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2020-12-31-accounts

Trustees' Annual Report for the Period 1 January 2020 to 31 Dec 2020

Section A Reference and Administration Details Charity name: Lighthouse (West Yorkshire) Registered charity number: 1164239 Charity's principal address: St George’s Church Great George Street Leeds LS1 3BR

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity (all have served the full year):

N. Bishop A. Duboisée de Ricquebourg Treasurer P. Gillions Chair P. Rhodes L. Woolf

Independent Examiner: L. Groenewald FCA 24 Regent Terrace, Leeds, LS6 1NP

Names of senior staff members: Rev Jonathan Swales Team Leader Katie Ojukwu Senior Pastor

Section B Structure, Governance and Management Type of governing document Constitution How the charity is constituted Charitable Incorporated Organisation Trustee selection methods Appointed by agreement of Trustees

The Origins of the Charity

The ministry was developed in 2015 by the pioneering work of Rev. Jon Swales, then a Curate at St George’s Church, Leeds. He saw the need among the marginalised in society, many of whom had contact with St George’s Crypt, and actively engaged with them. In this work he received the goodwill and support of both the Church and the Crypt and the free use of their premises.

When his Curacy ended in the summer of 2015 Rev Swales was able to continue in the role of Mission Priest due to the financial support and continued goodwill of both St George’s Church and St George’s Crypt. The Diocese of Leeds also agreed to offer support by providing housing and a pension contribution.

Since January 2020, the Leeds Diocese has fully funded the post with Rev Swales appointed as part of the St George’s clergy team.

Trustee Matters

The charity was registered as a CIO on 03 November 2015.

The charity trustees undertake to make available to each new charity trustee, on or before

their first appointment copies of or access to:

The charity is aware of the guidance on diversity and inclusion and is actively seeking to expand the board of trustees.

The trustees and their respective roles are:

The Rev Jon Swales (Lighthouse Team Leader) and Senior Pastor Katie Ojukwu will continue to attend trustees meetings to inform discussions, but do not have voting rights.

Organisational Structure

Full time posts

Rev Jon Swales is Lighthouse Team Leader and was formally appointed as part of the St George’s Clergy team in early 2019. Jon Swales ensures staff take responsibility for compliance with General Data Protection Regulation.

Lighthouse is co-led by Senior Pastor Katie Ojukwu with Phil Marshall as Lighthouse Warden.

Part time and training posts

Sharon Thresher. Fundraiser (15 hours per week).

Alice Brecher (former intern at St George’s). Pastor in Training (25 hours per week) whilst also undertaking accredited study towards BA in Theology, Ministry and Mission at St Hild College.

In September 2020 Paula Reiss was appointed Pastor in Training (20 hours per week) In September 2020 Darrell Tunningley was appointed as Pastor in Training and served until December.

In September 2020 Jonah Sheridan joined the team part time as part of his Internship at St George’s Church.

Volunteer posts

Lighthouse is fortunate to have the support of a wide variety of volunteers. Three with particular roles are:

Helen Coutie, Finance Administrator Stuart Roberts, Pastoral Assistant Sarah Swales, Administrator & Pastoral Assistant

Context of the Charity’s Work

The charity enjoys the continued goodwill, free use of premises and financial support of both St George’s Church and St George’s Crypt. Issues of mental health and addiction can frequently isolate individuals from support services and by establishing supportive relationships we often mediate access to service provision.

We have established excellent links with other agencies such as the Police, Mental Health support services, the NHS and Leeds City Council Adult Social Care. Where appropriate we actively solicit the support of other agencies to help meet the needs of individuals and are one of the partners in the ‘Homeless Charter’. The Homeless Charter is a joint mission by voluntary, faith, private and public sector organizations, all committed to work together to support the homeless in Leeds.

Two of our Pastors are HMP Leeds chaplains which give us the means to provide key support, working with probation services, in offering support to prisoners on release. We also support people’s access to residential Christian rehabilitation communities.

Management of Major Risks

The major risks to the charity are:

  1. Failure to obtain the necessary funding to support the work. This has been managed by two appointments; a trustee with specific oversight of finance and a part-time fundraiser. 2. Staff burn-out. Regular professional supervision of staff continues and staff wellbeing is now the responsibility of a specific trustee.

