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2021-08-31-accounts

The Bridge Project Tadcaster Receipts & Payments Accounts For the Year ended 31st August 2021

The Bridge Project Tadcaster For the Year ended 31st August 2021

Index

TRUSTEES' REPORT PAGE 2 - 8
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT PAGE 9
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS PAGE 10
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES PAGE 11

Page 1

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT for THE BRIDGE PROJECT, TADCASTER

Charity number 1166825 01/09/2020 – 31/08/2021

The Vision of the Bridge Project Tadcaster is to bring love, hope and faith to the young people and their families of Tadcaster and the surrounding villages.

The Aim is to create safe places in which healthy relationships can grow. This is achieved by means of assemblies and after school clubs for both primary and secondary ages, daytime clubs for parent, toddlers and babies, faith-based groups, courses, holiday clubs, detached work and lunch clubs with schools. We welcome all who come, regardless of faith or none.

During the year there have been four significant developments:

The New Operations Manager

Beth Cookson was appointed in this role under the Diocesan Multiply funding scheme, which is aimed at developing New Worshipping Communities, in the case of The Bridge Project known as ‘Takeaway Church’. The scheme provides annual funding for 5 years, beginning with £5k and decreasing by £1k per year, the shortfalls being made up by the recipient organization. In the case of The Bridge the funding comes via the Rural Ainsty Parish but The Bridge Trustees have undertaken to underwrite the shortfall.

Beth’s background is in work with young people and her main job is in the Young Offenders Prison at Wetherby. She is in her thirties and lives in Tadcaster with her husband and young baby.

Beth began work at The Bridge on February 1[st] 2021 and commits 8 hours per week to the project. She oversees the staff team, keeps a close eye on the project finances and communicates regularly with the team running the North Yorkshire local Community Youth Project in The Barn, the building in which The Bridge Project is based. She has also begun rebuilding links with the various churches in Tadcaster, with whom relationships have rather atrophied in recent years. She and the chair of trustees (who is her line manager) meet regularly each month for update, discussion and debrief, which lasts for one and a half hours, and she attends all Trustee Board meetings. She will undergo regular annual appraisal by the chair starting in the coming year.

Page 2

Beth is already proving an enormous asset to The Bridge. She enjoys excellent relationships with the staff and her various other contacts, has a complete grasp of her brief and has already introduced a number of improvements in the running of the project. She clearly enjoys her role and we hope that she will stay with The Bridge for a long time. The fact that she lives in Tadcaster is a very definite plus point, as she is clearly totally committed to the aims and work of The Bridge in the town.

Change of Chairman

In September 2020 I succeeded Priscilla Smith as chairman of trustees at The Bridge after she had held the role for nearly 20 years. It was to her that God gave the original vision for the project and I and all those who have been involved in it over those years are incalculably in her debt. Happily, she remains on the trustee Board with a special responsibility for pastoring the staff and for the spiritual aspects of the project.

I have been involved with The Bridge in various ways for a number of years and have been a trustee for the past five. I am a consultant gastroenterologist and retired from full-time work in 2012 but I still work part-time in the NHS. I was a governor of Queen Mary’s School near Thirsk (a private school for girls aged from 5 to 16) for 17 years and chairman there for six years. My wife and I have been committed to our local church in Wighill, now in Rural Ainsty Parish, for nearly 40 years and my family have known Priscilla’s since before the War.

I made it an absolute requirement before agreeing to become chair of trustees that an operations manager should be appointed. It was clear that since the retirement of Fiona Dowson as manager in April 2019 the staff had been struggling to a certain extent despite Priscilla’s efforts to support them. Andy Sykes, referenced in last year’s report, had continued to provide valuable input but necessarily from a distance and it was clear that a more hands-on manager was needed. Beth’s appointment was made around the time I became chairman and Andy kindly continued to advise and provide general input until March 2021, so as to give continuity of supervision. I am very grateful for his efforts, help and wisdom.

Beth and I have an excellent working relationship and speak regularly on the phone as well as meeting face to face each month (see above).

