2023-09-30-accounts - Grace And Compassion Benedictines CIO

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GRACE AND COMPASSION BENEDICTINES CIO (Registered Charity Number 1187262)

TRUSTEES' REPORT AND ACCOUNTS

30 SEPTEMBER 2023

GRACE AND COMPASSION BENEDICTINES CIO

FOR THEYEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Trustees (all appointed as first trustees) Kathryn Yeeles Carmel Murtagh Thaya Moses Metilda George Beatrice Ajwari

The Trustees who served during the year and since the year end are listed above.

Prioress General	Kathryn Yeeles
Principal Office	Grace and Compassion Convent
	St Mary’s House
	38/39 Preston Park Avenue
	Brighton
	BN1 6HG
Named Correspondent	D.J. Clark FCA
	1st Floor, Church House
	61 College Road
	Bromley
	BR1 3QG
Governing Instrument	CIO Association registered 8 January 2020
Charity Registration Number
(England and Wales)	1187262
Auditors	Haysmacintyre LLP
	10 Queen Street Place
	London
	EC4R 1AG
Solicitors	Stone King
	Upper Borough Court
	3, Upper Borough Walls
	BATH BA1 1RG
Bankers	National Westminster Bank Plc
	NatWest Brighton Town Centre
	Unit 40, 56 Churchill Square
	Brighton
	BN1 2ES
Investment Managers	Charles Stanley & Co. Limited
	55 Bishopsgate
	London EC2N 3AS
Investment Powers	Under the Congregation’s Trust Deed there are no
	limitations in the Trustees' powers of investment.

GRACE AND COMPASSION BENEDICTINES CIO

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

The Trustees are pleased to present their report for the year ended 30 September 2023.

The charity has not yet become active but will do so when it takes over the operations, assets, liabilities and commitments of its predecessor charity, the Grace and Compassion Benedictines, a charitable trust (registered charity number 1056064) through which the sisters currently conduct their charitable affairs in England and Wales.

CHARITABLE OBJECTIVES

The objects of the CIO are for the public benefit:

the promotion of religion and education and the relief of poverty and sickness in accordance with the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church; and
any other charitable purpose which shall advance the religious, educational and other charitable work for the time being carried on, directed or supported by the Congregation;

in such manner as the Trustees with the consent of the Prioress General shall from time to time think fit.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Trustees and Organisational Structure

The Congregation is administered by its General Council which consists of the Prioress General and her four Councillors who are elected by the General Chapter for a term of six years and are currently the Charity’s Trustees. They are widely experienced in senior management of the charitable trust’s Care Homes and other activities, closely monitoring all aspects of its work, and meeting frequently. They are assisted by an Advisory Body consisting of priests and lay members experienced in social justice and finance, law and property, and a small committee meets throughout the year to advise the Trustees with their professional expertise.

Appointment of Trustees

The first Trustees are as follows and are appointed for the following terms:

Sister Kathryn Yeeles Until the end of her term as Prioress General Sister Carmel Murtagh Until the end of her term as General Councillor Sister Thaya Moses Until the end of her term as General Councillor Sister Metilda George Until the end of her term as General Councillor Sister Beatrice Ajwari Until the end of her term as General Councillor

Apart from the first Trustees, every appointed Trustee must be appointed by a resolution in writing by the Prioress General.

Trustees may retire by giving written notice and may, be removed “inter-alia”, by a resolution of the Trustees.

GRACE AND COMPASSION BENEDICTINES CIO

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Key Management Personnel

The Trustees consider that the key management of the Charity consists of themselves as much of the day to day running of the Charity’s operations will devolve to them. As religious Sisters, under a vow of poverty, the Trustees do not receive, nor intend to receive any remuneration.

PUBLIC BENEFIT

The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on Public Benefit when reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities. In particular, the Trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to their aims and objectives, as described elsewhere in this report

INTENDED ACTIVITIES

The policy of the charity will be to provide comfort and security in a loving family atmosphere for those in need, e.g. the elderly in the UK. Each person is valued, independent and their privacy respected; there will be maximum freedom, opportunity for development of interests and spiritual care; plenty of activity, yet opportunity for space.

