OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2024-03-31-accounts

Pregnancy Centres Network Annual Report and Financial Statements

for the year ending

31[st] March 2024

Charitable Incorporated Organisation No 1164610

1

INTRODUCING PREGNANCY CENTRES NETWORK (PCN)

PCN was set up in 2014 in response to a request from representatives of numerous independent pregnancy centres operating with a Christian ethos. We are currently in touch with around 60 centres. PCN was registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in November 2015.

PCN is run by a board of Trustees, united with a passion to increase the support available to those facing unplanned pregnancy and pregnancy loss concerns, and to young people and vulnerable adults making vital decisions regarding sex and relationships. Between us we combine relevant professional expertise and many years of experience working in this field.

PCN Vision

…is that no-one in the UK has to face unintended pregnancy, abortion, or other pregnancy loss alone and that teenagers and vulnerable adults are empowered to make healthy decisions about relationships and sex.

PCN Mission

…is to resource local pregnancy centres working to relieve psychological, emotional, and spiritual distress related to unplanned pregnancy, post abortion issues or other pregnancy/child loss by:

  1. Assisting and encouraging pregnancy centres to maintain best practice in their non-directive work of supporting those facing unplanned pregnancy, struggling after abortion or with pregnancy/child loss concerns with care and compassion based on Christian principles.

  2. Supporting centres in raising their profile locally and online to increase their reach.

  3. Providing foundational accredited training which is relevant and accessible to independent crisis pregnancy centres regardless of size or location, thereby increasing resilience and availability of high professional standards in independent, counselling support.

To realise our mission, PCN will:

PCN Ethos

PCN is a Christian-based organisation supporting pregnancy centres practising with a Christian ethos and therefore upholds principles of non-judgmentalism, compassion, care and respect derived from a Christian understanding. Recognising that abortion is a controversial issue that can provoke strong reactions, PCN’s purpose is to support centres in avoiding ideological polarisation and in offering compassion, information ~~,~~ and practical support at the point of need. PCN and the centres it supports are not campaigning organisations, do not have a political agenda and are non-proselytising.

2

We uphold the following values:

3

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Pregnancy Centres Network was registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on November 30[th] , 2015. The working name for the charity is PCN.

Registered Charity No: 1164610
Registered Ofce: Bradbury House
Durngate Place
Winchester
SO23 8DX
E-Mail admin@pregnancycentresnetwork.org.uk
Website www.pregnancycentresnetwork.org.uk
Director: Alice Czajka
Trustees: Anne Wallace (in post untl July 2024) Chair
Helen Turley (from July 2024) Chair
Celia Wyat Vice Chair
Lloyd Mushambadzi (in post untl Nov 2023) Treasurer
Carol Steinbrecher (in post untl Nov 2024)
Susan Barnes (in post untl Nov 2023)
Helen Turley (in post untl June 2023)
Catherine Kimbangi
Ali Thompson
Mary Bevan
Judy McGIbbon (from Nov 2024)
Alistair Fraser (from Nov 2024) Treasurer
Bankers: CAF Bank Ltd
25 Kings Hill Avenue
Kings Hill
West Malling
Kent
ME19 4JQ
Natonal Westminster Bank
250 Bishopsgate,
London,
EC2M 4AA
Independent examiner: Mark Jones F.C.A c/o Cook & Partners Limited
Manufactory House
Bell Lane
Hertord
SG14 1BP

4

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

The Need

“ When I started this journey I struggled to even walk through the door, but I can honestly say it’s the best thing I have ever done. I’ve battled many demons along the way but with the support of the amazing lady who joined me and carried my precious story, I feel lifted… without these amazing people giving up their time to help and to hold me, I wouldn’t have got here.”

- a Centre Client

B. Statistics

5

C. Research

“The support I received at the centre has been a lifeline for me. I have been through some very emotionally tough times and without this support I honestly do not know how I would have gotten through it.”

- a Centre Client

Strategic aims

PCN’s strategic aim is to support our network to grow to 150 thriving centres, whose services include online client support, so that no woman is further than 20 miles from her nearest centre or can easily access online support.

