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2020-12-31-accounts

Annual Report

Year 2020 - 21

Darlington Town Mission Tel: 0794 3251357 Founded 1838 Registered Office - 2 Davison Road, Darlington, Co Durham DL1 3DR Reg. Charity Number: 235572 ‘We aim to provide relief from isolation and loneliness in the elderly by visiting, providing social contact and Christian Fellowship.’ www.darlingtontownmission.org.uk

REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2021

page
Contents 2
Achievements and Appreciation for 2020/1 3
Chair’s message 4
What Darington Town Mission Does 5
What are Lonelinesss and Isolation? 5/6
Easter Gifts 6
Missioner’s review of the year 2020/1 7/8
A message from Alan Robson 9
A prayer for the Darlington Town Mission family 9
Two Friends’ reflections 10
Happy Hampers for Christmas 2020 11
Marketing News 12
A Volunteer’s Perspective – Susan Elliot-Lyall 13
How you could support us 14
Roll of Honour 15
For Member’s information
Trustee Report 16
Financial Review 16/17
Independent Examiner’s Report 17
Reserves Policy 18
Income & Expenditure Account for Year Ended 31stDecember 2020 19
Balance Sheet as at 31stDecember 2020 20
Financial Activities Notes 21

2

Achievements and Appreciation for 2020

Due to Covid restrictions from April visits to Friends in their Homes had to be curtailed. Instead, the Missioners and Volunteers have made contact by frequent telephone calls, doorstep visits, texts and e-mails.

The trustees are deeply indebted to Sue Allison and Hilary Reaney for their commitment, dedication, and energy they devote to their work. You will see from the Missioner’s report how busy they have been. The charity is also grateful for the support of the Marketing team and the Fundraising team. We now have a clear marketing strategy with a fresh approach to publicity materials, a new website design and some amazing ideas as we move into more optimistic times ahead.

The Fundraising team have continued to raise money for the charity through sponsored events and special appeals. They are also keen to introduce a photographic competition later in 2021. With any luck, more fundraising events will start to happen before too long.

At the time of writing this report, DTM has a few places spare for anyone that needs our support that may be over 80, lives in Darlington and may be faced with loneliness and isolation. If you know of anyone that has these circumstances, please talk to them about DTM and get their permission for one of our Missioners to contact them to discuss this further.

BS 6.4.21.

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Chair’s Message

During the past year, we have all seen reports of the dangers of social isolation away from friends and family because of Covid 19 prevention precautions. The dangers of stress, mental illness, family breakdowns and even suicide have seen much greater publicity. Mental health charities, members of the royal family and many celebrities have shared personal insights into the effects of loneliness and isolation. The public must now have a much clearer picture of the difficulties people face in these circumstances.

Most of us will feel lonely at some point in our lives. Some are classed as chronically lonely, and others seen as ‘lock-down lonely’. But many are brilliant at hiding it, or even admitting it. Our charity provides a vital lifeline of companionship, fellowship support, and practical help to many elderly people in Darlington. We normally help to relieve loneliness by visiting people in their own homes and in care homes.

Before the pandemic we also helped by giving older people the chance to join with others in outings, social and other events and at our Friend’s Forum which provides fortnightly lunch and activities for a smaller number of Friends.

The charity also normally provides a spiritual dimension in providing access to Christian fellowship and ecumenical worship. For those Friends who are Christian we aim to nurture them in their faith, and for those of other faiths or none, to support them equally in our caring.

Yet, many of our Friends have been challenged even more with loneliness and isolation that has been part of their lives long before Covid restrictions were brought in. Many of our Friends are also housebound with reducing eyesight, hearing, or mobility difficulties.

Therefore, we need the support of the community of Darlington to help us care for the Friends we look after.

During this time, our Missioners and volunteers have worked tirelessly to keep in touch with our Friends.

We continue to look to the people of Darlington to help with donations and look for volunteers to join us. We need more people willing to carry out visits, even if they are only on doorsteps; we need more people to help with phone calls to Friends to relieve loneliness and be a listening ear to those living in isolation. We need your prayers for our long-term future.

Don’t forget, as you get beyond 80 years of age, you might experience loneliness and isolation yourself, and Darlington Town Mission needs to be there to help you in the future. Thank you.

