## **The Focolare Trust**
## **Annual Report and Financial Statements**
31 March 2022
Charity Registration Number (England & Wales) 279072 Charity Registration Number (Scotland) SC039844
**Contents**
|**Reports**||
|---|---|
|Reference and administrative information|1|
|Trustees’ report|3|
|Independent auditor’s report|27|
|**Financial statements**||
|Statement of financial activities|32|
|Balance sheet|33|
|Statement of cash flows|34|
|Principal accounting policies|35|
|Notes to the financial statements|40|
The Focolare Trust
## **Reference and administrative information**
|**Trustees**|Marie Christine Fournier|
|---|---|
||Paola Grazia|
||Claudia Melis|
||Elizabeth Taite|
||Patricia Whitney|
||The trustees are incorporated under the|
||Charities Act 2011|
|**Administrative address**|67 Church Road|
||Roby|
||Liverpool|
||L36 9TN|
|**Charity registration numbers**|279072 (England & Wales)|
||SC039844 (Scotland)|
|**Auditor**|Buzzacott LLP|
||130 Wood Street|
||London|
||EC2V 6DL|
|**Bankers**|Barclays Bank plc|
||7 St John’s Hill|
||Clapham Junction|
||London|
||SW11 1TR|
||National Westminster Bank plc|
||145 Clapham High Street|
||London|
||SW4 7SZ|
||Santander UK plc|
||3rdFloor Santander House|
||100 Ludgate Hill|
||London|
||EC4M 7RE|
The Focolare Trust **1**
**Reference and administrative information**
**Bankers** (continued) Shawbrook Bank Lutea House, Warley Business Park The Drive Great Warley Brentwood CM13 3BE **Solicitors** Carter Lemon Camerons LLP 10 Aldersgate Street London EC1A 4HJ HRJ Foreman Laws 10 Parkway Welwyn Garden City AL8 6HG
The Focolare Trust **2**
**Trustees’ report** 31 March 2022
The trustees present their report together with the financial statements of the Focolare Trust for the year ended 31 March 2022.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on pages 34 to 38 of the attached financial statements and comply with the charity’s trust deed, applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) laws and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), effective from accounting periods commencing 1 January 2015 or later.
## **Governance, structure and management**
The Focolare Movement is an international organisation which began in Italy in 1943 and is active in all five continents. It is an ecclesial Movement and its specific aim is to contribute to establishing unity in all areas and spheres of life, working to fulfil the words of the Gospel, “May they all be one” (Jn 17:21).
The Focolare’s International Headquarters and General Council are in Rome. The movement is divided into a number of individual ‘zones’ (geographical areas) which are closely linked to the international centre. Since 2015, the Focolare Movement in Britain is part of the ‘zone’ of Western Europe which has its area headquarters in Brussels.
The accounts accompanying this report are the accounts of the charitable trust on which the assets of the women’s section of the Focolare Movement in Britain are held. The Focolare Trust is governed by a trust deed dated 11 October 1979 and is registered with the Charity Commission, Charity Registration No 279072 and with OSCR No SC039844.
## **Governance**
In Britain, the Women’s Section of the Focolare Movement is made up of 25 consecrated members who live in community and who are at the heart of a much wider movement made up of about 1,000 close members and approximately 11,000 who are more loosely associated.
The Trustees are responsible for the charity’s assets, its development plans and activities.
They collaborate with the ‘Core Group’, a body of 23 people drawn from a wide range of Focolare membership, meeting regularly every month. The aim for this group is to be a focal point for the Movement in Great Britain. It comprises representatives of each Focolare house, as well as members of different ages, professional backgrounds, expertise, and from different Focolare groups in various parts of the country.
The Trustees are also in regular communication regarding specific issues with those responsible for the houses and the key activities of the Movement with whom they meet regularly.
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**Trustees’ report** 31 March 2022
## **Governance, structure and management** (continued)
## **Trustees**
Under the terms of the trust deed, new Trustees are appointed by the existing Trustees. The minimum and maximum number of Trustees is three and six respectively, and the following were in office during the year:
**Trustees** Marie Christine Fournier Paola Grazia Claudia Melis Appointed 5 November 2021 Elizabeth Taite Patricia Whitney
The Trustees oversee all the developments of the Focolare in this country and its links with the Movement internationally. They keep up to date with changes in Trustees’ responsibilities and charity law. They attend courses which are relevant to their role and always seek professional advice when necessary.
## **Key management personnel**
The Trustees consider that they comprise the key management of the charity in charge of directing, controlling, running and operating the charity on a day to day basis.
Currently, all Trustees are consecrated members of the Movement; their living and personal expenses are borne by the charity but they receive no remuneration or reimbursement of expenses in connection with their duties as Trustees.
## **Statement of trustees’ responsibilities**
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales and in Scotland requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the income and expenditure of the charity for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- ♦ select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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**Trustees’ report** 31 March 2022
## **Governance, structure and management** (continued)
## **Statement of trustees’ responsibilities** (continued)
- ♦ observe the methods and principles in Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102);
- ♦ make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- ♦ state whether applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- ♦ prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, applicable Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and the provisions of the charity’s trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
## **Working with other organisations**
The Focolare Trust works together with Mariapolis Limited, a charity administered by the men’s section of the Focolare Movement. One or more residential meetings are jointly organized each year and there is ongoing collaboration in the organisation of youth projects both nationally and internationally.
The Focolare Trust and Mariapolis Limited work together for the ‘New City’ publishing house and in the production of our monthly magazine, as well as in planning all the activities of the Movement in this country. Mariapolis Limited members also contribute to the daily running for the Centre for Unity.
## **Risk management**
The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, in particular those relating to the specific operational areas of the charity and its finances. The Trustees believe that by monitoring reserve levels, by ensuring controls exist over key financial systems, and by examining the operational risks faced by the charity on a regular basis, they continue to maintain effective systems to mitigate those risks.
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**Trustees’ report** 31 March 2022
## **Governance, structure and management** (continued)
## **Risk management** (continued)
## _Centre for Unity sustainability and Covid impact_
In 2021-22 the Centre for Unity was still at reduced activities but certain groups were able to use the Centre and bookings started to increase from September 2021. We still benefitted from the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme; however, as mentioned in the previous report, the Trustees had to take the difficult decision to make two of the staff redundant. A new cleaner was employed in 2022. A new Manager was also employed in January after the previous Manager retired. After the summer 2022, the Centre is in higher demand and the Trustees are monitoring the activities of the Centre with reduced staff; often this means not accepting more groups than what is feasible.
The Trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for 12 months from authorising these financial statements. The budgeted income and expenditure is sufficient with the level of reserves for the charity to be able to continue as a going concern.
## _Ageing communities_
During 2021-22, we continued to be aware of the age profile of many of the consecrated members living in our houses. We have continued to be engaged in a process of discussion and discernment with the ‘Core Group’ and Focolare members both in this country and in Western Europe as to how to ensure the wellbeing of members in the future, as well as reaching out to new members.
## _Governance, widening participation, ensuring sustainability and enabling successionplanning_
Our governance structures are under continuous review. The ‘Core group’ has continued to meet monthly to discern the way ahead and make decisions on priorities and events. The need for our members to understand the different roles and ways of working within the Movement is becoming clearer and conversations have been happening at different levels and among different groups.
In March 2021 the members of the Core Group attended a training session on Unconscious Bias. This was to support awareness and implementation of equality, diversity and inclusion practices within the Movement.
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**Trustees’ report** 31 March 2022
## **Governance, structure and management** (continued)
## **Safeguarding**
The Safeguarding team in 2021-2022 comprised four members, two Safeguarding Officers:
- ♦ Jane Evans (Safeguarding Officer)
- ♦ Paul Gateshill (Safeguarding Officer)
and three additional members:
- ♦ Claudia Melis (administration)
- ♦ Nic Innocent (administration)
- ♦ Anja Primbs (administration)
In March 2022 Paul Gateshill stepped down from his post as Safeguarding Officer and Nic Innocent was asked if he was willing to undertake the appointment process, which includes consulting the regional headquarters in Brussels. Following the appointment process, Nic Innocent was approved for the post of Safeguarding Officer.
Our Safeguarding Policy and guidelines are published on the Focolare GB website (www.focolare.org/gb/safeguarding). It follows the guidelines issued by Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service (CSAS), now Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA), with whom we have an umbrella agreement.
The Focolare Community in Scotland is also committed to follow guidelines by the Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Services (transitioning to become the Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency, SCSSA) and actively participate in safeguarding training and events organised by Glasgow RC Archdiocese’s Safeguarding Office.
In 2021-2022 the Safeguarding team has continued to work on the annual review of the safeguarding policies and guidelines and started a review on training needs and monitoring. The policies are drawn from CSSA and SCSSA but have incorporated input from local authorities, health sector, as well as Anglican and Methodist safeguarding resources to reflect the ecumenical nature of the Movement. Particular focus was put into digital safeguarding (online meetings and the appropriate use of media).
Jane Evans participated in the international conference for Focolare designated Safeguarding Officers in Castelgandolfo (Rome) in February 2022. This was organised by CO.BE.TU. (Commission for the Wellbeing and Safeguarding of Minors), the Focolare International central body for safeguarding. The purpose of the conference was to review the International Focolare Safeguarding Policy (available on the Focolare International website at https://www.focolare.org/en/wellbeing-and-protection-of-minors-and-vulnerablepersons/ ) and share expertise and good practices.
