THE MOTHERS' UNION DIOCESE OF GUILDFORD
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
FOR YEAR ENDING 31ST DECEMBER 2023
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The Mothers' Union – Guildford Diocese All Saints' Church Hall Office, 564 Woodham Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU21 5SH Registered Charity No – 249931
Patron – Vacancy
Annual Report and Accounts year ended 31[st] December 2023
Officers
Diocesan Presidents Mrs Sylvia Taylor, 47 Northcote Crescent, West Horsley KT24 6LX Mrs Diana Wood, 4 Leawood Road, Fleet GU51 5AL Vice Presidents Mrs Kim Darby, 10 Taleworth Park, Ashtead KT21 2NH Mrs Dorothea Nattrass, 22a, Scotland Lane, Haslemere GU27 3AL Administrator Mrs Lesley Templeman, Cornerways, Horsell Park, Woking GU21 4LY Treasurer Mr Stephen Moore, 10 Badger Close, Guildford GU2 9PJ (to 31.10.23) Mrs Elizabeth Newhouse, Whyteleafe, Druids Close, Ashtead KT21 2UH
Chaplain Revd. Helen Kempster, Perrymead, May Close, Headley GU35 8LR Banker Lloyds Bank Plc 147, High Street, Guildford GU1 3AD Independent Examiner John C Oliver (MA, FCA), The White Cottage, Crampshaw Lane, Ashtead KT21 2UD Trustees Diocesan Mrs Sylvia Taylor and Mrs Diana Wood Presidents Vice Presidents Mrs Kim Darby and Mrs Dorothea Nattrass Unit Co-ordinators Mrs Shirley Martin Mrs Sheila Sutherland General Trustees Mrs Jenny Banks Mrs Carol Bingham Mrs Elizabeth Newhouse
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Vision, Aims and Objectives
The vision of Mothers’ Union is of a world where God’s love is shown through loving, respectful and flourishing relationships.
The aim and purpose of Mothers’ Union is to demonstrate the Christian faith in action by the transformation of communities worldwide through the nurture of the family in its many forms.
In furtherance of this aim and purpose Mothers’ Union Guildford will carry out all or any of the following Objects:
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2.1 To uphold Christ’s teaching on the nature of marriage and to promote its wider understanding;
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2.2 To encourage parents to bring up their children in the faith and life of the Church;
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2.3 To maintain a world-wide fellowship of Christians united in prayer, worship and service;
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2.4 To promote conditions in society favourable to stable family life and the protection of children; and
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2.5 To help those whose family life has met with adversity.
Mothers’ Union is firmly rooted in a voluntary ethos. Its governance, leadership and activities are driven by and undertaken through its members.
Activities
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Parenting programme : The charity has a number of accredited parenting coordinators across the diocese, who can lead a range of parenting courses. Parenting courses have been run throughout the year at Send Women’s prison.
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Away from it all (AFIA) : A scheme to offer holidays or short breaks for needy families. One of the general trustees coordinates this scheme, taking on families referred by local parishes or social workers.
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Women’s refuges : The charity supports women in five refuges across the diocese. Members donate food, toiletries and other items, which are collected at the Members’ meetings and taken to the refuges by volunteers. Members also respond to ad-hoc appeals for items needed (such as cots or buggies) and provide Christmas gift bags for the women and Easter eggs for the children. The charity gives a small grant to women leaving the refuge to purchase household goods.
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Woking Night Shelter and Guildford Action : Members support these local charities which offer support to the homeless and those on low incomes by donating goods which are collected at Members’ Meetings.
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Hospital Emergency Admissions : A number of branches have direct links with local hospitals to provide small bags of basic toiletries. Members donate items for these bags at Members’ Meetings.
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Prisons : MU members were previously involved with four prisons across the diocese, volunteering to help run creches for children visiting a father in prison and running craft sessions and other activities for prisoners. This work is gradually being resumed. Volunteers are now at work in Send prison, and also continue to provide craft packs for prisoners to use on their own, a scheme that was set up during the pandemic. Volunteers have also started to work again at Coldingley prison, working with PACT (Prison Advice and Care Trust).
