THE MOTHERS, UNION (DIOCESE OF LEEDS) Registered Charity 1164024 ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024 Mothers, Union, Diocese of Leeds Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31st December 2024. In presenting this report, the Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity's objectives and in planning future activities. The Trustees accepted and signed off the accounts for 2024 at the Trustee Meeting on Friday 16th May 2025. Risk to the Charity The Trustees are satisfied that the balance fn the accounts is sufficient for the charity to continue in 2026. The members, annual subscription for 2025 remained at £33, made up of £24.50 subscription to the Central Mothers. Union charity, an increase of £1.50 from 2024, and £8. 50 to the Diocese, a reduction of £1 . 50 from 2024. Expenses are still re- duced Slightly by the use of Zoom for some meetings. Structure, governance and management The affalrs of the charfty are governed by the terms of the central Mothers, Unlon's Royal Charter, granted in 1926 and which is registered with the Charity Commission in England and Wales1240531 }. The Board of Trustees manages the charity. They met on four occasions during 2024 all of them at Church House in Leeds. The Trustees are elected tri-annually by the members of the charlty'5 Council consisting of the Diocesan President, members of the Trustee Board, Team Leaders, Branch Leaders and Past Presidents of the charity living in the Diocese. The Chaplain is appointed by the Diocesan Bishop. The Diocesan President and Trustees remained in place for the third year of this triennium. The Councll and Annual General Meetlng was held on 6th June 2024 when information was shared and matters debated with the members present. A further Council was held on 14th November 2024. Elections for the Diocesan President and Trustee Board for the Triennium 2025-27 took place in 2024. Training for Trustees was provided at the beginning of the three-year period in 2022. The trustees who served in 2024 were: Mrs Elaine Swinhoe Diocesan President Rev Jenny Kimber Area President - Bradford Episcopal Area Mrs Daryl Kelly Area President - Leed5 Episcopal Area Mrs Margaret Crawford Area ￿eSident - Ripon Episcopal Area Mrs Susan Atherton Area President - Wakefield Episcopal Area Mrs Julia Tum Area President - Huddersfield Episcopal Area Miss Elizabeth Johnson General Trustee Mrs Evelyn Haigh General Trustee Mrs Barbara Vaughan General Trustee Mrs Gillian Wilks General Trustee Mrs Jenni Wohlman General Trustee (app 111212023 and resigned 31112124) Mrs ￿onne Hutson Co-opted Trustee representing the Outreach Team Trustees are appolnted for a three-year term. The charlty d￿S not own any property other than two caravans on the East Coast which are to provide holidays for families in need of a break. For administrative purposes the contact address used by the charity throughout 2024 was 94 Vlctoria Gardens, Leeds, LS18 4PH. Offlcers The following officers acted on behalf of the charity throughout the year: Dfocesan Chaplain: Rt Revd Smitha Prasadam, Bishop of Hudder5field Dfocesan Treasurer: Mr Paul Leeming Diocesan Secretary: Mrs Joanna Sarkar Bankers The charity's bankers are Barclays Bank plc, Leicester, LE87 2BB Accounts and Independent Examination Independent Examlnation was undertaken by Mrs Elizabeth Short FCA, of Streets Spenser Wilson (Yorkshire) Ltd, Equitable House, 55 Pellon Lane, Halifax HX1 5SP. The accounts are in agreement with the accounting records. The Independent Examiner's report 75 attached. Membership The charity is a membership body. Membership can be of a specific branch, linked to an Anglican church parish, or of the di￿eSe, when members can choose to attend branch meetings but rely more heavily on written and electronic communication for contact with fellow members. A requested proportion of the membership fee has been forwarded to the central h￿ther5. Union. In 2024 we had 1303 members and 66 branches. 