Annual Report
2023 - 2024
- Space
creating space lo be
Providing creative, reflective prayer spaces across Oxfordshire since 2010
Encouraging faith and spiritual development in children and young people
Equipping local churches to run prayer and reflection spaces in schools and at
local community events
Facilitating church relationships with their local schools
67
Spaces
59
Schools
18
Community and
state schools
new schools
41
Schools with a
Christian foundation
Over 15,000 young people have experienced a prayer and reflection
space in their local school or church this year. This is what they say:
Now I feel like
ltre been
blessed by God
It was like all
my anger was
rizzing away
ltre realised
that God cares
about us so
muchl
100s of volunteers from over 70 local churches have been involved in
prayer and reflection spaces this year.
info@bespace.be
www.bespace.be
Charity Number: 1168891

Trustees, Annual Report for the period 1st April 2023 - 31st March 2024
Charity Name
Charity Number
Charity Address
Bespace
1168891
St James Church Centre
13 Beauchamp Lane
Oxford
OX4 3LF
Rev Dr Canon Geoff Bayliss (Chair of Trustees)
Mr Ben Leach (Treasurer) (resigned 31 St March 2024)
Mr Patrick Gale
Mrs Mary Kruiz
Mrs Kirsty Morgan (CEO) (resigned 31 St May 2023)
Rev Nina Oskarsdottir
Names of Charity Trustees
who manage the charity
Structure, Governance and Management
Bespace is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered with the Charity Commission
on 241h August 2016 under the charity Number 1168891. It is governed by a o)nstitution which was adopted on
the 24th August 2016.
The Charity Trustees are responsible for the general control and management of the charity. The Trustees meet,
currently online, at least four times a year and are appointed by a resolution passed at a property convened
meeting of the Charity Trustees.
The CEO oversees the day to day running of the charity. There is a safeguarding policy in place and all trustees,
staff and volunteer ne￿orkerS are DBS checked by the charity. Bespace is part of the Prayer Spa￿s in Schools
network. There are a number of other policies in pla￿. induding Risk Management.
Objectives and Activities
Summa
of the ob'ects of the chari
set out in the
overnin
document of Bes
ace
The Object of the CIO is, for the public benefit. the advan￿ment of the Christian faith through, in particular but
not limited to, creating prayer spaces to engage with members of the community, developing education of the
Christian faith in schools and in such other ways as the charity trustees may from time to time decide.
Summa
of the main activities undertaken for the
ublic benefit in relation to these ob.ects
Bespace came into existence as a registered charity on the 241h August 2016. In planning our activities. the
charity has kept in mind the Charity Cotnmissions guidan￿ on public benefit. The Charity has sought to
advance the Christian faith for the public benefit by running prayer spaces, engaging members of the community
in prayer spaces and training Christians to provide these spaces. The prayer spaces benefited people by
providing them sacred spaces, contributing to their spiritual development, and teaching them about the Christian
faith. The following outlines in more detsil how the objectives have been pursued throughout the reporting
period.
Bespace
www.bespace.be

Achievements and Perfomiance
Summa
of the main achievements of the chari
durin
the
ear.
In planning our activities for the year. we kept in mind the charity commission's guidan￿ on public benefit at our
trustee meetings. The focus of our activities remains to facilitate creative prayer and reflection spa￿S in schools
and where we have capacity at other community events. We do this mainly through equipping local churches to
run prayer spaces by modelling. leading prayer spaces and training churches. These prayer spaces help
advance the Christian faith and support the element of a school's curriculum that teaches about spiritual
development
As the Charity fully emerged from the Covid Pandemic, we continued to see growth from the prior year in the
number of spaces (58 to 67) and children impact (12,000 to 15.000). We are still working towards our ultimate
aim of seeing every school in Oxfordshire regulady having a Bespace run by their local churches.
With the CEO leaving in May 2023, we employed a Project Coordinator from September 2023 and in January
2024 we sought to strengthen the leadership of the charity by investing in training for our current staff and are
contracting a leadership Consultant for a day week with us. to start in May 2024.
We continue to be grateful for the support we receive from Churches, all the volunters and schools all of which
remain core to the Charity's work. We are grateful for Rt Rev Bishop Gavin for becoming our Patron and offering
support to our Charity.
We continued to offer regional leaders training sessions. in recognition that there are always new people getting
involved in SPa￿S and also for some previous leaders who might want a refresh.
The Impact of the activities of Bespace:
Pra
ers
a￿S that have ha
ened in Schools:
Due to our work, 67 spaces took place in 59 schools. 5 new schools had prayer spa￿S this year.
The breakdown of the types of schools thal have had prayer spaces this year are:
2 Secondary schools and 51 Primary Schools (6 Independent)
41 schools with an Anglican foundation
18 communitylstate schools
We have reached over 15,000 young people between the ages of 4-18, which has enabled the Christian
faith to be shared and helped young people grow in their understanding of the faith and what it means to
be able to connect with God and have a relationship with him.
Continued to benefit young people through contributing to their spiritual and moral education in prayer
spaces.
We have provided training sessions for volunteers supporting local prayer spaces in 6 schools.
Over 70 churches in the county have been involved in either leading a prayer space for a local school or
supporting a prayer space by providing volunteers from their congregations to help in prayer spaces
local to them.
Pra
ers
aces in other areas of the communi
We have provided equipment to a local library to support them in providing prayer activities for their local
community
Bespace
www.bespace.be

