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2023-05-31-accounts

ANUKAMPA BHIKKHUNI PROJECT

(A company Limited by Guarantee) Annual Report & Financial Statements For the year ended 31 May 2023

Registered Charity (England & Wales) : 1172570 Company Registration Number : 10158053

ANUKAMPA BHIKKHUNI PROJECT ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2023

CONTENTS PAGES
Reference and Administrative Details of the charity, its trustees and advisers 02
Trustees’ Annual Report (Including Directors’ Report) 03 - 07
Independent Examiner’s Report 08
Statement of Financial Activities (Including Income & Expenditure Account) 09
Balance Sheet 10
Notes to the Financial Statements 11 - 17

ANUKAMPA BHIKKHUNI PROJECT REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2023

Charity Name ANUKAMPA BHIKKHUNI PROJECT Charity No (England & Wales) 1172570 Company No (England & Wales) 10158053 Registered Office 16 Blenheim Close, Shepreth, ROYSTON, SG8 6PT Website Address www.anukampaproject.org All those who served as a Trustee in the reporting period and as at date, the report was signed are as follows. Current Trustees Ven . Bhikkhu Brahmavamso (Chair) Alison Claire French (Secretary) Manori Kokila Wickremasinghe (Treasurer) (Appointed 21/11/2023) Thamali Ranuji Wickramasinghe (Appointed 18/04/2023) Kenneth Alfred Richardson (Appointed 06/08/2023) Elena Hui Ling Han (Appointed 21/11/2023) Matthew David Pountney (Appointed 10/12/2023) Trustees resigned/retired during the year Malika Vijayanthi Hapuarachchige Don (Trustee until 21/11/2023) Sanjaya Kodituwakku (Trustee until 06/08/2023) Kelly Paola Kamiella Meuleman (Trustee until 11/10/2022) Helen Merete Hancke (Trustee until 10/10/2022) Susan Hatton Dabbagh (Trustee until 9/10/2022) Bankers HSBC Bank PLC 54 High Street Surrey KT19 8DS Independent Examiner MGT SILVER THRONE Chartered Accountants & Tax Advisers 23, Sangley Road London SE25 6QT

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ANUKAMPA BHIKKHUNI PROJECT TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2023

The Trustees, who are the Directors of the Company for the purposes of company law, are pleased to present their Report and Financial Statements together with the Independent Examiner’s Report for the year ended 31 May 2023.

OBJECTS & ACTIVITIES

Objects

To advance Theravada Buddhism in the UK for the benefit of the public primarily by:

Public Benefit

Through its work, the charity does or will offer the following public benefits:

ACHIEVEMENTS & PERFORMANCE

Review

After an offer was made on a suitable property, the property was purchased and became a bhikkhuni vihara (monastery) in June 2022. This was a huge accomplishment, representing a historic first by fulfilling the charity’s objective of establishing a residence for Bhikkhunis and women training towards Bhikkhuni ordination in the UK.

Venerable Canda Bhikkhuni and other renowned monastic Buddhist teachers engaged in a full programme of teaching events throughout the summer of 2022, including approximately eight renowned guest bhikkhuni teachers and Ajahn Brahmali, who serves as one of our advisors.

With the monastery in operation, the lay community and volunteer team began to gather and practice together in greater numbers and become more engaged. Ajahn Brahm and Venerable Canda taught a seven-day residential retreat from the monastery in November 2022 with several retreatants present and an international community of around 80 people joining online.

In February 2023, Venerable Upekkha Bhikkhuni joined the community as a monastic guest in residence for four months which further helped develop the community, providing new opportunity for visitors to engage in Buddhist meal offering and blessing ceremonies, and practise meditation. Our online community continued to grow and contribute volunteer skills, meal offerings and donations to support the monastic community.

