Chairs Annual Report
2022
Sandwell Churches Link is a small charity, but we have a bold mission to work together to help end poverty in Sandwell. We operate with a network of amazing partners all of whom are dedicated to this mission. Our partnerships start with churches of all denominations, but also extends to other-faith groups and community organisations with no particular faith connection.
During 2022 Sandwell Churches Link was run by a small team, led by our CEO James Lynch, who is employed by the charity on a full-time basis. The charity trustees were Rev. Jon Grant (Chair), Elizabeth Farley (Vice Chair) Hazel Bloxham (Treasurer) and a vastly experienced team of Trustees, responsible for the supervision and governance of Sandwell Churches Link.
During 2022 the work of Sandwell Churches Link was principally funded by the Benefact Trust, The St Peter’s Saltley Trust and the Walter Stanley Trust along with several other local Grant Funds.
The Sandwell Churches Link Annual Accounts 2022, audited by Mr Eric Moore, were approved by the Trustees at the Board Meeting held 14[th] March 2023.
During 2022, the core activities of Sandwell Churches’ Link were:
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Developing the Sandwell Church Network, in each of the 6 towns
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Supporting ‘Places of Welcome’
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Pioneering the ‘Warm Spaces’ initiative with church and community partners
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Providing support and innovation to the Sandwell Food Power Network
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Working with 40 churches on effective community engagement through the ‘Opening New Doors’ project.
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Tackling Financial Exclusion
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Pioneering the development of Community Hubs across the borough
Throughout 2022 Sandwell Churches Link continued to work closely in partnership with Transforming Communities Together (Lichfield Diocese) and Thrive Together (Birmingham Diocese)
In 2022 Sandwell Churches’ Link worked in partnership with Sandwell Council and Nurture Development to facilitate a further series of Asset Based Community Development workshops, and an 8-week Discovering ABCD Course, which was attended by 22 local partners from churches and community groups.
During 2022 more new food banks and Pantries have sprung up, which reflects both the continuing needs across the communities, and also the preparedness of churches and other community organisations to step into the gap. Sandwell Churches Link has continued to play an important role in helping coordinate these projects and helping to share information, resources and learning across the borough. We work alongside Sandwell Council and all the main food networks based in Sandwell, or who deliver services in Sandwell.
We are very grateful for the privilege to work with so many great churches and community partners, and to our sponsors who enable us to operate the charity.
Rev. Jon Grant
Chair of Trustees
Sandwell Churches Link
June 2023
Sandwell Churches’ Link Accounts for 2021
2021
Receipts
£
Benefact Trust (AllChurches) Walter Stanley Trust 10,000 St Peter’s Saltley 18,325 SCVO Bounce (SCL) SCVO (Projects) ABCD course Donations Total 28,325
Expenditure Staff Salary 28,571 Rent for office 1,075 Operational Expenses 1,141 Insurance 552 Sessional fees 5,150 Other expenditure 197 Total 36,686 Surplus / (Deficit) (8,360) Brought forward 31,672 Balance at 31 Dec 2021 23,312
Registered Office Wesley Methodist Church 291, High Street, West Bromwich B70 8ND
Accounts prepared by Hazel Bloxham (Hon Treasurer) Accounts examined by Eric Moore FCA
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