Communities Together Durham
Report and Finanaal Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2023
Charity number 1157214
Company number 08860961

Communities Together Durham
Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023
Contsnts
Pages
Directors, and Trustéés, Réport
Independent Examinerfs Report
Statement of Financi31 Attivities
Balance Sheet
Notes to the Financial statements
10-14

Communities Together Durham
Dirertors and Trustees Annual Report
for the year ended 31 December 2023
Reference and administration details
Charity name:
Communities Together Durham
Registered charity number
1157214
Company number
08860961
Registered offite address
Cuthbert House
Stonebridge
Durham
DHI 3RY
The trustees under charity law. who were also the directors under cc*npany law. who served during the
period and up to the date of this report were:
The Revd Canon Sheila Jane Bamber {fr0rn 24.01.14; reappointed 26.03.20)
Kathy Bevan (from 05.03.241
The Rt Revd Sarah Elizabeth Clark {DBF nominee. from 01.08.191
Elaine Kilgannon (from 05.03.24)
Andrew finkler (from 05.03.241
Katherine Margaret Welch OBE. DL lfrorn 26.03.14; reappointed from 26.03.191
The Revd Dr David Edwin George Whiting {from 26.03.14- reappointed from 26.03.19)
Independent Examiner
Mrj l Henderson
1 Silverdale Wav
Whickham
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE16 SSL
Structure* governance and management
A review of trustee skills identified the need to strengthen the Board. in particular with experience
of community development in a Christian context, finanaal andlor investment management and
strategic planning. During the autumn we advertised for new trustees, and the Board considered
a number of responses in a process that Induded application fornis and informal interviews. The
expressions of interest were reviewed at the De￿rnber meeting and after a 8roup meetin& and
the obtaining of references, three new trustees were appointed on 5 March 2024, and attended
theirfirst meeting on that date.

Objectives and activities
The objects of Communities Together Durham are. for the benefrt of the public:_
1.1 to promote the efficiency and effectiveness of Christian based charities in the furthetance of their
objécts or any one of them, mainly but not èxclusivély, by the provisioh of ihformation, advice,
support and Trnfrastrurture provision- and
1.2 the relief of financi31 hardship. either generally or individually. through the provision of grants.
Eoods or services.
The trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charty Commission on public benefrt.
Achtevements and perfomiance
2023 saw Itttle improvement in financial circumslances for many people in the diocese. and child poverty
rates in the North East remain the highest in the country at around 35%. Of the children living in poverty
71%arè in working familiès.
We have continued to work with Durham Diocese to help churches and community groups deliver the
'challenging povert￿ programme. which ha5 three areas of focus: working together to address child and
youth poverty, responding to isolation. particularly among the eiderfyand reachirE out and responding to
the needs and gifts of refugees and asylum seekers.
Food and fun holiday activities tontinued to be an important part of churthes, work, and over 300 children
participated in artivities over the summer. We have continued to support the living ￿ge campaign, which
saw several more of the region's organisations accredit as real living wage employers or move towards
doing so- including Durham University. We have encouraged churches and projects acr05S the diocese to
engage with this campaign and with other activities to challenge unjust structures, exploring a number of
approaches including community organising {working with Citizens UK) and 'Big Questions.. We also
helped to facilitate a regional 'round table, conference drawing together evidence and testimonies from
individuals with a wide range of lived experienc&s of poverty- It will be good to see sorne planned action
arising from this ewdence gathering. We have worked in partnership with Children North East to poverty
proofanother 12 schools over the year. and thi5 work is to continue. with a full impact evaluation planned
for 2D24. Three debt projects run by churches in the diocese have helped around 80 people work towards
becoming debt free- this work hawng an impacton their families as well as the individuals directly
supported. Chronic food insecurity has risen over the past year, and churches continue to help addre55
this. Three new'cooking on a budgey courses during this year have helped families and indtviduals make
nutritious and economical use of low4ost food from pantries and f(xyl hubs. We have aimed to help those
running existing food provision projects to develop models wthich offer greater choice and dignity for those
accessinE their support.
Churches continue to build on their work around 'warrn hub5'. developing welcom1￿ spaces for people to
gather and support one anotheT. It has become clear that these space5 are more atx)ut mutual support and
buildingcommunitythan providing somewherewarm. as they have continued and grown well beyond the
winter period. Places of welcome continue to draw in isolated people in their communities. Two new
parish nurses have now been appointed to work acr055 Tee5dale and Weardale to 511PPOrt mentsl health in
isolated tommunities, and the partnerships btheen churche5 and local Organisat￿n5 in the Durham Dale5
are flourishing as this work gathers momentum. Parish nursing projects have also been successfully
estsbli5hed in two other pari5he5. providing skilled support to complement ILKal pastoral care.

