Mothers’ Union: Exeter Diocese Registered Charity No 250823
Accounts for the year ended 31st December 2022
Trustees’ Annual Report for the Period 1st January 2022 to 31st December 2022
Reference and Administration Details
Charity Name: Mothers’ Union in the Diocese of Exeter
Registered Charity Number: 250823
Charity’s Principal Address: Exeter Mothers’ Union Office St Sidwell’s Sidwell Street Exeter EX4 6NN
Names of the Charity Trustees who manage the Charity:
Mrs Heather Sayle Diocesan President Mrs Janet Jones Vice President and AFIA Coordinator
Structure, Governance and Management
Description of the Charity’s Trusts
Type of Governing document The Mothers’ Union: Exeter Diocese Constitution says this organisation is an Unincorporated Association Registered as Charity Number 250823 . It is affiliated to Mothers' Union, a Charity incorporated by Royal Charter (Charity No: 240531) through its shared aim and objects, and by virtue of its acceptance as an Affiliate by the Central Charity and its adherence to the rules and regulations of the movement.
Trustee selection methods Elected from membership
Trustees
Diocesan President Heather Sayle 2022 Diocesan Vice-President Janet Jones 2019 Diocesan Treasurer Vacant Nov 2022 - date Nikki Sweatman Jan 2022 – Nov 2022 (resigned) Sue Addy 2019 Revd Ian Blyde Feb 2022 Ruth Collop 2019 Moira Devonport 2019 Nicky Over 2022 Diane Passey 2022 Lesley Thurley 2019 – Feb 2022 (resigned) MU Matters Editor Anna Venables Autumn 2021
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Officers
MU Diocesan Chaplains Revd Caroline Luff 2017 - 2023 Revd Tracey Voysey 2022 Office Administrator Lorna Young 2022
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Objectives and Activities
Summary of the objects of the charity set out by its governing document:
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To uphold Christ’s teaching on the nature of marriage and to promote its wider understanding
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To encourage parents to bring up their children in the faith and life of the Church
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To maintain a worldwide fellowship of Christians united in prayer, worship and service
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To promote conditions in society favourable to stable family life and the protection of children
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To help those whose family life has met with adversity
Summary of the main activities in relation to these Objectives:
In planning the activities, the trustee board have had regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit, including the specific guidance for charities involved in the advancement of religion.
The MU Office began to get back into operation with the Administrator working in the office. The rooms were rearranged to allow the front office previously the MU Bookshop to become a useable meeting room which is easily and more cheaply heated.
During the year the Trustee Board met 12 times plus the AGM. The Spring Council Meeting and AGM was held at St Boniface Centre, Crediton and then the Autumn meeting was held at St Sidwell’s, Exeter, in person for those who felt able to attend. The Cluster Leaders from the eight Clusters unfortunately did not meet as a group until September due to a Covid infection earlier in the year. The meeting was held in the MU Offices and was considered successful and productive. The Cluster groups met together in their own geographical areas for special events some in person and some on Zoom. The elected Trustees currently numbers nine members and two MU Chaplains with plans to appoint another Trustee in May at the AGM.
A special Evensong Service was held in the Cathedral led by the Lord Bishop of Exeter, Rt Revd Robert Atwell on 18[th] June for the Commissioning of the Diocesan President, Vice President and Trustees followed by a drink’s reception in the Chapter House. Another Commissioning Service was held for our newly appointed MU Chaplain Revd Tracey Voysey and another Trustee in the Chapel at the Bishop’s Palace on 30th November 2022. This was followed by coffee and mince pies in the Drawing Room at the Palace.
Achievements and performance
Our Diocesan Branches have continued to adapt and change following covid and it has been good to welcome new members to our organisation. Some Branches have sadly closed but some have chosen to become Diocesan Groups and meet less formally without the need for Officers. Special events have been organised which have brought people together in Clusters and from across the Diocese which many have enjoyed and appreciated. Many of our members are vulnerable due to age and underlying health matters so the Trustees are most grateful to all those who have continued to support these members by visiting and calling them on the phone to keep in touch.