482 members now pay their subscription by Direct Debit. In 2023 we had 1396 members and 73 branches. Membership 7n 2024 numbered 1303. Of these, 189 members were Dlocesan Members. The remaining members were members of one of the branches. About 16 mernbers, who are unable to attend meetings, usually due to age or Inflrmity. are designated Indoor Members. The membership in 2024 worked in the flve Episcopal Areas of Leeds, Ripon, Bradford, Huddersfleld and Wakefield, fn accordance wlth the structure of the Anglican Dlocese of Leeds. The work is organised in Teams (Prayer, Outreach, Communication, Membershfp, Dlocesan Services and Mothers, Union Retall) each having a Team Leader and covering aspects as shall from time to tlme be determined by the Board of Trustees. Dlocesan Servlce5 leader Mr5 Margaret Bentley leader Mrs Jean Thurman Prayer Membershlp leader Mrs Mary Marshall Communlcatlons vacant Outreach leader Mrs I￿Onne Hutson MU Retall vacant (varlous people in the 5 Episcopal Areas) Mrs Evelyn Haigh Safeguardlng Restrictions Imposed by the Governlng tkKument concernlng the way In whlch the charfty may operate Branches of the charity have the power to 5UPPOrt the needs of their parishes, subject to the aim, purpose and objects of Mothers, Union. However, branches are not permitted to be used as a channel for charitable appeals on behalf of other organisations, nor 15 rnoney permitted to be allocated to such organisations from branch funds. Risk Management The Trustees have throughout their term of *rwce recognised their responsibility to identify the key risks to which the charity was exposed and to ensure that measures were in place and monitored to mitigate against these risks. Adequate insurance cover has been in place to protect the charity against financial Ioss. Objectives and Activities Our Vis70n Statement Mothers, Union, in the Dlocese of Leeds, through the love of God and in partnership with the church, seeks to reach out creatively and actively to support stable family relationships and to promote a more just society. Our Mission We aim to show our Christlan faith by the transformatfon of communltles worldwlde. We can do thi5 through supporting strong relationships within the family and promoting reconciliation at all levels. Our Values 1. We are flrmly rooted In a voluntary ethos centered on mutual respect and collab- oration. 2. Our governance, leadership and programmes are driven by and undertaken through members Wlthin their own communities worldwide. 3. We work with people of all faiths and none. Our Alms and Objectlves • To encourage parents in their role to develop the falth of thelr chlldren To maintaln a worldwide fel10v￿hIP of Chrlstians united in prayer, V￿rshIp and service To promote conditions in KKiety favourable to stable family life and the protection of children. To help those whose family life has met with adversity To promote and support married life Activities during 2024 Fundraising for Mothers, Unlon's family-centred projects in the UK and overseas continued throughout the year. A number of branches held Summer of Hope events to raise funds for the central appeal. Members also contributed to the Make a Mother's Day Appeal by buying a "Gift of Dignity" to support Global projects that transform the lives of women. Various services for Lady Day, Mary Sumner Day and Advent were held across the diocese to make it easier for members to attend and share fellowship. The Council Meeting in June also included a talk from a Christian charity that collects unwanted usable tools, refurbishe5 them and sends them to the developing Y￿r1d for livelihood creation. Members continued to support the central 14lothers' Union's Financial Appeals during the year to ensure the continuance of financial support for over*as work. Achlevements and Performance We have attempted to maintain actlve links with Ilnked dioceses fn Nigeria, the Solomon Islands, Lesotho and Rwanda. although there are still communication problems with some dioceses. Branches participated in the Global Wave of Prayer in January 2024 and regular mid-day prayers have been said via across the Diocese - some via Zoom and some In person at the cathedrals. A prayer network has continued Fn all five Episcopal Areas through which requests for anyone experiencing ill health or other troubles is prayed for. Regular newsletters were sent to members and a website providing or signposting resources and information continued. OUTREACH WORK Branches were encouraged