Brian Simpson

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Chair of DTM

What Darlington Town Mission Does

The Darlington Town Mission was founded in 1838 by three local businessmen - John Backhouse and John Pease who were well known Quakers and John Hopkins, an Anglican.

Its aims are as follows:

These aims are achieved in the following ways:

We are now focusing our activities on relieving loneliness and isolation in the elderly in Darlington. All our charitable activities focus on improving quality of life and to further our charitable purpose for the public benefit.

What are Loneliness and Social Isolation?

Loneliness is a subjective, negative feeling experienced where there is a discrepancy between the amount and quality of social contacts one has, and the amount and quality one would like to have. It is related to but distinct from social isolation which is an objective state, the absence of social contacts and social connectedness.

What are the intrinsic factors?

Lack of transport; not living near families; bereavement; becoming a carer; experiencing poor health or poor mobility; loss of sight or hearing; being childless and living on a low income are all factors which can cause a person to become lonely.

Loneliness is seen by many as one of the largest health concerns we face. Why? Here are the facts.

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1. Health Risks of Loneliness

2. Loneliness and older people

Easter Gifts

During Easter Week, we managed to arrange Easter gift bags for all our Friends. They contained an Easter egg, hot-cross buns, a pot of daffodil bulbs, a DTM Easter bookmark and copy of the Easter Newsletter. Generous donations and discounts were kindly given by Morrison’s, Morton Park, Marks & Spencer, and the Co-op West Park. The gift bags were delivered by some wonderful volunteers and our Missioners. Peter Gibson MP even came along to support the packing and he even helped with the deliveries! Thank you to all those involved in this project. It was really appreciated by all the Friends that received this unexpected Easter surprise.

“Thank you all for your care in these difficult times, and for the Easter gift. God bless”. Joyce Thompson.

6

Missioner’s Review for 2020 - 21

As we both reflect on the past year, we continue to feel blessed and privileged, but what a challenging, very different year it has been! We could never have foreseen the effect that Covid 19 would have on all of us and indeed across the world.

We began 2020 planning a full year of outings and events and managed only January and February before the emergence of the pandemic and lockdown. Covid 19 had a profound effect on how we could serve our Friends. We needed to follow Government guidelines and Darlington Town Mission Covid policies and procedures.

We had to stop all planned outings both group and individual, Friend’s Forum, visiting and carrying out services in care homes, taking Friends to lunch club fortnightly and our visits.

For our Friends lockdown meant having to stay at home - this meant that the lifeline we provided of regular social contact and social outlets abruptly ended! This was so hard for our Friends and meant separation from families, an increased need for practical help and increased loneliness and social isolation. This meant our role as Missioners had to change!

We could offer phone calls and to be a listening ear and valuable contact to our Friends, and to those we couldn’t ring, we text or wrote note cards sending our continued thoughts and love or maintained contact through family. For some of our Friends who needed practical help we have done essential shopping, helped with prescriptions, taken to appointments if no family able to do this, and other tasks as needed.

Through these phone calls we have got to know our friends so much better, sharing stories and memories but most of all we’ve been able to provide reassurance, strength and support in what have been very anxious and uncertain times. Friends have often been feeling fearful, despondent, and confused with all the rule changes, increased cases and deaths and ongoing separation from their own family and friends.

Friends tell us the phone calls and doorstep chats when allowed have made a huge difference and really appreciate our calls. In return it’s so wonderful to hear the lift in their voices and spirits when we call. We have learned so much about our friends but also about life which is so lovely and interesting i.e., gardening and cooking tips, VE Day and other memories. How the world has changed.

We are very thankful to our volunteers who have regularly phoned and helped Friends. This is so appreciated, and it was great to come together with some of our volunteers again for making and delivering our Christmas hampers. These hampers gave so much joy and our Friends have said how much thought had gone into them and they were so touched and appreciative.

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It has been lovely to see the family that is Town Mission support one another through this year. Friends telephoning other Friends and asking after Friends and volunteers.

We had some lovely sunny days last year so managed a few garden visits and when able as restrictions and weather allow, we have very much enjoyed doorstep chats.

We have maintained contact with Croft Primary School and Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College. Teacher Nancy Wall and the QE Interact Club have been wonderful, sending handmade cards and cheerful letters which we have delivered to Friends who would normally attend QE events.

