**Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO**
## **Annual Report and Accounts**
31 March 2025
Charity Registration Number 1179804
## **Contents**
## **Reports**
|**Reports**||
|---|---|
|Reference and administrative details||
|of the charity, its trustees and advisers|1|
|Report of the trustees|3|
|Independent auditor’s report|27|
|**Accounts**||
|Statement of financial activities|32|
|Balance sheet|33|
|Statement of cash flows|34|
|Principal accounting policies|35|
|Notes to the accounts|42|
**Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisers**
|**Trustees**|Sister Julie Rose|
|---|---|
||Sister Mary Dargie|
||Sister Elizabeth Mooney|
||Sr Mwalula Yvonne Mwila|
||Sr Elizabeth Dawson|
|**The Superior General**|Sister Julie Rose|
|**The Canonical Secretary**|Sister Kathleen Corbett|
|**The Congregational Treasurer**|Sister Elizabeth Dawson|
|**Principal address**|Chigwell Convent|
||803 Chigwell Road|
||Woodford Bridge|
||Essex|
||IG8 8AU|
|**Telephone**|020 8504 1624|
|**Website**|www.sacredheartsjm.org|
|**Charity registration number**|1179804|
|**Auditor**|Buzzacott Audit LLP|
||130 Wood Street|
||London|
||EC2V 6DL|
|**Investment managers**|Sarasin & Partners LLP|
||Juxon House|
||St Paul’s Churchyard|
||London|
||EC4M 8BU|
|**Bankers**|HSBC plc|
||91 High Street|
||Brentwood|
||Essex|
||CM1 4RU|
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **1**
**Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisers**
**Solicitors** Stone King LLP Upper Borough Court Upper Borough Walls Bath BA1 1RG **Insurance Brokers** PIB Insurance Brokers Limited Poppleton Grange Low Poppleton Lane York YO26 6GZ
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **2**
**Report of the trustees** Year to 31 March 2025
The trustees present their report together with the accounts of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO (the “charity”) for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on pages 35 to 41 and comply with the charity’s constitution, 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 United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
## **Introduction**
The Congregation of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (the Congregation) is an International Roman Catholic Religious Congregation supporting 100 (101 - 2024) sisters worldwide. It was founded in France in 1866. The United Kingdom Congregation became an independent entity in 1903 and has its headquarters at Chigwell Convent in Essex.
The Sisters have, over the years, engaged in a variety of services for the poor and deprived, and serve in the United Kingdom, Ireland, USA, Zambia, Uganda, El Salvador and the Philippines.
The Vision and Mission Statement of the Sisters is:
_“Joyful co-creators sharing God’s unconditional love in our wounded world”_
_“We, the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary,_
_urged by the compassion of Christ_
_and responsive to the anguish of Peoples and Planet,_
_are called to help shape Communities of Gentleness, Justice and Peace_
_that witness to the healing, liberating and empowering_
_love of God.”_
The accounts accompanying this report are the accounts of the charity through which certain of the net assets of the Congregation in England, Wales and Scotland are administered.
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **3**
**Report of the trustees** Year to 31 March 2025
## **Mission**
The charity aims to support the religious and other charitable works carried on by the members of the Congregation and to care for those members throughout their lives within the Congregation. These ministries of the Sisters of the Congregation, all of which benefit numerous members of the general public, fall into the following main areas:
- ♦ Health (including caring for members of the Congregation)
- ♦ Education (including education of our own sisters and education within our overseas outreach)
- ♦ Pastoral ministry
- ♦ Overseas outreach
## **Activities, achievements, specific objectives and relevant policies**
## _**Health**_
The Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO operates one Care Home in the United Kingdom.
## _Marian House Care Home_
Marian House is a sanctuary of care and compassion, nestled in the heart of Uxbridge. More than just a care home, it is a mission led by the sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, devoted to creating a nurturing and supportive environment for retired religious sisters and elderly women.
Our location is not just convenient, but also vibrant, being close to social amenities, the renowned Hillingdon Hospital, and the responsive Hillingdon Fire Service. But it’s not just about the location, it’s about the community we’ve built here.
At Marian House, our residents are not just inhabitants, but integral members of an empowering Christian community. Here, every individual leads a rich quality of life in an environment that is safe, professional, and dignified, yet feels just like home. Our aim is to provide the highest quality of care, always respecting the rights and choices of every individual.
The layout of Marian House is designed to be welcoming, offering a stunning view of a vast garden, complete with an age-old fishpond. This is a place where nature meets care, offering tranquility and a connection with the outdoors. Our chapel, a spiritual haven for our residents, continues to uphold their faith with daily morning Mass and evening prayers, ensuring their spiritual well-being.
The building itself is thoughtfully divided into the first floor, St Joseph’s, and the second floor, St Anne’s, St Frances, and St Mary’s. We are a CQC registered care home, with 26 registered beds, ensuring professional standards of care.
Safety is not just a priority, but a commitment at Marian House. We adhere to all legislative requirements and operate a 24-hour CCTV system, ensuring peace of mind for our residents and their families.
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **4**
**Report of the trustees** Year to 31 March 2025
## _Care Home Staffing Structure_
The Care Home is managed by a Registered Manager, who is supported by one Team Leader. The staff team includes Senior Care Workers, Level 2 Carers, an Administrator, a Finance Officer, a Kitchen Supervisor, Laundry and Domestic Staff, a Full-Time Caretaker, a Cook, an Assistant Chef, and Kitchen Assistants.
The Registered Manager reports directly to Sr. Elizabeth Mooney, Trustee. The Team Leader, Administrator, Finance Officer, Caretaker, and Chef/Cook report to the Registered Manager. All Senior Carers and Level 2 Carers report to the Team Leader.
The Registered manager remains available to offer further advice or guidance on any matters related to the Care Home.
## _Working with other Organisations_
Marian House works in partnership with the London Borough of Hillingdon. Four of the service users are currently funded by the local authority. The Care Home also collaborates closely with local NHS hospitals and healthcare services, which provide additional support and advice on the service users’ care and wellbeing, as well as staff training as needed. The Care Home has a community care home service team appointed by Hillingdon, which visits the home as needed and offers support under the Care Home Support Programme, aiming to reduce hospital admissions.
Marian House is also regulated and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which ensures that the Home complies with all current legislation and that service users receive dignified, respectful, and person-centred care in a safe environment. The CQC also provides advice and guidance to the Home when needed.
This year, Marian House has not been visited by the Quality Assurance team, nor has it undergone a recent inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). However, the home received a Provider Information Return (PIR) last year, which was completed thoroughly and submitted by the deadline. All comprehensive questions were answered in detail, and the CQC expressed satisfaction with the PIR submission. As a result, no inspection was scheduled at that time. Nonetheless, a CQC inspection may be expected later this year.
## _Achievements and performance_
This year, Marian House has made significant strides to ensure full compliance with regulatory standards, contributing to the smooth and effective running of our service.
## _Policy and Procedure Updates_
We successfully updated our home’s policies and procedures using a dedicated portal and mobile application. This system allows staff to access, read, and acknowledge policies directly from their devices. Each staff member logs in with their password, reads the relevant policy, and confirms their understanding by signing electronically. These acknowledgements are tracked and reflected on the central policy portal, helping staff stay informed and improving overall performance.
## _Infrastructure Enhancements_
- ♦ Smart Boiler Installation: Our previous boiler, in use for over 20 years, was no longer functioning efficiently. We have now installed a new smart boiler system that supports both central heating and electricity. It is energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
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**Report of the trustees** Year to 31 March 2025
- ♦ Entrance Door Upgrade: The old entrance door no longer met fire and health & safety regulations. We replaced it with a modern, compliant model that enhances safety for residents, staff, and visitors.
- ♦ Fire Door Replacement: We replaced outdated 65 Door guard fire doors with new 65 electric fire doors, ensuring full compliance with UK fire safety legislation.
- ♦ Fire Alarm Integration: Marian House’s fire alarm system is now integrated with the Hillingdon Fire Brigade. This means that any alarm trigger sends an immediate signal to the local fire service, ensuring a prompt response.
- ♦ Smart Intercom System: We upgraded our outdated intercom to a new smart system, improving communication and safety across the home.
## _Digital Care Planning_
We adopted the Nourish care planning system, which is GDPR-compliant and allows staff to document care on the go. This system enhances staff familiarity with residents’ needs and supports more responsive, person-centred care.
## _Staff Development and Training_
We’ve strengthened our training programme through a mix of in-house and online sessions, ensuring all mandatory training is up to date for both new and existing staff. Highlights include:
- ♦ One staff member completed their NVQ Level 3.
- ♦ Two staff members enrolled in NVQ courses.
- ♦ One staff member began a Leadership in Health and Social Care course.
- ♦ All new staff completed the Care Certificate as required.
## _Catering Improvements_
We managed to recruit a Catering Manager to oversee kitchen operations and ensure compliance with food safety legislation. As a result, Marian House earned an additional star from the UK Food and Hygiene Regulatory Body.
## _New Website Launch_
We launched a new website that reflects our mission and daily operations. It allows visitors, both local and international to learn about our work and how we support vulnerable individuals to live fulfilling lives.
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **6**
**Report of the trustees** Year to 31 March 2025
## _Activities and Community Engagement_
Although we do not currently have a dedicated Activities Coordinator, we’ve built strong community partnerships to provide enriching experiences for our residents. Weekly activities include:
- ♦ Monday: Chair exercises with Penny
- ♦ Tuesday: Hairdressing by Kate
- ♦ Wednesday: Activity sessions with Juan
- ♦ Thursday: Live saxophone performances
- ♦ Additional activities include movie afternoons, reminiscence sessions, and one-to-one chats.
In Summary, this year has been a year of outstanding progress and accomplishment at Marian House. We’ve made meaningful upgrades to our facilities, elevated the standard of care we provide, and deepened our connections within the wider community. These achievements reflect our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional care to our sisters and residents.
Our success has been made possible through the dedication of our staff, the support of families, St Mary’s sisters and the involvement of our local community partners. Together, we’ve created a stronger, safer, and more compassionate environment and we look forward to continuing this journey of excellence in the years ahead.
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **7**
**Report of the trustees** Year to 31 March 2025
## _**Education**_
Over the last number of years, the trustees have put great emphasis on improving the academic qualifications and developing the leadership skills of our sisters throughout the world. This has involved a number of sisters upgrading their present qualifications in-country and travelling to other countries for Formation and Leadership training. Some sisters have gone to other countries in Africa and also come to the UK and to the Philippines to follow courses, and this has greatly benefitted the Congregation as a whole.
## _**Pastoral Ministry**_
Practically all of our ministries are pastoral in nature. The aims of the trustees in this area are to enable and encourage members of the Congregation to carry out much needed social and pastoral work within the local community. The objective being to motivate sisters to work and assist in any way the poor, elderly, sick and marginalised. Sadly, like many other religious congregations our age profile reflects that over two thirds of our Congregation are over seventy. However, the majority of sisters (even those in their 80’s) are still very active in the area of pastoral ministry, providing a very valuable service to those in need.
Many of our “retired” UK and Irish sisters continue to be involved in hospital and care home chaplaincy, school governorship (including schools other than our own), parish ministry which includes visiting hospices, hospitals, the sick and housebound, homeless centres and our own convents by continuing to care for less able retired sisters.
