Bridge Builders BRIDGE BUILDERS MINISTRIES (a company limited by guarantee) Company numkn. 07336077 TRUSTEES. REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGusf 2023 Iiiilliiiiii *ACZQ9C75• 2e40Y2024 COMPANIES HOUSE A13
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BRIDGE BUILDERS MINisfRIES (a rompany limited by guarantee) LEGAL AND ADMINisfRAnVE INFORMATION Registered Charity no: 1145235 Company Registration rto: 07336077 Trustees: Revd Stephen Cobbin Ven Nicola Groarke Robert Quarton Revd Ruth Whitehead Revd Andrew Corsie Liz Griffrths Registered Office: 16 Horse Fair Lane Cricklade Swindon SN6 6BN Bankers: The C(Foperative Bank PO Box 250 Delf House Southway Skelmersdale WN86 Independent Examine Dovey Accountsw Seryices Ltd Heyford Park House. Heyford Park Upper Heyford. Bicester OX25 5HD
BRIDGE BUILDERS MINISTrIES (a company lirnited by 8uarantee) TRUSTEES. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGusf 2023- contlnued The trustees. who are a19) dirertors of the charttable company for the purposes of the Companies Act. submit their annual report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Retommended practi ISORPI: Accounting and Reporting by Charilie5 {FRS 102) in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the tharity. Trustees and Directors The Tntee$ who ser¥ed during the year **re: Ven Nicola Groarke (appointed 26 September 20181 Revd Stephen Cobbin lappointed 26 September 20181 Robert Quarton lappointed 11 April 20191 Revd Ruth Whitehead (appointed 11 April 20191 Revd A1reW Corsie lappointed on l March 2020} Elizabeth Griffiths was appointed as Executive Director on l November 2019. Objertives and Activities The charity's objectives are-. 'to advance the Christian faith and in particular the go51 of redemptlon and reconciliation forthe benefit of the public. by every available means but particularly (without limiting the generality of the foregoing) by the provision of training arKI education in the principles and prartice of Christian community-building and peace-makin& and {sn furtherance of Christian comrnunity-building and peace-making) by the provision of advice. mediation. consultanoi and other services, to Christian church leaders members and otherf. Arising from this. Bridge Builders. vision is to see people resourced to live the tron5forming Gospel of reconciliotion in every Ospert of their lives.. Bridge Builders seeks to athieve rts objertNes primarily by running a programme of training courses and workshops for those in churches. charities. and other Christian oanIsations. Additionally, it provides mediation. coachin& consultancy and other services for churth leaders, Christian organisations. and individuals. The full range of 8ridge Builders. actNities is covered on its webslte= VW•4w.bbministries.o In exercising their power50rduties. the trustees confimi that they have complied with theirduty to have due regard to t1 gUIdae on public benefft published by the Charity Cornmiswn. StnKture. Governan and Management 8ridge Builders Ministries is a charitable company limited by guarantee. It Was fomied on 4 August 2010 and is governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association and operates under the name 'Bridge Builders.. It was registered with the Charity Commiswn with effect frorn 29 Dernber 2011.
