OpenCharities

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2022-12-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From January 2022 to December 2022 Charity name: Open Table Network (OTN) Charity registration number: 1193868

Objectives and Activities

Summary of the purposes
of the charity as set out in
its governing document		 The object of the CIO is the advancement of the
Christian faith, in particular but not exclusively amongst
lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning,
intersex or asexual (LGBTQIA+) Christians, by:
(a) supporting and affirming people identifying as
LGBTQIA+ and those questioning their sexuality or
gender identity within churches in the United Kingdom,
by giving pastoral support and facilitating the provision
of acts of Christian worship, in particular the celebration
of Holy Communion:
(b) promoting knowledge and mutual understanding of
human sexuality and gender identity in the churches
through discussion, study and the sharing of people’s
stories
(c) supporting and standing in solidarity with those
churches that include and affirm LGBTQIA+ Christians
by providing theological resources and networking
opportunities.
Summary of the main
activities in relation to
those purposes for the
public benefit, in particular,
the activities, projects or
services identified in the
accounts.		 Activities - how the charity spends its money
•Encourage provision of inclusive 'Open Table
Worship' (chiefly Communion) in affiliated churches,
& creation of 'Open Table Communities' comprising
those who attend.
•Maintain an office and online presence.
•Resource hub for churches, providing separate
activities, support, speakers, worship materials &
guidance.
•Pastoral resource for individual enquirers, offering
workshops & other gatherings.
What the charity does:
•Religious activities
•Human rights / religious or racial harmony / equality
and diversity
Who the charity helps:
•Other charities or voluntary bodies
•Other defined groups
How the charity helps:

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•Provides services
•Provides advocacy/advice/information
•Sponsors or undertakes research
•Acts as an umbrella or resource body
Where the charity operates:
Throughout England And Wales
Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit		 The trustees have read and are aware of the guidance
issued.
Policy on grant making We aspire to be in a position to make grants to
communities within the Open Table Network, and other
groups with similar aims, though as a newly established
charity,we are notyet in aposition to do this.
Contribution made by
volunteers		 As a growing partnership of communities across the
UK, we hugely valued the contributions of 230
volunteers across the 31 communities we have
supported in 2022. 112 were new to volunteering with
OTN this year.
Independent research into the experiences of OTN’s
volunteers in 2021 showed that gave significant
contributions of time to OTN communities:
•23% completed 1-2 hours a month
•59% completed 1-2 hours a week
•13% completed 2-4 hours a week
•5% completed 10+ hours a week
Using this as a guide, OT volunteers gave around 2330
hours in 2022.
In this consultation it was clear that OTN’s volunteers
want to be better equipped to lead their communities
and provide more informed pastoral support. In 2022
we secured funding to resource training to begin
meeting this need.
The value of volunteering and delivery of social action
with and for marginalised communities is a real asset to
OTN’s work.

Achievements and Performance

Summary of the main
achievements of the
charity, identifying the
difference the charity’s
work has made to the
circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any
wider benefits to society
as a whole.		 OTN is balancing a glaring inequality. LGBTQIA+
people can go to a town hall, a cafe, a beach, a cinema
and feel accepted. But they cannot go to church without
risking either a cold shoulder or open hostility.
The communities that we help to establish, and support
as they develop, are balancing that inequality, resulting
in proven improved mental health and well-being for
those who belong to them.

Independent research into the experiences of OTN’s community members in 2021 showed that:

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Achievements against
objectives set		 In March 2022 trustees set objectives to:
• Create a financially sustainable charity
2022 has been the busiest year in OTN’s history, with
substantial growth, not yet matched by the resources to
sustain it for the longer term. OTN has worked hard to
grow contributions from individuals, the communities
OTN supports, and a more diverse range of funders.
The impact of this is beginning to show in 2023.
• Support Open Table communities to offer
welcome, inclusion, affirmation and
empowerment for LGBTQIA+ people
Following a pilot of a new model of consultation with
churches seeking to host an Open Table community in
2021, we offered this to 18 churches in 2022, including
more than 350 people in conversations aroundhow to
create a community that genuinely invites belonging
and full participation for its members.
We offered hospitality training to 14 volunteers from
across the network to equip them with resources so that
they can create spaces that grow their members and
communities and fulfil OTN’s vision, mission and
values. This was a pilot of a programme of training we
will develop over the next three years to 2025.
We also hosted our first in-person national gathering
since 2017, on the theme_More Than Welcome_. 50
people attended.
• Grow the spread and size of the network
In March 2022 OTN trustees set the target of
supporting five new communities in 2022. The actual
total was 10, in part due to the slower growth that we
saw during the pandemic (4 new communities in 2020-
21) but also due to the higher profile OTN has since
funding a full-time Coordinator in 2020 and becoming a
charity in 2021.
Several new communities in 2022 were in areas where
we had limited or no engagement, particularly in the
South East and South West of England.
_International enquiries:_These have grown substantially
in 2022. We have not previously recorded data for
these as the number was so small, and we have had a
limited capacity to respond. In 2022 there were 24
enquiries, peaking at 4 a month. Three were from
Scotland, and one from Northern Ireland. As a charity
registered in England and Wales, we currently do not
have a presence there. The other 20 were from:
Australia, Bulgaria, China, India, Irish Republic (2),
Jordan, Kenya (2), Liberia, Nigeria, Malta, Sudan,
Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda (2), USA, and
Zimbabwe. One of our trustees, who is experienced in
international development, has responded to this rising
trend by offering online support and signposting to local
allies.