I have committed to remain as chairman for 3 years and at the very most 5.

A Change in the Charitable Aims of the Trust

At our January Board meeting it was agreed that an additional aim of the Bridge Project should be adopted, namely ‘to promote good mental health and relieve mental ill-health through programmes of support primarily within the area of benefit, namely Tadcaster and the surrounding area, including (but not limited to) the parish of Rural Ainsty.’

Page 3

The Charities Commission was informed of this change, which was then incorporated into the Bridge Project Constitution.

The Easing of Covid-19 Restrictions

The improvement in the overall pandemic situation has meant an increase in activities of the project, although by no means back to normal pre-pandemic levels. Various clubs have restarted at The Barn and outreach within Tadcaster has continued. However, it has still not been possible to restart school visits. A number of feedback comments and a youth case study shown below give a flavour of how the work of The Bridge is appreciated.

Some Feedback Comments

“The Bridge Project have been amazing. Prior to Covid, they were a great support to the community. I regularly went to the groups there when I was on maternity leave; after just having a baby and going through a lot of personal traumas alongside, I really needed the encouragement and support and Sharon and the team were there with open arms. They always have a hot cuppa and a listening ear to hear about your problems, whilst entertaining the children.

During lockdown they created a support group, brought round goodie bags for the children and regularly brought round hot meals.

They were available online to offer support and guidance too. This support was so vital during the lockdown. As a single mum who felt very lonely, they kept me going, and for that, I am very thankful. They made some very dark days much brighter.”

--

“I would just like to say a huge Thankyou to Sharron who runs the chatterbox group at the barn. I moved here (after living abroad for many years), not knowing anyone, with my twins. I found the group because I want to become part of the community. When I first done the very first session I was greeted by Sharron who made me and my two children totally at ease, she gave me her time and full support, then she introduced me to all the other mums. It felt a great community spirit and all the children were very happy playing with all the toys that was out, then we all sat down to a lovely home cooked lunch and afterwards tea and cakes. My children where so happy. After that we attend the group each and every week. I've met some lovely people and the children have made bonds with the other children. Through Covid-19 times have been very challenging but I have been rang on a weekly bases and had food delivered to our home”

--

“The bridge project have been a great help over the years what with holiday clubs for school children , afterschool clubs with games and snacks , and also chatterbox play group ( which my little girl loves ) also during these difficult times we've had cooked food deliveries which have been an absolute treat !! We appreciate all that is done there xxx %$# "”

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--

“Mums talk and chatterbox has supported me so much since having my baby by providing lunch at the groups making sure i have something to eat as well as my child and helping me feel like I have some where to go without these groups I would of felt so alone especially through this pandemic”

--

“Me and my three sons attend playgroup at the barn. They absolutely love going and we enjoy our hot meal there too. My partner works long hours so being a stay at home mum can sometimes get lonely. We look forward to meeting our friends there and find Sharon and Lynn very welcoming and supportive. Just recently Sharon has been delivering lovely hot meals to our door. This has been so helpful as we’ve really struggled just recently with COVID. We really appreciate everything they’ve done for us. They are really valued in our community.”

Youth Case Study

Intro.

Luke* first came to Youth Club after hearing about it in his school assembly. Need

In the past Luke* has struggled with anxiety and was very reluctant to join any out of school groups like scouts and youth groups etc... Solution

Luke was already familiar with the Youth Club leaders from the Open Book assemblies in his school so this really helped him feel more at ease with going somewhere new. The current group is quite small but Luke benefits from that and really enjoys his time there.

The Staff

Our three staff – Sharon Masterman, Andy Pocock and Kate Ellarby, continue to do excellent work. Their various roles were described in detail in last year’s report. Sharon now teams up with Beth Cookson in connection with Multiply (see above) and attends the various training days run by the Diocese in that connection. Andy has taken an increasing responsibility for finance, while Kate has done excellent work on funding. They all thoroughly enjoy their work at The Bridge and are fully committed to it longterm. Andy and his wife confirmed this by moving recently from the other side of Leeds to Tadcaster. Sharon and Kate already live locally.

