## **Rachel’s Vineyard Birmingham Charitable Incorporation Organisation (Registered Charity Number 1191428)** ## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period 1[st] April 2021 to 31[st] March 2022** ## **Trustees** Jade Broadley Victoria Leach Mike Weaver Rachel Mackenzie resigned as a Trustee on 1[st] February 2022. ## **Objectives and Activities** Our Charitable aims are _"The advancement of the Christian religion in accordance with Catholic teachings for the public benefit by providing women and men with spiritual help during bereavement following an abortion decision."_ Any death is significant and grieving is a natural part of loss; but with an abortion there is an extra layer of grief due to the guilt of their decision due to the part they may have played. Rachel’s Vineyard works through the stages of grief allowing participants to experience the love and mercy that God has for them. Rachel's Vineyard weekends for healing after abortion are offered several times each year. The programme is an opportunity for participants to - examine their abortion experience; - identify the ways that the loss has impacted them in the past and present; and - • acknowledge any unresolved feelings that many individuals struggle with after abortion. Because of the emotional numbness and secrecy that often surrounds an abortion experience, conflicting emotions both during and after the event may remain unresolved. These buried feelings can surface later and may be symptoms of post abortion trauma. Married couples, mothers, fathers, grandparents and siblings of aborted children, as well as persons who have been involved in the abortion industry have come to Rachel's Vineyard in search of peace and inner healing. Rachel’s Vineyard supports those suffering because they feel unforgiven enabling them to reconcile themselves to God and their child lost through abortion. The weekend is a lot of work but yields a fruitful harvest for all who are willing to labour there. Our strategy is to: - Run four retreat weekends throughout the year; - Offer free places or reduced priced retreats for those who are financially disadvantaged and otherwise would not be able to attend; - Offer a follow-up support programme to participants; - Offer professional support pre- and post-retreat for higher risk participants; - • Introduce team development and training weekends; - Offer free places and cover travel expenses for the Retreat Priest and the rest of team attending each retreat; - Promote Rachel’s Vineyard to ensure the growth of the mission; - Develop Rachel’s Vineyard Information Day Programme to engage a wider number of Priests, Counsellors, prepare for future growth; - Support post-abortive people that may not go on retreat, but need advice, support and signposting to other help; - Support new teams and develop growth of Rachel’s Vineyard throughout the UK; - Support other Rachel Vineyard teams throughout UK; and - Lead ‘Leaders’ meetings and annual retreat of leaders in UK In formulating this strategy trustees confirm that they have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on safeguarding vulnerable people and achieving public benefit. ## **Achievements, Performance and delivering Public Benefit** Since Rachel’s Vineyard Birmingham gained Charity Status, this is the first full year of operations after restrictions being lifted with the COVID-19 Pandemic. Rachel’s Vineyard Birmingham has been able to conduct five weekend retreats (April 2021, May 2021, July 2021, October 2021, and February 2022). All the retreats were followed by an online group check-in, a retreatant WhatsApp group and an in-person day reunion. Rachel’s Vineyard Birmingham continues to host the 24/7 National phone number and there were 119 enquiries via the line this year, including 4 crisis pregnancies and 4 from other countries (Germany, Gibraltar, Bhutan, and Northern Ireland). In all these cases we were able to refer the women on to more local services because of the positive relationships that have been developed with other groups working in this area. The Rachel’s Vineyard Birmingham team supported a new volunteer team who hosted their first retreat in the East of England in October 2021 and has continued to support the team who are setting up Rachel’s Vineyard Gibraltar. It is through the training and development of our volunteers that Rachel’s Vineyard will be able to expand in the U.K. and be able to support greater numbers of women and men who are suffering after abortion. For most retreat attendees, the retreat weekend and reunion cover the support they need, and this remains the charity’s primary focus. However, last year, we identified the need for ongoing support for those retreatants who have additional unresolved trauma, e.g., sexual abuse or poor mental health. The charity has received several generous donations that have allowed us to financially support participants to attend counselling, psychotherapy, or other Christian healing retreats, e.g., Grief to Grace to encourage their ongoing personal and spiritual development. For other participants we have recognised and responded to a need to provide ongoing faith support to them through sponsoring places to Christian Conferences, for example, Youth 2000. In addition to the follow-up reunion, we ran an 8-week online Alpha Course for past participants of any Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat. There were 32 participants and team that completed the course between January and March 2022. The aim of the online Alpha Course is to provide continued support and development for those who have attended Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats in the past. We have also strengthened the relationships with other regional Rachel’s Vineyard Teams and host regular team leader meeting to discuss best practices. This has led to new ideas being implemented, e.g., an online reunion in-between the retreat and the official in-person reunion to provide better follow-up care. We are currently working with this group to launch a Clergy Training Day where we aim to share about the work of Rachel’s Vineyard Birmingham and equip clergy members to be able to better support those who