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2022-12-31-accounts

Charity Registration No. 1198393

Company Registration No. 12888233 (England and Wales)

SAFE SPACES ENGLAND AND WALES REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

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Safe Spaces England and Wales

Reference and administrative information

Trustees The Rt. Rev’d Paul James Mason The Rt. Rev’d Paul James Mason
Dr James Herbert Harrison
The Rt. Rev’d Deborah Mary Sellin (Resigned 31 March 2023)
Paul McCallum
The Rt. Rev’d Julie Anne Conalty(Appointed 9 May 2023)
Charity Number 1198393
Company Number 12888233
Principal Address & Registered Office Church House
Great Smith Street
London
SW1P 3AZ
Independent Examiners Jane Askew
Haysmacintyre LLP
10 Queen Street Place
London
EC4R 1AG
Bankers Lloyds Bank plc
1 Legg Street
Essex
CM1 1JS
Solicitors Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
5 Fleet Place
London
EC4M 7RD

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Safe Spaces England and Wales

Trustees’ Report

The trustees present their trustees’ report (which is a directors’ report for company law purposes) together with the Independent Examiner’s report, for the year ended 31 December 2022.

The Charity

Safe Spaces England and Wales (SSEW) is a company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 18 September 2020 and registered with the Charity Commission on 28 March 2022. The Charity’s governing document is its Memorandum and Articles of Association.

The Charity is a Joint Venture between the Church of England (represented by the Archbishops’ Council (AC)) and the Catholic Church in England and Wales (represented by the Catholic Trust for England and Wales (CaTEW)) each of which is a member and guarantor.

Governance, structure and management

The two members (the AC and CaTEW) each have the right to appoint up to two trustees. In addition, two independent trustees may be appointed. No such trustees have yet been appointed. The trustees (who are also the company directors) who help office during the year were:

The trustees meet together regularly. For a meeting to be quorate, one AC and one CaTEW trustee must be present and for any resolution to be passed at least one AC trustee and one CaTEW trustee must be in favour.

In the event of the Charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to a sum not exceeding £1 per member of the Charity.

Recruitment and appointment of trustees

The trustees all hold positions in the Church of England and the Catholic Church in England and Wales. Their appointment and training is dependent on the processes in their respective Churches. Each member has the power to appoint two trustees to the Board.

PUBLIC BENEFIT

In exercising their responsibilities, the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s published advice on public benefit, in accordance with the requirements of s17(5) of the Charities Act 2011. Safe Spaces’ activities provide public benefit through provision of support to victims of church related abuse.

ACTIVITIES AND BUSINESS REVIEW

Activities

In recent years, both the Church of England and the Catholic Church in England and Wales identified that a consistent, unified and personalised pastoral response was needed to help address the needs of victims and survivors of church related abuse and in 2018 the Churches became ecumenical partners. Following consultation with victims and survivors, the Churches sought to develop and provide a service which was jointly funded, but which was delivered independently.

From this perspective, Safe Spaces, a free and confidential support service was developed to provide a new and refreshed approach to meeting the care and support needs of survivors. Uniquely, victims and survivors were involved in designing the service and in the procurement process to select the organisation which should manage it. In 2019/2020, Victim Support were awarded the contract to deliver the service due to their experience in supporting victims of abuse.

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Safe Spaces England and Wales

Trustees’ Report

On 18th September 2020 Safe Spaces England and Wales (SSEW) was established by the two Churches as a charitable company under the Companies Act 2006 in order to ensure agile and arms-length oversight in connection with the Safe Spaces project. SSEW holds and oversees the contract with the supplier of the Safe Spaces service. The SSEW Directors provide strategic direction by ensuring service assessment is performed regularly and objectively to enable informed decision making.

As per the charity’s Objectives, the purpose of the Charity is to strive to promote and protect the physical and mental health of adults who are suffering as a result of any type of abuse perpetrated in a Christian church-related context, in England and Wales, through the provision of support for their emotional and physical health and wellbeing.

