The Blackley Centre Annual Report of Trustees for the year ended 30th September 2022
The Blackley Centre is a Registered Charity working for peace, transforming conflict and enabling good inter faith relations, providing quality hospitality at a centre in West Yorkshire. The Centre was founded by Blackley Baptist Church, with which it works in partnership from its shared site in the village of Blackley.
The Blackley Centre was registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (1184714) on 1st August 2019 (Yorkshire Day!) and officially launched on 12th October 2019 with 80 friends and supporters.
The Trustees 21/22
Hugh Donald Revd Dr Richard Kidd (Treasurer) Pam Smith Andrew Taylor Revd Mary Taylor (Chair) Professor Paul Weller Samina Ali
The objects of the Blackley Centre are
‘(1) To advance education for the benefit of the public in the promotion of reconciliation and peace, religious and racial harmony and equality and diversity, in particular by the provision of facilities and retreat opportunities for Christians and people of all religions and beliefs and to advance religion and in particular the Christian religion in such activity.’
‘(2) The provision of independent mediation services for individuals, organisations and groups experiencing or threatened by dispute or conflict, such as, but not limited to, neighbour nuisance, anti-social behaviour, harassment, bullying, family or community conflict with a view to the preservation of public order and for the preservation and protection of the well-being of such individuals, organisations and groups.’
Our vision …
- is of a society where any person may live safely in any community; be welcomed, accepted, valued and understood; contributing to community life; finding ways of living that are for mutual flourishing; and where the potential transformational power of conflict is embraced and transformed.
Our Aim is …
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To provide a Centre which is an inspiring, and welcoming meeting place offering respect and hospitality for people seeking to transform conflict and make peace, and for people of all religions and beliefs to develop understanding and friendship.
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To create and enable respectful spaces where people are enabled through encounter to share stories, explore vulnerabilities, and recognise common interests, releasing energy and creativity that ultimately leads to transformation.
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• To seek to model in our relationships, within and without the organisation, attitudes of respect, generosity and hospitality, born of appropriate compassion for the other.
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To provide training in conflict awareness and transformation and inter faith relations
Our Values and initial formation …
Our values are to relate to individuals and communities with openness, respect, honesty, integrity and transparency, valuing diversity. We seek to be welcoming, hospitable and compassionate and to learn creatively as we work together for transformation.
For many years, Baptist ministers Andy and Jo Williams had had a dream of bringing their particular specialisms within reconciliation and inter faith work together with ministry into one place or centre. Friends and colleagues encouraged them to pursue this, and Blackley Baptist Church and Centre was suggested as a place to consider. The church’s history, since 1993, of providing quality hospitality through their centre with a focus on spirituality and retreat certainly created an interesting possibility, and at the time the church was about to enter a period of pastoral vacancy.
Meetings, further conversations, deliberations and prayers ensued, resulting in the church calling Andy and Jo to be Joint Ministers of the Church in October 2016, unanimously endorsing the vision for the centre for peace, reconciliation and dialogue/inter faith relations. The Yorkshire Baptist Association funded a six month scoping project which confirmed the need and the potential for such a place and made a three year grant of seed funding to enable the work to begin in July 2017 with Andy and Jo delivering reconciliation and inter faith work at Blackley alongside pastoral ministry. The combined resources of Church and Minsters creates this unique place, well-resourced buildings blessed by beautiful and peaceful surroundings, with experienced professionals bringing their heart for reconciliation and hope for peace. With a focus on personal conversation, enabling direct transformative encounters, stimulating curiosity and grace, the Centre seeks to affect change and build peace.
The Scoping Project Group oversaw the initial work with Andy and Jo, developing a constitution for The Blackley Centre to become a CIO with a membership in consultation with the Church and wider church structures. Seven trustees, including two from Blackley Baptist Church, with a broad range of skills and specialist knowledge of church, reconciliation and inter faith relations were recruited to form the Board. This replaced the scoping project group, meeting formally for the first time in October 2018.
