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2024-12-31-accounts

The Fellowship of Reconciliation Annual Report and Financial Statement Year Ending 31[st] December 2024 Registered Charity 207822

1

Contents
Charity Information .................................................................................................................... 3
Trustees Report....................................................................................................................... 4
Achievements in 2024.............................................................................................................. 4
Structure, Governance, and Management.................................................................................... 5
Risk Management.................................................................................................................... 6
Public Benefit.......................................................................................................................... 6
Financial Review...................................................................................................................... 6
Reserves Policy and Going Concern Statement.............................................................................. 7
Trustees’ Responsibilities.......................................................................................................... 7
Independent Examiner’s Report .................................................................................................. 8
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner ................................................................. 8
Basis of Independent Examiner's report .................................................................................... 8
Independent Examiner's statement .......................................................................................... 8
Statement of Financial Activities 2024 ......................................................................................... 9
Balance Sheet at 31st December 2024 ....................................................................................... 10
Notes to the accounts ............................................................................................................... 11
1.
Accounting Policies ......................................................................................................... 11
2.
Donations and legacies .................................................................................................... 13
3.
Income from charitable activities ...................................................................................... 13
4.
Income from other trading activities .................................................................................. 13
5.
Fundraising costs ............................................................................................................ 14
6.
Expenditure on charitable activities .................................................................................. 14
7.
Staff costs and emoluments ............................................................................................. 14
8.
Tangible fixed assets ........................................................................................................ 15
9.
Debtors ........................................................................................................................... 15
10.
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year ............................................................... 15
11.
Creditors: amounts falling after more than one year ........................................................ 16
12.
Analysis of funds .......................................................................................................... 16
13.
Related Party Transactions ............................................................................................ 16
14.
Information Regarding Trustees and Key Management Personnel ..................................... 16

2

Charity Information

Charity Information
Registered charity number 207822
Governing instrument Constitution adopted 1914 as revised May 1955 and 1974 as
amended 9thJanuary 1994, 22ndJuly 1995, and 18thFebruary 2017.
Chair Rev Mark Wakelin
Vice Chair Christopher Collins (until May 2024)
Treasurer Carys Underdown
The Board of Trustees Denis Beaumont (term ended May 2024)
Christopher Collins (term ended May 2024)
Naomi Rose-Steinberg
Annie Sharples
Richard Bickle
Victoria Turner (elected July 2025)
Peter Cousins (elected July 2025)
Lee Marsden (elected July 2025)
Gregory Dengate (elected July 2025)
Staff Theresa Barton (Cleaner)
John Cooper (Director)
Kathryn McNeill (Finance and Administration) (until 31stAugust
2024)
Registered Office Peace House
19 Paradise Street
Oxford
OX1 1LD
Independent Examiner Sheila Parry FCCA
SPX Oxford Ltd
Peace House
19 Paradise Street
Oxford
OX1 1LD
Bankers Co-operative Bank plc
17 High Street,
Kingston upon Thames
Surrey
KT1 1LP

3

Trustees Report

The Trustees have pleasure in presenting the statutory report with the accounts of the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FoR), for the year ended 31 December 2024. The results for the year are presented in the form of a Statement of Financial Activities, which incorporates the traditional income and expenditure account, to comply with the revised Statement of Recommended Practice for Charities 2015, and in accordance with the Charities Act 2011.

Objective

FoR was founded in 1914 as a body of people who accepted that the Christian faith is incompatible with participation in war and this is expressed in the Basis, which is not a fixed form of words but seeks to express the quest for a world order based on love as exemplified in the life and teaching of Jesus Christ.

Our work becomes more critical in this current time because , FoR supports and affirms those with a commitment to peace and nonviolence and undertakes education and campaigning on issues of conflict and peace and on behalf of the victims of war and injustice.

Achievements in 2024

2024 saw a year of activity in which the Fellowship enabled individuals and churches to think more deeply about their commitment to peace in a world increasingly shaped by war and violence.

This included:

Education Work

1) The main educational activity of the year was the return of a residential conference. This saw 40 people from around the UK gather together to explore more deeply ‘Building Peace in a World at War’. Through talks, workshops, worship and community building a wide range of perspectives and experiences were shared. This conference was a collaboration with CHIPS, the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship and Pax Christi and will be repeated in 2026.