Five key objectives were identified to progress this strategic aim over the next 5 years (2023-2028)

Objective 1: Grow our current support for existing centres Objective 2: Develop infrastructure to support future network growth Objective 3: Greater financial stability Objective 4: Develop and deliver core training courses Objective 5: Open new centres

The main aims related to these objectives were as follows.

Objective 1: Grow our current support for existing centres

Objective 2: Develop infrastructure to support future network growth

6

manager’ roles

Objective 3: Greater financial stability

Objective 4: Develop and deliver core training courses

Objective 5: Open new centres

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE MEASURES

This is our eighth Annual Report, and we are very appreciative to everyone who has given time, money, and professional advice during 2023-2024, enabling us to engage in these activities.

7

Objective 2: Develop infrastructure to support future network growth

Objective 3: Greater financial stability

Objective 4: Develop and deliver core training courses

8

“As a small, independent pregnancy centre, it is great to know that we are not alone and can look to PCN for resources, support and encouragement” - Centre worker

All of the above have continued to establish the reputation and reach of PCN, enhancing our effectiveness as a catalyst to grow the family of independent crisis pregnancy centres, both in resilience and best practice and in numbers, throughout the UK.

PUBLIC BENEFIT

We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future activities. The trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.

Unplanned pregnancy, abortion and miscarriage are common experiences which can be hard to cope with alone and can be a mental health risk without appropriate support. In addition to this, young people and vulnerable adults now face the challenge to navigate social media at the same time as sex and relationships issues.

Clients come to centres from all walks of life and from every ethnic background, including services provided in prisons.

We provide public benefit by resourcing and equipping independent centres across the UK engaged in activities which advance education about sex and relationships, pregnancy and termination of pregnancy, and support anyone challenged by pregnancy crisis or loss. Centres do this by delivering sex and relationships education to young people in schools and youth clubs and by providing support and information to clients experiencing pregnancy crisis and loss, including unplanned pregnancy, foetal abnormality, abortion, miscarriage, and stillbirth.

Our support significantly impacts the ability of practitioners in independent centres (whether staff or volunteers) to set up and run resilient organisations while providing professional standards of non-directive care to clients. As the sole organisation which fulfils this role, we consider that we provide significant public benefit as we enable centres to be better equipped, resulting in better outcomes for their clients who in turn are more able to engage with and contribute to their community and society in general.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

9

Pregnancy Centres Network is a Foundation Charitable Incorporated Organisation, and is governed by a constitution, which outlines the appointment of and powers of trustees, including the following:

Appointment of charity trustees

Number of charity trustees

There must be at least three charity trustees. If the number falls below this minimum, the remaining trustee or trustees may act only to call a meeting of the charity trustees or appoint a new charity trustee.

There is no maximum number of charity trustees that may be appointed to the CIO.

How this works out in practice

The Board of Trustees are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the charity. The Trustees meet five times a year to review progress and make decisions on future developments. The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of this report are listed on page 3. New trustees are appointed by existing trustees of whom there should be a minimum of three. Trustees are selected for their individual skills, knowledge, and vision. New trustees are appropriately trained and inducted.

The management of the charity until 2021 was the direct responsibility of the Trustees. With the appointment of part-time staff this is now devolved to the Director, who will be responsible to the Board and will be assisted by the staff team. Regular staff appraisals will facilitate good communication and goal setting for staff members.

Risk Policy

The Trustees maintain a Risk Management policy which is reviewed at least annually.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

For the year ending 31 March 2024, total income received was £96,578 (FY23: £92,507). Individual giving during the year was £32,212 (FY23: £18,592).

We remain grateful for the donations we receive from centres and trusts that continue to support the work of PCN. We have received £17,860 during the year (FY23: £28,325) of which £Nil was restricted (FY23: £12,500).

Various fundraising activities have been pursued by volunteers, staff, trustees, and those connected with the charity to raise money for funding of the development of training. These efforts have raised £11,290 (FY23: £11,114) of which £6,000 was restricted (2023: £Nil).