Section C Objectives and Activities

The Charitable Objects of Lighthouse are:

  1. The advancement of the Christian religion for the public benefit in such ways as the trustees from time to time may think fit.

  2. To relieve the needs of people in Leeds and beyond who are in conditions of need, hardship and distress as a result of poverty, criminality, mental health, substance misuse and addictions by such means as the trustees from time to time may think fit.

The trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

Spiritual Care

We make clear that our support is not contingent on attending any religious services. However, for those who wish to engage we aim to share our Christian faith in an inclusive and accessible way. Lighthouse is regarded by many as ‘their’ Church, where the love of God is expressed through a practical, supportive community. Pre-Covid19 Lighthouse regularly saw around 80-100 attending our Sunday services. Meeting in these numbers could not continue during the current pandemic restrictions. However we were able to continue to provide holistic support throughout the week within our day centre support bubbles. We also offer online Bible studies and short doorstep mini services to those we support.

Lighthouse Volunteers are a key dimension of the ministry of Lighthouse. Pre-pandemic we had a team of over 35 volunteers who help in a variety of ways: preparing hot meals, offering befriending or learning support for Academy students. Due to restrictions on our usual activities we have not needed the services of some of our usual volunteers.

All volunteers are given appropriate training and the relevant legally required checks are completed. We are aware of and ensure that we comply with GDPR in all record keeping.

Section D Achievements and Performance

Finding Hope in the Storm

The intention of Lighthouse is to reach out to the most broken and vulnerable people in Leeds and create a hope filled, therapeutic community. It offers holistic support and seeks to share the radical love of Jesus with those who may struggle with issues of mental health, addiction, relationship breakdown, bereavement or criminality. We believe that life is best understood as an accompanied journey into greater wholeness.

Since its founding in January 2014, Lighthouse has served more than 18,000 hot meals, seen 75+ people go to residential rehab communities, and held more than 500 services. We’ve witnessed 85+ baptisms and reaffirmations of faith, & supported individuals with hundreds of home visits, hospital, court and prison visits.

As the ministry of Lighthouse has developed it has identified five distinct ways in which it serves the community in Leeds.

1.Through the three weekly gatherings we are able to connect with those on the margins of society and build a supportive community.

The Covid19 pandemic has meant that Lighthouse community has had to change the way it connects together. Instead of the usual larger meetings it has been meeting in ‘Day Centre Bubbles’. Our covid-secure day centre has operated for five days a week within small, socially distanced support group bubbles (of up to 15 guests) sharing the hope and healing of Jesus with some of the most vulnerable people in our city. Two members of the community share their experience:

“No matter how I feel outside, what's going on in my life - when I walk into the Lighthouse drop in, I feel calm. I know I can relax and I feel accepted and cared for.”

“Lighthouse has given me a purpose, a reason to carry on. Throughout the present crisis (lockdown) they have helped and supported me and given me a new family in the church.”

  1. It provides specialised and increasingly recognised pastoral care to some of the neediest individuals. Before the 'lockdown' many were given inexpensive mobile phones so contact could be maintained and this has proved to be effective.

The Lighthouse community is dispersed across Leeds with many individuals who were already struggling and feeling particularly vulnerable at this difficult time. Support has been maintained through phone calls, socially distant doorstep visits and the delivery of essential food parcels.

Restrictions have limited our referrals to residential Christian rehabilitation communities but over the year two members were able to access this support.

During covid restrictions we continue to use the Crypt kitchen to prepare and dispense food. Food is consumed outside or, for those attending a session, in the Church premises. On Sundays about 40 - 50 people collect food prepared by the Crypt team and served by us.

  1. It offers opportunities to serve the marginalised and to grow as leaders. In the past, two former staff members have gone on to ordination training and now another staff member is actively pursuing this. Here a Lighthouse Pastor describes the impact of her experience of Lighthouse:

'Lighthouse provides an excellent learning environment where those wanting to support people who have been ‘battered and bruised by the storms of life’ can work closely alongside experienced leaders and learn from their experience. There is opportunity to

develop practical leadership skills as well as growing spiritually and maturing personally while serving the most vulnerable. The team’s culture of honour, respect and trust encouraged me to explore my gifts and enabled me to step out and overcome challenges. Becoming part of the Lighthouse Core team has been a huge blessing and privilege and I’m grateful for everything Jon and Katie are investing in me.’