Strategy

The Charity’s strategy will be as follows:

To continue to maintain and improve services to the elderly and frail in the UK, having in mind, also, the expected growth in the U.K's elderly population; to support the Congregation’s overseas communities in their activities and service.
To respond to newly encountered needs within our scope; in the UK, and in Africa, India, Sri Lanka, development will be demand-led.
Providing financial support to back up the overseas Sisters' own income-generating and fund-raising efforts.
To review houses and activities in order to concentrate human and financial resources where most needed.
To foster the international Congregation's development and multi-cultural unity, including the training of Sisters in diverse roles to fulfil the Charity's work and develop their religious lives which underpin it.

GRACE AND COMPASSION BENEDICTINES CIO

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

INTENDED ACTIVITIES (continued)

Care and Accommodation in UK

Retirement Accommodation

Consists of flats for the active elderly where residents cater for themselves and have maximum independence. Discreet help is available from lay people or the Sisters according to the location and circumstances.

Discreet help is available from lay people or	the Sisters according to the location and	circumstances.
		Numbers
		Accommodated
Oakampton House and Gate House	Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk	22
Padua House	Woodingdean, Brighton	16
Brighton Flats	17 Harrington Villas	3
Holy Cross Priory	Heathfield, E. Sussex	55
TOTAL		96

Care Homes

For the frailer person, 24 hour care is provided in the charity’s care homes where residents are comfortable and safe in their own en suite rooms. Facilities include laundry, chiropody, hairdressing, personal shopping, games, outings, interests, and library. There are opportunities for worship - Roman Catholic chapel, Anglican services, and provision for other denominations. The Sisters are committed to loving service, respect for human dignity and the development of each person, valuing their uniqueness. Over the years, the age of residents coming to live in the charity’s residential accommodation has increased and the majority are well over 90 years of age.

Holy Cross Care Home provides nursing care for the very frail and dying in a loving family atmosphere, where the Sisters and lay staff are privileged to give physical and spiritual help to both the residents and to their relatives and friends.

Some residents pay privately while others receive funding from their local authority. The work of providing accommodation for the elderly has grown steadily from 1954, when it was founded at St Mary's House in Brighton.

		Registered
		Capacity
Holy Cross Care Home	Heathfield, E. Sussex	60
Montana	Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk	19
More Hall Convent	Stroud, Gloucestershire	10
St. Mary’s House	Brighton, E. Sussex	12
TOTAL		101

In its 60 years or so of existence the Congregation has acquired a considerable estate. This is derived largely from legacies and gifts made by those who are interested in its work or who have benefited from it. The administration of this estate and its proper use has increased and improved through the dedication of the Sisters, who do not receive salaries, and it is the generosity of our benefactors that has enabled the charity to develop.

GRACE AND COMPASSION BENEDICTINES CIO

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

INTENDED ACTIVITIES (continued )

Support of Overseas Missions

The Congregation’s work in the Missions follows the same policy, although there is diversification according to local needs, such as destitution, sickness and lack of employment:

India

 Grace and Compassion Priory, Tiruvannamalai

A home for destitute old people; a nursery school for poor children; a hospital and village clinics with the full range of treatment, maternity and preventative care for all ages

 St. Benedict’s, Adaiyur, Tiruvannamalai

Nursing School for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

 House of Peace, Yercaud, Salem

Retreat and Conference Centre, Guest House.

 Our Lady of Light, Bangalore

A home for frail elderly people. This building is currently undergoing extensive refurbishment

 St. Scholastica’s, Makkiyad

Residential and nursing care for the elderly.

 St. Joseph’s, Piravom

A home for the elderly opened in 2018

Sri Lanka

 Melville, Moratuwa

The Sisters run a care home for the frail elderly which has recently been renovated and extended.

 St. Joan’s, Ja-Ela

Care for frail elderly, some of whom are unable to pay. The Sisters also carry out parish work. The accommodation for 24 residents has been re-built and the new home was blessed and opened in November 2022.

 Villa Maria, Mugunuatawan, Chilaw

Home for 24 elderly residents.

 Mattakelle

A small group of Sisters are working in a rural parish where there is a Montessori School.

GRACE AND COMPASSION BENEDICTINES CIO

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

INTENDED ACTIVITIES (continued )

Support of Overseas Missions Sri Lanka (continued)

 Millewa, Horana

A new home for the elderly was completed in June 2019 and officially opened in September 2019.