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We grew our online engagement in these ways: - Website: Average monthly visits = 3,074 (52% increase on 2021). - Facebook: Average monthly page reach = 6254 (37% increase on 2021). - Instagram: Average monthly page reach = 447 (16% increase on 2021). - MailChimp: Average monthly of people who received and opened our e-news rose from 358 to 506 (41% increase). We also saw a decrease in engagement: - Twitter: Average monthly tweet impressions fell from 612,800 to 468,900 (24% decrease). This partly reflects a wider trend away from this platform. - YouTube: Average monthly views fell from 824 to 782 (5% decrease) as OTN published less video content and focussed more on in-person engagement, e.g. we did not host any webinars which were popular in 2021. • Influence the church to think differently about LGBTQIA+ Christians OTN achieved this by working with: - four other LGBT+ Christian organisations to endorse the educational charity Inclusive Church which works with churches of different traditions to explore ways in which they may become more inclusive for everyone. - two other LGBT+ affirming charities to promote an online consultation about experiences of online church and in-person church gatherings. - eight other LGBT+ affirming groups to promote an LGBT+ Christians Safeguarding Survey - 12 other LGBT+ affirming partners to write a letter to the UK Government supporting a complete ban on ‘conversion therapy’. - eight other secular and Christian community organisations to host an event for International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. - a theatre writer/director to sponsor a performance addressing LGBT+ themes including ‘conversion therapy’. - four other LGBT+ affirming Christian communities to enable inclusive Christmas celebrations across England & Wales. By sharing resources: - a glossary of LGBTQIA+ and Christian terms - an updated list of inclusive language resources for churches - our impact: A summary of our 2021 independent research report into the need for Open Table communities - research from other sources on the evidence of need for LGBTQIA+ people in church and the wider community - details of how to invite a visiting speaker

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- OTN publicity with organisations supporting young
people, students in higher education, and older people.
By delivering presentations / sermons / training /
retreats for:
- LGBT+ History Month events in a museum, a school
and a Christian charity
- the senior management team of a Church of England
Diocese
- an independent school for Pride Month
- two online conferences for Christian charities
- trainee spiritual directors
- workplace chaplains
- churches wanting to consider how to be more
affirming for LGBTQIA+ people
- a Catholic spirituality centre.
And by taking part in:
- podcasts, media interviews, an exhibition, and other
in-person and online events.
Performance of
fundraising activities
against objectives set		 OTN’s income has come from grants and
donations.
I_n 2022 OTN received two grants:
•$10,000 (c. £7500) from the Lenovo Foundation to
support the delivery of hospitality training for OTN
local volunteers, and national event for OTN
anniversary in June.
•£7,100 from Awards For All, for the same events.
The Awards For All grant was restricted to these
purposes, while the Lenovo funds were not, so they
supported the cost of development work to deliver
these events.
_OTN also received one-off and regular donations from
several supporters.
• Donations:
By the end of 2022, OTN received £242 a month from
13 regular donors. We aim to increase the number of
regular donations significantly in 2023, to increase
OTN’s financial security to train potential ‘host’
churches to welcome LGBTQIA+ people so they can
belong as themselves. These regular donations, plus
one-off donations, raised more than £5,000.
• Fundraising:
In 2022 we began more actively to enable Open Table
community members and the wider public to fundraise
for OTN. These initiatives included:
- two members running a half-marathon
- three people creating Facebook birthday fundraisers
- promoting donations via thePayPal Giving Fund,
through which OTN receives 100% of donations
- promoting donations via OTN’s new permanent
Crowdfunder charity profile, which supports one-off and
monthly donations and fundraising activities, minus a
card transaction fee.
-increasing engagement with online shopping

