OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2024-12-31-accounts

Wellsprings Together

Charity number 1179481

Annual Report and Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2024

Wellsprings Together

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

Contents Page
Trustees' report 2 to 5
Examiner's report 6
Statement of financial activities 7
Balance sheet 8
Notes to the accounts 9 to 15

Prepared by West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO

1

Wellsprings Together

Trustees' report for the year ended 31 December 2024

Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisors

The trustees during the financial year and up to and including the date the report was approved were: Name Position Dates

The Rt Revd Dr Toby Howarth Chair Ven William Edward Braviner Chair from 19 June 2025 Lydia Groenewald The Revd Canon Andrew Norman The Revd Canon Denise Poole The Revd Jenny Ramsden The Revd Canon Anne Russell

Resigned 19 June 2025 Appointed June 2024 Resigned 12 December 2024 Resigned 13 March 2025

Charity number

Registered and principal address

1179481

Bankers

Registered in England and Wales

17-19 York Place Unity Trust Bank Leeds Nine Brindleyplace LS1 2EX Birmingham B1 2HB

Independent examiner

Simon Bostrom FCIE Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW

West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO

Structure, governance and management

The charity was originally formed as a company limited by guarantee on 20 June 2018 to take over the charitable activities previously undertaken by Wellsprings Together Bradford (registered company 6633154 and charity 1139674) and Faithful Neighbours (registered company 5401165 and charity 110761). It converted to a Foundation CIO on 4 April 2025 and is governed by a constitution.

2

Wellsprings Together

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 December 2024

Method of recruitment and appointment of trustees

The trustees of the charity are also the directors for the purposes of company law and are appointed by the members at the AGM.

There shall be a maximum of nine trustees, one being nominated by the Church Urban Fund ("the CUF Trustee" ), one nominated by the Leeds Diocesan Board of Finance ("the DBF Trustee" ) and others being appointed by the members.

Each trustee shall serve a term of five years and may be re-appointed to serve a second term of five years.

New trustees undergo orientation to brief them on their legal obligations under charity and company law, the contents of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the committee and decision making process, the business plan and the recent financial performance of the Charity. Trustees are introduced to all staff members and other trustees. Trustees are encouraged to attend external training events where these will facilitate the undertaking of their role.

Objectives and activities

The charity's objects

The charity's objects are for the benefit of the public by:

The relief of need in the community with a view to promoting social inclusion for those excluded or marginalised from society because of social or economic disadvantage;

The promotion of social cohesion for the benefit of the public in particular by:

educating the public in Christian and other religious beliefs including an awareness of their distinctive features and their common ground to promote good relations between persons of different faiths; promoting the knowledge and mutual understanding and respect of the beliefs and practices of different religious faiths;

The promotion of equality and diversity for the public benefit in particular by: promoting activities to foster understanding between people from diverse backgrounds; building relations between people from different backgrounds and cultures; advancing education and raising awareness in equality and diversity;

To enable churches, Christian organisations, individuals and community groups to influence and shape local and national, social and economic policy through informed individual and collective advocacy;

To promote the efficiency and effectiveness of Christian charities and charities with similarly based values in the furtherance of their objects or any one of them, mainly but not exclusively by the provision of information, advice, support and infrastructure provision; and

The furtherance of such other purposes as are exclusively charitable under the laws of England and Wales as the trustees shall from time to time determine. These objects shall be primarily but not exclusively undertaken within the Diocese of Leeds or such other geographical area as the trustees shall from time to time determine.

The charity's main activities

Wellsprings Together exists to support faith communities in social engagement, with a particular expertise in parish-based community engagement. We aim to be a resource, adding capacity and expertise to local efforts and work. We work to connect the local to the regional and the national informing and inspiring across these various levels.

We continue to maintain a close and strategic relationship with the Anglican Diocese of Leeds leveraging the assets and resources of local faith groups for wider public benefit. We want to help nurture and inspire a movement of faith-motivated social action which will enable people and communities to flourish. We want to build access to resources, information and expertise in faith based social action both recognising our own capability but also facilitating and hosting others.

3

Wellsprings Together

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 December 2024

Public benefit statement

In setting our objectives and planning our activities our Trustees have given serious consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit.

