Mothers’ Union: Exeter Diocese Registered Charity No 250823
Accounts for the year ended 31st December 2024
Trustees’ Annual Report for the Period 1st January 2024 to 31st December 2024
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 to 2024 Diocesan Vice-President Janet Jones 2019 to 2024 Diocesan Treasurer Michael Collop from July 2023 Sue Addy 2019 to 2024 Ruth Collop 2019 Moira Devonport 2019 to 2024 Nicky Over 2022 Diane Passey 2022 to 2024 Mary Harrison 2025
MU Matters Editor Mary Harrison with Katie Drew
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Officers
MU Diocesan Chaplain Revd Tracey Voysey 2022 Office Administrator Lorna Young 2022
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.
During the year the Trustee Board met ten times, as well as convening the AGM on 24th May at the Boniface Centre in Crediton, and a Members’ Meeting on 22nd November at St Rita’s Conference Centre, Honiton. The Cluster Leaders from the eight Clusters met together twice at the MU Office in Exeter, and separately in their own areas for special events, some in person and some on Zoom. January 2025 is the start of a new Triennium year and there remain several vacancies on the Trustee Board. Two members, Nikki Sweatman and Anna Venables (both former Trustees) have been co-opted to join the Board as acting Trustees until they can be confirmed in office at the 2025 AGM. We also welcome Revd Alison Hardy, Rector of Holsworthy, to be a second MU Chaplain alongside Revd Tracey Voysey, and she will be commissioned for this role by the Bishop of Exeter, Rt Revd Mike Harrison, at a date to be announced.
Achievements and performance
The structure of Mothers’ Union in our Diocese, with Clusters, Branches, Diocesan Members’ Groups and individual Diocesan Members, continues to adapt to changing circumstances. More branches have chosen to close and their members to become Diocesan Members Groups with the additional freedom this gives to operate without the need for Officers. By the end of 2024, total membership stood at 560, of whom about two-thirds were members of the 21 remaining branches, the rest meeting in 10 Diocesan Members’ Groups or attending events across the Diocese. Many of our members are vulnerable and unable to get to events due to age and underlying health matters so the Trustees are
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most grateful to everyone who has continued to support them by visiting, calling them on the phone and writing to keep in touch.
Summary of the main achievements of the Charity during the year:
Governance
There is a responsibility to ensure that the Mothers’ Union in the Diocese of Exeter meets the requirements of the Charity Commissioners, particularly with regard to safeguarding, data protection and financial management, and that correct accounting procedures are followed. These matters are continually under review. The Trustees continue to encourage undertaking Risk Assessments for all MU venues, meetings and projects within the diocese, both at local level and for diocesan-wide events.
During 2024 we have continued to work on the new Governance documents which have been issued by our Central Charity. A South West Cluster will be established in 2025, and we shall be asking our membership to consider joining it. We have also distributed to members through their Cluster leaders, branch and group leaders, and via the Diocesan Member contact list, the emerging new policies and procedures as they are published. This work will continue into the new Triennium beginning in 2025.
Database
The Trustees continue to be represented on the Database Community of Interest set up by the Central Charity at Mary Sumner House. Meetings have been held at least twice a year on Zoom in preparation for the release of the new central database in February 2025. During the year the Exeter MU Database continued to be maintained and updated, and information shared with the Central Charity.
Ongoing work for the next Triennium includes checking information held in the newly-released central database, and ensuring it is correct and up-to-date in so far as it relates to Exeter members.
Safeguarding
A new Safeguarding Officer has been appointed by our Central Charity and a new policy has been published, and adopted by the Exeter Trustees. During the year our Safeguarding Officer has reviewed the policies, reporting to each Trustee meeting and ensuring that everyone in a leadership capacity is aware of their responsibilities, undertakes the prescribed training courses and is subject to the required DBS checks. The Trustees agreed the Risk Assessment policies. Advice has been distributed to branch and group leaders with their end-of-year returns. These policies and practices will be kept under review in the new Triennium.