Advocacy

4

Theological Reflection

This range of activities kept a small staff and volunteer team busy. Our membership continues to grow and attendance at Greenbelt Festival shows continued new interest in our work. We are clearly meeting a need for confidence in peace, information about what peace may look like and training opportunities in how to speak and act for peace.

International Peacemakers’ Fund

The International Peacemakers’ Fund is an important source of solidarity in a world of conflict. We hadn’t pro-actively sought donations and will be relaunching it by summer 2026. We are most grateful for those who regularly give.

Peace House

Peace House in Oxford remains our main operating base. In addition to our own workspace, we have meeting rooms and office space available to let other like-minded organisations. During 2024 we moved forward with plans to offer it to let or for sale.

Meanwhile meeting room hire continued to bring a diverse range of groups including employment training and Buddhist Meditation into our building. After a slow start post-Covid, room bookings are beginning to pick up, ensuring a reliable income and creative use of the space.

Structure, Governance, and Management

FoR is constituted as a charity with the objectives of the advancement of religion and education and other charitable purposes. It has a Board of Trustees which has the usual powers in relation to fundraising, oversight of finance, buying property, employing staff, cooperating with other charities and other activities related to its objects. The Trustees meet several times a year and set up such working groups and sub-committees as may be necessary in carrying out the objectives of the organisation, with the proviso that they report fully to the Board of Trustees. An Annual Council takes place and receives the Annual Report and duly examined Accounts which are transmitted to the Charity Commissioners.

Day to day management and delivery of work is carried out by the staff and through volunteers. The director is line managed by a Trustees and highlights any issues to them regarding broader staff welfare and workload.

Trustees

The Trustees are responsible for all major decisions relating to the operation of the Charity in the achievement of its objectives. In the day to day running of the organisation and detailed organisation of events, authority to act is given as appropriate to Working Groups and staff who make reports as required to the Trustees.

Trustees are elected for a three-year term by members at Annual Council. Individuals with a particular expertise or who represent other peace organisations may be co-opted as Trustees for a year. New Trustees are recruited from among active members of FoR or may stand for election at Annual Council. Potential Trustees may attend a Trustee meeting prior to their

5

election or co-option and be provided with copies of FoR’s constitution and the Basis. They are also advised of the responsibilities of Trusteeship as required by Charity Law and Charity Commission regulations and guidance.

Related Parties and Affiliations

FoR is affiliated to the International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR), sends representatives to its meetings, makes an annual donation to it and has close links with IFOR branches throughout Europe and across the world.

As in Note 6 on page 25 of this Report and Accounts, members of the Methodist Peace Fellowship (MPF) automatically also become members of FoR and their subscriptions are paid to FoR. An annual grant is made available if requested to the MPF. The Baptist Peace Fellowship has from time to time received a grant from FoR but membership of these Fellowships is not currently linked to FoR.

In the UK, FoR is affiliated to the Network of Christian Peace Organisations (NCPO), Network for Peace (NfP) and the Global Campaign on Military Spending. These networks enable our voice to have greater impact by speaking with and alongside others.

Risk Management

The Trustees have implemented systems to be followed by the Administration and Finance Officer and other FoR staff with a view to ensuring that the risks of financial loss are minimized. Trustees and FoR staff review the appropriateness of these procedures each year and ensure that they are being adhered to.

The Trustees have examined other operational and business risks that might arise and confirm that they have established systems to mitigate the significant risks.

Public Benefit

We note the importance of Public Benefit and the guidance given by the Charity Commission on this subject. It relates to our aims and the quest for a world order based on love as expressed in our basis and exemplified in the teaching and ministry of Jesus.

All our educational and outreach work is of public benefit and we seek to make our conferences and training courses widely available by having subsidies in costs. Public benefit is widely expressed in our overseas grants with which we support projects overseas. We recognize that reconciliation requires deep changes in society as we work for a more just and caring community. We shall continue to monitor the issue of public benefit as we discuss the implementation of our strategic plan and the development of the various programs.

Financial Review

The Fellowship of Reconciliation (FoR) has two broad funds that it operates. General Funds, from which the majority of its work is funded, and Restricted Funds, which enabled specific projects or types of work to be carried out.