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Summary of the main achievements of the Charity during the year:
Governance
There is a responsibility for ensuring that the Mothers’ Union in the Diocese of Exeter complies with Charity Commissioners requirements and that correct accounting procedures are followed. The Trustees continue to encourage undertaking a Risk Assessment on MU Projects within the diocese and set Diocesan Subscriptions.
During 2022 we:
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developed an annual review of the MU Office equipment and diarise renewals
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continued work on the Branch Pack
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re-established the MU Office as a base for the Administrator post covid
Ongoing work for the next triennial includes:
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produce an updated Health and Safety Policy
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review office practices
Database
During the year the following was achieved:
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the Database was updated and ably maintained locally and information shared with the Central Charity from the Exeter MU Database Officer
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installed new software including antivirus and a cloud back-up system
Ongoing work for the next triennial includes:
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ensure that all additions and amendments to membership details are correct
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continue to liaise with the new staff members at the Central Charity in charge of the Database
Safeguarding
During the year the following was achieved:
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our Safeguarding Officer reported regularly to the Trustee meetings
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maintained good communication between the Central Charity’s Safeguarding Team, the CofE Diocesan Safeguarding Team Lead and the Exeter MU Safeguarding Officer
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establish regular meetings of new Safeguarding Team and report to each Trustee meeting
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produced a new Safeguarding Policy
Ongoing work for the next triennial includes:
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continue to review the Risk Assessment Procedure
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await new instructions from the Central Charity following the Central Charity Safeguarding Review
AFIA
During the year the following was achieved:
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we continued to work in partnership with schools, GP’s, Homestart, Social Workers and Clergy for Away From It all (AFIA) referrals
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a new AFIA group was formed to help our AFIA rep with members from across the diocese.
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steps have been made to develop a new project for days out for families (Plymouth)
Hopes for 2023-24
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encourage local members to raise funds for our local Away From it All Holiday (AFIA) Projects
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develop a new project for days out for families in North Devon
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Faith
During the year the following were achieved:
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monthly Cathedral Prayer services were held in the Lady Chapel led by the Trustees and Clusters.
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Opening Prayers and a Eucharist for Diocesan Council and Trustee Board meetings
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we continued to provide an Emergency Prayer Chain
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Our Faith co-ordinator ably organised our Annual MU Retreat at Millhouse, Devon
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MU Members held Quiet Days around the Diocese
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we were generously and very ably supported by our two Diocesan Chaplains
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one of our Chaplains continued with her daily email message produced during covid to members who opted in to subscribe
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Hopes for 2023-24
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build on our new connections with the Cathedral Co-ordinator and continue the monthly Cathedral Prayers led by our Clusters amidst their current building works
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encourage and improve our links with Clergy and Licensed Lay Ministers in the Diocese
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have a few MU Quiet Days and special MU services across the Diocese for members to attend
Outreach Initiatives
During the year the following was achieved:
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provided warm knitted garments for preschool children from Ukraine
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visited Branches and Clusters to keep them informed of the work of MU and built on the success of social events for the Summer of Hope campaign and Make a Mothers Day
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improved links with Diocese through wider MU representation on Diocesan Synod, Deanery Synods and PCC membership
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supported the new Bishop of Plymouth on his pilgrimage from Exeter to Plymouth by meeting him at several of his stopovers and joining with him on his walks
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had two invitations to speak live on BBC local Radio about the 16 Days of Activism and our Red Chair campaign
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we were able to promote some of our projects through Roots and Shoots – the weekly diocesan online newsletter
Hopes for 2023-24
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encourage groups /branches to engage with the new MU Comms team when putting on MU events locally for Summer of Hope and Make a Mothers Day
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Maintain MU Live updating on Central Charity online platform
Social Policy
There are two major strands of work in this area Raising Awareness of Modern Day Slavery and campaigning to eliminated Gender Based Violence in all its forms