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**Trustees’ report** 31 March 2022
## **Governance, structure and management** (continued)
## **Safeguarding** (continued)
In addition to the periodic review of the safeguarding policy, the Safeguarding team develops and advises on the use of Risk Assessments, monitors the process of safe recruitment DBS/PVG checks for those who work with young people and vulnerable adults, maintains an advisory role for members of the Focolare movement, provides pointers to access training resources, and advises members to ensure we maintain a safe environment for all people who come into contact with the Movement.
The two Safeguarding Officers respond to any safeguarding concerns, allegations and disclosures within the Focolare, ensuring all safeguarding allegations are reported to the appropriate bodies. They act autonomously from the leadership of the Focolare, while briefing the two delegates for GB with concerns that require changes to practice (with due regard to confidentiality).
The safeguarding team had identified volunteer training and safeguarding vulnerable adults as objectives for 2022. However, the publication at the end of March 2022 of a report by GCPS Consulting has shifted the team’s priorities. This was an independent investigation into the sexual abuse perpetrated by a former consecrated member of the Focolare in France.
The safeguarding team focussed on care for the victims and creating a service of ‘listening points’ for members of the Focolare across Western Europe. More information will be provided in the next Trustees’ Report 2022-23.
## **Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies**
## **Principal aims**
The general objects of the Trust are the advancement of the Christian religion, the prevention or relief of poverty and education.
In particular, the Movement works towards fostering dialogue and establishing unity at all levels. Focolare activities are all directed towards this end.
## **Unity through dialogue**
The Movement began within the framework of the Roman Catholic Church but since 1960 a strong characteristic has been the engagement of members from various Churches and its ecumenical dialogue between Christians of many traditions.
Since the 1970s, dialogue with members of other faiths and people with no formal faith who share the aim of building a united world has also developed.
## **Unity through promoting social justice**
The Focolare Movement is committed to fostering greater equality among peoples and nations. To this end each year it supports Focolare projects in the global South and those affected by natural disasters, as well as supporting people in need in Britain.
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**Trustees’ report** 31 March 2022
## **Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies** (continued)
## **Objectives and priorities**
During the year 2021-22, the Trustees, ‘Core Group’ (representing different memberships and local communities) and those responsible for the Focolare houses identified the following specific areas upon which to concentrate much of the work of the movement in keeping with our general aims:
- a) To continue supporting Focolare consecrated members in Great Britain, as well as our Focolare International Centres in Rome.
- b) To continue prioritising our work with young people.
- c) To continue accompanying Focolare communities, families and individual members and continue working for ecumenical and interreligious dialogue locally and abroad.
- d) To join the campaign ‘Dare to Care’ (United World Project for the year 2021-22), strive to reach more sustainable practices in terms of ecology and work with other agencies promoting care for ‘our common home’.
- e) To continue supporting the Centre for Unity and monitoring the sustainability of the Centre.
- f) To continue supporting people affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, both in GB and abroad, and AMU (Action for a United World) and AFN onlus (New Families Action) projects for international solidarity.
## **Public benefit**
In accordance with Charity Commission guidance, the Trustees have had regard to public benefit and the activities and achievements described below seek to demonstrate the public benefit of Focolare Trust in relation to its specific objectives to foster dialogue and unity.
## **Grant making policy**
The Trust’s grant making policy and procedures depend on decisions made in consultation with the members responsible for the Movement in Britain, our regional headquarters in Brussels, with the General Council in Rome and with those responsible for each local house. Priority is given to furthering Focolare projects. Financial support is sometimes given to close relatives of consecrated members who are in need: e.g. widowed mothers or young families. This help is given sensitively and it corresponds to individual needs.
With regards to objectives for overseas donations, grants are made in consultation with the International Centre in Rome to give support in places of great need; and in particular through the charitable arms AMU and AFN onlus (see above, point f).
The Covid committee was established in April 2020 to manage the Covid Emergency Fund. The committee comprises 5 members: two trustees of the Focolare Trust, the secretary of Mariapolis Ltd and other 2 focolare volunteers. With the ease of the pandemic it was agreed that its remit should be broadened to hardship of all kinds and that the committee should be renamed the ‘Covid and Hardship Fund’ committee and would be managing the donations received for this purpose.
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**Trustees’ report** 31 March 2022
## **Achievements and performance**
## **Review of activities**
## _**a) Supporting Focolare consecrated members in Great Britain and Focolare International Centres**_
In the year to 31 March 2022, the charity supported 25 consecrated members in Great Britain. These members are at the heart of our activities and events, be it with young people in particular but also in furthering our ecumenical and interfaith work at all levels.
The charity also gave a substantial contribution of £304,015 to the Focolare International Centre in Rome to support consecrated members of Focolare abroad and for the work of the Movement in poorer and developing countries. On behalf of the International Centre, we continue to hold funds in a separate deposit account (Centro Foco fund), which are drawn down when needed in response to needs as outlined above.
## _**b) Working with young people**_
Whilst there have been fewer meetings for young people and teenagers generally, the online activity has continued. In particular a group of young girls (9-12 years old) spread across GB have been meeting regularly on Zoom every month, and 2 groups of children (48 years old) from London and Welwyn Garden City. The characteristic of these gatherings now, in comparison with the past, is that more adult leaders are opting to help with the younger generations.
A first sleepover in November in Liverpool reunited children and teenagers from across GB for the first time in person, coming from Aberdeen to London, via Swansea. They met again during a 3-day congress in April 2022, at the Centre for Unity in Welwyn Garden City. The programme included sessions on the Life of the Gospel, forgiveness and reconciliation, loving your enemy, as well as indoor and outdoor games, craft activities, moments of prayer, reflection and sharing, movie night…
When asked what had changed in them before and after the congress, replies included:
_**“I feel more connected to God than I did before”**_
_**“I have become more free and open and just happy”**_
_**“I appreciate the Gospel more and how to ‘keep it in my pocket’ and use the Word to help others in my life. I am also more aware of how the Holy Spirit works in us and now Jesus is always waiting for us to ‘answer the door’”**_
3 participants to the Congress in Welwyn Garden City, April 2022
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**Trustees’ report** 31 March 2022
## **Achievements and performance** (continued)
**Review of activities** (continued)
## _**c) Working with young people** (continued)_
In some parts of GB, family meetings have resumed after the lockdown, it being a great joy to have entire families, with children of all ages coming together once more.
## _Hombre Mundo 2022_
The uncertainty of the Covid situation after Christmas caused us to decide against hosting a large residential event in February in the Centre for Unity on the occasion of the worldwide ‘Hombre Mundo’ event (February 2022). We hosted smaller local gatherings instead, in Glasgow, Liverpool and London.
The title of this project is in Spanish and could be translated with ‘Global Person’, a person who carries in their heart the whole of humanity. This expression was suggested by Chiara Lubich to the young people as a way of life for future generations. The aims of ‘Hombre Mundo’ this year were to take care of others and of creation. Whilst the Scottish group went for a litter picking activity, in London and in Liverpool we reflected on Faith Plans/Eco Plans (see point d).
Young People gathered in London for ‘Hombremundo’
This is a report by a youth leader supporting the younger ones who gathered in Liverpool:
_**“The Hombre Mundo day was a refreshing experience that connected a lot of us from different countries with shared goals in mind. In our global Time-out zoom call, we saw other young people who met up for their Hombre Mundo…, especially touching when we prayed for Ukraine together with the Ukrainian group at the beginning of an uncertain time.**_
_**It has been a new experience helping out the younger ones to express their ideas and thoughts on sustainability through Faith Plans.**_
_**This session allowed the young people to talk about what they would like to see the movement promote and apply to make the future more sustainable for all. This involved different activities that helped to prioritise the main categories for intervention such as lifestyle, education and wisdom.**_
_**Personally, this experience has strengthened my environmental activism and the desire for a sustainable future in which young people may have a chance”.**_
Mariachiara
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## **Achievements and performance** (continued)
**Review of activities** (continued)
## _**c) Focolare Communities, Families, Dialogue**_
## _Families_
Throughout 2021 the Focolare Families in GB and Ireland produced a joint course ‘Love creates a family’ which was a series of 7 monthly zooms looking at aspects of family life through the lens of living the Gospel together. Following this course there was a desire to continue getting to know each other, creating further opportunities for talking, sharing and reaching out to others. A series of Zooms ‘Time together as families’ have been held throughout 2022 based on specific topics suggested by feedback at the end of the 2021 course. Each session is simple, informal and open to all.
_**"Thank you so much for such a beautiful programme for tonight's theme of Love Forgives. The warm and relaxed presentations and beautiful texts and experiences created such a moment of trust and openness in the breakout rooms that people could share deeply and honestly and really be a gift for each other in answering a question or responding to something shared…**_
_**Sincere thanks! Great love and care went into tonight's session!"**_
A participant in ‘Time together as families’
## _Local Communities_
Focolare local communities across the country have continued to meet online and in person when possible. In particular, on the weekend of 26 June 2021(coincidentally National Picnic Day!) some took the opportunity to gather together outside: for some it was the first meeting in person since lockdown. They gathered in Liverpool Calderstones Park, Astley Park in Chorley, South Wales, gardens in the Wirral, Newcastle upon Tyne and Ripon, and Derby – to name a few. The Word of Life group in Welwyn Garden City had a joyful garden gathering in August.