to record their outreach work on the central MU Llve website Prlson Support Work in prisons took place throughout 2024. Sweets and Christmas cards were dellvered to three prisons In the diocese. Cooking wlth women prisoners in New Hall Prison, showlng nutritional meals on a budget and teaching cooklng skills happened on a monthly basis. Members ass5sted in the Mother and Baby Unit as well as providing refreshments for visitors in the Tea Bar. Help was also provided on Family Days. AFIA Holldays We were pleased to be able to continue providing family (AFIA - Away From It All) holidays to those in need durfng 2024 in our two caravans on the coast. In 2024 there were 33 holidays given which included 60 adults and 45 children - 10 of the adults were over 60, 8 of the adults and 3 of the children had special needs, 2 families had an adult with a terminal illness, 2 families where the grandparents had custody of their grandchildren, 3 families put forward by Rose Mccarthy from the City of Sanctuary and 2 holidays were taken by MU members. These W￿re all families who had not had a hollday for many years and desperately needed a break. Communfjty Support (Makfn8 and Collectlng Projects1 Members reached out by keeping busy with knitting items to support local women's refuges, hospltals and care homes and by supplying emergency toiletry packs to hospitals. These included Baby Blankets, Cardigans, Mittens, Bootees, Gloves, Cot Blankets, Bonding Squares, Gloveslmittens, Scarves, Hats, Twiddle Muffs, Knee Blankets, Stuffed Toy, Pairs of Hearts. Knitted Baby Cribs. Angel Pockets. Work with Partner Organlsations supporting Familfes Food Banks -some members volunteered at local f(m￿ banks or provided f(M)d to be distributed. A reprint of our own "Food on a Budget" bwklet is still available. Baby Banks - Members collect baby clothes and equipment in support of Baby Banks. These are agencies which enable new mums to have the items they need after the birth of a baby and also SUPPOrt families fleeing from domestic violence. Supportlng Refugees - Sanitary and hygiene products were provided for refugee centres and a church in a deprived area. Refuges - Food, clothing, toiletries, bedding, towels and clothes were provided for a number of women's refuges. Homeless Shelters - Food, clothing, towels and toiletries. Hospltals Emergency toilet bags and knitted hearts were given to hospltals as well as hats for premature babies. Care Homes Twiddle muffs, Prayer Shawls and knee blankets were provided. Prlmary Schools Knitted mittens were provided for chlldren who arrived at school with cold hands. Pupils were also helped with readlng. CHURCH SUPPORT - churches were supp)rted with Easter and Mothering Sunday gifts, kitted nativity sets and Baptism cards and gifts. Members asslsted with Sunday schools and youth work. Prayers were offered on a daily basis and the diocesan wide Prayer Network ensured those families and individuals suffering f rom illness, bereavement and loneliness were remembered. POLICY and CAMPAIGNING Our support and influence as a worldwide organisation on policy and campaigning Is of huge value in raising awareness of the issues that cause adversity in family life. Mothers, Union campaigns at international, national and local level. In 2024 local action during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based violence {Nov 25th. Dec 10th involved raising awareness through holding themed services such as the one at Halifax Minster when MU members joined with the Women's Centre in Calderdale. We also supported the Global Day on 25th November by holding a number of vigils like the one at St Paul's Shipley when the theme was again -No more 1 in 3" (This refers to the fact that 1 in 3 women worldwide suffer abuse during their lifetime). Mothers, Union also works with the Clewer Initiative to raise awareness of Modern Slavery in the UK. Financial Review The results are reported in the financial statements accompanying this report. The Trustees received no remuneration for their services although they were eligible to clalm reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in the course of their trusteeship. Surplus for the Year The Charity had a surplus of £4,085 (2023: £6,556) on