For additional public benefit, the Charity also seeks the advancement of education by promoting and carrying out research into Christian church-related abuse, its effect on and the consequences for victims and survivors, and to publish the useful results of such research.

The advancement of Christian religion in England and Wales is also a component in the Charity’s aims.

Safe Spaces ensures that all victims and survivors are treated with respect, dignity, compassion and openness and that their voices are central to understanding what makes a difference to the lives of all survivors of abuse.

To achieve the aims and objectives of SSEW, the charity commissioned a service provider (Victim Support) to deliver this support independently, for an initial period of two years (September 2020September 2022). The Safe Spaces service includes a helpline and live chat service to provide services to adult victims and survivors of church-related abuse. The service provides advocacy and practical and emotional support from ISVA trained advocates. Depending on the needs of individuals, the service can give clear information as to what to expect from the criminal justice system, social care and church processes for managing allegations of abuse. It also offers mediation, liaison and signposting or onwards referrals to available support from other service providers, including voluntary, faith-based, secular and community services. It can also include making referrals to the police and local authorities or organising support from local community-based organisations.

The service can be one off, ad-hoc or ongoing with support being planned in a bespoke manner to the needs of the victim or survivor.

Safe Spaces also provides a website with information, online resources and advice for victims and survivors, families and professionals. Since its launch (to September 2022) there have been 13,873 site visits to the website, with 7,416 in the period October 2021 to September 2022.

In addition, during the first two years, the service has included a Small Grants Programme to fund new or existing peer support services and self-help based initiatives that helps survivors of church-related abuse, and which promoted physical, psychological and spiritual wellbeing.

The contract for Victim Support came to an end in September 2022 after a two-year pilot. Drawing on lessons learned from the pilot and recommendations from an independent evaluation, SSEW undertook a procurement exercise to identify a suitable supplier to continue the service. First Light were awarded the contract to deliver the service for a three year period (January 2023 – January 2026). To ensure support was maintained for victims and survivors and to enable a smooth transition, an interim provider was sought for the period September 2022 to January 2023. This was awarded to FearLess (now known as FearFree).

Public benefit and achievements

In June 2021, Rocket Science was appointed by SSEW as the independent evaluator for the Safe Spaces pilot project. Their reports and the quarterly performance reports provided by Victim Support demonstrate the public benefit of the service to the victims and survivors. From the beginning of the service to September 2022, 323 people have been referred to the service and there were 2,476 support interventions of which 912 occurred in the period October 2021 to September 2022. 98% of victims were

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Safe Spaces England and Wales

Trustees’ Report

responded to within 48 hours of their initial contact (Mon- Fri) and within 72 hours out of normal working hours.

The service user feedback indicates that overall satisfaction with the service is positive with victims and survivors mostly reporting positive experiences with their advocates and feeling well supported. From data gathered from satisfaction surveys throughout the pilot 83.8% of service users indicated their satisfaction with the service, 83% would recommend the service to others and 63% of respondents saying that their well-being was improved as a result of the service.

Victims and survivors' own testimonies evidences the difference that this unique service has provided in giving them a much-needed outlet where they can feel safe and know that they will be supported and treated with respect and emotional security.

‘The initial experience was amazing. I felt on a level paying field with the service. There was a mutual language – and an understanding of the context I was in. I spoke to [Advocate] for over an hour. She was excellent.’

‘They have a good understanding of what it means to be survivor sensitive. They created safety for me, they are trauma-informed, I feel they are on my side, they have been empathetic, good listeners, and validated my experience… they checked out what safe communication look like for me.’

‘It is exactly the support that is needed. Working through something honestly and objectively. Nonjudgemental listening.’

Lastly, the completion in October 2022 (published March 2023) of the independent evaluation of the two-year pilot expands the information and learning available about effective support provision for victims and survivors of Church-related abuse. This may be utilised by other organisations looking to support those who have experienced abuse in a faith context.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The Charity’s results are set out in the Statement of Financial Activities (page 9), the Balance Sheet (page 10) and the Cash Flow Statement (page 11).