BRIDGE BUILDERS MINisfRIES {a company limlted by guarantee) TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023. continued Stniwe. G¢J¥ernance and Managennt (continued) The work known as'8ridEe Builder5. was originally set up in the UX by the London Mennonite Centre in 1996. drawing much of its inspiration from pioneering work in conflirt transformation by Mennonites in the USA. The charity became independent during 2011. and the work was transferred to il from the London Mennonite Centre on 31 Au8USt 2011. Trustees are apwinted by invitation of the existing trustees. subject to a Satisfactory interview. Prospertive new trustees are invited to attend a Trustees. Meeting prior to forn)al appointment. and to ttend one of Bridge Builde courses. for induction and trainire purposes. The Eovernan of the charity is vested in the Board of Trustees. The full Board of Trustees continues to meet at least two times per year as per the Charivs Articles of Association. Day lo day operational management responsibility is held by the Executi Diredor {Liz Griffithsl A full pro8ramme of open residential courses was Tun during the year with a total of 68 participants: 4-9 September 2022: Transfomiry ConftKt 1 19 participants 29 January - 3 February 2023: TTrn5l0mbi Conflict 1 17 participants 27 March - l April 1023: Trarsforniing Confiirt 2 12 participants 14- 19 May 2023: Transforn)in8 C•nfii¢t I for 5eniorChfi5tian Leadeys 20 pa¢pants We also ran 7 online and 27 in-person training workshops around England and Wales, of half-day to four day5 in duratitin, at the request of the folwIn8 ran8e of church bodies.. South Derbyshire Deanery • URC Wales Church in Wales Wycliffe Hall. Oxford Holy Trinity Church. Brusse15 URC SE Synod Portsmouth Pathway Theological Trainin8 Scheme URC North Thames Ministers. Spring School CPAS Arrow Programme Swindon Deanery and the Church of England dioceses of= • Newcastle Gloucester BTi5tol Truro Derby Durham Leeds Liverpool Guildford London (Stepney Areal London Iwillesden Area Senior Leadership Team)
BRIDGE BUIiDEIiS MINISTrIES (a company Ilmited by guaranteel TRUSTEES. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023- continued These workshops were for a range of different participants including cufates. diocesan staff. parish clerevi local church ministers. senior dergy. training incumbents. those training for ordained ministry and local church leaders. tK)th lay and ordained. A totsl of 586 people participated in these workshops (464 in per50n. plus 122 onlinel- To facilitate ongoing support and training for those wh) had attended the foundation residential trainin& h new programme of short online training opportunities. called "Just Remind Me" was piloted with two free of charge workshops. A total of 20 people attend these. and it is hoped to extend this proEramme as part of an online subscription programme This means that during 2022-23. 6C6 people attended Bridge Builders training. Alongside the trainin& we also provided coachin& mediation and otherservices at the request of church organisations and individuals. Due to the demand on time and resources involved. we have limited the number of large xaSe group intervention5. and focu55ed on a 5rnall amount of individual mediation work. t>uring the year. Bridge Builders: conducted 6 inteTventiOn5 either directly or using Bridge Builder< partners. with other enquiries handed on to Bridge Builders. partners as outsÈde referrals led a number of work consultancy or coathing sessions ft)r •ndNiduals and groups in church leadership roles Bridge Builder5. work continues to be very well received with positive feedback highlehting both the quality and the impart of the training for those in ministry. The following quotes from evaluation forms give a flavour= is vrkShOp has opened my thinking to group dynamics arKI People styles in communicalion. A wonderfulty insightful and practical workshop." Church administrator (September2022. Hondliftg Confiirt Construrtivefy. I doy worksht)pJJ "Reèl and significant growlh in self-awareness. Learning embodied and constructed so well. Great developrnent for enriched relationships and improved leadership. Church of England Teom Vicar (Jan 2023. Transforming Conflirt IJ "It's a really good springboard. particularly wn beginning to think how members of a team might manage conflict differentl¢. Loy pastorol SiStant IMoy2023. Handling Conllirt Construrtively. I day worbhopj "Brilliant - enlighteninE, engagin& challenging and totally relevant to my leadership and ministry. delivered by excellent facilitators". Salvation Army Divisional Leader (M(ry2023 Tronsfomiinq Confii(t I forsenior Chn5tion Leaders) Flnandal Revlew Bridge Builders had a deficit for year ended 31 August 2023 of£19.979 compared to a surplus in 2022 of £8.035. Total income for the year was £105.104- a decrease of 1.2% from E106. 970 in 2022. The principal Sou$ of funding during the year were;