‘Away From It All’ (AFIA)
AFIA is strongly supported in Exeter MU, with our own group led in 2024 by our Vice- President and AFIA Rep. They have been working on effective ways of making the money raised go further to provide effective support to families under stress. During the year an AFIA Application Pack was developed with which to invite local churches and other organisations with compatible aims to Mothers’ Union to apply for resources for project work with families, children and young people. After approval by Mothers’ Union Central Charity, this was launched in 2024, and an initial list of 6 such projects was identified and approved for grants by Exeter Trustees, as follows:
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- £1,000 for Devon Christian Youth Camps;
£1,500 for children’s drama workshops and after school-groups by Med Theatre charity;
£600 to Ivybridge Youth for Christ for equipment for the South Brent Bridge Project drop-in youth café;
£500 to The Daylight Collective to subsidise participation in art and cultural events, with childcare, for parents under financial stress;
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£800 for the Buckfastleigh Primary School gardening project;
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£600 to Wings charity working with disadvantaged young people in North Devon
Work is continuing into 2025 to extend the range and the scope of projects to benefit from AFIA funding and to increase the involvement of our members in similar events supporting families.
Faith
A second Lent Course, ‘True Freedom’, written by the Clewer Initiative on the theme of modern-day slavery, was held on Zoom from 12th February to 8th March, led by our chaplain Revd Tracey Voysey. She was subsequently asked to report on this experience to the World Council of Churches.
Lady Day, the Feast of the Annunciation, falling this year on 8th April, was celebrated with a Eucharist, followed by fellowship over refreshments, at St Andrew’s Colyton.
A members’ retreat was held from 10th to 13th May at St Rita’s Community Centre, Honiton, led by Revd Tracey, with the theme ‘Our identity in Christ – who am I?’ Fourteen members attended, 11 in residence and 3 as day visitors.
Cathedral Prayers services continued at mid-day in Exeter Cathedral on the final Friday each month (apart from August and December), led variously by the Trustees and the Clusters, and moving between chapels as required by the internal re-ordering work within the Cathedral. We also presented a ‘Souls of our Shoes’ display in the Cathedral for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, that attracted interest from many visitors.
Mary Sumner Day on 9th August was marked by a Eucharist in St Mary’s Hall, Dawlish Warren, - close to the former site of the Exeter caravan for AFIA holidays – and was followed by a presentation and exhibits celebrating the past achievements of the AFIA project, and plans for its future.
The Emergency Prayer Chain continues to pray for members in particular need.
We have continued to participate in the Faith Community of Interest, working with Ish Lennox, the Mary Sumner House Faith Representative, to develop its work across the provinces, including materials for the new Triennium under the title of ‘Join Us and Join In’, and preparations to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Mothers’ Union in 2026.
Outreach Initiatives
Many branches and groups have held innovative fundraising events and used opportunities to represent Mothers’ Union at a variety of church and community occasions. This offers MU members a chance to get out and about and meet with non-members including those who are on holiday or visiting family in Devon. Of particular note is that Mothers’ Union Trustees and members took part in the celebration of marriage and family life at Lew Trenchard, one of a series of services in that church during its Revd Sabine Baring-Gould Centenary commemoration.
Members also contribute to the pastoral work of the churches and parishes to which they belong, particularly through keeping in touch with MU@Home members and those members that can no longer get to meetings. Trustees and MU Speakers visited Branches and Clusters to keep them informed of the
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work of MU and to support fund-raising events, both within Devon and for Central Charity projects for communities overseas. A link with the Mothers’ Union in Melanesia has been maintained, with the collection of sewing machines for use by members in the Solomon Islands continuing in collaboration the Melanesian Mission.