Activities

Over this time period the staff team have continued to run as many activities and groups as possible in a very difficult period. Online youth groups, prayer meetings over zoom, food deliveries to families in need, one to one prayer and pastoral care, as well as a number of face-to-face groups where restrictions allowed. Our Takeaway Church sessions have proved popular and continue on a monthly basis.

Page 5

As the impact of the pandemic became less groups began to open up again, including holiday clubs, youth groups, mums and toddler groups, girls and boys selfesteem courses as well as our continued one to one sessions.

The sessions we run are frequently changing to meet the needs of the people of Tadcaster, but we consistently connect with those with the highest level of need even in the midst of the pandemic.

Trustees

Sadly two of our trustees have just resigned from the Board. Johnnie Dickinson has been a trustee for 5 years and did fantastic work in the buildup to moving into The Barn, when his buildings expertise was invaluable. Stephen Dunn joined us more recently but also provided valuable input to the project, particularly as he lives in Tadcaster.

We are most grateful to them for their contributions.

New trustees are currently being sought.

Finance

I am determined that, by the time I demit office as chairman, The Bridge Project should be on a sound financial basis. Over recent years the situation has been too often famine rather than feast.

Our financial support comes from two main areas – personal giving and grants from various philanthropic organizations. Applications to the latter are often disadvantaged by The Bridge being a faith-based rather than secular organization, as some funders will not consider supporting such. Furthermore, sharing The Barn with a secular youth charity run by a vigorous entrepreneur means that often it will be given such funding by a particular organisation and The Bridge will thereby be deprived of it. Finally, we have been disadvantaged by the fact that in the past not all our trustees have completed recognised Safeguarding training, an absolute requirement of some funding organizations. This shortcoming has now been remedied.

The income to the charity over the past year has been:

From grants - £78,415 From personal giving - £6,243 (including £308 Gift Aid) From fundraising events - £1,402 Total £86,060

Our annual budget is around £90,000.

Page 6

In addition to maximizing our grant income, we need to increase the personal giving substantially and to this end Beth has set up a scheme whereby individuals can give small amounts (starting with £5 per month) to The Bridge which is already bearing fruit. We aim to raise eventually at least £10,000 per year through this scheme.

Priscilla has, at the other end of the spectrum, secured donations of several thousand pounds from wealthy individuals and it is hoped that when the overall total is sufficient an endowment fund can be set up.

None of what has been achieved through The Bridge project during the past year could have happened without our wonderful Heavenly Father’s provision in so many different ways. Without Him we would be nothing. Truly He is our infinitely compassionate and merciful God, who we know will ‘continue to be our guide even unto death’.

Page 7

Structure, Governance and Administrative Information

Organisation Type

Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)

Governing Document

The Constitution of The Bridge Project Tadcaster

Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees

Trustees are recruited and appointed by the existing Board of Trustees and bring expertise in medical, professional, business, education, youth work and charitable Christian service.

Trustees Induction and Training

All trustees are given the essential trustee pack and are required to complete basic safeguarding training. They are DBS checked.

Investment Policy The Bridge Project does not have any investments

Registration History The Bridge Project Tadcaster was registered on 29/04/2016. Registered charity number 1166825

Linked Charity Lower Wharfe Ecumenical Youth Project 1091839

Registered Address

The Barn, St Joseph’s Street, Tadcaster, LS24 9HA

Trustees

Rachel Brammar MA Hons Jonathan Beckerlegge FCA Dr Mark Denyer MB, BS, FRCP James Simister Priscilla Smith M Theol PGCE Johnnie Dickinson, FRICS Resigned 30/11/2020 Stephen Dunn Resigned 30/11/2020

Treasurer : Anne Smart Clerk to the Trustees: Helen Sharples

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees' report above Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees