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schemes: AmazonSmile which donated 0.5% of the net
purchase price of eligible purchases, and
easyfundraising, through which more than 7,000 online
retailers donate between 0.5% and 10% per purchase.
AmazonSmile closed in early 2023.
- crowdfunding during Advent and Christmas, which
raised £2,528 in pledges. After deduction of card
transaction fees and VAT OTN received £2450.62. A
further £814.65 was donated by cheque or other online
payments, bringing the final total to £3265.27. As the
crowdfunder closed on 6thJanuary 2023, this amount is
recorded in our 2023 accounts.
• Speaker & training fees:
OTN has seen an increase in requests to provide a
speaker or trainer on LGBTQIA+ and faith issues.
Where possible, OTN requests a fee or honorarium and
travel expenses to support this important outreach.
• Contributions to travel expenses:
Not every local community has the means to pay
expenses for OTN’s Coordinator or an OTN trustee to
visit. From those that do, OTN has requested a
contribution to these costs. As the Network grows,
these costs are increasing, so in 2023 we are seeking
to manage this in two ways – by fundraising specifically
for this, and by enabling local volunteers to become
regional coordinators, as the first point of contact with
the Open Table Network and a source of local peer
support.
• Sale of merchandise:
In 2022 a small income came from the sale of t-shirts
and mugs in several local communities. This has the
potential to be scaled up nationally in 2023.
Other Community leaders’ / volunteers’ feedback:
•‘what we are finding is that many of our own people
who have links to the LGBT+ community are using
[Open Table] to celebrate with each other, and
those who are regulars but not members often
attend other churches (and are sometimes out and
sometimes not) but come to be out at Open Table in
a place of celebration and acceptance’.
•‘how wonderful it has been to see folk step forward
to help, to give their views / opinions on the way
forward’.
•‘we regularly get visitors who want to come and see
what we do. The feedback we get from these
visitors is “it really is come as you are”, and that
there’s a genuine sense of welcome.’
•‘The space of Open Table has been refreshing
people, for some it is their only church space often
due to having been excluded in the past because of
their sexuality or gender identity, some are engaged
with church but not able to fully express themselves
in those other spaces, while others are active in an

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inclusive church but nevertheless being able to gather and worship in an LGBT+ majority setting is still important. It has been a great source of joy.’ • ‘just being a visible welcoming Church helps people to see they have somewhere to go if and when they need us’. • ‘Being a part of Open Table gives people the added protection and security of knowing what they are walking into. Being part of the network has also given us training opportunities, support and the chance to meet, and learn from each other, as different communities come together.’ • ‘Joining the network meant that we were able to draw on others’ expertise at every stage, for example by observing how another community worked; by hearing and learning from the stories of more established communities; and by being challenged, after we had been going for a year, to set up a regular social event in addition to the monthly services, as other communities have done.’ • ‘Being part of the Open Table community has connected us with other congregations and churches that host Open Table where we can share ideas, resources and support one another’. • ‘hosting Open Table has given our families the message that their loved one are completely accepted and celebrated rather than just tolerated or intentionally overlooked. This has been incredibly healing for the grandparents, parents, siblings and children of our LGBTQ folk’. Community members’ feedback: • ‘'Life saving & life changing’. • ‘Open Table has welcomed me, and reignited my faith, and been a significant part of pandemic isolation to connect with others’. • ‘Sharing with people who have walked similar pathways is richly affirming.’ • ‘there is a nationwide movement calling us out of the shadows - we are not alone'. • ‘A wonderful sense of "family" and a joy in belonging to a growing network of folk relieved to have found a safe, spiritual space.’ • 'the only community where I don’t have racism'. • 'Haven't been in a church so warm & alive in years... I had a little cry coz there were maybe 150 queer folk in church... coming exactly as they are. And being accepted!' • ‘The reconnection with God helps me with my mental health. I am a happier person.’ • 'Thank you for all you have done and will do to help make known God's love for all in the founding of wonderful, welcoming and diverse communities.'

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Contacts in 2022

In 2022 OTN had 610,234 contacts, online and in-person. The monthly average was 50,853 contacts. 14,910 were new contacts, an average of 1,243 per month.

