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2024-03-31-accounts

Silver Cord Ministries Trustees’ Annual Report 29/6/23-31/3/24

1. Brief History of Silver Cord

Silver Cord began in 2017 as a befriending service and community outreach activity of Hope Community Church in Tameside and Glossop (Charity No. 1129418).

In order to allow Silver Cord to grow beyond Tameside and Glossop, the charity was formally constituted as a CIO (Charity No. 1203795) on 29/06/2023.

On 4/11/2023 a Silver Cord community hub called “The Living Room” was opened in the Clarendon Shopping Arcade in Hyde Town Centre to provide a space for those facing isolation and loneliness to meet and form friendships.

2. Trustee Information

The following trustees served Silver Cord from the date it was established on 29/6/23 through to end of the financial year (31/3/2024):

3. Charity Objectives

Silver Cord’s charitable objectives are:

and

The specific activities that Silver Cord undertakes to achieve these objectives include the following:

4. Review of Activities

The main activities, achievements and impact during this period are summarised in the table below with a brief explanation as to how this furthered Silver Cord’s objectives.

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© Silver Cord Ministries | 2024

Trustees’ Annual Report

Silver Cord Ministries Trustees’ Annual Report 29/6/23-31/3/24

Activities Achievements Impact Charity Objectives
Silver Cord has established and run a
free befriending service in Tameside in
partnership with local churches.
Volunteers from these churches have
visited and/or telephone lonely and
isolated people in the community on a
weekly basis and supported them in
other ways where that is appropriate.
We have supported c. 50 isolated and
lonely people, mostly older people, with
weekly calls and/or visits through our team
of trained volunteers. Over the nine
months covered by this report, this
equates to approximately 2,000 hours of
personal befriending care, all free to the
client.
Karen, 79, has been supported by her
befriender from 2020-2024. As Karen’s
connections have grown since the support
started, this year we brought her out from under
Silver Cord. Karen and her befriender remain
friends.
Very kind, gentle, warm human being. It
made me reconnect with humanity -
refreshing to realise that there are people
there. I think it’s amazing.
Promotion of social
inclusion
Weekly quizzes and other materials
have been posted to lonely, isolated
people.
Weekly general knowledge quizzes are
prepared and circulated to our clients on a
weekly basis.
The daughter of a befriending client, who is the
main care support to her mother contacted us
to say:
I always know if she has had a conversation
with you as she is so bubbly and upbeat. We
both look forward to the weekly quiz too! I’m
so grateful - having someone other than me
to chat to makes a massive difference to her.
Promotion of social
inclusion
The Living Room was established in
Hyde shopping arcade. This is a
1970s-themed community hub offering
a warm, safe space for people in the
community to gather for cheap
food/drinks, games, quizzes, jigsaw
puzzles and to begin to form
friendships with others.
The former retail space was negotiated for,
and fitted for use as a community hub.
Staff and volunteers were trained in food
hygiene, first aid and safeguarding. DBS
checks were done, Fire and PAT tests
completed and a 5-star rating provided by
environmental health.
And the Living Room opened to the public
on 4thNovember 2023. Since then, a
caring community has been established in
Hyde, made up of many regular customers
and even more occasional visitors.
Terry, 61, comes in every day we are open
and can stay all day. He commented:You make
new friends and can sit and have a chat. One
big happy family.
Jean, 81 said:There should be more places
in the country like this. Wonderful for people
that live on their own.
Promotion of social
inclusion