In Memorium
Very sadly Lord David Shutt, one of our founding trustees, died unexpectedly in November 2020. Due to the Pandemic, it was not possible to gather to celebrate his life. Our Directors were privileged to work with Margaret and David’s family to plan his Memorial Service which was held at Blackley in March 2022. People came from far
and wide to give thanks for Lord David as a Yorkshireman, committed to family, faith, community, local and national politics and his beloved Calderdale. In addition to a number of tributes, our Directors introduced the plans for two memorial projects in his name. The first to be a physical memorial on the Blackley site to enable people to gather together outside. The second to be David Shutt Young Peace Ambassadors, training young people to become peacemakers in their school communities. A number of generous donations and grants were received in response, including those gathered by the Community Foundation for Calderdale which David founded. We were very grateful for these as they provided a basis to move forward with both projects. Other funding applications were submitted for the David Shutt Young Peace Ambassadors project and we are very grateful for a further grant from the Edith Maud Ellis Trust.
Achievements during the third trading year …
The third trading year covers the Centre’s emergence from the Pandemic in which we had adapted to providing our services and activities online. This change in ways of working continued to affect our work this year as we offered a mix of online, on site and hybrid meetings/gatherings and courses.
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The David Shutt Young Peace Ambassadors Project has been planned and developed since its launch at his memorial service, focussing on building relationships with local schools, and securing funding. By the end of September 2022 we had secured £5,100.
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Secured a grant of £2,700 from the Wharfedale Foundation to fund a co-leader to enable us to relaunch the Playing with Peace Parent and Toddlers in partnership with the church.
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Continuing to deliver our course ‘Let’s Talk: About Conflict’ to church groups and extending it into ‘Lets Talk 2’ which is primarily a supportive group training for experienced ministers and church leaders, looking to increase their personal skills in managing tension and anxiety in themselves and their churches.
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Continuing as a partner of Reconcilers Together as part of the Community of Practice and running regional networking and support days for past participants of the Journey of Hope (3 cohorts) as well as partner organisations in the north.
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Continuing to provide training in peace, mediation and reconciliation with and for our partners, sometimes via Zoom. The other main area of training has been with churches and colleges, delivering modules for Ministers-in-Training at 4 Baptist colleges as well as working with newly accredited ministers (NAMS) in 4 regional associations of Baptist churches and teaching the BA module for the Luther King Centre’s Durham Common Awards on Conflict Transformation for Church Leaders. In all approximately 275 people experienced training from (or in partnership with) the Blackley Centre.
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Continuing to provide Interpersonal Mediations and Group Facilitations to couples, individuals, and to larger groups. Some of these were one-off meetings, others have taken several months of careful and committed working to improve relationships. This has involved couples with marital tensions, individuals within churches struggling with relationships, as well as clergy teams, for Baptist, URC and Anglican churches, cathedrals, colleges and dioceses. Approximately 80 people have received mediation/facilitation.
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Continuing to provide coaching for individuals in conflict situations or those seeking to develop skills in reconciliation processes;
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Providing a monthly programme of Peace and Quiet Days creating a varied space for people to use to find restoration and peace. The days start with a group stilling and reflection time, and offer space for reading, prayer, quiet reflection and study, with the opportunity to walk on the Blackley Pilgrimage, or receive one-to-one coaching or conversation regarding conflict.
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Gilmore Fraleigh Friendly Style Profiling is a personality profiling process which is incredibly helpful with regard managing ourselves in stressful and anxious times. It is routinely used in much of our training and the Centre delivered Profiles to over 60 people – individuals as well as small groups – as they went through coaching or support sessions. One particularly useful place of delivery was to curates with their training incumbents as this becomes particularly helpful when people who work together explore their profiles.
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Continuing to work with the Yorkshire Baptist Association in handling conflict in churches. A Healthy Church Listening Team was conceived and a proposal was developed to appoint and train listeners to work with churches in conflict. This was advertised, but applications were lower than had been hoped, plus mainly from ministers, so the YBA decided to put the project on hold.
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Our Community Fund Award from last year enabled us to employ a part-time administrator and offer an Inter Faith Programme from October to June. This included a conference on climate change, inter faith dialogues on inter faith friendships, climate change and mental health, inter faith visits to a gurdwara and the holocaust education centre and a Zoom networking meeting for leaders of inter faith organisations in Yorkshire.
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For Inter Faith Week we partnered with Elland Amateur Radio to send greetings for Inter Faith Week around the country and the world and the Inter Faith Network recognised that this had not been done before. A first for the Blackley Centre.