These simple gatherings were a chance to celebrate being together as ‘family’, to enjoy the beauty of nature and also to share some deep moments lived during the past 18 months – sufferings, joys and hopes for the future.
The trustees decided in March 2022 to purchase a new 4-bedroom property in Smethwick, West Midlands, for the Birmingham women’s community who had been living in rented accommodation in Darlaston since November 2020. The purchase will be funded from the sale of the London house in March 2021.
The Midlands now hosts two Focolare houses: the women’s house in Smethwick and the men’s house who moved from Liverpool to Willenhall in March 2021. Opening permanent community houses meant that the ‘Birmingham project’ is now taken on by the communities houses themselves. Around Birmingham new networks with the local churches are being sown and existing links with interfaith contacts are being strengthened.
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**Trustees’ report** 31 March 2022
## **Achievements and performance** (continued)
## **Review of activities** (continued)
## _**c) Focolare Communities, Families, Dialogue**_
## _Local Communities (continued)_
Following an international school for local community coordinators, five of our members from different parts of GB have formed a **working group** , aiming to nurture and support the life of the local communities in their outreach.
## _Ecumenism_
**Prayers for Unity** – What started as a response to being isolated at the beginning of the pandemic, has continued each Monday evening for 20 minutes, the reflection is being led by a different person each time. Over two years later, there are regular participants from many countries of the world and from numerous different Christian traditions.
There are four **international zoom groups** working on developing areas where we live and work ecumenically; these started in October 2021 and include consecrated members from GB. Concrete actions have emerged from this rich exchange of the experience of members of various churches, which will have an impact on the whole Movement.
**Ecumenical meeting of Church Leaders 2022** - During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in January 2022, the annual meeting for church leaders took place, for the second time via Zoom. Those attending were drawn from the Roman Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran and Moravian churches, from the Church of England and the Church of Ireland. The advantage of Zoom is that those from further away were able to attend, from Scotland, Ireland and Norway. There were 17 participants in total and 15 others sent apologies.
The programme included a talk by Callan Slipper, Church of England National Ecumenical Officer, on _The Meaning of Ecumenism Today: What Insights does the Spirituality of Unity offer?_ followed by dialogue groups and an update on the international bishops' meeting in Rome by Bishop Brendan Leahy. Straightaway there was a warm, friendly atmosphere. At the conclusion of the meeting, it was clear that they were already looking forward to the next time they would be together.
## _Interfaith_
The **Study group with Dr Mohammad Shomali** has continued its regular meetings and has been focussing on some of Chiara Lubich’s writings. Talking about these together – Christians and Muslims – is to share more deeply about the work of God in our lives.
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**Trustees’ report** 31 March 2022
## **Achievements and performance** (continued)
**Review of activities** (continued)
## _**c) Focolare Communities, Families, Dialogue**_
## _Interfaith (continued)_
The 10 **Dialogue Group** zooms which happened during lockdown are now continuing 4 times a year. They have been an opportunity to educate and provide information about people of different faiths and have built bridges through sharing understanding, also of commonalities between our faith systems. In Britain, the experience within all faith groups, but especially those of the monotheistic religions, could be that young people are searching for very traditional forms of belief and practice and are not open to dialogue. Therefore, these zooms organised by the Focolare Dialogue group are important for countering a trend in society. It is part of learning to live in a space where we disagree and that people travel through life on different pathways and need not be a threat to one another. The contribution of the Movement is to point towards being the first to love.
Some feedback after the session on Judaism by Rabbi Emeritus Dr Thomas Salamon (Rabbi at the Jewish Reform Westminster Synagogue for almost 20years, until his retirement in 2017):
_**“I found Rabbi Thomas Salamon's talk very helpful in changing my perspective on Judaism”.**_
Nic
And from the session on Jainism, led by Jaineel Shah, a member of the Public Relations team of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur UK:
_**“This is what I especially like about the Interfaith Dialogue, the chance to get to know and gain a basic understanding of other faith/belief systems.**_
_**I usually find myself comparing what I learn with my own Christian faith and whilst there are always some differences it is refreshing to find that in general, we seem to have more that unites than divides us.**_
_**Jaineel’s insight was no different. I especially liked some of the descriptions he gave of the 5 Great Values…”**_
Julie
**Politics and Unity** - The Politics and Unity group was formed in July 2020 and it consists of 10-15 individuals who are eager, determined to enhance political dialogue, which Chiara Lubich had always very close to her heart. It was she who called politics the "love of all loves". The group meets every 4-5 weeks and we look at various interesting topics which affect our local communities, UK, Europe and the whole world. They had an opportunity to listen to powerful experiences from North Ireland, learn about the political system in Scotland, take part on the virtual tour of the Houses of Parliament and some of the group
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## **Achievements and performance** (continued)
**Review of activities** (continued)
## _**c) Focolare Communities, Families, Dialogue**_
members also took part in an online seminar organised by the International Movement for Politics and Unity, which is based in Rome.
_**“Building political dialogue has never been more important. On the other hand, politics today has never been more polarised. It might often feel that people are drifting away from being part of the political process and the democratic disengagement becomes a ‘social norm’.**_
_**In this, rather challenging environment, a number of people decided to try and bring together individuals from a wide range of political beliefs to create an opportunity for ‘political growth’”.**_
Michal
**Walking the Synodal Pathway** - Between 2021 - 2023, the Roman Catholic Church across the entire world is embarking upon a process of listening, reflection and dialogue to discern how to journey forward together. Pope Francis wants to involve everyone in this discernment process: religious leaders, believers of all churches and faiths as well as people of no religious convictions. His hope is that we can learn from one another and strengthen the already existing bonds of fraternity among people: simultaneously, the Catholic Church can learn how to better journey alongside others.
This process is called the “synodal pathway”; in some areas, it is called “Walking Together”. Members of the Movements were encouraged to get involved in their local parishes and dioceses “synodal pathway”.
Pat Whitney (Midlands) and Rumold van Geffen (Welwyn Garden City) coordinated a group from across GB who produced its own report which was shared with the central hub in Belgium.
**Mariapolis 2021 with Malta** - The 2021 annual event ‘Mariapolis’ was hosted by Britain and
Malta together on 2nd-3rd October. As in 2020, most of the programme was online, but some local communities this time met in person and followed the streaming together. This included a group of young adults gathered at the Centre for Unity in Welwyn Garden City, and another group of young people was meeting in person in Malta.
Many of the participants said that they experienced being one universal family, built on true relationships.
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## **Achievements and performance** (continued)
**Review of activities** (continued)
## _**c) Focolare Communities, Families, Dialogue**_
The programme included moments of reflection, with testimonies illustrating the theme _‘Our Heart, Our Home, Our World’._ Personal stories of putting the ‘Art of Loving’ into practice reflected the diversity and the multi-cultural aspect of communities in Malta and Britain, giving a vision of a society inspired by the Gospel. Other international visitors included participants from Nigeria, Scandinavia and Italy.
Nine ‘interest groups’ covered a range of topics, highlighting initiatives that have developed in the past year. These included Ecology, Ecumenism, Art and a presentation of projects supporting refugees in Malta.
Children and young people made a significant contribution with their own experiences of putting love into practice, as well as presenting the **Dare to Care** pathway of care for the planet (see section d below).
The journey travelled over the months of preparation had also been positive and rich: teams from the different nations getting to know each other, working together, listening deeply. Unforeseen technological difficulties on the day challenged the team behind the scenes and the participants. However, many took this chance to ‘love everyone’, discovering new ways to listen and share with others.
Some feedback after the Mariapolis:
_**“How do you express the love and hard work of all the organisers of this wonderful two days spent together, what an imagination of God.**_
_**My profound thanks to everyone, the program was perfectly balanced with short sessions which incorporated spirituality, experiences, recreation and moments of deep communion with God…”**_
Teresa
_**“Big big thank you to each one who made this beautiful big family possible”**_
Vicky
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## **Achievements and performance** (continued)
## **Review of activities** (continued)
## _**d) Dare to Care**_
In line with the Focolare General Assembly Final Document (see previous report), which identified as directions for the Movement in the next six years, responding to the “cries of humanity, of the new generations and of the earth”, the Dare to Care campaign launched at the end of United World Week 2021 focused on ‘People, planet and our ecological conversion’ (https://www.unitedworldproject.org/en/daretocare/).
Many people pledged themselves to make changes in their own lives and to work to care for our planet, joining initiatives both from Focolare and from other organisations we share common goals with, in order to continue to build the United World together.
An Eco community of interest group, later named Focolare Integral Ecology Group, started to meet in January 2021 for learning and sharing online sessions and supporting individual and local actions.
Ahead of the UN climate talks (COP26) in Glasgow, the group organised three evening online events in July, entitled Countdown to COP26: Time to Think – Time to Ac. The event series offered a wonderful opportunity to reflect, learn more and get inspired on how to get
involved in taking action on the climate crisis in our local communities, in our churches and with our elected representatives.