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Trustees’ Annual Report

Silver Cord Ministries

Trustees’ Annual Report 29/6/23-31/3/24

Activities Achievements Impact Charity Objectives
On Christmas Day in 2023, Silver
Cord’s volunteers distributed meals
and gift bags to the lonely and isolated
people in Tameside who would
otherwise have spent the day alone.
Where possible, they also spent time
chatting with those to whom they
delivered the meal.
On Christmas day,130 hot mealswere
distributed to some across Tameside by a
team of volunteers connected with Silver
Cord. With the food came a small gift bag
for each person receiving a meal, and a
friendly smile from the person delivering it.
Christmases would have been awful if not for
you. (Female, 82)
Living alone is hard at any time of year but at
Christmas it is much more difficult. Thanks
to you and your kindness and support – it’s
given me fresh hope for the coming year.
You made an old man very happy indeed.
(Male, 86)
Cherry, 80, received a delivery on Christmas
Day from a couple who lived locally. Following
this she now attends a weekly social group at
the local partner church.
Promotion of social
inclusion
and
Advancing the Christian
Faith
Partnerships have been formed with
partner churches which provide a
source of befrienders and community
based activities and other services into
which our clients can be invited if
interested.
During this period, four individuals have
been signposted directly to church-based
community activities in which they
continue to receive friendship and support
and belong to a warm and welcoming
community.
Doris, 82, was supported for two years with
weekly calls. When COVID restrictions were
fully lifted, we closed the match as she started
to attend a group at the befrienders church.
Doris said:
I sit with her at the luncheon club now and
it’s a real friendship. She still keeps in touch.
I have got Jesus in my heart - when you’re
really low in desperation it helps to pass it
over. He helped me to bear the pain.
Promotion of Social
Inclusion
and
Advancing the Christian
Faith
Where this is welcomed by our clients,
we have prayed with people and talked
with them about our faith and beliefs.
Some have recognised a personal
desire to know God and become part f
a church family. Where possible, we
have matched them with a church in
the local community.
Countless prayers have been offered, and
many conversations have taken place to
explain the basics of the Christian faith with
those who have expressed an interest.
Approximately ten people have started
attending local church services in this
period, of whom at least three described
having an awakening of personal faith in
God.
Paula, 61, started attending church with her
befriender. Last year she decided to get
baptised and is now a committed member of
the church. Paula commented:
[When] I met with the church it felt like I
belonged somewhere. I don’t feel like I’ll be
alone. I’d have been lost without it.
Advancing the Christian
Faith

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Trustees’ Annual Report

Silver Cord Ministries Trustees’ Annual Report 29/6/23-31/3/24

5. Financial Review

In the nine months from 29/6/23 to 31/3/2024, Silver Cord reports the following financial results (extracted from the Income & Expenditure Statement):

a. Income Unrestricted Restricted Total
Individual Donations £ 3,540 £ 322 £ 3,862
Church Partner Donations £ 2,235 £ 2,235
Gift Aid Income £ 714 £ 714
Living Room Shop Sales £ 4,914 £ 4,914
Vinted Online Sales £ 160 £ 160
Gifts & Grants (Unrestricted) £ 7,942 £ 7,942
Grant Funds (Restricted) £ 10,000 £ 10,000
Total Income £ 19,505 £ 10,322 £ 29,827
b. Expenditure Unrestricted Restricted Total
Employment Costs £ 4,717 £ 10,000 £ 14,717
Living Room Shop Cost of Sales £ 6,070 £ 6,070
Christmas/Easter Projects £ 322 £ 321
Volunteer Support Costs £ 478 £ 478
Office Costs £ 704 £ 704
Training & Development £ 489 £ 489
Professional Fees £ 173 £ 173
IT & Comms Costs £ 831 £ 831
Safeguarding Fees £ 71 £ 71
Marketing & Publicity Costs £ 749 £ 749
Travel & Subsistence Costs £ 853 £ 854
Total Operating Expenditure £ 15,135 £ 10,322 £ 25,457
c. Surplus (Deficit) £ 4,370 £ Nil £ 4,370

c. Surplus (Deficit)

d. Reserves Position

Silver Cord Trustees have agreed to hold a minimum unrestricted reserve level greater than the equivalent of 3 months of budgeted operating expenses which is estimated to be c. £6,000 in 2023/24 and rising to c. £8,000 in 2024/25. The unrestricted reserves at 31/3/24 were £8,723 which will provide just over 3 months’ of operating costs moving forward.

