TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023
Contents
| REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION | 3 |
|---|---|
| AIMS AND PURPOSE | 4 |
| REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES | 5 |
| FINANCIAL REVIEW | 6 |
| INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT | 7 |
| STATEMENT of FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES | 8 |
| ANALYSIS of INCOME | 9 |
| ANALYSIS of EXPENDITURE | 9 |
| APPENDIX | 10 |
The Trustees present their annual report and the financial statements of the charity for the period ended 31[st] December 2023
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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Registered charity name: Sandwell Churches Link
Charity registration number: 1167003
Registered address: Wesley Methodist Church 291 High Street West Bromwich B70 8ND
Trustees: Mrs. Hazel Bloxham Rev. Bev Thomas Mrs. Esther Spence Rev. Jon Grant Ms. Elizabeth Farley Mr. Trevor Palfreyman Pastor. Niyi Oludayomi Dr. David Jarrett
Chief Executive Officer: Mr. James Lynch
Independent Examiner: Mr. Eric Moore 2, Orchard Way Great Barr Birmingham B43 8PN
Principal Bankers: Lloyds Bank Ltd.
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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023
CHARITY STATUS
The charity is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) registered in 2016
AIMS AND PURPOSE
The objects of Sandwell Churches Link are to:
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Play a key strategic role in reducing poverty in all its forms in Sandwell, including homelessness, food poverty, financial exclusion, and loneliness.
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Help local churches rooted in neighbourhoods to connect with the wider community including other faiths, businesses, voluntary and community groups and public sector organisations
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Help local churches to connect with each other in collaborative learning, shared resources and combined social action
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Support churches by offering training, to enable them to use an asset-based approach to working with their local communities.
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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023
REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES
Sandwell Churches Link is a small charity, with a bold mission to work together to help end poverty in Sandwell. The charity operates with an extensive network of partners all of whom share 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.
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During 2023, the core activities of Sandwell Churches’ Link were continuing to:
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Develop the Sandwell Church Network, in each of the 6 towns
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Develop of the Sandwell Clothing Bank Project
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Support ‘Places of Welcome’ initiative
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Support the ‘Warm Spaces’ initiative with church and community partners
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Provide support and innovation to the Sandwell Food Power Network
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Work with 45 churches on effective community engagement through the ‘Opening New Doors’ project.
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Tackle financial exclusion, through the expansion of CAP Debt provision
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Pioneer the development of Community Hubs across the borough
Throughout 2023 Sandwell Churches Link continued to work closely in partnership with ‘Strengthening Communities’ (Lichfield Diocese) and Thrive Together (Birmingham Diocese)
During 2023 the need for food banks and food pantries has continued to grow, along with the increasing necessity for clothing and uniform provision. This demonstrates both the continuing needs across the communities, and the preparedness of churches and other community organisations to step into the gap, to help those on the margins of society. Sandwell Churches Link has continued to play an important role in helping coordinate these projects, including playing the lead role in the establishment of the Sandwell Clothing Bank. Sandwell Churches Link also plays a key role in sharing key information, resources and learning across the borough, working closely with Sandwell Council for Voluntary Service (SCVO). We also work alongside Sandwell Council and all the main food networks, such as Trussell Trust, Your Local Pantry and Black Country Food Bank who continue to lead on the provision of food in Sandwell.
During 2023, Sandwell Churches Link began a new venture to aid in the provision of Debt Advice throughout Sandwell, in partnership with Christians Against Poverty (CAP) and Kings Community Church in Oldbury. The project now offers support to West Bromwich residents as well as Oldbury and Smethwick.
Sandwell Churches Link is very grateful for the privilege to work with so many great churches and community partners, and to its sponsors who enable us to operate the charity.
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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Income generation
The total income for the year was £128,330 (2022: £69,702) which was generated through voluntary donations, grants, consultancy, and training courses.
Expenditure
Total expenditures were £74,972 (2021: £68,692)
Funds
Overall funds are £71,281 (2022: £17,923) of which £41,681 are restricted funds (2022: £7,923)
Reserves policy
The charity holds unrestricted and restricted funds. Transfers are made from unrestricted to restricted funds to prevent restricted funds from going into deficit. Our overall policy is to hold reserves at a minimum threshold necessary to operate the organisation (not more than 3 months expenditure) or higher when specific projects are being planned for subsequent years. (The charity currently holds £20,000 in reserve, specifically allocated for this purpose.)
Signed:
Rev. Jon Grant as Chair of Trustees
ON BEHALF OF THE TRUSTEES
Date: 10[th] June 2024
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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES
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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023
STATEMENT of FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
For the accounting period 1[st] January 2023 to 31[st] December 2023
| Notes | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds | Total Funds |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fund | Fund | 2023 | 2022 | ||
| Income | 1 | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| Voluntary income | 29,600 | 96,914 | 126,514 | 69,381 | |
| Charitable activities | - | 1,816 | 1,816 | 321 | |
| Total Income | 29,600 | 98,730 | 128,330 | 69,702 | |
| Expenditure | 2 | ||||
| Raising funds | 2,838 | 100 | |||
| Charitable activities | 72,019 | 68,592 | |||
| Total Expenses | 74,972 | 75,091 | |||
| Net Income/Expenditure | 53,358 | (5,389) | |||
| Funds brought forward | 17,923 | 23,312 | |||
| Balance | 71,281 | 17,923 |
ON BEHALF OF THE TRUSTEES
Rev. Jon Grant as Chair of Trustees
Signed:
Date: May 2024
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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023
1. ANALYSIS of INCOME for 2022/2023
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | (2023) | (2022) | |
| Voluntary | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| Income | ||||
| Church Support | 2,500 | - | 2,500 | - |
| Charity Donations | - | 4,099 | 4,099 | 113 |
| Grants | 27,100 | 92,815 | 119,415 | 69,268 |
| Total Voluntary | 29,600 | 96,914 | 126,514 | 69,381 |
| Income | ||||
| Charitable | ||||
| Activities | ||||
| Consultancy | - | 1,535 | 1,535 | - |
| Training Courses | - | 281 | 281 | 321 |
| TOTAL INCOME | 29,600 | 98,730 | 128,330 | 69,702 |
2. ANALYSIS of EXPENDITURE for 2022/2023
| TotalExpenses | TotalExpenses | |
|---|---|---|
| (2023) | (2022) | |
| £ | £ | |
| Expenditure on raising funds | 2,838 | - |
| Website and Promotion | 115 | 100 |
| Total expenditure on raising funds |
2,953 | 100 |
| Charitable Activities | ||
| Employee Salaries | 46,746 | 32,736 |
| Sessional Workers Costs | - | 12,206 |
| Office Rental | 1,275 | 975 |
| Training Courses | 679 | 3,600 |
| Events | 120 | |
| Promotional Filming | 433 | 1,467 |
| IT and Comms | 252 | 1,233 |
| Legal and Insurance | 527 | 544 |
| Travel and other Expenses | 2,930 | 3,049 |
| Partner Project Support | 19,177 | 19,061 |
| Total Charitable Activities | 72,019 | 75,091 |
| TOTALEXPENDITURE | 74,972 | 75,091 |
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