In 2024 Expenditure (£99,320) exceeds Income (£83,408) by a significant sum. This was within budgeted parameters and was primarily came from ‘one off’ areas of expenditure on the building. Income declined in a few areas, Regular Giving, One-Off Collections and Grants. Income increased from charitable activities, primarily through payments for attendance at the annual conference. We also saw an increased income from Sessional Hire, indicating that patterns of meeting are re-forming after the challenges of Covid 19.

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At the year end general funds were £524,032 (2023: £540,746) and restricted funds were £24,755 (2023: £23,953).

Reserves Policy and Going Concern Statement

The Trustees of the Fellowship of Reconciliation considered and updated the Reserves Policy in 2025. They considered it appropriate to hold unrestricted reserves equivalent to 3 months unrestricted expenditure. The Trustees note that the current level of reserves is in line with the amount prescribed by the policy and seek to increase the policy and reserves to 5 months of unrestricted expenditure in the next two years.

The Trustees have put a plan in place a long term plan to increase income from Peace House and to rebalance a broader spread of income in future years. The 2025 budget was created in reference to the 2024 accounts and referencing a broader 3-year cashflow forecast. Therefore, having reviewed the planned operations of FoR, the Trustees consider the current level of reserves sufficient to enable FoR to continue to meet its obligations.

Trustees’ Responsibilities

The Trustees are required to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the trust and of the surplus or deficit of the trust for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to select suitable accounting policies, as described on pages 10 and 11, and then apply them on a consistent basis, making judgements and estimates that are prudent and reasonable. The Trustees must also prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the trust will continue.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the trust and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the trust and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Trustees confirm that these financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charity’s Constitution and Rules, and the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice for Charities (SORP 2015).

Thanks and Acknowledgements

The Trustees would like to place on record our thanks to all the staff who worked for FoR during 2024: Kathryn McNeill, Teresa Barton and John Cooper. Plus volunteers including Dave Pybus who edits our newsletter and Rev Dr Barbara Glasson, Deacon Angie Allport and Deacon Ronnie Atchison who lead the Methodist Peace Fellowship.

Rev Mark Wakelin By Order of the Board on 20 October 2025 Chair of Trustees Peace House 19 Paradise Street OXFORD OX1 1LD

7

Independent Examiner’s Report

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31[st] December 2024 which are set out on pages 11 to 18.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of 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:

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.

Signed: Sheila Parry FCCA Date: 30 October 2025

SPX Oxford Ltd 19 Paradise Street Oxford OX1 1LD

8

Statement of Financial Activities 2024

Note
Income and endowments
from:
Donations and legacies
2
Charitable activities
3
Other Trading activities
4
Investment income
Total income
Expenditure on:
Fundraising costs
5
Charitable activities
6
Total expenditure
Net income / (expenditure)
Transfers between funds
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of Funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried
forward
12		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
42,228
8,141
24,067
1,058
75,494
6,121
78,638
84,759
- 9,265
- 7,449
- 16,714
540,746
524,032		 Restricted
Funds
£
7,323
-
-
591
7,914
511
14,050
14,561
- 6,647
7,449
802
23,953
24,755		 Total
Funds
2024
£
49,551
8,141
24,067
1,649
83,408
6,632
92,688
99,320
- 15,912
-
- 15,912
564,699
548,787		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
34,041
1,019
25,417
468
60,945
9,994
66,118
76,112
- 15,167
-
- 15,167
555,913
540,746		 Restricted
Funds
£
17,553
-
-
-
17,553
364
2,783
3,147
14,406
-
14,406
9,547
23,953		 Total
Funds
2023
£
51,594
1,019
25,417
468
78,498
10,358
68,901
79,259
- 761
-
- 761
565,460
564,699

9

Balance Sheet at 31st December 2024

Note
Fixed Assets
Tangible assets
8
Current assets
Debtors
9
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: Amounts falling
due within one year
10
Net current assets
Creditors: Amounts falling
after more than one year
11
Net assets
The funds of the charity
Restricted funds
12
Unrestricted funds
12
Total Charity Funds		 2024
£
£
507,553
4,224
50,694
54,918
- 9,684
45,234
- 4,000
548,787
24,755
524,032
548,787		 2023
£
£
508,282
3,226
60,096
63,322
- 6,905
56,417
-
564,699
23,953
540,746
564,699		 2023
£
£
508,282
3,226
60,096
63,322
- 6,905
56,417
-
564,699
23,953
540,746
564,699
-
564,699
23,953
540,746
564,699

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 20th October 2025 and are signed on behalf of the board by: Rev Dr Mark Wakelin, Chair of Trustees.