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Continuing to work with the Baptist and United Reformed Inter Faith groups.
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Continuing to work with Calderdale Inter Faith and other inter faith groups.
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Provided a month of sabbatical leave for our Directors to rest and recuperate as we emerged from the pandemic
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Continued to welcome regular and guest organisations to use the Blackley site and provide hospitality
In terms of organisational developments, the Centre has:
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Run its first overnight residential for trustees and staff at Wydale Hall Retreat Centre to further team-building and to generate further ideas for the future of the Centre.
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Continued to employ a part-time Administrator to strengthen the overall administrative efficiency of the Centre. This was on a one year contract and as there was no further funding available the post ended in July 2022.
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Continued to extend the list of regular contacts;
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Continued to support the development of the Blackley site.
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Continued to fund our half-time Directors, with a full shared Baptist minister’s stipend;
Oryanisation The Cenlre is run on a day to day basis by the Directors, Revd Andy Williams and Revd Jo Williams (one full time equivalent) assisted by the part-time Administrator and by Christine Allcock, the Centre Manager (voluntsry), who oversees all use of the Centre, manages bookings by external groups and arranges volunteer teams from the Church and its friends to provide the catering. The Gentre's finanS are coordinated by the Treasurer. with continuing book-keeping assistance by Pauline Bamard, a volunteer from the Church. We are very grateful to the Yorkshire Baptst Ass(Kiation CfBA) which continues to be a major fvnding support for the Centre. The Centre is already making provision in response to a gradual reduction in YBA grant funding which will conclude in June 2023. At the third AGM on 18th March 2023, Professor Paul Weller retired as a trustee and was thanked for his work. Hugh Donald was re-elected to setve as a trustee to 2026 and Karen Ainsworth was elected to serve for the first hme as a trustee to 2026. The Revd Dr Richard Kidd serves as the Hon. Treasurer and has gNen notice that he will conclude his work as the Treasurer at the end of the current financial year on 30 September 2023 and that at that time he will also step down as a Trustee. As we entsr a fourth year of trading ... Hopeful indicators for 2022-2023 include: Continuing successful searches for extemal funding to develop the work of the Centre in strategic areas; Developing the 'David Shutt Young pea Ambassadors Projecy in partnership with three primary schools using grant furKling and gffts made available in his memory", Continuing the development of training and mediation work Hosting and running women's inter faith events and an inter faith Pea and Quiet Day Re-launching 'Playing with Pea. the Parent and Toddlers, initiative in partnership with the Church, and with the help of grant funding from the Wharfedale Foundation" Increasing the membership and financial support. Working in partnership with the church to help in achieving its new vision of Blackley Gatherings for Pea. All the above provides evidence of the continuing development of the Centres work and influen. As strategic planning continues. the Centre remains confident in its potenlial for growth in the coming years. The Truslees continue to put in place a fvrther structural provision, that will underpin fijrther strategic ptanning, and erkgble the Centre to develop ever more Wide its abilty to fulfil the original vision. Signed by Revd Mary Taylor Chair of Trustees
The Blackley Centre
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended
30[th] September 2022
Charity No. 1184714
Page 1 of 7