Organisation and Volunteers

The committed volunteer team has also continued to grow. The dedicated group of volunteers facilitated and recorded the summer teaching programme of guest monastics, reaching many thousands. Anukampa welcomed new members into the events team and had more people helping on the ground during tours.

There have been changes within the Trust, with several individuals who have been Trustees for a number or years resigning due to work and other commitments. This has given rise for opportunities for new Trustees to join in the future, and there are strong, prospective candidates within the key volunteer teams.

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ANUKAMPA BHIKKHUNI PROJECT TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2023

Teaching and Community Engagement

With the monastery as a base, many overnight and day visitors had the rare opportunity for one-to-one engagement and personalised Buddhist meditation instruction from both resident bhikkhunis, as well as daily group meditation sessions.

Ven. Canda has continued to offer thrice-weekly teachings and guided meditations via Zoom, including the most popular Sutta (early Buddhist text) discussions, reaching an international audience. She has also organised peer-led sessions and guest Bhikkhuni teachings which are very popular via Zoom and receive thousands of viewings on YouTube. Venerable Upekkha, in residence for four months, also led Sutta discussions and guided meditations for the community and another senior Bhikkhuni and Anukampa advisor, Ayya Anandabodhi visited the monastery for a few days and taught.

Ajahn Brahm and Ven Canda led a seven-day meditation retreat at the monastery and online, reaching thousands of people through Anukampa’s YouTube channel and by livestreaming the events. Ajahn’s teaching tour also reached another thousand people through in-person public talks at hired venues, universities, and other monasteries around the country.

The online Anukampa Newsletter, providing charity updates, event information and resources, now has 2240 subscribers, our YouTube channel has 6600 subscribers, and the Anukampa Facebook page has 7000 followers.

Dana and Fundraising opportunities

All talks and retreats given continue to provide a direct opportunity for dāna (donations) to be offered by members of the public. There have been regular donations in response to the Zoom teachings and online events, and donations of food and other requisites by supporters.

In addition to this, Venerable Canda has been receiving regular meal offerings at the monastery, providing Buddhist groups and individuals an opportunity to make merit, receive blessings and practise meditation. The weekends have been especially busy and frequently booked full.

Educational activities & materials

Recordings of retreats and talks have continued to be made public free of charge via Anukampa’s YouTube channel and via website links, with many being live- streamed at the time. Anukampa’s YouTube channel has approximately 200 new video uploads this year, with a total of 660. The channel has approximately 6600 subscribers.

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ANUKAMPA BHIKKHUNI PROJECT TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2023

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Summary

The total Income received/receivable during the year ended 31 May 2023 amounted to £194,293 (2022: £570,876) of which £53,446 (2022: £23,695) were expended on the charitable activities during the year. This resulted in a net increase of the unrestricted fund of £140,847 (2022: 547,181) during the year.

The charity maintains a bursary fund (restricted fund), which is made up of donations specifically received for the purpose of the fund. This restricted fund enables and subsidises low-income members of the public to attend the ticketed events at a reduced rate. Donations to the bursary fund during the year amounted to £0 (2022: £50) and contributions worth £885 (2022: £0) were utilised during the year ended 31 May 2023.

Risk Management

The Trustees regularly review the risks to which the Association is exposed. They do not consider that there are any substantial risks beyond the liabilities disclosed in the financial statements. The Charity’s insurance policy covers public liability and finance & administration liability. The Trustees accept that the Charity’s reputation could be at risk through activities such as money laundering but consider that the Charity has policies and procedures in place that provide reasonable protection to mitigate these risks.

Reserves Policy

The reserves policy is regularly reviewed and has been maintained at the previously agreed amount of £30,000.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

Governing Document

The Charity was first established in 2016 as a charitable company registered under the companies Act 2007. It is now a charitable company limited by guarantee, which was incorporated on, and governed by its Articles of Association dated, 11 March 2016.

