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2021-03-31-accounts

Charity Number

1169014

The Welcome Directory

Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] March 2021

The Welcome Directory Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] March 2021

The trustees present their report and accounts for the period ended 31[st] March 2021 which comply with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011, Financial Reporting Standard 102 and follow the recommendations in 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) (effective 1 January 2015).

Reference and Administrative Information

Charity Name The Welcome Directory
Charity Number 1169014
Charity Trustees Shaffiq Din
Peter Holloway
Fred Ireland (Appointed 11/11/2020)
Rizwana Reza (Appointed 11/11/2020)
Amrik Singh
Eric Southwick
David Spademan (Resigned 08/11/2021)
Robert Wilson
Registered Office and Principal Address27 Tavistock Square
London
WC1H 9HH
Bankers CAF Bank plc
25 Kings Hill Avenue
Kings Hill
West Malling
Kent
ME19 4JQ.

1

The Welcome Directory Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] March 2021

Structure and Organisation

Organisation

The organisation is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered as a charity on 2[nd] September 2016. The Charity is managed by the trustees who meet regularly to consider the progress of the Charity and to consider its future direction and activities.

Trustee Appointments

The Charity is governed by trustees who, apart from the first charity trustees, are appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. In accordance with the constitutions:

The Free Church Federal Council is the nominating and employing body for the nominated trustees and the ex-officio trustee. In selecting individuals for appointment as appointed charity trustees, the charity trustees have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO.

All trustees are inducted into the policies and procedures of the charity to ensure they are well equipped to fulfil their duties and in particular receive copies of:

The Constitution of the CIO

The latest Trustees Annual Report and Statement of Accounts of the Charity

And are encouraged to read Charity Commission guidance notes CC3 –“The Essential Trustee – What you need to know”.

In addition the trustees are encouraged to read Charity Commission and other appropriate newsletters and are aware of the need to attend courses designed to keep them abreast of their duties and responsibilities.

Risk Management

The Trustees are aware of the recommendations to examine the major strategic, business and operational risks which the Charity faces. Procedures are in place to manage the risks identified to the best of the Charity’s ability.

Objectives and Activities

Charitable Objects

The objects of the Charity are to promote the rehabilitation of ex-offenders for the public benefit by working with people from a range of faith communities in the United Kingdom to develop and maintain an infrastructure which supports those leaving prison so that such people are integrated into society to lead law-abiding lives, in particular by:

  1. providing a national directory as a resource for ex-offenders and prison chaplains that lists communities from a range of faith backgrounds which have identified themselves as being welcoming and supportive of people leaving prison;

  2. providing opportunities for members of faith communities to engage in educational activities that will equip them to understand and respond appropriately to the needs of people leaving prison and their integration into society after release.

Public Benefit

The trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit reporting in deciding what activities the charity should undertake. The remainder of this report illustrates the activities undertaken to support the public benefit requirement.

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The Welcome Directory Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] March 2021

Achievements and Performance

Review of the Period

The Welcome Directory has a simple yet powerful mission: to help faith communities become places where people who leave prison find acceptance. A place to belong that not only nurtures faith but also offers appropriate practical support. In 2020-21 the charity has made significant and important steps forward in achieving this mission, expanding its staffing, developing its reach and welcoming new sustainable funding streams. Having struggled through to October 2020 on the zero staffing model we had to adopt at the end of the previous financial year, it was a great joy to appoint a wholly new, and wonderfully motivated team. The hope for increased funding expressed in the previous annual report were indeed realised, and so 202021 has been characterised by a renewed sense of optimism as well as challenge. The need to adapt operating practices for staff appointment, management and delivery of charity goals caused by the COVID19 pandemic have meant that we have developed a much more sustainable and effective operating model. We look forward to developing this further into 2021-22. Having started the reporting period with 119 registered faith communities, at the end of March 2020 we can report that this has increased to 157 a 32% rise in the 6 months where we have had staff in post.

History

Every year many thousands of offenders who benefit from the professional and supportive services of prison chaplains leave our establishments never to be seen by their faith communities beyond the prison gates.

At a Prisons Week lecture in November 2011, Crispin Blunt MP, the incumbent Prisons Minister mentioned a project in Singapore established to enable employers to welcome offenders into the work place following release. This lecture inspired the NOMS Free Churches Faith Advisor, Revd Bob Wilson to gather together national leaders from prison chaplaincy, the voluntary sector, academia and many faith groups to explore what a project like this could look like if it were applied to communities across faith boundaries. It was hoped that a response from faith communities would bring better social cohesion, change attitudes to offenders and release a resource of care and welcome to people leaving prison that it has been shown could reduce reoffending.