During the year the following were achieved:
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Sent out 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence resources to all Branches, Trustees, Clusters and Diocesan members. We held Silent Vigils around the Diocese inc 18+ Red Chairs put in parishes from 25[th ] November – 10[th] December 2022
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kept members up to date with Social Policy matters, including Domestic Violence (DV), Gender Based Violence (GBV), The Clewer Initiative (Modern Slavery), Restored, the Prison Book Share, DP News, MU Matters emails and presentations at Diocesan/ Cluster/ Branch meetings
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Hopes for 2023-24
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keep members informed of Social Policy issues from local diocese and Central Charity
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encourage membership of Communities of Interest associated with GBV and DV
Overseas
During the year the following was achieved:
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celebration of MU link with Melanesian Mission at Mary Sumner Day Service in Ottery St Mary
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successfully started a new project resourcing our MU members with sewing machines and other sewing equipment in the Solomon Islands
Hopes for 2023-24
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continue to promote the MU overseas, through talks and articles in Roots and Shoots etc
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continue to encourage members to support Make a Mother’s Day
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find new contacts to practically (knitting etc) resource projects and encourage groups to take initiatives to support similar projects like the Sewing Workshop Project
Training
During the year the following was achieved:
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held a local training session for a MU speakers
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offered Clewer Initiative training through the Central Charity
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offered another Metamorphosis online course through the Central Charity and Metamorphosis Bitesize training
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Community of Interest groups from the Central Charity hosted training events online
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Hopes for 2023-24
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continue to encourage new MU speakers
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offer a day at the MU office for new Branch leaders, Branch Secretaries and Branch Treasurers at least every Triennium
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offer Domestic Violence Awareness, Gender Based Violence Awareness and Modern Slavery awareness training
Metamorphosis
This was run again this year via Zoom online for 16 weeks meeting with members meeting online from across the Canterbury Province every fortnight.
During the year the following was achieved:
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some members took part in the MU Metamorphosis programme and have used Bitesize resources to work with PCC and other groups in parishes, deaneries and Mission Communities
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Hopes for 2023-24
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encourage the use of Bitesize to explore new opportunities for MU in their local community
Communication
During the year the following was achieved:
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maintained links with MU@Home members by sending cards by post twice a year
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produced two issues of ‘MU Matters’
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maintained our Instagram feed for Exeter MU and improved our promotional resources for Diocesan MU events and services
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established email groups for sending out DP News and items from Mary Sumner House
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Hopes for 2023-24
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update and build a new MU Diocesan website with new Communication group
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improve our social media and online presence to be more up to date
Finance and Office
During the year the following was achieved:
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agreed to increase the individual MU subscription to £32 a year for 2023
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Our MUe Rep ensured whenever possible that Mothers’ Union literature was on sale at events
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promote the new improved system to buy goods/cards online from the Central Charity
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improved audio and visual equipment for hybrid meetings (Zoom and in-person meetings) with new microphone, new webcam and (new to us) computer monitor
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updated the printer in the office
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encouraged more Diocesan Members to pay subscriptions by BACS
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arranged for new computer to be installed in the office in early Jan 2023
Hopes for 2023-24
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update the phone and broadband system
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review MUe following covid
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review possible grant funding applications
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Financial Review
Total receipts on the unrestricted general fund were £27,186 and are detailed in the financial statements. £12,839 of this amount was collected on behalf of the Central Charity. Total expenditure for the year on unrestricted funds was £38,494. so there is a deficit for the year of £11,308 leaving a general reserve at the year end of £24,615.
Most of the restricted fund balances are spent and movements on all funds are detailed in the notes to the accounts. There is a large balance for Big Book Share and this has been notified to the lead on this initiative so that it can be utilized.
It is our policy to maintain £20,000 investment with the COIF Charities Deposit Fund. This is there as a reserve fund and any interest gained is currently re-invested.
