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2024-03-31-accounts

Rachel’s Vineyard UK Charitable Incorporation Organisation (Registered Charity Number 1191428)

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period 1[st] April 2023 to 31[st] March 2024

Trustees

Jade Broadley Rev. Fr Sean Gough Victoria Leach Mike Weaver

Change of Name

Recognising the growing national service of the Charity Trustees approved the change of name to Rachel’s Vineyard UK Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 12[th] February 2024. The Charity Commission for England and Wales approved the application to register the name change on 15[th] February 2024.

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

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 demanding work but yields a fruitful harvest for all who are willing to labour there.

Our strategy is to:

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.

Review of achievements, performance and delivering public benefit

• Post Abortive Support

Our primary activity remains to provide support to anyone who has been affected by abortion. This includes mothers; fathers; grandparents; abortion workers; and any other family members. Last year we supported at least 160 people that contacted the national helpline through phone calls, zoom calls and face-to-face meetings. Out of these, 57 attended weekend retreats in the Midlands, Scotland and Walsingham. Here are a few examples of the benefits participants felt from attending the retreats.

Testimonies from Rachel’s Vineyard participants in 2023:

“Rachel’s Vineyard has been a safe place to process such difficult memories and feelings. It was incredibly helpful, and in truth I didn’t realise how much I needed it.” – Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat Participant

“I was so anxious about coming to the retreat and not knowing what to expect, but I’m so glad I came. It has given me peace and healing and has allowed God’s grace to work in my life.” – Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat Participant

“This Rachel’s Vineyard retreat has helped salvage my relationship with God.”– Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat Participant

Angel: a story of a man’s role in abortion and how Rachel’s Vineyard helped him to honour his child - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BELqPP-d8g

Natanya: a story of coercion that led to multiple abortions, to encountering Jesus and receiving healing at a Rachel’s Vineyard retreat - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsbI1k0G-QQ

Ellie: a story of a young woman whose life was changed by her three abortions, and the new path she is on in faith and hope with the help of Rachel’s Vineyard - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7-YZ-ED_CI

After each retreat the attendees are invited to attend an online check-in session, as well as an in-person day retreat. These elements of Rachel’s Vineyard are essential to enable people to break the isolation and to continue on their healing journey.

• Ongoing support following attendance at a retreat

We recognise that the devastation of abortion ripples across all areas of a person’s lives and many who attend Rachel’s Vineyard retreats have complex trauma that demands further support. We are grateful to be in a position where we can refer and sponsor some retreatants to have professional counselling where required.

We continue to identify the need for ongoing support for those retreatants who have additional unresolved trauma, e.g., sexual abuse, trauma from human trafficking, poor mental health, or relationship and/or housing difficulties. The charity has received several generous donations enabling us to support financially participants to attend professional counselling, psychotherapy, or other Christian healing retreats, e.g., Grief to Grace, Youth 2000, and by offering online courses such as Alpha and Journeying with the Word of God.

We are also able to provide faith support, in partnership with Catholic organisations across the UK. This year we ran an online Alpha course for anyone who had previously attended a Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat. This provided an opportunity for 30 people to explore the basics of the Christian faith in a safe, loving community.

Retreat participants are also invited to join a fortnightly online Lectio Divina group to continue the faith journey together with others who have participated in a Rachel’s Vineyard retreat. For those younger retreat participants who are looking for further faith support, there is the opportunity to attend the annual Youth 2000 Summer Festival with a group from Rachel’s Vineyard. The team have also supported a number of participants through the Right of Christian Initiation of Adults Programme (RCIA).

• Training Rachel’s Vineyard teams

On each retreat we have a team made up of a facilitator; a professional therapist, team members who have been through the Rachel’s Vineyard retreat; as well as a priest as part of their training. The priest plays an integral part at the retreat at being the face of Jesus to many who feel distant from God and His Church. We are also aware that before many come to the retreat, they confess their abortions in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

In December 2023 were able to host a weekend retreat for all team members who voluntary give of their time to support Rachel’s Vineyard retreats across the UK. This was a blessed and fruitful time where team members were able to receive, grow in fellowship, and be inspired for the year ahead in their ministry.

• Promoting the Charity

As well as the regular work of the Charity in the last year representatives gave talks, attended Catholic conferences, were interviewed for a number of different media outlets including local and national broadcasters, increased our engagement on social media, and worked with other pro-life groups across the UK.

