Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
## House Of The Open Door
Charity registration number: 1183268
Independent Examiners Ltd 2 Broadbridge Business Centre Delling Lane Bosham Chichester West Sussex PO18 8NF
## **HOUSE OF THE OPEN DOOR**
## **CONTENTS**
|Reference and Administrative Details|1|
|---|---|
|Trustees' Report|2 to 6|
|Independent Examiner's Report|7|
|Statement of Financial Activities|8|
|Balance Sheet|9|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|10 to 16|
## **HOUSE OF THE OPEN DOOR**
## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS**
## **Trustees**
Katharine Palka Michael Mitton Silvie Jelinkova Rev John Proctor OBE John Trimming Lynda Watson (resigned 24 June 2024) Andrew Swinford (resigned 24 June 2024) Chiara Pelazza (appointed 24 June 2024) Christine Sumpter (appointed 24 June 2024)
**Charity Registration** 1183268 **Number Principal Office** Childswickham House Buckland Road Childswickham Worcestershire WR12 7HH **Independent Examiner** G W Schulz FCMA Independent Examiners Ltd 2 Broadbridge Business Centre Delling Lane Bosham Chichester West Sussex PO18 8NF **Bankers** Lloyds TSB plc 19 High Street Evesham Worcester WR11 4DQ CAF Bank Limited 25 Kings Hill Avenue West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ
Page 1
## **HOUSE OF THE OPEN DOOR**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT**
The trustees present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024.
## **Structure, governance and management**
## _**Nature of governing document**_
House of the Open Door is constituted as a charitable incorporated organisation registered on 7 May 2019, charity number 1183268.
## _**Recruitment and appointment of trustees**_
The management of the Charity is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the constitution.
## _**Organisational structure**_
The trustees delegate the day to day management to an executive committee which meets on a regular basis.
## _**Risk management**_
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the Charity, and are satisfied that systems and procedures are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
## **Objectives and activities**
## _**Objects and aims**_
The principal object of the charity is the advancement of the Christian religion.
The trust operates as a religious community and provides retreats, instruction and support to a wide range of visitors. The trust is also involved in prison visiting and youth camps.
## _**Public benefit**_
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
## _**Grant making policies**_
The charity makes grants to a limited number of organisations in the UK and to a charity that operates an orphanage in Africa.
Page 2
## **HOUSE OF THE OPEN DOOR**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)**
## **Achievements and performance**
## _Youth ministry and discipleship_
We had 6 young women taking part in our discipleship course from mid-June till the end of July. They were from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Netherlands. Throughout the year we hosted a few other people who were taking a time of discernment at various stages of their lives. These all joined in our community life, work and prayer, as well as there was some extra programme (teachings and workshops) prepared by community members for the discipleship course participants.
We are busy preparing the programme of our Gateway Conference – there are going to be around 10 young people again. But apart from that we will have a group of 20 on 1st-10th July. These are young people from Slovakia, 16 of them are under 18, and 4 are their own youth leaders. The programme we are preparing for them has the title ‘Show us the Father’. (John 14, 8)
This year we had two conferences for groups of young people. The first one was from the 1st-10th July. We had 16 young people with their 4 young leaders who were part of a Franciscan Church in Slovakia. The theme for their ‘conference’ was ‘Show us the Father’. Different activities were planned during their stay with us including prayer time during the day, workshops, walks, praise and worship with teachings in the evening, small groups and fellowship with the community.
In the middle of the summer holiday, we ran our Gateway conference again (from the 20th -6th August), with 11 young people coming from different countries in Europe (Czech, Hungary, Netherland, Poland and the UK). The conference focused on ‘The Joy of Salvation’. We had some outside speakers from Gas Street Church, Birmingham and Limitless Elim who, together with some community members, provided teachings for the young adults. Each day was a mix of prayer, fellowship, teaching, helping out and time together.
## _The Retreat Centre_
The Retreat House and the Cottage have been used by individual guests and groups as usual. Apart from the self-catering stays, there were a few occasions when we cooked for our guests – e.g. for a confirmation retreat for girls from the Cheltenham Ladies’ College, a Deanery meeting for the catholic priests of our area, or the usual yearly gathering of Limitless – an organization equipping young leaders in Elim church.