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Advocacy, Lobbying and Consultation : Many campaigns on women’s issues and family matters have been led by Mothers’ Union nationally and internationally. Some members from Guildford Diocese form part of a panel feeding in views and opinions in furtherance of such campaigns.
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Communications : The charity has a website which was revamped in 2023 to provide a more accessible and useful portal for members and non-members. Members receive a twice-yearly magazine from the Mothers’ Union (“Connected”) and another from Guildford MU (“The Angel”). Regular newsletters are sent out by email to promote MU activities and events.
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Lady Day Service : This traditionally takes place at Guildford Cathedral and is opened by a parade of banners from branches across the diocese.
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Monthly Pilgrimage of Prayer : This service is traditionally held at the Lady Chapel in Guildford Cathedral, led by members from various deaneries across the diocese in rotation. Some monthly services are now held solely by Zoom, to enable more members to take part.
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Intercessory Prayer : A coordinator alerts a team by email when a particular emergency or prayer need arises, and in some cases small groups meet to focus on prayer for particular requests.
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Wave of Prayer: Our "Wave of Prayer" is a continuous expression of our commitment in prayer to each other. It runs throughout the year so that the work and members of each and every area in which Mothers' Union is active is prayed for at some point. We include this in our Midday Prayers whenever we meet across the diocese.
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Quiet Days: These have replaced the previous pattern of silent retreats. The Quiet Day in October 2023 attracted over 20 people and looked at the theme ‘The God who sees and hears’.
Financial Statement
This year the trustees reformed the finance committee, a group of four of the trustees (currently Sylvia Taylor, Diana Wood, Sheila Sutherland and Liz Newhouse) supported by Steve Moore and Lesley Templeman. The committee aims to meet about four times a year to review the finances in more detail than time allows during full trustee meetings. Liz Newhouse took over as Treasurer towards the end of 2023 and the Trustees would like to thank Steve Moore for his stewardship of the accounts over the previous eight years.
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The diocese continues to operate cautiously and seeks to use its funds prudently to support the aims and vision of Mothers’ Union. We have three bank accounts with Lloyds, a general business account, an account mainly used for members’ subscriptions and one for MUe trading.
We hold shares administered by the Guildford Diocese Board of Finance and have shares with the CBF Church of England Investment Fund, we also have a deposit account with the CBF Church of England Deposit Fund. We enjoyed a significant gain in the value of our investments in the year and we continue to claim Gift Aid.
Joint Presidents’ Report for 2023
Diana Wood and Sylvia Taylor continued in their joint presidency during 2023, their second year of office. The Board of Trustees had previously lost some board members due to illness and at the end of the year our Treasurer, Steve Moore, stood down. Steve had been the treasurer for many years and his resignation was a great loss to the charity, which had greatly benefited from his help, guidance and hard work. Trustees were delighted that Liz Newhouse (already a board member) agreed to take on this key role. The board members have worked very hard this year, as we and the wider Mothers’ Union seek to make the charity relevant in this new technological world, striving to improve and be more effective in our worldwide communications.
Achievements and events in 2023
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a) The charity has a new website, which is still a work in progress. As a result, there are now better connections with Facebook and Instagram and it is hoped this will attract new members.
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b) Both Presidents have visited branches to talk about their areas of expertise and to keep members updated. In addition we have started having Branch Leaders’ gatherings two or three times a year and these have opened up far better two-way communication.
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c) The Administrator keeps our membership details up to date and is responsible for liaison with Mary Sumner House. There have been many changes at Mary Sumner House during last year, including the development of a strategy for “Communities of interests” to improve communication and the dissemination of information. A trustee or member is allocated to each ‘community’ in all of the dioceses with responsibility to cascade information down to members and branches.
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d) Both Presidents attended the Provincial Conference at High Leigh as well as provincial zoom meetings. Guildford MU is part of the Southeast Cluster within the Province of Canterbury - a smaller group of Diocesan Presidents who support one another and share ideas.
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e) The Diocesan Presidents, with about 20 other members, attended the MU Annual Gathering in York in September.
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f) Both Diocesan Presidents were delighted to take part in the installation of the new Bishop of Dorking in October and look forward to working with him
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g) The annual Lady Day Eucharist Service was held at Guildford Cathedral in March, with Bishop Andrew presiding and preaching to a congregation of some 225 attendees. The sermon was based on the MU theme of Transformation.
