## **Trustees’ annual report for the period** |**Trustees’ annual report for the period**|**Trustees’ annual report for the period**|**Trustees’ annual report for the period**|**Trustees’ annual report for the period**|**Trustees’ annual report for the period**|**Trustees’ annual report for the period**|**Trustees’ annual report for the period**|**Trustees’ annual report for the period**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |**From**|Period start date|||**To**|Period end date||| ||1|January|2021||31|December|2021| **Charity name** The Group-based Open Learning Discipleship Project **Registered charity number (if any)**[1166567 ] ## **Objectives and activities** |Summary of the purposes
of the charity as set out in
its governing document
Summary of the main
activities in relation to
those purposes for the
public benefit, in
particular, the activities,
projects or services
identified in the accounts.|**SORP**
**reference**
Para 1.17
Para 1.17
and 1.19|| |---|---|---| |||The objects of the CIO are:
(1) the advancement of the Christian religion both in the United
Kingdom and in other parts of the world by:
(a) the provision of interactive self-study courses and
programmes to be undertaken at home but supplemented
and supported by a tutor and interactive group discussions
designed to increase understanding of the Bible, Christian
doctrine and related subjects and thereby better equip
students for discipleship, ministry (whether ordained or lay)
and mission in various Christian denominations;
(b) such other exclusively charitable means as the trustees
may from time to time determine.
(2) the advancement of education by assisting in the training of
men and women in their understanding of the Christian religion
to equip them better for discipleship, ministry (whether ordained
or lay) and mission in various Christian denominations.| |||In order to help Christians grow and apply their faith at
home, in the church and society, the GOLD project:
a) provides interactive learning resources to enable
systematic study of the Bible and other theological
subjects;
b) appoints and trains tutors to organise and run local
study groups;
c) runs regional study days for the benefit of students,
tutors and other Christians;
d) publicises its activities and runs promotional events in
local churches.| January 1[st] to December 31[st] 2020 GOLD Project Trustees’ annual report for the period: ## Page **2** of **7** |Page**2**of**7**||| |---|---|---| |Statement confirming|Para 1.18|The GOLD Project is established for the benefit of the public in the| |whether the trustees have||areas of education and the advancement of the Christian religion.| |had regard to the||In setting up the charity, the trustees consulted with the Charity| |guidance issued by the||Commission in both of these areas. The Charity seeks to follow| |Charity Commission on||best educational practice and is open to work with various| |public benefit||Christian denominations.| |**Additional information (optional)**||| |You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:||| |Page**2**of**7**|Page**2**of**7**|| |---|---|---| |Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the
guidance issued by the
Charity Commission on
public benefit
Para 1.18
The GOLD Project is established for the benefit of the public in the
areas of education and the advancement of the Christian religion.
In setting up the charity, the trustees consulted with the Charity
Commission in both of these areas. The Charity seeks to follow
best educational practice and is open to work with various
Christian denominations.
**Additional information (optional)**
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:||The GOLD Project is established for the benefit of the public in the
areas of education and the advancement of the Christian religion.
In setting up the charity, the trustees consulted with the Charity
Commission in both of these areas. The Charity seeks to follow
best educational practice and is open to work with various
Christian denominations.| |Policy on grant making
Policy on social
investment including
program related
investment
Contribution made by
volunteers
Other|**SORP**
**reference**
Para 1.38
Para 1.38
Para 1.38|| |||The charity maintains a policy on grant making to ensure
transparency and openness in assigning bursaries from the
restricted fund (the Monica Fund) set up for this purpose
(December 2015). This policy was reviewed and revised by the
Trustees in September 2019. Thispolicyis due for review in 2022.| |||The Trustees continue to invest a significant amount of the GOLD
Project assets (c£55,800) in an Ethical Investment Fund. In 2019,
the Trustees have also decided to pursue a policy to ensure that
paper and resources used in course materials take into
consideration their environmental impact. The graphic design of
new courses has deliberately sought to consider issues faced by
learners with dyslexia and dyspraxia.| |||Each learning group is tutored by voluntary tutors who are
appointed based on their theological qualifications and their
experience. For each new tutor references are sought. Training is
given to Tutors on a regular basis.