As always, we also welcomed a number of people of different ages and life circumstances and needs who came to get to know our community or have some time for restoration. They joined us in our prayer life, work, and mealtimes.
## _Samaritan’s Inn Fund_
The fund wasn’t used this year.
## _Fundraising_
We continued to receive some donations through CAF Donate.
Page 3
## **HOUSE OF THE OPEN DOOR**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)**
## _Involvement with local parishes and initiatives_
We continued our involvement at St Mary’s Childswickham, and when services were on, community members occasionally helped with input. (One of the community members still has the role of church warden.) Some members also continue our involvement in St Mary’s RC Church in Evesham.
Some community members take part in the prayer initiative ‘Evesham Prayer Compass’. Others are part of Evesham Street Pastors who reach out to people and their needs during the night at weekends. And we continued being a representative of the Catholic church for the Churches together in Evesham.
## _Other networks_
Our membership of the ENC continues, and one of our community members is still on the ENC (European Network of Communities) Council committee. Our community became a member of ‘Partners in Action’, a network run by A Rocha UK, which is a Christian ecological organization. Also, Gaetana Trimming, the moderator of our leadership team was invited to join the national CHARIS committee and accepted the invitation.
## _Prison ministry_
We restarted our prison ministry in Eastwood Park Ladies’ Prison from January. Our team lead both Catholic and Ecumenical services. Gaetana Chiara and Silvie are the core team and have been DBS screened. Gaetana is going to have a higher security check and will be able to have keys for the prison gates and also possibilities for one to ones with the inmates.
## _Friday night Prayer and Praise meetings and media_
Our Friday night meetings for community friends, fellowship and local Christians carried on. We had several invited speakers as well as some community speakers. Our sound system has now improved immensely as in July we purchased new speakers. And for hearing aid users there has been a loop system installed in the Barn. We continued streaming our meetings on Youtube as well.
## _Retreats and Quiet Days_
We held a couple of day retreats led by Andy Swinford. Their titles were ‘Surprised by Joy’ and ‘The Trees of the Field will clap their hands’, and they were well attended. There was also an Advent retreat led by several community members.
## _Volunteers’ days_
Volunteers continued to come every Thursday to work in the garden and on the allotment. They also have times of fellowship with community members – coffee in the morning and lunch. This activity provides a service to the local community by offering an opportunity for people to come together, to receive from one another, and from the land and beauty of nature.
Page 4
## **HOUSE OF THE OPEN DOOR**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)**
## _Mission/Outreach_
We had quite a few outreach opportunities during these months. We were invited to speak or co-lead retreats at several different parishes and communities. We helped with a mini retreat organized by the Franciscan sisters in Birmingham, some of us went to speak to a fellowship meeting at the Catholic parish in Salisbury, and our music group went to Chester to take part in a 24-hour retreat of praise organized by Br Loarne Ferguson (we led and took part in over 7 hours out of the 24).
In March Gaetana and Silvie spent two weeks in Uganda at the Emmaus Community, where they spoke at two women’s conferences. During their stay they ministered to many women there, as well as the members of the Community. HOD team has been invited by the community as well as the local bishop to come again next year.
In October our team was invited by the Franciscan sisters’ minor in Kingstanding to take part in a 2 week parish mission. The main part of the mission for us was a week mission in a Catholic Secondary school.
The school mission was very blessed, and there was an amazing response from the young people. As a result, the Franciscan sisters planned a weekly Alfa course in the school.
## **Financial review**
Income for the year amounted to £160,676 (2023 - £80,478) and expenditure £109,247 (2023 - £102,564). The surplus was added to funds brought forward, with general funds being being £141,189 and restricted funds £652.
## **Going concern**
After making appropriate enquiries, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
Page 5
## **HOUSE OF THE OPEN DOOR**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)**
## **Statement of Responsibilities**
The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with the United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and applicable law and regulations.
The law applicable to charities requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, and the provisions of the constitution. The trustees 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.