This last year we have lost a lot of our dear Town Mission Friends and our wonderful past Missioner and volunteer, Anne Tyreman who worked tirelessly for our Friends for many years. Our continued thoughts and prayers are with her husband and volunteer Brian.

We have also welcomed many new Friends, and more volunteers. We very much look forward to meeting everyone in person!

Moving forward with hope that with covid vaccinations and lockdown easing that we can gradually increase contact again and start to make plans for the future! We seek as always to help relieve loneliness and provide fellowship and companionship.

We understand some of our Friends have lost confidence, mobility, and strength. It’s been a hard year for them, both mentally and physically and many haven’t seen family for a year now. Be assured that we fully understand venturing back out again and having visits may be daunting and we will take things forward as Friends are ready.

We are acutely aware of the different ways loneliness affects people especially after this past year. We want to continue to provide valuable contact and support and hopefully we will be able to organise some form of social contact /activity as soon as it is safe to do so.

This has not been an easy year for us as Missioners, but we are so blessed to have each other, and we both know that God is with us in all we do as we seek to do His work.

We have wonderful support from our Friends, volunteers, management, and trustees but we are especially thankful for the constant support, listening ears, encouragement and humour when needed to make us smile from Sue Case and Brian Simpson.

To all our Friends, thank you for all you are and all you give to us. Remember we are always here for you.

Every blessing, Sue Allison and Hilary Reaney Missioners

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A Message from Alan Robson

A couple of years ago Darlington Town Mission contacted my mam, Dorrie Robson. Dad had just passed away and she was on her own. Not easy at any age, but at 96 and after 72 years of marriage it must have been incredibly hard. Unfortunately, we all live a considerable distance away (I’m the closest at 170 miles) and even with the best will in the world we could not visit as often as we would like.

Mam explained to us that someone had called and was going to see her. It was the start of something great! Sue and her staff have been so helpful, taking mam out, visiting her, calling her and doing her shopping. She would call me regularly after her days out and I could hear in her voice the joy the trips brought her. Then there’s the Christmas parties, cakes and parcels!

Then COVID hit. I really did worry about how things were going to pan out, especially as lockdown extended. We couldn’t visit at all due to the restrictions. But again, the Mission have come to the rescue. Sue regularly does mams shopping still, stopping at the bakery for a special cake or two. And all this is complemented by phone calls from Lilian.

“Thank you” is so easy to write, but The Darlington Town Mission have made the last couple of years special for mam. She looks forward to the conversation and always tells me how good they are to her. When you leave Darlington, you realise how special the people of the town are, but Town Mission staff and volunteers are simply the best! So……THANK YOU!!!!! Alan Robson

A prayer for the Darlington Town Mission Family Compassionate Heavenly Father,

From the beginning of time, you said that it was not good for us to be alone. We need company and community. But there are those in our care who are now more isolated than ever during this time. We pray for the lonely, the isolated and the vulnerable who feel the strain of this extraordinary solitude. Please be especially near to Friends and volunteers alike.

We pray for our Missioners that they may they feel Your presence. May all Darlington Town Mission family know that they are not alone. Put them on the hearts of Your people who can reach out to them in love, give them special grace to flourish in unexpected ways, and may they feel your love and grace in their lives. Walk alongside us as we face the next year in our long history with hope and commitment.

We pray for them and all those involved with our charity in so many ways. In the name of Jesus Christ, our redeemer, our inspiration, and our ultimate ‘Friend’. Amen.

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Two Friend’s Reflections

Three years ago, when DTM Friend Audrey told me about Darlington Town Mission, I was immediately keen to join! It meant I had places to go at a difficult time in my life when my late wife was very poorly in a care home and I visited every day.

When the outing list came out, I looked forward to every outing with eager anticipation and it meant I had company and something different which made me happy.

This year I’ve so missed getting out with DTM, but I’ve really appreciated regular contact with Sue and with practical help. I chat with Sue about my faith and purpose, day to day concerns and this really helps especially as my sons don’t live locally.

DTM gives people hope and friendship, and I hope that at some point I’ll get out with my DTM Friends again soon

Laurie Johnson

………………..

I first heard of The Darlington Town Mission from the Revd. Andrew Wigram who happened to be sitting opposite me at one of our street parties. He gave me DTM card which ended up on my lounge mantelpiece for a couple of years!

It wasn’t until I met Laurie Johnson in Bondgate Methodist Church’s café, and he described his outings with the Town Mission, that I came to join.

