2023-12-31-accounts - Transforming Lives Together

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Transforming Lives Together (A Company Limited by Guarantee)

Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements Year ended : 31[st] December 2023

Company Number: 08419285 Charity Number: 1157348

Transforming Lives Together

Board of Trustees during the Year to 31[st] December 2023

Venerable Ian Bishop (resigned 16[th] May 2023) Victoria Wells Rev Christina Phoebe Upton Rev Dr Andrew Knight (appointed Chair 27[th] June 2023) Myrtle Lacey Rev Dr Margaret Jones (appointed Vice Chair 27[th] June 2023) Canon Jane Brooke (resigned 7 January 2024) Kath Leigh Rev Catherine Cleghorn (appointed 12 June 2024)

Company Secretary

Victoria Wells

Registered Office

Chester Cathedral 9 Abbey Square Chester CH1 2HU

Transforming Lives Together

Trustees’ Report for the Year ended 31[st] December 2023

The Trustees, who are also Directors for the purposes of the Companies Act, present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year to 31st December 2023. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) Accounting and Reporting by Charities in preparing the Annual Report and financial statements of the charitable company, which also comply with the charity’s governing document and applicable law.

The Charity

Transforming Lives Together (TLT) is constituted as a Company Limited by Guarantee and not having a share capital. The company is registered with Companies House in England and Wales – number 08419285. The principal governing document is the Company Memorandum and Articles of Association. The charity is registered with the Charity Commission – number 1157348.

Objects

The charity’s objects are for the benefit of the public:

To promote the efficiency and effectiveness of Christian based charities in the furtherance of their objects or any one of them, mainly but not exclusively, by the promotion of information, advice, support and infrastructure provision; and
The relief of financial hardship, either generally or individually, through the provision of grants, goods or services.

Activities and Performance

TLT operates within the geographical area covered by the Diocese of Chester, which includes parts of 11 Local Authority areas including Halton, Wirral, Tameside, Cheshire East, Trafford, Stockport, Warrington, Cheshire West & Chester, Flintshire, Manchester and Wrexham.

This is a very diverse area of over 1000 square miles, which includes dense urban populations, rural heartlands and prosperous suburbs, and has a population of 1.6 million people.

Transforming Lives Together

Trustees’ Report for the Year ended 31[st] December 2023 continued

Who We Are

TLT is a locally based ‘faith in action’, people-driven, passionate advocate for social justice. We aim to bring people together by stimulating and supporting church social action to help communities flourish and thrive in the Chester Diocese.

We are an independent charity working with Chester Cathedral and Chester Diocese with whom we have a creative and effective partnership meeting our joint aims of physical and spiritual transformation. TLT is also part of the Church Urban Fund Together Network of related faith-based charities across England, linked by faith and driven to tackle poverty, loneliness and social inequality. Being part of the Together Network gives national support to local action, helping to link churches and other community organisations by providing resources, signposting and support.

What We Do

Outreach work is made possible by focussing on Asset Based Community Development (ABCD). This encourages local churches to engage with their communities by knowing who they are and responding to local social needs. These fulfil our aim to bring about community engagement and change through mobilisation of people within local churches over the diverse urban and rural diocesan footprint.

In generating church and people-led social action we especially work to respond to food poverty and social isolation issues. Our projects strengthen children’s wellbeing, family resilience and bring diverse communities together; combatting child holiday hunger and adult loneliness. We build meaningful relationships between people and their communities, fostering stronger bonds and supportive social networks. Inspired by our Christian values, all the projects and services we provide in communities are open to people from all backgrounds, regardless of their beliefs.

Why We Do It

TLT does its charitable work because it wants to see all people and their communities flourish and enjoy life in all its fullness, with those in poverty having a better chance of realising their unique gifts and potential. Our work is based on God’s command to ‘Love thy neighbour’.

In setting out our objectives and planning our activities, the Trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit.

Transforming Lives Together

Trustees’ Report for the Year ended 31[st] December 2023 continued

Our Vision

To transform lives and communities through the work of every church across our region, working in and alongside their local community, by tackling poverty in all its forms. TLT aims to inspire, equip and enable churches to tackle poverty, loneliness and social inequality through social action projects and thus enable communities to thrive.

Our Aims

Our aims are to achieve the Vision by:

partnering with churches to catalyse a movement to tackle poverty, loneliness and social inequality
providing a framework for good practice
building relationships with churches and other organisations and charities to foster local engagement within communities

This how we intend to meet our Aims :

provide long term and sustainable partnerships and guidance for churches and Christians working alongside people profoundly affected by poverty
enable churches to recognise and utilise the community assets available to them
assist churches in accessing funds which encourages self-sustainability
enable churches to articulate and celebrate what they are doing
use the diversity within the diocese to connect church communities to encounter each other and work collaboratively
provide access to resources, for example for theological reflection, and tool kits that equip churches for action
enable access to training courses, for example mental health awareness or food safety
raise awareness of poverty by providing information about the nature and impact of poverty and sharing stories of transformation and models of good practice
be an advocate for churches and tell the truth about poverty and wealth and promote a new way of living and acting

Transforming Lives Together Trustees’ Report for the Year ended 31[st] December 2023 continued

Summary of Work carried out in 2023

In 2023 our projects grew in number and diversity, as our volunteers grew in confidence and experience, and our Board of Trustees shared its passion and expertise. We are building on the firm foundations of the last 10 years, meeting the growing challenges of today. We used the ten year anniversary celebration in October to thank our volunteers for their hard work commitment and compassion for our neighbourhoods.