The Director of the GOLD Project gives 2 ½ days per week as a
volunteer.| |||| |**Achievements and performan **||**ce**| |Summary of the main
achievements of the
charity, identifying the
difference the charity’s
work has made to the
circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any
wider benefits to society
as a whole.|**SORP**
**reference**
Para 1.20|| |||The GOLD Project’s main activity in 2021 has been to continue to
support the learning of our Study Groups by providing materials
and supporting the voluntary tutors who run the groups. From
March 2020, we faced significant challenges as our face-to-face
learning groups were not able to continue owing to the
coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown. By the end of
2021, at least half of our groups continued to study via Zoom,
though some had decided to begin to meet in face-to-face groups
according to Government guidelines An ongoing concern since
the beginning of lockdown is that GOLD Leaders are struggling to
attract new people to their groups. In addition to a strategy for
new groups, we need to reflect on a strategy to help our leaders
sustain the existing groups and attract new students. During 2021,
we continued to run a pilot group for our new Level 2 course
materials on the Life of Christ. We also ran a group via Zoom for
potential leaders to give them an experience of how the course
works.| GOLD Project Trustees’ annual report for the period: January 1[st] to December 31[st] 2021 Page **3** of **7** We have continued to support our GOLD Leaders and have revised our ‘Notes for Leaders’ and created a specific ‘role description’ for those wishing to lead our groups. We have continued to adapt SEAN courses for use within the UK and have been able to negotiate with SEAN International about some key changes that we felt were necessary for the UK context. We entered into a joint project with SEAN International to redesign the Level 1 courses for which we are sharing the costs of the design. We were also able to employ a part-time editor to enable to ongoing work in this area. This was funded by specific donations for the role which will continue into 2022. Although Coronavirus also affected our regular study days, we were able to hold two Study Days on the Environment via Zoom. The first was held jointly with the Diocese of Guildford and the second was supported by Arocha UK. These Study Days were both well attended and addressed a significant issue from a biblical perspective. In October we held our first Open Evening which was received well and attended by over 30 people including some from overseas. We have continued a work-from-home policy and our administrator meets weekly with the Director via Zoom. This has continued to work well. The Trustees continue to work assess the work of the Charity in relation to our Strategic Plan and are considering how best to take forward the marketing of the Charity in the coming year. ## **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |Achievements against
objectives set
Performance of
fundraising activities
against objectives set
Investment
performance against
objectives
Other|**SORP**
**reference**
Para 1.41
Para 1.41
Para 1.41|| |---|---|---| |||The Trustees have set a Strategic Plan which is reviewed at each
meeting against the budget. This Strategic Plan sets out clear
goals in terms of Course Design and Formatting, Recruiting and
Training GOLD Leaders, Promotion amongst national and local
church leaders. Each of these are considered in relation to the
budget. In the coming year, we will be focussing on how to
increase the reach and recognition of the Charities activities with a
view to a significant growth in student numbers over the coming
three years. In 2021, we have received more funds than anticipated
as the result of a significant donation from a supporter who had
received a legacy as well as specific donations for the support of
the editor’s salary. Our financial investments have continued to do
well.| GOLD Project Trustees’ annual report for the period: January 1[st] to December 31[st] 2021 Page **4** of **7** ## **Financial review** |Review of the charity’s
financial position at the
end of the period
Statement explaining
the policy for holding
reserves stating why
they are held
Amount of reserves held
Reasons for holding
zero reserves
Details of fund
materially in deficit
Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a
going concern|**SORP**
**reference**
Para 1.21
Para 1.22
Para 1.22
Para 1.22
Para 1.24
Para 1.23|| |---|---|---| |||During the accounting period, the GOLD Project had total receipts
of £18,704 (up from £7,452 in 2020). Receipts from course fees and
study days were £3,862 (up from £3,460 in 2020). In accordance
with the Trustees plan to invest our assets in the development of
GOLD Project, the total payments for 2020 were £18,912 (up from
£15,231). Of this amount, the Trustees invested £7,072 in specific
development activities including graphic design, course
formattingand the employment of apart time editor.| |||The Trustees of GOLD Project have an agreed a policy to hold six
months’ operating costs as reserves. At present, the budget for
2022 anticipates a total annual operating expenditure of £15,900
which means that the reserve for the coming year should be set at
£7,950. This budget does not include the employment of
additional staff, but it is anticipated that any additional costs will
still enable us to abide byour reservespolicy.| |||Unrestricted Cash funds at 31/12/2021 were: £3,223.
