2024-07-31-accounts

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS

1st August 2023 - 31st July 2024 Charity Number - 1190702

CONTENTS

1.Objectives 2.Activities for the public benefit 3.Finance Report 4.References and Administrative Information 5.Impact Report 2023 - 2024

OBJECTTIVES

(1) To promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing people from becoming socially excluded, relieving the needs of those people who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society by the provision of intergenerational storytelling activities.

(2) The advancement of the Christian faith.

ACTIVITIES FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD

Truth Be Told (TBT) is all about Storytelling For Life. We bring joy and hope to people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures making it really easy for everyone to belong together. Just as God intended. We provide resources, training, and support to help churches extend this invitation of belonging to everyone in their community.

Storytelling sessions can take place in community spaces, churches, care homes or other locations, and have been designed specifically to involve, encourage and fulfil all guests. The trained Storyteller from the Partner Church leads the group in some well-known songs, tells a short bespoke story, and uses a hand-sewn bag covered in pockets and full of props.

The group all share memories and imaginative ideas together. The sessions have Christian roots and references but are enjoyable for those of any faith and none.

Everyone is equal and valued and belongs, regardless of their age or stage, ethnic origin or needs. It is this interdependence and mutuality that means TBT is in its very essence, socially inclusive and combative against loneliness and isolation. The sessions act as a vehicle to facilitate the building of authentic, long-lasting and supportive relationships outside of the group context.

In supporting the activities of TBT, the Trustees have given consideration to the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.

FINANCE REPORT

The charity’s financial position is healthy and can fund the immediate plans to further its strategy, although we are dependent on grant-funding and continued Church Licence fees. Out of the nine grant applications submitted this year, we were successful with four of them which is a rate that exceeds the industry standard of 1 in 10. The due diligence carried out by our reputable funders confirms TBT’s good governance and pioneering impact. Grants during the year 2023/2024 received from:

Benefact Trust Bishop Radford Trust Valentines Trust Joseph Rank Trust

Our Income for 2023 - 2024 came to £80,652 and was sourced from five different areas. In particular, £69,500 was from grant funding, up £6,000 from the previous year. Our partner church income was £7225 an increase of £2,510.

Our Expenditure for this year was £74,540 .This includes £43,922 on salaries and £18,878 on freelance fees. Due to the increase in our activities this year our overall expenditure increased by £21,125

reserves

The charity recognises the propriety of not building up funds for which there are no clear expenditure plans. The charity’s policy is to allow reserves to accrue to a level of a minimum of three month’s average expenditure, plus funds which may be earmarked for specific projects in future.

As the charity is growing, reserves may only exceed this policy level in order to be able to respond positively to new opportunities. This situation is monitored to ensure that reserves do not build up unnecessarily.

Our current reserves held are £58,681

Our reserves are high at year-end, as a bulk of our grant funding comes in towards the end of our financial year and our current funds will enable the programme to continue at it’s current level until August 2027, whilst maintaining an 3 month reserve as per our reserves policy. There are plans in place to expand the staff team/ skills available further in 2024/25.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF TRUTH BE TOLD: STORYTELLING FOR LIFE

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Truth Be Told: Storytelling For Life ('the charity') for the year ended 31 July 2024 on following pages.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’).

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 2011 Act.

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: 1. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Lisa Darby Lisa Darby (Jan 28, 2025 09:58 GMT)

Lisa Darby FCA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB

Date: Jan 28, 2025

TRUTH BE TOLD: STORYTELLING FOR LIFE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024

				Unrestricted Funds	Unrestricted Funds
				General	Designated	Restricted
				Funds	Funds £	Funds £	2024	2023
			Note	£			£	£
			s
Income receipts
Grants				69,500	-	-	69,500	62,000
Donations				1,271	-	-	1,127	3,441
Sales of services and products				1,958	-	-	1,958	7,044
Church partner income Bank interest				7,225 841		- -	7,225 841	102
					-
Total receipts				80,652	-	-	80,652	72,587
Payments
Payments in relation to	charitable		2	74,540	-	-	74,540	53,415
activities undertaken directly
Total payments				74,540	-	-	74,540	53,415
Net of receipts / (payments)		before		6,112	-	-	6,112	19,172
transfers
Transfers between funds			4	-	-	-	-	-
Net movement in funds				6,112	-	-	6,112	19,172
Cash funds as at last year end				52,569	-	-	52,569	33,397
Cash funds at this year end			A	58,681	-	-	58,681	52,569

The notes on the following pages form part of these accounts.