TLT have worked with 61 churches this year 29 of which were new to us. Most were Anglican but there were also other denominations including Methodist, Salvation Army, United Reform Church. Working with them we covered:

Human Trafficking training
Mental Health First Aid training
Brakes Meals and More funding for Filling the Gap
Real Conversations Growing Good projects

In addition to these events and initiatives we set up new and continued to support existing ‘Places of Welcome’ and ‘Filling the Gap’ provisions.

‘Places of Welcome’ are part of a national network of over 600 spaces in churches and other buildings offering an unconditional welcome to local people to connect and contribute for few hours each week, building mutual support and community resilience, as well as connecting visitors to local services and advice.

‘Filling the Gap’ is a network of churches delivering food and activities during the school holidays, enabling children and families to eat healthy food and play together, notably children who would usually be in receipt of free school meals in term time.

During the year we have worked in partnership with

British Red Cross to help us deliver Human Trafficking training
BeWell supported the Mental Health First Aid training
Citizens Advice Cheshire to promote energy advice workshops available free to churches
Greater Together Manchester and the Church Urban Fund on a ‘Real Conversations’ initiative. Participants were asked to identify good things about their local area and areas for improvement. The information gathered was fed back to policy and decision makers.

Transforming Lives Together Trustees’ Report for the Year ended 31[st] December 2023 continued

Finance Review

Our principal donor gave £25,000 and a charitable Christian trust donated £10,000 which together with several other unrestricted donations, made a total of £44,008. Other restricted funds of £8,522 were received and along with funds received late in 2022 these monies were distributed to food banks and similar organisations for the relief of food poverty and to support social loneliness and mental health issues. The trustees continue to look for other sources of funding to ensure the stability of the charity.

Directors’ Responsibilities

The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare Financial Statements each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare Financial Statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the directors must not approve the Financial Statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

Make suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
Make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
Prepare the Financial Statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business;

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that Financial Statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking responsible steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Small Company Exemptions

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the Small Companies regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

This report was approved by the Board on 22 October 2024 and signed on their behalf.

Chair

Signed by: Rev’d Andrew Knight 22/10/24

Transforming Lives Together

Statement of Financial Activities

(including Income and Expenditure account)

For the Year ended 31[st] December:

INCOMING RESOURCES Grants and Donations note 4 Total Incoming Resources RESOURCES EXPENDED Cost of charitable activities note 5 Total Expended Resources Net (Deficit)/ Income for the Year NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Total Funds at 1stJanuary 2023 Total Funds at 31stDecember 2023	2023 £ 70,531 70,531 73,929 73,929 (3,398) (3,398) 56,089 52,691	2022 £ 107,847 107,847 91,921 91,921 15,926 15,926 40,163 56,089

Transforming Lives Together

Balance Sheet As at 31[st] December

2023 £ Current Assets Cash at Bank and in hand 59,966 Current Liabilities Creditors – falling due within one year note 6 7,275 Net Current Assets 52,691 Net Assets 52,691 FUNDS Unrestricted Funds 51,090 Restricted Funds 1,601 Total Funds 52,691	2022 £ 75,047 18,958 56,089 56,089 42,705 13,384 56,089

The accompanying accounting policies and notes form part of these financial statements.

For the year ended 31[st] December 2023, the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. Responsibilities of directors/trustees:

The members have not required the charitable company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared and delivered in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.

Approved by the Board of Directors and Trustees on 22 October 2024 and signed on their behalf:

Rev’d Andrew Knight 22/10/24 Chair

Transforming Lives Together

Notes to Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31[st] December 2023

1. Basis of Accounting

The financial statements are prepared on the historical cost and accruals basis of accounting. The financial statements are also prepared in accordance with the applicable Accounting Standards and the Statement of Recommended Practice “Accounting and Reporting by Charities”.

2. Accounting Policies

a. Grants and Donations

All incoming funds are only included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. All grants that are restricted are spent in the financial year or included within creditors.

b. Resources Expended

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to that category. Governance costs are those costs incurred in connection with the compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.

c. Unrestricted Funds

Current funds under management are all unrestricted.

d. Restricted Funds

All grants that are restricted are spent in the financial year or included within creditors.

3. Company Limited by Guarantee

The company is limited by guarantee and consequently does not have share capital.

4 . Grants and Donations

Grants unrestricted Grants restricted Donations Gift Aid refund	2023 £ 0 20,000 48,670 1,861 70,531	2022 £ 4,700 62,732 40,415 0 107,847

Transforming Lives Together

Notes to Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31[st] December 2023

5. Cost of Charitable Activities

Distribution of Donations Employee Salaries Employee travel and subsistence Office and administration costs	2023 £ 30,812 37,422 2,613 3,082 73,929	2022 £ 61,897 26,388 1,716 1,920 91,921

The TLT staff are employees of Chester Cathedral. The Cathedral charges TLT for the cost of their employment but does not charge any administration fee.

6. Current Liabilities

Grants to be Donated Employee Salaries	2023 £ 1,601 5,674 7,275	2022 £ 13,384 5,574 18,958

Current Liabilities include salaries unpaid at the year end and in 2022 included amounts of £13,384 that are designated for the supply of Mental Health First Aid training.

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees and Directors of Transforming Lives Together for the Year ended 31[st] December 2023

Respective responsibilities 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 required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:

examine the accounts under section 144 of the 2011 Act,
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145 of the 2011 Act) and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent

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 charity 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 fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

examiner’s statement

Independent In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention

examiner's statement

which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
have not been met; or
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed by: Sally-Anne Heaford Dated: 21 October 2024