Social Policy
The two major strands of social policy that we continue to work on are raising awareness of ModernDay Slavery and campaigning to eliminate Gender Based Violence in all its forms. During the year the office distributed Rise Up resources for the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence to all Branches, Trustees, Clusters and Diocesan members. Silent Vigils were held in parishes around the Diocese during the 16 Days from 25th November to 10th December 2024, with Red Chairs (representing those who have lost their lives at the hands of their partners) and Purple and White Hearts. Others contributed decorated Christmas Trees at Tree Festivals in their parishes. Similar work will continue in 2025.
Communication
Two issues of ‘MU Matters’ magazine were produced during the year and circulated to members to keep them informed of Mothers’ Union activities and events. MU speakers continue to be active across the diocese and some groups have widened their invitation to include non-members. Links with MU@Home members are maintained by sending cards by post twice a year and by personal contacts. We continued to be represented on the Communications Community of Interest group, started by the Communications Officer at our Central Charity, while we continued to work on improving our promotional resources for Diocesan MU events.
Financial Review
Total receipts into the unrestricted General fund were £31,633 and are detailed in the financial statements. £13,498 of this amount was collected as subscriptions on behalf of the Mary Sumner House Central Charity. Subscriptions collected for Diocese of Exeter Mothers’ Union direct costs amounted to £7,038. A further £2,196 was received as income to the Diocesan General Fund from fund raising by the branches and groups, and donations by individual members. In addition, a legacy of £1,000 (unrestricted) was received from the estate of Mrs Mary Probert.
Total expenditure for the year from the General Fund was £36,195. The transfer to the Fund of £769 from Restricted funds represents an adjustment to the accounts to reclaim an overpayment of restricted project funds to the Central Charity in 2022. After transfers, the accounts show a deficit for the year (before interest on CCLA deposit funds) of £3,793 on unrestricted funds.
Restricted funds are those funds providing resources specifically for Mothers’ Union projects, including both MU Exeter projects and those of the Central Charity. Fund movements are listed in the table on page 8. AFIA and the Big Book Share are the two main Exeter projects. Grants for AFIA totalling £5,000 were made from the available balance (£5,864) brought forward from 2023 when no payments were made pending the change of project focus away from funding holidays to other work with families (see above). Balances of £4,943 (AFIA) and £2,392 (Big Book Share, providing books for prisoners in Devon prisons) were carried forward for future use. Funds for Mary Sumner House projects amounting to £2,726 were raised in 2024, mainly for Overseas and Literacy and Financial Education Projects (MULFEP), and these together with some smaller balances brought forward from 2023 were transferred to the Central Charity before the year end.
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The Trustees agreed to increase the individual MU subscription to £38 a year for 2025 (up from £35 in 20241: of this, £26.50 lup from £251 is to be collected on behalf of the Central Charity and £13.50 (up from £121 is retained by Exeter Mothers. Union. Reserves Policy It is our policy to maintain at least £20,C(rt) investment in a COIF Charities Deposit Fund with CCLA. This is there as a Reserve Fund and any interest gained is currently re-invested. The balance at the year-end was £23,982 including the interest £1,169 received in 2024. It is likely that we shall need to draw on this in 2025 to cover the deficit on General Fund. Declaration The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees, Report above and the Financial Statements which follow. Signed on behalf of the Charitrfs Trustees Trustee Signature Date 1£ Mr Michael Collop. Treasurer to the Trustees MJCL Signature Date £c"LS