This yeaT three parishes used the course Know Your Churth Know Your Neighbourhood to engage in real
listening in their communities. The course has not only strengthened pre-existing relationships in the
community but has sparked new links too bringing the church and wider community closer together.
Raising awareness of the challenges faced by those entering the country ha5 been an important part of our
work in reaching out and responding to the needs and gifts of asylum Seekers and Refugees. Trairsing
around the 'Right to Remain, toolkit, and ten film showings of The Old Oav accompanied by refiective
discussion have helped over 700 people engage more with the issues faced by asylum seeker5 and refugees
in practical and thoughtful ways. Three new drO￿inS have been stsrted in comrnunitie5 where asylum
seekers and refugees are livin& for sUPPOrt and fellowship* and hosts of Ukrainian families have also been
brought together to share experience5 and information.
We have worked closely with the local authorities and othei voluntary sector agencies to create a co-
ordinated approach to supporting asylum seekers and refugees. In County Durham we have become the
lead partner for the 'New Arrivals PathwaV checking essentials are in place, offeri￿ initial orientation,
linking new arrivals to our drop-ins and givtng continued support and signpostiD8. We have been asked to
consider continuing and further developing this work in 2024125.
We have continued to be actively engaged with the development of. and administer the funding for,
Durham Dales Parish Nursin& Money Adwce South Tyneside and the Refugee and Asylum Seeker project
The initial grants come to an end in 2024125 and Yle have spent time this year working on future planning
with each project. Both the Parish Nursing and money advice proiects have established separate charities-
we are considering how best to continue the refugee and asylum seeker Work as th8e is clearly a demand
trom churches and other groups for 5UPPOrt, and an opportunity to further develop our existing work with
Durham County Counul. We continue to be grateful to Durham Diocese and through them Lord Crewe's
Charity for the opportunities to support churches in establishing these signfficant projects.
During the second half of the year we engaged a consultant to work wtth us to review our management
Structures, administrative arrangements, policies and procedures, and that work is shaping the delivery of
existing and new projects. Significant changes to stsffin& new contrèrtual opportunities and changes to
the funding and management of some projects have led to further shaping of the staffing structure. In the
early part of 2024 three members of staff. including our Lead Development Worker. moved on to new
opportunitie5. In consultation wtth the diocese. we have taken the opportunity of reviewing and
strengthening our partnership arrangements, and reviewing role descriptions before moving to
recruitrnenL We expect to have fully implemented our revised staffing plans by September 2024.
Financlal performance
The main source of income during the year was from a range of partnership projects with Durham Diocese.
Some ofthese will Come to a managed end in 2024and our budgets reflectthaL Weatso obtsined a grant
from Durham County Council for thè dèlivery of 'New Arriydls pathwa￿ rèsettlèmwit programme for
Refugee5 and Asylum Seekers. We have agreed new arrangements for the delivery of the'challenging
Povew programme with Durham Diocese (formerly known as the Bn"dge Project) and these wi15 be
implemented in 2024. The financial position for 2024 15 secure and we are working to secure longer term
income streams.
General reserves have reduced slightly and now stand at £79.889 and we continue to designate £20,000 for
the appointment of a part time Chief Executive OfficeT. Our general reserves are supporting cash flow a5
income flow5 quarterly in arrears, and as our core costs increase with the appointment of additional

