The Mint House OXFORD CENTRE FOR RESTORATIVE PRACTICE Annual report and accounts forthe year l January- 31 December 2024 Charity Registration No. 1173037
The Mint House, Oxford Centre for Restorative Practice Reference and Administrative Information Trustees Dr Rosemary Chadwick (Chair) Revd Dr Myra Blyth Mr Geoff Emerson Ms Rabab Hakel (resigned 16 July 2024) Revd Jon Keyworth Dr Matthew Mills Mrs Christine Plews (appointed 11 January 2024) Dr Kathryn Rowsell Revd Professor Michael Taylor (resigned 8 March 2024) Mr Peter Wallis Charity number 1173037 Address of principal office The Mint House clo New Road Baptist Church Oxford OXI ILQ
The Mint House, Oxford Centre for Restorative Practice Trustees, Report forthe period l January to 31 December2024 Structure) governance and management The trustees presenttheir report and accounts for the yearended 31 December 2024. The Mint House, Oxford Centre for Restorative Practice is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered with the Charity Commission on 15 May 2017. Our constitution is based on the Foundation model constitution for CIOS produced by the Charity Commission. Trustees met bi-monthly through the year. The Board combines restorative practitioners, former restorative practice managers, researchers and experienced strategic leaders, bringing diverse experience and insights of what's involved in making restorative practice a day-to-day reality. Trustees also bringskills in trainin& project management, charity governance, finance, partnership, strategy and community development. New trustees are recruited using a mix of targeted approaches and open advertising. The Board has agreed an appropriate set of policies and procedures to govern our day-to-day activities. Trustees have also assessed the major risks to which the Mint House is exposed and considered how these can be mitigated. The Mint House is grateful to New Road Baptist Church, both forfinancial contributions and for making a space (The Mint House) available forface-to-face meetings as needed. Objects and activities The objects of the Mint House are: To promote restorative practices for the public benefit as a means of resolving conflict and promoting reconciliation, in particular (but notexclusively) in Oxford and the surrounding area by: promoting and facilitating the use of restorative justice and restorative practices in schools, in the criminal justice system, in the workplace, in faith communities and elsewhere in the community in situations where conflict may arise. advancing education and research on restorative practices and the publication of the useful results of that research. The trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit in carrying out their duties and looking at how best to fulfil these objects.
The Mint House, Oxford Centre for Restorative Practice Mint House vision and mission The Mint House was formed by partners across Oxford and the wider county. These partners came from different backgrounds (probation, youth justice, academia and more) but were united in wantingto grow understanding and use of restorativejustice and practice as a means of helping people and communities feel betterconnected to each other, manage disagreement well and repair the damage caused by crime and conflict. Partners agreed that we could do this better if we worked together. We work to grow understanding and use of restorativejustice and practice through.. communications and events aimed at introducing restorative practice to new audiences and exploring what it means in different contexts. training and supportto help groups and organisations develop restorative approaches. advancing and sharing learning on aspects of restorative practice. 'on the ground, initiatives demonstratingthe difference restorative justice and practice can make to creating, maintaining and restoring positive relationships. A particular concern isto ensure that restorative practice becomes embedded in the culture of our communities and organisations, reaching the point where it is used consistently and sustainably and seen as a natural part of 'how we do things round here, rather than being treated as an 'add on, or seen as the preserve of a few committed individuals. Achievements and perforniance Communications and events In 2024 we held five online events involving over 220 participants. Topics included: repairing harms created by forced migration and the asylum system,theoryand skills involved in'setting relations right,, Scotland's experience of embedding restorative practice, environmental restorativejustice and relational schools. 88¥0 of participants giving feedback scored 8 or more out of 10 for their likelihood of sharing what they had heard with others. Here are some examples of follow-up actions planned by participants". "Bring this back to ourprovincial RJ program... as I believe there is great opportunity to support our refugee communities better" "Addressing some of the challenges ofrestorative justice participotion" "I will add this knowledge to my restorativejustice training and will incorporate it into the work that I do" Our in-person events included a sold-out film screening of the play ALL OF US by local Oxford playwright Rebecca Abrams followed by a panel discussion. and a Restorative Justice Week networking reception for local contacts interested in or working to grow restorative practice hosted by Mansfield College. Itwas a thrill to welcome colleaguesfrom many sectors, housing, youth, community, education and criminal justice among them.
