Bethel Trust Port Talbot (CIO) ## **Bethel Trust Port Talbot** ## _CIO_ ## **TRUSTEES REPORT AND UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st March 2023** 1 Bethel Trust Port Talbot (CIO) Charity number 1157288 Bethel Trust Port Talbot, Sandfields Road, Aberavon, Port Talbot. SA12 6LR 2 Bethel Trust Port Talbot (CIO) ## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION** Trustees Dr Elizabeth Hill O’Shea Margaret Rose Anthony Hill O’Shea Rev Michele Matthews Mr Wayne Morris Secretary Rev Shaun O’Keefe Chair Dr Elizabeth Hill O’Shea Registered Office Bethel Trust Port Talbot, Sandfields Road, Aberavon, Port Talbot. SA12 6LR Governing Document Bethel Trust Port Talbot is governed by its Trust Deed dated 3 June 2014 amended on 28 Jan 2016 and as amended on 16 Aug 2019. Bethel Trust Port Talbot is a CIO incorporated on 3 June 2014. Bankers Natwest Bank Plc Independent Examiner Mr Michael Treharne. BA, PGCE. UK National Director Bridges for Peace Ltd 23 Alma Road, Maesteg, Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan. CF34 9AW Registered Charity No. 1157288 Incorporated in England & Wales. 3 Bethel Trust Port Talbot (CIO) ## **TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2023** The Trustees present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” (FRS 102) in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity. ## **TRUSTEES OF THE CHARITY** The trustees who have served during the year were as below: Dr Elizabeth Hill O’Shea Anthony Hill O’Shea Mr Wayne Morris Rev Michele Matthews Margaret Rose ## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES** The objects of the CIO are, for the public benefit, the relief of persons who are in need by reason of financial hardship, ill-health, unemployment, homelessness, education and such other economic or social disadvantage. In addition, for the public benefit, the advancement of the Christian faith in such ways as the charity trustees may from time to time decide. The charity undertakes this work primarily through Bethel Community Church, which: - Runs a drop-in centre for the local community three days a week - Provides free food through the foodbank to the local community twice a week - Runs a Food pantry shop open two afternoons a week - Runs a baby bank supporting local families twice a week - Runs a weekly mental health friendship hub - Runs a money management course - Provide referral services for debt recovery in partnership with Shelter Cymru - Provides training and employment opportunities for volunteers - Provides weekly support to people recovering from addiction - Practical assistance to homeless individuals - Community events such as jumble sales and holiday events - Runs a leadership training college – Bethel Leadership College - Holds Bible studies, prayer, worship and other church activities - Runs discipleship courses for new believers The charity operated from the former Salem Welsh Congregational Church building, which was purchased by the Trust in December 2017. The work is supported by individuals who volunteer their time and donate their time and resources to help the charity further its objects. The Trustees would like to thank all those who have supported the charity over the year. 4 Bethel Trust Port Talbot (CIO) ## **PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT** When planning our activities for the year, the trustees have considered the Commission's guidance on public benefit and the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. 5 Bethel Trust Port Talbot (CIO) ## **CHAIR’S REPORT 2022-2023 Dr Elizabeth Hill O’Shea** This past year has proven to be another busy year at Bethel Trust. Thankful to be back on our feet after the Covid epidemic, we were back to opening our doors to the local community. However, just as we were beginning to recover as a nation from the impact that Covid had upon us all, we found ourselves suddenly faced with new challenges as economic difficulties took their toil in the form of rising energy costs and inflation. These new challenges were felt by many in our community, including ourselves as utility costs suddenly increased significantly, impacting the cost of keeping our doors open to a community with ever increasing needs. In light of these challenges, we opened our first Warm Hub over the winter months, and were very grateful to secure funding from National Grid which enabled us to purchase warm fleece blankets, electric blankets and heaters, together with hot water bottles which we distributed to people for free in the local community. As people came into our warm, comfortable café environment we were also able to provide them with hot refreshments and snacks supported with funding from the local council. This support was well received by members of the local community. In addition to the new warm hub, we also saw another new project start up: our weekly mental health friendship group. We were thankful for funding from Community Foundation Wales and Western Power Distribution which supported this project and enabled us to get off the ground by providing for resources and volunteer expenses. It has proved popular and we see people coming in from the local community and also referrals from local mental health agencies. We would like to express our thanks to the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust who provided funds to enable us to get the debt recovery project off the ground, which we started in partnership with Shelter Cymru to whom we make referrals. Alongside this project, we ran a new money management programme at our charity, providing people with the tools, skills and knowledge they need to budget and maximize income potential. In addition to these new projects, our fledgling baby bank continued to grow after Hollywood actor Michael Sheen kindly opened it the year before, and we were at first inundated with support, for which we were so grateful. It grew significantly and has been a welcome support to families in the local area. It grew so much that we approached a local church, Sandfields Presbyterian Church, and asked if they would partner with us. We were delighted when they said yes and today there are two baby banks in our town serving the needs of families locally. We would also like to express our gratitude to the financial support from Neath Port Talbot Council as they provided funding for our foodbank and warm hub, often providing grant funding just when it was needed. They have been a real help to our projects. There are other funders too to whom we are so grateful for their support including: - Magic Little Grants - Warburtons - Persimmon 6 Bethel Trust Port Talbot (CIO) We are also grateful to Project Comfort and Mal’s Marauders