Each member of the Company is required to contribute an amount not exceeding £10 should the Company be wound up while he/she is a member, or within one year after he/she ceases to be a member. The Directors are the members of the Company. The Articles are supported by Regulations for Subscribing Members, which were last updated in November 2021.

Appointment of Trustees

The Board consists of:

Four Trustees elected by the Charity’s subscribing members to serve for a period not exceeding one year from the date of incorporation or appointment.

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ANUKAMPA BHIKKHUNI PROJECT TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2023

Eligibility

General Organisational Structure

The Anukampa Bhikkhuni Project (“the Charity”) organisation has been designed with the following aims in mind:

The Charity’s structure is composed of the Trustees with legal responsibility for the running of the Charity, and the Volunteers who support Charity’s activities for free on an ‘as-needed’ basis. The Charity briefly engaged a paid team administrator whose role was to become a single point of coordination.

Trustees

The Trustees have the full legal responsibility for the running of the Charity as per AoA Article 29.2 and UK Gov, CC3a.

Volunteer Team

The Anukampa Bhikkhuni Project is supported by a team of volunteers. Volunteers are unpaid and have offered their time, skills or resources freely and without the expectation of remuneration or expenses. Volunteers may provide

support on a one-off basis, such as helping to run an event, or on an on-going basis, in which case they may have agreed to complete certain responsibilities. Their support is not delivered under contract. While the Trustees may also fit this definition and frequently interact with the wider Volunteer team, their extended responsibilities outlined above makes them a distinct organisational category.

Within the Volunteer team, there is a core team supporting with key administration or operational activities of the Charity. The only difference between these volunteers and other volunteers is the frequency of the support offered; the core team tends to support on a recurring basis while the wider team of volunteers supports on a more ad hoc, needs-informed basis. The core team currently consists of several interrelated volunteer roles whose incumbents perform specific tasks as the need arises and within the limitations of the time each volunteer can offer. At present, volunteers are coordinated by the Spiritual Director.

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ANUKAMPA BHIKKHUNI PROJECT TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2023

Current Volunteer Team

Paul Michael Burton Social media coordinator and promotions Matthias Wolf YouTube and online events team Annie Yunnus Bookings and website Derek Sola Email administration Alison Claire French (Trustee) Email administration and Skype phone line Thamali Wickramasinghe (Trustee) Email administration Manori Wickremasinghe (Trustee) Online events team Anna Syanda In-person events Kareem Ghandour In-person events Gunther Strait In-person events and online events team Ishani Weerasuriya Finance volunteer Devika de Zoysa Finance volunteer

APPROVAL

This report, which has been prepared in accordance with the provisions within part 15 of the Companies Act (2006) relating to small companies, was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

-------Signed----------------------

Ms. Alison Claire French Secretary

---12/02/2024--------

Date

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ANUKAMPA BHIKKHUNI PROJECT INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2023

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of ANUKAMPA BHIKKHUNI PROJECT

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 May 2023, which are set out on pages 9 to 17.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and independent examiner

The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with 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 the 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 material matters have come to my attention:

  1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the: a) accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; or b) the accounts do not accord with such records; or,

  2. c) the accounts do not comply with relevant accounting requirements under section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

  3. d) the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS102)

  4. I 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.

------------ Signed --------------------Terrance Gunaratne Bsc, ACA, CPFA MGT SILVER THRONE Chartered Accountants & Tax Advisers

23, Sangley Road London SE25 6QT

19 February 2024

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ANUKAMPA BHIKKHUNI PROJECT STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2023

Note
Income from:
Donations
4
Charitable Activities
5
Investments (Bank Interest)
Total
Expenditure on:
Charitable Activities
6
Total
Net income/(expenditure)
Transfers between funds
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds at the beginning
Total funds at the end
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
2023
£
£
£
126,267 -
126,267
60,932 -
60,932
7,094 -
7,094
Total
2022
£
565,049
5,320
557
570,926
194,293 -
194,293
(53,446)
(885)
(54,331)
(23,695)
(23,695)
(53,446)
(885)
(54,331)
140,847
(885)
139,962
- - -
547,231
-
547,231
140,847
(885)
139,962
1,819,886 1,6571,821,543
1,274,312
1,821,543
1,960,733 772
1,961,505

All income and expenditure and the resulting net movement in funds arise from continuing operations.