The Mint House, Oxford Centre for Restorative Practice We produced blog posts on a range of topics including: Restorative justice themes in drama and theatre Embedding restorative practice in organisations Differences between restorativejustice and family mediation Restorative practice in an age of 'broken services, Our social media presence continued to grow, particularly on Linkedln, where our followers increased by around 40 %. Our email mailing list grew by over 20 %. Training and support We delivered 17 training courses to 168 people, seven more courses than in 2023. Thanks go to all our trainers for making this expansion possible. Training spanned a range of sectors and was typically followed by regular sessions for participants to share learning and reflect on practice. Participants continued to rate the training highly, sharing ways that itwould enhance their practice. These included.. 'listening more actively,, structuring conversations more carefully, allowing space for people to express themselves and not leaping in to try and fix things. We worked with partners including Oxfordshire's Lived Experience Advisory Forum to pilot restorative practice in supported housing for people who had previously slept rough. This is complex work but we had ourfirst example of a restorative dialogue meaningthat eviction was avoided. Both this project and implementation of restorative practice in forensic mental health are being evaluated: we look forward to learning from these findings in 2025. We continued to convene an informal thematic network on UK Restorative Communities (formerly Restorative Cities) and a network forthose working in communications in restorative justicelpractice organisations. These networks are valued spaces for peer support, information sharing and collaboration. They also help us amplify each other's messages. We retained our registered training provider status with the Restorative Justice Council (RJC) and contributed to wider discussions as members of the RJC'S registered training provider network. Advancing and sharing learning In April 2024 we hosted our second set of research and practice dialogues, supported by the Westhill Endowment. Community and faith leaders and activistsjoined us to explore different ways of embedding restorative practice in communities. Talk has already led to action through exciting new collaborations such as listening circles on a local nature reserve, a potential community arts initiative, and work to develop a churches restorative practice network. We shared insights from our first set of dialogues in a series of Re tion ids for restorative ers with eight released by the end of 2024 and four more planned for early 2025. We joined colleagues from Mulberry Bush, a specialist school and charity, for a knowledge exchange looking at how restorative practice and the psychodynamic approaches used by the school can complement one another. The exchange underscored the benefits of collaborating with colleagues in related fields and we look forward to building on this work.
The Mint House, Oxford Centre for Restorative Practice Financial review Our income fell by £8.149 (14%) compared to 2023. largely due to the number of restricted grants received towards the end of 2023 where expenditure was incurred during 2024. Restricted funds at the year end fell from £17,471 in 2023 to £6,636 in 2024. We remain grateful to New Road Baptist Church for their continuing unrestricted donation to our work and for generous donations from individuals. A significant new contract for delivery of training to the forensic mental health service. together with growth in work for Oxfordshire County Council, increased unrestricted income for Charitable Activities by £12,669 (63%) to £32,851. Overall expenditure rose by £13,507 (32%) as we undertook the attivities funded by the restricted grants received towards the end of 2023. Unrestricted expenditure rose by £3,525 110 % I, but the increase in unrestricted income enabled us to turn the deficit on unrestricted activities of £939 in 2023 into a surplus of £5,512 in 2024. Unrestricted reserves increased from £13,036 to £18,548. The Trustees consider it prudent to hold unrestricted reserve5 sufficient to meet at least six months of known commitments. Despite the increase in our core costs with the recruitment of a second, part-time member of staff, our unrestricted reserves now cover seven and a half months of known commitments, providing an adequate margin above our target. Trustees and staff We were pleased to welcome Christine Plews as a new trustee, to welcome back Joy Bettles (our Communications and Events Officer) on her return from maternity leave, and to welcome Abigail Stevens Stone as our new part-time Training and Projects Officer. Future plans Looking ahead, we plan to continue working with partners in children's services, forensic mental health and supported housing, helpingto embed restorative practice in these settings. Other priorities include: expanding use of restorative practice in business and community settings, helping to create a movement of people working restoratively in our city and county. working with partners to catalyse the formation of a churches restorative practice network and grow use of restorative justice to respond to environmentsl harms. creating the conditions for success by growing our capacity and infrastructure, generating income from diverse sources and maintsining our profile and reputation. The trustees, report was approved bythe Board of Trustees Signed ...........