Speakers included:
- ♦ **Lorna Gold** , Chair of the Laudato Si’ Movement and Director of Movement Building at FaithInvest
- ♦ **Nino Puglisi** , Focolare / Eco One
- ♦ **Sarah Robinson** , Hope for the Future
- ♦ **Nick Thomas-Symonds MP** , Shadow Home Secretary
- ♦ **Maria Elena Arana** , CAFOD
- ♦ **John Paul de Quay and Eleanor Margetts** , Ecological Conversion Group
- ♦ **Elizabeth Perry** , Programme and Communication Manager at the Anglican Alliance, who coordinated the Anglican Communion Delegation at COP26, spoke at a follow up meeting post-COP26.
**17**
The Focolare Trust
**Trustees’ report** 31 March 2022
## **Achievements and performance** (continued)
**Review of activities** (continued)
## _**d) Dare to Care** (continued)_
Some feedback from the participants after the sessions:
_**“I thoroughly enjoyed the event - thank you so much for the invitation and I wish everyone well with their lobbying!”**_ Nick Thomas-Symonds, MP _**“Focolare is unique. Not only are you a major laity lead organisation in one of the “Thanks for this it's just what we need. An important contribution to a marvellous most hierarchical faiths in the world, but you are an inspiration far beyond just your discussion”. members. For decades you have worked through things such as the Economy of Communion on the lived and work reality of faith in practice in the marketplace.**_ Seamus _**Creating new models and ventures seems to come as second nature to you and your “Each of the speakers brought something different to the table and both individually quiet success stories are an inspiration”. and collectively the content and presentation was first class. For me it was especially heartening to see even in a small way the work of the Movement showcased”.**_ Martin Palmer CEO of FaithInvest Marie
The Focolare Integral Ecology Group also did a series of articles in New City before and after COP26 to keep people informed and have since then been involved in how the Movement in GB could adhere to the Faith Plans initiative (https://www.faithplans.org/), in collaboration with other faith groups and organisations.
## _New bank for the Focolare Trust current accounts_
In April 2021, the desire to invest in a more ethical bank prompted the trustees and those responsible for the houses to take the decision to move all the Focolare Trust current accounts from the high street bank NatWest to the Co-operative bank, which has a customer-led Ethical Policy incorporated into its Articles of Association. The move to the Cooperative bank took some time and preparatory work but resulted in a successful switch in September 2022.
The Focolare Trust **18**
**Trustees’ report** 31 March 2022
## **Achievements and performance** (continued)
## **Review of activities** (continued)
## _**e) Focolare Centre for Unity**_
By April 2021 Covid was starting to fade and we were hosting Covid-19 testing in the car park. By this time, we were not being paid for the use of the car park but we were very happy to help the Council and local residents by accommodating the Testing Service.
The frequency and variety of groups using the Centre increased gradually through to the point in July 2021 when we accepted the first request for a residential event – St Albans Diocese. The type of groups we have continued to host were Churches, Charities, Focolare Groups, Police, Youth Service, local and County council events.
Due to the small number of events we were able to offer accommodation, in our largest flat, to a family of 4. This family were having major work completed on their house and, due to the disruption from Covid, the works were considerably delayed. They stayed in the flat from the end of June to mid – October.
In December 2021 our manager of the last 8 years retired. In the previous autumn we had begun the process of advertising locally for a replacement and alerting our members in the country to the need for a new manager. The advertisement was also placed in the local churches, on the Independent Catholic News, the Churches Together in England (CTE) and Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) websites and with Indeed employment agency. We appointed a new manager in January 2022.
## _**f) Supporting people who suffered because of Covid-19 pandemic and initiatives of International solidarity**_
During 2021-22, the Covid Emergency Fund has continued to offer support in a couple of cases to people in need within the UK. In addition, contributions have been sent to the Centre of the Movement in Rome for distribution to those most in need around the world.
## _Report from the Covid Emergency International Fund (7 July 2022)_
The amount received so far at the International Centre was €1,044,253, the expenditure was €832,594 and the balance is €211,659 which will be used for requests currently under evaluation or for new emergencies. In our previous report we gave details of the projects that were supported internationally.
The Focolare Trust **19**
**Trustees’ report** 31 March 2022
## **Achievements and performance** (continued)
## **Review of activities** (continued)
## _**f) Supporting people who suffered because of Covid-19 pandemic and initiatives of International solidarity** (continued)_
_Report from the Covid Emergency International Fund (7 July 2022) (continued)_
|**Covid Emergency International Fund**
**as per June 2022**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||
||**2020**|**2021**|**2022**|**Tota l**|
||||||
|**Income**|**Euros**||||
|**General Donations**|**444,473**|**198,558**|**4,789**|**647,819**|
|**For families andpeople in need**|**93,406**|**45,933**|**30**|**139,369**|
|**For salaries socialprojects**|**37,201**|**1,200**|**0**|**38,401**|
|**Youth Formation**|**8,499**|**1,100**|**0**|**9,599**|
|**Other specific intentions**|**196,501**|**12,364**|**200**|**209,065**|
|**Tota l Income**|**780, 080**|
**259, 154**|
**5,019**|
**1,044,253**|
|**Expenditure**|Euros||||
|**Families andpeople in need**|**85,194**|**23,425**|**28,339**|**136,957**|
|**Little towns**|**89,723**|**200,000**|**50,000**|**339,723**|
|**Salaries socialprojects**|**262,663**|**74,022**|**2,000**|**338,684**|
|**Youth Formation**|**0**|**4,930**|**12,300**|**17,230**|
|**Tota l Expenditure**|**437, 579**|
**302, 376**|
**92,639**|
**832, 594**|
||||||
|**Balance available**|**342, 501**|
**299, 279**|
**211, 659**||
## _Nepal_
Some Focolare volunteers heard about the Covid emergency situations in India and decided to raise funds. We contacted our Focolare Centre in Mumbai who were feeling helpless with the situation and were overjoyed about the news of help from GB. They suggested that we support the people in Nepal, which is part of the regional Focolare zone of ‘India’ (with Bhutan, Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka), where many are suffering because of the lack of work and medical supplies.
The Focolare Trust **20**
**Trustees’ report** 31 March 2022
## **Achievements and performance** (continued)
**Review of activities** (continued)
_**f) Supporting people who suffered because of Covid-19 pandemic and initiatives of International solidarity** (continued)_
## _Nepal (continued)_
_**“In the name of our small community of friends who know our Focolare movement but especially in the name of our Nepalese people, I would like to thank you very much for the help you sent us.**_
_**The situation here in Nepal is not very rosy, although the government is doing its best to vaccinate the people, everything is going very slowly as there is always a shortage of vaccines…**_
_**Meanwhile the monsoon rains have already caused a lot of damage and countless people have seen all their belongings washed up in the floods.**_
_**Nepal's source of income is tourism, with more than 1 1/2 years without tourists, over 1 million people are out of work and more than 500,000 migrants have returned from India and the Middle East.**_
_**With the donations we have already received, we try to give food parcels to many families, pay school fees for children whose parents are unemployed, distribute stationery items to children on the start of the new academic year, pay house rent, medical bills, through a parish priests who knows the Movement”.**_
(Jo, August 2021)
_**“Your donations are being used to support some families who know the Movement, housing rent and medical expenses. In these families, both the mother and the father are unemployed. We also provided more than 40 families in the mountain region with food, rice, oil, and lentils, these families had a lot of problems because most of them were porters and there was no tourism, so there was no work for them”.**_
(Jo, June 2022)
The Focolare Trust **21**
**Trustees’ report** 31 March 2022
## **Achievements and performance** (continued)
## **Review of activities** (continued)
## _**f) Supporting people who suffered because of Covid-19 pandemic and initiatives of International solidarity** (continued)_
## _Ukraine Emergency Appeal_
With the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in February 2022 a special fund was set up via the Focolare NGO AMU, Action for a United World. By April 2022 we had sent £8,800 to AMU from GB.
## **Focolare activities in Scotland 2021-22**
## _**Monthly community meetings**_
This year was still characterised by the effects of the pandemic, therefore most of the meetings continued to take place on zoom. When we changed them to hybrid meetings, about a third of the participants opted to actually meet in person in our Focolare house, whereas elderly participants or those living further away preferred the zoom option.
## _**COP26**_
For over six years, the community in Scotland have been getting to know and deepening a friendship with the Ahl Al Bait Society Scotland, Shia Muslim community based in and around Glasgow. We have held several events together and our relationship has truly moved from friendship to a real unity, so much so that we all feel part of one family. Environmental action has been a specific focus of several of our shared activities.
Building on these ongoing interfaith relationships and activities, we were approached by Lorna Gold, from Laudato Si’ Movement, who asked if we would be interested in holding interfaith events focused on the environment during COP26 in November 2021.
Through discussions with Lorna, Focolare wider community and our Shia Muslim friends we jointly decided to organise two events.
The first event was a public evening conference to promote interfaith understanding of the importance of caring for our common home. The event was held at the Islamic Al Mahdi Centre in Glasgow.
