Mothers, NItsN Christian care for f amilies [)iocpse of IIZIUJIcan£erhury f p, Mothers, Union in the Diocese of Canterbury Registered Charity No 250124 Accounts for the year ended 31st December 2024
Mothers, Union Canterbury Diocese Annual Report 2024 Patrons The Lord Bishop of Dover Rt Rev Rose Hudson-wilkin Reference and administration detsils Charity Name: Mothers, Union in the Diocese of Canterbury Registered Charity Number: 250124 Charity's principal address: 3 Woc(Jstock Road Sittingbourne Kent MEIO 4HH Names of the trustees who manage the charity: Mrs Jackie Curd- Trustee and acting Diocesan President Mrs Susan Thomas - Trustee and Diocesan Treasurer Mrs Susan Spillett - Trustee Ms Rachel Thomas- Trustee Mrs Debbie Smith - Trustee Structure* governance and management Description of the charity's trusts Type of Governing document th Royal Charter granted 15 June 1926 as amended by supplemental Charter dated 6th September 1974 Trustee Selection methods Elected from membership Our aims and objectives are: Summary of the objerts of the charity as set out by it's governing document: To encourage parents in their role to develop the faith of their children To maintain a worldwide fellowship of Christian5 united in prayer, worship and service To promote condit?on5 in Society favourable to stable family life and the protection of children To help those whose family life has met with adversity To promote and support married life
Summary of the rnain activities in relation to these objectives: 2024 was a busy year with our AFIA holiday and stabilising our membership. The reduced Trustee Board focused on the priorities of meeting the members, ensuring the key objectives were met and that the AFIA holiday was facilitated. The Trustee Board met bi-monthly with a structured meeting following a pre published agenda. Jackie Curd had attended the Provincial Conferences to represent the Diocese and reported back to the Trustee Board. Several branches have maintained the running of their toddler group within their church buildings. The volunteers are all Mothers, Union members although one branch is able to fund a Playgroup Leader. The necessary DBS checks and First Aid qualifications were achieved. It was noted by one branch that by attending their toddler group many families sought to explore their Christian faith and were now regularly attending church services, Some members are actively participating in baptism preparation in their church and several branches send out baptism anniversary cards to let the families know we are still praying for them. Many members are active in running Sunday School groups within their church. The members at St Nicholas, Allington participated in a living tableau- "Journey to Bethlehem" at local schools with an interesting variety of shepherds and angels. Membership: The members were invited to three Diocesan meetings (March and November) and the AGM in June. The members meetings in the spring and autumn now start with a eucharist and we are grateful to our chaplain Rev Dr Emma Pennington for her continued support. The business then follows, and the meeting concludes with lunch which has proved very popular as a chance for members to chat and meet up with old friends. The AGM in June was chaired by Debbie Smith and was well attended. The Diocesan Newsletter is published the time5 a year and delivered to every member of the Diocese. This contsins reports and pictures of events that have been held locally, a report from Mary Sumner House, a prayer diary, a report from our overseas link dioceses and a list of forthcoming events across the diocese. Diocesan Members: Sue Spillett is now corresponding regularly with these members and is planning to try and meet up with some of them. There was an increase in Diocesan Membership as members who had previously been members of branches that had closed transferred to become Diocesan Members. Indoor Members: Each branch is encouraged to maintain contact with their members who can no longer parts'cipate in branch activities but maintain a ministry of prayer. Cathedral Prayer Time: Every member is invited to join in with our monthly prayer time in the Jesus Chapel of Canterbury Cathedral. The prayer rota is managed by Margaret Horwood. Wave of Prayer: Sue Spillett organised our Wave of Prayer. The Trustees compiled the service with help from Danielle Ligneau Wilton, our Overseas Link Co-ordinator and each branch held their service at the allocated time.