The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 4 September 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
......................................... John Trimming Trustee
Page 6
## **HOUSE OF THE OPEN DOOR**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF HOUSE OF THE OPEN DOOR**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of House Of The Open Door for the year ended 31 December 2024.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of House Of The Open Door you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the House Of The Open Door's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of House Of The Open Door as required by section 130 of the Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
...................................... G W Schulz FCMA Independent Examiners Ltd 2 Broadbridge Business Centre Delling Lane Bosham Chichester West Sussex PO18 8NF
4 September 2025
Page 7
## **HOUSE OF THE OPEN DOOR**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|**Note**
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**
**Income and Endowments from:**
Donations and legacies
2
138,893
Charitable activities
3
20,587
Investment income
4
1,196
Total income
160,676
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
5
109,247
Total expenditure
109,247
Net
income/(expenditure)
51,429
Net movement in funds
51,429
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought
forward
89,760
Total funds carried
forward
11
141,189|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
652
652|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
138,893
20,587
1,196
160,676
109,247
109,247
51,429
51,429
90,412
141,841|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
56,436
22,556
1,486|
|---|---|---|---|
||||80,478|
||||102,564|
||||102,564|
||||(22,086)|
||||(22,086)
112,498|
||||90,412|
The notes on pages 10 to 16 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 8
## **HOUSE OF THE OPEN DOOR**
## **BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|**Note**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
8
**Current assets**
Debtors
9
Cash at bank and in hand
**Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**
10
**Net current assets**
**Net assets**
**Funds of the charity:**
**Restricted income funds**
Restricted funds
**Unrestricted income funds**
Unrestricted funds
**Total funds**
11|**2024**
**£**
1,556
1,556
2,449
141,574
144,023
(3,738)
140,285
141,841
652
141,189
141,841|**2023**
**£**
-|
|---|---|---|
|||-|
|||2,894
90,610|
|||93,504
(3,092)|
|||90,412|
|||90,412|
|||652
89,760|
|||90,412|
The financial statements on pages 8 to 16 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 4 September 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
......................................... John Trimming Trustee
The notes on pages 10 to 16 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 9
## **HOUSE OF THE OPEN DOOR**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **Statement of compliance**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the second edition of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
## **Basis of preparation**
House Of The Open Door meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.
## **Going concern**
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
## **Income and endowments**
Voluntary income including donations, gifts, legacies and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.
## _**Donations and legacies**_
Donations and legacies are recognised on a receivable basis when receipt is probable and the amount can be reliably measured.
## _**Gift aid**_
Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
## _**Interest receivable**_
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 institution with whom the funds are deposited.
## _**Investment income**_
Dividends are recognised once the dividend has been declared and notification has been received of the dividend due.
Page 10
## **HOUSE OF THE OPEN DOOR**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 (CONTINUED)**
## **Expenditure**
All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category.
## _**Charitable activities**_
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
## _**Grant provisions**_
Provisions for grants are made when the intention to make a grant has been communicated to the recipient but there is uncertainty about either the timing of the grant or the amount of grant payable.
## **Taxation**
The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
## **Tangible fixed assets**
Individual fixed assets costing £500 or more are initially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.
## **Depreciation and amortisation**
Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:
|**Asset class**|**Depreciation method and rate**|
|---|---|
|Motor vehicles|25% straight line|
|Fixtures and fittings|25% straight line|
|Computer and PA equipment|33% straight line|
## **Debtors**
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
Page 11
## **HOUSE OF THE OPEN DOOR**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 (CONTINUED)**
## **Cash and cash equivalents**
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.
## **Liabilities**
Liabilities 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.
Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.
## **Fund structure**
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.