Summary

At the year-end 2022, which was the Charity’s second accounting period in operation, funds were £12 and comprised cash of £96,354, accrued income of £95,363 and creditors of £191,705.

Income

Income for the year totalled £508,813, with £508,796 consisting entirely of grant income, and £17 in bank interest received.

Expenditure

Charitable expenditure during the year totalled £508,801, consisting of consultancy fees and support costs.

Reserves

All of the Charity’s activities are funded by grant income and therefore the trustees do not consider it necessary to hold reserves.

Statement of trustees’ responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and for being satisfied that the financial statements are prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

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Safe Spaces England and Wales

Trustees’ Report

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of incoming resources and application of resources of the Charity for that period.

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that show and explain the Charity’s transactions, disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity, and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006.

They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking responsible steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Approval

In preparing this report, the directors have taken advantage of the small companies’ exemptions provided by section 415A of the Companies Act 2006.

This report was approved by the board of trustees on 21 September 2023 and signed on its behalf by:

Dr James Herbert Harrison

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Safe Spaces England and Wales

Independent Examiner’s Report to the members of Safe Spaces England and Wales

Opinion

I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of Safe Spaces England and Wales for the period ended 31 December 2022 which are set out on pages 9 to 15.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”). The trustees are satisfied that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and have chosen instead to have an independent examination.

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the charitable company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charitable company’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed the requirements of the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

Since the charity’s income is in excess of £250,000, your examiner must be a member of a body listed in the 2011 Act. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a registered member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

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Safe Spaces England and Wales

Independent Examiner’s Report to the members of Safe Spaces England and Wales

  1. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

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

Jane Askew ACA Haysmacintyre LLP 10 Queen Street Place London EC4R 1AG

Date: 21 September 2023

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Safe Spaces England and Wales

Statement of Financial Activities For the year ended 31 December 2022

Note
Income from:
Donations and grants
2
Bank interest received
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
3
Total expenditure
Net movement in funds
Total funds at 31 December 2021
Total funds at 31 December 2022		 Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Funds
Funds
2022
2021
£
£
508,796
403,084
17
-
508,813
**403,084 **
(508,801)
(403,084)
(508,801)
(403,084)
12
-
-
-
12
-

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

All funds were unrestricted.

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Safe Spaces England and Wales

Balance Sheet As at 31 December 2022

Notes
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand
Accrued income
4, 6
Total current assets
Current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year
5, 6
Net current liabilities
Total assets less current
liabilities
Net assets
Funds of the Charity
Unrestricted funds
Total funds		 31-Dec-22
£
96,354
95,363		 31-Dec-21
£
65,000
43,836
191,717 108,836
(191,705) (108,836)
(191,705) (108,836)
12 -
12 -
12 -
12 -

The directors consider that the Company is entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.

The members have not required the Company to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.

The Financial Statements of Safe Spaces England and Wales (Company No. 12888233) were approved and authorised for issue by the Board on 21 September 2023 and signed on its behalf by:

Dr James Herbert Harrison

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Safe Spaces England and Wales

Cash Flow Statement For the year ended 31 December 2022

Cash generated from operating activities
A
Change in cash, cash equivalents and net debt in the
year
Cash, cash equivalents and net debt at 31 December
2021
Cash, cash equivalents and net debt at 31 December
2022
B
A. Net cash generated by operating activities
Net movement in funds for the year (as per the
statement of financial activities)
(Increase) in debtors
Increase in creditors
Net cash generated by operating activities
B. Analysis of cash, cash equivalents and net debt
Cash at bank and in hand
Total cash, cash equivalents and net debt		 2022
2021
£
£
31,354
65,000
31,354
65,000
65,000
-
96,354
65,000
2022
2021
£
£
12
-
(51,527)
(43,836)
82,869
108,836
31,354
65,000
2022
2021
£
£
96,534
65,000
96,534
65,000

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Safe Spaces England and Wales

Notes to the Financial Statements for the period ended 31 December 2022

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Safe Spaces England and Wales is a company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 18 September 2020 and registered with the Charity Commission on 18 September 2020. The Charity’s governing document is its Memorandum and Articles of Association.