Corporate Communion: Many branches hold a monthly communion service for its members. Branch Meetings: The larger branches are able to hold a monthly meeting but the smaller branches meet following a service inn their church either midweek or on a Sunday. Each meetin8 begins with a time of worship and prayer reflecting on God's word followed by a speaker or a faith based activity. One branch has an evening branch for younger members who meet at the allotment in the summer and the pub in the winter. Another branch offers a monthly supper club to its younger mums. Advent Service: The Advent Service was held the Crypt of Canterbury Cathedral by kind permission of the Dean, The Very Reverend Dr David Monteith. Dean David led our worship assisted by our Chaplain the Rev Dr Emma Pennington. Rise Up against Domestic Abuse.. Wendy Brown has agreed to be the representative on the Domestic Abuse Community of Interest. Branches were encouraged to pray for the victims of Domestic Abuse at their meetings. In November many branches and Canterbury Cathedral set up a red chair in their church as part of the global '16 days of Activism" campaign. Several held prayer meetings during this time and knitted purple and white heart5 and origami doves We used symbolically to demonstrate the hope for peace and transformation in the lives of the victims. Two churches have achieved the Bronze Rise Up Award - St Peter's, Boughton Monchelsea and St Martin and St Paul's, Canterbury. Other branches are working towards achieving this award. Gifts of Support: Several branches supported the Blytheswood Christmas Shoebox Appeal by filling shoeboxes with gifts for those in Ukraine. Many branches also prepared wrapped gifts for those in local Mental Health hospltals who wouldn't otherwise receive a gift. Holy Trinity in Margate have supported young people leaving foster care with a new rucksack for their belongings. The rucksack also contains some toiletries. Several bags of knitted baby hats for newborn babies have been delivered to local maternity units. Some branches have been able to support their local refuge with specific gifts when requested and particularly at Christmas and Easter Prisons: Marianna Poliszcuk and fellow members from Maidstone have maintained our links with the local prison and guided by the prison chaplain have given cards and gifts at festival times. AFIA.. August saw 12 families enjoy a fully funded. accompanied holiday in Ashburnham Conference Centre, Eastbourne. The team was led by Sue Thomas ably assisted by 11 volunteers. The families were greeted on the Sunday afternoon and shown to their rooms where a basket of toiletries and beach towels awaited them, all donated by the members. On Monday after a walk around the lake a series of craft activities organised by Ruth Baker helped everybody get to know each other. Qn Tuesday we were all on a coach to Knockholt Adventure Centre for the day. The weather was perfect and a large variety of animals, plenty of free rides and water play made for a perfect day out. On Wednesday we were back in the craft room and had fun with bubbles, tie dying, making picture frames and outdoor play. On
Thursday we went to Eastbourne where we had use of a local church hall for refuge if needed and the bonus of the Eastbourne Air Show. The following morning there were lots of tears as goodbyes were said we all returned home. The feedback from the families was verv positive. Most families commented on the kindness they received and were amazed that there was an organisation that cared enough to fundraise for the holiday and then the volunteers were with them for the entire holiday. The Trustees have looked at the Flourishing Families course being shad by Mary Sumner House but felt that there weren't enough resources to undertake this at present. The Trustee Board organised and ran the triennial elections for the next trienniurn 2025- 2027. Going forward: We hope to increase the number of Trustees to the Board. Explore the possibility of offering Quiet Days to our members. Review the constitutt'on. Update Trustees on Governance training. Cascade the Safeguarding training when available. Plan events and marketing for the 150 Anniversary in 2026.