Speakers included prominent ecological activists from the Sikh and Jewish communities, the local Iman, people
Public Interfaith conference in Glasgow
The Focolare Trust **22**
**Trustees’ report** 31 March 2022
## **Achievements and performance** (continued)
## **Focolare activities in Scotland 2021-22** (continued)
## _**COP26** (continued)_
from the official COP26 delegation, Lorna and others. Around 90 people from a wide-range of faiths came and another 40 took part from across Scotland, the UK and further afield via zoom. It was a wonderful evening with a great atmosphere, lots of engaged discussion and many people sharing contact details with each other as new connections were made.
The second event was an evening buffet dinner, for around 30 ‘VIPs’ in the Glasgow Focolare house: it was attended by official and unofficial COP26 delegates and global and local leaders all from different faith groups and organisations, together with members of our community. Our aim was to deepen dialogues and provide an opportunity for ‘networking’. Among the participants were those of Sikh, Jewish and Muslim faiths; people from various Christian denominations – including representation from the Iona Community – and a representative of paganism. Several of the people commented positively as they left that they had never been to an event quite like that evening. Somebody said that they had never experienced so much joy in the company of such a diverse company as they did on that evening.
Focolare representatives also took part in other COP26 events: Talks, a Roman Catholic Mass for COP26 participants, an ecumenical service, an interfaith service, COP26 marches, and a viewing of the ‘Laudato Si’ documentary.
These days have been pivotal moments for us in Scotland in our interfaith dialogues – building new relationships and deepening existing ones.
The Focolare continues to work together with FaithInvest, an international organisation that encourages faith groups of all major religions to draw up ‘Faith plans’ of how to live integral ecology.
A video report on these events was shown at the quarterly Focolare International conference call streamed on YouTube (‘Collegamento – Link Up’ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/CollegamentoFocolare_official) and can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfX3QEj07Ns
## _**Ecumenism**_
The presence of two of our members at the synods of the **Scottish Episcopalian Church** over the last 3 years has brought about much fruits through their inputs and the relationships they built.
The Focolare Trust **23**
**Trustees’ report** 31 March 2022
## **Achievements and performance** (continued)
**Focolare activities in Scotland 2021-22** (continued)
## _**Young people**_
The young people continue to meet regularly, both on zoom and in person. One of the actions was the planting of trees in December ’21. It was an event that was jointly organised by young people of the Focolare and the Ahl Al Bait society.
Another example of caring for the environment was a litter picking afternoon in March ‘22 during a weekend of the young people in the Focolare.
## **Future plans 2022-23**
Following discussions with the Core Group and people responsible for the Focolare houses, the Trustees confirmed the following specific objectives for the coming year in keeping with our general aims:
- ♦ To continue supporting Focolare consecrated members in Great Britain, as well as our Focolare International Centres in Rome.
- ♦ To continue prioritising our work with young people.
- ♦ To continue accompanying Focolare communities, families and individual members and working for ecumenical and interreligious dialogue locally and abroad.
- ♦ To continue the campaign ‘Dare to Care’ (United World Project for the year 2022-23), striving to reach more sustainable practices in terms of ecology and work with other agencies promoting care for ‘our common home’.
The Focolare Trust **24**
**Trustees’ report** 31 March 2022
## **Future plans 2022-23** (continued)
- ♦ To continue supporting the Centre for Unity and monitoring the sustainability of the Centre.
- ♦ To continue supporting people affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, both in GB and abroad, and AMU and AFN onlus projects for international solidarity.
## **Financial Review**
## **Results for the year**
A summary of the year’s results can be found on page 30 of the attached financial statements.
For the year to 31 March 2022, the income of the charity amounted to £744,103 (2021 - £2,294,252), including £644,091 (2021 - £666,905) from voluntary income, £73,686 (2021 - £21,483) from charitable activities, interest receivable of £16,157 (2021 - £7,163) and £400 (2021 - £1,574,953) from the disposal of tangible fixed assets.
Total expenditure in the year was £784,880 (2021 - £898,808) including £379,512 (2020 - £509,900) for donations and grants payments; £113,307 (2021 - £30,849) for provision of retreats, conferences and publications; £679 (2021 - £3,661) for interfaith and youth projects; and £291,382 (2021 - £254,398) for the support of the members of the Movement.
Net investment gains in the year were £479l (2021 – losses of £179). The net movement in funds for the year was a decrease of £40,298 (2021 – a increase of £1,395,265).
## **Reserves policy and financial position**
The trustees have examined the requirement for the free reserves (i.e. those unrestricted funds not invested in tangible fixed assets, designated for specific purposes or otherwise committed). In particular, at the current time, the reserves need to be sufficient to enable the charity to operate in the exceptional circumstances created by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The trustees consider that, given the nature of the charity’s work, the level of free reserves should be approximately between three and six months’ ongoing expenditure. The trustees are of the opinion that this provides sufficient flexibility to cover temporary shortfalls in income, adequate working capital to cover core costs, and will allow the charity to cope and respond to unforeseen emergencies.
The balance sheet shows total reserves of £7,690,306 (2021 - £7,730,604). Of this, £4,329,618 (2021 - £4,391,433) is represented by tangible fixed assets used to support the work of the Movement. Such assets are of fundamental importance to the charity; without these assets the charity would be unable to fulfil its charitable aims and objectives. The value of such assets, therefore, would not be easily realisable, if needed to meet future contingencies. To emphasise this point, the net book value of these assets has been set aside, by the trustees, in a tangible fixed assets fund. Other designated funds stood at £3,145,183 (2021 - £3,179,573) (see note 16).
The Focolare Trust **25**
Trustses. report 31 March 2022
Financial
Ruer*J policy and Iln•nci•l positlon (cthknued)
Free reserves available to supF the work of the members In the future are those shown
on the b8nrffj 8he8t uThJer the genwal fiJThJ aTrJ, at 31 Marth 2022 oqugtg 10 £214.892
12020 - £159.6101. The level of free re8ep4es a131 March 2022 equate5 to approximalety 3
Inths, of ongoing eyndilure *tMch &$ with desired reserveslovel as noted
Th• charity's ass6ts
Acquiskn arKI dlsKK>Sa of taThJible ed assets during iho y8ar 8ffj recor In note 10
to Iho fin¢181 ststements.
The Tiustees wish lo rec(Kd thèir gratitud8 to al Ihelr siaff. vdunteers. members and
supporters of the Movemgn( 8specially in this drffnjlt year. Their total dedical*on,
genero85ty and treatity has been invaluable 8fKI deepty approdatod. As w8 navlgate
Ihrough unc8rtalntlos and chaTh3è, their enthusiosm contlnu8s to insplre us and pu8h08 U$
forward Ni workry together unty.
Appred by th• Iru8toes ar¥J swd fir beh811 ty:
Trustee
Dale.. oi/11/202L
The Focolare Trust 26
**Independent auditor’s report** 31 March 2022
## **Independent auditor’s report to the trustees of The Focolare Trust**
## **Opinion**
We have audited the financial statements of The Focolare Trust (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2022 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows, the principal accounting policies and the notes to the financial statements. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion, the financial statements:
- ♦ give a true and fair view of the state of the charity’s affairs as at 31 March 2022 and of its income and expenditure for the year then ended;
- ♦ have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
- ♦ have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and regulation 8 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).
## **Basis for opinion**
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
## **Conclusions relating to going concern**
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
The Focolare Trust **27**
**Independent auditor’s report** 31 March 2022
## **Other information**
The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report and financial statements, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception**
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
- ♦ the information given in the trustees’ annual report is inconsistent in any material respect with the financial statements; or
- ♦ sufficient and proper accounting records have not been kept; or
- ♦ the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
- ♦ we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
## **Responsibilities of trustees**
As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
The Focolare Trust **28**
**Independent auditor’s report** 31 March 2022
## **Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements**
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
- ♦ The engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
- ♦ We identified the laws and regulations applicable to the charity through discussions with management, and from our commercial knowledge and experience of the sector;
- ♦ The identified laws and regulations were communicated within the audit team regularly and the team remained alert to instances of non-compliance throughout the audit;
- ♦ We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks applicable to the charity and the sector in which it operates. We determined that the following laws and regulations were most significant: Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and safeguarding regulations.
- ♦ We assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of management, inspecting legal correspondence and reviewing trustee meeting minutes and reports from regulatory bodies.
We assessed the susceptibility of the charity’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:
- ♦ making enquiries of management and those charged with governance as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud; and
- ♦ considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations.
The Focolare Trust **29**
**Independent auditor’s report** 31 March 2022
**Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements** (continued) To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:
- ♦ performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships;
- ♦ tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions;
- ♦ tested the authorisation of expenditure as part of our substantive testing thereon;
- ♦ assessed whether judgements and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates set out in the accounting policies were indicative of potential bias; and
- ♦ used data analytics to identify any significant or unusual transactions and identify the rationale for them.
In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:
- ♦ agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;
- ♦ reading the minutes of trustee meetings;
- ♦ enquiring of management and those charged with governance as to actual and potential litigation and claims; and
- ♦ reviewing any available correspondence with the Charity Commission and other regulators.
There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the trustees and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.
Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.