Below one of our sisters describes her work this year in her local parishes:
_Sr Edith - My Ministry at St Robert Bellarmine and St Bernard’s Church._
_Parish ministry is about being available to whoever seems to want an ear. Listening is hugely important to those who want to speak about their problems or concerns or who may be looking for some advice or encouragement. I see this as being at the basis of most of what I do._
_St Robert’s parish has a catholic population of 2,200 souls. Like so many other our parish is multicultural with many families from Nigeria and Cameroon having recently joined our community, but there are also Filippino, Polish, Asian as well as a good representation of Irish families. We celebrate an ‘African Mass’ every 2 months._
_St Bernard’s has a population of 200. The parish has one primary school: St Bernard’s with a capacity for 484 pupils. There are 2 Nursing Homes; I visit one of the homes weekly with the Eucharist for one resident and monthly for about 16 others engaging with them in their rooms, the 2nd home I used to visit weekly for 3-7 residents, but lately another Eucharistic minister has taken over this role and I visit, when necessary, when there are absences. I will go to the events at the Homes and support them when I can. When any of the residents are hospitalised, I visit them there._
_There is also another unit I was involved with where a local charity provides housing for mentally fragile people – about 5 residents. I was visiting 2 of these residents weekly for some months, but lately one has been hospitalized and the other sadly has died._
_Much of my time over the past few months has been with a local lady who was eventually admitted to hospital. She has few relatives and leans heavily on me for support and visiting her daily._
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**Report of the trustees** Year to 31 March 2025
_Mitre House is a home for some 5 adult residents who have learning difficulties. I visit on occasion but make a point of welcoming and chatting to them when they come to the church each week. Each Advent and Lent I lead a prayer group with the interested adults in the parish. We might number up to 8 -10 regularly. I lead the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults – RCIA - this is a programme for adults wishing to know more about the Catholic faith and who may want to become catholic as a result, this runs weekly. The numbers have been small 2-4 and usually there have been support from parishioners already catholic which is invaluable. This can run during the day or evening whichever suits the participants. The programme runs from August until after Easter._
_I don’t visit the school except for concerts but I work with the teachers responsible for preparing the children for the reception of the Sacraments. The children come to Mass at the church every first Friday, and on that day the older ones remain to serve coffees/teas to the parishioners. So, it’s good to meet up with these children in this less formal occasion._
_Last year I was asked to instruct children who don’t attend the local catholic school for the Sacraments after school. Mostly, I have been going to the child’s family home to do this, but there are some parents who prefer to come to the church and the sessions take place there. This year there is already a short list of such children, one of whom is non-verbal, so these sessions will be challenging. I have loved these sessions particularly since they bring me in contact with families which means that I can form a relationship with the adults in the family and get to know them better._
_I am the parish co-ordinator for Safeguarding and together with our parish secretary work to make sure that our young people and frail adults are safe when attending church or are involved in church activities._
_I visit some elderly in their homes to bring the Eucharist. At present I visit 4 individuals, but the numbers fluctuate. Many are lonely too, so I do spend some time chatting with them._
_Each morning, I make sure everything is ready for the celebration of the Eucharist. That means choosing hymns and starting them off; making sure there are readers, servers etc. I help with the church cleaning; am a member of the parish council and the parish office team. I set up the rota for Readers; help out at the children’s liturgy on Sundays and prepare the Prayers of the Faithful for the weekend Masses._
_Once a week I make a phone call on behalf of Alzheimer’s Scotland. During COVID lockdown I had 4 persons to phone, but now I have only one._
_I am a member of The Mungo Singers – a choir who practice on Sundays and perform at various inter-church events as well as funerals for clergy, church events in the archdiocese and events by Glasgow City Council. This last note is not strictly speaking ministry, but there are times I have to be available for the events._
As you can gather our sisters ministries are very important to many.
We also have sisters assisting in the administration of the charity, ensuring we are moving forward and adapting to change.
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**Report of the trustees** Year to 31 March 2025
In other areas of ministry our sisters are involved with catechesis, teaching English as a second language to immigrants trying to get jobs or applying for citizenship in the UK/Ireland, organising prayer groups and supporting travelling people who are being discriminated against at every level of society.
One of our sisters highlights below her work at the Ealing Community School of English (ECSE) a volunteer-run and led school, with a team of over 20 volunteer teachers, teaching assistants and administrators, supporting a community of over 200 students from over 50 nationalities., below is a short summary of one sisters volunteer work:
_I have been a volunteer with this project since October 2022. I began as a classroom assistant, completed the 3-month in-house ESOL training programme and began teaching a Basic Beginners class in September 2024._
_The profile of the students has changed significantly over the last 10 years in that the majority of the students are now refugees and asylum seekers, many of them living in hotels and hostels._
_There is a strong emphasis on helping the students to integrate into their various communities, make friends and feel supported as many of them arrive in the country traumatised and afraid. The cultural evenings throughout the year are joyous occasions, as we all try out different foods and attempt the various cultural dances!_
_The project was instrumental, alongside other community organisations, in helping the Borough of Ealing attain accreditation as a Borough of Sanctuary by the UK charity, City of Sanctuary._
_This recognises that the borough is a place of welcome and safety for sanctuary seekers fleeing war and persecution around the world._
_In late May of this year, a couple came to the project to learn English. They had had to flee their country with their five young children due to religious persecution. I was delighted to hear that the family had received their leave to remain status and can now begin to rebuild their lives._
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **10**
**Report of the trustees** Year to 31 March 2025
## _**St Augustine’s Priory House of Prayer**_
St Augustine’s Priory, House of Prayer, is a Christian place of Retreat from the noise and busy-ness of people’s everyday lives. It exists for the sole reason of offering a quiet and peaceful space for those of any Religious Denomination and none, who seek peace and quiet for either residential or daily accommodation. This House of Prayer, by the sea in North Wales, offers a homely and comfortable atmosphere where people, who wish to, are free to become aware of God’s presence in their lives, to deepen their relationship with God or simply to just ‘BE’. Individual Spiritual Accompaniment is available on set Retreats or can be provided on request according to availability.
In order to help people we offer Christian Retreats of various kinds, or accommodation only, according to the needs of those making enquiries and wanting to come to this House of Prayer. Other Religious Congregations, male and female, also come for their own Retreats or Meetings.
Apart from the Various Retreats which cater for most Spiritual needs of those on a Residential or Non-Residential Prayer Days, we also accommodate meetings for; small Parish Groups; Religious Congregations’ Chapter Meetings or Retreats; School Groups near and far; Local Teachers’ Training Days; Local Carers Support Group; Over-Eaters Anonymous Group; Various Denominations Parish Groups or Leaders’ Meetings; Local Retreat Centre’s Staff training. Although we accommodate and host such meetings most Groups bring their own facilitators and Leaders.
In order to help with the costs of running St Augustine’s House of Prayer, as part of our hospitality, we offer all-inclusive meals (full board) and so there is an invitation to those using our premises and facilities, for a Suggested Offering according to the type and length of a Retreat/Meeting or of how many rooms and other facilities and refreshments are used and catered for. We also operate with a small team of 3 staff (plus a part-time Handyman/Gardener) who share roles in our endeavour to keep our running costs low.
In keeping with our vision to put the Spiritual and Prayer side of our existence here, before financial gain, the Suggested Offerings are kept as low as possible in order to be affordable to those who would otherwise not be able to attend the Retreats or Days of Prayer etc. We therefore subsidise some people who desperately need our Spiritual support, and this particular space of peace and quiet, for their own well-being and mental health.
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **11**
**Report of the trustees** Year to 31 March 2025
## _**Justice and Peace**_
The Justice and Peace Centre continues to offer its IT expertise to the sisters and their helpers to produce materials needed for their ministry. Incorporated in the Justice and Peace Centre is a “communication hub” from which webinars are conducted so that members of the Congregation can stay connected with each other and through which they are encouraged to share ideas and experiences in their ministry.
Along with publishing the quarterly magazine “Keeping in Touch” which is available on our website, the Centre continues to assist in the development of the Sacred Heart Companions Programme. The Centre also supports the Romero Trust by printing their newsletter. The Romero Trust is a group supporting justice in El Salvador, which was an area we have been very involved in over the last few years.
## _**Sacred Heart Companions**_
In the UK many of the original groups have now come to completion, the same is true in Ireland. The reason being the members have aged and are no longer able to meet in groups. We try to keep in touch with as many as possible by email and letters however this too is proving difficult with the age profile of our own sisters.
The Chigwell group has gone from strength to strength! This is mainly due to the enthusiasm of Anita a very faithful companion. The group meet monthly, pray together and then socialise enjoying each other’s company. It must be said most members in Chigwell are younger and it is a cosmopolitan group!
**Uganda** - ( Mukono, Pabo) these groups meet to share prayer and in addition support some of the work done with our special Needs Children.
**Cebu** - this would be a similar model where Companions support the mission especially in the area of special needs children
**Zambia** - (Mbala) meet monthly to pray and share. Some Companions also are involved on a voluntary basis visiting sick and disabled in Mbala.
**El Salvador** - Continue to have Holy Hours regularly for peace in their very violent country.
The Congregation appreciate that the Sacred Heart Companions are part of our extended family!
## _**Victor Braun Federation**_
The Federation obtained pontifical right on 4 July 2003. The Victor Braun Federation comprises three Institutes which all stemmed from the same foundation by Father Peter Victor Braun in Paris 1866. Three Congregations (ourselves based in the UK, Soeurs Servantes du Sacré-Coeur de Jésus – France, and Dienerinnen des heiligsten Herzens Jesu – Austria) joined together to become the Federation. We meet regularly and our mission is supported through this link. All three Congregations share a desire to remain connected (hence the sharing of the Federation house in St Avold). Even though we bring our own culture, personalities and our individual uniqueness, we are united by our founder Father Victor Braun.
As part of the Federation Conversation meetings, it was felt that it would be important for Sisters from the three Congregations to meet and ‘get to know each other’. The introductory meeting was held at St. Augustine’s Priory from 1st July to 5th July 2024.
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**Report of the trustees** Year to 31 March 2025
We enjoyed being together and everyone found this a good experience Special thanks go to Sister Mary Cathie for organising the week and arranging the wonderful visits. Also to the staff of St, Augustine’s for their welcome and all they did behind the scenes to make this visit a wonderful experience.
## _**Overseas Outreach**_
The charity supports the Sisters’ ministries in the following countries: The Philippines, Uganda and Zambia and we have one Sister living and working in California working within health care and pastoral work for the local diocese and one sister living in El Salvador carrying out local ministry.
To include a report from each overseas mission country and our numerous projects within each country would result in a very lengthy document. Therefore, this year we are highlighting a sample of the work we have been involved in Uganda;
## _Pabo Uganda, Feeding programme and Vehicle purchase_
The Congregation were asked to support our larger 3rd party funded project “Victor Braun School” in Pabo by specifically funding a feeding programme for children. The primary goal of the feeding program is to ensure that children who would otherwise miss school due to hunger, receive at least one nutritious meal daily.
By providing essential meals, we aim to:
- ♦ Increase school attendance and retention.
- ♦ Improve students’ concentration and participation in class.
- ♦ Promote overall well-being among the children.
Items bought for the children and the children enjoying their free school meals
The feeding programme has been very successful in helping the children remain in school, promote their well being and improve concerntration.
This year we also funded the purchase of 2 new Landcruiser’s for our project and community in Pabo, Uganda, procured to support field operations and improve accessibility to project areas under WACFO (Women and Children First) and to support the sisters in their ministry.
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **13**
## **Report of the trustees** Year to 31 March 2025
The vehicles were officially received by WACFO and Pabo Community on 6th March 2025 and since they have been instrumental in facilitating the efficient transportation of project staff and materials particularly to remote and underserved areas where poor road conditions pose logistical challenges especially for the WACFO Project Vehicle.
Its deployment has significantly enhanced field operations by:
- ♦ Reducing transport related delays,
- ♦ Improving staff mobility and overall operational efficiency, and
- ♦ Enabling more regular and timely project supervision, monitoring, and community outreach activities.
The staff and sisters in Pabo commented “We appreciate the support from SSHJM in strengthening our logistical capacity to better serve our communities”.