Contact source 2022
total		 2021
total		 % + / - 2022 monthly
average
contacts		 2022 new
contacts		 2022 monthly
average new
contacts
Webinars 0 393 -100 0 0 0
Youtube 9,387 9,886 -5 782 76 6
Website 36,892 24,266 +52 3,074 10,561 880
Facebook 75,053 54,739 +37 6,254 273 23
Instagram 5,358 4,597 +17 447 443 37
Twitter 468,900 612,800 -23 39,075 549 46
LinkedIn 106 187 +76 9 64 5
Mailchimp 6,077 4,298 +41 506 137 11
Email 582 259 +124 49 359 30
International 24 0 +100 2 23 2
Communities 5,666 4,696 +21 472 500 42
Consultations 357 126 +183 30 354 30
Events 1,832 208 +781 153 1,571 131
TOTAL **610,234 ** 716,455 -15 50,853 14,910 1,243

Financial Review

As a small emerging charity, we have achieved much with few resources, as detailed above. We believe that we are punching above our weight in achieving so much. Finding funding has been a priority. Costs are managed carefully but activity is restricted by lack of funds We continue to seek extra funding to develop the work further. During 2022 the charity received an interest-free loan of £1,500 from one of the trustees to help cashflow, which will be repaid in 2023.

Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period

Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held

Statement explaining the At the current levels of income it is difficult to build policy for holding reserves reserves. Ideally we would keep up to six months’ worth stating why they are held of expenditure in reserve. This would enable us to continue operating during times when income may be drying up. Amount of reserves held £582.55 Explanation of any The charity has struggled to obtain regular funding, uncertainties about the which is the main reason that the reserves have charity continuing as a dropped. However, at the time of writing in February going concern 2023, OTN has secured a grant from the United

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Reformed Church Legacy Fund of £50,000 to be
spread over 3 years to 2025, which will secure core
activities, enable more strategic development and
reassure prospective new funders of OTN’s
sustainability.
A description of the
principal risks facing the
charity		 Finance:OTN has mitigated the financial risk to the
charity by seeking alternative and more diverse sources
of income, and careful control of credit and expenditure.
Safeguarding:OTN was created by, and for,
LGBTQIA+ people, who have too often found churches
unsafe places to be. Owing to these issues of hurt and
harm, we are particularly committed to protecting
children and vulnerable adults within our gatherings.
Read OTN’s Safeguarding Statement & Policy.
OTN has appointed two people with responsibility for
safeguarding our activities. They are:
•OTN Co-Chair Alex Clare-Young
•OTN Co-ordinator Kieran Bohan
Reputation:In our engagement with individuals, local
communities, other organisations and the media, we
seek to maintain and develop OTN’s trustworthiness,
competency and values. Damage to any one of these
aspects of reputation would damage OTN’s reputation
as a whole. Safeguarding these, and keeping everyone
as safe as possible in our communities, are very
important to everyone connected with OTN. One of our
community leaders wrote in 2022:
‘Open Table is a quality mark. It says clearly that there
are LGBTQ people active and in leadership in the
Church. It’s shorthand for “yes, you really are welcome”
for a whole range of questions that most LGBTQ people
would ask before they stepped over a threshold of a
church… Open Table already has a trusted reputation
that would take a church many years to build on its
own. That means you are starting years ahead of what
you could do by yourself to prove you are trustworthy.’
There’s an established process for joining the Open
Table Network, which is built on loving principles of
safety in belonging. Part of that safety and belonging is
consistency. It is really important that people searching
for understanding and support come to a place that has
agreed, formally, to do create a regular, predictable
welcoming space - and has learned how to offer that
consistently and practically. We ask all those who
enquire about joining OTN NOT to use the Open Table
name and logo, until they have completed the process.

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Structure, Governance and Management

Type of governing
document		 Constitution
How is the charity
constituted?		 Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
Trustee selection
methods including
details of any
constitutional
provisions e.g.
election to post or
name of any
person or body
entitled to appoint
one or more
trustees		 Trustees have been recruited by nomination from within the
membership and leadership of Open Table communities, and
from stakeholders with whom we have worked in partnership.
All persons appointed or re-appointed as charity trustees shall
be asked, on being invited to accept appointment, to indicate in
writing whether they identify as Christian and whether they
accept the following Statement of Faith. No appointment shall
have effect if the person appointed does not accept the
Statement of Faith. No appointment shall have effect if it would
bring the proportion of charity trustees not identifying as
Christian at the time of last appointment to greater than one-
third.
The Statement of Faith is as follows:
‘The Open Table Network is a Christian organisation, but not a
church. Its work is built on a common profession of the faith of
Jesus Christ but not confined to the detailed tenets of any one
denomination. It believes human lives, identities and
relationships are precious gifts from God, which all are called to
live out with integrity. Its goal is to build a community where this
is evident, and which equips others to go out and do the same.
It seeks to serve members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans,
queer, questioning, intersex and asexual communities and the
wider Church by sharing the Christian gospel and promoting
invitation, understanding, acceptance and reconciliation
between them. It values and supports the practice of Christian
common worship, specifically the celebration of Holy
Communion, which it regards as the primary context of its
welcome and outreach to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer,
questioning, intersex and asexual individuals.’

