## **Breathing Space Coventry** ## **Annual Report for March 2022 – Feb 2023** ## The objects of the Charity are: To benefit the public in Coventry and the surrounding areas, in particular but not exclusively through the holding of day retreats, and by providing opportunities for growth in contemplative prayer for those wishing to worship and/or explore the Christian faith. ## Trustees: Lois Baldwin, Lissy Clarke, Dagmer Dias, John Kirkman, Crystal Kofie (chair), Alison Lawn, Ann O’Sullivan, Peter ~~SIdebothamS~~ idebotham. ## **OVERVIEW** 2022 was the first year that Breathing Space Coventry was able to offer an almost continuous sacred space, in that there were no building alterations, renovations, pandemic lockdowns or extended holidays that reduced the number of days and weeks open to the public. Word of mouth and the website presence have done their task of bringing to this space those in need of refreshment and quiet. The number of people coming for overnight retreat and the increasing diversity of visitors (a range of ages, ethnicities and faith traditions) is very welcome. Donations come regularly from users, many giving generously through the website so as to attract ~~GiftaidG~~ ift aid additions, and from standing order commitments of Friends of Breathing Space. The only regular ‘programme’ through the year has been the monthly ~~TaizeT~~ aizé evening prayers. Two groups made Breathing Space their home for a weekly gathering. After five years here, attention has been required to boundary hedges and trees, dead ones removed and others significantly pruned back. We welcomed around 200 local people for the Allesley Festival Garden Walks in early July. Lois and Peter cared for the garden without any extra hands until late in the year when Robert started helping – a blessing to us and to him. They were also away from the property for a total of 6 weeks holiday, well-supported in their absence by trustees and volunteers. We were glad to welcome two new trustees, Dagmer, and John, during the year; their contributions nicely complement the current trustee group. With Lois and Peter taking extended leave from September 2023, 1-2 more trustees are being sought and tasks reassigned within the group. ## **ACTIVITY DURING 2022** Total number of visits to Breathing Space in 2022: 830 **----- Start of picture text -----**
Year Total Comments
2018 567 Closed for repairs / painting for 5 weeks
2019 595 Closed 9 weeks for alterations/ ramp
building
2020 228 Closed 5 months pandemic / Facebook
Live evening prayers offered
2021 597 Closed 3 months – pandemic
2022 830 Closed 1-2 weeks – holidays
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## ~~Taize~~ Taizé Evening Prayers Held monthly on 4[th] Sunday evening – ~~av~~ average of 5 - 6 people attending. (These are no longer being offered as from January 2023.) ## Quiet days 12 Nov 2022 David Sutcliffe 8 participants 19 Nov 2022 Ann O’Sullivan 12 participants ## Retreat in Daily Life None in 2022 8 Jan 2023 – 19 Feb 2023 15 pilgrims ## Groups attending regularly: Art of Spiritual Accompaniment course: 15 people over 25 weeks and 4 Saturdays Refugee centre counselling and Support: 2-5 people weekly for 6 ~~mnthsm~~ onths Total group visitors: ~~av.a~~ verage 51 / ~~mthm~~ onth Total personal retreats - individuals: ~~av a~~ verage 10 / ~~mthm~~ onth Residential retreats: ~~av a~~ verage ~~of~~ 3 / month ## Website: This is refreshed regularly with a short front page ‘post’. Visitors to the website averaged 17 per day in 2022. Several enquiries each month are received via the website. ## **GOVERNANCE MATTERS** Review of trust policies: **----- Start of picture text -----**
Policy document Date Reviewed Next Review
May 2023
Memorandum of May 2022
Understanding [1]
Safeguarding Policy July 2022 2025
Privacy and Data October 2022 2025
Protection
?? otherR isk assessment January 2023 January 2024
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## Note: The Charity does not have any paid staff and relies on volunteers. A cleaner and a gardener receive hourly wages for 2 hours each per week. ## **Trustees for March 2023 to Feb 2024** Crystal Kofie (Chair) Ann O’Sullivan Alison Lawn Dagmer Dias John Kirkman Lois Baldwin (on leave from Sept 2023) Peter Sidebotham (on leave from Sept 2023) Lissy Clarke (stand down year March 2023 – Feb 2024) **----- Start of picture text -----**
Trustee name Start of current term : Proposed stand
( usually 2 x 3 yrs) down year
Lois Baldwin 2021 (Taken 2020)
Lissy Clarke Mid 2019 2023
Crystal Kofie End 2017 2024
Alison Lawn Mid 2019 2025
Peter Sidebotham 2022 (Taken 2021)
David Sutcliffe Mid 2017 (Taken 2022)
Ann O’Sullivan End 2021 2026
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1 MOU: A memorandum of understanding between the Trustees and the owners of the property at 123B Birmingham Road, Allesley CV5 9GR (Peter Sidebotham and Lois Baldwin) was drawn up and agreed in September 2019. To be reviewed annually. The use of the property has been provided rent-free. The Charity pays 50% of Council tax, insurance and utility bills. John KIrkman mid- 2022 2027 Dagmer Dias Mid 2022 2028 Treasurer: Peter Sidebotham / ? after September 2023 Independent financial examiner:Andrea Driver Financial Support and banking: Richard Lawn Bank Signatories (2): 2022: Richard Lawn; Peter Sidebotham; Lois Baldwin 2023: TBA after September. Safeguarding Lead: Peter ~~SIdebothamS~~ idebotham / ? after September CHARITY COMM15510N FOR ENGIANO AND WALES Receipts and pa ments accounts CC16a Section A Receipts and payments U￿￿trICt lund• Totsl lur Last J*•r A1 Rocel 4512 Grft irTr*ere81 Sub tot•i(Gross inccvne for AR) A•¥et •nd InNwtm•nt In tm7 5T1 Jikli •1 462 urchaM•. ••• tabl• Retreat wtrè rch8586 IAIJ ¢94S 1.11 A5 Trnn•lern bethv•en lunds A6 Ct&h fimd• la•t •nd Cash lunds thls year end 3,275 3275 CC]X Rl accounts ISSI 0510¥2023 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted Re$lrictÈd Endowment CalegoriBs Details Bl Cath Toe*l ￿$h fimds Oetails Fund lo wh*h valL* Details Fund lo wl Cwrnnt Dètails B4 Assgts rfytaln￿ for th• Gharitys own use Details B5 Liabilititii S￿d￿j ty ¢Me ( bthay of all tho tnjstees Sh3nature Prwrt Name DBtg of CCLX R2 attounts1551 0510¥2023