The charity furthers its charitable purpose for the public benefit through equipping, motivating and supporting faith communities as they build community cohesion and tackle social inequality and injustice.

Wellsprings Together’s theory of change has the following four long term objectives:

Achievements and performance

In 2024 Wellsprings Together continued to empower faith and community groups across West and North Yorkshire, enabling over 90 organisations - including churches -to lead positive change in their neighbourhoods. Our tailored support ranged from mentoring and strategic advice to funding guidance, needs assessments, and data-led community audits.

Our strategic partnership with the Anglican Diocese of Leeds strengthened parish engagement initiatives, with targeted support helping churches make effective use of our Local Insight Tool providing Community Audits data, secure funding, and maximise the potential of their buildings as community assets.

Thanks to our trusted relationships with local communities, we successfully supported and brokered 8 large grants from Church Urban Fund via the Near Neighbours programme, enabling community organisations to carry out vital work around cohesion.

The Places of Welcome West Yorkshire Hub saw rapid growth, expanding from 52 in 2023 to 73 venues at the end of 2024, providing community connection and support. We also celebrated a record 16 CUF grants for new Places of Welcome, each actively encouraging participation from diverse communities. We launched a formal network to support independent cafés and drop-ins and hosted four Learning Community sessions. It’s been a year of deep partnership, grounded in trust, that’s helped strengthen the fabric of our neighbourhoods.

Our Near Neighbours Catalyst Youth Leadership Programme, delivered in Belle Vue Girls’ School and Immanuel College, engaged 22 Year 11 students, equipping them with leadership skills and the confidence to become change makers. This culminated in an Alumni Programme and a successful Near Neighbours grant that enabled young participants to contribute creatively to Bradford’s Year of Culture celebrations and an invitation to run the programme again in 2025, funding permitting.

Through our role in the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership’s ‘Maximising the Potential of the VCSE’ (Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise) programme, we administered a second round of grants, supporting 16 grassroots groups tackling health inequalities and enhancing local wellbeing. Our Officer’s appointment as Chair of VCSE Voices further reflects our growing influence and leadership in shaping inclusive policy and addressing health and social disparities.

The Women in Governance (WIG) programme empowered over 100 women through workshops, mentorship, and training for board roles. Participants described the experience as “transformative”, strengthening women’s leadership across sectors.

Interfaith work remained central, with strengthened partnerships promoting dialogue and shared purpose across diverse faith communities.

4

Wellsprings Together

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 December 2024

Plans for the Future

We are committed to deepening our impact in the year ahead. Key priorities include the recruitment of an additional Parish Development Worker and a Community Engagement Worker to extend our parish-based support into the Wakefield and Huddersfield Episcopal Areas, offering strategic guidance and development planning to churches and faith-based groups.

We will design and commission a new Youth Leadership and Employability Programme, specifically focused on supporting young people from diverse and economically disadvantaged communities to build skills, confidence and opportunity.

Wellsprings Together has recently secured a significant grant to employ a Racial Justice Worker—an important new addition to the team. This role will ensure we continue to support churches, parishes, faith-based organisations and communities in addressing racial injustice not only through advocacy, but through intentional, collaborative action. By working alongside people from diverse backgrounds, we will strengthen inclusive leadership and ensure under-represented voices have a seat at the table in shaping responses to inequality.

We will also continue to build stronger interfaith partnerships, championing community-led solutions and advancing our work in leadership development, equity and cohesion across West Yorkshire and beyond.

Financial review

The net expenditure for the year was £81,433, including net expenditure of £22,642 on unrestricted funds and net expenditure of £58,791 on restricted funds after transfers.

The deficit in restricted funds was planned, and due to grants received in advance of the work taking place. The deficit in unrestricted funds was also planned as we continue to invest in our strategy, to obtain evidence of the effectiveness of our work so as to secure future external funding.

Reserves policy

The Trustees have adopted a policy to retain reserves to enable the smooth running of the charity and in anticipation of fluctuating grant income. The level of reserves to be retained is 6 months of budgeted core costs. This policy is reviewed regularly. The Trustees estimate the current appropriate level of reserves to be approximately £80,000 for 2025.

The charity's free reserves, excluding fixed assets, at the year end were £116,707.