Having lost so many of my friends, and at 90 years of age, I was in a rather lonely place, so I retrieved Andrew’s card. I got in touch with the lovely Sue who came to see me to discuss joining up - which I did!

I enjoyed a year of great outings which helped to dispel some of the loneliness. Then came Covid which put paid to all the outings. However, I have since enjoyed weekly contact with Sue, with helpful shopping and doorstep chats which I always look forward to.

I very much hope that it won’t be too long before life can get back to normal and I can meet up with others from The Mission.

Ian Gardner

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Happy Hampers for Christmas

When we were faced with Covid restrictions, 2020 seemed a bit of a nightmare to so many of our Friends and volunteers. Most of our usual activities were curtailed. We could no longer offer face-to-face contacts to one another, and social interaction is vital to our mental health and wellbeing. Christmas 2020 seemed to be looking bleak. Because of all this, the idea of providing a Christmas hamper to our Friends was raised. After a great deal of planning, an appeal was made on Facebook and on our website to provide a small Christmas gift to every one of our Friends. This raised over £2600. We used some of the Co-op funding grant to help.

The appeal was so successful that we had enough money to organise a special hamper packed full of Christmas goodies. The purchases came from many local businesses where we bought Christmas cakes, cheese, jams and chutney, Christmas puddings, a bottled drink and shortbread. We then included Christmas decorations, mints, coffee and tea bags, sweets, and a small selection box. We are grateful for the discounts and donations from the West Park branch of the Co-op, Aldersons Butchers in Cockerton, Ulnaby Farm Shop and the local branches of Boyes, Boots and Wilko’s. A small tree decoration was made for the hampers by Margaret Jackson from the Homemaker’s Ladies group at Haughton Methodist Church. There was also a very kind donation of lovely biscuits to go into all the hampers thanks to Cheryl Pattison.

These hampers were packed by a great team of DTM volunteers and distributed during the week before Christmas. Those Friends who couldn’t have hampers that that are in care homes were given a large toiletry set. All the Friends and our volunteers were given a DTM Christmas card and a Christmas Newsletter.

At the same time as the Happy Hamper Appeal, the management team arranged for a Darlington Town Mission card to be professionally designed and printed for sale. Again, the sale of Christmas cards went well, and we hope to repeat this project for Christmas 2021.

The Management team and our Marketing team would like to thank all those that worked to hard to make these two projects such a success – all those involved in organising hamper contents and the volunteers who helped packing and distribution. We need to thank all those that bought our Christmas cards that were so much appreciated by those that received them.

Brian Simpson Chair and Acting Secretary

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Marketing News

This message was sent to Peter Gibson, our Darlington M.P. after the Easter Gifts event:

“Dear Peter,

Thank you so much for joining us this morning during our packing of our Easter Gifts for around 80 Friends whom we support here in Darlington.

The gift includes an Easter egg, a bowl of daffodils, a pack of hot cross buns, an Easter card, and a bookmark.

Since at the present time we are unable to carry out our regular home visits to help ease the isolation and loneliness which many elderly people are suffering in these times, this is a small token to reassure them that they are still thought about.

We also follow up with regular phone calls to them all, help with medication collections, and general shopping for those who are venerable and unable to go out themselves.

Please check our website for full information as to who we are and what our objectives are.

As I mentioned, we have recently begun to have a regular article in the One Darlington Magazine to raise awareness of our charity to all our citizens.

I also attach a copy of the photo of our display with yourself and our Chair, Brian Simpson.

Any press release or publicity which you can arrange would be much appreciated since Julia Bean and myself who lead the marketing for the Mission have one of our key tasks as being to raise awareness of the Darlington Town Mission wherever possible.

Many thanks again for your attendance and support.

John Dobbin

Marketing Team”

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A Volunteer’s Perspective

THE SHOW MUST GO ON!

I became a volunteer driver for the Darlington Town Mission in March 2017 and had a great time taking friends old and new to various outings, lunches etc. – until 2020.

The year began quite normally for me, with an outing to Mainsgill Farm in February, when I was accompanied by Rita Malcolm, Gladys Metcalfe, and Priscilla Taylor. We had a wonderful time, browsing all the delicious produce and eventually sampling some of it in the café.

