## **The Blackley Centre Annual Report of the Trustees for the year ended 30th September 2023** 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 22/23** Hugh Donald Revd Dr Richard Kidd (Treasurer) (sadly died in July 2023) Pam Smith Andrew Taylor Revd Mary Taylor (Chair) Professor Paul Weller (retired March 2023) Samina Ali Karen Ainsworth (appointed March 2023) Rob Quarton co-opted as a trustee and Treasurer ## **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 …** - 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. - 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. - • 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. - 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** The Revd Dr Richard Kidd served as a founding trustee and our first Treasurer from when the Centre was established as a CIO in August 2019. At the AGM in March, he gave notice that he would conclude his work as the Treasurer and as a trustee at the end of the financial year. Sadly, he was not well, but it came as a great shock when Richard died of a heart attack whilst in hospital in July 2023. This was a huge loss not only to the Centre, but to all the very many friends and colleagues he had as a Baptist minister, Principal and Co-Principal of Northern Baptist College. He was talented as a radical theologian, poet and artist and he was a dear friend. He was a friend and supporter of the Centre from the very beginning, even when it was just an idea before Andy and Jo Williams came to Blackley and he was delighted to support the Centre as a founding trustee and Treasurer, helping us gain charitable status in 2019. He was full of enthusiasm for the work of peace, reconciliation, justice and inter faith and designed our logo and banner overseeing the production of our initial publicity and original website. Through the years Richard has given so much to the Centre and his artwork adorns the walls. He was a great friend, and we miss him very much. ## **Achievements during the fourth trading year …** In this fourth trading year the Centre continued to offer its work through a mix of online, on site and hybrid meetings/gatherings and courses. - Our greatest achievement this year has been the highly successful development of the David Shutt Young Peace Ambassadors Pilot project in memory of one of our founding trustees, Lord David Shutt. We worked with three local primary schools, introducing the project to each school staff team and giving them a taste of the training. Then two theatre artists led a special, highly participative and fun launch assembly in each school, inviting children from years 4 and 5 to apply. This led to 32 children and 6 staff coming to Blackley for two days training as Young Peace Ambassadors, learning and practicing the GLIDE process of transforming conflict. In September this was followed by a refresher day, followed by a Centre Celebration to commission the Young Peace Ambassadors with their families and Centre supporters. We are very grateful to the Southall Trust who made a grant of £3000 in support of the project in December. - Provided training in peace, mediation and reconciliation with and for our partners and clients. For the first part of the year our Director for Reconciliation, Jo Williams, continued to work as the lead trainer for Smile Mediation and delivered training for three of their client organisations and a fourth in September. She also delivered several commissioned training days for Dioceses, working with Curates, Training Incumbents, and Missional leaders on Gilmore Fraleigh Style Work; Coping with Anxiety in Church Leadership; Transforming Conflict and Handling Change. She has also led training days for individual Baptist Churches. In all, approximately 200 people have experienced training coming from (or in partnership with) the Blackley Centre. - Provided Interpersonal Mediations/Group Facilitations to couples, individuals, and to larger groups, involving 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 and a prison. We are very grateful to our associate mediators who have worked with the Centre on several of these cases. In all, around 75 people have received mediation/facilitation from The Blackley Centre. - Provided coaching for individuals in conflict situations or those seeking to develop skills in reconciliation processes. - Provided 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. - Provided Gilmore Fraleigh Friendly Style Profiling which is a personality profiling process that is incredibly helpful with regard managing ourselves in stressful and anxious times. It is routinely used in much of our training with groups as well as with individuals. Our Director for Reconciliation developed a simplified version for the Young Peace Ambassador training which was very much appreciated by the children. - Our Inter Faith work included hosting the ‘Dignity of Women’ Exhibition, delivering a primary school assembly on Christianity, hosting Calderdale Interfaith Women’s Peace and Quiet Day, leading the ‘Listening as Leaders’ workshop