Charity number: 1190396
Discovering Prayer CIO
Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 August 2023
Discoverin Pra er CIO g y
Contents of the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2023
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 |
| Report of the Independent Examiner | 4 |
| Receipts and Payments Account | 5 |
| Statement of Balances | 6 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 7 |
Discoverin Pra er CIO g y
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 August 2023
The trustees are pleased to present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2023.
Principal office
Suite 261 266 Banbury Road Oxford OX2 7DL
Status of Charity and Governing Document
Discovering Prayer CIO was registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 14 July 2020. The organisation was previously incorporated as a private limited company called Discoveringprayer.com Ltd (Company number 09177881) from 15 August 2014 until its dissolution in 2021. The charity registration number is 1190396.
Trustees and Office Bearers
Management of the charity remains with the trustees. The constitution requires a minimum of three trustees and a maximum of 12 to serve at any time.
The trustees who served during the year are:
Michelle Eyre Robert Eyre Daniel Heyward Kate Jefferyes Timothy Pottle
Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee will be appointed for a period of three years by a resolution passed at a trustee meeting. Any person retiring as a charity trustee is then eligible for reappointment.
Objectives
Our objects, as laid out in our governing document, are:
‘To advance or enlighten others about the Christian faith by encouraging people to explore prayer and spirituality in their lives, to deepen their relationship with God, but not limited to:
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The development and promotion of prayer resources, educational training materials and courses;
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The hosting and/or facilitation of prayer meetings;
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The hosting and/or facilitation of retreats; and
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The teaching of ancient practices of the Religious Life of Anglican and other Christian denominations in the UK and worldwide.’
Vision
Our vision is for everyone to have a joyful and fulfilling relationship with God.
Our goals are to:
1. Help people to deepen their relationship with God through prayer
Many people want to pray, but don’t know how to get started. There is a wealth of experience and guidance available in prayer through the lives of Christian monks and nuns, and we aim to help people benefit from this daily.
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Discoverin Pra er CIO g y
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 August 2023
Vision (continued)
2. Research and teach the best ways to help people learn to pray
We hope to glorify God in our teaching on prayer and that means learning the best, most evidencebased ways that we can help people to flourish in their walk with God. We will continue to develop best practice in researching what we do and teaching those in the church who are keen to learn more about fostering prayer in their communities.
3. Give generously to the worldwide community
We believe that prayer is always linked to action, in our homes, our communities and throughout the world. We pray for others and take action that supports communities that care for those in need.
Activities and achievements
Over the course of the year, we are delighted to report that over 2,300 people registered for our new Still Small Voice: 10 Ways to Go Deeper in Prayer course (rated ‘excellent’ by 66% per cent of those who responded to a post-course survey and ‘very good’ by 29 per cent).
Participants learned how to practise Lectio Divina – including slow reading, meditation, contemplation and silence – and Ignatian-inspired imaginative prayer. Asked to give a rating on a scale of 1-10 (where 10 is ‘Strongly Agree’) for the following statements, their average scores were:
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‘Still Small Voice has had a positive impact on my prayer life’ 9 out of 10
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'During Still Small Voice I became more aware of God's presence in my daily life' 8 out of 10
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‘Still Small Voice has had a positive impact on my mental wellbeing' 8 out of 10.
Over one hundred individuals wrote to say what a difference the series had made to them, including:
Helena – ‘I have been praying for God to help me with my disbelief. I joined this series for that very reason. I have found your contemplative prayers very useful. Connecting with God in the twenty-first century, particularly, in the midst of everything that is going on, has been a struggle for me. Yet at the core of me, is Jesus. Therefore, I will continue to strive for a deeper understanding. Thank you so much for keeping my curiosity going.’
David – ‘I stumbled on Discovering Prayer at a time when I truly needed God. I wasn’t sure how God spoke or answered prayer. I now understand there is a time and a place for all prayer. I have got more out of this than the three years I have been on this journey. I now know my God is truly alive and listening to me, and me to him.’
Mandy – ‘I found the Still Small Voice series so wonderful. It brought me closer to God and to listen to his voice. Thank you for Discovering Prayer and providing such valuable resources – they are such beautiful treasures.’
We also:
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Wrote and recorded 27 new guided prayer times, of which 15 were meditations on passages from the Gospel of St John
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Provided a library of 250+ guided prayer times and interviews with nuns and monks that draw on the treasures of Christian monasticism
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Raised the funds needed to launch Phase Two of our app project – turning the designs into reality.
The trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and all our activities are undertaken to further the charity’s purposes for that public benefit.
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Discoverin Pra er CIO g y Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 August 2023
Future plans
In the year to 31 August 2024, we want to help more people find greater peace, strength and communion with God through prayer, even in demanding or difficult circumstances. To achieve this, we are aiming to:
Develop a transformational new prayer app
- We will soft launch the new app to a selected number of users, collecting feedback in order to refine it so the final version is as effective as possible.
Record new guided prayers
- We plan to record at least 60 new guided prayer times for Lent, plus 11 blessings and interviews with Anglican nuns and monks, to provide fresh ideas about prayer.
Introduce more people to the riches of monasticism
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Enabling participants to ask nuns and monks questions about prayer and to benefit from their insights
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Inviting people to go on retreats hosted by a range of religious communities
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Equipping people to adopt a regular rhythm of prayer through morning, midday and evening guided prayer times
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Encouraging individuals to consider the religious life and the testing of vocation.
Financial review
Results for the year
The financial statements for the year are set out on pages 5 to 7. The Receipts and Payments Account on page 5 reflects a surplus for the year of £6,296 (2022: £10,345). Total reserves, including restricted funds, amounted to £31,038 (2022: £24,742).
Reserves policy
The trustees aim to maintain free reserves in unrestricted funds at a level which equates to approximately three months’ unrestricted charitable expenditure. They consider that this will provide sufficient funds to respond to applications for grants and ensure that support and governance costs are covered. We are pleased to report that we have maintained reserves of £21,732 and carried over £9,306 in additional funds for the building and launch of our new app.
Thanks
The trustees are immensely grateful for the generosity of the religious communities, trusts, churches and individual donors who funded us during the year, and would specifically like to thank:
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Community of St Mary the Virgin
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Community of St John Baptist
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Community of St Francis
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Pershore, Nashdom and Elmore Trust
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Christ the Saviour Monastic Trust
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Diocese of Oxford
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Souter Charitable Trust
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Gladiator Trust
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An anonymous religious community
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Individuals who gave generously to our app appeal
We would also like to extend deep thanks and appreciation to the volunteers who provide invaluable support for Discovering Prayer’s website development, administration, script editing and recordings.
The accounts were approved by the trustees on 29 November 2023 and signed on their behalf by:
Trustee
Michelle Eyre
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Discoverin Pra er CIO g y
Report of the Independent Examiner to the Trustees for the year ended 31 August 2023
I report to the trustees on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2023 which are set out on pages 5 to 7.
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011. I report in respect of my examination of the charity’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. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner’s statement
My examination is carried out in accordance with the Charities Act 2011. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
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:
- accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records.
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 to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Alison Franks CA Director Cornerstone Accounting
11 Erngath Road Bo’ness EH51 9DP
Date: 29 November 2023
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Discovering Prayer CIO
Receipts and Payments Account For the year ended 31 August 2023
| Receipts Subscriptions One-off Annual Monthly Bursary Donations Major donors Diocese and church donations Personal donors Gift Aid Grant income Fundraising income Total receipts Payments Fundraising costs Marketing and social media costs Donation collection fees Fundraising dinner Charitable activities Salary costs Contractor costs Other staff costs Personal customer service Conferences and retreats Expert Reviewer costs Recording costs App design/development costs Resources Travel and subsistence Insurance IT and website costs Equipment costs Business address Administration costs Charitable donation - Christian Aid Bank charges Accounting costs Independent examiner's costs: Accounts production Independent examination Total payments Surplus/(deficit) for the year Transfer between funds Surplus/(deficit) after transfers Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted Restricted 2023 funds funds Total £ £ £ 165 - 165 6,555 - 6,555 1,311 - 1,311 180 - 180 6,643 - 6,643 1,500 - 1,500 124 1,220 1,344 109 - 109 52,220 7,280 59,500 - - - 68,807 8,500 77,307 3,777 - 3,777 299 - 299 - - - 35,369 - 35,369 14,999 - 14,999 249 - 249 1,100 - 1,100 330 - 330 - - - 2,731 - 2,731 - 7,500 7,500 65 - 65 182 - 182 319 - 319 1,415 - 1,415 69 - 69 383 - 383 439 - 439 1,020 - 1,020 57 - 57 108 - 108 300 - 300 300 - 300 63,511 7,500 71,011 5,296 1,000 6,296 - - - 5,296 1,000 6,296 16,436 8,306 24,742 21,732 9,306 31,038 |
Unrestricted Restricted 2022 funds funds Total £ £ £ 600 - 600 7,860 - 7,860 1,549 - 1,549 213 - 213 - - - - - - 568 2,593 3,161 - - - 43,539 12,858 56,397 - 13,933 13,933 54,329 29,384 83,713 2,303 1,685 3,988 369 - 369 - 720 720 32,274 3,856 36,130 15,524 - 15,524 - - - 1,465 - 1,465 442 - 442 - - - 663 - 663 - 7,500 7,500 280 - 280 393 - 393 319 - 319 3,491 - 3,491 - - - 435 - 435 434 - 434 - - - 33 - 33 482 - 482 400 - 400 300 - 300 59,607 13,761 73,368 (5,278) 15,623 10,345 - - - (5,278) 15,623 10,345 21,714 (7,317) 14,397 16,436 8,306 24,742 |
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The notes on page 7 form part of these financial statements.