So far so good. Then the first casualty of 2020 was the proposed trip to the Poplar Tree Garden Centre near Durham, and every trip thereafter. This, however, does not stop DTM doing what it does best, so people continued to be contacted, chatted to, and generally befriended, if not always face to face (masks permitting).

The lovely Rita (Malcolm) was able to celebrate her 90[th] birthday in the garden of her home, with hourly slots booked by friends to enable them to visit whilst abiding by the ‘rule of 6’. It was a wonderful day, on which the weather was kind, so outdoors was very enjoyable. The two Sues (Allison and Case) along with Hilary, provided an amazing ‘spread’ of tempting fayre, so a good time was had by all and Rita, as usual, was on top form!

At Christmas it was my pleasure to assist in delivering hampers to my ‘regulars’ and a new name was added to my list, so I had the extra treat of meeting Winifred Manson for the first time in 2020. It was lovely to have doorstep chats with everyone to whom I delivered a hamper, and each person was absolutely thrilled with the contents of their hamper and a chance to chat so someone.

Fast forward to 2021 and suddenly Easter was upon us, so again I had the joy of delivering gifts to my ‘regulars’. When I went to collect my gifts for delivery, Peter Gibson, our MP, had turned up to familiarize himself with the work of DTM and had expressed an interest in accompanying a volunteer to deliver an Easter gift. I was ready to set off at that time, so he arranged to meet me at my first port of call which was to be Winifred Manson’s. Winifred was quite surprised to find two of us on her doorstep, but she had a wonderful chat with Peter, and she was thrilled with her Easter gift.

Volunteering for DTM is such a pleasure for me. I often think I get more out of it than our ‘Friends’, so if you have a spare couple of hours it is always time well spent with DTM.

The show must go on!!

Susan Elliot-Lyall

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HOW YOU COULD SUPPORT US

a) Volunteering opportunities

We could not provide the service we do without the input of our volunteers. They provide invaluable assistance across the board from visiting our Friends, driving, and accompanying them on outings, and in participating in our monthly care home acts of worship. We are so grateful to them for the time and effort they put in and we do our best to make sure their involvement is both fulfilling and rewarding.

If you would you like to join as part of our pool of volunteer drivers who take our Friends on monthly outings organised by our Missioner, or if you would like to relieve the loneliness of elderly people by spending a couple of hours a week visiting, please call our Missioner on 07943251357 or email missioner@darlingtontownmission.org.uk for further information. With your help we could enrich many more elderly people’s lives. We would love to hear from you.

b) Financial support

To continue and expand our services we rely on the generosity of individuals, churches and groups. If you wish to donate you can do so online at:

www.localgiving.com/darlingtontownmission or send a cheque to our address or ‘e’ mail us at treasurer@darlingtontownmission.org.uk for details of other means of giving.

You can even raise funds for us by shopping online using the amazing website that supports charities like ours. It costs you nothing at all, simply go to www.giveasyoulive.com and:

  1. Sign up choosing Darlington Town Mission as your chosen charity

  2. Choose from over 4,200 stores to shop with

  3. Click through to the store from their site & shop as usual

  4. They donate a % of your spending to us - for free!

If you interested in helping with our fundraising, you can join our Fundraising Team. They are currently seeking extra people with fund raising knowledge to help. The photograph shown here is of Mary Drury who is part of the fundraising group. She recently raised money for DTM by walking round her home an amazing number of times in recognition of Sir Tom Moore. Two fundraising heroes we have saluted this past year!

Please contact us for more details or if you wish to do a sponsored fundraising event for us as Mary did. You can open a fundraising page on our local giving website as above.

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**Darlington Town Mission- Roll of Honour ***

Originally known as The Darlington Christian Visiting Society. subsequently known as Darlington Town Mission and Christian Visiting Society.

Founders - The Three Johns:

This John was a banker who in 1811 built the Larchfield mansion in Coniscliffe Road - today St Augustine’s Parish Centre occupies its spot. He later moved to Beechwood, an even bigger mansion - Victoria Road. Sainsbury’s now stands on this site.

His uncle was Edward “the father of modern railways”, but his delicate constitution forced his to retire from the family businesses in his early 30s. He then devoted himself to charitable works. J.B. lived in North Lodge, Northgate, Darlington. In the 1840’s he also bought a farmhouse in Mowden and began turning it into a mansion. This building was eventually used by the Department of Education before they transferred to purpose-build premises in Feethams.