Similarly, someone who came to Lighthouse as part of the St George’s Internship describes his experience:

“My year as the Lighthouse intern from September 2020 into 2021 has been one I will always be grateful for, it's been an honour and a privilege since day one. It has helped me not only grow in my faith, but has also helped me grow in confidence. It has made me step out my comfort zone constantly but that has always been so rewarding. The Lighthouse staff team are the nicest, most selfless, hardworking people I know, and their heart for those going through storms has challenged me every day. And the way they have led and adapted throughout the changes the pandemic has brought is amazing. They have also provided me with so much support as I've grown and been challenged, they've been so encouraging and I know that wherever I end up after, they'll be praying and supporting me there too.”

  1. Lighthouse acts as a training hub for other Churches within the Diocese and beyond who are seeking to serve those on the margins of society. It offers placements for ordinands, curates and others. In June 2020 Louise White, an Ordinand in training at Cranmer Hall, Durham, completed a four week placement at Lighthouse. Louise writes

I gained so much that will be valuable for my future ministry from my experience with the staff and clients at Lighthouse. The commitment and love that the staff show for their clients challenged me immensely. Clients are treated with immense wisdom and patience and always with dignity. The way the Good News about Jesus is continually held out in action and words, in a sensitive and appropriate way was probably what impacted me the most. The Gospel is preached creatively and made both accessible and relevant for where the clients are at, whilst always recognising the difficulties and challenges of their lives. I am incredibly grateful for my time with Revd Jon Swales and the Lighthouse team.

As a training hub Lighthouse aims to provide a model of engagement and ministry that could be replicated elsewhere. In September 2019 in partnership with Leeds School of Theology Lighthouse launched a 12 session course entitled 'Mission, Theology and Ministry for the Margins'. After a successful first year with 50 participants the course has been repeated. It is now operated on-line, with over 30 participants split into two groups. One group initially met in person with participants based around Leeds. The other group has participants from across the country and was always delivered online.

Rev Ruth Donegan-Cross writes

“I’ve recently moved to urban Birmingham as a new vicar, and the online “Mission, Theology and Ministry on the Margins” course has been a highlight and lifeline for me over the last few months as I’ve started to wrestle with what it means to be church and do mission in a challenging context. Lighthouse offers a creative, Jesus-centred model of how to do this well. Katie and Jon share generously of what they have learnt as they journey, theology of real depth is offered with a light touch, and the balance of theory and praxis is skilfully maintained. Every session is carefully held within God-centred space. Katie and Jon both communicate authentic passion and deep love for Lighthouse as they teach, and this is a beautiful thing!”

  1. It serves the city by hosting the “Homeless Charter” meeting. This is a forum that brings together the diverse range agencies that seek to support the homeless in the city. These include those with lived experience of homelessness, grass roots groups, the council, commissioned services and charities, as well as churches and those from other faith communities. Through this, the city of Leeds is becoming increasingly interconnected in order to tackle homelessness more effectively.

Our engagement with the Homeless Charter means we are part of the conversation to change policies and procedures relevant to the homeless.

Section E Financial review

We operate our finances within a Financial Controls Policy and an update on the accounts is given at each trustees’ meeting. We never undertake any purchases or commission any work unless funding is already in place.

We have a reserves policy of two months’ salary (approximately £14,500) with a minimum reserve threshold of £10,000. If the minimum reserve threshold is breached then the trustees must urgently consider whether action is necessary to mitigate the situation.

There are no funds materially in deficit. The financial report at the end of 2020 shows unrestricted funds of over £66,000 as well as restricted funds of over £3,000. This exceeds the amount required by our reserves policy and the trustees are pleased to confirm that that they believe the charity is a going concern for at least the next 12 months. The excess funds provide a reassuring buffer as we face uncertain funding conditions in 2021.

We do not have any investments and there are no Related Party transactions to disclose. We use the Cooperative Bank for our account as it is the only UK high street bank that’s guided by a customer-led Ethical Policy.

