to buy food. We have been able to supply funding which has contributed to hundreds of thousands of meals being provided in some desperate situations as this virus has spread around the globe.
We have continued to supply funding for health care workers, slum schools and orphans, though these activities have inevitably been disrupted due to the pandemic. However, some of the people involved in these have also helped with the distribution of food and other activities related to the response to COVID-19. Our initiative to support the building of toilets in rural areas has continued and we have funded four so far with hopefully more to follow. We were also delighted to learn that the women we support in Zambia have graduated from their training programme and now have responsible jobs working in the copper mines, lifting them and their families out of extreme poverty. We hope to be able to support further education and training opportunities in the future.
For the first time since the trust was established we have not been able to visit our partners in India or Zambia this year. Indeed our UK based activities have also been affected. However, like everyone else we have discovered the joys of “Zoom” and have used this for both our trustee meetings and speaking to our partners in UK churches as well as our friends all around the globe. We are keen to visit our partners again but it is clear that keeping in touch via the internet will play a big part in how we operate moving forwards.
I would like to thank my fellow trustees. Andy Thomas stepped down during the year, and we are grateful for the support he gave us. We welcome the addition of Cara Medus, Josh Edbrooke and Huang Yu Hsi (Hiro) who have joined us recently. It has been a challenging year dealing with such an uncertain situation, but the Trust remains in good health and we are well positioned to face the challenges of the future. Dave and Rhi continue to be an inspiration and I know they have worked hard to remain in touch with and support all our friends in such testing times. I would also like to thank John and Allison at Mercy in Action who have become good friends of The Bridge Trust Ltd. Finally, I would like to thank God, who is clearly involved in all of our initiatives. His Grace makes it all possible!
Colin Medus
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Our purposes and activities
Objects
The objects of the charity are
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to advance the Christian faith, mainly but not exclusively, by teaching about Christian faith and action, and through training and mentoring church leaders, in the United Kingdom and overseas.
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to relieve those in need by reason of poverty, illness, disability, social exclusion or age in the United Kingdom or overseas by raising awareness of needs, by making grants to persons in such need and to those working to relieve poverty in such a way, and by training others to do the same.
We achieve these objects through support of work mainly in India and Zambia. We employ two members of staff, Dave and Rhi Day, who both have long experience of church leadership in the UK and overseas. Our connections with India and Zambia exist for the most part as a result of the links they have established over the years. Details of the work we support are provided below under the heading Achievements and performance .
The trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. We think that our work provides public benefit in many ways, in particular because the work of the slum schools and health workers in India, the health centre in Zambia, and the ministry of the churches whose leaders we support is open to all, and makes a tangible difference to the lives of ordinary poor people in both countries.
Achievements and performance
India
We continued our work with churches in India. Because of the restrictions imposed by COVID-19, it has not been possible for anybody from the Trust to visit India this year. We have been able to keep in close touch with our partners there, however, using online methods – Zoom and WhatsApp, in particular. They have sent us many photographs and videos of the work we have funded.
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We continued to pay for the care of some of the orphan girls in the Love India Children’s Home in Delhi. (Just over £3,000 this year.) Since the end of the year, the decision has been made to close the children’s home, and to care for orphans in new ways. We will continue to provide support for this.
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Many families in the slums of Delhi have been without work because of the pandemic – they rely on being engaged by the day for construction work, which has come to a halt. We have funded the churches we work with to feed such families who have no income and no savings. They have been distributing either cooked food, or packages of raw ingredients, and by the date of this report more than 500,000 meals had been provided.
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We continued funding the work of 30 health workers in a slum area of Delhi. Their usual work has been somewhat restricted as a result of the pandemic but they have been working hard on providing the feeding programme for the poor.
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The churches we work with have set up schools in two slum areas of Delhi, between them teaching and feeding some 4,000 children every day. Many of the children’s families migrated to Delhi to find work, and live in slums where there is no other educational provision. Two donors regularly give us the money to fund two of these schools. We have sent over £10,000 for this work this year. The schools themselves have been closed by the pandemic but the staff have continued supporting the pupils and their families, in particular by helping with the feeding programme. At the date of this report, the schools had just been allowed to start operating again.
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We provided funds for the support of five pastors in India. Three were supported from the trust’s own funds, and two from specific donations for this purpose from individual supporters. Most of the churches and their members are not well off, and without our support their pastors could not afford to devote themselves to church leadership. (£8,238 this year.)
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We asked supporters for funds for a project to build toilet blocks in remote villages where there are no indoor facilities. This is important for the safety of women, who are vulnerable to assault if they are obliged to use the fields to relieve themselves. The response was more than we could have expected. After sending funds for the first blocks towards the end of last year, we paid for two more this year, and all four blocks have now been built. We also funded the drilling and building of a well to provide safe drinking water in a village in a tribal area.
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Zambia
As with India, it has been impossible for anybody from the Trust to visit Zambia this year, because of the pandemic. Again, we have relied on technology to keep in touch with what is going on.
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We provide regular small amounts of support for pastors working with the Fire Baptized Churches of Zambia (£780 each year, plus an extra £500 this year) and for a young woman at the health centre in Sachibondu (£312).