executive and administrative sUPPOrt {total budgeted cost £52kl we expect to hold unrestritted reserves
equivalent to one yeaffs core costs. The pre55ures on the voluntary and charitable sector continue. and
while we do not wish to increase our reserves. we believe the present level to be appropriate.
Trustee￿ responsibilities in respert of the financial staternents
Company Law requires the trustees, who are the directors under c(mipany law, to ptepare financial
statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable
company at the year end and of the net Incomin￿Out80inE resources of the company for the year then
ending. In preparing these financial statements the trustees are required to
select suitsble accounting policies:
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent",
state whether applicable accounting 5tandard5 have been follgwed, subject to any material
departures disc105ed and explained in the financial ststements-
prepare financial ststements on a going concem basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the
company will continue on that basis.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records ￿1¢h disclose vthh reasonable
accuracy at any tirne the financial positton of the charitable company and to enable it to ensure that the
financlal statements tomply wth the Cornpanie5 Art 2fKJ6. They are also re5ponslble for safeguardlng the
assets of the charitable cornpany and hence for tsking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of
fraud and other irregularities.
Independent examiner
The trustees have taken advantsge of the provisions of the Companies Act 2(a)6 in respect of the audit
requirements for small companies and opted to have an independent examination in accordance with the
Charities Art.
Small company special provisions:
The above report has been prepared in accordance wrih the provisions applicable to companies subject to
the small companie5, regime as set out in Part 15 of the Companses Art 2006.
This report was approved by the trustees on
6 J
and signed on their behalf by
Sheila Bamber
Director and Trustee
6 | Pa¥7 f

Independent Examinerfs Report on the Accounts
Report to the Trustees of Communities Together Durham on the accounts for the year ended 31 December
2023 set out on pages 8 to 14.
Respertlve responslbilltles of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider
that an audit is not require(J for this year under section 144 of the Charitie5 Art 2011 (the Charities Act) and
that an independent examination is nee(led.
It Is my responsibility to:
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Art,
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions gThien by the Charity Commission
(under section 14515llbl of the Charities Act), and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examinerfs statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission.
An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the char¢ty and a comparison of the
accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in
the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures
undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit. and consequently no
opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fairf view and the report is limited to those
matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examinerfs statement
In connertion with my examination. no matter has come to my attention:
111 which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements..
To keep accountin8 records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act: and
To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting
requirements of the Charities Act have not been met,. or
121 to which. in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understandin8 of
the accounts to be reached.
Signed
Date
2D*
Name
Mr J l Henderson FCA
Address
I Silverdale Wav
Whickham
NE16 SSL

Communities Together Durham
Statement of Financial Activities (incorporating an Income and
Expenditure Account) for the year ended 31 December 2023
Uwestrlcted RestrItt￿ Total Funds Totsl Fund5
Fund5 2023 Fund$ 2023
2022
Incornlng resources
Generated funds
Voluntary income
Activities for £eneratir#&fund5
Investmpnt irKome
Charitable act￿ltIeS
Other incoming rèsourcès
Totolincoming resources
6J05
6￿5
23,810
23,810
21,355
29)
Itx)
217.681
217,971
123,710
Resources expended
Generètion of voluntsry income
Charitable Actwitie5
Governance costs
Other resources expended
TotuIres(wr￿S expended
24,591
210,781
235,372
125.831
21
Ner Incomellexpendlture) lor theye•r
Re￿nciliation of lunds
Totsl funds brought forward
Net movement in funds throughout year
21,022
IDIN03
79,501
491
T¢tolfvnds curriedfonvord
All the charitsble companws operations are classed as continuing and recognised gains and losses and
movement on reserves are shown above.
The notes on pages 10 to 14 form part of these accounts.