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name The Open Table Network
Other names the
charity uses		 Open Table Network, Open Table, OTN
Registered charity
number		 1193868
Charity’s principal
address		 St Bride's Church, Percy Street, Liverpool, L8 7LT, UK

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Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name Office (if
any)		 Term of office
(from 19/03/21 unless
otherwise stated)
Ms Sarah Louise Hobbs Co-Chair 4years
Revd Dr Alex Scott Clare-Young Co-Chair 3years
Revd Julian Francis Holywell Trustee 3years(resigned 11/06/22)
Revd Dr Kendell Augustine Tanner-Ihm Trustee 3years
Ms Rebekah Greenbank Trustee 3years(from 10/03/2022)
Revd Anne Yvonne Bennett Trustee 2years
Revd LucyElizabeth Rowan Berry Trustee 2years
Mr Neil Gordon Rees Trustee 2years

Names and addresses of advisers

Type of adviser Name Address
Treasurer Mr Jeff
Prescott		 c/o St Bride’s Church, Percy Street, Liverpool L8 7LT

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members

Co-ordinator Mr Kieran
Bohan		 c/o St Bride’s Church, Percy Street, Liverpool L8 7LT

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Alex Clare-Young Sarah Hobbs Full name(s) Position (eg Co-Chair Co-Chair Secretary, Chair, etc)

Date 02/03/2023

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Ref No: 1193868

OPEN TABLE NETWORK

SUMMARY RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS 2023

Receipts
Donations
Grants
Other
Total
Payments
Charitable expenditure
Surplus / Deficit
Reserves brought forward
Reserves carried forward		 £
£
5,210.23
14,850.01
7,403.91
27,464.15
35,328.87
35,328.87
-7,864.72
8,447.27
582.55
Year ending 31/12/2022		 Year ending 31/12/2021 Year ending 31/12/2021
£
35,328.87		 £
32,012.92		 £
15,075.21
11,057.00
1,002.34
27,134.55
32,012.92
-4,878.37
13,325.64
8,447.27

The notes to these accounts form part of them and include detailed receipts and payments

All operations are classed as ongoing operations.

Ref No: 1193868

OPEN TABLE NETWORK STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES As at 31 December 2022

£

Assets:

Cash at Co-Op Bank 582.55

Represented by : General Fund (unrestricted) 582.55

TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES IN RELATION TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Charity Law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which comply with the regulations set out in the Charities Act 2011. The Trustees have elected to take advantage of the provisions that apply to small charities and have prepared a Receipts and Payments Account and Statement of Assets and Liabilities which are set out above

Approved by the trustees on 2 March 2023 . Signed on their behalf by:

Sarah Hobbs Co-Chair

Ref No: 1193868

Notes to the 2022 Accounts

OPEN TABLE NETWORK

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accounts have been prepared under the "Receipts and Payments" basis as prescribed by the Charity Commission.

There has been no change to the methods of accounting since last year. There has been no change to last year's figures, although the presentation has changed with different headings.

2 PAYMENTS TO TRUSTEES

No trustees received remuneration, or payment for goods or services during the year

Ref No: 1193868

OPEN TABLE NETWORK

DETAILED RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS 2023

Note 3

Receipts
Donations
Fundraising
Grants
Speaker & training fees
Contributions to travel expenses
T-Shirts
Other
Total
Payments
Development Work
Travel
Volunteers
Training
National Gathering
Phone / IT related
Subsciptions
Consultants
T-Shirts
Pride
Other
Total
Surplus / Deficit in Month
Reserves brought Forward
Reserves carried forward		 £
£
5,210.23
1,517.83
14,850.01
1,590.00
2,034.16
491.50
1,770.42
27,464.15
27,300.00
2,522.02
10.00
797.96
3,069.53
455.35
157.00
410.58
353.06
253.37
35,328.87
-7,864.72
8,447.27
582.55
Unrestricted Funds
Year ending 31/12/2022		 Year ending 31/12/2021 Year ending 31/12/2021
£
£
15,075.21
11,057.00
1,002.34
27,134.55
27,300.00
989.93
682.44
25.00
1,750.00
1,265.55
32,012.92
-4,878.37
13,325.64
8,447.27
Unrestricted Funds
27,134.55
32,012.92
-4,878.37
13,325.64
8,447.27

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT, TO THE TRUSTEES OF OPEN TABLE NETWORK, (CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1193868)

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December, 2022 which are set out on pages 1 to 4

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 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act;

to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act;

and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of 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 Charities Act; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities 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.

K CROOPER

15 February 2023