for their support and friendship. Finally, but not least, we wish to express our sincere thanks to The Headley Trust who provided us with a generous and unexpected grant enabling us to continue our food poverty alleviation work and meet other basic needs at a time when our charity was feeling the consequences of national economic difficulties. Their grant has been a huge help for this us this past year, literally helping us keep our doors open and the projects going. In closing, I would like to formally thank everyone who has supported the work of Bethel Trust Port Talbot this past year, especially to the committed team of leaders, all our volunteers and Trustees who work selflessly for the benefit of the charity and local community. I would also like to thank Pastor Shaun O’Keefe and Pastor Wayne Morris, who work voluntary at Bethel Community Church and who provide much appreciated spiritual support to members. Their prayer and support for everyone and all the projects is invaluable. We would also like to express our appreciation to Fareshare, Neighbourly, local supermarkets including Morrisons, Aldi and Lidl, NPT social services, Local Area Coordinators and local PSOs, all of whom have either provided practical, advisory or financial support for the work of the charity. We are also grateful for our relationships with local agencies including Thrive Women’s Aid, The Wallich, Citizens Advice, Shelter Cymru, Housing Associations, The Tyn pub (Baglan), Aberavon Football Club, and the Job Centre. Without everyone’s support we simply couldn’t do what we do. Thank you. ## Dr. Elizabeth Hill O’Shea 7 Bethel Trust Port Talbot (CIO) ## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** The work of the Trust is led on a day-to-day basis by Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Hill O’Shea (Founding Director) and Mr Anthony Hill O’Shea (Centre Manager) and by two assistant Pastors – Rev. Shaun O’Keefe and Rev. Wayne Morris – and other Ministry Leaders appointed by them and the other trustees. The Trustees meet regularly to review the work of the Trust, give future direction, oversight and to ensure good governance. ## **FINANCIAL REVIEW (INCLUDING RESERVES POLICY)** The trustees recognise that a financial reserve would be good practice however, as a small church finances care not currently enough to build a financial reserve. ## **RISK STATEMENT** The trustees have conducted their own review of its major risks to which the charity is exposed and systems have been established to mitigate those risks. ## **TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES** Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Trust as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure for the financial year. In preparing those financial statements the trustees should follow best practice and select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently, make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent and prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the Trust will continue on that basis. The trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records, which disclose at any time the financial position of the Trust and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with charity legislation. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Trust and hence for taking responsible steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. ## **APPROVAL** The report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf on 28[th] January 2024. Dr. Elizabeth Hill O’Shea Founding Director and Trustee 8 Bethel Trust Port Talbot (CIO) ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF BETHEL TRUST PORT TALBOT (CIO)** I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2023, which are set out in the attached statements. ## **Responsibilities and basis of report** As the charity trustees of the charity 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 your charity’s accounts as 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** Since the charity’s gross income was below £250,000 I am competent to undertake the examination as a competent person. 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 that in any material respect: 1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or 3. 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 4. 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. There are no concerns that I have come across 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. Mr Michael Tr:harne. BA, PGCE. UK National Director Bridges for Peace Ltd 23 Alma Road, Maesteg, Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, CF34 9AW 9 Bethel Trust Port Talbot ICIOI Receipts and payments accounts Forthe period from To 01104nD22 31103r2023 Section A Recei ts and ments Unr* stricte d funds t•th• n•ar•rt Re stricted funds Total fund5 Last year to1￿ nèartst£ tt* thè ntarést£ tothe nèarest£ A1 R•c¢i ts Charitable ￿￿t￿l￿e3 1.7ZO 1,720 Donations and gifcs grft aid tax reco¥EfEtt grants Donations from Crganisations 18228 17207 14889 31 M76 27,729 491 Sub total(Gross inG0￿￿) 26.113 46fi62 46A48 A2 Asset and Investment sales Sub t(*al 26,113 20149 48,448 A3Pa ents Church Ministy Social N£uon & Communty 8uildings & Maintenance Tr&ei 461 687 12ASS 13,142 ?,5 2n 40A50 267 10 Stsff an(J iblunleers linc training and enses Running 3nd Supportcosts Charit3L)ie Donations 1813 6.1 4fi21 10P52 3214 918 6,204 Olher expendibJrE 2a9 1ZJ 362 Sub t￿al 14.718 17.373 321J91 672 A4 Asset and Inve stm•nt urchases see table Sub t¢Xal 14,718 17J73 32P91 67,￿) ￿et0fr￿lMS￿payn￿nts} AS Transfers betw*en funds A6 Cash funds lastyear end Cash funds this yearend 3.176 14,5T1 20.842 3.285 17,8 24,127 3285 14,680 3.176 Bethel Trust Port Talbot ICIOI Section B Statement of assets and liabilit￿S at Ihe end of the period Urres¢rirt¢d fLnds Restricted funds Endowment funds Cat¢gori•8 D¢ta18 to neaTest£ nearpst £ to nearest£ B1 Cash funds Cash at bank 14NO 3,176 Totalcash funds 14 3,176 I￿[ee b*ncesw¢h r￿ep1S pwrwts aCCo￿t(4) Urrestricted fLnds Restricted funds Endovmient funds Detwls to nEaiest£ to nearest £ to nearest£ B2 Other nwnetary assets F￿d to wthith assetbebjn Details C05t lry)tiMal CwrB Trtvalup tiona B4Assets rdained forthe ¢hariVs use 90000 Frflings lo￿01j AMOL￿1 thJ WhBn Iwna Details Pknrtgage ielales B5 Lia)ilties 22ffi40 Signed ty one or two trustee5 0 behaf of all kne trLSt*s Signattjre Pnnt Name Dat8 of roval li Bethel Trust Port Talbot (CIO) ## **Trustees' responsibilities** ●The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476; ●The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 28[th] January 2024 and signed on their behalf. ## Dr. Elizabeth Hill O’Shea Founding Director and Trustee 12