Policy on reserves:
It is good practice for the Diocesan Trustee Board to maintain a balance on unrestricted funds [if possible], which equates to at least 6 months’ unrestricted payments, to cover emergency situations that may arise from time to time. At the year end, balances were in excess of this target.
Declaration
The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ Report above and the financial statements which follow.
Signed on behalf of the Charity’s Trustees
Mrs Heather Sayle Diocesan President
Signature: H J Sayle Date 10th May 2023
:
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Receipts and Payments Account
| Unrestricted Restricted Total Prior year funds funds funds total funds 2,522 10,443 12,965 13,684 20,593 20 20,613 18,066 3,663 — 3,663 4,512 211 — 211 3 196 — 196 117 27,186 10,463 37,649 36,384 6,026 — 6,026 1,670 32,467 8,567 41,034 62,682 38,494 8,567 47,061 64,353 (11,308) 1,896 (9,411) (27,968) — — — 25,490 — — — (25,490) (11,308) 1,896 (9,411) (27,968) (11,308) 1,896 (9,411) (27,968) 35,923 630 36,553 64,522 24,615 2,526 27,141 36,553 24,615 — 24,615 35,923 — 631 631 — — 1,555 1,555 630 — 75 75 — — 265 265 — |
|
|---|---|
| Receipts Donations and legacies Income from charitable activities Other trading activities Investments Other income Total receipts Payments Raising funds Expenditure on charitable activities Total payments Excess of receipts over payments before transfer Transfers Gross transfers between funds - in Gross transfers between funds - out Excess of receipts over payments before other gains / losses Net movement in funds All assets at 01 January 2022 All assets at 31 December 2022 Represented by Unrestricted General fund Restricted AFIA DIOCESE BIG BOOK SHARE DIOCESE MULFEP MSH Fund Overseas MSH Fund |
Statement of assets and liabilities
| General Restricted This year Last year 1,609 1,157 2,767 14,888 21,855 — 21,855 21,644 (61) 101 39 20 1,211 1,267 2,478 — 24,615 2,526 27,141 36,553 24,615 2,526 27,141 36,553 |
|
|---|---|
| Current assets - Cash at bank and in hand HSBC Current Account - CCLA - Petty Cash - Cooperative Current Account - Totals Grand total |
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Fund movement by type
| Closing | Opening Incoming Outgoing Transfers Gains/losses Journals |
|---|---|
| AFIA DIOCESE Restricted Sub-total for AFIA BIG BOOK SHARE DIOCE Restricted Sub-total for BIGBOOK COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Restricted Sub-total for CDC EMERGENCY RELIEF MSH Restricted Sub-total for ER Make a Mothers Day M Restricted Sub-total for MAMD MULFEP MSH Fund Restricted Sub-total for MULFEP Overseas MSH Fund Restricted Sub-total for OVERSEAS General fund Unrestricted Sub-total for General Grand total |
— 6,574 5,943 — — — 631 |
| — 6,574 5,943 — — — 631 630 1,215 290 — — — 1,555 |
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| 630 1,215 290 — — — 1,555 — 194 194 — — — — |
|
| — 194 194 — — — — — 639 639 — — — — |
|
| — 639 639 — — — — — 20 20 — — — — |
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| — 20 20 — — — — — 644 569 — — — 75 |
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| — 644 569 — — — 75 — 1,176 911 — — — 265 |
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| — 1,176 911 — — — 265 35,923 27,186 38,494 — — — 24,615 |
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| 35,923 27,186 38,494 — — — 24,615 |
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| 36,553 37,649 47,061 — — — 27,141 |
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Analysis of receipts and payments