 John Castell Hopkins (1973 - 1871)

This John was a Scotsman and, unlike the other Quaker Johns, was an Anglican. He came from a wealthy Scottish family and was related to the Duke of Roxburgh; his wife came from one of the oldest Borders families. He set up in Darlington to manage his collieries at North Bitchburn, Cockfield and Evenwood, and he was a director of the Weardale Railway. In Darlington, he built the Woodside mansion, which is now beneath the streets around Hartford Road.

Original members of the Society H. W Ormsby Robert Teasdale John Hardcastle-Bowman John Church-Backhouse William Robson J. F Clapham William Fothergill John Fothergill Alfred Kitching John Pease

Town Missioners / Agents and Assistant Missioners

Mr Christopher Johnson Mr John Rennison Mr Stephen Gladwin
Mr George W Bartlett Mr William Richardson Mr W Blythman
Mr Fred Scott Mr F Hamilton Mr Harry Hutchinson
Mr James S Green Mr Revill Mr M McManners
Mr Alan Meek Mr R Speed Mr William Taylor
Miss D G M Scarr Mr E W Anderson Mr & Mrs Taylor
Mrs Campbell Mr R Hume Mrs P.E. (Pauline) Antcliffe
Mr W W Catchpole Mrs V Ellerton Mrs S G Radford
Mrs D Dunleavy Miss Joyce Thompson Mr C. Derrick Hewitson
Mrs Margaret Woodhouse Mr Stephen Murphy Mr Brian Jefferson
Ms Christine Flanders Mr Doug Dickson Mrs Anne Tyreman
Mrs Sandra Richardson Mrs Sue Case Ms Suzanne Nevison
Mrs Kirsten Bertram Mrs Sue Allison Mrs Hilary Reaney
Secretaries
Miss Mary Hodgkin Miss Pinkney Mrs G W Beckwith (Vera) Mrs C Bennett
Mrs Beth Ardron Ms. Margaret Senior Mr Richard Bond Mrs Sue Murton
Mrs Sue Case Mrs Jude Taylor-Dixon Mr Brian Simpson
Treasurers
Mr G P Shaw Mr John Beaumont Pease Mr M C W Burnip Mrs F Richardson
Mr Arthur Hare Mr G Gore Mr Crowe Mr J Stuart Hirst
Mr J L Williams Mr D S Usher Mr E W Wills Mr G W Beckwith
Mr Douglas Baird Mr Ken Friston Ms Elizabeth Dodsworth Mr Derek Mills
Chair/Presidents
Mr John Pease Rev J E Lee Councillor J Waters Canon P J H Kinner
Sir Richard Pease (President) Canon Peter N Wansey Canon Alan Lazenby Rev Keith V Garner
Rev Fred Barron Rev Richard Rice-Oxley Mrs Marion Law Rev Alan Coates
Ven. Rev Granville Gibson Rev Brian Holmes Rev Andrew Wigram Mr Brian Simpson

We give thanks to all those who have served Darlington Town Mission so faithfully over our long history. We are indebted to them for their dedication and commitment.

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Trustee’s report, independently examined financial statements and administrative information

Registered address for correspondence is -

Darlington Town Mission, c/o 2 Davison Road, Darlington, Co Durham DL1 3DR Registered Charity No. 235572

TRUSTEES as at 31[st] December 2020:

Mr Brian Simpson (Chair) Mr Derek Mills (Treasurer) Ms Julia Bean Mr John Dobbin Mrs Mary Drury Mrs Eleanor Winkworth

HON. INDEPENDENT EXAMINER:

Mr Ian Groves

BANKERS:

Barclays Bank PLC

INVESTMENT ADVISORS:

Charles Stanley & Co

ORGANISATION

The Mission is an unincorporated body governed by a constitution. It is run by an Executive Committee whose members act as the Trustees of the Charity. Trustees are elected by the members for a term of three years and then may stand for re-election. Membership of the Mission is open to persons over the age of eighteen who are interested in furthering the aims of the Charity.

The Executive Committee which is responsible for overall management and policy meets at least three times a year. The day to day running of the Mission is delegated to a Management Sub Committee which meets with the Missioner in a monthly planning meeting. The Management Sub Committee consists of Chair, Vice-chair, Treasurer, and Secretary.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

From March the country went into lock down as a reaction to the Covid 19 pandemic. So, since March 2020 all planned fundraising events were cancelled. The last planned fundraising event that went ahead was the Fouram Concert in February. This is the background to the attached financial results.