## **2 Income from donations and legacies**
|Donations and legacies;
Donations
Legacies
Gift aid reclaimed
Other income from donations and legacies
**3 Income from charitable activities**
Rent and other income|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
55,965
80,289
889
1,750
138,893
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
20,587|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
55,965
80,289
889
1,750
138,893
**Total**
**2024**
**£**
20,587|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
55,012
-
1,424
-|
|---|---|---|---|
||||56,436|
||||**Total**
**2023**
**£**
22,556|
Page 12
## **HOUSE OF THE OPEN DOOR**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 (CONTINUED)**
## **4 Investment income**
|Interest receivable and similar income;
Interest receivable on bank deposits
**5 Expenditure on charitable activities**
**Note**
Ministry expenses
Grounds
Food and household
Maintenance and renewals
Light and heat
Rent paid to Trust
Council tax and water
Insurance
Motor costs and travel
Telephone
Printing, stationery and office
Legal and professional
Bank charges
Independent examination
Depreciation, amortisation and other
similar costs
Grant funding of activities
6|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
1,196
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
6,036
1,547
19,773
8,314
17,528
30,492
6,601
10,566
2,352
227
2,578
-
72
1,290
311
1,560
109,247|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
1,196
**Total**
**2024**
**£**
6,036
1,547
19,773
8,314
17,528
30,492
6,601
10,566
2,352
227
2,578
-
72
1,290
311
1,560
109,247|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
1,486|
|---|---|---|---|
||||**Total**
**2023**
**£**
5,501
1,604
17,496
9,301
12,218
30,492
6,271
10,202
3,154
517
2,742
180
106
1,200
-
1,580|
||||102,564|
Page 13
## **HOUSE OF THE OPEN DOOR**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 (CONTINUED)**
## **6 Grant-making**
## **Analysis of grants**
Grants
**Grants to institutions 2024 2023 £ £** 1,560 1,580
## **7 Trustee and related party transactions**
No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.
Gaetana Trimming, wife of John Trimming, a trustee, received £4,800 for providing housekeeping services (2023: £4,300).
The only other payments made to the trustees, or any person connected with them, consisted of reimbursements of expenditure incurred on behalf of the charity in furthering the charity's objects.
## **8 Tangible fixed assets**
|**Cost**
At 1 January 2024
Additions
At 31 December 2024
**Depreciation**
At 1 January 2024
Charge for the year
At 31 December 2024
**Net book value**
At 31 December 2024
At 31 December 2023|**Motor**
**vehicles**
**£**
4,420
-
4,420
4,420
-
4,420
-
-|**Computer**
**and PA**
**equipment**
**£**
5,030
1,867
6,897
5,030
311
5,341
1,556
-|**Fixtures**
**and fittings**
**£**
47,248
-
47,248
47,248
-
47,248
-
-|**Total**
**£**
56,698
1,867|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||58,565|
|||||56,698
311|
|||||57,009|
|||||1,556|
|||||-|
Page 14
## **HOUSE OF THE OPEN DOOR**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 (CONTINUED)**
## **9 Debtors**
|Prepayments
Accrued income
Other debtors
**10 Creditors: amounts falling due within **
Accruals
**11 Funds**
**Current year**
**Balance at**
**1 January**
**2024**
**£**
**Unrestricted funds**
**_General_**
General Funds
89,760
**Restricted funds**
Samaritan's Inn Fund
652
**Total funds**
90,412|**one year**
**Incoming**
**resources**
**£**
140,776
-
140,776|**2024**
**£**
965
889
595
2,449
**2024**
**£**
3,738
**Resources**
**expended**
**£**
(89,347)
-
(89,347)|**2023**
**£**
898
1,401
595|
|---|---|---|---|
||||2,894|
||||**2023**
**£**
3,092|
||||**Balance at**
**31**
**December**
**2024**
**£**
141,189
652|
||||141,841|
Page 15
## **HOUSE OF THE OPEN DOOR**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 (CONTINUED)**
|**Prior year**
**Balance at**
**1 January**
**2023**
**£**
**Unrestricted funds**
**_General_**
General Funds
111,846
**Restricted funds**
Samaritan's Inn Fund
652
**Total funds**
112,498
**12 Analysis of net assets between funds**
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets|**Incoming**
**resources**
**£**
58,278
-
58,278
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
1,556
143,371
(3,738)
141,189
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
92,852
(3,092)
89,760|**Resources**
**expended**
**£**
(80,364)
-
(80,364)
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
652
-
652
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
652
-
652|**Balance at**
**31**
**December**
**2023**
**£**
89,760
652|
|---|---|---|---|
||||90,412|
||||**Total funds**
**at 31**
**December**
**2024**
**£**
1,556
144,023
(3,738)|
||||141,841|
||||**Total funds**
**at 31**
**December**
**2023**
**£**
93,504
(3,092)|
||||90,412|
Page 16