The Focolare Trust **30**
**Independent auditor’s report** 31 March 2022
## **Use of our report**
This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and with regulations made under section 154 of that Act and in accordance with Section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and Regulation 10 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Buzzacott LLP Statutory Auditor 130 Wood Street London EC2V 6DL
## Date: 2 November 2022
Buzzacott LLP is eligible to act as an auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006
The Focolare Trust **31**
## **Statement of financial activities** Year to 31 March 2022
|Notes|
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**|**Total**
**funds**
**2022**
**£**|Unrestricted
funds
£|Restricted
funds
£|Total
funds
2021
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
1
Investments
Charitable activities
. Retreat and conference centre fees
Other income
. Surplus on disposal of tangible
fixed assets
. Miscellaneous income
2
**Total income**
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
. Donations and grants payable
3
. Provision of retreats, conferences
and publications
4
. Interfaith and youth projects
5
. Support of members of the
Movement
6
**Total expenditure**
**Net (expenditure) income before**
**recognised investment gains and**
**losses**
Gains (losses) on investments
11
**Net income (expenditure) and net**
**movement in funds**
7
**Reconciliation of funds:**
Balances brought forward
at 1 April
Balances carried forward
at 31 March|
**584,734**
**16,157**
**73,686**
**400**
**9,769**|**59,357**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**|**644,091**
**16,157**
**73,686**
**400**
**9,769**|617,877
7,163
21,483
1,574,953
23,748|49,028
—
—
—
—|666,905
7,163
21,483
1,574,953
23,748|
||**684,746**|**59,357**|**744,103**|2,245,224|49,028|2,294,252|
||
**345,586**
**88,953**
**16**
**291,382**|**33,926**
**24,354**
**663**
**—**|**379,512**
**113,307**
**679**
**291,382**|472,266
112,790
3,636
254,398|37,634
18,059
25
—|509,900
130,849
3,661
254,398|
||**725,937**|**58,943**|**784,880**|843,090|55,718|898,808|
||**(41,191)**
**479**|**414**
**—**|**(40,777)**
**479**|1,402,134
(179)|(6,690)
—|1,395,444
(179)|
||
**(40,712)**
**7,730,405**|**414**
**199**|**(40,298)**
**7,730,604**|1,401,955
6,328,450|(6,690)
6,889|1,395,265
6,335,339|
||**7,689,693**|**613**|**7,690,306**|7,730,405|199|7,730,604|
All of the charity’s activities derived from continuing operations during the above two financial periods.
The charity has no recognised gains and losses other than those shown above.
The Focolare Trust **32**
BalGe sheet 31 March 2022
2022
2022
2021
2021
rangiblg assets
fo
11
4,329.618
6,31S
4,335.933
4.391.433
5,836
4.397.269
Curr•nt ••••ts
Dgblo
C•8h #t b8nk 8rKI h) h8NI
12
85.704
3,297.009
81713
18,783
3,370,853
3.389,e18
LSablllil•s
Cièdrtors: Brnnts fallNJ
wlthin cth yèor
N•t ••••ts
13
{a340
56.281
3.354.373
7.tsOJO6
3,333,335
7,730.604
Th• funds olth• charfty
RestrKted fuThJs
lInSIncted fwMI$
. Generd furnj
. Tangible fix•J a888ts ld
. De8ignatod lund8
Total fund•
14
613
214,1192
4,329,618
3,145.183
7.690.306
159,399
4,391.433
3.179.573
7,730.804
15
16
Appr¢)ved by trustees and
on thoir behalf by:
oi/1//?022
The Fcrdare Trust 33
**Statement of cash flows** 31 March 2022
|Notes|
**2022**
**£**|2021
£|
|---|---|---|
|**Cash flows from operating activities:**
Net cash used in operating activities
A
**Cash flows from investing activities:**
Investment income
Proceeds from the disposal of tangible fixed assets
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
**Net cash provided by investing activities**
**Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year**
**Cash and cash equivalents at 1 April**
B
**Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March**
B|
**(90,401)**|(101,084)|
||**16,157**
**400**
**—**|7,163
2,829,525
(685,524)|
||**16,557**|2,151,164|
||**(73,844)**
**3,370,853**|2,050,080
1,320,773|
||
**3,297,009**|3,370,853|
**Notes to the statement of cash flows for the year to 31 March:**
## **A Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flows used in operating activities**
||**2022**
**£**|2021
£|
|---|---|---|
|**Net movement in funds (as per the statement of financial activities)**
**Adjustments for:**
Depreciation charge
(Gains) losses on investments
Investment income
Surplus on disposal of tangible fixed assets
(Increase) decrease in debtors
(Decrease) increase in creditors
**Net cash used in by operating activities**|
**(40,298)**
**61,815**
**(479)**
**(16,157)**
**(400)**
**(66,941)**
**(27,941)**|1,395,265
66,080
179
(7,163)
(1,574,953)
4,887
14,621|
||**(90,401)**|(101,084)|
## **B Analysis of cash and cash equivalents**
|**Analysis of cash and cash equivalents**|||
|---|---|---|
||**2022**
**£**|2021
£|
|Cash at bank and in hand
**Total cash and cash equivalents**|**3,297,009**|3,370,853|
||**3,297,009**|3,370,853|
The Focolare Trust **34**
**Principal accounting policies** 31 March 2022
The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are laid out below.
## **Basis of preparation**
These financial statements have been prepared for the year to 31 March 2022.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policies below or the notes to these financial statements.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (Charities SORP FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
The financial statements are presented in sterling and are rounded to the nearest pound.
## **Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement**
Preparation of the financial statements requires the trustees to make significant judgements and estimates.
The items in the financial statements where these judgements and estimates have been made include:
- ♦ estimating the useful economic life of tangible fixed assets; and
- ♦ determining the value of designated funds needed at the year end in particular in respect to the assumptions made in determining the value of the retirement fund.
## **Assessment of going concern**
The trustees have given consideration to the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and concluded that there is no immediate significant threat to the charity’s finances.
In 2021-22 the Centre for Unity was still at reduced activities and the Trustees had to take the difficult decision to make two out of three members of staff redundant. After the summer 2022, the Centre is in higher demand. The Trustees are monitoring the activities of the Centre with reduced staff (two employed staff in total). The level of reserves and income and expenditure of the Centre for Unity continue to be subject to three monthly reviews in order to assess the financial sustainability of the Centre.
The Focolare Trust **35**
**Principal accounting policies** 31 March 2022
## **Assessment of going concern** (continued)
The Trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for 12 months from authorising these financial statements and are of the opinion that the charity will have sufficient resources to meet its liabilities as they fall due and therefore to be able to continue as a going concern.
## **Basis of consolidation**
Consolidated financial statements have not been prepared as the subsidiary company remained dormant throughout the year.
## **Income recognition**
Income is recognised in the period in which the charity has entitlement to the income, the amount of income can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.
Income comprises donations, investment income, income from retreat and conference centre fees, income from events and workshops and other income including the surplus on the disposal of tangible fixed assets.
Donations, including salaries and pensions of individual members of the Movement received under Gift Aid or deed of covenant, are recognised when the charity has confirmation of both the amount and settlement date. In the event of donations pledged but not received, the amount is accrued for where the receipt is considered probable. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that those conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.
In accordance with the Charities SORP FRS 102 volunteer time is not recognised.
Legacies are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the legacy, the executors have established that there are sufficient surplus assets in the estate to pay the legacy, and any conditions attached to the legacy are within the control of the charity.
Income from retreat and conference centre fees and from events and workshops is usually recognised in the period to which it relates or the period in which the event or workshop took place.
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.
## **Expenditure recognition**
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
The Focolare Trust **36**
**Principal accounting policies** 31 March 2022
## **Expenditure recognition** (continued)
Expenditure comprises the costs of the charity’s primary charitable purposes as described in the trustees’ report. Such costs include:
- ♦ Donations and grants payable - these are included in the statement of financial activities when approved and when the intended recipient has either received the funds or been informed of the decision to receive the grant and has satisfied all related conditions.
- ♦ Provision of retreats, conferences and publications, including expenditure on the Movement’s retreat and conference centre in Welwyn Garden City.
- ♦ Interfaith and youth projects, including expenditure on the Gen Verde project and other interfaith and youth projects.
- ♦ Expenditure on the support of the members of the Movement which enables the members to carry out the charitable work of the Trust in the areas of the advancement of Christianity, the advancement of education and the relief of poverty, including all support and governance costs associated with the administration of the charity.
All expenditure is stated inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
## **Tangible fixed assets**
All assets costing more than £1,500 and with an expected useful life exceeding one year are capitalised.
Tangible fixed assets are depreciated at the following annual rates in order to write them off over their estimated useful lives:
- ♦ Furniture and equipment – 10% to 20% per annum based on cost
- ♦ Computer equipment – 25% per annum based on cost
- ♦ Motor vehicles – 25% per annum based on cost
- ♦ Freehold land and buildings
These are included on the balance sheet at cost.
- Residential
No depreciation is provided on freehold buildings used as private residential accommodation. The value and condition of the buildings are reviewed annually by the trustees, who are satisfied that their residual value is not materially less than their book value.
- Conference centre
- Freehold land and buildings used for the provision of the conference centre are depreciated at a rate of 2% per annum on a straight-line basis in order to write the properties off over their estimated useful life.
The Focolare Trust **37**
**Principal accounting policies** 31 March 2022
## **Investments**
Investment in the subsidiary company is included in the balance sheet at cost.