There are no recognized gains or losses other than the net movement in funds for the year.

Comparative figures for the previous year by fund type are shown in Note 14.

The Notes on pages 11 to 17 form an integral part of these financial statements.

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ANUKAMPA BHIKKHUNI PROJECT BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2023

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
8
Current Assets:
Debtors & Prepayments
9
Cash at bank and in hand
Liabilities:
Creditors and Deferred Income
10
Net Current Assets
Net Assets
Funds of the charity:
Restricted funds
12
Unrestricted funds
12
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
2023
£
£
£
815,589
-815,589
5,677 -
5,677
1,153,396 772
1,154,168
1,159,073 772
1,159,845
13,929 -
13,929
1,145,144 772
1,145,916
1,960,733
772
1,961,505
- 772772
1,960,733 -1,960,733
1,960,733 772
1,961,505
Total
2022
£
-
15,457
1,820,691
1,836,148
14,605
1,821,543
1,821,543
1,657
1,819,886
1,821,543

The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) confirm that for the year ended 31 May 2023:

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

The notes on pages 11 to 17 form an integral part of these financial statements.

These accounts, which have been prepared in accordance with the provisions in the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies, were approved by the trustees on 19 February 2024 and signed on their behalf by:

--------------Signed----------------- ---------Signed------------
Ven. Bhikkhu Brahmavamso Ms. Manori Wickremasinghe
Chair Treasurer

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ANUKAMPA BHIKKHUNI PROJECT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2023

1. Basis of Preparation

1.2. Charity Status

The charity is a company limited by guarantee. The members of the company are the trustees named on page 2. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability of the members is limited to a sum not exceeding £10, being the amount that each member undertakes to contribute to the assets of the charity.

2. Accounting Policies

2.1. Fund accounting

2.2 . Incoming Resources

2.3. Resources Expended and Liabilities

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ANUKAMPA BHIKKHUNI PROJECT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2023

2.4. Support Costs and Employee Benefits

All Support Costs are paid from the unrestricted fund.

2.5. Tangible assets and Depreciation

2.6. Foreign Currencies

Transactions in foreign currencies are recognized and recorded at the rate prevailing at the time of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities are retranslated at the rate of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date. Any difference is taken to the statement of financial activities.

2.7. Investment

2.8 . Creditors

2.9. Taxation

The charity is not liable to income tax or capital gains tax on its charitable activities.

2.10. Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgements

3. Transactions with Trustees and Related Parties

The charity has no employees.

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ANUKAMPA BHIKKHUNI PROJECT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2023

4. Income from Donations

Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Total
Funds Funds
2023
2022
Donations £
122,394
£
£
£
-122,394
562,682
Bursary Donations - --
50
HMRC Gift Aid 3,873 -3,873
2,317
126,267 -126,267
565,049

5. Income from Charitable Activities

Ticket Sales 2023
£
60,932
60,932
2022
£
5,320
5,320

6. Expenditure on Chartable Activities

Direct Costs
Event Expenses
Bursary Cost
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
2023
£
£
£
23,790
-
23,790
- 885
885
23,790
885
24,675
Total
2022
£
330
-
330

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ANUKAMPA BHIKKHUNI PROJECT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2023

Expenditure on Chartable Activities (continued)