TRUTH BE TOLD: STORYTELLING FOR LIFE STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024

			Unrestricted Funds	Unrestricted Funds
			General	Designated	Restricted
			funds	funds	funds	2024	2023
			£	£	£	£	£
		Not
A	Cash funds	es
	Cash at bank with immediate access		17,853	-	-	17,853	12,569
	Deposit accounts		40,828	-	-	40,828	40,000
			58,681	-	-	58,681	52,569
B	Other monetary assets		-	-	-	-	-
	Gift aid due to charity Other debtors		255 255	- -	- -	255 255	- -
C	Liabilities
	Falling due within one year
	Taxes due Fee for Independent Examination Pensions payable		2,176 1,020 1,397	- -	- -	2,176 1,020 1,397	- 300 136
			4,593	-	-	4,593	436
				-	-
D	Assets retained for charity's own use
					Fund to which	Cost
					asset belongs	£
	Computers and IT				General	1,217

E Guarantees and secured debts

The charity has not given any guarantees and has not provided its assets as security for any liabilities.

The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Jackie Last

Jackie Last (Jan 28, 2025 22:42 GMT+13)

---

JACQUELINE LAST

Jan 28, 2025 Date: ____

The notes on the following pages form part of these accounts.

TRUTH BE TOLD: STORYTELLING FOR LIFE NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024

1

Accounting policies

The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.

In the previous year, the charity presented accounts prepared on the accruals basis. As the charity's income is less than £250,000, it has taken advantage of the option to prepare its accounts on a receipts and payments basis and the results reported previously have been restated; further information is given in note 5 below.

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.

		Unrestricted Funds	Unrestricted Funds
		General funds	Designated funds		Restricted Funds	Total 2024	Total 2023
		£		£	£	£	£
2	Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken
	directly
	Employment costs	43,922		-	-	43,922	27,871
	Subcontracted Staff	18,878		-	-	18,878	10,119
	Rent	4,630		-	-	4,630	-
	Purchases	-		-	-	-
	Advertising and promotion	712		-	-	712	608
	Web design Costs IT expenses Office Costs (including equipment) Training Travel and Accommodation Insurance Accountancy Consultancy fees	1,285 720 492 623 469 - - -		- - - - - - -	- - - - - - -	- 1,285 720 492 623 469 --	241 8,042 721 2,511 238 1,161 405 260
	Subscriptions	892				892	540
	Bank Charges	114		-	-	114	638
	Other costs	1,804				1,804	60
		74,540				74,540	53,415

3 Transactions with related parties

No payments are made to trustees (or connected parties) other than the reimbursement of expenditure incurred on behalf of the charity.

4	Movement of funds	Opening balance	Receipts	Payments	Transfers	Closing balance
		£	£	£	£	£
	General funds	52,569	80,652	(74,540)	-	58,681
	Total funds	52,569	80,652	(74,540)	-	58,681

REFERENCES AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

ORGANISATION TYPE

Charitable Incorporated Organisation

GOVERNING DOCUMENT REGISTERED ADDRESS

Constitution

9 Blair Avenue, Poole, BH14 0DA

CEO

Gemma Gillard

TRUSTEES

Mrs Jackie Last (Chair)

Mrs Hannah Lawford (Designated Safeguarding Lead) Mrs Lwanga Chibamba (Assistant Safeguarding Lead) Mr Tosh Hales

Mr Ashley Liddington

TEAM

TBT operates with a small part-time team of three who are highly experienced in governance, relationship management, creative content writing and technical implementation. We draw on the skills and experience of a network of other connections in similar positions and charities to inform our decisions and guide on best practise. We are grateful for an involved and supportive Trustee team who are diverse in demographic and skillset along with other trusted advisors and experts.

RECRUITMENT & SELECTION OF TRUSTEES

New Trustees are identified through connections made with individuals in the course of TBT’s activities, and social media publicity. Exploratory conversations occur and if the time/skills of the individual and the needs of the Board align, the person is invited to attend a Board meeting. If this is successful, the person is invited to an interview with two Trustees where they have the opportunity to ask further questions and introduce themselves. If a synergy is identified, then the person is invited to become a Trustee based upon the voting of existing Trustees.

Responsibilities of trustees

Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.

We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011

We also have responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take ressonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.