Funds held above this level are essential for Wellsprings Together as we embed our current business plan and while we seek alternative sources of major core funding. These funds will be used to invest in the development and future sustainability of Wellsprings Together, through employment of development workers and the costs of pilot projects.

Approved by the board of trustees on 19 June 2025

Ven William Edward Braviner (Trustee)

5

Wellsprings Together

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Wellsprings Together

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the CIO for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 7 to 15.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the CIO 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 CIO's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. 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 examiner's statement

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 in any material respect:

I have no concerns 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.

Simon Bostrom FCIE

8 July 2025

West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO

Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW

6

Wellsprings Together

Statement of Financial Activities

(including summary income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 December 2024

Notes
2024
Unrestricted
funds
£
Income from:
Grants and donations
(2)
2,120
Other income
376
Total income
2,496
Expenditure on:
Salaries, NI and pension
(3)
19,405
Travel expenses
855
Training and conferences
162
Grants payable
(4)
-
Other project delivery costs
5,214
Communications and marketing
-
Office space
-
Finance and admin support
-
Insurance
1,502
Phone and internet
137
Other admin costs
2,636
Bank charges
97
Independent examination
1,050
Total expenditure
31,058
Net income / (expenditure)
(28,562)
Transfers between funds
5,920
Net movement in funds
(22,642)
Fund balances brought forward
139,349
Fund balances carried forward
(5)
116,707		 2024
Restricted
funds
£
96,678
-
96,678
80,150
746
-
41,300
8,568
-
10,800
7,920
-
-
65
-
-
149,549
(52,871)
(5,920)
(58,791)
83,478
24,687		 2024
Total
funds
£
98,798
376
99,174
99,555
1,601
162
41,300
13,782
-
10,800
7,920
1,502
137
2,701
97
1,050
180,607
(81,433)
-
(81,433)
222,827
141,394		 2023
Total
funds
£
226,425
-
226,425
106,316
2,817
679
49,550
17,490
954
10,800
7,920
1,453
153
1,152
98
1,050
200,432
25,993
-
25,993
196,834
222,827

All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities.

7

Wellsprings Together

Balance sheet

as at 31 December 2024
2024
Unrestricted
£
Current assets
Debtors and prepayments
(6)
2,270
Cash at bank
115,609
Total current assets
117,879
Current liabilities:
amounts falling due within one year
Creditors and accruals
(7)
1,172
Total current liabilities
1,172
Net current assets / (liabilities)
116,707
Net assets
116,707
Funds
Unrestricted funds
116,707
Restricted funds
-
Total funds
116,707		 2024
Restricted
£
11,059
23,395
34,454
9,767
9,767
24,687
24,687
-
24,687
24,687		 2024
Total
£
13,329
139,004
152,333
10,939
10,939
141,394
141,394
116,707
24,687
141,394		 2023
Total
£
45,929
196,845
242,774
19,947
19,947
222,827
222,827
139,349
83,478
222,827

The financial statements were approved by the board of trustees on 19 June 2025

Ven William Edward Braviner (Trustee)

8

Wellsprings Together

Notes to the accounts

for the year ended 31 December 2024

1 Accounting policies

Basis of accounting

These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) and with the Charities Act 2011.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. There has been no change to the accounting policies since last year.

No changes have been made to the accounts for previous years.

Going concern

The trustees are satisfied that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity becomes entitled to the resources, if it is more likely than not that the trustees will receive the resources and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Grants and donations

Grants and donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.

Where grants are related to performance and specific deliverables, they are accounted for as the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance.

Donated goods for resale are valued at the amount actually realised upon their sale.

Donated assets, facilities or services are valued at their estimated value to the charity. This is the price that the charity estimates it would pay in the open market for equivalent items; or services and facilities of equivalent utility to the charity.

Expenditure and liabilities

Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out the resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty.

Grants payable with performance conditions

Where the charity gives a grant with conditions for its payment being a specific level of service or output to be provided, such grants are only recognised in the SoFA once the recipient of the grant has provided the specified service or output.

Grants payable without performance conditions

Where there are no conditions attaching to the grant that enables the donor charity to realistically avoid the commitment, a liability for the full funding obligation must be recognised.

Taxation

As a charity the organisation benefits from rates relief and is generally exempt from income tax and capital gains tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates.

