Akwaaba Sanctuary Trust Trustee Annual Report and Accounts 2023 Registered Charity number 119326 Akwaaba Sanctuary Trust Charity number 119326 The Trustees present their report relating to the flnancial year ending 31, July 2023 and confirm that they comply with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011. Reference and Admlnlstratlve Informatlon: The principal address of the charity c/0 Trust Secretary, 8 Hotham Close, Swanley, Kent BR8 7UX The charity trustees Martin Smyth Rev Douglas Bull Colette Selwood Peter Gower Chair Treasurer All were trustees throughout 202212023 and on the date the report was approved. The Charity bank Cooperative Bank plc P.0. Box 101 l Balloon Street Manchester M60 4EP The Independent EKamlner Not required in 202213 as income during the year was under £25,000 Structure Governance and Management The Charity was formed in 2020 and registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with th the Charity Commission on 26 January 2021. The charity is governed by a trustee committee of four trustees. Where the number of trustees is reduced to three or less, an appointment shall be made as soon as it is practicable to do so. The charity does not have any employees but retains the services of a Trust Secretary la voluntary position during 2022/31 and other volunteers or contracted agents to oversee the management of the day-to-day activity and ensure that the charity operates in accordar¢ce with recommended practice. Objectives and Activities: The Charitable purposes of charity are to advance the Christian faith for the benefit of the public in accordance with the tradition of Christian Spirituality. Our Vislon: Is that all may sense the loving presence of God in their lives. Our Mission: Is to facilitate space, for all who desire, to deepen their relationship with God,. to explore Gods desire for them and to experience Gods consolation in their lives. This is achleved by: Providing "Sanctuar¢', Space for individuals or groups to come and experience quiet time with God Supporting the ministry of those involved in spiritual direction, including through supervision, training and professional development Offering spiritual direttion and accompaniment to support people in their spiritual growth Provision of formal times of prayer, reflectlon, meditation and retreats Providing pastoral support and a 'listening ear, to those in need Being open to all people, those whose faith journey is outside the Christian church as well as those within Report on Activities: The vision for the charity emerged during the pandemic in 2020. It became clear that there was a need for people to have space to 'ask the bigger questions of life, particularly within the context of a relationship with God. A number of informal activities were undertaken through the various lockdown periods and in 2021 formal charity registration was approved. The charity is relatively young and small. In the year 2022 - 2023 in order to further the work of the charity, in accordance with Its objerts and for public benefit, we carried out the following activities: ongoing facilitation of weekly 'lectio divina, group enabling people to engage and grow their spiritual life through reflection on scripture delivery of eight in person 'quiet days, in August, October, November 2022 and April, May, June and July 2023 and planning for a serles later in 2023/4 access to an outdoor prayer space and involvement in the Quiet Garden movement in order to offer more 'outside - in nature, retreat/quiet days and a place for people to come and enjoy peace away from the demand5 of their normal everyday activity. facilitation of days of refection for others involved in spirituality work co-facilitation of a local group through participation in the Southwark Diocesan Lent Retreat 2023 one to one spiritual direction Performance and Achlevements: This was the third year of operation of the charity and a key focus was the development of the regular activities and a move to more in person events. The charity delivered a number of activities as outlined above and was able to support a slgnificant number of people directly and indirectly. Based on active purticipation.. Circa 20 people were engaged in the co-facilitated lent retreat 3 people engaged in regular spiritual direction throughout the year Up to 18 people (with a weekly core attendance of about 91 have participated in the weekly scripture 'lectio divina, group during 202213 There have been 8 Quiet Days with facilitated input and reflettion. There has been a total of 65 attendees who have participated in 'quiet day, and day of reflection activities In summer 2023 a new 'First Friday Open Garden, day has been introduced. People can 'drop in, at any point in the day for space and reflection and there is alway5 someone on call to listen to then, guide them If required. This has developed slowly but 7 people have taken the time 'to get away, and pray. A Spiritual Director supported by the charity has also hosted and facilitated day retreats at the request of other groups engaged in spirituality work. A number of those who have benefitted from the actlvities have experienced loss, bereavement or additional isolation due to personal ill health or disability. Many people expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be engaged In such activity with such feedback as.. "The spirituality of the day was exactly what I needed after a difficult period in my life. The written material was very helpful and the whole space is very calming." °Many thanks for the wonderful quiet day last Saturday, il was indeed spiritually uplifting and provided food for the soul. The facilifators provided the perfect balance of readings, contemplation and quiet refleclion time. Thank you for creating a 'safe space" with no expectations orjudgement enabling us to just be.. "I thought the greatest strength of the day was the amount of time for reflectlon. So often I have attended these sorts of days and it is stuffed with infomiation and talking. This was so different, and it allowed real time to sink into the silence and listen more attentlvely. I found I didn't really want to break the silence" "I can't think of anything to improve, other than more, more, morel" '1 found today quite special and now l am in a much better place than earller this week." °The￿'S absolutely nothing I would want to change in the day, I desperately wanted to know God's presence, and you know how Glearly He spoke to me, it was so wonderful." "I wasn't sure what to expect but it was perfect. I particularly enjoyed the hour's sllent time" "The music at the beginning really set the scene, followed by the beauliful leaflet prepared for us in advance. The readings, thoughts and queslions on the leallet hit just the right spot." "The 'Sanctuary' Is such a perfect and unique spot to have these special times for prayer and reflectlon In this busy life; I don't think you could improve the faGilities at 'The inputs were good. It was useful to have sheets to take home to use in our own time. I found myself wanting to spend the time in silence. The prayer spaces around garden and literature made available worked well." "It was a gentle peaceful day" .1 was, for warpt of a belter phrase gobsmacked, to