CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Trustees. annual report for the period Period start date Period end date From January 2023 To 31 December 2023 Charity name The Grou -based O en Learnin Disci leshi Pro ect Registered charity number (if any) Objectives and activities 1166567 SORP reference Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document Para 1.17 The objects of the CIO are.. 01 the advancement ofthe Christian religion both in the United Kingdom and in other parts of the world by. lal 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 Iwhether ordained or layl and mission in various Christian denominations.. Ibl such other excluswely charitable means as the trustees mayfrom time to time determine. 121 the advancement of education by assisting in the training of men and women in theif understanding ofthe Christian religion to equip them betterfor discipleship, ministry Iwhether ordained or layl and mission in various Christian denomination& Summary ofthe main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities. projects or services identified in the accounts. Para 1.17 and 1.19 In order to help Christians grow and apply their faith at home, in the church and society. the GOLD project: al provides interactive learning resources to enable systematic study of the Bible and other theological subjec bl appoints and trains tutors to organise and run local study groups: c} runs regional study days for the benefit of students, tutors and other Christian dl publicises its activities and runs promotional events in Icral churches. GOLD Project Trustees. annual report for the period: January 1.to December 31" 2022
Page2of7 Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit Additional infoTmation loptlonall You may choose to include fvrther ststements where levant at(Jut'. SORP reference Para 1.18 The GOLD Project is established for the benefit ofthe public in the areas ofeducation and the advancement ofthe Christian religion. In setting up the charity. the trustees consulted with the Charity Commission in both ofthese areas.The Charity seeksto follow best educational practice and is open to work with various Christian denominations. Policy on grant making Para 138 The charity maintains a FK)licy on grant making to ensure transparency and openness in assigning bursaries from the restricted fund (the Monica Fund) set up for this purpose (December 20151- This policy was reviewed and updated bythe Trustees in September 2022. This policy is due for review in 2025. The Trustees continue to invest a signrficant amount of the GOLD Project assets Ic£45,0001 in an Ethical Investment Fund. The publishing and delivery of our courses seek to take account of their environmental impact and our printing partner invests IO% of their profits in supporting work amongst the homeless in Oxord. Our courses deliberately seek to consider issues faced by learners with dyslexia and dyspraxia as well as other learners who have traditionall been excluded from Christian and theolo ical studies. Policy on social investment including programme related investment Para 138 Contribution made by volunteers Para 138 Each learning group is led byvoluntary group leaders who are normally selected by the local church and trained by GOLD Project In addition to the specific seNices he is paid for by the Charity, the Director ofthe GOLD Project continuesto give up to 2 days per week as a volunteer. Other Achievements and erformance SORP reference Summary ofthe 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. Para 1.20 The GOLD Project's main activity in 2023 has continued to be the support of learning in our Study Groups by providing materials and supporting the voluntary tutors who run the groups. In 2022 several groups have been meeting face to face. However, some groups continue to have met on Zoom which allows people from various locations to join a study group. In 2022. we saw some significant work in one prison where the chaplaincy supported a group of4 men through one ofour course&. We have continued to support our GOLD Leaders through ongoing training and meeting An ongoing concern which we began to address in 2022 is that GOLD Leaders were struggling to attract new people to their groups. In order to address this and also to promote GOLD Project among churches, the Trustees appointed a part-time Marketing Officer. The Marketing Officer spent 2023 making connections with churches and individuals and in updating our communications systems. In 2023 we sawthe start of several groups at Level l and Level 2 Using the courses that we have adopted from SEAN. We have. GOLD Project Trustees. annual report for the peri1. Januarylx to December 3151 2023
Page3of7 unfortunately, continued to a decline in the number of students on our Level 3 courses. but we hopeto address this in the coming year. In 2023 we ran the first of three Study Days on the theme of 'The role of Small Group Bible Study in Discipleship., This took place at Trinity College Bristol with a view to strengthening the work of the Charity in the Bristol area. In 2023. our administrator resigned and we apwinted a new administrator. The handover between the roles was hampered by severe and chronic back issues that were suffered by the Director in the latter part oftheyear. The Director's incapacity also had an impact on other areas ofthe work.The Trustees continue to assess the work ofthe Charity in relation to oui 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". SORP Achievernents against objectives set Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set Investment performance against objectives Other Para 1.41 The Trustees continue to review and implement the Strategic Plan set out in 2019. The clear goals ofthe plan are reviewed at each meezing of the Trustees in terms ofcourse Design and Formatting. Recruiting and Training GOLD Leaders, Promotion amongst national and local church leaders. In the coming year. we will continue to focus on increasing the feach and recognition of the Chariws activities with a view to a significant growth in student numbers over the coming threeyeafs. We have again received a significant donation from a supporter who has given specifically towards the salary of the new Marketing Officer and we have begun to invest some of our assets in the employment of the Marketing Officer in line with our Strategic Plan. Para 1.41 Para 1.41 GOLD Project Trustees. annual report for the period". January Isi to C>ecember 31st 2023