………………………………….

10

Notes to the accounts

1. Accounting Policies

The principal accounting policies which are adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below:

Basis of accounting

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and the Statement of Recommended Practice 2015 “Accounting by Charities” and United Kingdom Accounting Standards.

Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. Having reviewed the activity the Trustees concluded that the material uncertainty affecting the organisation because of the Covid19 pandemic remains significant but is receeding into the past . Based on tight budgeting and regular cashflow forecasts, alongside revieweing expenditure controls and reserves, the Trustees are happy that all are sufficient to enable the Charity to operate effectively in meeting its aims.

Recognition of income

These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity becomes entitled to the resources, it is more than likely that the resources will be received, and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient certainty.

Incoming resources with related expenditure

Where incoming resources have related expenditure, as with fundraising for example, the incoming resources and related expenditure are reported gross in the SOFA.

Income from donations and legacies

All monetary donations and gifts are included in full in the statement of financial activities when receivable, provided there are no donor-imposed restrictions as to the timing of the related expenditure, in which case recognition is deferred until the pre-condition has been met.

Legacies to which the charity is entitled are included in the statement of financial activities unless they are incapable of measurement.

Donations under gift aid together with the associated income tax recoveries are credited as income when the donations are received.

Volunteer help

The value of volunteer help is not included in the accounts but described in the Trustees’ report.

Investment income

Investment income, including associated income tax recoveries, is recognised when receivable.

Liability recognition

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources.

Cost allocation

Direct costs have been allocated directly to the activity category. Items of expenditure which contribute directly to more than one activity cost category, and support costs, have been apportioned on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis.

Governance costs

Governance costs include costs of preparation and reporting on the statutory accounts, the costs of trustee meetings and cost of any legal advice to Trustees on governance or constitutional matters.

11

Fund accounting

Restricted funds are to be used for specified purposes laid down by the donor. Expenditure for those purposes is charged to the fund, together with a fair allocation of overheads and support cost where appropriate.

Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resources received or generated for expenditure on the general objectives of the charities.

Designated funds are sums set aside out of unrestricted funds for specific purposes. Transfers between funds are at the discretion of the Trustees

Tangible assets

Tangible assets are capitalised when they cost more than £1,000 and depreciated as shown below. Office equipment 3 years Furniture 5 years

The long leasehold property is not depreciated on the basis that the residual value of the land is a significant proportion of the value of the land and buildings.

As the Fellowship's main operational asset, the property is currently shown at historic cost

Investments

Investments are recorded at cost, hence only realised gains on disposal of investments are brought into account.

Stocks

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

Pensions

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for staff in line with auto-enrolment legislation. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity. The annual contributions payable charged to the Statement of Financial Activities were £1,220 (2023: £1,067).

12

2. Donations and legacies

Regular giving
One off
Collections from other
organisations
Trusts and grants
Legacy
Tax recovery
International Peacemakers'
Fund		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
16,443
4,877
366
2,600
15,375
2,137
430
42,228		 Restricted
Funds
£
50
3,656
-
1,000
-
-
2,617
7,323		 Total
Funds
2024
£
16,493
8,533
366
3,600
15,375
2,137
3,047
49,551		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
17,398
7,231
2,732
-
2,358
4,322
-
34,041		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
14,436
-
850
-
-
2,267
17,553		 Total
Funds
2023
£
17,398
21,667
2,732
850
2,358
4,322
2,267
51,594

To further pursue the Charity’s objectives FoR was the recipient of income from 4 legatees in 2024, totalling £15,375 (2023: 2,358) for General Funds and £nil for the IPF (2023: £nil).