_WACFO staff engage the community in a preparatory meeting for a borehole drilling project at Kal Oguru village in Pabo_
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Learners from Victor Braun School
reporting back on a Monday
morning
**----- End of picture text -----**
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**Report of the trustees** Year to 31 March 2025
## **Investment policy**
The charity’s investments at 31 March 2025 were managed entirely by Sarasin and Partners LLP. In 2018 the trustees made the decision to follow Pope Francis’ lead in “Caring for the Earth” by moving the full portfolio of investments to Sarasin’s Climate Active policy which offers a timely multi-asset investment solution for charities concerned by increased climate risk and who want to play a part in driving behavioural change. There are no restrictions on the charity powers to invest.
The investment strategy has been set by the trustees and it takes into account income requirements, the risk profile and investment managers’ views of the market prospects in the medium term.
Although the positive nature of the fund is to invest with other like-minded charities concerned about the future of the earth, the policy has, and will continue to, require total return through a diversified portfolio whilst providing a level of income advised by the relevant trustees. There is also an ethical investment policy precluding investment in any company which, after reasonable enquiry, clearly has significant profits from an activity which is contrary to the objectives of the Christian Church.
The performance of the portfolio and the charity’s investment strategy are reviewed by the trustees, meeting annually with the investment managers to discuss performance and the future outlook of the fund.
## **Future plans**
The General Chapter took place in late 2021. New Acts of the Chapter were then produced and continue to be implemented over the new trustees’ term of office of 6 years, this continues to be adapted and monitored.
For some years now, particularly due to the declining numbers and age profile of our Sisters in the UK, we have been working, and will continue to work, more collaboratively with other congregations and organisations with similar Charisms and ethos to our own, in this way we are sharing our knowledge and expertise to support them in ministries.
Given the declining number of our UK Sisters, we will be looking in the coming years to rationalise our estates, this needs to be a planned approach to ensure the charity’s best interests are maintained. The Trustees have engaged property agents, who are currently carrying out detailed preparatory work for the proposed marketing of the Congregation’s Mother House and site, the charity’s largest property, to ensure that best value is achieved on sale.
At Marian House, we are committed to continuously delivering the highest standard of care and attention to our beloved sisters and residents.
Looking ahead at Marian House, our goal is to continue to maintain the appropriate staffing levels required to support exceptional care, uphold our strong reputation, and work diligently toward achieving an Outstanding rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Through ongoing staff development, service improvements, and a focus on excellence, we aim to ensure Marian House remains a model of compassionate and high-quality care.
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**Report of the trustees** Year to 31 March 2025
## **Financial review**
## _**Results for the year**_
A summary of the year’s results can be found on page 32 of this report and accounts.
Total income amounts to £2,652,908 (2024 - £4,758,021) and expenditure totals £5,421,389 (2024 - £4,734,965).
Total income includes £899,329 (2024 - £656,931) generated by the residential Care Home. Other categories of income include investment income and interest receivable and donations and legacies. This latter category includes the salaries and pensions of individual members of the Congregation which are donated to the charity either by deed of covenant or by gift aid.
Total expenditure comprises expenditure on the residential and Care Home of £1,263,939 (2024 - £1,072,179). The major part of the expenditure on the Home is staff costs which totalled £818,326 (2024 - £730,700) representing payments to the Home’s staff. Other expenditure includes the personal and living costs of the members of the Congregation and their ministry, donations paid and the costs of administering and managing the charity. The charity made donations of £1,514,210 (2024 - £1,293,869) to its connected charity in Ireland, the majority of which were used to assist with the ongoing living and care costs of sisters in Ireland along with support of the Irish Charitable Trust and its governance.
Deducting expenditure from income for the year gives a net expenditure figure for the year before investment gains of £2,768,481 (2024 – net income of £23,056).
## _**Investment performance**_
The charity’s listed investments increased in market value during the year. An income yield of 2.7% was achieved, whilst the capital yield was 1%. The investments were managed in accordance with the trustees’ investment policy and within the specified ethical guidelines.
Net gains on listed investments during the year amounted to £154,688 (2023 - Net gains £1,219,015).
## _**Reserves policy and financial position**_
## _Reserves policy_
The reader will discern from the foregoing that the charity has carried out a diverse range of activities and is responsible for care and support of sisters whose average age is increasing and whose needs are changing. The trustees of the charity have examined the need for free reserves i.e. those unrestricted funds not invested in tangible fixed assets, designated for specific purposes or otherwise committed. The trustees consider that, given the nature of the charity’s work going forward in respect to it’s ministry and the provision of care, the level of free reserves should be between 3 and 6 months’ projected expenditure (i.e. approximately £1.35m to £2.7m).
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **16**
**Report of the trustees** Year to 31 March 2025
## _Financial position_
The charity balance sheet showed total reserves of £26,390,964 (2024 - £29,004,757).
Included in this figure was an amount of £87,550 (2024 - £87,060) which was restricted. These monies had either been raised for, and their use restricted to specific purposes, or they comprised donations subject to donor imposed conditions. Full details of these restricted funds can be found in note 18 to the accounts, together with an analysis of movements in the year.
An amount of £20,733,646 (2024 - £22,923,953) has been designated, or set aside, for specific purposes. Of this £14.5 million (2024 - £17 million) represented the SSHJM Congregational Fund, which had been designated to provide for sisters in their retirement. This fund, set aside to provide for the sisters in their retirement, none of whom have resources of their own, was re-assessed during the year. The calculations indicated that in excess of £20 million would be needed to be set aside in order to provide a modest sum towards the upkeep and care of sisters over 65 years of age. At 31 March 2025 £14.5 million had been set aside for this purpose as there are insufficient funds available to provide the full amount needed.
The care home fund totalled £504,053 (2024 - £228,198). These funds have increased due to the increase in fee paying residents along with fee increases to meet care needs. The charity continues to support Marian House with contributions from the charity towards the cost of caring for sisters.
The programme related fund at £5,661,846 (2024 - £5,661,846) represented the book value of those freehold properties occupied by other charitable and not-for-profit organisations for purposes consistent with the charity’s objectives.
The tangible fixed assets fund totalled £4,146,655 (2024 - £4,287,545) and was represented by those tangible fixed assets not financed out of restricted funds or included under the home fund.
Funds which were available to support the work of the sisters in the future i.e. the general funds totalled £1,423,113 (2024 - £1,706,199) and fell within the parameters of the charity’s reserves policy.
## **Governance, structure and management**
## _**Governance**_
In terms of Canon law, the Congregation is governed at an international level by the Congregational Leader and her General Council. They are elected every six years at a General Chapter which is a meeting of representatives from all areas of the Congregation. Members of the General Council are chosen for their personal qualities, their understanding and experience of the ministries of the sisters throughout the Congregation and to secure a good skills mix among them. Each community is governed by a Superior Leader or Council with shared responsibility. The Congregational Leader or her delegate is required to visit each community at least once every two years and there is a system of accountability operational throughout the Congregation to ensure that the Congregational Leader and her Councillors are aware of the progress and development of the ministries carried out by the sisters of the Congregation.
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **17**
**Report of the trustees** Year to 31 March 2025
In terms of Civil law, the charity is governed by a Constitution dated 4 September 2018 and is a registered charity, Charity Registration No. 11798804. The trustees of the charity are also the members of the Leadership Team (apart from the Congregational Treasurer). As all trustees are members of the Congregation they have a detailed knowledge of the work which the charity carries out and of its structure. On being appointed, new trustees will spend some time with those trustees leaving office. They also meet with the Congregation’s legal, accounting, investment and property advisers in order to obtain a full briefing of their responsibilities and the charity’s position and attend appropriate study days.
According to the Constitution the number of trustees shall not fall below five. The trustees are – The Congregational Leader, three Team Members and the Congregational Treasurer.
During the year all or some of the trustees and senior staff attended:
- ♦ The Association of Provincial Bursars Conference, High Leigh, Hertfordshire
- ♦ Religious Life Safeguarding Service (RLSS) training courses
- ♦ National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland (NBSCCI)
- ♦ Formation courses and programmes with a view to capacity building within the Congregation and charity
- ♦ Trustee training sessions put on by:
- The Charity Commission
- Buzzacott Audit LLP
- Stone King LLP
- Sarasin & Partners LLP
- PIB Insurance Brokers Limited
The names of the trustees who served during the year are set out as part of the reference and administrative details on page 1 of this annual report and accounts. Brief biographical details on each of the trustees in office at the date on which this report was signed are given below:
## _Sister Elizabeth Dawson_
Sister Elizabeth Dawson entered the Congregation in January 1965. After qualifying as a teacher in 1974 she taught at St John’s Special School, Chigwell, gaining a diploma in teaching Special Needs in 1978. In 1985 Sister Elizabeth transferred to Pontville Residential Special School in Ormskirk, Lancashire where she was head teacher.
In 1995, Sister Elizabeth went to Zambia and for five years lectured at the Zambian Institute of Special Education (ZAMISE), an in-service College for teachers training to teach children with special educational needs. From 2000, she was engaged in developing Bauleni Street Kids Project which caters for children and young people who are orphaned, vulnerable or disabled. In August 2008, she was elected as Congregational Leader.
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **18**
**Report of the trustees** Year to 31 March 2025
After competing her term of office in August 2014 Sr Elizabeth went to Cebu, Philippines where she initiated a ‘Home/School Education Programme’ for children and young people with complex disabilities who were not able to attend a special education provided by the state.
She returned to England in December 2016 to take up the role of Community Leader in Marian House, Uxbridge, a community for our senior sisters..
In March 2022 she was appointed Congregational Treasurer and returned to live in the Chigwell Community.
## _Sister Mary Dargie_
Sister Mary Dargie entered the Congregation in 1997. She trained in Nursery/Infant and Special Education at Digby Stuart College, Roehampton from 1972 – 1975. During her teaching career, before entering the Congregation in 1997, Sr. Mary Dargie taught Reception aged children in a Mainstream Primary School; children from Itinerant families in Ireland; Primary and Senior students in 2 Special Schools; and young adults with learning and physical disabilities in a Residential Home. Since entering the Congregation Sister Mary Dargie has set up a Pre-School in Zambia; set up a Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Centre in The Philippines and has had a limited experience of the work the Sisters undertake in El Salvador. On returning to the UK Sister Mary Dargie administered a Parish in Sheffield prior to setting up the Congregation’s House of Prayer in North Wales in 2010 where she was in post at the time of her election to be Assistant Congregational Leader at the General Chapter 2021.
## _Sister Elizabeth Mooney_
Sister Elizabeth entered the Congregation in 1969. Previously she had worked as a bookkeeper with Fayle & Co, Birr for three years after completing a one year commercial course.
After finishing the noviciate, Sister Elizabeth undertook her Registered Nurse training at Wigan Infirmary and was the assigned to St Winifred’s Hospital, Cardiff, for seven years before doing Midwifery training at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, Ireland. Sister Elizabeth spent one year in South Uist, Daliburgh Hospital, before being assigned to Sacred Heart Hospital Cork where she worked as Midwife in charge until being asked to go to Zambia, Chilonga Mission Hospital. After four years in Chilonga Sister Elizabeth was asked to move to Ndola, Zambia, as co-ordinator of the Home Based Programme where she stayed for fifteen years. In 2008 she was transferred to Lusaka, Zambia, where she was involved in administration work for the Congregation and Zambia Association of Sisterhoods. Sister Elizabeth was appointed to the Congregational Leadership at the Chapter in 2021.
## _Sister Mwalula Yvonne Mwila_
Sister Yvonne entered the Congregation in 1997 after completing her secondary education. During her second year of the Novitiate, she did some studies in NVQ (Further and Adult Education Teacher’s Certificate Stage one and two and Certificate in Learning Support (Classroom assistant) at Uxbridge College from 2000 to 2001. After making her first Vows she was missioned to El Salvador, where she continued with her studies at the University of Central America and obtained a Diploma in Special Education.