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We have continued our connection with Sachibondu Rural Health Centre, in North West Zambia. The clinic provides much needed treatment to hundreds of people every day, some of whom walk very long distances to get there. We are grateful to the donors who have enabled us to continue to support the work of the clinic. (£7,735 this year.)
Other activities
After delays caused by the pandemic, the Bath-based charity Mercy in Action (www.mercyinaction.org.uk) was able to open the new branch in Bristol of its chain of boutique charity shops. They are sharing the profits from that branch with Bridge, and despite the difficulties, they have already given us funds to support our work. We are very grateful for the growing relationship we have with them.
COVID-19 has greatly affected the way that the Trust and Dave and Rhi Day operate. In spite of the inability to travel to visit partners in India and Zambia, communication has increased due to the use of social media platforms. We have been able to connect with Jey and Lizy Jeyaseelan in India twice monthly for virtual face to face conversations. This has enabled us to have consistent regular updates on the situation in India and especially the feeding programme which has provided over 500,000 meals in Delhi. Although we have been unable to visit India this year, we have been able to sponsor the provision of toilet blocks, bore holes and wells for the Love India Trust. These greatly enhance the lives of people in some underdeveloped remote areas.
As Dave has continued to mentor and work with other churches and leaders, we have been greatly encouraged by their generosity to the Trust and the work in Delhi. Dave has had the opportunity to talk about the COVID-19 crisis and its effect on India and Zambia in many churches in the South West of England.
It is encouraging to know that COVID-19 has not dampened people’s support and generosity to the work of the Bridge Trust Ltd.
Financial review
The trust’s income in 2020-21 was just under £93,000, which is up again from last year’s £85,000. Despite the difficulties created by COVID-19, we enjoyed a steady level of support from our regular donors. We have also seen very generous giving in response to appeals for help to support our partners in India as they serve the poor in that country during the pandemic. This year we have been able to fund the health workers in Delhi wholly from funds given for that purpose. As before, general funds have been used to pay for the support of some of the pastors we support in India, the amounts we send for pastors in Zambia, and staff salaries.
We have continued to build up a reserve and at the end of the year it stood at £10,000, our target figure. (£8,350 last year.)
At our present levels of income and regular commitments, we have no concerns about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
The trustees consider that under the Charities Act 2011, the income of the charity falls within the range for which an independent examination of the charity’s accounts is required, but an audit is not required.
Related party transactions
There were no related party transactions requiring disclosure.
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Structure, governance and management
The Bridge Trust Ltd is a company limited by guarantee. Its governing document is its Memorandum and Articles of Association. The trustees are also the directors of the company. They may be appointed either by a resolution by the members of the charity, or by the directors. Directors must periodically retire, though they may offer themselves for re-appointment.
Reference and administrative details
The name of the charity is The Bridge Trust Ltd. It is registered as a company incorporated in England and Wales. It is also registered as a charity by the Charity Commission.
Company registration number: 07556101
Charity registration number: 1142658
Registered office address: 24 Stanbury Road, Bristol, BS3 4QG.
The trustees who served during the year were as follows.
Lesley McAllister Colin Medus (chair) Liz Sanderson Andy Thomas (resigned 1 December 2020) Ian Wilson (treasurer and company secretary).
Except as noted above, they have all continued to serve up to the date of this report.
The following trustees have been appointed since the end of the financial year.
Cara Medus on 25 May 2021 Josh Edbrooke on 2 October 2021 Yu Hsi Huang on 2 October 2021
Approved by The Bridge Trust Ltd trustees on 6 December 2021 and signed on their behalf by:
Signed by order of the trustees
Ian Wilson Company Secretary
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The Bridge Trust Ltd Independent Examiner’s report to the trustees Year ended 31 March 2021
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2020.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the Company (and 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 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 the Company’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘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 matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
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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.
Lesley Hyde 21 Thames Drive Leigh-on-Sea Essex SS9 2XQ
11 November 2021
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The Bridge Trust Ltd
Statement of financial activities for the year ending 31 March 2021
| Note Income: Donations 3 Fund-raising events Other income 4 Total income Expenditure: Costs of raising funds 5 Expenditure on charitable activities 6 Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) and net movement in funds for the year Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted funds £ Restricted funds £ Total funds 2020-21 £ Total funds 2019-20 £ 35,297.53 57,450.42 92,747.95 82,436.15 2,506.70 6.30 6.30 25.29 |
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| 35,303.83 57,450.42 92,754.25 84,968.14 |
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| 140.00 140.00 1,050.55 36,254.85 58,829.37 95,084.22 92,035.50 |
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| 36,394.85 58,829.37 95,224.22 93,086.14 |
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| (1,231.02) (1,378.95) (2,469.97) (8,118.00) 12,024.34 14,871.20 26,895.54 35,013.54 |
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| 10,933.32 13,492.25 24,425.57 26,895.54 |
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The Bridge Trust Ltd
Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2021
| Note Fixed assets Current assets Cash at bank and in hand Liabilities Creditors falling due within one year 10 Net current assets/total net assets The funds of the charity Restricted income funds 11 Unrestricted funds Total charity funds |
2021 2020 £ – 24,455.97 27,323.54 (430.00) (428.00) |
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| 24,025.97 26,895.54 |
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| 13,492.25 14,871.20 10,933.32 12,024.34 |
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| 24,425.57 26,895.54 |
For the financial year in question, the company was entitled to exemption under section 477 pf the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. No members have required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The directors acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and for the preparation of the accounts. These accounts are prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.