unrestricted funds and a deficit of £3,842 (2023: surplus £13,176) on restricted funds. Reserves Policy The Charity maintafns unrestrlcted cash reserves which are approxlmately one year's running costs. The Trustees are of the opinion that this amount is reasonable. Unrestricted funds are £134,730 (2023: £130,645) including designated funds of £16,458 (2023: £17,540) therefore the present level of free reserves available to the charity Is £118,27212023: £114,187). Restricted funds are £59,277 (2023: £63,119). Julia Tum Diocesan President 16th May 2025 Sectlon A: Statement ol Flnanual Actl%ryties fDrthoye•iendln831 ljeeembev 2024 Incomt C#inatbns Charitatde ActDIIUes Bank Interest Gain on Osposal of Asseis 73934 1.240 9.013 Total Incc 87.454 107.%9 Rai5in8 Funds tharitable A￿￿tIeS tioce5an Mmintstrat Totsl E¥PendI￿rn 10.79) 59920 16,502 87,212 31.783 16.502 59.075 SB.983 I7￿6? tl•t IIExp•nd*uMI 13*421 143 Op*nlwB4l•nc• 0,￿5 63.IL9 174,031 Tot•1 F￿r￿￿tarTI•d Fm Se¢tlon 8: Balance Sheet Isit 311)•e•mb•r 21114 eaThv41Y4 16.016 16.016 I6￿16 Curr•htAM•ts MueStoEk Prepayrnents Gift Ald Tax Relund Duq Cath at Bank and In Hand 810 831 31 201 137 Cuff•nt L￿￿4111 Acuu•ls 3.071 t4•1 Cwv•nt Asslts 43.261 177.tyj 173,1 Tirt•l Aw•tsl*¥J¢urr•nt U¥￿1￿ Charfty knds T•t41 Fwids 194.rA7 193.764 Da Sertlon C: Notss to the Accounts forthe￿ar Èndln831 Dovmber2Q24 Note l.. Baslsof Preplratiw Pdi0¢5 IIThese accounts have been prepa￿0". l Oh an atcrualsbasis. bl underthe hlstori(¥l tost ¢on¥tntion w*h itemsretwsed *w$t￿b￿lS3￿nv￿ue￿nle5SOth￿Wtse 5tatsd kn the relevantnotlsl to these account> c) In accordancewith the Rewtine 5iaNJard8￿￿al1tththe United IFRS 102)aThl7￿ththe ChaAtiesAct 2011. 21 Goin8Concern'. From the reviewofforeca5t5and proiÈrtbhSthèTrnstees a ￿lSonab* eXpeaaiir￿thalthetharity h*s adequare resource5ro continue in operdi￿n31 e￿$￿nCefortheforeseethfUtuVÈ. TheTrusteesha¥* thereforècontlnuéd toadoptthe8o1rtgcofieemba￿$ In prop•rin8theflnanual 51atsment 31AII Income Is rewnlsed whtn the￿arftyb￿Mes1￿3w1 wth03￿1th03mDu￿tCW*lll3tIe wlth reasona￿e3c¢Ura￿. 41 FundAccountln6'. al Unresiflrted funds aro avaIlab￿lar useat the dlxretknnof the uu5teesto ftyther anyof Dufp05es. bl Del8nated lund5 are unrestr*ted funds eamarted hthetyugeesfor lutwe ¢woJeaorcornmitrnenL cl Resrrlrted fvnds•re subjected to reslrtclkns￿tsWIreXp1￿￿￿ded￿ÈO tl*twn50f èn appeal. SlJud8em•nts •nd key swrus ofwlmallon urK•rtalnty. The prepar3tion ofthe financial statement5reouires rnIwem￿t1OM2kejUdwIents, estymare5 assump￿¢•)5 Ihar 3ffEtt the amounts reported.These estlmaths aThdlud8ements•r• ccntinuatyrw***d and are b3sed exper*rKe and other firtors. includlnÉ expectaikinsoffvttjreertntsthot orebelth*d to uthth• There are notc￿￿dered tobe any1￿M¢Trt5orJu￿￿esthnlt&4rasYjMo1Qty$thOtbM4 swr Impart on tho finar6￿1 rtattmert& 61 Flnancial insiroments.. The charity onty hasflnarKlal ?55etsandfln•ntial I1*￿￿11esa1• kh)dth*w*fyas hlStrument& Bal¢ fInanc￿l Instruments ère Inltlalty reco8nbed artrnnsactKffl subsequenttyff*asu¥ed at their settlement value wlth the ex¢¥tkJn of bank li￿$*h*h￿￿￿XQUt￿mÈ•￿ty•d •t80￿￿1•d costugn8th• effettjve Intlrqstmethod. Note2.. Income Don•Won5 Subxriptio¢)s Colleetionsand Donati( GIftAid Tax Relund 42.99) 29229 41, 51.626 1.461 6.175 Charftablè**il¥l￿ Mue Sales Mue Salescommlss Now Hall PrlsonTea Bar Incoffle SW7 lJ69 1,240 82% 6326 1.369 1.240 1.325 9IJ13 bank Inter•# 5225 Galnon olA5s•ts Tot•1 lrtc¥h• t41rt9 J: fypendiwr* Raknh¥Fund5 8ranth ExF4nses Purchases SJ76 5.414 10.7 5a76 5,414 io. 5.914 6.273 Charlt•bl• Athlt Subscrlptionsto MSH Donatlon5 to M5H Prolerts AFIA Expense5 Carnvan Depre¢la New Hall Prlw Tea 8ar Ouire%h and Protr Chur¢h Sethces public￿10￿9 29.762 29.762 6.321 I6￿? 4.571 29274 6.755 163 4572 6A21 16AB7 4￿72 1571 1.757 aad8esand B•nn•rs io 783 io Dlo¢•MnAdmlnlsts*tl Secreiarlal and Acwuniin8 Tra¥ Postandstatlonery Insurance RLW)m Rent and Meedn8Costs PankChar8es Sundry 31 117 LY02 11761 J97 iiy L702 719 Ll48 781 311 311 16.502 355 16 17 Toi•l Exp•Adltur• N•t• 4.. Flxed Assets. Carw*hs 59 75 87212 ￿7 At Start ol.year 2024 Addltlons 2024 0￿￿05015 2024 Depretl*on At End of Year 45.717 25.129 4,572 4.572 16 Atiheend of 2018 • nÉWc3r￿n was purchasedfor£l4.013. Atthe end of 2017 0 rew