Total expenses for the year amounted to £96,472 (FY23: £97,036). The main category of expenses remains salary expenses of £70,741 (FY23: £73,578). Salary expenses include pay for the trainers who are delivering training courses.

10

Net income/(cost) for the year is £106 (FY23: £(4,529)) and available charity funds at the year end are £25,989 (FY23: £25,883) of which £15,459 is unrestricted (FY23: £14,442) and £10,530 is restricted (FY23: £11,441).

Reserves Policy

The trustees have established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds held by the charity should be a minimum of 3 months of the resources expended to ensure that there are sufficient funds available to cover support and governance costs. At this level, the trustees feel that they would be able to continue the current activities of the charity if funding initially increases more slowly than hoped. At the year end the charity’s reserves were below this level and the trustees have taken steps since 31 March 2024 to address this.

FUTURE PLANS

Our accredited training courses now empower Christian volunteers to provide professional standards of free, confidential, non-directive counselling support to clients regardless of culture or gender. By addressing theological issues, trainees are supported to engage with their personal beliefs, thus ensuring that they can deliver non-directive care with integrity. We continue to provide and develop additional online support to centres by offering online CPD training and creating links to experts in the field.

During 2023-24 our focus has been on further developing appropriate infrastructure to support the existing centre network and any future growth as we look to expand our activities and impact. With the initial phase of establishing new systems being rolled out in 2023-24, we are now looking towards opportunities for increasing awareness of PCN and the support available through local centres. This is in addition to ensuring the new systems are reviewed and embedded appropriately into our business as usual.

Accordingly, plans for 2024-25 include:

COST-OF-LIVING

11

The cost-of-living crisis continues to impact on our society and has resulted in early data showing a significant increase in the number of abortions taking place due to financial concerns (see statistics page 5). The ongoing provision of ‘pills by post’, allowing women to obtain abortion medication following a telephone consultation and without a scan, continues to hold the potential risk of women not only aborting a pregnancy at a later than expected gestation, but also of coercion by family members to abort a wanted pregnancy. Thus, the need for independent non-directive support for individuals is greater than ever, although provision of this remains relatively scarce. Many Christians feel concerned about these issues but hesitate to address them publicly because they fear being misunderstood. Although there are those who take a different approach in their response to these sometimes polarising and controversial issues, for us, this only increases the urgent need for pregnancy centres who are committed to delivery of high standards of non-directive care ensuring women and their partners get the support they need and deserve.

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES

The charity trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees'annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the income and expenditure of the charity for that period.

ln preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations, and the provisions of the Trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial informatlon included on the charity's website in accordance with legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION

The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011) and that an independent examination is needed. The trustees have appointed Mark Jones F.C.A as Independent Examiner for the period ended 31[st] March 2024.

Approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by

Helen Turley, Chair of Trustees

12

Statement of financial activities (Incorporating the income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2024

Notes
Income and endowments from:
Voluntary donatons (Centres + Trusts)
Voluntary donatons (Individuals)
Natonal conference
Fundraising actvites
Gif aid recovered
Grants
Other
Total
2
Expenditure on:
Charity Actvites
Charitable donatons
Insurance
Total
3
Net income (expenditure)
Opening balances brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
10,100
32,212
19,122
5,290
6,514
7,760
9,580
90,578
89,072
-
579
89,561
1,017
14,442
15,459		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
6,000
-
-
-
6,000
6,911
-
-
6,911
(911)
11,441
10,530		 Total Funds
2024
£
10,100
32,212
19,122
11,290
6,514
7,760
9,580
96,578
95,893
-
579
96,472
106
25,883
25,989		 Total Funds
2023
£
10,985
18,592
19,464
11,114
3,080
17,340
11,933
92,507
94,182
2,100
754
97,036
(4,529)
30,412
25,883

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses for the year. There is therefore no separate statement of total recognised gains and losses prepared.