BRIDGE BUILDERS MINisfRIES (a company limited by guarantee) TRusfEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023- contlnued fees frorn training courses and workshops of £8933012022 £82.595}; mediation fees of E6.52212022 £9.3681: grants of £1.2(KI {2022 £1.2W): and donations received of £6.76412022 £13.102). Total expenditure for the year was £125.672 - an intrease of 27% from £98.935 in 2022 - principallv derived from increased staffing costs a5 we employed an additional part-time training provider to increase our delivery capacity. and a 26% increase in training venue costs. refiecting the full retum to in- person training, as well as the forced rnovement to new, more expensive venues following the closuve of our previous provider. The principal items of expenditure were: staff costs £65.374 venue c05ts for courses £34.356 training partner service costs £13.383 operating costs £10.082 12022 £42,804) 12022 £27.2311 {2022 f 15.296) 12022 £10.476) Net assets of the charity at the year-end were £66.86712022 £86W61. As on 313t August 2023 there are no monies in restrirted fvnds. The truste, poliry has been to hold an unrestricted operational reserve representing a minimum of six month5. Worth of expenditure. Based on expenditure levels associated with the current operating model. on 31st August 2023 this has been achieved. Risk Managemenl The trustees review major risks on an ongoing basis. and through the Trustee Board meetin8s. In this wav the Trustees are ensuring that they are paying due attention to the stability of our operation5 and to our duty of care to both our staff and programme participants. Financial sustainability and Strateg risks are also constantly considered. Durin8 the period, the most significant risk was deemed to be sustainability of the delivery l operating model that could result from potential unavailability of key staff. Linked to this, is the additional risk lissue of the long-tenn sustainability of an organisation that is dependent on the skilts and expertise of a single key member of staff who is provtding all the organisation's operational leadership. and the majority of its training delivery and the associated financial income. These risks continue to be reviewed and miligation5 sought by the Board of Tfttee$- including establishing thinking for rnid to lonBer term staffin8 Options / methods. Plan5 for FUre Periods The impact of the Covid pandemic is Still being felt in the provision of a mix of in-person and online resources to clients. However. the has teen a growing confidence in clients to return to more face-tO- face seNite provision and this is expected to continue. Whilst residential courses have remained popular, there has been an increasin8 desire ffom clients for more beswke training. to meet specific and local needs. and we fully expect this trend to continue into the future. Indeed. our tonfidence here has led to the recfuitment of an addl)al part-time mernberof staff who has cofismlerable training and mediatton experience to help facilitate and grow this aspett of our work.
BRIDGE BUILDERS MINlSfRIES la cornpary limited by guarantee) TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023- continued The investment in bespoke training is a150 allowing Bridge 8uilders to continually bring the benefrts of thi5 work into the ongoing development of resources for residential courses. Bridge Builders will continue to provide, as part of its core capability, a range of mediation services, which, based on our experience to date. we see leading to additional training and fesourcing opportunities. Notwrthstanding the provision of mediation services. the primary focus for Bridge Builders 8oin8 forward will be the continued development and provision of high-quality training to meet the evolving needs of individual and corporate clients. Whilst clients continue to experience challenges in their budgets. we strongly believe that Bridge Builders has the skills and capabilities to meet the current and emerging needs of both existing and new clients in an increasingly tense and anxious world. Tru5tees' Respon5ibilitie5 The truste {who are also the directors forthe purpose of company law) are responsibbe for preparing their report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Stsndards (United Kingdorn Generally knepted AccountinE Practice). Company law Tequires the trustee5 to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under ihat law the trustees must prepare the financial ststements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable lawl. Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a tTiJe and foir view of the State of affair5 of the charrtable company and of the incoming resources and application of resource5. including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial ststements. the tnee$ are required to: select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistentlv: Obse0 the method5 and principles in the Charities SORP- make judgements ar estimates that are reasonable and prudent: state whether applKable UK Accounting Standards have been followed. subject to afty material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements: and .prepare the financial statements on the going concem basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue to operate. The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that a suffitient to show and explain the charitable compan$ transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitabSe company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 21x16. They are alg) responsible for safeguarding the a55ets of the
BRIDGE BUILDERS MINISTrIES qa (ompany lirnited by guarantee) TRUSTEES. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023- contlnued company and hence forLiking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. This report has been prepared in accordan with the special provisions relatin8 to companies subjert to the small companies. regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2(K)6. This report was approved iythe Board on 2V0312024. and signed on their behalf bv: Chair of Trustees Rev. Steve Cobbin