3. Income from charitable activities

Publication and merchandise
sales
Campaigns and Events		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
1,167
6,974
8,141		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-		 Total
Funds
2024
£
1,167
6,974
8,141		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
855
164
1,019		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-		 Total
Funds
2023
£
855
164
1,019

4. Income from other trading activities

Rental Income - Short term
lettings
Rental Income - Sessional Hire
Rental Income - Parking
Other income		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
15,238
8,800
-
29
24,067		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-		 Total
Funds
2024
£
15,238
8,800
-
29
24,067		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
17,379
6,641
1,065
332
25,417		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-		 Total
Funds
2023
£
17,379
6,641
1,065
332
25,417

13

5. Fundraising costs

. Fundraising costs
Property running costs
Database costs
Other fundraising costs		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
3,825
407
1,889
6,121		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
511
511		 Total
Funds
2024
£
3,825
407
2,400
6,632		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
4,919
1,616
3,459
9,994		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
364
364		 Total
Funds
2023
£
4,919
1,616
3,823
10,358

6. Expenditure on charitable activities

Unrestricted
Funds
£
4,505
9,880
1,573
39,150
8,007
11,252
1,185
2,786
300
78,638		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
1,000
-
1,650
11,016
384
-
-
-
14,050		 Total
Funds
2024
£
4,505
10,880
1,573
40,800
19,023
11,636
1,185
2,786
300
92,688		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
5,018
139
3,197
37,697
6,785
9,151
1,619
2,212
300
66,118		 Restricted
Funds
£
744
192
279
856
-
179
533
-
-
2,783		 Total
Funds
2023
£
5,762
331
3,476
38,553
6,785
9,330
2,152
2,212
300
68,901

7. Staff costs and emoluments

. Staff costs and emoluments
Wages and salaries
Employer's National Insurance
Employer's pension contributions
Other staffing and consultancy costs		 2024
£
37,685
-
1,220
1,895
40,800		 2023
£
36,476
-
1,107
970
38,553

No employees received remuneration of more than £60,000 during the year (2023: nil). The average number of whole-time equivalent staff during the year was 1.4 (2023: 1.4).

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8. Tangible fixed assets

Cost
As at 1st January 2024
Additions
As at 31st December 2024
Depreciation
As at 1st January 2024
Disposals
Depreciation charge for the year
As at 31st December 2024
Net book value
As at 31st December 2024
As at 1st January 2024
9. Debtors
Trade debtors
Tax recoverable
Other debtors		 Fixtures,
fittings and
equipment
£
13,506
-
13,506
5,223
-
730
5,953
7,553
8,283
2024
£
2,970
1,250
4
4,224		 Leasehold
Property
£
500,000
-
500,000
-
-
-
-
500,000
500,000
2023
£
260
1,623
1,343
3,226		 Total Fixed
Assets
£
513,506
-
513,506
5,223
-
730
5,953
507,553
508,283

10. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Accruals
Trade creditors
Loans
Other creditors		 2024
£
1,440
2,057
2,000
4,187
9,684		 2023
£
2,635
2,220
-
2,050
6,905

15

11. Creditors: amounts falling after more than one year

Loans 2024
£
4,000
4,000		 2023
£
-
-

12. Analysis of funds

General Funds
Unrestricted income funds
Restricted Funds
International Peacemakers' Fund
Fellowship of Reconciliation
Scotland
Peace Education Trust
Peace-Environment Campaigning
Building fund
Ukraine 2022
MPF general fund
MPF RJ Barker fund
Total Restricted Funds		 At 1st
January
2024
£
540,746
2,267
4,365
567
3,300
-
20
3,848
9,586
23,953		 Income
£
75,494
2,668
-
1,000
-
3,000
130
526
590
7,914		 Expenditure
£
- 84,759
-
-
- 1,000
- 1,650
- 11,016
-
- 895
-
- 14,561		 Transfers
between
funds
£
- 7.449
-
-
- 567
-
8,016
-
-
-
7,449		 At 31st
December
2024
£
524,032
4,935
4,365
-
1,650
-
150
3,479
10,176
24,755

Restricted funds cover various geographic and project specific funding. They also include the general and grant giving fund of the Methodist Peace Fellowship.

The Peace Education Trust carry forward of £567 was spent in a previous year. This is now corrected by a transfer to the General Fund.

13. Related Party Transactions

In 2024, the Charity made no contribution/grants to our affiliation fee to the International Fellowship of Reconciliation, a related party, as the umbrella body for the International Fellowship of Reconciliation family (2023: £2,235).

14. Information Regarding Trustees and Key Management Personnel

Trustees received no remuneration or other benefits regarding their duties as Trustees during the year. No trustees were reimbursed their travel or meeting expenses (2023 – none).

The Key Management Personnel comprise the voluntary Trustees and the Director. The total amount of employee benefits of the key management personnel was £27,415 (2023 - £24,354).

16