at Calderdale Interfaith’s ‘Women in Leadership’ Conference, showcasing Blackley at the Inter Faith Network’s Regional meeting and hosting part of a Hindu funeral. - Our Director for Inter Faith Relations, Andy Williams, continued his national inter faith role as Moderator of the Baptist Inter Faith Working Group, but after consultation with Centre Trustees, concluded this role in June to focus on local inter faith work and give more support to the Centre’s peace work. - Continued to work with the Yorkshire Baptist Association exploring how the Centre could assist in handling conflict in churches and provided a workshop on listening at their annual Assembly, as well as networking with ministers at their annual conference. - Continued to work with Calderdale Inter Faith and their steering group - Provided two months of sabbatical leave for our Directors in July and August. - Welcomed regular and guest organisations to use the Blackley Centre and provide hospitality. - Continued as a partner of Reconcilers Together and as part of the Community of Practice and running a regional networking and support day for past participants of the Journey of Hope as well as partner organisations in the north. Unfortunately, this year’s day was cancelled due to snow. ## **In terms of organisational developments, the Centre has:** - Appointed a new Trustee - Co-opted a new Treasurer - Continued to extend the list of regular contacts; - Continued to support the development of the Blackley site. - Continued to fund our half-time Directors, with a full shared Baptist minister’s stipend; ## **Organisation** The Centre 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 (voluntary), 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 Centre’s finances are coordinated by the Treasurer, with continuing book-keeping assistance by Pauline Barnard, a volunteer from the Church. Rob Quarton, a member of the Centre, offered his support as a possible new Treasurer and was co-opted by the trustees. A transition process was already underway when Richard died and we are very grateful to Rob for taking on the role in difficult circumstances in the middle of the financial year and completing the accounts for presentation. We are very grateful to the Yorkshire Baptist Association (YBA) for giving grant funding to the Centre from the time of the scoping project in 2017, with seed funding from 2017 to 2020 and taper funding to June 2023. We look forward to developing our ongoing relationship with the YBA in new ways. In March, our main training client Smile moved into a different model of management becoming part of the Resolve family. This led to a reduction in work with Smile and in September Jo Williams delivered a final Mediation Skills Training for Smile. She is hugely grateful for all the opportunities that Smile Mediation gave to her over 23 years as the place where she honed her craft as both a mediator and a trainer. However, the loss of Smile as a client has resulted in the loss of an important income stream. This, combined with the conclusion of funding from the YBA, resulted in a challenging financial situation and a major funding application was made, but it was sadly declined. The situation was temporarily alleviated by a very generous gift of £10,000, which was followed by a grant of £7,970 for the development of the Young Peace Ambassadors by the West Yorkshire Mayor’s Fund. These were very welcome, but the trustees are well aware of the need for new income streams to be developed next year. At the third AGM on 18[th] March 2023, Professor Paul Weller retired as a trustee and was thanked for his broad insights and particular expertise on inter faith matters. Hugh Donald was re-elected to serve as a trustee to 2026 and Karen Ainsworth was elected to serve for the first time as a trustee to 2026. ## **As we enter a fourth year of trading …** Hopeful indicators for 2023-2024 include: - Further developing the ‘David Shutt Young Peace Ambassadors Project’ in partnership with the three pilot primary schools and extending it to three more schools funded by the grant awarded by the West Yorkshire Mayor’s Fund in September. - The gift of the half-time ministry of the Revd Nikki Jenkins by Hope Baptist Church, Hebden Bridge, to both Blackley Church and Centre. - Developing our own Mediation Skills Course in the name of the Blackley Centre. - • Continuing the development of training and mediation work - Re-launching ‘Playing with Peace: the Parent and Toddlers’ initiative in partnership with the Church, and with the help of grant funding from the Wharfedale Foundation. We had hoped to do this in 22/23 but were unable to recruit an appropriate Co-Leader. - Continuing successful searches for external funding to develop the work of the Centre in strategic areas; Increasing the membership and financial support. Continuing lo work in partnership with the church to help in achieving ils vision of Blackley Gatherings for Peace. All the above provides evidence ol the continuing development of Ihe Centres work and Influence. As