9

Wellsprings Together

Notes to the accounts

for the year ended 31 December 2024

1 Accounting policies continued

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets costing more than £500 are capitalised and included at cost including any incidental expenses of acquisition. Gifted assets are shown at the value to the charity on receipt. Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the cost on a straight line basis over their expected useful economic lives as follows: Project and office equipment: over 3 years

Pensions

The charity operates a defined contribution scheme for the benefit of its employees. The costs of contributions are recognised in the year they are payable.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.

Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the accounts.

Leases

Rents under operating leases are charged on a straight line basis over the lease term or to an earlier date if the lease can be determined without financial penalty.

10

Wellsprings Together

Notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 31 December 2024

2 Grants and donations
Church Urban Fund
Church Urban Fund (Near Neighbours)
Leeds Diocesan Board of Finance (LDBF)
Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation
VCS Alliance
Leeds Community Foundation (LCF)
Network for Social Change
Sir George Martin Trust
Bradford Cathedral
W Yorks Health & Care P/ship
Other donations
3 Staff costs and numbers
Gross salaries
Social security costs
Employment allowance
Pensions		 2024
Unrestricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,120
2,120		 2024
Restricted
funds
£
7,200
11,545
44,433
5,000
28,500
-
-
-
-
-
-
96,678		 2024
Total
funds
£
7,200
11,545
44,433
5,000
28,500
-
-
-
-
-
2,120
98,798
2024
£
92,060
7,293
(5,000)
5,202
99,555		 2023
Total
funds
£
1,000
34,080
43,326
5,000
-
6,648
10,000
5,000
1,000
120,000
371
226,425
2023
£
97,891
7,850
(4,995)
5,570
106,316

The average number of employees during the year was 4.3, being an average of 2.7 full time equivalent (2023: 4.6, 2.9 FTE). There were no employees with emoluments above £60,000.

Defined contribution pension scheme 2024 2023
£ £
Costs of the scheme to the charity for the year 5,202 5,570
Amount of any contributions outstanding at the year end 496 987
Amount of any contributions prepaid at the year end - -

11

Wellsprings Together

Notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 31 December 2024

4 Grant making
Project or activity
West Yorks Health & Care Partnership Resilience fund programme
Association of Blind Asians
BEAP Community Partnership
Beneficience
Black Health Forum
Clare Hill Centre
Harehills Action
Inspire Support Sports Empower (ISSE)
Leeds Black Elders
Leeds Caribbean and African Centre
Leeds Dads
Mums on a Mission
Ravensthorpe Community Association
St Luke's Cares
Verd De Gris Arts
Women Arise
Women's Activity Centre
Anchor Project
Batley Sporting Foundation
Damasq
Dotty Print
Give a Gift
NAFS Fitness
Sunnah Sports Community CIC
The Friendship Circle
Yorkshire Wellbeing Skills Group
Child's Play Café West Nursery
One Ummah CIC
ZA Community
Happy Healthy You
Muslim Women's Council
Black Health Initiative
LCF Communities in Crisis funding programme
St Stephen and St Agnes Burmantofts
St Peter's Bramley
Leeds Minster
St John and St Barnabas Belle Isle
St Philip's Osmondthorpe
St James' Seacroft
St Augustine's Wrangthorn
St Paul's Ireland Wood
St Peter's Morley
St Peter's Shipley
Total
-
-		 2024
£
3,000
3,000
2,000
800
3,000
3,000
3,000
3,000
700
2,800
3,000
2,000
3,000
3,000
3,000
3,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
41,300		 2023
£
-
-
-
1,500
-
-
-
-
2,300
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,000
2,940
2,000
3,000
3,000
3,000
3,000
3,000
3,000
3,000
2,700
2,960
2,400
2,750
3,000
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
49,550

Purpose of the grant making activities

West Yorks Health & Care Partnership Resilience fund programme

A grants programme to address resilience of small faith and community groups addressing health inequalities.

LCF Communities in Crisis funding programme

A grants programme for the purpose of supporting warm spaces and community cafes including joining the Places of Welcome Network.