| INCOME Donations and legacies Overseas Fund MULFEP Community Development Co- ordinators Emergency Relief Summer of Hope Diocesan Fund Gift Aid Claim AFIA Big Book Share Miscellaneous Donations/Income MSH Christmas Appeal Total Income from charitable activities Diocesan Members MSH Subscriptions Branch Members MSH Subscriptions Branch Diocesan Subscriptions Diocesan Members Subscriptions Annual Retreat Diocesan Member Admin Make a Mothers Day MSH Speakers Charge Total Other trading activities MUe Shop Income Income from recycling (ink + stamps) Total Investments CCLA Annual Interest Total Other income Closed Branch Funds Total |
Total Unrestricted Restricted This year Last year |
|---|---|
— 1,176 1,176 853 — 644 644 625 — 194 194 531 — 639 639 387 — — — 769 2,239 — 2,239 1,679 — — — 1,715 — 6,574 6,574 6,152 — 1,215 1,215 570 282 — 282 37 — — — 364 |
|
| 2,522 10,443 12,965 13,684 2,816 — 2,816 1,640 9,400 — 9,400 10,454 4,690 — 4,690 3,650 1,498 — 1,498 622 2,030 — 2,030 1,630 — — — 69 — 20 20 — 159 — 159 — |
|
| 20,593 20 20,613 18,066 3,639 — 3,639 4,496 23 — 23 15 |
|
| 3,663 — 3,663 4,512 211 — 211 3 |
|
| 211 — 211 3 196 — 196 117 |
|
| 196 — 196 117 |
|
| INCOME TOTAL | 27,186 10,463 37,649 36,384 |
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EXPENDITURE
Raising funds
| MUe Stock 5,904 — 5,904 1,612 MUe Postage 122 — 122 57 Total 6,026 — 6,026 1,670 Expenditure on charitable activities DM Subscriptions to MSH 3,000 — 3,000 2,343 Branch Subscriptions to MSH 9,839 — 9,839 10,329 Overseas Fund 371 911 1,282 949 MULFEP 316 569 885 505 Community Development Co- ordinators 110 194 304 687 Emergency Relief 110 639 749 533 UK Needs — — — 124 Diocesan President Expenses 187 — 187 222 Trustee Expenses 494 — 494 313 Staff Costs 6,074 — 6,074 9,467 Telephone/Internet 1,030 — 1,030 622 Gas 267 — 267 410 Electricity 616 — 616 360 Rent 2,142 — 2,142 864 Event Room Hire 207 — 207 172 Business Rates (411) — (411) 1,034 Insurance 484 — 484 463 Maintenance 711 — 711 — Office Equipment 1,152 — 1,152 — Stationery 18 — 18 11 Postage (Office) 33 — 33 94 Printing Costs 705 — 705 238 Conference Expenses 635 — 635 — MU@Home Admin Costs 62 — 62 55 Diocesan Members Admin Costs 68 — 68 18 Retreat 2,120 — 2,120 1,670 AFIA 737 5,943 6,681 19,342 Outreach Projects — — — 9,901 Big Book Share & Toy Box Scheme — 290 290 — Sundries 15 — 15 250 Bank Charges 170 — 170 — Miscellaneous 103 — 103 323 SPEAKERS EXPENSES 152 — 152 — MSH Appeal 769 — 769 605 Summer of Hope from Branches — — — 769 Make a Mothers Day (MAMD) — 20 20 — Chaplain's expenses 171 — 171 — Total 32,467 8,567 41,034 62,682 |
5,904 — 5,904 1,612 122 — 122 57 |
|---|---|
| 32,467 8,567 41,034 62,682 |
|
| EXPENDITURE TOTAL | 38,494 8,567 47,061 64,353 |
| GRAND TOTAL | (11,308) 1,896 (9,411) (27,968) |
The financial statement of the diocese have been prepared using the Receipts and Payments basis.
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Mrs Heather Sayle Mrs Lorna Young Diocesan President Diocesan Administrator
H J Sayle L F Young
Date: 10[th] May 2023
Date: 10[th] May 2023 12
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of
Mothers’ Union in the Diocese of Exeter
I report on the accounts of the charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31 December 2022 which are set out on pages 10 to 13.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust, 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 carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
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the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the
examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
………………………………………………………..………… 2023
Date: 10 May
Nigel Price Chartered Accountant Highfield Green Lane Appledore Bideford EX39 1QZ
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