She worked in El Salvador for 5 years. While in El Salvador, she helped to set up a Special Needs Unit in a local school. Sister Yvonne returned to Zambia in 2006 and went to college
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **19**
**Report of the trustees** Year to 31 March 2025
to study and obtained a Certificate in Primary Education and St. Charles Lwanga Teacher Training College.
Having completed her training, she was missioned to ‘Mbala – Zambia to work in the SSHJM -Households In Distress (HID) Programme an HIV and AIDS Prevention and Management Project where she worked as an Orphan and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Education Coordinator. Yvonne was employed by the government after one year to teach in the special school in ‘Mbala.
While in ‘Mbala, she pursued her Bachelor of Science in Project Management – BScPM in 2012. She continued working in the SSHJM -HID Programme and in the government school. As an OVC Education Coordinator, she set up a Chele Community School, now a Primary school and Victor Braun Special School. She holds Post Graduate Diplomas in Monitoring and Evaluation and An International Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies and in 2014, she gained her MA in Business Admiration. She has been running the SSHJM -HID Programme as a Country Representative for the past 6 years and was Director for Bauleni Special Needs Project for 4 years.
Sister Yvonne was elected as one of the Councillors at the Chapter in 2021, prior to her election as Councillor she was the Unit Leader for 7 years in Zambia and Country representative/Director for the two Projects in Zambia.
## _Sister Julie Rose_
Sister Julie entered the Congregation in 1986 having already obtained her teaching certificate from St Mary’s, Strawberry Hill, in 1979 and her diploma in Special Needs in 1984 from the North East London Polytechnic Barking. She gained her MA in Education from Brunel University in 2006. She has taught in St John’s Special School, Chigwell and for many years was the Principal of Pield Heath Special School, Hillingdon. Sister Julie served on the Congregational Leadership Team from 2002 until 2014 and during that time was a trustee of the UK Charity and Director of the Irish Trust and continued to be the Co-ordinator for the Special Schools.
Sister Julie was elected as Congregational Leader at the Chapter in 2021, prior to her election as Congregational Leader she was the Executive Principal of our 2 special schools, supporting trustees and governors in strategic planning and governance.
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **20**
**Report of the trustees** Year to 31 March 2025
## _**Trustees’ responsibilities**_
The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees’ report and accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the income and expenditure of the charity for that period. In preparing these accounts, the trustees are required to:
- ♦ select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- ♦ observe the methods and principles in Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable to the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102);
- ♦ make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- ♦ state whether applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts; and
- ♦ prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011, the applicable Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations and the provisions of the charity’s trust deed. 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.
## _**Key management**_
The trustees consider that they together with the manager of the Care Home comprise the key management of the charity in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the charity on a day to day basis.
All trustees are members of the Congregation and whilst their living and personal expenses are borne by the charity they receive no remuneration or reimbursement of expenses in connection with their duties as trustees or key management.
In the case of the manager of the Care Home and the nurses and therapists at Marian House, the rates of pay are in line with the relevant post on the NHS Whitley Council scales. In view of the nature of the needs of the Care Home and the national shortage of nurses and care staff, the trustees pay slightly above the pay rate for comparable jobs in similar charitable nursing homes in the immediate locality.
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **21**
**Report of the trustees** Year to 31 March 2025
## _**Structure and management reporting**_
The trustees are ultimately responsible for the policies, activities and assets of the charity. They meet regularly to review developments with regard to the charity or its activities and make any important decisions. When necessary, the trustees seek advice and support from the charity’s professional advisers including property consultants, investment managers, solicitors and accountants. The day-to-day management of the charity’s activities, and the implementation of policies, is delegated to the appropriate members of the Congregation or senior staff.
During the year, the charity supported directly and indirectly 84 professed sisters and 16 temporarily professed sisters and 6 novices.
These sisters live in 25 communities in different parts of the world. Two of these communities are situated in Southern Ireland, five in Zambia (one of which is the Novitiate), two in Uganda, two in the Philippines, one in El Salvador and one in California. Of the other communities there are six in the south of England and three in Midlands/Northern England, two in Scotland and one in North Wales.
Pastoral care is within the reach of most of the sisters even those who are quite advanced in years. For those who are more able, the work involves home visitation for those who are housebound and lonely. Hospital visitation is another area where a number of sisters are actively involved.
The age range of sisters is as follows:
The age range is no different from that of the rest of society. People are living and working longer than they did previously. The age of the sisters is predominantly between 70-90 years.
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **22**
**Report of the trustees** Year to 31 March 2025
In addition to the convents as described in detail above, the charity operates the following in the United Kingdom:
- ♦ A Care Home. Marian House is a Care Home which caters for our own elderly and infirm members and female members of the public. It is managed by a qualified and experienced manager. Trustees visit regularly and receive reports regarding all the aspects of the home.
- ♦ One facility for Prayer and Retreats
St Augustine’s House of Prayer in Colwyn Bay, north Wales.
## _**Working with other organisations**_
The charity has worked closely with other organisations, charities and public bodies. Working together enhances communication and understanding thus enabling our services and ministries to provide more efficiently and effectively and avoids the duplication of effort. Some of the organisations with which the charity has cooperated during the year are as follows:
- ♦ Roman Catholic Dioceses of Westminster, Brentwood, Southwark, Wrexham, Liverpool and Hallam; also with the Bishops in the diocese in the areas where we work overseas;
- ♦ Local Authorities where convents are situated;
- ♦ National Justice and Peace Network;
- ♦ Africa-Europe Faith and Justice Network;
- ♦ Religious Orders in Education;
- ♦ National Association of Special Schools;
- ♦ RENATE, an inter-European network for the prevention of trafficking of people;
- ♦ APT – Act to Prevent Trafficking;
- ♦ TRAC;
- ♦ The Romero Trust;
- ♦ RLSS, CSSA and “Network” safeguarding group of religious Congregations;
- ♦ The Medaille Trust
## _**Public benefit**_
Both the charity and the religious Congregation are called to serve by the words of the founder of the Congregation, Father Victor Braun:
## _**“Only two things matter, Jesus Christ and the poor”**_
The following are the main areas in which the charity has provided public benefit:
- ♦ Social and pastoral ministries
- The Sisters have worked with the poorest of people, often in the poorest of conditions, for over 100 years. Despite our increasing collective age, many sisters continue to provide both spiritual and practical assistance to those in need. Much of the pastoral work is carried out in areas where it is hoped the Sisters can provide the most help to the poor and marginalised. Often these areas are socially deprived and in desperate need of the care and pastoral work carried out by the Sisters.
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **23**
**Report of the trustees** Year to 31 March 2025
- ♦ Overseas outreach
- The charity has supported the Sisters’ projects in, The Philippines, Uganda and Zambia. The services provided range from education of children with special needs; home based education and care for those who are too disabled to travel to school or who live too far from the schools; hostel provision for abandoned elderly and children with special needs; home based care for people with HIV; skills training and development as well as income generating projects; feeding projects for the poor and mal-nourished children who live in very over-crowded areas and care of the environment.
## _**Risk management**_
In line with the requirement for trustees to undertake a risk assessment exercise and report on the same in their annual report, the trustees have looked at the risks the charity currently faces in Britain and have reviewed the measures already in place, or needing to be put in place, to deal with them. The trustees have identified the following five main areas of risk which may impact on the charity.
- ♦ Governance and management
- ♦ Safeguarding
- ♦ Financial
- ♦ Reputational
- ♦ Operational
## _Governance and management_
- ♦ The leadership of the charity endeavours to lead by example so that it can be seen to be authentically living out our Mission Statement and the Founding Vision of our Founder Father Victor Braun.
- ♦ As seen in our age profile, the age of our members is 70 to 90 years. While the majority of the sisters are in the upper age bracket, we do have a growing number of younger and newer members in our various overseas mission countries.
- ♦ We have engaged lay members of staff who are aware of our ethos.
- ♦ Elderly sisters who are currently doing voluntary pastoral work in parishes are encouraged to go gently and not take on more than they are able to do. Our motto in this regard is ‘sisters are valued for who they are not for what they do’ as some tend to feel guilty if they are not ‘contributing’.
- ♦ One of the biggest risks we face here in the UK is the decrease in the number of younger women joining our Congregation. However, we have 6 young women in the early stages of formation for Religious Life in Zambia, Uganda and the Philippines.
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **24**
**Report of the trustees** Year to 31 March 2025
## _Safeguarding_
- ♦ We have adopted the safeguarding policies set out in the National Safeguarding Procedures Manual of the Catholic Church in England and Wales for Children and Adults at Risk, for our communities and places of work in the UK. Our overseas missions have safeguarding procedures in place, in line with our policies and in keeping with their local Church policies and the safeguarding legislation of the countries in which they are located. We have a trustee who has comprehensive training in all matters pertaining to safeguarding and who is responsible for ensuring that the Safeguarding Officers in our missions have the requisite training to enable them to carry out their safeguarding roles effectively.
## _Financial_
- ♦ We have a Finance Handbook along with a number of financial policies including a Sisters’ personal budget policy, investment policy, pensions policy, property policy and an anti-fraud, bribery and anti-corruption policy.
## _Reputational_
- ♦ Media responses, prepared by a Public Relations specialist, are circulated to the communities should there be any occasion that the Congregation, or the charity, is the target of adverse publicity.
## _Operational_
- ♦ The trustees take very seriously the demands of Local Government Authorities. To ensure that in our Care Home highest quality of care is provided in a safe environment training sessions are encouraged and regularly provided to the members of staff on the safe handling of food, equipment, moving and handling of people, moving and handling of objects.
- ♦ The Care Quality Commission makes regular announced and unannounced visits to Marian House Care Home at very short notice.
- ♦ Leadership and senior management teams receive training in all aspects of Health and Safety so as to be aware of the risks and to put in place procedures to deal with them. Trustees meet with our Health & Safety Consultants on a regular basis. We also have a risk management consultant who advises us on new regulations and visits the premises that are used by the public on a regular basis.
Having assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, the trustees believe that by monitoring reserve levels, by ensuring controls exist over key financial systems and by examining the operational and business risks faced by the charity, they have established effective systems to mitigate those risks.
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **25**
**Report of the trustees** Year to 31 March 2025
## **Fundraising statement**
We manage our own fundraising activities and do not employ the services of a Professional Fundraiser. Any complaints about the quality of our fundraising activities are thoroughly investigated so that we find ways to improve the service. During the year ending 31 March 2025 we have not received any complaints.
Some of our funding comes from voluntary donations. The trustees are vigilant in applying the donations according to the wishes of the donors. The charity applies best practice to protect donors’ data and never sells data, it never swaps data with other organisations, and ensures that its communication preferences can be changed at any time.
## **Summary and acknowledgements**
This report is a brief summary of the work of the Congregation during the year to 31 March 2025. To include the reports from the various ministries would make an unwieldy document so a selection are highlighted in this paper. They do, however, make interesting reading and give the trustees a reassurance that the funds of the charity are used wisely and effectively for the benefit of the poor and marginalised. The accompanying accounts with this report show the movement of funds in the year ended 31 March 2025.
The trustees wish to record their recognition of the professionalism and commitment of all their staff, volunteers and the individual members of the Congregation. Their dedication and positive approach are very much appreciated.
We wish also to record our thanks to the professional bodies on whose advice and expertise we rely.
Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Sister Julie Rose Trustee
Approved by the trustees on: 11th December 2025
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **26**
**Independent auditor’s report** 31 March 2025
## **Independent auditor’s report to the trustees of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO**
## **Opinion**
We have audited the accounts of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows, the principal accounting policies and the notes to the accounts. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion, the accounts:
- ♦ give a true and fair view of the state of the charity’s affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources for the year then ended;
- ♦ have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
- ♦ have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.