e. The Living Room Trading Surplus

The Living Room was opened on 4/11/23 and the rental agreement for the premises is in place until 11/9/26, subject to a 30 day notice period. On an ongoing basis, The Living Room is expected to contribute a trading surplus of c. £6,000 per year into unrestricted general funds.

f. Financial Risk

Silver Cord’s highest single expenditure stream is the cost of employment (one employee equivalent to 0.6 FTE during 2023/24) and the greatest risk to Silver Cord is the risk of not being able to pay this salary.

During 2023/24, a significant proportion of the employment costs have been covered year by a generous donation from Action Together. It is anticipated that a further grant to cover employment costs will be awarded during 2024/25, but after that year, it will be necessary to raise sufficient funds through a combination of the Living Room trading surplus, individual donations and church partner donations to cover the increasing employment costs.

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Trustees’ Annual Report

Silver Cord Ministries Trustees’ Annual Report 29/6/23-31/3/24

6. Future Plans

a. Expand the Befriending Service Geographically

Silver Cord’s plans for the upcoming year 2024/25 are to expand carefully beyond the geographical region of Tameside & Glossop which has been the focus of activity since the befriending service was originally established in 2017.

A small and manageable number of church partnerships (probably two) will be actively pursued in Manchester Central and/or Stockport MBC during 2024/25 and volunteers recruited and trained to provide the befriending service in their local community.

b. Consolidate What Exists

In addition to the geographical expansion into other areas of Greater Manchester, it is also important to consolidate Silver Cord across Tameside and Glossop. This will require a focus on strengthening the existing church partnerships and recruiting volunteer co-ordinators and befrienders to reduce the backlog of clients awaiting the service. Further to this, the Living Room volunteer team needs to be strengthened.

c. Develop a Sustainable Fundraising Strategy

Silver Cord trustees recognise that the charity is presently over-reliant on grant funding to cover core running costs (especially employment costs). It is necessary, and increasingly urgent, to add additional streams to our fundraising mix, and to grow the elements which already exist.

Our strategy is to fund operating costs through church partner donations, individual personal donations and the trading surplus from the Living Room (and other similar ventures in the future), and to use grants towards special projects and one-off events.

The Silver Cord fundraising mix currently comprises:

By successfully implementing these plans, it will be possible to grow our core (i.e. non grant) fundraising income from c. £15,600 (24/25) to £26,400 (25/26).

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Trustees’ Annual Report

Silver Cord Ministries Trustees’ Annual Report 29/6/23-31/3/24

d. Quality in Action Award (QiAA)

Action Together in Tameside and Oldham provides a free audit of charitable organisations’ quality systems, policies and procedures. It is the aim of the trustees to successfully complete this audit during the 2024/25 financial year as an external validation of the existing systems and approach to risk management.

The QiAA process will evaluate Silver Cord’s systems in the following areas, and assuming compliance is demonstrated in each area, an award will be made to Silver Cord to confirm this:

7. Risks and Uncertainties

Silver Cord trustees are in the process of developing a risk management register, having identified the following salient risks currently facing the charity.

A review of the risk management register is a standard agenda item at all future trustees meetings.

For each of the risks identified, an assessment of the likelihood of occurrence and the severity of impact has been made, and a risk mitigation action plan, supported by relevant policies and procedures, is being developed in light of this. furthermore, responsibility for overseeing each risk category is being assigned.