This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Jackie Last

Jackie Last (Jan 28, 2025 22:42 GMT+13)

Jacqueline Last

Chair of Trustees

Dated: Jan 28, 2025

13 StOrJlelI￿n8 for I,fe IMPA(1 KEPOKT 23/21

CONTENTS

A Note from our Founder & CEO What do we do? Achievements What do people say about us? Guest stories What next? Thank you

Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Pages 4-6 Page 7-9 Page 10 Page 10

WELCOME

It gives me great pleasure to introduce you to Truth Be Told and our Annual Impact Report.

I could say… 'what a busy year we've had' but I think that much is evident!

What I'd like to tell you is there’s a small but incredible team of trustees, staff and storytellers who make possible the kind of impact you're going to read about. It is only with their dedication to our vision - Storytelling For Life - that joy, hope and life have been experienced by so many this year.

Most of all, I'd like to take this opportunity to give all the glory to God who sparked this idea five years ago, gave me the boldness to go for it and the people to bring it to life. Truth Be Told belongs to God and we thank Him every day for every person who encounters Him through it.

We hope you experience the joy of Truth Be Told as you read the following pages and feel totally inspired to get more involved in our story by the end.

Many thanks and every blessing,

Gemma

Gemma Gillard Founder & ceo

1

WHAT DO WE DO?

Truth Be Told is all about Storytelling For Life.

Joyful life, family life and new life.

We bring joy and hope to people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures through our storytelling sessions, making it really easy for everyone to belong together. Just as God intended.

We partner with churches and provide them with everything they might need - stories, songs, session plans, operational resources, training and support so that they can deliver storytelling sessions in their community. This may be in a care home setting with older residents, children and their parents or with women and children who are asylum seekers or refugees needing to learn English and integrate into the community.

Our intention is to offer our stories and resources to those working with children with additional needs, adults with learning disabilities and families in the prison system. If you are on the fringes and isolated for whatever reason, there is belonging available.

What we know, and this Impact Report proves, is that the power of story to unite everyone is profound. We have big ambitions for growth and breadth because the need is great and we want this belonging to spread to tackle loneliness with the hope of the gospel.

2

Achievements

226

Care home sessions with an average attendance of 20 guests

18

Nationalities have attended ESOL sessions

577

ESOL attendances over 24 sessions

5,645

Reported attendances in total across all sessions this year

250

2363

Storyteller Reflections completed which provide our impact data

Reported moments of particular confidence and participation

3

WHAT ARE PEOPLE SAYING?

A guest from Libya to one of our ESOL sessions told us that ‘I love this time because I am not thinking about my problems. It is relaxing and helps me feel not stressed.

One of the children shouting 'Hello June' to one of the residents, as she came in a bit late. June was very touched by the fact she had been remembered by name.

One resident who 2 years ago never wanted to come in, now doesn't ever miss a session and participates more and more each week. He likes getting his stickers and props and interacts with the children in a really sweet way.

A lady joined in with this little piggy and run run as fast as you can, you can't catch me I'm the gingerbread man. The activities manager said ‘that was the first time’ she had ever heard her speak.

4

We had the song wind the bobbin up and one of our props was my grandmothers copper thimble, the lady that opened the bag it was in, is very crippled and bent over. But she insisted on standing up and trying to walk over to the children to show them. Her husband who was visiting was so pleased and teary.

A resident who was distressed and crying, was wandering the corridor. The Storyteller managed to help calm her, shared that she was safe and that God was with her. She came into the room and then, during the session, was beaming with joy from the songs & children. She then transitioned into lunch easily.

At the end of a session a carer came up to the Storyteller to say thank you, and that she hadn't got a sticker. So they gave her a sticker saying ‘I am valued’ and she welled up with tears so she spoke to her some more about how God loves her and values her and sees her and she was really moved.

One resident told our storyteller - ‘I just love it, I just can't get enough of it, and seeing all the children's expressions is just wonderful’. She also witnessed one of the residents helping a child zip up their coat at the end of session.

5

One storyteller was sent this message by the care home manager: I just wanted to let you know CQC gave us an Outstanding! In the very chunky detailed report, they mentioned that a group of toddlers visited on the day that the CQC Directors arrived unannounced, and that there was much positive interaction plus lovely comments from the residents themselves and other people too.

One resident with severe dementia was seemingly sound asleep during the session. But when I gave her the truth sticker and told God loved her, she opened her eyes and smiled.