## **Basis for opinion**
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor `’` s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the accounts in the UK, including the FRC `’` s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
## **Conclusions relating to going concern**
In auditing the accounts, we have concluded that the trustees `’` use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the accounts is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity `’` s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the accounts are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
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**Independent auditor’s report** 31 March 2025
## **Other information**
The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report and Accounts, including the trustees `’` report, other than the accounts and our auditors report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the accounts does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the accounts or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the accounts themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception**
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the trustees `’` report
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
- ♦ the information given in the trustees’ report is inconsistent in any material respect with the accounts; or
- ♦ sufficient accounting records have not been kept; or
- ♦ the accounts are not in agreement with the accounting records; or
- ♦ we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
## **Responsibilities of trustees**
As explained more fully in the trustees `’` responsibilities statement set out on pages 24, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of accounts that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the accounts, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity `’` s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
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**Independent auditor’s report** 31 March 2025
## **Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts**
We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the accounts as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor `’` s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists.
Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these accounts.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
- ♦ The engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
- ♦ We identified the laws and regulations applicable to the charitable company through discussions with management, and from our commercial knowledge and experience of the sector;
- ♦ The identified laws and regulations were communicated within the audit team regularly and the team remained alert to instances of non-compliance throughout the audit;
- ♦ We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks applicable to the charity and the sector in which it operates. We determined that the following laws and regulations were most significant: 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), and the Charities Act 2011; and
- ♦ We assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of management, inspecting legal correspondence and reviewing trustee meeting minutes and reports from regulatory bodies.
We assessed the susceptibility of the charity’s accounts to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:
- ♦ making enquiries of management and those charged with governance as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud; and
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**Independent auditor’s report** 31 March 2025
## **Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements** (continued)
- ♦ considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations.
To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:
- ♦ performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships;
- ♦ tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions;
- ♦ tested the authorisation of expenditure as part of our substantive testing thereon;
- ♦ assessed whether judgements and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates set out in the accounting policies were indicative of potential bias; and
- ♦ used data analytics to identify any significant or unusual transactions and identify the rationale for them.
In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:
- ♦ agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;
- ♦ reading the minutes of trustee meetings;
- ♦ enquiring of management and those charged with governance as to actual and potential litigation and claims; and
- ♦ reviewing any available correspondence with the Charity Commission and other regulators.
There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the trustees and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.
Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the accounts is located on the Financial Reporting Council `’` s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor `’` s report.
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **30**
**Independent auditor’s report** 31 March 2025
## **Use of our report**
This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Buzzacott Audit LLP Statutory Auditor 130 Wood Street London EC2V 6DL
Date: 17 December 2025
Buzzacott Audit LLP is eligible to act as an auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **31**
## **Statement of financial activities** Year to 31 March 2025
|Notes|
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**|**Total**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**|Unrestricted
funds
£|Restricted
funds
£|Total
funds
2024
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
1
Investments and interest receivable
2
Charitable activities
. Provision of care
3
. Prayer and retreat ministry
3
Other sources
. Surplus on disposal of tangible fixed
assets and other property
4
. Miscellaneous income
4
**Total income**
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds
. Investment management fee rebates
. Costs associated with maintaining
Programme Related Investments
Charitable activities
. Charitable donations and support of
missionary work
5
. Provision of care
6
. Support of the sisters and their
ministry
7
**Total expenditure**
**Net (expenditure) income before**
**gains on investments**
10
Net gains (losses) on investments
15
**Net (expenditure) income and net**
**movement in funds**
**Reconciliation of funds:**
Fund balances brought forward
at 1 April 2024
Fund balances carried forward
at 31 March 2025|
**1,012,394**
**642,233**
**899,329**
**43,358**
**11,213**
**15,335**|**29,046**
—
—
—
—
—|**1,041,440**
**642,233**
**899,329**
**43,358**
**11,213**
**15,335**|3,203,961
729,677
656,931
43,468
11,241
25,477|87,266
—
—
—
—
—|3,291,227
729,677
656,931
43,468
11,241
25,477|
||**2,623,862**|**29,046**|**2,652,908**|4,670,755|87,266|4,758,021|
||**(34,704)**
**299,708**
**2,167,244**
**1,263,388**
**1,697,197**|—
—
**28,005**
**551**
—|**(34,704)**
**299,708**
**2,195,249**
**1,263,939**
**1,697,197**|(32,675)
23,240
2,030,916
1,072,179
1,613,527|—
—
27,778
—
—|(32,675)
23,240
2,058,694
1,072,179
1,613,527|
||**5,392,833**|**28,556**|**5,421,389**|4,707,187|27,778|4,734,965|
||
**(2,768,971)**
**154,688**|**490**
—|**(2,768,481)**
**154,688**|(36,432)
1,219,015|59,488
—|23,056
1,219,015|
||**(2,614,283)**
**28,917,697**|**490**
**87,060**|**(2,613,793)**
**29,004,757**|1,182,583
27,735,114|59,488
27,572|1,242,071
27,762,686|
||**26,303,414**|**87,550**|**26,390,964**|28,917,697|87,060|29,004,757|
All recognised gains and losses are included in the above statement of financial activities.
All of the CIO’s activities derived from continuing operations during the above two financial periods.
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **32**
## **Balance sheet** 31 March 2025
|Notes|**2025**
**£**|**2025**
**£**|2024
£|2024
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
14
Investments
. Programme related investments
15
. Listed investments
15
**Current assets**
Debtors
16
Cash at bank and in hand
**Liabilities:**
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year
17
**Net current assets**
**Total net assets**
**The funds of the charity**
Restricted funds
18
Unrestricted funds
. Designated funds
19
. Tangible fixed assets fund
20
. General fund|**210,792**
**1,387,083**|**4,246,145**
**5,661,846**
**15,091,293**|181,547
2,249,760|4,344,670
5,661,846
16,701,513|
|||**24,999,284**
**1,391,680**||26,708,029
2,296,728|
||**1,597,875**
**(206,195)**||2,431,307
(134,579)||
||**20,733,646**
**4,146,655**
**1,423,113**||22,923,953
4,287,545
1,706,199||
|||**26,390,964**||29,004,757|
|||**87,550**
**26,303,414**||87,060
28,917,697|
||||||
|||**26,390,964**||29,004,757|
Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Sister Julie Rose Trustee Approved on: 11 December 2025
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **33**
## **Statement of cash flows** Year to 31 March 2025
|Notes|**2025**
**£**|2024
£|
|---|---|---|
|**Cash flows from operating activities:**
Net cash used in operating activities
A
**Cash flows from investing activities:**
Interest received
Programme related investment income
Income from listed investments
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Proceeds from the disposal of tangible fixed assets
Purchase of investments
Proceeds from the disposal of investments
**Net cash provided by investing activities**
**Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year**
**Cash and cash equivalents at 1 April 2024**
B
**Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March 2025**
B|**(3,166,286)**|(409,420)|
||**103,126**
**155,000**
**383,439**
**(114,964)**
**12,100**
**(1,502,445)**
**3,276,487**|163,020
161,000
405,657
(161,010)
11,245
(34,207)
501,534|
||**2,312,743**|1,047,239|
||**(853,543)**
**2,249,930**|637,819
1,612,111|
||
**1,396,387**|2,249,930|
## **Notes to the statement of cash flows for the year to 31 March 2025.**
## **A Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash used in operating activities**
||**2025**
**£**|2024
£|
|---|---|---|
|**Net movement in funds (as per the statement of financial activities)**
**Adjustments for:**
Depreciation charge
Gains on investments
Investment income and interest receivable
Net gains on disposal of tangible fixed assets
(Increase) decrease in debtors
Increase (decrease) in creditors
**Net cash used in operating activities**|**(2,613,793)**
**194,731**
**(154,688)**
**(641,565)**
**(11,213)**
**(14,845)**
**75,087**|1,242,071
196,320
(1,219,015)
(729,677)
(11,241)
157,229
(45,107)|
||**(3,166,286)**|(409,420)|
## **B Analysis of cash and cash equivalents**
|**Analysis of cash and cash equivalents**|||
|---|---|---|
||**2025**
**£**|2024
£|
|Cash at bank and in hand
Cash held by investment managers
**Total cash and cash equivalents**|**1,387,083**
**9,304**|2,249,760
170|
||**1,396,387**|2,249,930|
No separate statement of changes in net debt has been prepared as there is no difference between the movements in cash and cash equivalents and movement in net cash (debt).
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **34**
**Principal accounting policies** 31 March 2025
The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the accounts are laid out below.
## **Basis of preparation**
These accounts have been prepared for the year to 31 March 2025 with comparative information provided in respect to the year to 31 March 2024.
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policies below or the notes to these accounts.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with 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 United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (Charities SORP FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
The accounts are presented in sterling and are rounded to the nearest pound.
## **Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement**
Preparation of the accounts requires the trustees and management to make significant judgments and estimates.
The items in the accounts where these judgements and estimates have been made include:
- ♦ Estimating the useful economic life of tangible fixed assets for the purposes of determining a depreciation rate; and
- ♦ Determining the value of designated funds, in particular in respect to the assumptions made in determining the value of the retirement fund.
## **Assessment of going concern**
The trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern assumption is appropriate in preparing these accounts. The trustees have made this assessment in respect to a period of at least one year from the date of approval of these accounts.
The current macroeconomic and geopolitical climate means that, undoubtedly, there will continue to be challenges ahead with rising prices and continuing volatility in world investment markets. However, the trustees do not expect material concerns to arise over the charity’s financial position or going concern. The trustees have concluded that the charity will have sufficient resources to meet its liabilities as they fall due.
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **35**
**Principal accounting policies** 31 March 2025
## **Income recognition**
Income is recognised in the period in which the charity has entitlement to the income, the amount of income can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.
Income comprises donations, legacies, investment income and interest receivable, income from charitable activities and other income including the surplus on the disposal of tangible fixed assets and other property.
Donations, including salaries and pensions of individual religious received under Gift Aid or deed of covenant, are recognised when the charity has confirmation of both the amount and settlement date. In the event of donations pledged but not received, the amount is accrued for where the receipt is considered probable. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that those conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.
In accordance with the Charities SORP FRS 102 volunteer time is not recognised.
Legacies are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the legacy, the executors have established that there are sufficient surplus assets in the estate to pay the legacy, and any conditions attached to the legacy are within the control of the charity.
Entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the charity is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor to the charity that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the charity has been notified of the executor’s intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the charity, or the charity is aware of the granting of probate, but the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material. In the event that the gift is in the form of an asset other than cash or a financial asset traded on a recognised stock exchange, recognition is subject to the value of the gift being reliably measurable with a degree of reasonable accuracy and the title of the asset having being transferred to the charity.
Dividends are recognised once the dividend has been declared and notification has been received of the dividend due.
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.
Income from charitable activities comprises fees and related charges for the provision of care and fees and contributions received in respect to prayer and retreat ministry. Income derived from the levying of fees and charges for the provision of care services is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, excluding discounts and rebates.
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **36**
**Principal accounting policies** 31 March 2025
## **Income recognition** (continued)
Grants from government departments and other trusts and foundations have been included as income from charitable activities where these amount to a contract for services, but as donations where the money is given in response to an appeal or with greater freedom of use, for example monies for core funding.
Income from other sources includes the surplus on the disposal of tangible fixed assets and property assets and miscellaneous income. The surplus on the disposal of tangible fixed assets and property assets is measured at fair value being the difference between the disposal proceeds and the net book value of the assets at the time of sale less any costs associated with the disposal. Such income is accounted for on an accruals basis and is accrued for with effect from the date on which the income is receivable under a signed contract for sale.
Other miscellaneous income is measured at fair value and accounted for on an accruals basis.
## **Expenditure recognition**
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. Expenditure comprises direct costs and support costs. All expenses, including support costs, are allocated or apportioned to the applicable expenditure headings. The classification between activities is as follows:
- ♦ Expenditure on raising funds comprises investment management fees and expenditure on maintaining those properties held as Programme related investments.