slralegic planning continues, the Centre remains confident in ils potential for growth in the coming years. The Trustees continue to put in place a further slruclural provision, that will underpin further strategic planning. and enable the Centre to develop ever more widely ils ability to fulfil the original vision. Signed by Revd Mary Taylor 2:Iz* Chair of Twstees ckle Relate estore The Blackley Centre Annual Financial Statements For the year ending th 30 September 2023 Charity Registratlon Number 1184714 INDEPENDEMf EXAMINEWS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE BLACKLEY CENTRE Basls for the Independent Examlnerfs Report My examination was carried out in accordante with general dirertions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes the review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also Includes consideratlon of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concernin8 any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an aL•dit, and consequently no oplnion is given as to whetherthe accounts present a 'true and fairf view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent Examlnerfs Statement In connectlon wlth my examinatlon. no matter has come to my attention; whSch gives me reasonable cause to belleve that in any materlal respect the Blackley Centre has failed; a. to keep accountlng records in accordance with the Charltle5 Act; b. to prepare accounts which accord vthh the accountin8 records and to comply with the accountin8 requirements of the Charty Act to which, In my oplnlon, attentlon should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Nam• Slgnature Date .17 _ FE(5￿1￿￿￿ 202k+ Relevant ￿OfeSSIOnal Qualifl(atlon or Body .4 .C. i . 6. Address i 5 aTr£,r '4iE-tr4lo 4158 8lX. DEfAILED INCOME AND EXPENDrruRE AccouKr FOR ThE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023 Current Year 2022-23 Note5 2021-22 Income Sen4lce Provlslon 11,732 22,442 Donations and Grants 30,959 23,835 Other 2,463 860 Totol 45,154 47,137 Expendlture Practitioner Costs 30,296 35,049 Dellvery Costs 5,872 4,640 Operatlng Costs 4,989 4.600 Governance 1,033 Other 2,701 2,259 Total 43,858 47,581 Net Income for the rep￿n8 period L296 (4441 BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2023 Current Year Notes 2021-22 (30109123) (30/09/22) Flxed assets runglble Assets Totolfved assets 1,075 2,170 1.075 2,170 Current a55ets 1,466 1,392 Cash at bank and In hand 26,470 25,173 Prepayments Total current assets 27,936 26,565 Less Current Ilabllltles Credltors: amounts fallln8 due wlthln one year 1,037 Net current ossets 27,936 25,528 Total net ossets 29.011 27.698 Funds of the Charlty Net Inc¢>me thls reportln8 perlod Retalned Income brought forward 1,296 25,174 25,618 Total funds 26.470 25,174 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL sfATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEFfEMBER 2023 For the year ended 30September 2023 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2023 in accordance with Sertion 476 of the Companies Act 2(KJ6. The trustees acknowled8e thelr responsibilities for: {a} ensuring that the company keeps accounting record5 which comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2LM)6 and Ibl preparing financial ststements which 8ive a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year In accordance wlth the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply wlth the requlrements of the Companie5 Art 2006 relating to financlal statement5, 50 far as applicable to the company. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subjectto the small companies, re8ime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006, and in accordance wlth FRS102 SORP The financlal statements were approved by the Trustees on 29th February 2024 and slgned on thelr behalf bythe Chalr of Trustees: Mary Taylor Date 29th February 2024 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMEpirs FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023 (coirt.) Accountlng Policles Accountlng conventlon These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention wFth Items recognised at cost or transartion value uftle5S Otherwise stated in the relevant notes to these accounts. The financlal statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accountin8 and Reportin8 by Charitles preparlng their accounts in accordance with the Financlal Reporting Standard applicable In the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 1021 {effectlve January 2015). The charity constitutes a public benefft entity as defined by FRS 102.There has been no change in accounting pollcies since last year. No changes have been made to the accounts for prevlous years. Goln8 ¢(￿Cern The trustees are satisfied that there are no material uncertalntles about the charltrfs ablllty to contlnue. Incomlng resources All Incoming resources are included in the Statement of Flnanclal Actlvlties (SOFA) when the charity becomes entitled to the resources, It Is more Ilkely than not that the trustees will receive the