In the year to 31 December the Mission had a deficit of £1,035 (last year a surplus of £1,243). Several factors saved this deficit from being much higher. These were Mary Drury’s sponsored walk which raised £1,500 (Congratulations Mary), several Funeral Donations from Friends and grateful relatives were made of £2,465 in thanks for the work we do, and the Co-op grant of £6,242 previously earmarked for our planned exercise classes which couldn’t go ahead because of Covid19 restrictions.

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The Co-op agreed that this grant could be used to meet operating expenses. Income for the year was £29,446 as against £26,379 in 2019. The income figure includes £2,502 raised from the donations made to the Hamper project and £527 raised from the sales of Christmas cards (see note 3 to the Accounts)

Expenditure was £30,501 as against £25,136 last year. Several factors influenced this:

I turn now to investments. The markets became very volatile as the pandemic took hold. Regulators insisted that clients were to be notified when the fall in the value of their portfolios exceeded 10%. We had two such notices in March as the value of our portfolio fell by 17% in the period from January to 16[th] March. During the period March to June the portfolio has been restructured. This restructuring led to the sale of 25 stocks and the reinvestment into 30 new stocks or additions to existing stock to better position our portfolio for the times ahead.

However, the restructuring led to a deficit on the sales of these investments of £927 as against a surplus in 2019 of £6,193. Since the large fall of the value of our investments in March the value has greatly recovered standing at £K178 at the end of December (As against £k186 at the end of December 2019).

Dividend income has been declining. In 2019 the dividend income was £6,003, and in 2020 this fell to £3,884. Thus, more of our return in the future needs to come from capital appreciation.

The latest estimated gross annual income of the portfolio is £3,355 giving a yield of 1.9%.

The Corona Virus pandemic will have an impact on our ability to raise funds in 2021. With our now higher salary costs and lower income we forecast a deficit of £15,000 for that year.

Derek Mills Treasurer

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEES

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the accounts are properly prepared. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity.

Also, to ensure that the Charity complies with its Constitution, Charity Commission guidelines, and any other relevant legislation or regulations, and to ensure the effective and efficient administration of the Charity.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF DARLINGTON TOWN MISSION

I have independently examined the Income & Expenditure Account and Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2020 and the Balance Sheet as at that date given on pages 18 to 20 from the books, records and information supplied to me, and confirm them to be in accordance therewith.

I Groves

A. C. A. Independent Examiner

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RESERVES POLICY

In drawing up this policy the Executive Committee had regard to securing and sustaining the Mission’s viability and future, given the uncertainty of future legacies, donations and investment income. We are aware that the service we provide is an integral and essential part of the life of our Friends and to cut back or withdraw our services would provide real hardship.

The Mission’s income in 2020 came from individuals, organisations, and church donations - (32%), Legacies (8%), Grants (25%) Fundraising and sponsorship (22%), and investment income (13%).

The Mission requires reserves in order to:

The Trustees believe that they should set the level of reserves held to forty-eight months of full operating expenditure as a reserve against fluctuations in income and reductions in valuation of investments due to unforeseen circumstances such as the Coronavirus and for contractual commitments and working capital.

A review of the level of reserves needed and of this policy will be carried out annually by the Executive Committee.

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DTM Income & Expenditure Account and Statement of Financial Activities for the year to 31[st] December 2020

2020 2020 2019 2019
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted Restricted Unrestricted Restricted
Funds Funds Funds Funds
Income and Endowments from:
Donations & Legacies 11,998 - 15,410 -
Grants 7,242 - - -
Fundraising 2,928 3,414 4,963 -
Investments 3,884 - 6,006 -
Total Income 26,052 3,414 26,379 -
Expenditure on:
Salaries 18,916 - 13,973 -
Travel 1,504 - 1,420 -
Outings 399 - 2,896
Insurance 224 - 318 -
Training - - 14 -
Publicity 3,150 - 2,212 -
Equipment Depreciation 248 - 268 -
Christmas Happy Hampers - 2,025 - -
Postage, stationery & 850 - 351 -
Telephone
Sundries 978 - 1,369 -
Investment managers fee 2,207 - 2,315 -
Total Expenditure 28,077 2,424 22,240 2,896
Net income -2025 990 4,139 -2,896
Profit on sale of investments -927 - 6,193
Total funds at beginning of year 165,459 935 155,127 3,831
Total funds at end of year 162,507 1,925 165,459 935