Mothers' Union, Diocese of Exeter Financial Statements 2024
Receipts and Payments Account
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Unrestricted Restricted Total 2023
funds funds funds total funds
£ £ £ £
Receipts
Donations and legacies 5,577 7,489 13,066 22,065
Income from charitable activities 23,080 - 23,080 19,161
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Other trading activities 1,734 1,734 3,176
Investments 1,169 - 1,169 958
Other income 74 - 74 855
Total Receipts 31,633 7,489 39,123 46,215
Payments
- -
Raising funds 3,041 3,041
Expenditure on charitable activities 32,012 7,904 39,916 38,403
Other expenditure 1,142 - 1,142 442
Total Payments 36,195 7,904 44,100 38,845
Excess of receipts over payments -4,562 -415 -4,977 7,370
Net transfers (accounting adjustment) 769 -769 0 0
Total change in assets -3,793 -1,184 -4,977 7,370
All assets at 1 January 2024 25,992 8,519 34,511 27,141
All assets at 31 December 2024 22,198 7,335 29,534 34,511
Represented by:
Unrestricted
General fund 22,198 - 22,198 25,992
Restricted
Restricted - AFIA - 4,943 4,943 5,864
Restricted - BIGBOOK - 2,392 2,392 1,707
Restricted - LADYDAY - - - 104
Restricted - MULFEP - - - 441
Restricted - OVERSEAS - - - 85
Restricted - SUMMER - - - 240
Restricted - UKNEEDS - - - 78
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Statement of assets and liabilities
| General Restricted Total 2024 Last year (2023) £ £ £ £ |
|
|---|---|
| Current assets - Cash At Bank And In Hand CCLA Petty Cash Cooperative Current Account |
23,982 - 23,982 22,813 -94 102 7 32 -1,690 7,234 5,544 11,665 |
| total current assets | 22,198 7,335 29,534 34,511 |
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Mothers' Union, Diocese of Exeter Financial Statements 2024
Fund movements 2024
| Fund | Fund balances brought | Incoming | Outgoing | Transfers | Fund |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| forward | Resources | Resources | balances | ||
| carried | |||||
| forward | |||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Restricted | |||||
| AFIA | 5,864 | 4,079 | 5,000 | 4,943 | |
| Big Book Share | 1,707 | 685 | 0 | 2,392 | |
| Lady Day | 104 | 0 | 104 | 0 | |
| MULFEP | 441 | 1,471 | 1,227 | -684 | 0 |
| Overseas | 85 | 795 | 795 | -85 | 0 |
| Summer of Hope | 240 | 310 | 550 | 0 | |
| UK Needs | 78 | 150 | 228 | 0 | |
| Unrestricted | |||||
| General | 25,992 | 31,633 | 36,195 | 769 | 22,198 |
| Totals | 34,511 | 39,123 | 44,100 | 0 | 29,534 |
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Mothers' Union, Diocese of Exeter Financial Statements 2024
Analysis of Receipts and Payments Receipts
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Total
General Restricted This year 2024 Last year 2023
£ £ £ £
Donations and legacies
Overseas Fund - 795 795 1,172
MULFEP - 1,471 1,471 1,487
Lady Day - - - 144
Summer of Hope - 310 310 240
UK Needs MSH - 150 150 78
Diocesan Fund 2,196 - 2,196 3,045
AFIA - 4,079 4,079 5,233
Big Book Share - 685 685 651
Legacies 1,000 - 1,000 8,050
Miscellaneous Donations/Income 270 - 270 496
MSH Christmas Appeal 160 - 160 -
Presentation donations 1,111 - 1,111 435
donations in memory - - - 1,034
Gender based violence 225 - 225 -
Saving/Credit groups overseas 300 - 300 -
MU Melanesia 315 - 315 -
Total 5,577 7,489 13,066 22,065
Income from charitable activities
Diocesan Members MSH Subscriptions 4,097 - 4,097 2,745