Prior to establishment of The Welcome Directory, the Free Churches Group helped to secure a really solid base for the work, helping us to understand what it would take to help faith communities become better at helping people leaving prison and how they could identify themselves safely. They also helped in establishing some core training materials which are used widely in prisons across England and Wales as they continue to engage with local faith communities.

Development Work

Our Full Time Development Officer served to serve us well in 2019-20 until his redundancy in October, establishing the profile and presence of The Welcome Directory nationally. In 202021, following the recommencement of the partnership with the Methodist Connexional Team with associated funding, and new funding directly from HMPPS we have established a whole new team of 2 x FTE, across three posts. It is expected that Methodist funding will continue for one further year, with HMPPS funding being in place for 2 years.

As well as the ongoing development work of encouraging faith communities to consider registration, in 2020 we have significantly reworked our Prisons Awareness Course to enable it to be presented in an online face-face format. The first delivery in this format began in March 2021.

Today

The Welcome Directory is growing once again as a network of faith communities who

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The Welcome Directory Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] March 2021

Review of the Period (Continued)

Today (Continued)

These communities are at the heart of this movement; these people will be at the very heart of this work. Behind The Welcome Directory are people who have found the benefits of being part of a faith community whether inside or outside the prison gates, brought together so that all are improved. The results we believe will be safer, more cohesive and better functioning communities. Communities who value and support people to live better lives today, whatever damage the mistakes of yesterday may have caused.

Financial Review

At 31[st] March 2021 the charity had funds totalling £31,906 (2020: £1,054) of which £2,828 (2020: £1,054) is unrestricted funds. £58,503 (2020: £3,336) has been raised during the year and £27,651 (2020: £31,375) has been expended as detailed in the notes to the accounts.

Going Concern

The trustees are content that the charity is a going concern, at the end of the year there were funding applications pending which resulted in multi-year grants which commenced in the year to 31[st] March 2021.

Reserves Policy

It is the policy of the Trustees to retain sufficient reserves to support the costs of running the charity for a three-month period, which is approximately £12,500. At 31[st] March 2021 there were unrestricted undesignated reserves of £2,828 (2020: £1,054). The Trustees aim to build up sufficient reserves to develop the charity and to cover gaps in funding.

Principal Funding Source

The principal funding source is from grant income.

Investment Policy

The Trustees consider that there are no funds available for long term investment.

Plans for the Future

As previously explained the Trustees are seeking to develop the database of faith communities and to broaden the range of communities involved. The Trustees are also seeking to expand the Trustee Board with people who have the necessary skills to drive the charity forward and also to broaden the base of the communities from which they are drawn.

Responsibilities of the Trustees

Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial period, which show a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and its financial activities for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Signed on behalf of the trustees

Date: 10[th] November 2021

Robert Wilson

4

The Welcome Directory Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] March 2021

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Members of The Welcome Directory

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31[st ] March 2021, which are set out on pages 6 to 10.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequently, no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair view” and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

S J Cutler 23 Grasmere Close Guildford GU1 2TG

Date: 26[th] January 2021

5

The Welcome Directory Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] March 2021

Statement of Financial Activities For the year ended 31[st] March 2021

Notes
£
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
3
1,774
Investments
4
-
Total
1,774
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
5
-
Total
-
1,774
Reconciliation of Funds
Total funds brought forward
1,054
Total funds carried forward
2,828
Unrestricted
funds
Net income
Notes
£
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
3
1,774
Investments
4
-
Total
1,774
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
5
-
Total
-
1,774
Reconciliation of Funds
Total funds brought forward
1,054
Total funds carried forward
2,828
Unrestricted
funds
Net income
£
56,729
-
Restricted
funds

Total
2021
Total
2020
£
£
58,503
3,335
-
1
1,774 56,729 58,503
3,336
- 27,651 27,263
31,375
- 27,651 27,263
31,375
1,774
1,054
29,078
-
31,240
(28,039)
1,054
29,093
2,828 29,078 32,294
1,054

The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses in the year and therefore a statement of total recognised gains and losses has not been prepared.

All of the above amounts relate to continuing activities.

The notes on pages 8 to 10 form part of these accounts.

6

The Welcome Directory Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] March 2021

Balance Sheet As at 31[st] March 2021

Notes
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand
Total current assets
Current Liabilities
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one
year
8
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
The funds of the charity
Restricted income funds
Unrestricted income funds
Total unrestricted funds
Total charity funds
£
33,126
2021
2020
£
£
£
1,054
1,054
-
31,906
1,054
31,906
1,054
29,078
-
1,054
2,828
1,054
31,906
1,054
33,126
1,220
2,828

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

The financial statements were approved by the trustees and authorised for issue on the 10[th] November 2021 and are signed on their behalf by:

Eric Southwick

The notes on pages 8 to 10 form part of these accounts.