8. Fundraising Activities

As previously described in section 6c. above, Silver Cord’s fundraising strategy currently comprises the following activities which made up the indicated proportion of total income during the 2023-24 financial year.

a. Church Partner Donations £ 2,235 7.5%
b. Individual Donations £ 3,862 12.9%
c. Trading Income (Living Room/Vinted) £ 5,061 17.0%
d. Grants Awarded £ 17,955 60.2%
e. Gift Aid £ 714 2.4%

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Trustees’ Annual Report

Silver Cord Ministries Trustees’ Annual Report 29/6/23-31/3/24

From this simple analysis, it can be seen that Silver Cord is currently heavily, indeed over-reliant on grants awarded to cover basic operating costs. This is a matter requiring urgent attention during the forthcoming financial year with a view to seeing the operating costs funded by individual and church donations and the trading surplus.

The full-year net operating costs in 2024/25 are anticipated to be in the order of £36,000. A further grant to part-cover employment costs is anticipated during the 2024/25 financial year. Accordingly, we anticipate a full-year funding target of c. £21K from church partner donations, individual donations and trading income from the Living Room. This represents an increase of c. 33% in donations compared with 2023/2024.

9. Statement on Governance

The charity is governed by its Board of Trustees, who are responsible for ensuring that the charity is well-managed, complies with applicable laws and regulations, and achieves its charitable objectives.

Structure and Governance

The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and operates in accordance with its Governing Document. The Board of Trustees, who have ultimate responsibility for the charity's governance, is comprised of individuals with a diverse range of skills and experience relevant to the charity’s work. Trustees are appointed through a formal recruitment process, ensuring alignment with the charity’s needs and a commitment to its values.

New trustees will receive an induction that includes an overview of the charity’s mission, governance structure, and relevant legal responsibilities. Trustees also receive ongoing training and development as required.

Trustees' Role

The Board of Trustees meets regularly, at least four times per year, to review the charity’s strategic direction, monitor performance, and make key decisions. The Trustees delegate day-to-day operations to the Chief Executive, who reports to the Board on operational matters. Trustees receive detailed financial reports and updates on key projects to ensure that they maintain oversight of the charity’s work.

Risk Management

The charity maintains a risk register, which is reviewed regularly by both the senior management team and the Trustees. The charity operates a risk management review process to identify and mitigate risks to its operations, reputation, and financial stability. Major risks identified during the year included safeguarding, data protection and volunteer recruitment risks, and mitigating actions were put in place to reduce their potential impact.

Internal Controls

The Trustees are responsible for ensuring that the charity has adequate systems of internal control, designed to safeguard the charity’s assets and ensure the reliability of financial reporting. These controls include appropriate policies, processes, and oversight mechanisms. The charity also complies with data protection laws and undertakes regular reviews to ensure adherence to best practice in governance and compliance.

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Trustees’ Annual Report

Silver Cord Ministries Trustees’ Annual Report 29/6/23-31/3/24

Compliance & Accountability

The charity adheres to the regulatory requirements set out by the Charity Commission for England and Wales and ensures that all statutory filings are made in a timely and accurate manner. The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s activities and plans for the year ahead.

Looking Ahead

The Board will continue to focus on strengthening governance practices, fostering diversity, and ensuring that the charity remains sustainable and impactful in achieving its mission. In the coming year, we aim to secure external verification of the suitability of our policies and procedures (through Action Together’s Quality In Action Award (QiAA)) and work to improve our fundraising activities.

The Trustees are confident that the governance framework in place is sufficiently robust and will continue to support the charity in delivering its objectives effectively.

10.Acknowledgments

The Trustees wish to acknowledge the following individuals and other agencies who have supported Silver Cord’s work during the year.