be able to spend a day in SUGh beautiful, peaceful and serene surroundings. Everylhing was SUGh an aid to prayer and conten7plation. I was spoiled for choiGe in where to sit and honestly didn't vvant to leave. You have created an oasis and a haven'for people to spend time with God.. "I found that the input, poems and Scripture really spoke to me and helped me to pray and reflect. The 'handouts' will provide me with a lot of food for thought and prayer in the days and weeks to come., "This was my first time ever at a Quiet Day for Reflection and Prayer. I loved every minute of it. Tho peace and beauty at Sanctuary refreshed my soul." "I was able to slow my raclng life down with no husband, parents or family distractions and allow myself time to be me, to enjoy the birds singingj the gentle noise of the breeze In the trees and relax" °For me- the day was much too short! God blessed us with two facilitators who brought God so close to us and helped us find the quiet place within us that He is waiting to enter. Thank you again. I really needed that experienc8': "I learnt and gained a great deal, and I feel I have made progress in my prayer and meditation. It was inspirational" The Trustees are 8rateful that the charity has been able to continue to support the local community. Clearly, we were in a position to make a difference to the circumstances of those we were able to support and we trust that in doing so there have also been wider benefit5 to society as a whole, because people have grown in their own faith journeys and been in a position to work for the 'common good, within their families, friendship groups and communities. Publlc beneflt: The trustees have read the Commission's Public Benefit requirement statutory guidance, and have had regard to this when running the charity. The charities events and activitles are open to all people regardless of gender, age, ability, sexuality, ethnicity, personal background or belief. There is no charge for engaging with any of the services provided. Donations are requested on the basis of an individual's ability to pay. A review of the charitws financial posltlon at the end of the year: During the year up to July 31" 2023, many of the charity's activities continued to be delivered at little or no cost to the charity because of volunteer assistance and pro-bono support from spiritual advisors, facilitators and IT provision. The trustees cannot quantify thls contribution in financial terms but wish to acknowledge their grateful thanks to all who have given of their time and expertise. Donation5 received from those who have participated in spiritLsal activlties during the year amounted to £1248. Further donations of £2727 were received from St. John Fisher Church during the year in order to develop prayer activities and resources. The total income of the charity during the year was £3,975 The total expendlture of the charity to end of July 2023 was £2,204 Funds carried forward at the start of the year amounted to £ 32,436 Funds carried forward to 202314 amounted to £34,207 The purpose of these funds is to continue to grow the work of the charity through a five year development plan in order that signlficantly more activity can be delivered, including use and development of the outdoor prayer space, development of prayer resources and increased in person activity. It will not be possible to achieve this through voluntary sijpport alone. Slgnature.. Martin Sm Chair and Trustee Douglas Bull Treasurer and Trustee Date: November 18th 2023 2023 Total 2022 Total INCOME: Donatlons.. Donated Income 3,975 1765 Investment income Total Income 3,975 1765 EXPENDITURE: Expenditure on Charltable Actlvlties £2,204 £6,767 Total Expenditure £2,204 £6,767 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS: Total funds brought forward £32,436 Total funds carrled forward at 31 July £34,207 2023 CURRENT ASSETS Cash at bank and In hand other Assets £34,207 CREDITORS: Amounts due within one year NET CURRENT ASSETS LIABILITIES NET ASSETS £34,207 FUNDS . Unrestricted funds Designated Funds 29,975 4,232 TOTAL FUNDS £34,207 The financlal statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on and were slgned below on its behalf by: Martin Smy Chalr and Trustee Fr Douglas Bull Treasurer and Trustee November 18th 2023 ACCOUNTING POLICIES The princlpal accounting policies adoptedi judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparatlon of the financial statement5 are as follows: Basls of Accounting The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republbc of Ireland IFRS 102) - (Charities SORP IFRS102)), the financial Reporting Standard appllcable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021. Akwaaba Sanctuary Trust meets the definition of a publlc entlty under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historlcal cost or transartlon value unless otherwlse stated In the relevant accounting policy notes. b) Goin9 concern The Board of Trustees is of the opinion that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and there are no material uncertainties regarding the Trust's ability to do so. Tangible fixed Assets No fixed assets are held. d) Taxation Akwaaba Sanctuary Trust 15 a registered charity and accordingly Is not liable to United Klngdom taxation. The charity is registered with HMRC for Glft Aid no Glft Aid has been clalmed up to July 2023. Income Income comprises of gifts, donations, and investment income. The income in recognised when it is probable to be received can be measured reliably and charity is Expendlture Charltable expendlture consists of all expendlture relatlng to the objects of the Charity. All costs are dlrectly attributable to the activities under whlch they have been analysed. Governance costs include expendltLtre on the governance of the charity and its assets and are primarily associated wlth constitutional and statutory requirements. Irrecoverable VAT is Included with the category of expense to whlch It relates. gl Funds Unrestricted funds are avallable for Lsse by the charity in accordance with its objects. Designated funds are held and applied for the purposes agreed. h) Cash and Cash EquivaleF)ts Cash and cash equivalents Includes eash held in a bank current account and/or deposit account. Creditors and provisbons Credltors and provlslon5 are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resultlng from a past event that w511 probably result in the transfer of funds to a thlrd party and the amount due to settle the obligatlon can be measured or estSmated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognlsed at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due. i) Estimate5 and Judgements 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. Although these estirnates are based on the trustee's best knowledge of the amount, events or actions, actual results ultimately dlffer from these estimates. The trustees do not conslder there to be any estimates and Judgements. k) Flnancial Instruments The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify a5 basic flnancial instruments. 6asSc financial instruments, including trade and other debtors and creditors are Initially recognlsed at transactlon value and subsequently meaSU￿d at their settlement value.