l. Report of the Independent Examiner Basls for the Independent Examlnels Report My examlnation was carried out In accordance wlth general Dlrections glven by the Charlty Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparlson of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideratlon of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeklng explanatlons from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion 15 given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fairf view and the report is Ilmited to those matter5 set out in the statement below. Independent Exarnlnerfs Statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: 2. Which give5 me reasonable cause to believe that in any materlal respert The Blackley Centre has failed: To keep accountin8 records in accordance with the Charltles Art; To prepare accounts which accord with the accountlng records and to comply wlth the accounting requirements of the Charities Act; 3. To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in orderto enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Name: Slgnature: Relevant Professlonal Quallflcatl¢)n or Body: Date: QI'_ FE15 Ilcqa 3 Page2of7
2. Statement of Financial Activities For the year ended 30[th] September 2022
| Notes Incoming resources Income and endowments from: Grants and donations 1 Fee income from provision of services 2 Other 3 Total Resources expended Expenditure on: Promotion and publicity 4 Practitioner costs Project delivery costs Services and equipment Governance Other Total Net income/(expenditure) before investment gains/(losses) Net gains/(losses) on investments Net income/(expenditure) Extraordinary items Transfers between funds Other recognised gains/(losses): Gains and losses on revaluation of fixed assets for the charity’s own use Other gains/(losses) Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Current Year 2021-22 23,835 22,442 860 47,137 2,338 35,049 4,640 2,262 1,033 2,259 47,581 (444) - (444) - - - - (444) 25,618 25,174 |
2020-21 |
|---|---|---|
| 29,491 | ||
| 19,767 | ||
| - | ||
| 49,258 | ||
| 4,080 | ||
| 28,883 | ||
| 373 | ||
| 5,230 | ||
| - | ||
| 2,250 | ||
| 40,816 | ||
| 8,441 | ||
| - | ||
| 8,441 | ||
| - | ||
| - | ||
| - | - | |
| - | - | |
| (444) | 8,441 | |
| 25,618 | 17,177 | |
| 25,174 | 25,618 |
Page 3 of 7
3. Balance Sheet
As at 30[th] September 2022
| Notes Fixed assets Intangible assets Tangible assets 5 Heritage assets Investments Total fixed assets Current assets Stocks Debtors 6 Investments Cash at bank and in hand Total current assets Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 7 Net current assets/(liabilities) Total assets less current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due after one year Provisions for liabilities Total net assets or liabilities Funds of the Charity Endowment funds Restricted income funds 8 Unrestricted funds Revaluation reserve Total funds |
2021-22 £ - 2,170 - - 2,170 - 1,392 - 25,173 26,565 1,037 25,528 27,698 - - 27,698 - 9,700 15,473 **25,173 ** |
2020-21 £ |
|---|---|---|
| - | ||
| 3,225 | ||
| - | ||
| - | ||
| 3,255 | ||
| - | ||
| 8,199 | ||
| - | ||
| 25,618 | ||
| 33,817 | ||
| 1,108 | ||
| 32,709 | ||
| 35,964 | ||
| - | ||
| - | ||
| 35,964 | ||
| - - |
||
| 25,618 | ||
| **25,173 ** | 25,618 |
Page 4 of 7
4. Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 30[th] September 2022
| 1. Grants and Donations Grants Yorkshire Baptist Association Wharfdale Foundation Edith Maud Ellis Community Foundation for Calderdale Donations Standing Orders Other Donations 2. Fee income from provision of services Including teaching, training, mediation services, and special events consistent with the objects of the charity 3. Other Income Gift Aid TOTAL INCOME 4. Resources expended Promotions and publicity Consultancy Website Platform |
2021-2022 £ 9,500 2,700 2,500 4,500 19,200 3,334 1,301 4,635 22,442 860 860 47,137 2,100 238 2,338 |
2020-2021 £ |
|---|---|---|
| 26,388 | ||
| 3,103 | ||
| 19,767 | ||
| 49,258 | ||
| 4,080 |
Page 5 of 7
| Practitioner costs Director’s Stipend (Rev Andrew Williams) Director’s Stipend (Rev Joanna Williams) Other Employee (Administrator) Professional Associates Project delivery costs Inter Faith Reconciliation Services and equipment Insurances Telephone Zoom Contract Email Contract Governance Trustee expenses (including Residential) Other Agreed contribution to Blackley Baptist Church Hire cost to Blackley Baptist Church TOTAL EXPENDITURE |
13,822 13,822 6,630 775 35,049 677 3,963 4,640 885 871 173 333 2,262 1,033 1,500 759 2,259 47,581 |
|
|---|---|---|
| 28,883 | ||
| 373 | ||
| 5,230 | ||
| 0 | ||
| 2,250 | ||
| 40,817 |
5. Tangible assets
This comprises two laptop computers (£1,871 and £299, purchased 2021). Depreciated after one year, to be written-off over three years.
Page 6 of 7
| Gift Ald Claim to 30/09/22 | 683 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diocese | of | Peterborough (Invoice 2022/028) | 709_ | |
| 1,392 | 8,199 |
| tatements) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Richard Kidd ? continuing email addresses (by cheque) | 333 | |
| Sabbatical costs for August 2022 (by transfer to BCC) | 704 | |
| 1,037 | 1,108 |