Signature:_____ Date:____

Trustee signing: Mr Mark Denyer MBBS FRCP

Page 8

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

----- Start of picture text -----
Report to the trustees/
members of [The Bridge Project Tadcaster]
On accounts for the year
ended
31st August 2021 Charity no 1166825
Set out on pages 10 TO 11
Responsibilities and basis of As the charity trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance
report with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of
the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable directions
given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my
statement attention in connection with the examination which gives 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
I have no concerns 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.
Date:
Signed:
MISS C L BARNARD
Name:
FCCA CTA ATT (Fellow) FMAAT
Relevant professional
qualification(s) or body (if any):
3 & 4 PARK COURT
Address:
RICCALL ROAD
ESCRICK
YORK YO19 6ED
----- End of picture text -----

Page 9

The Bridge Project Tadcaster The Bridge Project Tadcaster The Bridge Project Tadcaster The Bridge Project Tadcaster The Bridge Project Tadcaster The Bridge Project Tadcaster The Bridge Project Tadcaster 1166825
Receipts and payments accounts
For the period from 1st September 2020 31st August 2021
Section A Receipts and payments
A1 Receipts Unrestricted
funds
to the nearest £
6,256
893
28,500
309
187
Restricted funds
to the nearest £
-
-
49,915
-
Endowment
funds
to the nearest £
-
-
-
Total funds
to the nearest £
6,256
893
78,415
309
187
-
Last year
to the nearest £
Donations & Fundraising 6,256 - - 6,256 7,203
Subscriptions 893 - - 893 807
Grants 28,500 49,915 78,415 35,900
Gift Aid 309 309 513
Other Income 187 187 -
Conference Income - - - -
Sub total
A2 Asset and investment sales, etc.
Total receipts
A3 Payments
36,145 49,915 - 86,060 44,423
- - -
36,145 49,915 - 86,060 44,423
3,166
21,975
394
1,174
4,008
2,010
530
884
133
144
2,504
830
2,820
2,642
36,847
68
565
43
366
238
406
-
838
2,729
-
670
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
5,808
58,822
462
1,739
4,051
2,376
768
884
539
144
3,342
3,559
2,820
670
Costs of GeneratingFunds 3,166 2,642 - 5,808 8,132
Staff Costs 21,975 36,847 - 58,822 42,037
Travel Expenses 394 68 - 462 488
Admin Costs 1,174 565 - 1,739 1,066
TrainingCosts 4,008 43 - 4,051 900
Insurance 2,010 366 - 2,376 -
General Costs 530 238 768 281
Subscriptions 884 884 320
Equipment 133 406 539 395
Telephone and Internet 144 - 144 -
Rent 2,504 838 3,342 4,387
Resources & Activity 830 2,729 3,559 846
Legal Fees 2,820 - 2,820 2,400
Grants 670 - 670
**Sub total ** 40,572 45,412 - 85,984 61,252
A4 Asset and investment purchases,
etc.
Total payments
Net of receipts/(payments)
A5 Transfers between funds
A6 Cash funds last year end
**Cash funds this year end **
-
- - - -
40,572 45,412 - 85,984 61,252
- 4,427 4,503 - 76 - 16,829
- - - - -
5,614 4,868 - 10,482 27,311
1,187 9,371 - 10,558 10,482

Page 10

----- Start of picture text -----
The Bridge Project Tadcaster 1166825
Receipts and payments accounts
For the period from 1st September 2020 To 31st August 2021
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Categories Details funds funds funds
to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
B1 Cash funds Current Account 751 9,371 -
Cash Account 436 - -
- -
Total cash funds 1,187 9,371 -
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
funds funds funds
Details to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
B2 Other monetary assets Prepayments 1,105 - -
Gift Aid 558 - -
- - -
- - -
- - -
- - -
Fund to which asset Current value
Details belongs (optional)
B3 Investment assets -
-
- -
- -
- -
Fund to which asset Current value
Details belongs Cost (optional) (optional)
B4 Assets retained for the Equipment unrestricted - 8,939
charity’s own use - -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
Fund to which Amount due When due
Details liability relates (optional) (optional)
B5 Liabilities Independent Examiners Fee unrestricted 480
Rent unrestricted 333
Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees Signature Print Name Date of approval
Mrs Priscilla Smith
Dr Mark Denyer MBBS FRPC
----- End of picture text -----

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