BRIDGE BUILDERS MINisfRIES la company limited by guardntee) INOEPENDENT EXAMINEIYS REPORT TO THE TRusfEES OF BRIDGE BUIU>ERS MINISTRIES I report to the tfustees (who are a150 Dirertors for the purpose of company law) on my examination of the financial statements of Bridge Builders Ministries I'the charitable cornpanrfl for the year ended 31 August 2023 which comprise the Statement of Financial Attivittes. the Balance Sheet and related notes. This report is made solety to the charivs trustees. as a body, in accordante with section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the thariWs trustees those mattefs l am required to state to them in this report and for other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume resp)nsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charitvs trnstees as a body. for my worl for this report. or for the opifirons I have formed. Re5p¢>nslbllities and basis of report As the trustees of a charitsble company. you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Art 2(K161'the 21 ACYI. Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charitable company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Act and are eligible for independent examination. I report in respert of my examination of the charitable companlls financial statements carried out under seCtn 145 of the Charities Act 2011 1.the 2011 ACVI and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under settion 1451511bl of the 2011 Act. An independent examination does not involve Eathering all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently does not cover all the matters that an auditor considers in gprfing their opinion on the financial statements. The planning and condurt of an audil goes beyond the limited assurance that an independent examination can provide. Consequentty. l express r¢0 opinion as to whether the financial Statements present a 'true and fairf view. and my report is lirnited to those specific matters set out in the independent examinerfs statement. Independent examinerfs slatement I have completed my examination. I confirni that Th) material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: accounting records were not kept in respect of the charitable company as required by section 386 of the 2{ Act: or the financial statements do not accord with those records- or • the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of settion 396 of the 2Q)6 Act other than any requirement that the financial statements give a 'true and fair view which is not a rnatter considered as part of an irKlependent examination- or the financial statements have not been prepared in accordan with the rnethods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordan with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 1021.
BRIDGE BUILDERS MINISTrIES la c(mpany limlted by gu¥antee) INDEPENDENT EXAMINEWS REPORT TO THE TRusfEES OF BRIDGE BUILDERS MINISTRIES - continued Independent examinerfs statement (continued) I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connertion with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached. Mr J Dovey FCCA Date.....
BRIDGE BUILDERS MINisfRIES la company limbted by guarantee) DETAILED INCOME AND ExPENDVftE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR END 31- AUGusf 2023 Income Fund Operatloftal Total Total Unrestrirted Funds 2022 Note INCOME FROM Charitable artivitie5 96595 92.611 Grants L2(Kl Oonations 6.764 6.764 13.102 Interest 1.134 105.104 105.104 106.970 EXPENDIWRE ON Charitable actbvit 115.117 115J17 88.059 Operating costs Management artd adrninistration 10.082 IOA182 10.476 473 473 125,672 125.612 NEf IEXPENDMIREIIINCOME I979) 119W9} 8.035 Fund balanos at start of year 86J46 78,811 FUND BALANCESAT END OF YEAR 66,867 66067 86.846 io
BRIDGE BUILDERS MINisfRIES (a company limited by guarantee) BALANCE SHEEr AS AT 315f AUGU5f 2023 2022 CURRENT ASSETS Debt¢>rs 16J60 12.490 Cash at bank and in hand 78340 101295 113,785 CURRE14T UABiunES Creditors: amounts fallin8 due within oneyear 26.939 NET CURRENT ASSETS 6667 86.846 TOTAL NEf ASSETS 66J67 86,846 Representing: UNRESTRicfEO INCOME FUND 1193791 8.035 BB Fund General Fund balances at siart of year 47AOO 39,365 UNREsTRIEo OPERATIONAL RESERVE 35.000 66J67 86,846
BRIDGE BUILDERS MINisfRIES (a company limited by guaranteel For the year ended 31 August 2023 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Att 2(X)6 relating to 5fflall companies. The members have not required the company to obtsin an audit of its financial ststernents for the year ended 31 August 2023 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companles Art 26. The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for. lal ensuring that the company keeps ?ccountirE records whith compty with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2( and {bl preparing financial statements which gNe a tn and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Serti0Tr5 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Art 26 relati to financial statements. so far as applicable to the company. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisi0Tr5 relating to companies subject to the small companies. regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements were approved by the tru5tee5 On 2110312024 at)d signed on their behalf Chair of Trustees , Reverend Steve Cobbin 12