Volunteers and Networkers
We could not achieve all of this without the time, energy and effort of the many volunteers from over 70
churches across the county who give their time to set up. lead and facilitate prayer and reflection spaces
in schools.
We continue to have 1 official volunteer networker who champions the charity in their local geographic
area and help grow volunteer teams to run prayer and reflection spaces in their local schools.
The impact on people experiencing prayer spaces.
The following are a sample of comments from young people who eXperien￿d a Bespa￿ during this time.
These comments demonstrate how prayer spa￿$ have advanced the Christian faith for the public benefit.
Everything I
felt sad about
Iletgo
It reminds me of
all the things God
has done for us
I think ltre
realised I should
do this all the
time
I'm thankful for
God because
he helps me let
my light shine
Thank you for
letting me
communicate
with God
It taught me to
ft>rgive
I could say how I'm
feeling and what is
happening in my lrfe
right now without
feeling awkward or
embarrassed
I feel calm and
joyful now that I
have been
through
this experience
I love how I
could
open up with
God
And a comment from a teacher:
The experien￿ was bnlliant... you made it mn so smoofftfy and the children were really buzzing about the activities they did
and how relaxing being in the space was.
And feedback from a Head Teacher:
From a school point of view, this was my first encounter with Bespace and I have to say it really was an incredibly positive
experience lor the children.
Lots of them said how much they enjoyed the time because it was so calm and quiet- they dony often get the chance to
Completely stop and do something like this in the hustle and bustle of a norTnal school day.
Giving the children a chance to rellect on all sorts of things also really helped us as the staff because it allowed us to
pethaps pick up on things about the children that we may not have been aware of.
Bespace
www.bespace.be

We would definitely do it again and are even looking to see how we could have even just one small space available
somewhere to have something similarl
Future Plans
The Trustees conducted an intemal strategic review which reaffimied our belief in the resonan￿ of the Charity with
our churches, volunteers and schools. This review identified a need to further strengthen the leadership of the Charity,
as well as invest further in our core staff.
We continue to work towards our fundraising goals in order to increase our income to meet the shortfall between
income and expenditure. A fundraising consultant was contracted for a period of time for the later part of 2023 to
help increase income. The consultant brought in a grant for us, which we are grateful for, however as we go
forward the Trustees intemal strategic review noted that strengthening the leadership of the charity was the
priority at this time.
We are thankful to Rosy Taylor and Harriet Baldock for all their hard work and enthusiasm and look forward to further
expanding our leaderships capacity by contracting a consultant from May 2024.
Declaration
natures
The trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees, report
Signed on behalf of the Charity's Trustees
Signature(s):
Full Name(s):
Rev Canon Dr Geoffrey Brian
Tudor Bayliss
Chair of Trustees
Mr Patrick Gale
Position:
Trustee
Date:
2025101116
2025101116
Bespace
www.bespace.be

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Bespace
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Bespace (the Charity) for
the year ended 31st March 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the Charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance
with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act,).
I report in respect of my examination of the Charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of
the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions
given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examlner's ststement
I have completed my examination. I confim that no material matters have come to my attention
in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of
the Act. or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records,. or
3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements conceming the form and
content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008
other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view which is not a
matter considered as part of an independenl examination.
I have no COn￿mS and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination
to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the
accounts to be reached.
Samuel Rebbettes ACCA
18 North Street
Kingsclere
Newbury
RG20 5QX
1410112025

Bespace
Notes to the Accounts
for the year ended 31st March 2024
Unrestricted
Funds
Total
2024
Unrestricted
Funds
Total
2023
Note
Income
Income and endowments from"
Donations and legacies
Government grants receivable
34.307
34,307
30,391
30,391
Total income and endowments
34,307
34,307
30,391
30,391
Expenditure
Expenditure on:
Charitable Activities
3a
41,930
41,930
38,933
38,933
Total expenditure
41,930
41,930
38,933
38,933
Net movement in funds
{7.623)
(7,623)
(8.542)
(8,542)
Reconciliation of funds
Balance brought forward
at 31st March 2023
75,163
75,163
83.705
83,705
Net surplus l (deficit) for the year
(7.623)
(7.623)
{8,542)
(8,542>
Transfers between funds
Balance carried forward
at 31st March 2024
67,540
67,540
75,163
75,163
Bespace
www.bespace.be

Bespace
Notes to the Accounts
for the year ended 31st March 2024
2024
2023
Note
Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets
1,005
882
Current assets
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
497
67,617
554
73,920
68.114
74.474
Liabilities: amounts falling
due within one year
1,579
193
Net current assets
66,535
74,281
Net assets
67,540
75,163
Funds
Unrestricted funds
67.540
75.163
67.540
75,163
Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Rev Dr Canon Geoff Bayliss- Chairman
2025101116
Bespace
www.bespace.be