12

Wellsprings Together

Notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 31 December 2024

5 Restricted funds
LDBF salaries
LDBF Office and admin
W Yorks Health & Care P/ship
W Yorks Health & Care P/ship
Network for Social Change
VCS Alliance
Near Neighbours 2023/24
Church Urban Fund Catalyst
Liz and Terry Bramall Foundn.
Near Neighbours 2024/25		 Balance b/f
£
-
-
6,490
54,009
1,950
-
21,029
-
-
-
83,478		 Incoming
£
25,713
18,720
-
-
-
28,500
-
7,200
5,000
11,545
96,678		 Outgoing
£
25,713
18,720
-
48,359
1,950
20,258
15,109
5,400
5,000
9,040
149,549		 Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
(5,920)
-
-
-
(5,920)		 Balance c/f
£
-
-
6,490
5,650
-
8,242
-
1,800
-
2,505
24,687

Fund name

LDBF salaries LDBF Office and admin W Yorks Health & Care P/ship

W Yorks Health & Care P/ship

Network for Social Change VCS Alliance

Near Neighbours 2023/24

Church Urban Fund Catalyst Liz and Terry Bramall Foundn. Near Neighbours 2024/25

Purpose of restriction

Funding towards salary costs.

Funding towards office space, finance and admin support.

For managing the reimbursement of the West Yorkshire VCSE Voices Group.

For the administration of a grants programme to address resilience of small faith and community groups addressing health inequalities.

For the purpose of a faith and community leaders retreat to Iona. Bradford project which aims to diversify board representation within all sectors and governance structures.

For the coordination of social integration activities, additional places of welcome and events costs.

Towards the delivery of youth leadership programme in schools. Work to coordinate faith based efforts to address poverty in Bradford. Towards the coordination of social integration activities within the Near Neighbours programme, including Places of Welcome.

6 Debtors and prepayments
Prepayments
Accrued income
Taxation and social security
7 Creditors and accruals
Accruals for grants payable
Accruals
Other creditors		 2024
£
1,502
11,545
282
13,329
2024
£
-
10,443
496
10,939		 2023
£
1,489
44,440
-
45,929
2023
£
17,910
1,050
987
19,947

13

Wellsprings Together

Notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 31 December 2024

8 Related party transactions

Trustee expenses

No trustee received any expenses during this year or the previous year.

Trustee remuneration and benefits

No trustee received any remuneration or benefit during this or the previous year.

Remuneration and benefits received by key management personnel

The total employee benefits received by key management personnel were £36,593 (previous year: £33,963).

14

Wellsprings Together

Statement of Financial Activities including comparatives for all funds (including summary income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 December 2024

2024
2023
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds
funds
£
£
Income
Grants and donations
2,120
1,371
Other income
376
-
Total income
2,496
1,371
Expenditure
Salaries, NI and pension
19,405
39,065
Travel expenses
855
1,342
Training and conferences
162
679
Grants payable
-
-
Other project delivery costs
5,214
5,557
Communications and marketing
-
720
Office space
-
-
Finance and admin support
-
-
Insurance
1,502
1,453
Phone and internet
137
141
Other admin costs
2,636
1,126
Bank charges
97
98
Independent examination
1,050
1,050
Total expenditure
31,058
51,231
Net income / (expenditure)
(28,562)
(49,860)
Transfers between funds
5,920
8,254
Net movement in funds
(22,642)
(41,606)
Fund balances brought forward
139,349
180,955
Fund balances carried forward
116,707
139,349		 2024
Restricted
funds
£
96,678
-
96,678
80,150
746
-
41,300
8,568
-
10,800
7,920
-
-
65
-
-
149,549
(52,871)
(5,920)
(58,791)
83,478
24,687		 2023
Restricted
funds
£
225,054
-
225,054
67,251
1,475
-
49,550
11,933
234
10,800
7,920
-
12
26
-
-
149,201
75,853
(8,254)
67,599
15,879
83,478		 2024
Total
funds
£
98,798
376
99,174
99,555
1,601
162
41,300
13,782
-
10,800
7,920
1,502
137
2,701
97
1,050
180,607
(81,433)
-
(81,433)
222,827
141,394		 2023
Total
funds
£
226,425
-
226,425
106,316
2,817
679
49,550
17,490
954
10,800
7,920
1,453
153
1,152
98
1,050
200,432
25,993
-
25,993
196,834
222,827

15