Income

The Charity continued to receive financial support from St George’s Church (£20,000), and St George’s Crypt (£20,000). Approximately £32,000 comes from regular contributions from individual supporters as well as generous occasional donations.

We have also secured the following grants in 2020 totaling £32,780:

Unrestricted grant income raised
Charles & Elsie Sykes £ 2,500
Sir George Martin Trust £ 1,500
Leeds Community Foundation (Resilience Fund) £ 9,590
Morrisons Foundation Covid support £ 3,000
CAF Covid fund £ 3,690
Total unrestricted grant income raised £20,280
Restricted grant income
Leeds Community Foundation (Big Change Fund) £2,210
Leeds Community Foundation (Stay Well This Winter) £1,725
OCTF £4,940
LCC - Coronavirus (COVID-19) Emergency Grant £ 500
LCC - Digital Inclusion Fund £ 700
St George’s Church (Lighthouse warden) £1,250
Metcalfe Smith Trust £ 600
Rank Foundation £ 250

Dorcas Trust - away days £ 325 Total restricted grant income raised £12,500

Through discussion with Adult Social Care (ASC), Lighthouse has been entrusted to provide some of the required care and support for a small number of clients. The funding received in 2020 from Leeds City Council £78,743 (2019: £48,857) is identified in our accounts as a ‘restricted’ fund.

Expenditure incurred specifically to support these clients (rent, utilities, food allowance, carer support etc.) are shown as being paid from ‘restricted’ funding. To meet other indirect costs incurred by Lighthouse (for example administration, ad hoc staff support in response to a crisis etc.) any year end surplus of this funding is transferred to ‘unrestricted’ funds. ASC are in full agreement with this arrangement.

Expenditure

Our principle spend of almost £75,000 for staff salaries is to provide the high level of oneto-one pastoral support that enables us to connect effectively with those on the margins of society and build a supportive community. In addition, £53,770 was spent to provide materials for sessions or direct support to individuals through, for example, covering travel costs or giving emergency funding.

Section F Other optional information

The Covid-19 virus has impacted the charity in that all of the usual large group meetings had to be halted. Lighthouse quickly adapted to enable it to continue to engage with the Lighthouse community and this was commended by the Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire for providing “outstanding service to the community during the Covid-19 crisis” Throughout this time, we have secured grants meaning that there has been no detrimental impact on our financial position.

Section G Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees :

Signatures Peter Gillions Nicholas Bishop
Full names Peter Gillions Nicholas Bishop
Chair of Trustees Trustee

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(lw￿ D INJ IVIE5 Independent examiners report on the accounts Independent Examiners Report Report to the tru$t••sl membors of Lighthouse (West yO￿shIre) On accounts for the year •nded 31 DKember 2020 1164239 Set out on pages R•sponsibilities and basis ol report I rep￿ to the truses w my exanwnaIi￿ of the accounts of the almwe chantable inc(¥w&ed organisation rtr￿ charitf> for the year ended 31 As the chanvs trusiees. Y￿ are resp￿sible lor the Prepar￿lon of the accounts in ¥c(Kdance requirements of the Chantse5 Act 2011 fthe I repon in respect of my examination of the charir¢s accounts carried out under section 145 01 the Act and in Car￿ng c￿1 my examinabon. I have followed all the applTrcable ￿"reCtrons grffti ty the Charity Comffwssion urKler Sec1K￿ 145(S)Ib) of the ACL Independent I have completed my examin&ion. I confim (h￿ no m&end matters have •xamin•fs stat•m•nl c(The io my attenti￿ in conneaion ￿ryth the exanmnalw thich gr¥es rne cause to believe Ihai in. any m￿rIal respeci.. the act￿MIng records were not kepi in acC¢Xd￿ seaion 130 of the Charnies ACL the accounts dKI nol 7hilh the accounts'rwJ we￿rds. I have no concerns and have come across no other maiters in conneciion V￿1h Ihe examinalion to *t)ich atten1K￿ should be drawn in this report in order to enable a pioper understanding ol Ihe accounts to be reached. Signed: Lydia Grnenew•ld 19 August 2021 L>￿la Groenvwald FCA Addr•s8: 24 Regent Terrace. Leeds. LS6 INP