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Discovering Prayer CIO
Statement of Balances
As at 31 August 2023
| Notes Opening Surplus Closing balance for year balance £ £ £ Cash at bank and in hand Current account 24,742 6,296 31,038 Total cash at bank and in hand 24,742 6,296 31,038 Represented by: Unrestricted fund 2 General fund 21,732 21,732 Restricted funds 3 App fund 9,306 9,306 Total funds 31,038 Statement of assets at 31 August 2023 2023 £ Staff salary overpayment 751 Reclaim due from HMRC 339 1,090 Statement of liabilities at 31 August 2023 2023 £ Accounting and independent examination fees 600 Pension payable 247 App design fee due - Charitable donation to Christian Aid (due for 2022) - PAYE payable - 847 2023 |
Opening Surplus Closing balance for year balance £ £ £ 14,397 10,345 24,742 14,397 10,345 24,742 16,436 16,436 8,306 8,306 24,742 2022 £ - - - 2022 £ 600 247 7,500 1,020 266 9,633 2022 |
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The financial statements on pages 5 to 7 were approved by the trustees on 29 November 2023 and signed on their behalf by the undernoted:
Michelle Eyre
Trustee
The notes on page 7 form part of these financial statements.
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Discovering Prayer CIO
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 August 2023
1. Accounting policies
Accounting convention
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, on a receipts and payments basis and in accordance with the Charities Act 2011. The trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit.
Receipts and Payments Account
For the purpose of the Receipts and Payments Account as shown on page 5, funds are defined as follows:
Unrestricted funds comprise donations, grants and other income received for the objects of the charity without further specified purpose and are available as general funds.
Restricted funds comprise income which has been received for the objects of the charity and specified for a restricted purpose within these objects by the donor.
2. Unrestricted funds
| General fund Total unrestricted funds |
Balance at 1.9.22 £ 16,436 16,436 |
Receipts £ 68,807 68,807 |
Payments £ (63,511) (63,511) |
Balance at Transfers 31.8.23 £ £ - 21,732 - 21,732 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Explanation of funds
The General fund represents all income and expenditure relating to the primary focus activities of the charity, other than those for which funding is restricted.
3. Restricted funds
| App fund Total restricted funds |
Balance at 1.9.22 £ 8,306 8,306 |
Receipts £ 8,500 8,500 |
Payments £ (7,500) (7,500) |
Balance at Transfers 31.8.23 £ £ - 9,306 - 9,306 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Explanation of funds
The App fund represents funds received towards the development of a new mobile application for guided prayers.
4. Donated facilities and services
We are grateful for the office space at St Andrew’s Church, Linton Road, Oxford, which allows us to be at the heart of this prayerful community. We also acknowledge the contribution of an amazing team of volunteers who contribute to audio design, editorial guidance, bookkeeping as well as our wonderful trustees who contribute their expertise in prayer, website design, finance, HR, marketing and fundraising.
5. Trustee and related party remuneration and expenses
Michelle Eyre, who is a trustee, is employed by the charity as Chief Executive. The remuneration paid, including pension costs, in the financial year was £34,013 (2022: £34,070).
Robert Eyre, who is a trustee, maintains the website as a volunteer. This represents a gift in kind of £5,000 per annum which the charity would otherwise need to outsource.
There were no remuneration or expenses paid to any of the other trustees or their related parties during the period ending 31 August 2023 (2022: nil), other than the reimbursement of direct costs paid on behalf of the charity.
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