resources and the monetary value can be measured wlth sufficient reliability. Grants and donatlons Grants and donations are only induded In the SOFA when the charlty has untonditlonal entitlement to the resources. Expendfture and Ilabllltles Expenditure is recognised on the accrual basls as the Ilabllity Is accrued. Llabllltles are recognised where It 15 more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obll8ation committing the charity to pay the resources and the resources and the amount of the obll8ation can be measured with reasonable certainty. Taxatlon As a charlty the organisation is generally exempt from Income tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates. Exemptlon from preparfnB a cash flow sLItLvnent Exemption has been taken from preparing a cash flow statement on the grounds that the company qualifies as a small company. Fund accounting Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the 8eneral objectives of the charity. Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor. There are currently no restricted funds to account for. NOTES TO THE FINANaAL STATEMEKrs FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEiyfEMBER 20231cont.) Fee Income from Servlce Provlslon 2023 2022 Includlng teachln& tralnin& medlatlon servlces and special everrts conslstent with the objects of the dbarlty 11,732 22,442 Grants and Donatlons 2023 2023 Unrestrlcted Restrlcted funds funds 2023 Total Funds 2022 Total Funds Yorkshlre Baptlst Assodatlon West York5hlre Mayor- Safer Communlty Fund Southall Trust 6,000 7,970 7,970 3,000 Donatlons- Standlng Orders 3,394 10.595 30.959 3,394 10,595 30,959 23,835 Other Inc¢me 2023 2022 Glft Ald Mansfield Baptlst Churth Hope Church 682 1,456 325 2,463 860 860 Practitioner Costs 2023 2022 Dlrectorf Stlpends Other Employees Professlonal Assodates 29,817 27,664 6.630 775 35,049 479 30.296 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023 (cont.) Project Dellvery Costs 2023 2022 Interfalth Recondllation 353 5,519 5,872 677 3,963 4,640 Operatln8 Costs 2023 2022 Fundralslng Consultanry Web Platforni Insurance Teleph¢)ne Zoom Contract Emall Contract 2,458 272 839 906 181 333 4,989 2,100 238 885 871 173 333 4,600 2023 2022 Contrfbutlon to Blackley 8aptlst Churth Hlre and other costs to Blackley Baptlst Churth 1,500 1,201 2,701 1,500 759 2,259 Tanglble Assets These comprlse two laptops computers 11,871 and £299 purchased In 2021). Depreclated after two years- to be written off over th￿e years Debtors Involce5 issued before end of September 2023 2023 2022 NeW￿$tIe DBF {Involce 202310371 1,466 1,392 io. Tru¥(eds expenses None of the trustees have claimed expenses during the year for travel, subsistence, and accommodation costs. NOTE5 TO THE FINANCIAL sfATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023 Icont.) ii. Cash at bank and in hand 2023 2022 26,470 26.470 25,173 25,173 12. Pollcy on Reserves During the year 2022-2023 the Blackley Centre achleved Its pollcy to hold minlmum of £15.(KIO as its reserve fogreed ot Meetlng of Trustees, 25 November 2021) Audit Of The Blackle Centre Accounts- Year endln th tember 2023 l am pleased to advlse that my examtnation of the above accounts has been successfully completed. In accordance with the General Directlons given by the Charity Commission I can confirm that:. The Blackley Centre is ellgible to have an independent examination rather than an audit. based on the gross income being less than £250.LX)O. There are no conflicts of interest as Stated in the General Directlons that prevents me from carrying out this independent examination. The examination included:. A full theck of all formulae used in preparing the spreadsheets upon whlch the records are based. A revlew of all Income and expenditure transactions for reasonabillty. A full check of 6 months income and 6 months expenditure tran5artions to the 8ank Statement. A sample check of 6 involce5 for expenditure selected at random from all the transartions. An examinatlon of the chequebook to confirm that all cheques held for the account were present. A full check of the figures Included in the Flnanclal Statements to the accountlng records. A full check of the fl8ures in the Report to the AGM to the accountin8 records. A full Check of the figures In the Flnancial Statements to those in the Report to the AGM. The revlew of the spreadsheet on whlch the records are held Identlfied mlnor errors, and these have been corrected. One of the invoices selected could not be produced. I have asked that they ensure that all paper receipts are retained for inspettlon. The flgures Included In the Flnanclal Statements have been checked to the accompanylng Notes and a8rÈed. Mlnor Changes were necessary and these have been undertaken. A review of the Centre's chequebook indicated that cheques numbered l(KKX)6 to 100010 had been issued durlng the accounting period. This a8rees to the accounting records. A small number of formatting errors were Identified and corrected to provide consistenci throughout the Financial Statements. Independent Examiner