Communities Together Durham
Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2023
Note Total F￿d$21￿5 Totrl Funds 2022
Current Assets
Debtors
Cash at bank In hand
Stock Ivouchersl
Totalwrrentossets
41,2KI
74,572
53,019
49,925
101944
LiabllTrtle5
Credff£ors.' amounts fallirvd due wrthin one year
915
Netcvrrent ossets
114117
101.4*B
Tot£rl¢issets lessturrent liabilities
114,117
101,403
￿Et(￿ets
io
The funds of the charity
Restricted income funds
Unrestrirted income fund5
li
21,023
80.380
34,228
rotolcho￿tyfvnds
li
For the financial year ended 31 December 2023 the company vM5 entttled to eXefflpt￿n from audit under
section 477 of the Companies Act 2CQ6: aftd no notice has been deposited under sertion 476.
Direttors, responsibilities..
The members have not required the company to obtsin an audFt of its accourrts forthe year in
question in accordance with section 476
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complyingwith the requirement of the Act with
respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the prowsions applicable to companies Subject to
the small companies regime as set out in Part 15 of the Companies Acl 2￿6.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees
Sheila Bamber
Director and Trustee
Date io L

Communities Together Durham
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023
Note I: Basis of preparatlon
Basis of accounting
These accounts have been prepared on the basis of historic cost lex¢ept that investments are
shown at market value) in accordance with the Finanaal Reporting Standard 102 IFRS1021 as
applicable to Charities leffective January 2016) comprwsing the Ststement of Recommended
Practice Accounting and Reporting by Charities {"SORP 2015.1.
Change in basis of accounting
There has been no change to the attountiTrB policies (valuation rules and methods of accounting)
since last year.
Changes to previous accounts
No changes have been made to accounts for previous year5.
Note 2= Accountlng poliaes
Incomlng resources
2.1.1 Recognition of incoming resources
These are included in the Statement of Financial Activrties {SoFA) when:
The charity become5 entitled to the resource
The trustees are virtually certain they will receive the resources and the monetsry value Can be
measured with sufficient reliabiltty.
2.1.2 Incoming resource5 With related expenditure
Where incoming resources have related expenditure las with hjndraising or contract income) the
incoming resources and related expenditure are reported gr￿5 in the SOF
2.1.3 Grants and donations
Grants and donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement
to the re5ource5.
2.1.4 Tax redaims on donations and giFts
Incoming resources from tax reclaims are included in the SoFAatthe same time as thegift to which
they relate.
2.1.5 Contractual income and performancè related grants
This is only included in the SOFA once the related goods or services have been delivered.

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023
2.1.6 Gifts in kind
Gifts in kind are accounted for at a reasonable estimate of their value to the charty or the amount
attually realised. Gifts in kind for sale or distribution are induded in the attounts as gifts only when
sold or distributed by the charity. Gifts in kind for use by the tharity are included in the SOFA as
incoming resources when receiwdble.
2.1.7 Donated serm￿$ and facilities
These are only included in incoming resource51with an equwalent arnount in resources expended)
where the benefit to the charity is reasonably quantifiable, measureable ?nd material. The value
placed on these resources is the estimated value to the charity of the service or facilty received.
2.1.8 VDlunteer help
The value of any voluntsry help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the
trustees, annual reporL
2.1.9 Investment incorne
This is included in the accounts when receivable.
Expendlture and Ilabllltles
2.2.1 Liability recognition
Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the
charity to pay out resources.
2.2.2 Governance costs
Include costs of the preparation aTrd examination of 5tstutory accounts. the costs of trustee
meeting5 and costs of any legal advice to trustees on govemance or constitutional matters.
2.2.3 Support costs
Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on
basi5 Consistent with the use of resources.
Assets
2.3.1 Tangible fixed assets for use by charity
These are capitslised if they can be used for more than one year and costat least £500. They are
valued at cost or, if gifted, at the value to the charity on receipL
iii