19

DTM Balance Sheet as at 31[st] December 2020

2020 2019
£ £
Fixed assets Note 1 525 772
Investments Note 2 141,388 144,878
141,943 145,650
Current Assets
Debtors 874 567
Cash at bank & in hand 22,023 21,244
22,897 21,811
Liabilities
Accruals (178) (867)
Deferred Income (200) (200)
(378) (1,067)
Net current assets 22,519 20,744
Net assets 164,432 166,394
Funds:
Unrestricted 162,507 165,459
Restricted 1,925 935
Total Funds 164,432 166,394

Approved by the Trustees on 4[th] February 2021 and signed on their behalf by:

Brian Simpson Derek Mills

___ ___ Brian Simpson Derek Mills Trustee & Chair Trustee & Treasurer

20

DTM notes forming part of the Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2020

Note 1

Fixed Assets

Fixed assets are stated at original cost. Depreciation is provided at 25% being the rate calculated to write of the cost less estimated residual value of each asset on a straight-line basis over its useful life

2020
Cost
£
At beginning of year
1,991
Additions
-
At end of year
1,991
Depreciation
At beginning of year
1,219
Additions
248
At end of year
1,467
Net book value
At end of year
524
Note 2
2020
2019
Investments
£
£
At beginning of year
125,319
125,902
Purchases
117,679
68,160
242,998
194,062
Sales
106,018
68,743
136,980
125,319
Cash awaiting investment
4,408
19,559
At end of year
141,388
144,878
Market value
177,790
186,334
Note 3 Restricted Funds
Balance of Restricted Funds at
31/12/2019
Restricted to outings
935
Outingcosts
-399
Money Raised for Hamper Project
Cost of Hampers
Surplus
2,502
2,025
477
Moneyraised for outing
412
Sponsor Money for advert in One
Darlington Magazine
500
Balance of Restricted Funds at
31/12/2020
1,925		 2020
Cost
£
At beginning of year
1,991
Additions
-
At end of year
1,991
Depreciation
At beginning of year
1,219
Additions
248
At end of year
1,467
Net book value
At end of year
524
Note 2
2020
2019
Investments
£
£
At beginning of year
125,319
125,902
Purchases
117,679
68,160
242,998
194,062
Sales
106,018
68,743
136,980
125,319
Cash awaiting investment
4,408
19,559
At end of year
141,388
144,878
Market value
177,790
186,334
Note 3 Restricted Funds
Balance of Restricted Funds at
31/12/2019
Restricted to outings
935
Outingcosts
-399
Money Raised for Hamper Project
Cost of Hampers
Surplus
2,502
2,025
477
Moneyraised for outing
412
Sponsor Money for advert in One
Darlington Magazine
500
Balance of Restricted Funds at
31/12/2020
1,925		 2020
Cost
£
At beginning of year
1,991
Additions
-
At end of year
1,991
Depreciation
At beginning of year
1,219
Additions
248
At end of year
1,467
Net book value
At end of year
524
Note 2
2020
2019
Investments
£
£
At beginning of year
125,319
125,902
Purchases
117,679
68,160
242,998
194,062
Sales
106,018
68,743
136,980
125,319
Cash awaiting investment
4,408
19,559
At end of year
141,388
144,878
Market value
177,790
186,334
Note 3 Restricted Funds
Balance of Restricted Funds at
31/12/2019
Restricted to outings
935
Outingcosts
-399
Money Raised for Hamper Project
Cost of Hampers
Surplus
2,502
2,025
477
Moneyraised for outing
412
Sponsor Money for advert in One
Darlington Magazine
500
Balance of Restricted Funds at
31/12/2020
1,925		 2019
£
1,201
790
1,991
951
268
1,219
772
Note 3 Restricted Funds
Balance of Restricted Funds at
31/12/2019
Restricted to outings		 935
Outingcosts -399
Money Raised for Hamper Project
Cost of Hampers
Surplus		 2,502
2,025		 477
Moneyraised for outing 412
Sponsor Money for advert in One
Darlington Magazine		 500
Balance of Restricted Funds at
31/12/2020		 1,925

21