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h) The Members’ Meetings in May and November were held at All Saints’ Church, Woodham and were well attended. The AGM was also held at Woodham in September, where it was agreed that there should be ‘One person, One vote ‘for the election of both Trustees and Presidents for the next Triennium. This replaces the previous system where there was a limited electorate consisting mainly of trustees, branch leaders and other office holders.
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i) Both Diocesan Presidents attended the Guildford Diocesan Synod (four meetings a year) and had two meetings with Bishop Andrew.
Members of the Guildford Mothers’ Union continue to give their time and expertise generously. They all serve in their own ways which brings relief to local people; this is very difficult to quantify but is nevertheless vital work.
MU members are now also working with asylum seekers, in whatever ways we can, giving practical advice and help. Our members do not forget we are part of a worldwide organisation that helps families of all descriptions, around the world.
Sylvia Taylor and Diana Wood
Reports from Co-ordinators
Action and Outreach
Refuges :
At present we support five refuges within the diocese: two in Woking, one in Guildford, one in Aldershot and one in Waverley. All families at the refuges were invited to our party in August which was very successful with about 70 children being entertained by a bouncy castle, a ball pool, a magician and crafts.
The members are very generous, and donations are brought (from a list of needs provided by the refuges) to our two Members’ Meetings. 50 Christmas bags for the women at the refuges were assembled by our Hinchley Wood branch and contributions were given to their Christmas party.
This year we have continued a recent initiative which involves linking specific families with branches that support them with their prayers, letters and gifts.
Prisons :
At Send women’s prison, we hold card-making sessions twice a month as well as a social evening for the over 50s. We have about 12 volunteers who regularly go into the prison. Some members provide cardmaking packs that are provided for ladies who are not comfortable mixing with other prisoners.
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Other activities:
Some branches make up and supply emergency toiletry bags for hospitals.
Goods are collected and donated to the women’s night shelter in Woking, the night shelter in Guildford and the drop-in centre for rough sleepers in Guildford. Our members also donated 4 big bags of towels and lots of cutlery to Guildford Action, a local charity which provides services for people who have fallen through the net or find themselves outside normal society.
Many members use craft skills – knitting for babies and toddlers (with some garments given to local refugees and others sent to a linked MU charity in Uganda) or creating fiddle pinnies and twiddle muffs for dementia sufferers in local care homes. Members have also knitted knee rugs for stroke victims at local hospitals.
Shirley Martin (Action and Outreach Co-ordinator)
AFIA (Away from It All)
A variety of AFIA bookings were made through Guildford Diocese in 2023. Examples include a family (grandmother, daughters and grandchildren) being able to enjoy a caravan holiday together on Hayling Island. It was their first time away as a family since the arrival of a grandson with complex needs. AFIA also helped fund a residential school trip for a child who would otherwise have been unable to go and paid for another child to attend a holiday camp for a week, to give his grandmother, who is his full-time carer, a much-needed break.
Liz Newhouse (AFIA co-ordinator)
Faith and Prayer
Quiet Days
There were two Quiet Days in 2023. The first in July at St. Nicolas’ Church, Cranleigh was led by the Cranleigh branch. The second in October at St. Giles’ Church in Ashtead was led by Emma Phillips, the multimedia artist, and attended by over 20 people attended.
Campaigns
The Diocese held a Modern-Day Slavery awareness event at St Mary’s Church Guildford on Saturday 21 October; several MU members attended and manned a stall highlighting the work of the Mothers’ Union in this area.
16 days of Activism against Domestic Violence is an annual campaign. MU Guildford marked this with an online candlelit vigil on Saturday 25 November. This included prayers and readings, and periods of silence for personal and wider contemplation.
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Pilgrimage of Prayer
The November Pilgrimage of Prayer was a Remembrance Service for all past members of MU. Held at Guildford Cathedral in the Lady Chapel and led by Rev. Helen Kempster, members remembered those who had died recently, as well as all previous members of MU and what they had contributed in their time. People brought Orders of Service from funeral and memorial services for many past members and these were displayed on a table. This was a very well attended occasion and members appreciated this chance to commemorate members from across the diocese.