The Mint House, Oxford Centre for Restorative Practice Independent Examiner's report to the trustees of The Mint House, Oxford Centre for Restorative Practice I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the financial statements of The Mint House, Oxford Centre for Restorative Practice for the year ended 31 December 2024 set out on pages 7 to 12. Respective responsibilities of the charity's trustees and the Examiner As the trustees of the charity, you are responsible forthe preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). I report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act. Basis of Independent Examiner's report Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities Statement of Recommended Practice issued on l April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn. l understand that this has been done in order forfinancial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after l January 2015. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that: accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 ofthe 2011 Act" or the financial statements do not accord with such records" or the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning 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 fairview which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. Ilhave no concerns and have c oss no other matters in connection with the examingtion to Llnders nding ention should be drawn in this report in orderto enable a proper financial statements to be reached. SK Dexter Independent Examiner Grove, Oxfordshire OX12 7HT
The Mint House, Oxford Centre for Restorative Practice Notes to the financial statements for the period ended 31 December 2024 Accounting policies Charity information The Mint House, Oxford Centre for Restorative Prattice is a charitable incorporated organisation registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. 1.1 Accounting convention Theaccounts have been prepared in accordancewith the charity'sconstrkntion, the Charities Act 2011 and "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 1021" issued in October 2019. The charity is a Public Benefit Entityas defined by FRS 102. The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin I notto prepare a Statement of Cash Flows. The accounts have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports} Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn. The accounts are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accountingpoliciesadopted aresetout below. 1.2 Going concern At the time of approving the accounts, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The trustees arrive atthis conclusion based on the current income pipeline and the economic and financial risks that existed at the time of signing the accounts. Thus, the trustees continue to adoptthe goingconcern basis of accounting in preparingthe accounts. 1.3 Charitablefunds Unrestricted funds are available for use atthe discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives unless the funds have been designated for other purposes. Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. 1.4 Incoming resources Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received. Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under GiftAid or deeds of covenant is recognised atthe time of thedonation.
The Mint House, Oxford Centre for Restorative Practice 1.5 Resources expended All expenditure is included on an accruals basis and is recognised when there is a legal or constructive obligation to do so. Charitable activities include expenditure associated with meeting its charitable objectives. This includes the cost of grant making, and direct provision of charitable services. 1.6 Cashand cashequivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities. Basic financial assets Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price includingtransaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financingtransaction. wherethetransaction is measured atthe present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one yearare not amortised. Basic financial liabilities Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured atthe present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interesL Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised. Derecognition of financial liabilities Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity's contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled. Criticalaccountingestimatesandjudgements In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimatesand assumptionsaboutthecarryingamountof assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and otherfactorsthatare considered to be relevant.Actual results may differfrom theseestimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods. io
The Mint House, Oxford Centre for Restorative Practice Unyertrided IlestriLed Tota Totals 3. Grnrrt5and Donatlo Grants Westhill Endowment Oxford5hire Comrnunity FourTrdat40n Oxford City Counol CornrnvnSty Impart Fvnd 3 Pye Charitable Settlements HMRCStatutory Maternlty Pay Recovery Southall Trust New Road Bapti5tChurth CumberFamily Trust OtherGrants Donations New Road Baptlst Churth Other 10.070 11,555 5,370 1st 2,497 1497 1470 Tota15 397 3&215 £24.125 of don3tions in were for restrirted purposes. Income from Chitable A(Ilvllles Network Events and Training Quiz Sheets and Other Fundraising Oxfordshire County Counal Oxford Health Hlgher Education 1,025 13.851 14.913 14.913 321 321 Totals 32.851 20,182 There was no incorne from restrirted actlvltles in l)23 5. ExpendlturÈ on CharStsble Artlvltles Charltsble expendlture 37.(D1 16,107 53.111 39,721 Support and 80vernaTh costslsee note 6) 1227 Total charStable artivitles 55.511 41.948 ExpendItU on tharltsble attivitre5 in 2023 Snduded £6.853 from strIed fund& 6. Support and Go¥ernance costs Support Costs Restorative Just1 Council Fee5 Project and PublSdty Materials Information ComrnlssSonerRegistratlon & DBS Chei*s Insurance squaresp& &seCU Email Google-suSte &Zoom Staff Overhead Costs 315 411 195 47 278 39) Vernan Costs 3S9 Total Su ortand Govemance Costs 728 1227 Support costs In 2023 included f3fAallo(8ted to restdttedfund 11
The Mint House, Oxford Centre for Restorative Practice 7. Analy$ of Restrl¢ted Funds Balan @ 31.12.2023 Inajme Expendlture Balance @ 31.12.3J24 Westhlll Enlfowment Oxfordshlre Community Foundation Oxford City Counal Pye Foundatio New Road Baptist Churth Cumber Famrly Trust 3.416 ll555 13,038) 1115551 15Q)I IL2321 378 4.745 745 12551 Totals 17,4n The Westhlll Endowment Restricted Fund supports ourBuildinB Bridges researth and prattlSd1a1o8ut5. All otherRestricted Funds are for ourproject pllotingrestorntlve practi in supported h)usin& 8. Trustees None of the trustees received any remuneration from the charity. One unrestricted donation of £1,600 was received from a trustee during this period. 9. Employees There were two part time employees during the period (2023- one). 12