Listed investments are included in the financial statements at their market value at the balance sheet date. Realised and unrealised gains (or losses) are credited (or debited) to the statement of financial activities in the year in which they arise.
## **Debtors**
Debtors are recognised at their settlement amount, less any provision for non-recoverability. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid. They have been discounted to the present value of the future cash receipt where such discounting is material.
## **Cash at bank and in hand**
Cash at bank and in hand represents such accounts and instruments that are available on demand or have a maturity of less than three months from the date of acquisition. Deposits for more than three months but less than one year have been disclosed as short term deposits.
## **Creditors and provisions**
Creditors and provisions are recognised when there is an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are recognised at the amount the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt.
## **Fund accounting**
Restricted funds comprise moneys raised for and their use restricted to a specific purpose or contributions subject to donor imposed conditions.
The charity’s unrestricted funds comprise a number of funds which are available for application towards the charity’s objectives. Within unrestricted funds, the trustees have designated certain amounts for specific purposes and have identified those non-liquid funds represented by tangible fixed assets. Details of these funds are given in notes 15 and 16 to the financial statements.
## **Financial instruments**
The charity only holds basic financial instruments as defined in FRS 102. The financial assets and financial liabilities of the charity and their measurement basis are as follows:
_Financial assets_ – other debtors are basic financial instruments and are debt instruments measured at amortised cost. Listed investments are a basic financial instrument as detailed above. Prepayments are not financial instruments.
_Cash at bank_ – classified as a basic financial instrument and is measured at face value.
_Financial liabilities_ – accruals and other creditors are financial instruments, and are measured at amortised cost
The Focolare Trust **38**
**Principal accounting policies** 31 March 2022
## **Leased assets**
Rentals applicable to operating leases where substantially all of the benefits and risks of ownership remain with the lessor are charged to the statement of financial activities on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.
## **Services provided by members of the Movement**
For the purposes of these financial statements, no value has been placed on administrative and other services provided by the members of the Movement.
The Focolare Trust **39**
**Notes to the financial statements** 31 March 2022
## **1 Donations and legacies**
|**Donations and legacies**||||
|---|---|---|---|
||Unrestricted
funds
£|Restricted
funds
£|**Total**
**funds**
**2022**
**£**|
|Salaries and pensions of individual religious received
under deed of covenant
General donations
Legacies
**2022 Total funds**|501,551
62,956
20,227|—
59,357
—|**501,551**
**122,313**
**20,227**|
||584,734|59,357|**644,091**|
Salaries and pensions include amounts totalling £43,505 (2021 - £43,464) from trustees.
||_Unrestricted_
_funds_
_£_|_Restricted_
_funds_
_£_|_Total_
_funds_
_2021_
_£_|
|---|---|---|---|
|_Salaries and pensions of individual religious received_
_under deed of covenant_
_General donations_
_Legacies_
_2021 Total funds_|_460,945_
_50,426_
_106,506_|_—_
_49,028_
_—_|_460,945_
_99,454_
_106,506_|
||_617,877_|_49,028_|_666,905_|
## **2 Miscellaneous income**
|**Miscellaneous income**||||
|---|---|---|---|
||Unrestricted
funds
£|Restricted
funds
£|**Total**
**funds**
**2022**
**£**|
|Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme grant
Sundry income
**2022 Total funds**|6,216
3,553|—
—|**6,216**
**3,553**|
||9,769|—|**9,769**|
||_Unrestricted_
_funds_
_£_|_Restricted_
_funds_
_£_|_Total_
_funds_
_2021_
_£_|
|---|---|---|---|
|_Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme grant_
_Sundry income_
_2021 Total funds_|_22,452_
_1,296_|_—_
_—_|_22,452_
_1,296_|
||_23,748_|_—_|_23,748_|
The Focolare Trust **40**
**Notes to the financial statements** 31 March 2022
## **3 Donations and grants payable**
The charity makes grants to both individuals and institutions in accordance with its grant making policy set out in the trustees’ report.
Several donations have been sent via the Movement’s centre in Rome for the work of the Movement in various countries including some specific projects for those in need, especially in Ukraine, Nepal and Syria, as well as grants to support those in need as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The donations and grants payable during the year were for the following purposes:
||Unrestricted
funds
£|Restricted
funds
£|**Total**
**funds**
**2022**
**£**|
|---|---|---|---|
|Contributions to the Global Mission
Grants to international projects
Covid-19 emergency grants
Other grants
**2022 Total funds**|304,015
20,080
—
21,491|—
23,568
5,570
4,788|**304,015**
**43,648**
**5,570**
**26,279**|
||345,586|33,926|**379,512**|
Included above are grants paid to 9 individuals totalling £21,768 (2021 – 14 individuals totalling £83,763).
||_Unrestricted_
_funds_
_£_|_Restricted_
_funds_
_£_|_Total_
_funds_
_2021_
_£_|
|---|---|---|---|
|_Contributions to the Global Mission_
_Grants to international projects_
_Covid- 19 emergency grants_
_Other grants_
_2021 Total funds_|_377,918_
_6,651_
_—_
_87,697_|_—_
_20,481_
_10,157_
_6,996_|_377,918_
_27,132_
_10,157_
_94,693_|
||_472,266_|_37,634_|_509,900_|
## **4 Provision of retreats, conferences and publications**
||Unrestricted
funds
£|Restricted
funds
£|**Total**
**funds**
**2022**
**£**|
|---|---|---|---|
|Retreat and conference centre costs
. Premises
. Centre for Unity running costs
. Staff costs (note 8)
. Office sundries
Other costs and publications
**2022 Total funds**|38,393
22,396
25,435
676
2,053|24,354
—
—
—
—|**62,747**
**22,396**
**25,435**
**676**
**2,053**|
||88,953|24,354|**113,307**|
The Focolare Trust **41**
**Notes to the financial statements** 31 March 2022
## **4 Provision of retreats, conferences and publications** (continued)
|_Retreat and conference centre costs_
_. Premises_
_. Centre for Unity running costs_
_. Staff costs (note 8)_
_. Office sundries_
_Other costs and publications_
_2021 Total funds_|_Unrestricted_
_funds_
_£_
_86,389_
_1,994_
_22,216_
_1,093_
_1,098_
_112,790_|_Restricted_
_funds_
_£_
_12,600_
_—_
_5,459_
_—_
_—_
_18,059_|_Total_
_funds_
_2021_
_£_|
|---|---|---|---|
||||_98,989_
_1,994_
_27,675_
_1,093_
_1,098_|
||||_130,849_|
## **5 Interfaith and youth projects**
|**Interfaith and youth projects**||||
|---|---|---|---|
||Unrestricted
funds
£|Restricted
funds
£|**Total**
**funds**
**2022**
**£**|
|Gen Verde
**2022 Total funds**|16|663|**679**|
||16|663|**679**|
||_Unrestricted_
_funds_
_£_|_Restricted_
_funds_
_£_|_Total_
_funds_
_2021_
_£_|
|_Birmingham project_
_2021 Total funds_|_3,636_|_25_|_3,661_|
||_3,636_|_25_|_3,661_|
## **6 Support of members of the Movement**
|**Support of members of the Movement**||||
|---|---|---|---|
||Unrestricted
funds
£|Restricted
funds
£|**Total**
**funds**
**2022**
**£**|
|Direct costs
. Premises
. Members’ living expenses
. Education, training and spiritual renewal
Support and governance costs
. Legal and professional fees
**2022 Total funds**|91,636
160,080
20,125
19,541|—
—
—
—|**91,636**
**160,080**
**20,125**
**19,541**|
||291,382|—|**291,382**|
The Focolare Trust **42**
**Notes to the financial statements** 31 March 2022
## **6 Support of members of the Movement** (continued)
|**Support of members of the Movement**(continued)||||
|---|---|---|---|
||_Unrestricted_
_funds_
_£_|_Restricted_
_funds_
_£_|_Total_
_funds_
_2021_
_£_|
|_Direct costs_
_. Premises_
_. Members’ living expenses_
_. Education, training and spiritual renewal_
_Support and governance costs_
_. Legal and professional fees_
_. Central administration_
_2021 Total funds_|_93,356_
_135,134_
_7,626_
_18,277_
_5_|_—_
_—_
_—_
_—_
_—_|_93,356_
_135,134_
_7,626_
_18,277_
_5_|
||_254,398_|_—_|_254,398_|
## **7 Net movement in funds**
This is stated after charging:
||**Total**
**2022**
**£**|Total
2021
£|
|---|---|---|
|Auditor’s remuneration (including VAT)
. Statutory audit services
. Other services
Depreciation(note 10)|**8,370**
**8,370**
**61,815**|7,750
7,750
66,080|
|**Staff costs and trustees’ remuneration**|**Total**
**2022**
**£**|Total
2021
£|
|Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension contributions
**Total staff cost**|**23,748**
**1,450**
**237**|27,059
230
386|
||**25,435**|27,675|
## **8 Staff costs and trustees’ remuneration**
The charity employed an average of two staff members during the year (2021 – three) on a part-time basis.
The trustees consider that they comprise the key management of the charity in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the charity on a day to day basis.
All trustees are members of the Movement and whilst their living and personal expenses are borne by the charity they receive no remuneration or reimbursement of expenses in connection with their duties as trustees.