The Faith and Prayer group ensured that each monthly Pilgrimage of Prayer service was allocated to pairs of Deaneries, as well as Trustee led services.
There was a new initiative in 2023, a Diocesan Monthly Prayer meeting on Zoom for all to join.
The Prayer Chain for those who need support for specific needs continues. All members are welcome to join this group. Those in receipt of prayer sometimes feed back thanks and progress.
Judy Snell / Antonia Wilson
Faith and Prayer Committee
Reports from Branches
Our branches vary in size – a few have just a handful of members while the largest have over 70. Activities vary from branch to branch, but all are involved in fundraising for MU projects and service to their local community.
Highlights from 2023 included: -
● Our Summer Party held at Normandy Village Hall. We welcomed over 80 visitors, including some refugees and other families from refuges. Children enjoyed a magic show, bouncy castle, soft play, craft activities, parachute games and the outdoor playground. MU volunteers supervised activities and served refreshments, and MU funds covered the costs of transport to the venue.
● All Saints Banstead offers 'Sing for Joy', a time which is much enjoyed by the local community, and coordinated by Mothers' Union together with help from the church family and friends. This is a monthly time to 'Revive the memories and lift the spirits', a relaxed and chatty morning of music which includes singing songs and hymns organised into themes. The team of helpers each play their part, making this a happy morning for everyone, with refreshments, and celebrations of birthdays and anniversaries. About 35-40 people come regularly, some in wheelchairs, and some from Care Homes. The morning ends with a final song 'Be Back Soon', and a Blessing.
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Members at Ashtead started supporting their local branch of Besom (a national charity supporting individuals and families who are being rehomed). Besom provides furniture, bedding, white goods and household items. Ashtead MU Branch provides a Welcome Pack for each family consisting of essential toiletries and cleaning materials (on average, about five packs per month).
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Cake stalls were held by many branches over the course of the year. Walton on the Hill held a cake sale before and after each Sunday service throughout June and raised nearly £250 for the MU Summer of Hope appeal. Cobham branch also supported the Summer of Hope appeal, with £50 raised from a raffle at the deanery tea party. Members of Cranleigh branch ran the cake stall at the church fete in August. Lightwater branch’s annual garden party in August raised £225 for MU projects.
Cake sale in Walton on the Hill
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- Lyne branch continued their project of producing little welcome packs for parents dropping their children off at the local school for the first time in September. They also made cards for children which were taken to Send prison for women prisoners to send to their families.
Safeguarding
I have continued to build on my first year as Safeguarding lead for Guildford Diocese Mothers’ Union. The central Mothers’ Union has appointed a temporary lead for safeguarding. There has been a continuing development of guidance and procedures for dioceses to use, including risk assessments and Safer Recruiting paperwork.
Guildford MU needed to establish a system for processing DBS checks. This process needed to be separate from the Diocesan system, so Guildford MU has signed up with Thirtyone.eight, a recognised organisation used by many other groups.
I have now completed all the required training to be an assessor for Guildford Mothers’ Union. In 2024 we shall begin checking those members who need a certificate to enable them to fulfil their role within our organisation. The Diocese has agreed for any members who need safeguarding training to access the diocesan training programme.
I continue to be available to branches to talk about safeguarding.