The Charity continues to take an active and creative approach to raising awareness of the support it offers, both in the Church and the wider community. The website is regularly updated, 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 resulted in more calls to the advertised phone number for those who are seeking support. We also are grateful for the support of the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales and the Charity is advertised via their ‘Day for Life’ website.

We have gained publicity via team members and past participants giving talks and sharing their experiences at several events. Some participants have a desire to help others by sharing their stories after they have experienced healing at a Rachel’s Vineyard retreat. We work closely with them to ensure that they are ready, and with the support of the March for Life UK team there have been a number of Rachel’s Vineyard participants speaking on pro-life issues and truly being some of the “most eloquent defenders of everyone’s right to life.” (Evangelium Vitae, Pope St John Paul II). 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.

• Looking ahead

In March 2024 Trustees appointed a full time National Director to build on the achievements of the Charity since it was established in May 2020. This will enable Rachel’s Vineyard UK to focus on developing more team members and clergy in order to safely deliver additional retreats in the coming years.

Conclusion

Trustees have reviewed its activity and impact over the year and believe the Charity continues to fulfil its public benefit obligations.

The main beneficiaries of this work remain the women and men who are seeking support after the trauma of abortion. By increasing our networking, publicity and online presence, we aim 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 fourth review of the Charity’s financial position since it was established in May 2020 and covers the period 1[st] April 2023 to 31[st] March 2024.

The Charity’ income amounted to £102,633 comprising:

Expenditure on charitable activities amounted to £64,396 comprising:

Over the year income exceeded costs by £38,237 (£12,388 in 2023).

Funds brought forward on 31[st] March 2023 amounted to £49,247. On 31[st] March 2024 accumulated funds had increased to £87,484. These funds are held in an account with TSB Bank plc. The sum carried forward provides a working capital reserve to protect against adversity and is approximately equal to forecast spending over 15 months.

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 endeavors.

The trustees are risk averse. The Charity is insured by 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 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-interest policy and keeps a record of relationships with related parties.

We are 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). 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.

Official Address

10 Prospect Manor Court, Cannock, Staffordshire WS12 2DL

Email: rachel@rachelsvineyard.org.uk

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.

Trustee Mike Weaver

Date 10[th] April 2024

Rachel's Vineyard UK Charitable Incorporated Organisation Rachel's Vineyard UK Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Registered Charity Number 1191428
Statement of Financial Activities including Summary
Income and Expenditure Account		 1st April 2023 to
31 March 2024		 1st April 2022 to
31st March 2023
£ £
INCOME FROM:
Donations 92,696.70 59,478.68
Voluntary contributions made by beneficiaries
attendingretreats		 9,623.40 7,975.00
Interest 312.99
TOTAL INCOME 102,633.09 67,453.68
Less Expenditure on Charitable Activities
Professional support before,duringand after retreats 37,698.92 30,834.86
Costs of arrangingretreats and charitydevelopment 9,305.04 11,050.37
Retreat accommodation 17,391.94 13,180.00
TOTAL EXPENDITURE 64,395.90 55,065.23
SURPLUS 38,237.19 12,388.45
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS:
Total funds brought forward 49,247.09 36,858.64
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 87,484.28 49,247.09
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31st March 2024
ASSETS
Cash at Bank and in hand 87,484.28 49,247.09
TOTAL ASSETS 87,484.28 49,247.09
CHARITY FUNDS
Unrestricted Funds 87,484.28 49,247.09
TOTAL FUNDS 87,484.28 49,247.09
Signed on behalf of Trustees
Mike Weaver
10th April 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements for the period 1[st] April 2023 to 31[st] March 2024.

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 conducted 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 accrual 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:

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 £102,633 (£67,454 2023)

3. EXPENDITURE

3.1 Expenditure on charitable activities amounted to £64,396 (£55,065 2023).

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 2023 amounted to £87,484 (£49,247 2023) and consisted of funds held by TSB Bank plc.

4.2 The Trust had no liabilities on 31[st] March 2023.

5. UNRESTRICTED FUNDS

5.1 On 31 March 2023 the Charity’s funds were £87,484 (£49,247 2023)

6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

6.1 Trustees received £481(£304 2023) to reimburse their travelling expenses whilst engaged in Trust activities.

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 2022 to 31[st] March 2024.

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:

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:

Signed Dated: 12[th] April 2024 Stephen Howarth

Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountant

Address: Fairways, 111 Canada Way, Lower Wick, Worcester WR2 4XD