MOTHERS, UNION DIOCESE OF CANTERBURY RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st D MBER 2024 Page 1 Year ended 31st December 2024 Year ended 31 st December 2023 Incomin Resouces Central Funds Subscriptions Overseas Funds Emergency Reliaf Fund Gener81 Fund Fabric Fund Britain & Ireland Development Fund Wheels Appeal Christmas Appeal Make a Mothers Day Summer of Hope 7,335.00 370.15 60.00 160.00 11.00 40.00 7,094.00 705.56 130.00 110.00 10.00 27.83 100.00 151.08 Total 8.127.23 8.177.39 Dlocesan Funds Subscriptions Donations 2,445.00 2,146.00 Diocesan Project Fund Diocesan Project - AFIA Literature and Badges Miscellaneous Income Newsletter Bank Interest CBF Interest Sales Grant MSH Tax Refund - Gift Aid General Fund Archdeaconry fundraising Diocesan General Fund 0.00 7,761.58 6,431.50 189.75 30.00 38.77 529.07 420.93 487.50 238.17 904.31 394.29 648.63 0.00 4,666.87 591.36 Archdeaconry Branches 11,066.15 16,975.32 10,357.99 18,265.08 Sub Total 39,205.35 45,382.92 TOTAL INCOME 47,332.58 53.560.31
MOTHERS, UNION DI CESE F CANTERBURY RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2024 Page 2 Year ended 31st December 2024 Year ended 31st December 2023 Resouces Ex Central Funds Subscriptions Overseas Funds Emergency Relief Fund Gener81 Fund Fabric Fund Britain & Ireland Development Fund Wheels Appeal Christmas Appeal Make a Mothers Day Summer of hope ended 7,329.00 370.15 60.00 160.00 11.00 40.00 7,038.00 705.56 130.00 110.00 10.00 27.83 100.00 151.08 ub Total 8,121.23 8,121.39 Dlocesan Funds PrintinglPost Insurance Diocesan Project Fund Diocesan Project - AFIA Literature and Badges Miscellaneous Expenditure Newsletter 93.58 449.50 153.95 1.906.00 211.70 38.00 1,040.00 82.17 449.50 72.00 15,710.00 11.90 175.00 850.00 Travel Expenses Trustees Expenses Hir8 of Rooms Fundraising expenses Province Contribution Conferences DBS Checks Archdeaconries Branches 74.69 114.30 120.00 96.58 190.00 115.00 117.00 0.00 10,497.61 17,730.26 107.50 10,918.83 15.395.14 ub Total 30,645.08 46,075.13 38.786.31 54.196.52 Net Surplusl{Deficit) for the year 8,566.27 436.21 Openlng Cash and Bank Balances 41.018.80 49,585.07 Closing Cash and Bank Balances 49.585.07 48,948.86
MOTHERS, UNION DIOCESE OF CANTERBURY 31-Dec-24 INCOME Literature & Badges Subs M.S.H. Donations M.S.H. Subs Diocese Diocese General Fund Oiocese Project Fund A.F.l.A. Archdeanconry Fundraising Legacy Bank Interest CBF Interest EXPENDITURE Literature & Badges Subs M.S.H. Donations M.S.H. Province Contribution Diocese Project Fund A.F.S.A. Legacy Newsletter DBS Checks Misc ExpendÉture 11.90 7,038.00 1,083.39 115.00 72.00 15,710.00 175.00 850.00 7,094 00 1,083.39 2,146.00 1,365.90 7,761.58 3,300.97 238.17 904.31 Travel Expenses Ttee Expenses PrinUPostage Insurance Conferences Hire of Rooms Fundraising expenses 74.69 82.17 449.50 117.00 190.00 Sales Grant M.S.H. Gift Aid General Fund Gift Aid Other Funds 394.29 648.63 24,937.24 25,968.65 OPENING BALANCES Fund Balances General Fund Diocese Project Fund Diocese Project - AFIA Training Fund Archdeaconries Branches Money due to M.S.H. Bank 8alances 11.045.29 14.011.33 12,743.13 222.46 2,647.00 8,846.86 69.00 49,585.07 Current account Deposit account C8F Deposit alc Archdeaconries Branches 6,015.14 15,038.77 17,037.30 2,647.00 8,846.86 49,585.07 CLOSING BALANCES Fund Balanc General Fund Diocese Project Fund Diocese Project - AFIA Training Fund Restricted Fund - Legacy ank 14,852.33 13,939.33 4,794.71 222.46 3.125.97 2,507.38 9,381.68 12500 48,948.86 Current Account Deposit Account 5,841.25 13,276.94 Archdeaconries CBF Deposit alc Archdeaconries Branches 17.941.61 2,507.38 9.381.68 48,948.86 Branches Money due to M.S.H.
Mothers, Union Diocese of Canterbury Statement of Assets and Llabllltles 2023 2024 Monetary Assets Bank Current Account CBF Deposit Account Bank Oeposit Account Archdeaconries Branches 6,015.14 17,037.30 15,038.77 2,647.00 8,846.86 5,841.25 17,941.61 13,276.94 2,507.38 9,381.68 49,585.07 48,948.86
(HARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND ANO WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Independent Examinerfs Report Report to the trustees On accounts for the year ended Charity no (If any) LfrM6CR 2i.2 I Ilfr Set out on pages I report to the tnjstees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (Ihe Twst") for the year ended Responslbilltl88 and basls of report As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act") I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent examiner's statement aPP6a Delete [ ] rf not applicable. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination feÈhefl d18.) which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordan with section 130 of the Charities Act; or the accounts did not accord wilh the accounting records. or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements conceming the form and content of accounts set oul in the Charities (Accounts and Reports} Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair, view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Ple8se delete the words in the brackets rf they do not apply. Slgned: Name: Relevant professional qualiflcation(s) or body FLA IER Oct 2018