Page4of7 Financial review SORP reference Review of the charit$ financial position at the end of the period Para 1.21 During the accounting period, the GOLD Project had total receipts of £29.676.41 including an interest free loan and the realisation of some of our investment funds. Without these additional funds. our receipts would have been EII405.45 (down from £18,0901. Fleceipts from course fees and study days were approximately £3250 lup from fj,835 in 20221. In accordancewith the Trustees plan to invest our assets in the development of GOLD Project, the total ments for 2023 were £30.871 lup from 06.960 in 2022 . The TTUStees of GOLD Project have an agreed a policy to hold six months. operating costs as reserves. With the addition of the salaTy for a part-time MaTketing Officer, the budget for 2024 anticipates a total annual operating expenditure of£34,224 which meansthat the reserve for the coming year should be set at 7,112. Unrestricted Cash funds at 31n¥2023 were: £5,197. Flestricted Cash funds (bursary fundl at 31n212023 were: £2,154. COIF Ethical Investment fund at 31hV2023 was valued at.. £49,088. restricted £4.060 and unrestricted £45,028 . NIA Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held Para 1.22 Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 Reasons for holding zero reserves Para 1.22 Details of fund materially in deficit Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern Para 1.24 NIA Para 1.23 As Trustees 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 in the coming year. Additional information (optional) Vou may choose to include furrher statements where relevant about.. SORP reference Para 1.47 The charity's principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) The Charity has three main sources of fundsfor 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 woik of the charity and a couple ofdonor5 who make significant donations. including giving towards the salary of the Marketing Officer fiom 2022to 2024. Third, we plan to seek some support from grant-making trusts. We anticipate that we will need support from grant-making trusts and other organisations to strengthen and develop the work in the future until we can reach a point where we are self-sufficient. GOLD Project Trustees. annual report for the period: January15C to December 3151 2023
Page5of7 Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted 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 ofthe Charity. The Charitywill seek to use its assets in furthering the aims and objectives of the GOLD Project. A description of the principal risks facing the charity Para 1.46 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 churchesto mitigate against these risk& We continue to try to balance the need for compliance with increasing regulations while fiKusin on our charitable ob'ective Other Structurei governance and management Description of charity's trus. SORP Type of governing document.. USt eimorandum and rticles of ass Para 1.25 Constitution Icharitable Incorporated Organisation 20161 How is the charity constituted? Para 1.25 Charitable Incorporated Organisation po 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 1.25 Trustees Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant abouL SORP reference Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of 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". Para 1.51 GOLD Project Trustees, annual report for the period: January 1st to t)ecember 31S1 2023
Page6of7 The charity's organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works GOLD Project eks to work with various churches but has no formal connection with any particular denomination. In the course of theyear, the charity has sought to Strengthen and establish links with the Church of England and various dioceses as well as with other Christian organisations. In the coming year, we hope to develop linkswith other churches and interdenominational or anisations Para 1.51 GOLD Project has a formal agreement with SEAN UK to offer their courses at different levels for use by local churches. We are members of NCVO and will be seeking to create links with other related or anisations in the comin ear. Relationship with any related parties Para 1.51 Other Reference and administrative details Charity name Other name the charity uses Registered charity number Charity's principal address The Grou -based O n Learnin Disci leshi Pro ect GOLD Pro ect II66567 10 Moorend Garden& Lawrence Weston, Bristol BSII OJL Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity Name of person lor body) entitled to appoint trustee fif any} Trustee name Office {if any) Dates acted if not frr whole year Rev Dr John Nolland Chair Trustees Mrs Samantha Doroth Hands Trustee5 Dr David Mark Ball Directorl Secreta Trustees Ben Stansfield Trustees Rev Christo her Jol on Tricke Trustees ev Richard Moy Cor orate trustees - names of the directors at the date the reFK)rt was approved Director nam• Trustees NIA Name of trustees holdin title to propert belon Dates acted rf not for whole to the charit Trustee name ear NIA Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others Description of the assets held in N/A this capacity Name and objects ofthe charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charitls objects N/A GOLD Project Trustees, annual report for the period.. Janvary Ist to December 31" 2023
P3ge7of7 Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity's own assets NIA Additional information (optional) Names and a'ddresses of advisers (optional information) e of adviser Name Address Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members Dr David Mark Ball IDirector Exemptions from disclosure Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details tional information Other o tional information NIA Declarations The trustees declare that they have approved the tntstees. report (tneludl treportl above. Signed on behalf of the chari Signature(s) Full name(s) Position Ifor example Secretaryg Chair. etc) Date strusteesldivee John Leslie Nolland vid Mark Ball Chair Director £02 GOLD Project Trustees, annual report for the period.. january 1st to t)ecember 37.: 21
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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examinerfs Report Report to the trusteesl members of THE GROUP-BASED OPEN LEARNING DISCIPLESHIP PROJECT On accounts for the year131 DECEMBER 2023 ended I Charity no lif any) 1166567 Set out on pages I report to the truslees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (Ihe Trust") for the year ended 3111212023. Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordan with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {'the Act"). I report in respect of my examinalion of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 ofthe 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145151{b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confim that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below ") in connection with the examination which gtves me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examiner's statement I have no cOnmS and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets rfthey do not apply. Signed: Date: 2511012024 Name: Patrick F O'conor Bsc FCA Relevant professional | ICAEW qualificationls) or body (if any): Address: 51 Downs Park West Bristol BS6 7QL IER October 2018