2024-03-31-accounts - Bethel Trust Port Talbot

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Bethel Trust Port Talbot (CIO)

Bethel Trust Port Talbot

CIO

TRUSTEES' REPORT AND UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st March 2024

Charity number 1157288

Bethel Trust Port Talbot, Sandfields Road, Aberavon, Port Talbot. SA12 6LR

Bethel Trust Port Talbot (CIO)

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees Dr Elizabeth Hill O’Shea Anthony Hill O’Shea Michele Matthews Stephen Speakman Derry Flay Secretary Rev Shaun O’Keefe Chair Dr Elizabeth Hill O’Shea Registered Bethel Trust Port Talbot, Office 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.

Bethel Trust Port Talbot (CIO)

TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2024

The Trustees present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2024. 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 Michele Matthews Stephen Speakman Derry Flay

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 baby bank supporting local families twice a week
Weekly mental health friendship hub
Money management course
Provide referral services for debt recovery in partnership with Shelter Cymru
Cost of living support for clients
Winter warm hub support including free warm packs, free hot food and refreshments
Provides practical support to the Ukraine
Provides training and employment opportunities for volunteers
Practical assistance to homeless individuals
Provides free internet and digital support to clients
Community events such as jumble sales and holiday events
Runs ministry and leadership training through 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.

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.

Bethel Trust Port Talbot (CIO)

CHAIRS’ REPORT 2023-2024 Dr Elizabeth Hill O’Shea

We are so grateful to our volunteers, partners, and funders for another successful and busy year at Bethel Trust. Despite still feeling the effects of the financial and fuel crisis of these past few years, we are grateful that we’ve been able to continue our community work and further develop the work of the charity.

The financial challenges of this past few years also continues to be felt by many in our community, as we saw an increase in local community needs. Despite these challenges, the foodbank and baby bank continued to grow and we were pleased that we were able to open our Warm Hub again over the winter months, securing funding from National Grid Community Fund and the National Lottery Community Fund. This funding 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 environment we were also able to provide them with hot refreshments and snacks. This support was again well received by many members of the local community.

In addition to the warm hub, our weekly friendship hub continued to grow and develop. We were thankful for funding from Community Foundation Wales, which supported this project. It has proved popular and we see people coming in from the local community and also referrals from local mental health agencies.

We were able to support the community through our Foodbank for yet another year, opening twice a week. Unfortunately, we saw a significant drop in donations from supermarkets following Covid, which still hasn’t returned to what it was prior to Covid, so we haven’t received as much food as previously. Yet demand increases and in fact, demand outstrips supply every week. We continue to be supported by Fareshare, without whom the Foodbank wouldn’t exist. They are doing a remarkable work supplying food for many foodbanks up and down the UK. We are grateful to them.

We are most encouraged by the development of our baby bank, which continued to grow under a new manager, Shalom. Her hard work, excellent networking and organisational skills and fantastic group of volunteers make the baby bank what it is. With referrals from local agencies and clients from all sorts of backgrounds including Romanian, Ukrainian, Indian, African, Malaysian and Welsh, the baby bank is an interesting project and has grown from strength to strength.

We would also like to express our gratitude to the financial support from Neath Port Talbot Council as they provided funding for our foodbank, just when it was needed. They have been a real help to our community work. We are also very grateful to:

National Lottery Community Fund
National Grid Community Matters Fund

We are also grateful to Mal’s Marauders and Project Comfort for their ongoing support and friendship.

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 who works 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.

Bethel Trust Port Talbot (CIO)

We would also like to express our appreciation to 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, 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

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 Rev. Shaun O’Keefe, together with other Project Leaders appointed by them and the other trustees.

The Trustees discuss 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. We aim to have around £3000 as 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 23[rd] January 2025.

Dr. Elizabeth Hill O’Shea Founding Director and Trustee

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 2024, 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:

accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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
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 Michae. Tr:harne. BA, PGCE. {JK National Director Bridges for Peace Ltd 23 Alma Road, Maesteg, Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, CF34 9AW

Bethel Trust Port Talbot (CIO)

Receipts and payments accounts

For the period To from 01/04/2023 31/03/2024

Section A Receipts and payments

Unrestricted Restricted Total funds Last year funds funds to the nearest to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ £

to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £

	Unrestricted funds to the nearest £	Restricted funds to the nearest £	Total funds to the nearest £	Last year to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
Charitable Activities	-	-	-	1,720
Donations andgifts	3,810	-	3,810	5,329
gift aid tax recovered	-	-	-	-
grants	-	34,271	34,271	31,676
Donations from Organisations	500	-	500	7,937
	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-
*Sub total*(Gross income)	4,310	34,271	38,581	46,662

A2 Asset and investment sales

	-			-
*Sub total*	-			-
*Total receipts* A3 Payments
				46,662

Church Ministry	694	-	694	580
Social Action & Community	324	19,353	19,677	13,142
Buildings & Maintenance	6,816	6,562	13,378	3,505
Travel	-	366	366	277
Staff and Volunteers (inc. training and expenses)	3,209	2,800	6,009	6,434
Running and Support Costs	2,909	488	3,397	6,204
Charitable Donations	1,599	250	1,849	1,557
Other expenditure	411	-	411	362
			-	-
**Sub total **	15,962	29,819	45,781	32,061

A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table)		- - - 29,819 4,452	- - - 45,781 - 7,200
	-
	-
**Sub total **	-			-
*Total payments* *Net of receipts/(payments)* A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end *Cash funds this year end*
				32,061

	- 11,652	4,452	- 7,200	14,601
	-	-	-	-
	14,680	3,176	17,886	3,285
	3,028	7,628	10,656	17,886

Bethel Trust Port Talbot (CIO)

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

(agree balances w ith receipts and payments account(s)) Details Cash at bank *Total cash funds* Details	Unrestricted to nearest £	Restricted to nearest £	Endowment to nearest £
	3,028 - -	7,628	-
		-	-
		-	-
	3,028 OK Unrestricted funds to nearest £	7,628	-
			#REF!
			Endowment funds to nearest £
	- - - - - -	-	-
		-	-
		-	-
		-	-
		-	-
		-	-
Details	Fund to which asset belongs	Cost (optional)	Current value (optional)
Building		-	90,000
Fittings		-	10,000
		-
		-	-
		-	-
		-	-
		-	-
		-	-
		-	-
Details	Fund to which liability relates	Amount due (optional)	When due (optional)
Mortgage		22,640
		-
		-
		-
		-
Signature	Print Name
			Date of approval

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 23[rd] January 2025 and signed on their behalf.

Dr. Elizabeth Hill O’Shea Founding Director and Trustee