2020-12-31-accounts

Charity Commissioners Annual Report for 2020 Manchester Diocesan Mothers’ Union Charity No 250086

Mothers’ Union is a worldwide organisation founded in 1876 by Mary Sumner and today has over 4 million members in 84 countries worldwide. Membership is open to anyone who is baptised in the name of the Trinity and supports its Aim and Purpose of “demonstrating the Christian faith in action” by the transformation of communities worldwide through the nurture of the family in its many forms”

Our identity: We, in Manchester, are part of a global, women led, volunteer movement. United in our diversity and living out our faith, we support individuals and families to transform their lives. Embedded in the Church and community, we have an unprecedented reach that gives a voice to the stigmatized and vulnerable around the world.

Manchester Mothers’ Union has the same boundaries and is divided into the same parishes, deaneries and archdeaconries as the Anglican Diocese. There are 1003 members in 73 branches (our numbers have decreased this year because of the passing of many members) plus 11 Diocesan Members.

Our Diocesan President is Mrs Christine Sharp

We have three Archdeaconry Presidents and four Unit Coordinators who support Christine and facilitate the line of communication down to the Deaneries and Branches. Some posts of deanery and branch leader remain vacant; with nominated correspondents or committees keeping the communication lines open.

The Board of Trustees is responsible to the Charity Commission and monitors the Diocesan expenditure in terms of its value and worth to the public and the promotion of Mothers’ Union projects both at home and worldwide.

Our office is on the 3[rd] floor of Church House, Manchester, where our secretary works four days, 20 hours per week.

This floor also houses our shop/bookshop for the sale of cards, literature and Mothers’ Union gifts. This is staffed by Mothers’ Union volunteers and overseen by our MUE representative, Mrs Frances Brough,

We have an unpaid volunteer treasurer to handle the financial transactions.

Review of 2020

Our Diocesan President, Christine Sharp holds office, along with the Archdeaconry Presidents, Unit Coordinators and the Trustees Board. Spring & Autumn Council Meetings were held on Zoom because of Covid 19 restrictions

We were unable this year to hold our Annual Advent Service in December.

We continue to maintain our links in the Wave of Prayer with our fivelink Diocese, which are: Kisangani in Democratic Republic of Congo Kagera in Tanzania Awka in Nigeria Sunyani in Ghana Popandota in Papua New Guinea

We hope to nurture friendship within the Wave of Prayer with these Dioceses.

Our Action and Outreach projects have been maintained in very many different ways because of lockdown procedures and our being unable to meet in our branches.

This year the areas of our concern and assistance were focused upon: Countering effects of Isolation Domestic Violence Support for the NHS Collecting for homeless & Food banks Providing Light relief with Lockdown Poetry Gender Based Violence Supporting refugees

AFIA (our Away from it all) project

We have provided hospital support where appropriate, i.e. knitting hats for premature babies and baskets of love.

Providing one day breaks, where Covid19 restrictions allowed to Key Workers.

Knitted Cross-in-Pockets for the lonely and Military Services have been supplied.

Prison Project

Our Co-ordinator, current President, is working with the Chaplain at HMP Forest Bank prison , who is keen to contact all those agencies and organisations who may be able to help in a resettlement/befriending program.

This year we have been supplying “Prisoner release packs” for released prisoners, containing essential items, toiletries and underwear etc. Family Day books, crafts materials and chocolate have also been provided.

We have provided reading glasses (non prescriptive)

HMP Manchester

We have maintained our connection with this prison but not directly been involved thoughout lockdown

We have a “ JUST UP YOUR SREET” project which helps in poorer communities. Any queries we have received for assistance have been dealt with immediately within Covid boundaries.

This year Posada sets were knitted for use in Church of England schools in the Diocese.

Mothers’ Union Constitution & Regulations

During this year we formed a group of four, dedicated to the rewriting of our Constitution and Regulations for Manchester Diocese Mothers’ Union. This was completed, agreed by all of the Trustees and sent out to all the Archdeaconries and Deaneries for their onward transmission to the Branches.

Whilst we have continued to communicate without meeting physically, our Marketing Co-ordinator has been sending out monthly Newsletters keeping everyone informed of latest news and updates.

The problem we have had has been in being unable to have our Accounts Audited. Our Accountant moved out of the UK and we have been trying to ensure these are consolidated as quickly as possible.

Maureen Moore Finance & Administration Co-ordinator

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of the Manchester Diocesan Mothers’ Union Charity Number 250086

I report on the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 December 2020, which are set out in the accompanying pages.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

As trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. The Charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 145(1) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act)) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

• examine the accounts (under section 145(1)(a) of the 2011 Act);

• to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011Act); and

• to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

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 I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

• (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements

• to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act;

• and

• to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act;

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.

Mr Alastair Gillian DipFS ACIB 53 Burnedge Fold Road Grasscroft Oldham OL4 4EE

8[th] May 2022