Bespace
Notes to the Accounts
for the year ended 31st March 2024
Accounting Policies
Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance
th Accounting and Reporting by Charities= Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to
charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in
the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102 1A) (effective 1 October 2019).
The charity constitutes a public benefit enbty as defined by FRS 102.
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties around the charity's ability to continue
as a going concem.
1b.
Income Recognition
All incoming resources are included in the SOFA when the charity is legally entitled to the income and
the amount can be quantified reasonable accuracy. Incoming resources are included gross.
No credit is taken for either general or gift aid donations until they are actually received. The amount
credited to the income and expenditure account in respert of gift aid donations does however include
the amount of income tax recoverable in respect of ino)me actually re￿ived.
Grant income is recognised as receivable subject to fulfilment of any associated conditions. Where
conditions have been met or are likely to be met, grant income is recognised in full.
1c.
Expenditure Recognition
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis, and has been classified under headings that
aggregale all costs related to the category.
Charilable activity costs are those costs incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of
the Charity.
Support costs are those incurred in connection V￿th administration of the Charity and compliance with
constitutional and statutory requirements.
1d.
Pensions
Contributions payable for the year are charged in the income and expenditure account. The charity
contribules to a defined contribution scheme for its employees.
18.
Irrecoverable VAT
The Charily is not registered forVAT and hen￿ is unable to recoverVAT on expenditure incurred.
All costs are therefore shown inclusive of the associated input VAT.
1f.
Fixed Assets
Equipment which is deemed by the charity to have a useful life of more than one year is capitalised
and included within fixed assels. Depreciation is provided on all equipmenl so as to write off the cost
or valuation, less any estimated residual value. over the expected useful economic life on a straight
line basis at 33 % a year.
Bespace
www.bespace.be

Bespace
Notes to the Accounts
for the year ended 31st March 2024
lg.
Fund Accounting
Unrestricted Funds
These are funds which can be used in accordance wth the charitable objects of the charity at the
discretion of the Trustees.
Income
Unrestricted
2024
Total
2024
Unrestricted
2023
Total
2023
Donations and lega￿eS frorn:
Individual giving
Gift Aid recoverable
Church and Organisation giving
Grants receivable
13,941
2,271
2,345
15.750
13,941
2,271
2,345
15,750
13,114
2,237
3,990
11,050
13,114
2,237
3,990
11.050
34,307
34.307
30.391
30,391
Expenditure
Expenditure on charitable activities
Unrestricted
2024
Total
2024
Unrestricted
2023
Total
2023
Note
Prayer space costs
Support costs
1.789
40.141
1,789
40,141
1,382
37,551
1,382
37.551
3b
41,930
41.930
38.933
38,933
Bespace
io
www.bespace.be

Bespace
Notes to the Accounts
for the year ended 31st March 2024
3b.
Support costs
Unrestricted
2024
Total
2024
Unrestricted
2023
Totsl
2023
Staff costs
Office costs
Governance costs:
Consultsncy and legal fees
31,614
3.227
31,614
3.227
33,513
3,196
33,513
3.196
5,300
5,300
40,141
40,141
37,551
37,551
Staff Costs
2024
2023
Salaries including employerfs national insuran
Pension contributions
Training and other staff costs
25,877
1,199
4,538
30,664
1.099
1,750
31.614
33,513
No employee received £60,000 or more in this or the preceding financial year.
2024
2023
The average number of staff employed during the year was:
Trustee Remuneration
Trustee expenses totalling £836 {2023- £1,130) were incurred in the year.
The amount owing to trustees at the end of the year V￿th respect to expenses was £Nil (2023.. £981.
Bespace
li
www.bespace.be

Bespace
Notes to the Accounts
for the year ended 31st March 2024
Fixed assets
Office
Equipment
Venue
Equipment
Total
Cost
As at 1 st April 2023
Additions in year
Disposals in year
As at 31st March 2024
3,474
9,764
807
13.238
807
999
13,046
999
2,475
10,571
Depreciation
As at 1 st April 2023
Charge in year
Eliminated on disposal
As at 31st March 2024
3,070
323
999
2.394
9,286
361
12,356
999
12,041
9.647
Net book value
As at 31st March 2024
81
924
1,005
As at 31st March 2023
404
478
882
Debtors
2024
2023
Prepayments
498
554
498
554
Liabilities: amounts falling due within one year
2024
2023
Trade creditors
Accruals
Deferred income
1,339
240
193
1.579
193
Bespace
12
www.bespace.be

Bespace
Notes to the Accounts
for the year ended 31st March 2024
Funds
Balance at
1stApril
2023
Transfers
between
funds
Balance at
31st March
2024
Income
Expenditure
Unrestricted
General unrestricted
75,163
34,307
41,930
67,540
Balance at
1stApril
2022
Transfers
between
funds
Balance at
31st March
2023
Income
Expenditure
Unrestricted
General unrestricted
83,705
30.391
38,933
75,163
10.
Related Parties
The trustees made donations totalling £8.963 (2023.. £8.704) to the charity.
Bespace
13
www.bespace.be