- ♦ Expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs associated with furthering the charitable purposes of the charity through the provision of its charitable activities. Such costs include:
- Charitable grants and donations, in the main, to support the charity’s missionary work overseas and the support of Roman Catholic charitable organisations;
Charitable grants and donations are made where the trustees consider there is real need following a review of the details of each particular case and comprise single year payments rather than multi-year grants. Grants and donations are included in the statement of financial activities when approved for payment. Provision is made for grants and donations approved but unpaid at the period end.
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **37**
**Principal accounting policies** 31 March 2025
## **Expenditure recognition** (continued)
Grants payable are included in the statement of financial activities when approved and when the intended recipient has either received the funds or been informed of the decision to make the grant and has satisfied all performance conditions. Grants approved but not paid at the end of the financial year are accrued. Grants where the beneficiary has not been informed or has to fulfil performance conditions before the grant is released are not accrued for but are disclosed as financial commitments in the notes to the accounts.
- Expenditure incurred in the provision of care to the frail and elderly at the charity’s Care Home, including the costs of caring for the sick and elderly members of the Congregation therein;
- Direct and support costs in respect to the support of members of the Congregation and enabling their ministry including governance costs.
All expenditure is stated inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
## **Allocation of support and governance costs**
Support costs represent indirect charitable expenditure. In order to carry out the primary purposes of the charity it is necessary to provide support in the form of personnel development, financial procedures, provision of office services and equipment and a suitable working environment.
Governance costs comprise the costs involving the public accountability of the charity (including audit costs) and costs in respect to its compliance with regulation and good practice.
Support costs and governance costs are apportioned directly to the activity to which they relate or an allocation is made based on the proportion of the direct expenditure on each activity.
## **Tangible fixed assets**
- ♦ Inalienable land and buildings
The charity owns a freehold property in Hambledon Surrey, which is leased to Orchard Hill College Academy Trust, which operates a non-maintained weekly boarding and day school for pupils of average intelligence but with special needs on the site.
The charity also owns freehold land in Sudbury, Suffolk, which is leased to St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Primary School, a Catholic voluntary-aided school.
The freehold of the land and buildings legally owned by the charity and occupied rent free on behalf of the tenants, are valued at £nil. The trustees consider that no meaningful value can be attributed to these assets, since they are not used directly by the charity, do not generate income and cannot be disposed of in the open market or put to alternative use while such occupation, which may be indefinite, continues.
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **38**
## **Principal accounting policies** 31 March 2025
## **Tangible fixed assets** (continued)
- ♦ Other freehold land and buildings Non-specialised buildings are those designed as, and used wholly or mainly for, private residential accommodation. They are stated at cost if purchased after 31 March 1996. Otherwise they are stated at a trustees’ valuation made, with professional assistance, in 1996 and based on the then market value for existing use. As permitted by FRS 102, with effect from 1 January 2014 the values assigned to these properties are now deemed to be their cost.
Such buildings are not depreciated. Their value and condition are reviewed annually by the trustees, who are satisfied that their residual value is not materially less than their book value.
Specialised buildings comprise the Congregation’s care establishments and its large residential convents. Where acquired before 31 March 1996, they are stated at a valuation at that date made by the trustees with professional assistance. The basis of valuation is replacement cost for existing use less allowance for the condition of the buildings and any restrictions on their use and disposal. Structural and similar additions since 31 March 1996 are stated at cost. As permitted by FRS 102, with effect from 1 January 2014 the values assigned to these properties are now deemed to be their cost. With the exception of certain major building improvements, depreciation is provided at 2% per annum on a straight line basis to write the buildings off over their estimated useful life to the charity.
Major building improvements are capitalised and depreciated on a straight line basis at a rate of 10% per annum in order to write the improvements off over their estimated useful life to the charity.
- ♦ Furniture and equipment Expenditure on the purchase and replacement of items of furniture and equipment, including computer equipment, with a cost in excess of £2,000 is capitalised and depreciated over a four to five year period on a straight line basis.
- ♦ Motor vehicles
- Motor vehicles are capitalised and depreciated over a four year period on a straight line basis, in order to write off each vehicle over its estimated useful life.
## **Fixed asset investments**
Listed investments are a form of basic financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction value and subsequently measured at their fair value as at the balance sheet date using the closing quoted market price.
The charity does not acquire put options, derivatives or other complex financial instruments.
Realised gains (or losses) on investment assets are calculated as the difference between disposal proceeds and their opening carrying value or their purchase value if acquired subsequent to the first day of the financial year. Unrealised gains and losses are calculated as the difference between the fair value at the year end and their carrying value at that date. Realised and unrealised investment gains (or losses) are combined in the statement of financial activities and are credited (or debited) in the year in which they arise.
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **39**
**Principal accounting policies** 31 March 2025
## **Programme related investments**
Programme related investments comprise freehold properties used by other charitable and not-for-profit organisations for purposes consistent with the charity’s objectives. They are included at a value equivalent to their depreciated cost immediately prior to their reclassification from tangible fixed assets to programme related investments as at 1 April 2010 and 1 April 2019 less any impairment provision. The upkeep of the properties is expensed as incurred, and their residual value is thought to be in excess of their carrying value. Their value is considered each year and any impairment is written off and treated as charitable expenditure in the statement of financial activities.
## **Debtors**
Debtors are recognised at their settlement amount, less any provision for non-recoverability. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid. They have been discounted to the present value of the future cash receipt where such discounting is material.
## **Cash at bank and in hand**
Cash at bank and in hand represents such accounts and instruments that are available on demand or have a maturity of less than three months from the date of acquisition. Deposits for more than three months but less than one year are disclosed as short term deposits.
## **Creditors and provisions**
Creditors and provisions are recognised when there is an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are recognised at the amount the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt. They have been discounted to the present value of the future cash payment where such discounting is material.
## **Fund accounting**
The general fund comprises those monies which may be used towards meeting the charitable objectives of the charity and which may be applied at the discretion of the trustees.
The tangible fixed assets fund represents the net book value of those tangible fixed assets which are not financed out of restricted funds or included in the homes fund.
The designated funds are monies set aside out of general funds and designated for specific purposes, although the trustees may ultimately use such funds for other purposes.
The restricted funds are monies raised for, and their use restricted to, a specific purpose, or donations subject to donor imposed conditions.
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **40**
**Principal accounting policies** 31 March 2025
## **Foreign currencies**
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the average rate of exchange for the month in which the transaction occurred. Exchange differences are taken into account in arriving at the net movement in funds.
## **Pension costs**
Contributions in respect to defined benefit schemes are recognised in the statement of financial activities so as to spread the cost of pensions over employees’ working lives.
Contributions in respect to defined contribution schemes are charged to the statement of financial activities in the year in which they are payable to the schemes.
## **Services provided by members of the Congregation**
For the purpose of these accounts, no monetary value has been placed on the care, administrative and other services provided by the members of the Congregation.
## **Operating leases**
Rentals applicable to operating leases where substantially all of the benefits and risks of ownership remain with the lessor are charged to the statement of financial activities on a straight line basis over the lease term.
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **41**
**Notes to the accounts** 31 March 2025
## **1 Donations and legacies**
|**Donations and legacies**|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**|**Total**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**|Unrestricted
funds
£|Restricted
funds
£|Total
funds
2024
£|
|Salaries and pensions of
individual religious received
under Gift Aid or deed of
covenant
Legacies
Donation from the
Congregation in USA
Donation from the
Congregation in Ireland
Other donations
**Total funds**|**928,015**
**17,958**
**21,242**
—
**45,179**|—
**20,000**
—
—
**9,046**|**928,015**
**37,958**
**21,242**
—
**54,225**|1,000,763
272,290
—
1,894,491
36,417|—
69,519
—
—
17,747|1,000,763
341,809
—
1,894,491
54,164|
||**1,012,394**|**29,046**|
**1,041,440**|3,203,961|87,266|3,291,227|
## **2 Investment income and interest receivable**
||**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**|
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**|**Total**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**|Unrestricted
funds
£|Restricted
funds
£|
Total
funds
2024
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Income from listed investments
. Global equities
. Cash instruments
Interest receivable
. Bank interest
. Interest on cash held by
investment managers
Income from programme
related investments
**Total funds**|**382,032**
**1,407**|—
—|**382,032**
**1,407**|405,397
260|—
—|
405,397
260|
||**383,439**|—|**383,439**|405,657|—|
405,657|
||**102,416**
**1,378**|—
—|**102,416**
**1,378**|162,309
711|—
—|
162,309
711|
||**103,794**|—|**103,794**|163,020|—|
163,020|
||**155,000**|—|**155,000**|161,000|—|
161,000|
||**642,233**|—|**642,233**|729,677|—|
729,677|
- **3 Income from charitable activities**
||**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**|
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**|**Total**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**|Unrestricted
funds
£|Restricted
funds
£|
Total
funds
2024
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Provision of care:**
Care home fees|**899,329**|—|**899,329**|656,931|—|
656,931|
||**899,329**|—|**899,329**|656,931|—|
656,931|
||**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**|
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**|**Total**
**fund**
**2025**
**£**|Unrestricted
funds
£|Restricted
funds
£|
Total
funds
2024
£|
|**Prayer and retreat ministry:**
Contributions received|**43,358**|—|**43,358**|43,468|—|
43,468|
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **42**
**Notes to the accounts** 31 March 2025
## **4 Income from other sources**
||**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**|
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**|**Total**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**|Unrestricted
funds
£|Restricted
funds
£|
Total
funds
2024
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Surplus on the disposal of other
tangible fixed assets:
. Furniture, equipment and
motor vehicles
Other miscellaneous income
**Total funds**|
**11,213**
**15,335**|—
—|**11,213**
**15,335**|11,241
25,477|—
—|
11,241
25,477|
||**26,548**|—|**26,548**|36,718|—|
36,718|
## **5 Charitable donations and support of missionary work**
||**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**|
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**|**Total**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**|Unrestricted
funds
£|Restricted
funds
£|
Total
funds
2024
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Missionary work of the
Congregation abroad
Donation to the Congregation
in Ireland
Donations and grants to other
organisations (see below)
Donations and grants to
individuals
**Total funds**|**623,692**
**1,514,210**
**26,511**
**2,831**|**26,175**
—
—
**1,830**|**649,867**
**1,514,210**
**26,511**
**4,661**|686,250
1,293,869
47,600
3,197|26,918
—
—
860|
713,168
1,293,869
47,600
4,057|
||**2,167,244**|**28,005**|**2,195,249**|2,030,916|27,778|
2,058,694|
During the year donations and grants were made to 27 (2024 - 43) individuals.