Restricted Cash funds (editor’s salary + bursary fund) at 31/12/2021
were: £4,462.
COIF Ethical Investment fund at 31/12/2021 was valued at: £55,811.| |||N/A| |||N/A| |||As Trustees, the global coronavirus pandemic had a significant
impact on our activities in 2020 and 2021. However, owing to
generous donations and anticipated income from grants along
with increase fee income, we are confident that we can minimise
the impact of this in 2022. As it stands, we are confident that we
have adequate reserves and assets to ensure that our charity
continues to be a going concern. While the Trustees have
committed to invest our assets in strategic aspects of developing
the GOLD Project, there is presently no concern about the charity
as a going concern.| ## **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |The charity’s principal
sources of funds
(including any
fundraising)|**SORP**
**reference**
Para 1.47|| |---|---|---| |||The Charity has three main sources of funds for its operations.
First, the fees charged to students for studying courses and
attendance at Study Days. Our intention is to grow the income
from fees over the coming years by additional students and study
groups. Second, we have a small group of donors who give
regularly to the work of the charity and a couple of donors who
make significant donations, including giving towards the salary of
a part-time editor in 2021 and 2022. Third, we have continue to
partner with SEAN International in the graphic design of some of
our courses and seek some support fromgrant-makingtrusts.| GOLD Project Trustees’ annual report for the period: January 1[st] to December 31[st] 2021 |Page**5**of**7**|Page**5**of**7**|| |---|---|---| |Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted
A description of the
principal risks facing the
charity
Other|Para 1.46
Para 1.46|GOLD Project received a significant donation at its inception. A
significant part of this has been invested in COIF Ethical
Investment fund in keeping with the values of the Charity. The
Charity will seek to use its assets in furthering the aims and
objectives of the GOLD Project.| |||The principal risks facing the charity are the ability to recruit, train
and retain suitable leaders to ensure the consistent quality of the
learning experience. Ongoing challenges face the charity in
persuading churches and individuals to invest time and money in
significant study of the Bible and other Christian disciplines at a
time when people face the pressure of time and finances. The
GOLD Project seeks to develop significant links with national and
local churches to mitigate against these risks.| |||| |**Structure, governance and management**||| |**Description of charity’s trusts:**
**SORP**
**reference**
Type of governing
document:
for example, trust deed,
memorandum and
articles of association
etc
Para 1.25Constitution (Charitable Incorporated Organisation 2016)
How is the charity
constituted?