BRIDGE BUILDEIS MINisfRIES la company Ilmlted by cuarnntee) NOTES TO TH£ FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGusf 2023 l Accounti poli¢tes lal Basis of Preparation The financial ststemenls have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at C05t or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notels). The financial Staternents have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Actountin8 and RertIng by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland {FRS 1021 a1 the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements do not indude a cash flow statement asthe Company has taken advantsge of the exemption available to it within the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland IFRS 102). The preparation of financial statements requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires ihe trustees to exercise their judgements in the process of applying the Company's accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity. or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the financial statements. are disclosed in note 2. The trustees have prepared the financial ststements on the going conorn basis. {b) Incorne recognition Course fees are invoiced in advance and only recognised once the course has been run. Grants and donations relating to specific artivities are deferred until the related expenditLire is incued. Interest is accounted for on an 15 ba515. Ic} Expenditure recognttion Resources expended are accounted for on an accruals basis. (dl Computer equipment All computer equipment costing less than £2,IXK) is Chaed in Statement of Financial Activities in the year of acquisitron. (el Taxation The company is a giStered charity under the Charities Art 2011 and therefore M liability to taxètion arises. If) Public benefrt entity The charity is a public benefft entity. 13
BRIDGE BUILDERS MINisfRIES la cornpary limited by guarantee) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- contlnued YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023 l Accounting policies- contirwl Igl Financial Instrurnents The Charity has chosen to adopt Sections 11 and 12 of FRS 102 in respect of Financial Instruments Short term debtots ondcreditors Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses ari%ng from impairrnent a recognised in the Statement of fInala1 Artivitses in 'operating cosis.. Cosh ond cosh equivolents Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and in hand. Offsetting Financial assets and liabilities are offset. and the net amounts presented in the accounts when there is a legalty enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basls or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously. Ihl Fund Structure The Company's Funds constitute unrestricted funds. which the trustees are free to use for any purpose in furtherante of the tharitsble obiertives. 2 Judgements in aPpty1 acuwnting polkies and key sources of estimatlon uncertainty In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affert the amounts reported for assets and liabilities as at the balance sheet date and the amounts reported for incorne and expen5e5 during the year. However. the nature of estimation means thai artual outcomes could differ from these estirnates. Whilst the trustees have made judgements, estimates and assumptions in preparing the financial statements. they consider that these have not had a si8nifKant effect on amounts recognised. 2022 3 Charitsble artivities whith generate fvnds Course fees 89.330 82.595 Mediation fees 9.368 Consultanc 340 Other incorne 653 359 14
BRIDGE BUILDERS MINISTRIES la company limited by guarantee 96.595 92.661 NOTES TO THE HNANaAL STATEMENtS~ tontinued YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUSf 2023 2023 2022 4 Grants recei¥ed Grants 1.2(KJ 1.2(Kl 2023 2022 5 Charltable expenditure Staff costs 65374 42.804 Venue costs 34.356 27,231 Training costs 383 15,296 Travel and subsistence 527 212 Book5 and Stationery 1,4ri 2,516 115J17 88,059 2023 2022 6 Operating costs office Expenses 4.810 4,338 Professional Fees 2.260 Banking and Bookkeeping 936 Hardware and software support 2.653 2,942 10.082 10.476 15
BRIDGE BUILDERS MINISTRIES la company lirnited by guarantee) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT5- continued YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023 2023 2022 7 Management and administrati Staff welfare 473 4n 4CKI 2023 2022 8 Debto Trade debtors 11.654 10,258 Other debtors 1.520 Prepayments and accrued income 1,702. 712 16,160 12.49) 2022 9 Creditoys Trade creditors Accruals and deferred income Isee note 10) 28255 26.762 Other creditors {622) 177 27.633 26.939 16
BRIDGE BUILDER5 MINlSfRIES (a company limited by guarantee) NOTES TO ThE FINANaAL STATEMENTS. continued YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023 At I September 2022 30.530 Released in year 151,2251 Deferred in year 48.950 At 31 August 2023 28255 Deferred income is reco8nised when funds are received in advance of a tourse being run. The deferred income is released once the course has run. in accordance with the income recognition accounting policy of the Company. 11 Related party tractIonS During the year. Liz Griffrths as a director of the company. reived remuneration for her employment as the Director of Training. No other trustees have received any remunerotion or anv other benefits from employment with the charity. During the year. MedIatn training servtces were provided by Clarity Development. a company owned by the spouse of one of the trustees of the charity. The total fees charged for these seThices were £1,213 and there was no outstanding balance at the year end. The total aggregate value of donations received during the year from tnjstees or other related partS where no conditions have been placed on such donations is £782. 17