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023
Note 3 Analysis of incomlng resour
Unrestricted Restricted Totsl 2023
Total 2022
Voluntary income
Donations IFIC#I
Donations IRAS#1
Tr?n5Tèr DDBF hèld Tunds IFIC#I
120
6.185
llo
6.185
50
2,61B
Activities for ￿eratIng fvnds
Durham Diocese
Training Delivery
ndisfarne College of Theology
23,336
23.336
21,355
474
474
Other Incomlng resource
Grant-
Durham Diotese
HMRC EmploymentAllowance
Durham Cathedral
Faith in Cornrnunity IFIC#)
Durham C C Pathways IRAS#I
Middlesbrough BC IRAS#I
177,571
4,710
177.571
5,CM)O
107.710
5,000
1.000
10.000
290
30,400
rotol Incomlng resources
# a full breakdown of the restricted funds is included in Note 11
Note 4 Analysls of reSOur￿S Èxpended
Unrestrirted Restricted Totsl 2023
Total 2022
Charltable artivitles
Staff costs
Travel and subststéncé
Administratio
Programrne costs
Misc #
8.717
534
1.572
1,054
li.￿9
165,422
4,204
8.329
30,454
122
174.139
4.738
9.9DI
31.508
11,131
85,506
1,720
4,119
28,286
4,073
Governan￿ costs
2.350
Totol resources expended
24
91 210 781
# This includes a ontroff fee of £10.169 for management consukancy related to organisational
development
12 | 1)

Note 5 Detslls of certain Items of expendlture
Trustee expenses
No Trustee5 claimed expenses during 2023 or 2022.
Fees for the examination of the accounts
2023
2022
ndependent examinerfs fees for rew)rting on the accounts
Note 6 Pald employees
At the end of the year the organisation employed seven members of staff. From April 2023 two members
of staff were remunerated at £40.759 per annum IFfE. including penS￿n contributlonsl. Additionally, two
members of staff were seconded by Durham DiL*ese: all their costs were paid directly by the Dicwe.
Note 7 Debtors and prePa￿￿ents
Analy51s ol debtors
Amountsfalling duewithin
one year
2023
2022
Grant payments outstanding
Prepayments
40.856
424
52.621
398
Total
Note 8 Creditors anfl ac(yuals
Analysis of Lyeditors
Amounts falling due within
one year
2023
2022
Accruals
1.915
1,541
Total
Note 9 Transactions and related partres
There were no transactions with related parties during the year.

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023
Note 10 Movements on funds
Fund
balance
blfv
Incomlng
Outgolng
res(wrces resources
Transfer Fund balance
between
clfvid
funds
Unrestrltted fund5
General fvnd
24.1(Xl
24.591
Restrlrted Fund
Lord Crewe'5 Charity IDDBFI
Bridge Project
Free Help with Debt
Dales Parish Nursing
78.942
44,796
441
78.942
44,796
441
Re5tr1tted Fund
Faith in Community
URC
Lord Crewe's Charity IDDBFI
Donations
Other (transfer frorn DDBF
restrirted fund)
3,149
6,851
8.355
50
120
170
1618
2,618
Restilcted Fund
Refugee/Asylum Projert
Lord Crewe'5 Charity IDDBFI
Durham CC
Middlesbrough BC
Donations {cashl
Donations lin kindl
58,102
19,406
30,4L
10.994
5,OC(I
60
180
6,125
5.945
Total Restrlcted Funds
21
223 986 ￿781
228
rotolfvnds
Note 11 Net assets by fund
Unrestricted
Restricted
Totsl 2023
Total 2022
Fixed assets
Net current assets
79.889
34.228
114.117
101,403
Tott71 assets
Note 12 Liablllty of Members
The liability of members is limited by guarantee. In the event of the charlty being wound up during the
period of membership, members would be required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.
141 P89F.