7

The Welcome Directory Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] March 2021

Notes to the accounts

1 Accounting policies

2 Taxation

The charity is exempt from taxation on its income and gains where they are applied for charitable purposes. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of the goods or services on which it was charged.

8

The Welcome Directory Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] March 2021

Notes to the accounts (Continued)

3 Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies
4 Income and endowments from: Investments
5 Expenditure on: Charitable activities
£
£
Donations
1,774
-
Grants
-
56,729
Total
1,774
56,729
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
£
£
Bank interest
-
-
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
£
£
Salary costs
-
23,015
Employee expenses
-
134
Volunteer expenses
-
300
Recruitment costs
-
939
Publication of the directory
-
388
Equipment
-
866
Other expenses
-
225
Insurance
-
1,086
Bank charges
-
69
Subscriptions
-
629
Total
-
27,651
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
3 Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies
4 Income and endowments from: Investments
5 Expenditure on: Charitable activities
£
£
Donations
1,774
-
Grants
-
56,729
Total
1,774
56,729
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
£
£
Bank interest
-
-
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
£
£
Salary costs
-
23,015
Employee expenses
-
134
Volunteer expenses
-
300
Recruitment costs
-
939
Publication of the directory
-
388
Equipment
-
866
Other expenses
-
225
Insurance
-
1,086
Bank charges
-
69
Subscriptions
-
629
Total
-
27,651
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
3 Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies
4 Income and endowments from: Investments
5 Expenditure on: Charitable activities
£
£
Donations
1,774
-
Grants
-
56,729
Total
1,774
56,729
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
£
£
Bank interest
-
-
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
£
£
Salary costs
-
23,015
Employee expenses
-
134
Volunteer expenses
-
300
Recruitment costs
-
939
Publication of the directory
-
388
Equipment
-
866
Other expenses
-
225
Insurance
-
1,086
Bank charges
-
69
Subscriptions
-
629
Total
-
27,651
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
3 Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies
4 Income and endowments from: Investments
5 Expenditure on: Charitable activities
£
£
Donations
1,774
-
Grants
-
56,729
Total
1,774
56,729
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
£
£
Bank interest
-
-
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
£
£
Salary costs
-
23,015
Employee expenses
-
134
Volunteer expenses
-
300
Recruitment costs
-
939
Publication of the directory
-
388
Equipment
-
866
Other expenses
-
225
Insurance
-
1,086
Bank charges
-
69
Subscriptions
-
629
Total
-
27,651
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Total
2021
Total
2020
£
£
1,774
2,335
56,729
1,000

56,729 58,503
3,335
£
-


Restricted
funds
Total
2021
Total
2020
£
£
-
1
£
23,015
134
300
939
388
866
225
1,086
69
629


Restricted
funds
Total
2021
Total
2020
£
£
23,015
27,474
134
2,539
300
-
939
-
388
-
866
-
225
52
1,086
618
69
60
629
632
- 27,651 27,651
31,375

6 Employee information

No employee received emoluments in excess of £60,000 during the period. Employee costs during the period were:

Salaries
Pension Costs
Redundancy costs
Total
2021
Total
2020
£
£
21,919
22,753
1,096
2,096
-
2,625
23,015
27,474

The average number of people employed during the period was 2 the full-time equivalents were as follows:

were as follows:
Total Total
2021 2020
£ £
Charitable Activities 2.00 1.40

9

The Welcome Directory Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] March 2021

Notes to the accounts (Continued)

7 Trustee information

No trustee received remuneration and no expenses were reimbursed in the current or previous years.

8 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

Reserves
Accruals
Restricted funds
Current assets
Unrestricted funds
Current assets
2020
£
29,078
2,828
31,906
Total
2021
Total
2020
£
£
1,220
-
2019
£
-
1,054
1,054

9 Reserves

The restricted funds were provided for the preparation of resource materials for the charity.

10 Comparative Statement of Financial Activities by fund

£
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
3,335
Investments
1
Total
3,336
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
-
Charitable activities
31,375
Total
31,375
(28,039)
Unrestricted
funds
Net expenditure
£
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
3,335
Investments
1
Total
3,336
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
-
Charitable activities
31,375
Total
31,375
(28,039)
Unrestricted
funds
Net expenditure
Total
2020
£
£
-
3,335
-
1
Restricted
funds

3,336 -
3,336
-
31,375
-
-
-
31,375
31,375 -
31,375
(28,039) -
(28,039)

11 Related Parties

The Free Church Federal Council Incorporated (FCFC) is entitled to nominate at least three trustees and one trustee employed by the FCFC is ex-officio a member of the board.

12 Controlling Parties

The charity is controlled by the trustees.

13 Other information

The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with its registered office at 27 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HH.

10