Safe Spaces England and Wales is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

a) Basis of Preparation of Accounts

Safe Spaces England and Wales financial information has been prepared in accordance with:

The financial information has been prepared on the historical cost basis and on the accruals basis.

b) Going concern

There are no material uncertainties about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The trustees have a reasonable expectation that Safe Spaces England and Wales has adequate resources and cash flows to meet its spending commitments for the foreseeable future.

c) Income

All income is recognised on the accruals basis. It is recognised when Safe Spaces England and Wales is entitled to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income can be measured reliably.

Income from Charitable Activities predominantly represents grants received.

d) Expenditure

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis.

Charitable activity costs are the cost of operating Safe Spaces services.

Governance costs include costs associated with the governance arrangements of the Charity including the independent examination.

e) Taxation

Safe Spaces England and Wales is a charity within the meaning of Para 1 Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010. Accordingly it is exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains within categories covered by Chapter 3 of Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

f) Related Parties

The two members are related to Safe Spaces England and Wales. Details are given in Note 6.

g) Funds

As all the Charity’s resources are spent in pursuit of its primary charitable objects, Safe Spaces England and Wales resources are categorised mainly under Unrestricted Funds.

h) Judgments in applying accounting policies and key sources of estimation uncertainty

There are no significant judgements or key sources of estimation uncertainty.

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Safe Spaces England and Wales

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)

2. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Grants received from:
Benefact Trust Limited
The Archbishops’ Council
The Catholic Trust for England &
Wales
TOTAL		 2022
2021
£
£
125,721
163,446
206,670
119,819
176,405
119,819
508,796
403,084

Grant income is used by Safe Spaces to provide support for those affected by Christian church related abuse of any kind, and to promote research into such abuse and its consequences for those who experience it.

3. CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE

Core Service: Survivor Support
Support costs
TOTAL		 2022
2021
£
£
405,084
346,920
103,717
56,164
508,801
403,084

Support for survivors consists of consultancy and staff costs incurred in the setting up and running of these services. All support costs are allocated to this activity.

Governance costs – independent examiner’s remuneration:

Included within charitable expenditure are governance costs consisting of audit fees (inclusive of VAT):

Independent examiner’s fee
TOTAL		 2022
2021
£
£
3,450
3,000
3,450
3,000

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Safe Spaces England and Wales

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)

4. DEBTORS

Current assets :
Amounts due within 1 year:
Accrued income
Amounts due from the Archbishops’ Council
(see Note 6)
Amounts due from the Catholic Trust for
England and Wales (see Note 6)
. CREDITORS
Current liabilities :
Amounts due within 1 year:
Trade creditors
Amounts due to the Archbishops’ Council
(see Note 6)
Accruals		 2022
£
-
-
95,363		 2021
£
1,217
893
41,727
43,837
2021
£
125
83,503
25,208
95,363
2022
£
91,844
48,373
51,488
191,705 108,836

5. CREDITORS

6. RELATED PARTIES

Safe Spaces England and Wales is a jointly controlled entity between the Archbishops’ Council and the Catholic Trust for England and Wales. Each member holds equal guarantee rights in Safe Spaces England and Wales.

As at 31 December 2022 the following amounts were owed (to) / from related parties:-

The Archbishops’ Council
The Catholic Trust for England and Wales
Total		 2022
2021
£
£
(48,373)
(82,610)
95,363
41,727
46,990
(40,883)

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Safe Spaces England and Wales

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)

7. EMPLOYEES AND TRANSACTIONS WITH TRUSTEES

There were no employees during the period. £131 of travel and subsistence expenses incurred were reimbursed to one board member during the year to 31 December 2022.

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