## **The Bury Project Charity Number 1183543** ## **Trustees Annual Report for 2022** The Bury Project is an Incorporated Charitable Organisation set up for the relief of poverty for persons living in and around Bury and its surrounding districts, within a Christian ethos. It has particular links to “Churches Together” in Bury, Prestwich and Whitefield which includes all Christian denominations. **Registered Office :** The Manor House, Irwell Street, Bury, BL9 0HE **Trustees :** Mr N Thompson (Resigned 10[th] July 2023) Ms A Renyard (Resigned 13[th] December 2022) Mr T Boaden (Appointed 7[th] January 2022) Mr D Sutherland (Resigned 7[th] January 2022) Mr G Joyce (Appointed 1[st] March 2022) Mr G Smith (Appointed 6[th] November 2022) Ms L Jackson (Appointed 10[th] July 2023) **Contact :** Gordon Joyce **Bankers :** The Cooperative Bank plc PO Box 101 1 Balloon Street Manchester M60 4EP ## **Trustees Report for the period ended 31 December 2022** (reported August 2023) Two new trustees, Tim Boaden and Gordon Joyce, were appointed early in 2022 and later that year George Smith was appointed to replace Adele Renyard as trustee and treasurer. Nigel Thompson continued as Chair of the trustees throughout 2022 and into 2023. Throughout the year the trustees continued with encouraging donors and providing support for our only current project – the Christians Against Poverty Debt Centre, Bury. We have been encouraged by the work carried out under the direction of Gordon Clarke, manager of the project. ## **CAP Debt Centre Achievements and performance** Two new debt clients were taken on each month during 2022. The Debt Centre manager was employed for 16 hours per week, and because cases are becoming increasingly complex this utilises all his available time. Although our desire is to help more people, we have to be realistic and manage the caseload wisely to provide good and appropriate ongoing support to each client. To help address this situation the manager’s hours were increased to 20 hours per week from August 2023. Demand for help from the Bury Debt Centre has remained strong throughout 2022, and there was typically a two to three month wait for an appointment. We continue to receive referrals from agencies in Bury which recognise the quality and sensitivity of our approach. These agencies often refer vulnerable people to us, who are experiencing debt as one of many challenges. Many of our new clients in 2022 have experienced multiple challenges including serious illnesses, bereavements, relationship breakdowns, and abuse in different forms (financial, domestic and sexual). We work with our clients in a holistic way, and to complement our debt support, help in other practical ways, drawing on the generosity and skills of the Christians Against Poverty national charity, as well as the desire and willingness of over 25 local churches to help out in various ways. Those clients who are able to commit to working with us, often see their financial circumstances transformed by the support and mentoring they receive. During 2022, much work was undertaken to further develop informal partnerships with local churches. Fourteen church visits were undertaken by teams consisting of a trustee and the Debt Centre manager, who together explained the type of work we do, and the challenges encountered. It is pleasing to report that more churches are recognising the value of our work, and are making gestures of support. One expression of support is for churches to provide volunteers who receive training to accompany the Debt Centre manager when meeting with clients. In 2022, eleven people supported in this way, provided by 6 different churches, representing 5 different Christian denominations. This expression of church unity is pleasing to the charity. Support received from the Churches Together in Bury network has been particularly pleasing and greatly appreciated. During 2022, we received funding from a variety of sources, including 9 churches, 18 individuals, 5 grants or donations from other organisations. Where possible, gift aid is reclaimed on personal donations. For this work to grow, further funding and another trained debt coach will be required. The trustees will continue to look for opportunities to improve the sustainability and effectiveness of the charity. Needless to say, the trustees are very grateful to every individual, church, and grant provider who has donated to the work in 2022. ## • **Key highlights from 2022** - 25 new clients registered for help (2021: 28) - 5 became debt free during in the year (2021 : 10), with some of these having started work with us in 2021. These included 4 single person households and 1 family household. - 11 trained volunteers supported the Debt Coach at meetings with clients. - The geographical distribution of new clients registering across the borough was broadly the same as in 2021. - Bury 14 (2021: 12) - Prestwich 2 (2021: 6) - Radcliffe 5 (2021: 5) - • Whitefield 4 (2021: 5) Trustees Report prepared in August 2023 Independent Examinerfs Report to the Trustees of The Bury Projert (a Charitable Incorporated Organisation - Charity Number 1183543) I report on the accounts of The Bury Project for the year ended 31 December 2022 which are set out on the following page. Respertive responsibilitie5 of the trustees and examiner. The organisation's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144121 of the Charities Act 2011 {the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act. to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions gwen by the Charity Commission (under section 145151{bl of the Charities Act). and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of the independent examinerfs report and examinerfs statemenL I have examined the accounts with regard to section 145 of the Charities Act and the procedures laid down in the general Dirertions given by the Charity Commission. I confirm that no matter has come to my attention (in connection with the examination) which gives me cause to believe that in any material respect: The accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act- or The accounts did not accord with the accounting records: or The accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements con￿ming the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2(X)8 other than any requirement that the accounts give a "true and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems 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. Signed: Date 0410812023 Bernice (YDonnell 46 Chelsea Avenue Radcliffe Former Treasurer, Bridge Methodist Church, Raddiffe (from 2008 to 2014). End of Year Accounts for The Bury Project - Charity No. 1183543 2022 2021 '. Unrearicted FurMIs Unrestrittèd Funds Rettrirted Fund5 rotèl Fun￿5 To￿1 Receipt¥ 18,2 18,383 1.371 1371 1427 2.427 Orants 2365 4,7 780 rotsl Rccoipts U441 19.0111 3.430 24.810, Owating WaFs aThJ 8326 7.926 .n3. 13.713 L￿F￿rL￿ 141 141. 270 270 Adm￿7$$￿￿tiOn£￿S 543 S43 sso 850 M*k CAPC.CDtral 5ubstllPnan 7,2(x) / 7.2m Toial Paynkmts 15210 I,1&) 23.033 22.033 '*thd5 Brou%ht fr'orwanl l*st ytsrt￿l 12S 49 10.249 9.980 269 ol'rc(¢lPLS I psTr7r¢D¢5 6.051 3.W2 4250 2.777 Fu•dsthisyear tAd 165S9j 12,& 49 Assets & liabilities Bank Account131SL Deceffjberl .856S8 I1￿5￿) Uabifrtie5j Iftvtsic￿ recei￿d but notpaid Expenses- Gordoh Uark 514.10 120.54 '