The Focolare Trust **43**
**Notes to the financial statements** 31 March 2022
## **9 Taxation**
The Focolare Trust is a registered charity and therefore is not liable to income tax or corporation tax on income derived from its charitable activities, as it falls within the various exemptions available to registered charities.
## **10 Tangible fixed assets**
||Freeholdland|and buildings|Furniture
and
equipment
£|
Computer
equipment
£|
Motor
vehicles
£|
**Total**
**£**
**5,422,341**
**(8,750)**
**5,413,591**
**1,030,908**
**61,815**
**(8,750)**
**1,083,973**
**4,329,618**
**4,391,433**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||Residential
£|
Conference
centre
£|||||
|**Cost**
At 1 April 2021
Disposals
At 31 March 2022
**Depreciation**
At 1 April 2021
Charge for year
Disposals
At 31 March 2022
**Net book values**
At 31 March 2022
At 31 March 2021|2,993,398
—|
2,052,477
—|268,734
—|
10,295
—|
97,437
(8,750)||
||2,993,398|
2,052,477|268,734|
10,295|
88,687||
||—
—
—|
708,295
41,049
—|237,083
8,715
—|
10,295
—
—|
75,235
12,051
(8,750)||
||—|
749,344|245,798|10,295|
78,536||
||2,993,398|
1,303,133|22,936|
—|
10,151||
||2,993,398|
1,344,182|31,651|
—|
22,202||
## **11 Investments**
|**Investments**|||
|---|---|---|
||**2022**
**£**
**2**
**6,313**
**6,315**|2021
£|
|Investment in subsidiary company
Listed investments||2
5,834|
|||5,836|
The charity has a wholly-owned subsidiary company, Focolare Projects Limited, which was incorporated in England and Wales on 16 April 1992 (Company number 02707840). The company remained dormant during the year and was dissolved on 6 April 2021.
The total reserves of the company at 31 March 2022 were £[ ] (2021 – £2).
|Listed investments|**2022**
**£**
**5,834**
**479**
**6,313**
**3,886**|2021
£|
|---|---|---|
|Market value
Unrealised investment (losses) gains
Market value||6,013
(179)|
|||5,834|
|Cost of listed investments||3,886|
The Focolare Trust **44**
**Notes to the financial statements** 31 March 2022
## **12 Debtors**
|**Debtors**|||
|---|---|---|
||**2022**
**£**|2021
£|
|Accrued income and prepayments
Other debtors|**75,573**
**10,131**|15,399
3,364|
||**85,704**|18,763|
|**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**|**2022**
**£**|2021
£|
|Loans payable
Accruals and other creditors|**11,600**
**16,740**|18,800
37,481|
||**28,340**|56,281|
## **13 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
All loans are interest free and repayable on demand. £[ ] (2021 - £11,800) of the loans payable relates to amounts borrowed in 2007 to purchase the property at Cloisters.
## **14 Restricted funds**
The income funds of the charity include the following restricted funds to be applied for specific purposes:
||At 1 April
2021
£|Income
£|Expenditure
£|**At 1 April**
**2022**
**£**
**—**
—
**—**
**613**
**—**
**613**
_At 1 April_
_2021_
_£_
_—_
_—_
_—_
_199_
_—_
_199_|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Interfaith & Youth Projects
Centre for Unity
Overseas Project
Covid-19 emergency fund
Other|—
—
—
199
—|663
24,354
23,568
5,984
4,788|(663)
(24,354)
(23,568)
(5,570)
(4,788)||
||199|59,357|(58,943)||
||_At 1 April_
_2020_
_£_|_Income_
_£_|_Expenditure_
_£_
_(25)_
_(18,059)_
_(20,481)_
_(10,157)_
_(6,996)_
_(55,718)_||
|_Interfaith & Youth Projects_
_Centre for Unity_
_Overseas Project_
_Covid – 19 emergency fund_
_Other_|_—_
_—_
_6,889_
_—_
_—_|
_25_
_18,059_
_13,592_
_10,356_
_6,996_|||
||_6,889_|
_49,028_|||
The Focolare Trust **45**
**Notes to the financial statements** 31 March 2022
## **15 Tangible fixed assets fund**
|**Tangible fixed assets fund**||
|---|---|
||
**Total**
**£**|
|At 1 April 2021
Net movements in year
At 31 March 2022(see note 10)|**4,391,433**
**(61,815)**|
||**4,329,618**|
||
_Total_
_£_|
|_At 1 April 2020_
_Net movements in year_
_At 31 March 2021(see note 10)_|_5,026,561_
_(635,128)_|
||_4,391,433_|
The tangible fixed assets fund represents the net book value of the charity’s fixed assets. A decision was made to separate this fund from the general fund and other designated funds of the charity in recognition of the fact that the tangible fixed assets are essential to the day to day work of the charity. The fund value, therefore, cannot be realised with ease or without jeopardising the ongoing work of the charity.
## **16 Designated funds**
|**Designated funds**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||At
1 April
2021
£|
New
designations
£|
Utilised/
transferred
£|
**At**
**31 March**
**2022**
**£**|
|Property repair fund
. The Focolare Centre for Unity
. Other Properties
Western Europe property repair fund
Property replacement fund
The Focolare Centre for Unity fund
Retirement fund
Centro Foco fund|65,902
216,057
1,400,000
600,000
29,769
338,400
529,445|22,000
—
—
—
35,805
1,850
282,245|(8,000)
(14,500)
—
(6
0,000)
(4,000)
(7,190)
(282,600)|**79,902**
**201,557**
**1,400,000**
**540,000**
**61,574**
**333,060**
**529,090**|
||3,179,573|341,900|(376,290)|**3,145,183**|
||_At_
_1 April_
_2020_
_£_|
_New_
_designations_
_£_|
_Utilised/_
_transferred_
_£_|
_At_
_31 March_
_2021_
_£_|
|_Property repair fund_
_. The Focolare Centre for Unity_
_. Other Properties_
_Western Europe property repair fund_
_Property replacement fund_
_The Focolare Centre for Unity fund_
_Retirement fund_
_Centro Foco fund_|_81,068_
_96,057_
_—_
_—_
_38,414_
_412,400_
_514,340_|_—_
_149,000_
_1,400,000_
_600,000_
_—_
_—_
_275,105_|_(15,166)_
_(29,000)_
_—_
_—_
_(8,645)_
_(74,000)_
_(260,000)_|_65,902_
_216,057_
_1,400,000_
_600,000_
_29,769_
_338,400_
_529,445_|
||_1,142,279_|_2,424,105_|_(386,811)_|_3,179,573_|
The Focolare Trust **46**
**Notes to the financial statements** 31 March 2022
## **16 Designated funds** (continued)
The income funds of the charity include the following designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes:
- ♦ Property repair fund This fund consists of monies set aside for the purpose of financing large scale repairs to the charity’s residential freehold properties and the Centre for Unity.
- ♦ Western Europe property repair fund This fund consists of monies set aside for the purpose of financing large scale repairs to the Focolare Movement’s properties across Western Europe.
- ♦ Property replacement fund This fund consists of monies set aside for the purpose of replacing residential properties which were sold in 2021/22.
- ♦ The Focolare Centre for Unity fund This represents the general fund balance attributable to the Centre which has been separately designated by the trustees for transparency.
- ♦ Retirement fund
This fund consists of funds that the trustees have designated to provide for members of the Movement in their retirement, calculated using actuarial principles as the members will not be entitled to a full pension.
## ♦ Centro Foco fund
- This fund consists of monies that the trustees have designated for future donation to the Movement’s centre in Rome, in support of Focolare communities on a worldwide scale.
## **17 Analysis of net assets between funds**
||General
fund
£|
Tangible
fixed assets
fund
(note 15)
£|
Other
designated
funds
(note 16)
£|Restricted
funds
(note 14)
£|
**Total**
**2022**
**£**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Fund balances at 31 March**
**2022 Are represented by:**
Tangible fixed assets (note 10)
Fixed assets investments
(note 11)
Net current assets
**Total net assets**|—
6,315
208,577|4,329,618
—
—|
—
—
3,145,183|—
—
613|**4,329,618**
**6,315**
**3,354,373**|
||214,892|4,329,618|3,145,183|613|**7,690,306**|
The Focolare Trust **47**
**Notes to the financial statements** 31 March 2022
## **17 Analysis of net assets between funds** (continued)
||_General_
_fund_
_£_|
_Tangible_
_fixed assets_
_fund_
_(note 15)_
_£_|
_Other_
_designated_
_funds_
_(note 16)_
_£_|
_Restricted_
_funds_
_(note 14)_
_£_|
_Total_
_2021_
_£_|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|_Fund balances at 31 March 2021_
_Are represented by:_
_Tangible fixed assets (note 10)_
_Fixed assets investments_
_(note 11)_
_Net current assets_
_Total net assets_|_—_
_5,836_
_153,563_|_4,391,433_
_—_
_—_|
_—_
_—_
_3,179,573_|_—_
_—_
_199_|_4,391,433_
_5,836_
_3,333,335_|
||_159,399_|_4,391,433_|_3,179,573_|_199_|_7,730,604_|
The Focolare Trust **48**