In our ESOL group one lady tried to read the song from the word handout, and singing it to herself as she remembered it from last time

A little girl attending a session had written an invitation to one of our older friends to invite them to her birthday party

6

GUEST STORIES

Averie and Lauren

Averie’s mum , Lauren says - ‘We started coming to Truth Be Told sessions when Averie was 6 weeks old. Our best friends had been coming for a while and invited us along. We felt so welcomed from our first session. It has been so lovely to watch Averie interact more with every session as she became more aware of what was going on around her. Yvonne, our Storyteller, remembers everyone's name, mums and children and remembers all the residents names and also the stories. We love coming along learning new songs and listening to the wonderful stories with props. Meeting new people and making friends whist watching residents light up seeing the babies, toddlers and sometimes older children. And if you’re struggling however that may be there's someone there with a shoulder to lean on and an ear to listen. I can't wait to watch Averie engage more in each session we go to as she grows.’

Marie

When resident Marie, sadly passed away. Her family came to share in one of our Truth Be Told sessions and one of the mums from the group organised flowers from everyone.

Marie’s son knew all about Truth Be Told because his mum had spoken about our weekly sessions so much. He said that “TBT had been a large part of Marie’s life.”

7

Roy and Theo

Care home resident, Roy, was reluctant to attend Truth Be Told but decided to give it a go and was so pleased that he did. One of the children, Theo, took a shine to Roy and it wasn’t long before they became firm friends. Theo would run straight to Roy when he arrived and he and his grandma continued to visit Roy during the school holidays when sessions took a break. Through this relationship Roy has been able to engage not only with the sessions but also with God, by attending and participating in services lead by a local chaplain. He's also started writing poetry about Truth Be Told to express himself and his enjoyment of the group. Here are a couple of his odes...!

It’s Wednesday so through the doors. Come the Toddlers group of under 4’s Welcomed by Yvonne and the Abbey crew It doesn’t matter that some are new All enjoy the games and singing Till the residents ears are ringing. My friend Theo makes a noise With all the games and musical toys And quiet young Alice Not quite into games Is the image of Alice in Wonderland fame.

Once again through the doors Comes our little group of under fours This time younger than before To enjoy a picnic out of doors Where gardener Joan On her own

Make bubbles waft through the air While companions Kia and Sara Make a picnic of veg, apples and pear. A happy occasion in fine summer weather And a pleasure in all being together

8

English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

It has been an honour to partner with International Care Network in Bournemouth to pilot and then rollout Truth Be Told sessions for mothers, grandmothers, aunts and children for whom English is a second language. In between their language classes, we have been running sessions to help guests learn nursery rhymes, simple vocabulary and to grasp gospel truths through our bible-based stories. In the beginning the women were tentative about coming and joining in but Storyteller, Karen Priest has built an incredible place of safety and joy so that everyone can put aside their concerns and have fun together. The group has grown week by week and even though some of the women don’t have their own children, they are willing to travel long distances and come early because they value it so much.

The weekly truth such as ‘I am precious’ or ‘I am loved’ or ‘I am special’ is particularly important to these guests as they spend time translating and understanding it. During one session there was a conversation about ‘I am heard’ and there was a shared appreciation and awe in the room that we are heard by God.

After the TBT session, the guests moved on to their English class and some of the women were still wearing their 'I am heard' stickers. The teacher asked one of them about it and she told that class, 'I am hear', and then they looked together and read it. The teacher asked her, what does this mean?

The lady pointed upward and said 'God', then pointed to her ear 'hears', then pointed toward herself, 'me'.

9

What Next?

Over the next year, we want make our stories and resources available to more people wherever they might need them. These good news stories are for telling all over the place! And we want to enable individuals with a passionate Christian faith to do this as well as ongoing church partnerships. We intend to grow the number of ESOL partnerships particularly as our pilot group has been so successful and this is such an large area of need.

All of this takes time, energy, dedication, people, resources and money and so if you have felt in anyway inspired to get involved in any capacity, please do get in touch, we would absolutely love to hear from you: [e-mail]

Thank You!

A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS AND PARTNER CHURCHES.

----- Start of picture text -----
Broadmead
Community Church
----- End of picture text -----

10

Final TBTSFL Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Final Audit Report 2025-01-28

Created: 2025-01-21 By: Lisa Darby ([e-mail]) Status: Signed Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAA-7saTO0X-tJg7NuNwEasD28_ChbSSY62

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