confide in them after an abortion experience. In October 2021 we hosted 3-day leaders retreat in Walsingham to continue this work. The trustees have monitored, reviewed, and updated, when necessary, the Safeguarding Policy and Procedures, as well as Risk Assessments. This year all the volunteer team at Rachel’s Vineyard Birmingham have completed an online Safeguarding Course through Educare online. The Charity continues to take an active and creative approach to becoming more well-known in the public sphere, as well as within Church communities. The website is regularly updates and social media is used to both publicise Rachel’s Vineyard, and to continue to support past retreat participants. Rachel’s Vineyard’s Facebook and Instagram pages are monitored regularly and posted on 2-3 times weekly. This has led to an increase in traffic through the website and has translated to more calls to the advertised phone number for those who are seeking support. Rachel’s Vineyard Birmingham has also received the support of the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales and is advertised via their ‘Day for Life’ website. In addition to these vital online platforms, Rachel’s Vineyard Birmingham has gained publicity through several media channels. In the last year, A member of the Rachel’s Vineyard team has been interviewed for the World Magazine; GB News; Shalom TV and Shakira TV; as well as for many smaller-scale livestream events. In addition, Rachel’s Vineyard Birmingham has supported a small number of past retreat attendees who have been interviewed/filmed speaking about their personal experiences in response to the amendments to the Abortion Bill post-pandemic, regarding the use of pills-by-post. These engagements help with both publicising Rachel’s Vineyard across the U.K. and as a tool to reach those who have been affected by abortion and are seeking support. In addition to the far-reaching media engagements, Rachel’s Vineyard Birmingham has also had representatives speaking at many different conferences around the country. The main beneficiaries of this work remain the women and men who are seeking support after a negative experience of abortion. By increasing our networking, publicity and online presence, Rachel’s Vineyard Birmingham aims to be a signpost to the wider society that there is the hope of healing for anyone, regardless of age, gender, or religion. The hosting of weekend retreats will always be the priority of this Charity, but we are in a privileged position to be able to offer a wider, on-going support system to those who seek our help. ## **Financial Review** This is the second review of the Charity’s financial position since it was established in May 2020 and covers the period 1[st] April 2021 to 31[st] March 2022. The Charity’ income amounted to £76,845 comprising: - Donations of £500 or more - £53,945 (70.2%) - Donations under £500 - £15,610 (20.3%) - Fees payable by those attending retreats - £7,290 (9.5%) Expenditure on charitable activities amounted to £43,326 comprising: - Professional support before, during and after retreats £16,000 (37.0%) - Costs of arranging retreats and charity development £15,744 (36.3%) - Retreat accommodation – £11,582 (26.7%) Over the year income exceeded costs by £33,519. Funds carried forward on 31[st] March 2021 amounted to £3,339. On 31[st] March 2022 accumulated funds had increased to £36,858. These funds are held in an account with TSB Bank plc. The sum carried forward provides a working capital reserve as a protection against adversity and is approximately equal to ten month’s expenditure on charitable activities. The Charity benefits from significant volunteer contributions to charitable activity and this helps to minimise expense. The Charity is also grateful to those who generously donate to its work. Trustees will continue to encourage more donors to support the Charity’s endeavours. The trustees are risk averse. The Charity is insured with Hiscox Insurance. Protective financial control measures are in place to protect the Charity from fraud and loss. Potential commitments are minimised until funding appears secure. Trustees receive regular financial reports and proposed expenditure on charitable activity is judged in the light of the prevailing and anticipated uncertainties. Trustees have no reason to believe that the Charity cannot continue as a going concern for the foreseeable future. ## **Structure, Governance and Management** The Charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered by the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 22[nd] September 2020. The Charity operates in accordance with its Constitution. Trustees are recruited for their commitment to the mission of Rachel’s Vineyard and their particular skills relevant to meeting its objectives. Trustees receive induction training and will undertake continuing professional development to ensure the high standards of governance. Trustees have a regular programme of meetings to consider public benefit obligations, assess risks, agree plans, monitor implementation and review progress against objectives. These meetings can be in person or virtually using information technology. Trustees can provide professional services to the Charity for which they are paid. These services are in addition to their trustee duties which are undertaken voluntarily. The Charity follows a conflict of interests policy and keeps a record of relationships with related parties. Rachel’s Vineyard Birmingham is committed to Safeguarding all adults and vulnerable adults who attend our retreats. We have a Safeguarding policy (that is available on the website) that has been approved by CSAS and is followed closely at all events. In the case of a Safeguarding Concern, we follow the guidance of the local Diocese and CSAS (Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service). ## **Official Address** 89 Springthorpe Road Erdington Birmingham West Midlands B24 0PL **Email** rachelmackenzie1@hotmail.com **Website** www.rachelsvineyard.org.uk **Telephone** 07734 059080 ## **Declarations** ## **The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.** ## **Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees.** _Mike Weaver_ **Trustee** ## **Date 13th April 2022** Ra¢hefs Vlneyard Blrnilngham Registered Charity Nuthr 1191428 First knunting Period 5th May 2020 to 31st March 2021 SL￿e￿nt of Financial ktivities induding Sunw 1st fy)ril 2021 to Incon* and Expendlture P£count 31st March 2022 INCOME FROM: Donat￿n$ 69.555.71 729).28 76,845.99 12,2C6.00 3,075.00 15,281.00 TOTAL INCOME Less Expendllure on Charftable Pdlvltles Professh)nal supwl before, during aThJ ats retreats Costs of arranging retreats aThY chwity de￿￿t Retreat accommodation TOTPL EXPENDITURE 16.(￿.[￿) 15,744.67 11,582.20 43.326.87 3,650.00 4,110.48 4,181.00 11,941.48 SURPLUS 33.519.12 3.339.52 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS: Totsl fvnds ix(MJght forward 3.339.52 0.00 TOTPL FUNDS CPRRIED FORWPRD 36.858.64 3.339.52 BALA￿CE SHE￿ AS AT 31st March 2022 ASSETS Cash at Bank and in hand 36.858.64 3.339.52 TOTPL fvSSETS 36.858.64 3.339.52 CHPRITY FUNDS Unrestrict8J Funts 36.858.64 3.339.52 TOTPL FUNDS 36.858.64 3.339.52 Slgned on behalf of Trnstees Mike Weaver ## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the period 1[st] April 2021 to 31[st] March 2022.** ## 1. **ACCOUNTING POLICIES** ## 1.1 Basis of preparation The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at fair value, and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) – (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102). Rachel’s Vineyard Birmingham Charitable Incorporated Organisation meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. ## 1.2 Going Concern The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. Having carried out a detailed review of the Trust’s resources and the challenges presented by the current operating and economic climate, the Trustees are satisfied that the Trust has enough cash flows to meet its liabilities as they fall due for at least one year from the date of the approval of the accounts. There are no significant financial uncertainties which the Trustees consider are a significant risk to the ability of the Trust to operate as a going concern in the foreseeable future. ## 1.3 Income All income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the Trust has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. ## 1.4 Expenditure All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the Trust to the expenditure. The following specific policies are applied to categories of expenditure: - charitable activities include expenditure on providing conferences; and - support costs relating to oversight of the affairs of the Trust. ## 1.5 Cash at bank and in hand Cash at bank includes cash and monies on short term deposit via current and deposit accounts at the bank and other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. ## 1.6 Debtors Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discounts offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due. ## 1.7 Creditors and provisions Creditors and provisions are recognised where the Trust 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 allowing for any trade discounts due. 1.8 Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. There are no critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement to note. ## **2. INCOME** 2.1 The Charity’s main sources of income for the period were from donations and fees. 2.2 Overall income for the period was £76,845 (£15,281 2021) ## **3. EXPENDITURE** 3.1 Expenditure on charitable activities amounted to £43,326 (£11,942 2021). 3.2 The Trustees received no remuneration in relation to fulfilling their role as trustees. 3.3 The Trustees arranged for an Independent Examination to be carried out. No charge was made for the Independent Examination. 3.4 The Charity uses the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) Online Donating System to enable donors to make contributions, securely and efficiently. CAF makes a small administrative charge for this service which is deducted from donations before they are paid to the Charity. The Charity makes no other use of commercial fund-raising organisations. ## **4. ASSETS AND LIABILITIES** 4.1 Assets on 31[st] March 2022 amounted to £36,858 (£3,339 2021) and consisted of funds held by TSB Bank plc. 4.2 The Trust had no liabilities on 31[st] March 2022. ## 5. **UNRESTRICTED FUNDS** 5.1 On 31 March 2022 the Charity’s funds were £36,858 (£3,339 2021) ## **6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS** 6.1 Between 1[st] April 2021 and 31[st] March 2022 the Trust made the following payments to related parties: - Rachel Mackenzie £15,000 for professional services additional to her voluntary unpaid duty as a trustee until she resigned as a trustee on 1[st] February 2022; and - Adam Clent £1,000 for his professional support services. Mr. Clent is Ms. Mackenzie’s spouse. ## **Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Rachel’s Vineyard, Birmingham (Registered Charity Number 1191428)** I report on the accounts of the Charity for the period 1[st] April 2021 to 31[st] March 2022. ## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner** The Charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: - examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act - -to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145 (5) (b) of the Act; and - -state whether particular matters have come to my attention. ## **Basis of the Independent examiner's report** My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. 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 seeking explanations from you as 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 is given as to whether the accounts present a ' true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. ## **Independent examiner's statement** In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: - (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements - to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and - to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or - (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Stephen Howarth Dated: 13 April 2022 Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountant Address: Fairways, 111 Canada Way, Lower Wick, Worcester WR2 4XD