for example limited
company,
unincorporated
association, CIO
Para 1.25Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Trustee selection
methods including
details of any
constitutional provisions
e.g. election to post or
name of any person or
body entitled to appoint
one or more trustees
Para 1.25Trustees
**Additional information (optional)**
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
**SORP**
**reference**
Policies and procedures
adopted for the
induction and training
of trustees
Para 1.51
Potential Trustees are invited to attend meetings of the Trustees
as observers. Once they become Trustees they are given access to
the Charity’s governing documents, policies and meeting minutes
and are encouraged to read information from the Charity
Commission such as “The essential trustee”.||| |||| |||Constitution (Charitable Incorporated Organisation 2016)| |||Charitable Incorporated Organisation| |||Trustees| |||| |||Potential Trustees are invited to attend meetings of the Trustees
as observers. Once they become Trustees they are given access to
the Charity’s governing documents, policies and meeting minutes
and are encouraged to read information from the Charity
Commission such as “The essential trustee”.| GOLD Project Trustees’ annual report for the period: January 1[st] to December 31[st] 2021 ## Page **6** of **7** |Page**6**of**7**|| |---|---| |The charity’s
organisational structure
and any wider network
with which the charity
works
Para 1.51
Relationship with any
related parties
Para 1.51
Other|GOLD Project seeks to work with various churches but has no
formal connection with any particular denomination. In the course
of the year, the charity has sought to strengthen and establish
links with the Church of England and various dioceses as well as
with other Christian organisations.| ||GOLD Project has a formal agreement with SEAN UK to offer their
courses at different levels for use by local churches. We have also
agreed to partner with SEAN International for the graphic design
of some of our courses.| ||| ## **Reference and administrative details** Charity name The Group-based Open Learning Discipleship Project Other name the charity uses GOLD Project Registered charity number 1166567 Charity’s principal address 10 Moorend Gardens, Lawrence Weston, Bristol BS11 0JL ## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity** |1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.|**Trustee name**|**Office (if**
**any)**|**Dates acted if not for**
**whole year**|**Name of person (or body)**
**entitled to appoint trustee**
**(if any)**| |---|---|---|---|---| ||Rev Dr John Nolland|Chair||Trustees| ||Mrs Samantha DorothyHands|||Trustees| ||Dr David Mark Ball|Director/
Secretary||Trustees| ||Ben Stansfield|||Trustees| ||Rev Christopher Jolyon Trickey|||Trustees| ||Mrs Victoria Kim Adamson|||Trustees| |||||| **Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved** |**Director name**|| |---|---| |N/A|| |Name of trustees holdingtitle topropertybelongingto the charity|| |**Trustee name**|**Dates acted if not for wholeyear**| |N/A|| ## **Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others** Description of the assets held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects N/A N/A GOLD Project Trustees’ annual report for the period: January 1[st] to December 31[st] 2021 Page7of7 Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity's own assets NIA Additional Informatlon {optlonall Names and addresses of advisers (optioftal information) e of adviser Name Address Voluntary Secior Advice Trust Advice CIC Iformerly Advice for the Volunta Sector Unit 2, The Broadbridge Business Centre. Delling Lane. Bosham, P018 8NF Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members Dr David Mark Ball Director tional information Exemptions from disclosure Reason for non-disclosure of ke personnel details N/A Other optional information NIA Declarations The company has taken advantage of the small companies, exemption in preparing the report above. The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees. report [in¢luding director5, report) above. Signed on behalf of the charit Signaturels) 's trustees/directors Full name(s) Position (for example Secretary, Chair. etcl Date lohn Leslie Nolland David Mark Ball Chair Director GOLD Project Trustees, annual report for thè period.. January ill to Oecember 31sI 2021 ThRGroupbuod¢pmLMrtdry r*wlpknh￿ll30LD)proI*rI h4rftyfMTthr1111617 2•21 2021 TOTAL TOTAL Recilpkn.. 11.SJQib) 1.14LIO 2.5W GrAril 1s0.oo 16th 475Lty) 3.4gDQD l¢rest 44753B 2975 7452. i.f*& 17L 171 14740 147.4 Sludyd•yS i?ty & 4M79 01 Po&L*Je. SIL24 92 51&14 5C&2è X628 44429 141. 72WO) 4&*0 27U5 25& 5895 IM*J GOLD 181 20 6615 ieD•) 181 30 6615 250. I.SBL6• 1VX63 13305.51 ss*. 20. 62Q. 11.911.61 129 134JD$1 129 1S23D.S1 1.JOL2* lJ7.OU .9$$ IJ 20. 13 329 57 4J914 1 175.C ?.77U05 lJ7 2x90 iirJ4 1.17& 127&0 15671.3• &IZll5 2323 hir*numb•r1111S PlwK•FL TOTAL C4thfLW*." TOTAL 2&11 I19TJ4 .73 1.175C I.￿￿7j 6.384.18 &43 7.8￿.3 1V21 tyi* JJ?X16 111114 1.175CQ ¢tyF Elhcd E$5.111 TheJnveStrr￿t￿4I￿¢wdlThC￿TblI￿17t0W£jSts￿ it31 £85e11 ￿¢£*7850 26) IT.￿2B - 9 Zozi