Support Costs
General Administration
Accommodation costs
Computer and IT costs
Light, Heat & Water
Insurance
Travelling
Bank Charges
Temporary staff
Paypal Charges
Professional fees
Monastic Expenses
Governance Costs (Note 7)
Total
630
-630
6,874
-6,874
2,297
-2,297
1,581
-1,581
700
-700
4,330
-4,330
341
-341
- --
2,340
-2,340
2,120
-2,120
7,123
-7,123
1,320
-1,320
29,656
-29,656
53,446 88554,331
662
5,777
1,677
59
-
3,314
184
915
1,405
300
8,082
990
23,365
23,695

7. Governance Costs

Independent Examiner's Fee

----- Start of picture text -----
2023 2022
£ £
1,320 990
1,320 990
----- End of picture text -----

8. Fixed Assets

Cost or valuation
At 1 June 2022
Addition
At 31 May 2023
Depreciation
At 1 June 2022
Charge for the year
At 31 May 2023
Net book value
At 31 May 2022
At 31 May 2023
Land &
Buildings
£
At cost
-
815,589
815,589
-
-
-
-
815,589

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ANUKAMPA BHIKKHUNI PROJECT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2023

9. Debtors & Prepayments

Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
2023
£
£
£
Gift Aid receivable
1,122 -1,122
Prepayments 4,555 -4,555
5,677 -5,677
Total
2022
£
2,317
13,140
15,457

10. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Creditors and Accruals
Deferred Income
2023
£
1,964
11,965
13,929
2022
£
1,290
13,315
14,605

11. Movements in Deferred income

Fundraising income received in
advance for 2022/23
Fundraising income received in
advance for 2023/24
As at
Funds
Released
As at
01/06/22
Received
to income
31/05/23
£
£
£
£
13,315 -
( 13,315)
-
- 11,965 -
11,965
13,315 11,965
(13,315)
11,965

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ANUKAMPA BHIKKHUNI PROJECT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2023

12. Statement of funds Movement in funds - Current year

Unrestricted funds
General Fund
Restricted funds
Sponsorship Fund
Bursary Fund
Total Funds
As at
Incoming
Outgoing
01/06/22
Resources
Resources
Transfers
£
£
£
£
1,819,886 194,293
( 53,446)
-
- - -
-
1,657 -
( 885)
-
1,657 -
( 885)
-
1,821,543 194,293
(54,331)
-
As at
31/05/23
£
1,960,733
-
772
772
1,961,505

Statement of funds Movement in funds - Prior year

Unrestricted funds
General Fund
Restricted funds
Sponsorship Fund
Bursary Fund
Total Funds
As at
Incoming
Outgoing
01/06/21
Resources
Resources
Transfers
£
£
£
£
1,272,705 570,876
( 23,695)
-
- - -
-
1,607 50 -
-
1,607 50 -
-
1,274,312 570,926
(23,695)
-
As at
31/05/22
£
1,819,886
-
1,657
1,657
1,821,543

13. Purpose of Funds

Unrestricted Funds

General fund

The fund that can be expended at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity.

Restricted Funds

Bursary fund

Funding provided by the charity to enable low-income members of the public to ask for financial assistance to attend the ticketed events.

Sponsorship Fund Funding received by the charity to sponsor events and related tours attended by the spiritual director.

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ANUKAMPA BHIKKHUNI PROJECT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2023

14. Comparative income and expenditure by fund type

Unrestricted Fund Unrestricted Fund Restricted Fund
2023 2022 2023 2022
£ £ £ £
Income from:
Donations 126,267 564,999 - 50
Charitable Activities 60,932 5,320 - -
Investments (Bank Interest) 7,094 557 - -
Total 194,293 570,876 - 50
Expenditure on:
Charitable Activities ( 53,446) ( 23,695) (885) -
Total ( 53,446) ( 23,695) (885) -
Net income/(expenditure) 140,847 547,181 ( 885) 50
Transfers between funds - - - -
Net movement in funds 140,847 547,181 (885) 50
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds at the beginning 1,819,886 1,272,705 1,657 1,607
Total funds at the end 1,960,733 1,819,886 772 1,657

End of Report

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