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© Silver Cord Ministries | 2024

Trustees’ Annual Report

Annual Report for the period post incorporation 29 June 2023 to 31 March 2024

Silver Cord Ministries

Prepared by Andrew Jenkinson

Balance Sheet

Balance Sheet
Account 31 Mar 2024
Cash at bank and in hand
Silver Cord Ministries 12,236
Total Cash at bank and in hand 12,236
601-Cheque or cash in transit 5,500

602-Cash in safe
164
610.1 - Gift aid receivable 714
18,614
805-Accruals 1,172
810.1-Deferred income Lion's grant to fund Operational staff 6,000

825-PAYE Payable
326

850 - Suspense
0
7,498
Net Current Assets (Liabilities) 11,116
Total Assets less Current Liabilities 11,116
Net Assets 11,116
955-Restricted reserve Action Together 5,000

970-General Reserves arising from transfer from Elim church
1,746

Current Year Earnings
4,370
11,116

Income and Expenditure statement

Income and Expenditure statement
2024
Revenue
200-Donations individual gift aid authorised 2,226
200.01-Donations attracting GASDS 626
200.1-Donations individual none gift aid 615
200.2-Gift aid income received or receivable 714
200.3-Donations from church partners 2,235
200.4-£5 per month donations 395
200.5-Gifts and grants received unrestricted funds 7,955
209-Grant fundingAction Together restricted reserve 10,000
215-Living Room shop takings 4,903
215.1-Vinted sales 160
Total Turnover 29,827
Cost of Sales "Living Room"
310.0-Living room stock clothes 78
310.1-Living room stock Bric a Brac 195
310.2-Living room food stuffs 1,553
310.3-Living room other consumables 619
310.4-Living room repairs and maintenance 1,047
310.5-Living room shop equipment 719
310.6-Living Room Licences 155
310.7-Living Room: Christmas Decorations 19
310.8-Living Room: Electricity 1,371
310.9-Living Room: Water 175
311.0-Living Room: WiFi Router/Broadband 107
Total Cost of Sales "Living Room" 6,038
Gross Surplus 23,789
Administrative Costs
300.0-Christmas Day project 40
300.1-Christmas Day Lunches: Gift Bags 512
300.2-Recharge to specific reserve Christmas lunch expenses (552)
300.21-Deficit (spend over funding) vis Christmas dinner 190
300.3-Easter Gift bag charges (covered by a Gift Aid sponsor) 131
320-Net staff salary 12,275
320.1-Net salary charged to restricted reserve 0
320.4-5% employer's 5% pension contributions (Aegon) 1,613
320.5-Pension contributions (Aegon) recharged to restricted reserve (0)
320.6-Paye and Ni charges 829
320.7-Paye and Ni charges recharged to restricted reserve account (0)
325-Training material 9
326-Office costs postage and stationery 695
350.1-Volunteer Support: Cards, Chocolate and Flowers etc 478
350.2-Volunteer Costs: Refreshments 32
401-Audit & Accountancy fees 10
404-Bank Fees 60
425-Postage & Stationery 9
433-PL Insurance (Ansvar) 103
441.1-Safeguarding UCheck 71
461-Printing & publishing News Letter 221
462-Marketing & Publicity Website 528
463-IT Software and Consumables 200
480-Staff Training 480
489-Telephone & Internet 631
493-Travel-National 854
Total Administrative Costs 19,419
Operating Surplus 4,370

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of Silver Cord Minislries On accounts for the period endod 3110312024 Charity no (if any) 1203795 Set out on pages 1 to4 I report lo the trustees on my examination of the accounts ofthe above charity I'the Trust") for the period ended 3110312024 Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounls in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Acr). I report in raspect of my examination of the Trust's accounts Garried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5}Ib) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material mallers have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordan￿ with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounling records Independent examiner's statement I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination lo which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signèd: qs- Date: 1510112025 Name: Stephen Roy Lucas Relevant professional qualification(sl or body (if any): Company Accountant Time served over forty years Address: 3 Bell Street Droylsden M43 7AU Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidanGe for examiners). IER October 2018

Glve here brlef details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER October 2018

