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 peri￿1.
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 fr*r
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

2023
2022
2Q
TOTIL
6.1CI)
7.220
.U74S2
I.5￿￿)
1.112*
413LO•
1.64099
19S
2". 93
IltydByT•
11&•D
lss
12WJ
47.12
iO.V•X
a141
16.42SOI
7.6SI.14
18.w.g4
1.r0770
i.n7 70
3715S
377 35
49J.a2
21fA•
IrJ.D)
249 sa
159
1.921.99
i.62e.99
11￿38
%402
ie 999 18
20 lit.71
11.ssa
10.95$ 16
1.151 35
2251
2.275
¢.525
2.'.8724
2 1d7
7.$55.39
SJ17-.7
197.•2
3.141
>)22
TOTAI
711AJ
•AY
1.WJ71
1bX71
6985
21f*40
2.14703
3.1•
40
2141.
Z.147.tyJ
0FChwts•Etr￿1r￿•$1bVrt￿L
T.7•
46.61?ZJ
3.58832
207 Ssl.
50207 55
20 Zlt

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 cOn￿mS 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