Kenya

 Grace and Compassion Convent, Mundika, Busia

The Sisters have a home for destitute old people, and Sisters support a number of elderly in the local villages. They also perform some parish work, tailoring, candle-making, host baking and run a small shop which generates some income. The sisters run a nursery and primary school. A Guest House provides accommodation for up to 32 people and is a source of income and a valuable facility for both local and overseas visitors.

There is also a small house in Nairobi to provide a base for Sisters who are studying.

 Grace and Compassion Convent, Chebukaka

A small community moved into a former diocesan retreat centre where the sisters run a vocational school.

 Kibabii

Following a donation of land near Bungoma the Sisters have built a hostel to provide accommodation for female religious and students who are attending the local Universities. This was opened in July 2020.

 Kakamega

A small group of sisters started working in a Pastoral Centre in the diocese of Kakamega in September 2022.

Uganda

 Grace and Compassion Convent, Irundu, Jinja District

The Sisters perform parish work, and run a nursery and primary school. A small convent was built recently so that sisters working in the school could live nearby.

 St Mary’s House, Jinja

This house is used as a base for studies and some parish work. Adjacent to the original building is a second house with some land where the Sisters are growing maize, vegetables and fruit. The property has been renovated and the Sisters have moved into the new convent and a Chapel has been built. A small nursery school was opened in January 2017.

All the overseas houses run farms to provide food and income. Strenuous efforts are made towards self-support, but some shortfall is inevitable as the work is for the poor. Grants are made by the Grace and Compassion Benedictines’ UK charity to its partners administered by the Sisters overseas . Capital expenditure is met through applications to grant making charities made by the overseas Communities; appeals in the UK specifically for our Mission work; allocation of legacies made by benefactors wishing to support our Missions.

GRACE AND COMPASSION BENEDICTINES CIO

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

The Trustees intend to make the transfer from the Charitable Trust to the CIO as soon as possible. The date of transfer is dependent upon certain factors which are beyond the control of the Trustees; they hope to complete the process once circumstances permit.

The Trustees do not intend to make significant changes to activities and management of the undertaking.

The charity has no long-term plans to create new care homes and retirement villages, but will continue to improve its existing portfolio of properties in order to provide an up to date and comfortable environment for its elderly residents and tenants.

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England & Wales 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 year. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
adopt the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue on that basis.

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 and the provisions of the 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.

Approved by the Trustees on 29 May 2024 and signed on their behalf by:

K Yeeles Trustee

GRACE AND COMPASSION BENEDICTINES CIO

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

The CIO did not become active until after the year-end. Therefore, no transactions fall to be recorded in the Statement of Financial Activities, in either the current or a preceding financial period.

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

As the CIO did not receive any income or assets prior to the year-end, there were no assets or liabilities to record in its Balance Sheet as at that date.

Approved by the Trustees on 29 May 2024 and signed on their behalf by:

K Yeeles Trustee

GRACE AND COMPASSION BENEDICTINES CIO

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

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

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with all statutory requirements and with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2015) – Charites SORP (FRS102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102).

The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s). Figures are presented in sterling and rounded to the nearest pound.

Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement

Preparation of the accounts requires the Trustees to make significant judgements and estimates. There are no such items in these accounts.

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 one year from the date of approval of these accounts.

The Trustees of the charity have concluded that there are no other material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The Trustees are of the opinion that the charity will have sufficient resources to meet its liabilities as they fall due. There considered to be no significant areas of judgement that affect items in the accounts which impinge on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern. With regard to the next accounting period, the year ending 30 September 2023, the most significant factors likely to affect the financial future of the charity are the uncertain economic outlook, particularly that which applies to all organisations providing care services, and the pressure on Local Authority finances with its consequent effect on fee levels and the rate of increase in care costs which is tending to run at above the general rate of inflation.

General Information

The Charity is registered in England and Wales (charity no: 1187262). The Charity’s principal office address is Grace and Compassion Convent, St Mary’s House, 38/39 Preston Park Avenue, Brighton, BN1 6HG.

Income recognition

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure recognition and irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid.

Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.