Income and Expenditure statement 2024 Rev8nue 200- Donations I￿l￿dU81 gift ald aultDrised 200.01- Donation5 attracb.ng GASDS 200.1- injilAd￿l rK)rE gift aid 200.2- GfrR ald Income recgl%td or recelvab 200.3- Donat'ons trom chjrch partrErs 200.4- £5 per morth dormttor 200.5. Glfts ard grarts re￿1￿￿ Lmstrfded 209- GrantfuThJiTrJAction Togeth&rrestiicled reseThp 215- L1￿rwj Room S￿1p takSr¥Js 215.1- Vlnted sales Total Tumover 2226 626 615 714 2235 395 7,955 10,000 4.903 160 29027 Cost of Salos "Llvln RDOM" 310.0- Liwng room stock dothès 310.1- Li¥ing room sthk Bric 8 Brdc 310.2- Liling room food stLJff 310.3- Liiing room 0￿r corunableg 310A. ￿ling rocvn Tepair5 and mairrterp 310.5- room slK)p eqtRpment 310.6- Rc)orn ￿C8r￿S 310.7. UiryJ Roorn.. D8coratior 310.8- LI￿7￿ Room.. El8ctdclty 310.9. LI￿7￿ Room.. Water 311.0. LiwTrJ Rgom.. WIFI Routerfaroadbarnl Totsl Cost of Sales-Lfvln9 Room- 78 195 1.553 619 1.047 719 155 19 1.371 175 107 6￿38 Gr085 su lus 23.789 Admlnlstratlvts Costs 300.0- Chrithas Dayprojeci 300.1- Cmstrnas Day LUrt￿S.. Glft Bags 3002. Rethrge to speL¥fic reser%¢ Chrisbnas exper60s 30021- D6fidtlsp6rd orfLM)JirKJ} ￿$ ChisbnasdiweT 300.3- Easter r￿ft bag cforges (covered bya GIft￿d spowrl 320- Net5taff salary 320.1- Net sakqrycharged to reslricled reseThe 320.4- 5% employefs 510 pènsion ¢￿￿b￿Cr6 IAesonl 320.5. P￿r￿SOn eontrfbutiorts (Aogonl rochaffded kn restricied reser¥t 320.6- Pay8 arKI Ni charg85 320.7. Paye arvj Ni charges reclrged b) restricied reserw actx) 325- Trydinlng rnatèrtal 326- Office costs Postage arNJ statio 350.1-Volwteer Suwortr. Cards. C1￿colate arKI Fk)wtts elc 350.2-Volwteer Costs., Refreshm8rt8 401 . Audit & A¢cowtsrLyfg9s 404-8ark Fees 425- Postage & Stationery 433- PL In5uraFre (Ansvar) 441.1- safeg￿rd}r￿ UChe¢k 461 - Printiry & News Lett8r 462- Markeljry & Publcltywebsite 463- rr Sothyare cOn￿rnab￿S 480-St#ff TrAI￿rg 489-re1epl￿rne & krtemet 493-T18￿1- Nalonal Total Admlni5trative Costs 40 512 (5521 190 131 12.275 1,613 101 829 10) 695 478 32 io 60 103 71 221 528 200 631 854 19,419 er0￿n Sur lu$ 4370

Annual Report for the period post incorporation 29 June 2023 to 31 March 2024 Silver Cord Ministries Prepared by Andrew Jenkinson Balance Sheet Account 31 Mar 2024 Cash 81 bank and in hand Sil¥Er Cord Mnlstrles rotal Cash at bank and In hand 601- Cheque or cash In translt 602- Cash In Safe 610.1 . Glft aid r8ceivdb18 12,236 12236 s￿00 164 714 18.614 805-knals 810.1- Deferred inrom9 Lion s grantto lund i>>eraOonal staff 825- PA￿ Payable 850- Suspense 1,172 6,000 326 7,498 Net CurrentAFsets Uabilltkns Tolal Assets ￿sS Current Llabllrtles Net Assets 955 - Restrlctod reser¥e Toggther 970 . Genefal Rg8eThes arising frorn transferfrom Ellm churth Current Y88r Eamlngs 5.000 1,746 4,370 11.116