The notes at pages 9-11 form part of these accounts.
Signed
Colin Edward Medus, Chair of trustees, on behalf of the trustees
Approved by the trustees on 6 December 2021
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Notes to the financial statements
1. Accounting policies
The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:
a. Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities published on 16 July 2014, the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective January 2015) and the Companies Act 2006. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.
b. Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis
The financial statements have been prepared on the basis that the trustees consider it to be a going concern.
c. Income recognition policies
Income from donations is only recognised when it has been received. Gift aid is not recognised until it has been received from HMRC. Interest on funds held on deposit is recognised upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.
d. Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the trust’s work.
e. Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and bank balances, as well as balances held at Virgin Money Giving and at PayPal.
2. Legal status of the trust
The trust is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £10 per member of the charity.
3. Donations received
Donations received include donations from individual supporters (plus gift aid where applicable), and grants from other charities and similar bodies (analysed below).
| Grants from other charities Amazon Smile Amberley Road Baptist Church Bournemouth Community Church Charities Trust Crofts End Church Dayspring Church, Chippenham Filton Community Church Highworth Community Church Jamf Nation Global Foundation Linden Church Trust Longwell Green Christian Fellowship Mercy in Action PayPal Giving Fund Resound Trust Spring Mount Christian Fellowship Thornbury Baptist Church Woodlands Group of Churches Total |
Total Restricted Unrestricted £ £ £ 31.90 31.90 635.00 635.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 45.00 25.00 20.00 625.00 625.00 5,643.50 5,643.50 720.00 620.00 100.00 1,813.75 1,813.75 60.00 60.00 500.00 500.00 75.00 75.00 3,950.00 3,950.00 187.50 187.50 470.00 470.00 900.00 900.00 2,800.00 2,800.00 50.00 50.00 |
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| 20,506.65 15,672.25 4,834.40 |
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4. Other income
Other income consisted of bank interest received of £6.30.
5. Costs of raising funds
£140.00 is the cost of design and printing of publicity material.
Donations through Virgin Money Giving incur a fee, unless the donor chooses to cover them. Donations received are stated net of these fees, as only the net amount is remitted to us by Virgin Money Giving, and therefore they are not included here. (They amounted to £17.20 in the year.)
6. Expenditure on charitable activities
| Note Staff salary costs 7 Support of overseas charitable work 8 Governance and administrative costs 9 |
£ 30,000.00 64,321.90 762.32 |
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| 95,084.22 |
7. Staff salary costs
The charity employs Dave Day and Rhian Day. Staff salary costs consist entirely of their salaries. As a result of the Employment Allowance for small employers, no employer’s NICs were incurred this year.
8. Support of overseas charitable work
Expenditure on overseas charitable work is analysed as follows, showing whether it was from restricted or unrestricted funds.
| India: Slum schools Orphans Health workers Support of pastors and other Christian workers Well for tribal area village Providing toilets in remote villages Covid-19 feeding programme Costs of sending funds to India Total (India) Zambia Sachibondu health centre Support of pastors and other Christian workers Total (Zambia) Total expenditure on overseas charitable work |
Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Total £ £ £ 9,682.43 493.78 10,176.21 3,020.00 3,020.00 13,000.00 13,000.00 4,020.00 4,218.75 8,238.75 1,250.00 1,250.00 1,400.00 1,400.00 17,742.69 17,742.69 166.25 166.25 |
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| 50,281.37 4,712.53 54,993.90 |
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| 7,735.50 7,735.50 812.50 780.00 1,592.50 |
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| 8,548.00 780.00 9,328.00 |
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| 58,829.37 5,492.53 64,321.90 |
9. Governance and administrative costs
| Bank charges Employer’s liability insurance Website costs Governance |
£ 171.55 516.76 61.01 13.00 |
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| 762.32 |
Bank charges include the costs of making overseas transfers, and other bank service charges. Governance includes charges incurred for the submission of returns to Companies House. Website costs include web hosting and domain registration.
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10. Creditors falling due within one year
HMRC (PAYE on salaries)
£ 430.00
11. Restricted funds
Restricted funds comprise funds held for the following
| India: Orphans Slum schools Health workers Support of pastors and other Christian workers Miscellaneous gifts for work in India Providing toilets in remote villages Zambia: Sachibondu health centre Support of pastors and other Christian workers |
Restricted funds £ 1,087.50 0.00 8,352.17 1,348.75 1,152.30 0.00 1,426.53 125.00 |
|---|---|
| 13,492.25 |
12. Reserves
The trustees are conscious of the desirability of holding a reserve and have been gradually building this up. As at 31 March 2021, £10,000 of unrestricted funds were held as a reserve.
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