Jenny Banks (Safeguarding Trustee)
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| StatementofFinancialActivit | ies | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| Notes | E | ||
| lncome from | |||
| Membership & legacies | 25,717 | 30,718 | |
| GiftAidreceived | 1,750 | 2,089 | |
| Charitable activities | 10,147 | 4,050 | |
| Othertrading activities | 2,656 | 3,801 | |
| Other income | 4,251 | 3,739 | |
| lnvestmentincome | 1.786 | 1,931 | |
| Total | 46,307 | ||
| Expenditureon | |||
| SubscriptionstoMary | |||
| Sumner House | 15,840 | 21,000 | |
| Diocesan projects | 7,122 | 3,765 | |
| Direct charitable expenses | 1,519 | 533 | |
| Summerpartyforrefugees | |||
| and other guests | 2,469 | ||
| Retreats & conferences | 420 | 4,589 | |
| Management & | |||
| administration | 17,416 | 15,988 | |
| Lady Day Service | 1,523 | ||
| Total | 46,309 | 45,875 | |
| Net(deficit)iincome before | |||
| investmentgains/(losses) | (2) | 453 | |
| Net gain/(loss)oninvestments | 5,050 | (6,600) | |
| Net movementinfunds | 5,048 | (6,147) | |
| Reconciliationoffunds: | |||
| Totalfundsbrought forward | 82,665 | 88,812 | |
| Totalfundscarried forward | 87,713 | 82,665 |
| Sheet asat 31Decem | ber20 | 23 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | ||
| Notes | E | E |
| FixedAssets | ||
| lnvestments | 64,576 | 53,211 |
| TotalFixedAssets | 64,676 | 53,211 |
| CurrentAssets | ||
| MUeStock | 127 | 1,456 |
| Debtors | ||
| Cashheld by branches | 8,808 | 5,144 |
| Cashatbank andinhand | 23,856 | 28,038 |
| TotalCurrentAssets | 32,791 | 34,638 |
| CurrentLiabilities | ||
| Creditors<1year | (9,754) | (5,184) |
| Net CurrentAssets | 23,037 | 29,454 |
| TotalAssetslesscurrentliabilities | 87,713 | 82,665 |
| TotalFunds | 87,713 | 82,665 |
| 2023 | 2022 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | E | |||
| Management | & | |||
| Administration | Offlce rent | 4,571 | 4,200 | |
| Remuneration & expenses | 7,718 | 6,974 | ||
| Telephone &broadband | 1,324 | 1,177 | ||
| Postage | 36 | 104 | ||
| lnsurance | 450 | 449 | ||
| Travel,conference&training | 285 | 665 | ||
| TheAngelmagazine | 2,340 | 1,347 | ||
| Computer&printers | 630 | |||
| Other expenses | 692 | 442 | ||
| Total | 17,416 | 15,988 |
| lnvestment Assets | |
|---|---|
| Fixed assetsinvestmenb | e |
| Carrying(market)value atbeginningofyear | 53,211 |
| Reclassification | 6,415 |
| PIus netgainonrevaluation | 5,050 |
| Carrying(market)valueat end ofyear | 64,676 |
| Market value | lncome from | |
|---|---|---|
| atyearend | investments | |
| Analysis ofinvestments | forthe year | |
| E | E | |
| COIF-2,577.3income sharesinthe CBF CofE lnvestmentFund |
58,261 | 1,593 |
| Guildford Diocesan BofF Fund-311.39shares | 6,415 | 193 |
| Total | 64.676 | 1,786 |
| reditors&Accruals Amountsfallingduewithinoneye |
ar | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| Subscriptions | 5184 |
| Brouoht. tnoome tonvaro |
Brouoht. tnoome tonvaro |
ResourcesBalancein expendedtheyear |
Carried forward |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| EE | EE | E | ||
| Awayfromit all Women'srefuge Work inprisons |
7,086 180 3,094 |
1,243 334 207 |
772 471 450 (116) e4o (733) |
7,557 64 2,361 |
| Parenting Literacv TotalDesiqnated |
919 5,617 Funds16,896 |
786 2,569 |
4,960 (4,174) 919 1,443 7,122 (4,553)12,343 |
Independent Examinerfs report to the Trustees of the Mothers, Union (DI0Se of Guildford) I report to the Trustees on my examinalion of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 Dember 2023. Responslbilities and basls of report As the charity Trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordan with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (Ihe Acr). I report in respect of my examination of the chanty's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Ad arKI in carying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Chanty Commission under section 145(51(b} of the Ad. Independent examlnefs ststement I have Mpleted my examination. I tJ)nfirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examinalion which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounling records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of Ihe Ad., or the aUnts did not accord with the accounting records; or the acUnts did not mplY wtth the applitsble requirements ojrteming the form and content of accounts set out in the CharÉties (Accounts and Reports) Regulattons 2008 other than any requirement that the x)unIS give a 'true and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examinaiion. I have no conMS and have come across no othèr matters in connwjion with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enaNe a proper understanding of the accounts to be reathed. John Oliver FCA The Iilthite Cottage Crampshaw Lane Ashtead KT212UD 23 June 2024