13

Balance Sheet

As at 31 March 2024

Notes
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand
Accounts receivable
Other debtors
Current Liabilites
Creditors: amount falling due within one year
5
Net current assets
Total net assets
The funds of the charity
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
16,95
2
91
-
17,043
(1,584)
(1,584)
15,459
15,459
15,459
-
15,459		 Restricted
Funds
£
10,530
-
-
10,530
-
-
10,530
10,530
-
10,530
10,530		 Total Funds
2024
£
27,482
91
-
27,573
(1,584)
(1,584)
25,989
25,989
14,548
11,441
25,989		 Total Funds
2023
£
20,758
88
5,370
26,215
(332)
(332)
25,883
25,883
14,442
11,441
25,883

The notes on pages 14 to 17 form part of these accounts.

The financial statements were approved by the trustees on 29[th] January 2025 and are signed on their behalf by:

Helen Turley Chair of Trustees

Registered charity number: 1164610

14

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024

a. Basis of accounting

The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (Charities SOR (FRS 102)). The financial statements are drawn up on the historical cost basis.

b. Going concern

There is no material uncertainty about the Charity's ability to continue and accordingly the accounts have been drawn up on a going concern basis.

c. Income recognition

These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when:

d. Funds

Funds are held by the charity as unrestricted and restricted funds. Unrestricted funds can be used, at the discretion of the trustees, for any purpose within the objects of the charity. Restricted funds are expendable by the trustees in furtherance of some particular aspect of the charity declared by the donor(s).

e. Taxation

Pregnancy Centres network is a registered charity and is not liable to taxation

f. Liability recognition

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources.

16

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

2. Income and endowments

Income and endowments from:
Voluntary donatons (Centres +
Trusts)
Voluntary donatons (Individuals)
Natonal conference
Fundraising actvites
Gif aid recovered
Grant
Other
Total		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
10,100
32,212
19,122
5,290
6,514
7,760
9,580
90,578		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
6,000
-
-
-
6,000		 Total Funds
2024
£
10,100
32,212
19,122
11,290
6,514
7,760
9,580
96,578		 Total Funds
2023
£
10,985
18,592
19,464
11,114
3,080
17,340
11,933
92,507

Voluntary donations relate to amounts donated by other pregnancy centres or individuals on a one-off or recurring basis.

3. Expenses

Expenditure on:
Professional subscriptons
Natonal conference
Staf costs
IT costs (incl. website)
Charitable donatons
Insurance
Volunteer expenses
Bank Fees
Administraton
Total		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
391
23,001
64,400
1,001
-
579
30
159
-
89,561		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
570
6,341
-
-
-
-
-
-
6,911		 Total Funds
2024
£
391
23,571
70,741
1,001
-
579
30
159
-
96,472		 Total Funds
2023
£
473
18,359
73,578
840
2,100
754
105
138
689
97,036

17

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

4. Staff costs: paid employees

Staff costs relate to paid employees. During the year we had 6 part time paid employees (2023: 6). The employees of the charity are: The Administrator, the Fundaising Lead, the Training Lead, the Training Administrator, the Director, and the Development Lead. No employees have received employee remuneration of more than £60,000.

In addition the charity employed 6 trainers (2023: 6).

5. Trustees' remunerations

The Trustees have received no remuneration during the period.

6. Creditors

Other creditors 2024
£
1,584
1,584		 2023
£
332
332

7. Related Parties

In total, the trustees have donated £9,060 (2023: £10,225) to the work of the charity during the period.

8. Analysis of charitable funds

Analysis of fund movements:
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds		 Fund
balances
brought
forward
£
14,442
11,441
25,883		 Income
£
90,578
6,000
96,578		 Expenditure
£
89,561
6,911
96,472		 Fund
balances
carried
forward
£
15,459
10,530
25,989

The unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.

The Charity holds the following restricted funds:

18

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Pregnancy Centres

Network

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Pregnancy Centres Network for the year ended 31[st] March 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material 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 Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters 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.

Mark Jones FCA – Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

Cook & Partners Limited, Manufactory House, Bell Lane, Hertford, SG14 1BP

29th January 2025

19