Grants and donations paid to other organisations comprised:
||**2025**
**£**|2024
£|
|---|---|---|
|Harmony House Dagenham CIO (see note 24)
Irenaeus Project
Pield Heath School
Misean Cara
Federation of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary
Jesuit Refugee Service
The Catholic Trust for England and Wales
Grants and donations of less than £1,000|**1,399**
—
**14,750**
**8,302**
—
**2,000**
—
**60**|32,623
2,000
—
8,505
3,472
—
1,000
—|
||**26,511**|47,600|
## **6 Provision of care**
|**Provision of care**|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**|
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**|**Total**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**|Unrestricted
funds
£|Restricted
funds
£|
Total
funds
2024
£|
|Provision of care
Depreciation of buildings
Management of the Home
Allocation of support costs
(note 8)
**Total funds**|**1,009,590**
**25,835**
**183,254**
**44,709**|**551**
**—**
**—**
**—**|**1,010,141**
**25,835**
**183,254**
**44,709**|897,680
25,835
126,010
22,654|—
—
—
—|
897,680
25,835
126,010
22,654|
||**1,263,388**|**551**|**1,263,939**|1,072,179|—|
1,072,179|
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **43**
**Notes to the accounts** 31 March 2025
## **7 Support of the sisters and their ministry**
Expenditure on the support of the sisters and their ministry enables the members of the Congregation to carry out the charitable work of the charity in the areas of the advancement of the Roman Catholic faith, the provision of care, the advancement of education and the relief of poverty. Also included here is expenditure relating to the prayer and retreat centre, St Augustine’s Priory. It is not possible to separate out this expenditure as it is integrated with the work of the sisters and their ministry. Such expenditure comprises:
|expenditure comprises:|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**|
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**|**Total**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**|Unrestricted
funds
£|Restricted
funds
£|
Total
funds
2024
£|
|Staff costs
Premises costs
Sisters’ personal and living
expenses
Education, training and spiritual
renewal
Sisters’ ministries
Allocation of support costs
(note 8)
**Total funds**|**504,474**
**643,189**
**372,107**
**37,577**
**28,155**
**111,695**|—
—
—
—
—
—|**504,474**
**643,189**
**372,107**
**37,577**
**28,155**
**111,695**|529,094
583,935
348,196
47,716
22,450
82,136|—
—
—
—
—
—|
529,094
583,935
348,196
47,716
22,450
82,136|
||**1,697,197**|—|**1,697,197**|1,613,527|—|
1,613,527|
## **8 Support costs**
|**Support costs**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Provision of**
**care**
**£**|**Support of**
**sisters and**
**their**
**ministry**
**£**|**Total**
**2025**
**£**|Basis of apportionment|
|Legal and professional fees
Governance costs (note 9)
Miscellaneous expenditure|**42,609**
**2,100**
—|**47,609**
**36,072**
**28,014**|**90,218**
**38,172**
**28,014**|Pro rata expenditure
Pro rata expenditure
Pro rata expenditure
_Basis of apportionment_|
||**44,709**|**111,695**|**156,404**||
||_Provision of_
_care_
_£_|_Support of_
_sisters and_
_their_
_ministry_
_£_|_Total_
_2024_
_£_||
|_Legal and professional fees_
_Governance costs (note 9)_
_Miscellaneous expenditure_|_21,039_
_1,615_
_—_|_29,848_
_30,695_
_21,593_|_50,887_
_32,310_
_21,593_|_Pro rata expenditure_
_Pro rata expenditure_
_Pro rata expenditure_|
||_22,654_|_82,136_|_104,790_||
## **9 Governance costs**
|**Governance costs**|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**|
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**|**Total**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**|Unrestricted
funds
£|Restricted
funds
£|
Total
funds
2024
£|
|Auditor’s remuneration|**38,172**|—|**38,172**|32,310|—|32,310|
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **44**
**Notes to the accounts** 31 March 2025
## **10 Net income (expenditure before gains (losses) on investments**
This is stated after charging:
||**Total**
**2025**
**£**|Total
2024
£|
|---|---|---|
|Staff costs (note 11)
Auditor’s remuneration:
. Statutory audit – overall accounts
. Non-audit services – Consultancy and miscellaneous advice
Depreciation
Operatinglease rentals|**1,322,800**
**33,900**
**4,272**
**194,731**
**6,119**|1,259,794
32,310
—
196,320
7,957|
## **11 Staff costs and remuneration of key management**
|**Staff costs and remuneration of key management**|||
|---|---|---|
||**2025**
**£**|2024
£|
|Staff costs during the year were as follows:
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs
Payments to agency staff
Redundancy
Apprenticeship levy|**1,180,372**
**102,049**
**37,683**|1,127,544
91,258
35,962|
||**1,320,104**
**765**
**275**
**1,656**|1,254,764
3,750
—
1,280|
||**1,322,800**|1,259,794|
Payments to agency staff reflect the cost of agency nurses used because of difficulties recruiting permanent employees as a result of the national shortage of such staff.
||**2025**
**£**|2024
£|
|---|---|---|
|Staff costs per function were as follows:
Provision of care
Support of the sisters and their ministry|**818,326**
**504,474**|730,700
529,094|
||**1,322,800**|1,259,794|
There was one employee who earned between £60,000 and £70,000 per annum (excluding employer’s pension contributions but including taxable benefits) during the year (2024 – one). Employer’s pension contributions into the defined benefit scheme for this employee totalled £3,500 (2024 - £3,250).
The average number of employees, analysed by function, was:
||**2025**
**No.**|2024
No.|
|---|---|---|
|Provision of care
Support of sisters and their ministry|**32**
**22**|33
23|
||**54**|56|
The key management personnel of the charity in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the charity on a day-to-day basis comprise the trustees and the Home’s Care Manager.
No trustee received any remuneration in respect to their services during the year nor any reimbursements of expenses (2024 - none).
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **45**
**Notes to the accounts** 31 March 2025
## **11 Staff costs and remuneration of key management** (continued)
The total remuneration (including taxable benefits and employer's pension contributions) of the key management personnel for the year was £65,609 (2024 - £51,810). This relates to only one member of the key management personnel as the other members of key management personnel are all members of the Congregation.
## **12 Trustees’ expenses and remuneration and transactions with trustees**
The charity's trustees are all members of the Congregation and consequently their living and personal expenses, all of which are consistent with the amounts paid in respect to other members of the Congregation, are borne by the charity. No trustee received any remuneration or reimbursement of expenses in connection with their duties as trustees.
As members of the Congregation, none of the trustees have resources of their own as all earnings, pensions and other income have been donated to the charity under a Gift Aid compliant Deed of Covenant. During the year, the total amount donated by the trustees to the charity was £120,192 (2024 - £161,798). The 2024 figure included a tax rebate for 2 sisters on pensions received in earlier years.
## **13 Taxation**
The Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO is a registered charity and, therefore, is not liable to income tax or corporation tax on income or gains derived from its charitable activities, as they fall within the various exemptions available to registered charities.
## **14 Tangible fixed assets**
||Freehold land and buildings
Non-
specialised
£
Specialised
£
Furniture &
equipment
£
925,533
7,853,392
174,628
—
63,818
9,993
—
—
(7,771)
925,533
7,917,210
176,850
852,206
2,551,569
176,850
73,327
5,365,641
—
925,533
7,917,210
176,850
—
4,568,612
110,157
—
142,221
19,427
—
—
(7,771)
—
4,710,833
121,813
925,533
3,206,377
55,037
925,533
3,284,780
64,471|Freehold land and buildings
Non-
specialised
£
Specialised
£
Furniture &
equipment
£
925,533
7,853,392
174,628
—
63,818
9,993
—
—
(7,771)
925,533
7,917,210
176,850
852,206
2,551,569
176,850
73,327
5,365,641
—
925,533
7,917,210
176,850
—
4,568,612
110,157
—
142,221
19,427
—
—
(7,771)
—
4,710,833
121,813
925,533
3,206,377
55,037
925,533
3,284,780
64,471|Freehold land and buildings
Non-
specialised
£
Specialised
£
Furniture &
equipment
£
925,533
7,853,392
174,628
—
63,818
9,993
—
—
(7,771)
925,533
7,917,210
176,850
852,206
2,551,569
176,850
73,327
5,365,641
—
925,533
7,917,210
176,850
—
4,568,612
110,157
—
142,221
19,427
—
—
(7,771)
—
4,710,833
121,813
925,533
3,206,377
55,037
925,533
3,284,780
64,471|Motor
vehicles
£|**Total**
**£**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||Non-
specialised
£|Specialised
£||||
|**Cost or valuation**
At 1 April 2024
Additions
Disposals
At 31 March 2025
At cost
At deemed cost based on 1996
valuation
**Depreciation**
At 1 April 2024
Charge for the year
On disposals
At 31 March 2025
**Net book values**
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024|925,533
—
—|7,853,392
63,818
—|174,628
9,993
(7,771)|369,764
23,282
(53,360)|**9,323,317**
**97,093**
**(61,131)**|
||925,533|7,917,210|176,850|339,686|**9,359,279**|
||852,206
73,327|2,551,569
5,365,641|176,850
—|339,686
—|**3,920,311**
**5,438,968**|
||925,533|7,917,210|176,850|339,686|**9,359,279**|
||—
—
—|4,568,612
142,221
—|110,157
19,427
(7,771)|299,878
33,083
(52,473)|**4,978,647**
**194,731**
**(60,244)**|
||—|4,710,833|121,813|280,488|**5,113,134**|
||925,533|3,206,377|55,037|59,198|**4,246,145**|
||925,533|3,284,780|64,471|69,886|**4,344,670**|
The historical cost of freehold land and properties included above at a valuation cannot be ascertained with accuracy.
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **46**
**Notes to the accounts** 31 March 2025
## **14 Tangible fixed assets** (continued)
As permitted under Financial Reporting Standard 102, the charity has continued to adopt a policy of not revaluing its tangible fixed assets. The book value of the land and buildings is based on cost, or where cost is not available, at a trustees’ valuation made in 1996. As permitted by FRS 102, with effect from 1 April 2014, the values assigned to these properties are now deemed to be their cost. Other tangible fixed assets are stated at cost.
It is likely that there are material differences between the open market values of the charity’s land and buildings and their book values. These arise from the specialised nature of some properties and the effects of inflation. The amount of such differences cannot be ascertained without incurring significant costs, which, in the opinion of the trustees, is not justified in terms of the benefit to the users of the accounts.
Certain of the charity’s properties are subject to covenants which restrict their use and disposal.
## **15 Investments**
At 31 March 2025 fixed asset investments comprised:
|Programme related investments (see a below)
Listed investments (see b below)|**2025**
**£**
**5,661,846**
**15,091,293**
**20,753,139**|2024
£|
|---|---|---|
|||5,661,846
16,701,513|
|||22,363,359|
## _**a. Programme related investment properties**_
During the year, the charity owned three properties which were not used directly by the charity but were used by other not-for-profit organisations for purposes consistent with the charity’s objectives.
The properties included as programme related investments comprised:
||**2025**
**£**
**3,080,000**
**720,000**
**1,861,846**
**5,661,846**|2024
£
3,080,000
720,000
1,861,846
5,661,846|
|---|---|---|
|Harmony House Dagenham
St John’s RC School Chigwell
Pield Heath House School Uxbridge|||
## _**Harmony House Dagenham**_
This property was valued by the trustees with professional assistance during 2015 on an open market value. Whilst rent was received during the year, no formal rental agreement was in place and the rent was below market rate.
Harmony House Dagenham is a CIO in the London Borough and Dagenham working in partnership with the Local Authority, community and voluntary organisations in delivering a range of community based services and projects. Further details are given in note 24.
## _**St John’s RC School Chigwell and Pield Heath House School Uxbridge**_
These properties are occupied by the Sacred Hearts Sisters 1983 Charitable Fund. A license to occupy and pay an annual rental has been agreed. Further details are given in note 23.
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **47**
**Notes to the accounts** 31 March 2025
## **15 Investments** (continued)
## _**b. Listed investments and cash held for reinvestment**_
|**Investments**(continued)
**_b. Listed investments and cash held for reinvestment_**|||
|---|---|---|
||**2025**
**£**|2024
£|
|**Listed investments**
Market value at 1 April 2024
Additions at cost
Disposals at book value (proceeds: £3,276,487; realised gains: £54,003)
Net unrealised investment gains
Market value at 31 March 2025
Cash held by investment managers for reinvestment
**Listed investments at 31 March 2025**
**Cost of listed investments at 31 March 2025**|**16,701,343**
**1,502,445**
**(3,222,484)**
**100,685**|15,949,655
34,207
(495,846)
1,213,327|
||**15,081,989**
**9,304**|16,701,343
170|
||**15,091,293**|16,701,513|
||**12,631,878**|14,055,761|
Listed investments held at 31 March 2025, all of which were dealt in on a recognised stock exchange, comprised the following:
||**2025**
**£**|2024
£|
|---|---|---|
|Global equity based common investment funds
Cash instruments|**14,452,426**
**629,563**|16,087,155
614,188|
||**15,081,989**|16,701,343|
Included in the investment portfolio were the following individual holdings which, at 31 March 2023 immediately prior to transfer to the newly formed CIO, had a market value which was deemed material in comparison with the market value of the total portfolio at that date:
||**Market**|**Percentage**|Market|Percentage|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**value**|**of portfolio**|value|of portfolio|
||**£**|**%**|£|%|
||||||
|Sarasin Climate Active Endowment Funds|**14,452,426**|**95.8%**|16,087,155|96.3%|
|Sarasin SterlingLiquidityFund|**629,563**|**4.2%**|614,188|3.7%|
## **16 Debtors**
|**Debtors**|||
|---|---|---|
||**2025**
**£**|2024
£|
|Care fees and charges
Prepayments and accrued income
Other debtors|**121,314**
**76,129**
**13,349**|82,870
30,171
68,506|
||**210,792**|181,547|
Prepayments include £23,112 in professional fees paid in relation to the early stages of the planned sale of a large property (2024 - £nil).