Branch Members MSH Subscriptions 9,401 - 9,401 9,513
Branch Diocesan Subscriptions 4,899 - 4,899 4,825
Diocesan Members Subscriptions 2,139 - 2,139 1,575
Annual Retreat 2,210 - 2,210 -
Make a Mothers Day MSH 100 - 100 32
Speakers Charge 234 - 234 471
Total 23,080 - 23,080 19,161
Other trading activities
MUe Shop Income 1,641 - 1,641 3,126
Income from recycling (ink + stamps) 93 - 93 26
MUe Postage - - - 23
Total 1,734 - 1,734 3,176
Other receipts
Investments - CCLA Annual Interest 1,169 - 1,169 958
Other - Closed Branch Funds 74 - 74 855
Total Receipts 31,633 7,489 39,123 46,215
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Mothers' Union, Diocese of Exeter Financial Statements 2024
Analysis of Receipts and Payments Payments
| General | Restricted | This year 2024 | Last year 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Raising funds | |||||
| MUe Stock | 3,041 | 3,041 | |||
| Expenditure on charitable activites | |||||
| DM Subscriptions to MSH | 4,094 | 4,094 | 3,150 | ||
| Branch Subscriptions to MSH | 9,401 | 9,401 | 9,387 | ||
| Overseas Fund | 795 | 795 | 9,402 | ||
| MULFEP | 734 | 1,227 | 1,961 | 1,121 | |
| lady Day | 104 | 104 | 40 | ||
| UK Needs | 228 | 228 | |||
| Trustee Expenses | 139 | 139 | 130 | ||
| Staff Costs | 8,316 | 8,316 | 7,838 | ||
| Telephone/Internet | 553 | 553 | 460 | ||
| Gas | 43S | 435 | 836 | ||
| Electricity | 512 | 512 | 606 | ||
| Rent | 1,613 | 1,613 | 968 | ||
| Event Room Hire | 787 | 787 | 346 | ||
| Business Rates | 25 | 25 | 25 | ||
| Insurance | 495 | 495 | 484 | ||
| Maintenance | 120 | 120 | 84 | ||
| Office Equipment | 564 | 56 | 900 | ||
| Stationery | 7 | 7 | 68 | ||
| Postage {Office) | 3 | 3 | 6 | ||
| Printing Costs | 211 | 211 | 723 | ||
| Conference Expenses | 234 | 234 | 84 | ||
| MU@Home Admin Costs | 152 | 152 | 105 | ||
| Diocesan Members Admin Costs | 183 | 183 | 567 | ||
| Retreat | 2,007 | 2,007 | |||
| AFIA | 5,000 | 5,000 | |||
| Outreach Projects | so | so | |||
| Big Book Share & Toy Box Scheme | 499 | ||||
| Sundries | 54 | 54 | 21 | ||
| Bank Charges | 0 | 0 | 45 | ||
| Miscellaneous | 55 | 55 | 2 | ||
| Speakers expenses | 173 | ||||
| MSH Appeal | 160 | 160 | |||
| Summer of Hope from Branches | 550 | 550 | |||
| Make a Mothers Day {MAMD) | 100 | 100 | |||
| Chaplain's expenses | 183 | 183 | 335 | ||
| Projects against Gender-based Violence | 525 | 525 | |||
| Saving/credit groups overseas | 300 | 300 | |||
| Total | 32,012 | 7,904 | 39,916 | 38,403 | |
| other expenditure - presentation gifts | 1,142 | 1,142 | 442 | ||
| Total Payments | 36,195 | 7,904 | 44,100 | 38,845 | |
| surplus/deficit - excess of receipts over payments | -4,562 | -415 | -,9n | 7,370 |
:
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Mothers’ Union, Diocese of Exeter Financial Statements 2024
Notes to the Accounts
Note 1: Payments to Trustees
Total payments to members of the Trustee Board in 2024 were £487, as follows, all incurred for work of the charity:
Diocesan Members administra�on, sta�onery and postage £143, travel £40
Chaplains’ travel expenses £183
Other Trustees (2), travel £121
Note 2: transac�ons between the charity and members of the Trustee Board or related par�es: nil
The Financial Statements have been prepared using the Receipts and Payments basis. Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
for the Trustees
�\�
Nikki Sweatman for the Trustees
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Michael Collop Treasurer
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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 2024 which are set out on pages 7 to 11.
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.
………………………………………………………..………… Date: 27 May 2025 Nigel Price Chartered Accountant 12 Estuary Avenue Appledore Bideford EX39 1GF