Other debtors in 2024 included £50,063 being a lump sum pension receivable from a member of the Congregation as at 31 March 2024 under Gift Aid/deed of covenant (current year - £nil).
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **48**
**Notes to the accounts** 31 March 2025
## **17 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
|**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**|||
|---|---|---|
|Social security and other taxes
Accruals and deferred income
Other creditors|**2025**
**£**|2024
£|
||**14,216**
**52,092**
**139,887**|11,865
54,071
68,643|
||**206,195**|134,579|
## **18 Restricted funds**
The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust to be applied for specific purposes:
||**At 1**
**April**
**2024**
**£**|
**Income**
**£**|
**Expenditure**
**£**|**Transfer to**
**general**
**funds**
**£**|
**At 31**
**March**
**2025**
**£**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Overseas Missions fund
Marian House Donation|**87,060**
—|
**27,971**
**1,075**|
**(28,005)**
**(551)**|—
—|**87,026**
**524**|
||**87,060**|
**29,046**|
**(28,556)**|—|**87,550**|
||At 1
April
2023
£|
Income
£|
Expenditure
£|Transfer to
general
funds
£|At 31
March
2024
£|
|Overseas Missions fund|27,572|
87,266|
(27,778)|—|87,060|
The specific purposes for which the funds are to be applied are as follows:
## ♦ Overseas Missions fund
This fund consists of donations and legacies specifically given to the charity to assist its overseas missionary work.
## **19 Designated funds**
|**Designated funds**||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Donations**
**and**
**mission**
**fund**
**£**|
**SSHJM**
**Congrega-**
**tional**
**fund**
**£**|
**Home**
**fund**
**£**|**Programme**
**related**
**investment**
**fund**
**£**|**Total**
**£**|
|At 1 April 2024
Movements in the year
At 31 March 2025|**33,909**
**33,838**|
**17,000,000**
**(2,500,000) **|
**228,198**
**275,855**|**5,661,846**
—|**22,923,953**
**(2,190,307)**|
||**67,747**|
**14,500,000**|
**504,053**|**5,661,846**|**20,733,646**|
||_Donations_
_and mission_
_fund_
_£_|
_SSHJM_
_Congrega-_
_tional_
_fund_
_£_|
_Home_
_fund_
_£_|_Programme_
_related_
_investment_
_fund_
_£_|_Total_
_£_|
|_At 1 April 2023_
_Movements in the year_
_At 31 March 2024_|_22,999_
_10,910_|
_16,000,000_
_1,000,000_|
_8,918_
_219,280_|_5,661,846_
_—_|_21,693,763_
_1,230,190_|
||_33,909_|
_17,000,000_|
_228,198_|_5,661,846_|_22,923,953_|
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **49**
**Notes to the accounts** 31 March 2025
## **19 Designated funds** (continued)
- ♦ Donations and mission fund
- This fund represents monies set aside towards the provision of donations and contributions towards missionary work in future years.
- ♦ SSHJM Congregational fund
The SSHJM Congregational fund consists of funds that the trustees designated to provide for the sisters in their retirement. Calculations indicate that in excess of £20 million needs to be set aside in order to provide a modest sum towards the upkeep and care of sisters over 65 years of age. In these accounts £14.5 million was set aside for this purpose as there are insufficient funds to provide the full amount.
- ♦ Home fund
This fund represents the accumulated funds and net current assets of the charity’s residential and Care Home together with monies designated by the trustees for use by the home.
- ♦ Programme related investment fund
- This fund represents the book value of those freehold properties occupied by other charitable and non-for-profit organisations for purposes consistent with the charity’s objectives.
## **20 Tangible fixed assets fund**
||**Total**
**2025**
**£**|Total
2024
£|
|---|---|---|
|At 1 April 2024
Movements in the year
At 31 March 2025|**4,287,545**
**(140,890)**|4,352,009
(64,464)|
||**4,146,655**|4,287,545|
The tangible fixed assets fund represents the net book value of the charity’s tangible fixed assets which have not been financed out of restricted funds or the home fund. A decision was made to separate this fund from the other funds of the charity in recognition of the fact that the tangible fixed assets are essential to the day to day work of the charity and as such their value should not be regarded as funds that would be realisable with ease, in order to meet future contingencies.
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **50**
**Notes to the accounts** 31 March 2025
## **21 Analysis of net assets between funds**
||**General**
**fund**
**£**|**Tangible**
**fixed**
**assets**
**fund**
**£**|**Designated**
**funds**
**£**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**|**Total**
**2025**
**£**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Fund balances at 31 March 2025 are**
**represented by:**
Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Net current assets
**Total net assets**
**Unrealised gains included above on**
**investments (see below)**
**Reconciliation of movements in**
**unrealised gains on investments:**
Unrealised gains at 1 April 2024
Less: Amount in respect to disposals in year
Less: Net losses arising on revaluation in year
Unrealisedgains at 31 March 2025|—
—
**1,423,113**|**4,146,655**
—
—|**99,490**
**20,753,139**
**(118,983)**|—
—
**87,550**|**4,246,145**
**20,753,139**
**1,391,680**|
||**1,423,113**|**4,146,655**|**20,733,646**|**87,550**||
||_—_|_—_|**2,450,110**|_—_|**2,450,110**|
||_—_
_—_
_—_|_—_
_—_
_—_|**2,645,582**
**(296,157)**
**100,685**|_—_
_—_
_—_|**2,645,582**
**(296,157)**
**100,685**|
||_—_|_—_|**2,450,110**|_—_|**2,450,110**|
||_General_
_fund_
_£_|_Tangible_
_fixed_
_assets_
_fund_
_£_|_Designated_
_funds_
_£_|_Restricted_
_funds_
_£_|_Total_
_2024_
_£_|
|_Fund balances at 31 March 2024 are_
_represented by:_
_Tangible fixed assets_
_Investments_
_Net current assets_
_Total net assets_
_Unrealised gains included above on_
_investments (see below)_
_Reconciliation of movements in_
_unrealised gains on investments:_
_Unrealised gains at 1 April 2023_
_Less: Amount in respect to disposals in year_
_Less: Net losses arising on revaluation in year_
_Unrealisedgains at 31 March 2024_|_—_
_—_
_1,706,199_|_4,287,545_
_—_
_—_|_57,125_
_22,363,359_
_503,469_|_—_
_—_
_87,060_|_4,344,670_
_22,363,359_
_2,296,728_|
||_1,706,199_|_4,287,545_|_22,923,953_|_87,060_|_29,004,757_|
||_—_|_—_|_2,664,915_|_—_|_2,664,915_|
||_—_
_—_
_—_|_—_
_—_
_—_|_1,441,922_
_(9,667)_
_1,213,327_|_—_
_—_
_—_|_1,441,922_
_(9,667)_
_1,213,327_|
||_—_|_—_|_2,645,582_|_—_|_2,645,582_|
The historical cost of a number of the charity’s tangible fixed assets cannot be quantified accurately due to their age. The trustees consider that the cost of ascertaining such historical costs would be out of proportion to the benefits to the charity. It is not possible, therefore, to quantify accurately the total unrealised gains included within tangible fixed assets.
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **51**
**Notes to the accounts** 31 March 2025
## **22 Operating lease commitments**
At 31 March 2025, the charity had the following future minimum commitments under non-cancellable leases:
|leases:|||
|---|---|---|
||Equipment||
||**2025**
**£**|2024
£|
|Operating lease payments due:
. Within one year
. One to two years
. Two to five years|**4,923**
**3,481**
**1,035**|6,958
4,923
4,231|
||**9,439**|16,112|
## **23 Related party transactions**
Two of the trustees of the charity are also trustees of The Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Trust Company Limited, an entity registered in Ireland (Irish Company Registration Number 197997, Irish Charity Registration Number 20016418).
During the year, the CIO donated £1,514,210 (2024 - £1,293,869) to the Irish Trust, the majority of which was used towards the living and care costs of the sisters living in Ireland along with property and governance costs. In addition to this transaction, the CIO received from the Irish Trust a donation of £nil (2024 - £ 1,894,491) which related to the proceeds from the sale of land.
Two of the trustees remain trustees of the Sacred Hearts Sisters 1983 Charitable Fund, the Charitable fund paid the CIO £6,959 (2024 - £6,884) contribution towards staffing costs (and recorded as Miscellaneous income) borne by the CIO in administering the Charitable Fund. The CIO paid amounts totalling £54,719 to The Trust during the year, which comprised donations and contributions towards staff that help in a convent and convent costs that cannot be separated (2024 - £49,031).The Charitable Fund paid the CIO £145,000 (2024 - £151,000 ) in the year as a rental for the 2 schools buildings occupied under licence by the 1983 Charitable Fund.
Other than the receipt of donations from the trustees (see note 12) there were no other related party transactions during the year which require disclosure (2024 - none).
## **24 Other connected entities**
- ♦ Harmony House Dagenham CIO (Charity No 1198573 (England and Wales)) Harmony House CIO (charity number 1198573 as of April 2022) was originally established in 1993 in response to the needs of refugees and asylum seekers in Barking and Dagenham as part of the work of The Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. As the numbers and needs of asylum seekers diminished, Harmony House adapted and channelled resources into meeting the needs of the local community when it was registered as a Community Interest Company in 2009. Harmony House continued to be governed by members of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary from 2009 until it transitioned to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in April 2022. At this point, new trustees were appointed, and, while they were Sisters of the Congregation, only one of them was also a trustee of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO. The trustee in question resigned from her trusteeship of Harmony House CIO on 31[st] October 2024.
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **52**
**Notes to the accounts** 31 March 2025
## **24 Other connected entities (continued)**
Harmony House is independent in its management and operation. However, the Harmony House CIO constitution requires the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO to appoint the Harmony House CIO nominated trustees, and they have recently appointed four lay individuals as trustees, meaning that the Sisters of the Congregation no longer form the majority on the Harmony House Board of Trustees. Given the declining numbers and age profile of the Congregation’s UK-based Sisters, it will not be practicable over the course of the next few years to have the Congregation responsible in any way for the governance of Harmony House, and so, the Trustees of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO have decided that the Harmony House constitution will be amended to remove the need for their CIO to appoint the Harmony House CIO trustees, this was amended following the year end on 13[th] May 2025.
The registered office occupied by Harmony House at Baden Powell Close, Dagenham is owned by the Sisters for the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO and is recorded in these accounts as a Programme related investment, it is leased for a rental of £10,000 per annum.
The charity made a donation to Harmony House CIO of £1,399 (2024 - £32,623) during the year.
## **25 Membership of the CIO and member’s liability**
The Congregational Leader shall automatically, by virtue of holding that office, be ex-officio the sole member of the CIO for as long as she holds that office.
If the CIO is wound up, the member of the CIO has no liability to contribute to its assets and no personal responsibility for settling its debts and liabilities.
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary CIO **53**