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2020-08-31-accounts

Charity number 298035

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

31 August 2020

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

CONTENTS

Page
Reference and administration details 3
Trustees’ Report 4
Independent Examiner’s Report 9
Statement of financial activities 10
Balance sheet 11
Notes to the financial statements 12

2

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATION DETAILS

Trustees S North, Chair R Scott-Cook, Vice Chair J Appleton A Street C Rogers appointed February 2020 L Mason appointed November 2020

Charity number 298035

Principal office 45 Woodland Road

Clifton Bristol BS8 1UT

Secretary J Conradie-Faul until January 2020

Bankers Natwest PLC

40 Queen’s Road Clifton Bristol BS99 5AD

Independent examiner R Ghali

17 Hither Bath Bridge Bristol BS4 5DJ


3

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020

The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of Bristol International Trust (the charity) for the year ended 31 August 2020. The Trustees confirm that the Annual report and financial statements of the charity comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charity's governing document and the provisions of the Charity Commission’s ‘Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities’ applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS102.

The charity also trades under the names Bristol International Student Centre and BISC.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

a. CONSTITUTION

b. METHOD OF APPOINTMENT OR ELECTION OF TRUSTEES

The management of the charity is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Trust deed.

c. POLICIES ADOPTED FOR THE INDUCTION AND TRAINING OF TRUSTEES

Recruitment and appointment of new Trustees is by nomination, where each new Trustee shall be required to assent in writing to the doctrinal basis of the charity prior to his or her appointment.

d. ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE AND DECISION MAKING

The organisation and running of Bristol International Trust is the responsibility of the Trustees. The Trustees employ a Director, a Manager and two Administrative Assistants who undertake the day to day business of the Trust.

Bristol International Trust is very grateful for the large number of volunteers who assist with the organisation of trips and events, maintenance of the property and who participate in the local link scheme, offering hospitality for students in their homes.

e. RISK MANAGEMENT

The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the charity, and are satisfied that systems and procedures are in place to mitigate our exposure to the major risks.


4

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

a. POLICIES AND OBJECTIVES

In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit and in particular to its supplementary public benefit guidance on the objectives and activities mentioned below.

The objectives of the charity are;

To advance the Christian faith among people of all nations.

To relieve poverty, need, hardship and distress.

b. ACTIVITIES

Welcoming international students on arrival in the country, including providing assistance with finding accommodation.

Organising trips to introduce students to the culture of the UK and the south west.

The running of a ‘local link’ scheme to introduce international students to local Christian families.

Running discussion groups and other events for international students to investigate the Christian faith.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

a. GOING CONCERN

The trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. The declaration of a worldwide Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020 and declaration of a countrywide lockdown curtailed dramatically the activities of the charity. We were no longer able to open the Centre to provide meals or operate trips and activities. All our activities after this date had to take place online via Zoom and Facebook. We were gtrateful to receive a large grant from Bristol City Council and a generous legacy meaning the trustees are confident the charity can continue for at least the next twelve months. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the Accounting Policies.

b. REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES

The Centre

The BISC Centre is situated on the main university campus and is usually open each weekday during term time. Throughout the Autumn and Spring term we maintained good numbers. Afternoon Tea on Mondays, soup lunches on Wednesdays and lunches on Fridays give students a place to meet and helps to create a sense of community, while also providing excellent food at very affordable prices. International students are also welcome to meet with their friends in the lounge, at other times.

Then in March 2020, lockdown meant that all activities in the centre had to move online as the Centre could not open for students and staff had to work from home where possible. Afternoon tea then became 'Baking with Barb'. Barbara, one of our volunteers talked the students through making classic English bakes, such as Victoria Sponge and scones. In place of outings to places of interest we recorded city-tours for students to download on their phones, pointing out places of interest around Bristol.


5

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020

This year we have welcomed eight student tenants into the newly-expanded top floor flat in the Centre. The work was completed in time for students to move in for the start of term in September. This has increased our opportunity to build community amongst the International students, and provide additional income. This year, due to the pandemic and lockdown, the students have been unable to attend lectures and have been spending much more time listening to lectures and studying in their rooms.

The BUCU International team also use the Centre when they are able to.

Team & Volunteers

In January 2020, we were very sorry to say goodbye to full-time Director Jacqueline Conradie-Faul, as she moved on to take up a different role. We miss her and her husband Charl, who was also very much involved with BISC. Grace Kirby took on the role of Operations and Events Manager, and very quickly had to adapt the programme of events, turning her hand to presenting on Facebook Live and organising Zoom coffee meetings in place of organisisng trips and catering for the many students that create the lively buzz at the Centre. In November 2020, we welcomed Alison Dawson as our new Director, and are looking forward to see what God has in store for BISC under her leadership.

The BISC Core Team also included Ann Thuaire, our Local Link Coordinator, until she moved on in December 2020. Ann worked hard behind the scenes matching students with host families from local churches, who during more normal times, invite students into their homes. Hosts have communicated with students online and by phone instead. We will miss her very much. David Watteau provides vital support with general maintenance and IT systems.

We are also grateful to other volunteers, giving much time to help us out, including Elinor Whitaker, Eric Green, Charl Faul, John Rosewell, John Watson and Trevor Watts.

Much of BISC’s work revolves around food! We have an array of regular volunteers from local churches and Christian Unions from both the Universities of Bristol and the West of England who under normal circumstances help to bake for Monday Afternoon Tea, chop vegetables and help prepare soup for Wednesday Soup Lunch and cook our Friday Lunch when restrictions allow. Others help to wash up, help keep the gardens looking lovely and fix things for us. BISC would struggle to function without such support and we are very grateful to all who help in practical ways.

Welcome Period (September 2019)

The annual 3-week welcome programme ran successfully, assisted by our volunteers. Once again we worked in collaboration with the university accommodation and international offices to assist new arrivals. During September, many students were helped by offering transport, overnight accommodation and assistance with searching for longterm accommodation. BISC also offered free meals for 10 nights during the Welcome period. BISC attended both Freshers’ Fairs again this year, continuing to build relationships.

International Reception

The International Reception, once again held at Woodlands Christian Centre, in October, was very well attended with many hundreds of students present, representing many nations! On the evening itself Bristol Mayor, Marvin Rees and BISC Vice-Chairman, Rob Scott-Cook gave a welcome address before we had a number of cultural performances from across the world. A number of our supporting churches provided food, some financial assistance and volunteers throughout the day and evening, which was a great help and much appreciated.


6

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020

Trips & Events

Weekly Events at the BISC Centre

This year our weekly 'Baking with Barb' sessions continued online when covid struck. Our Wednesday soup lunches were well attended at the centre until March 2020, and then continued over Zoom, with students and volunteers meeting up to catch up over lunch. We are very grateful to BU Christian Union who prepared Friday lunch for us until lockdown meant that we could no longer meet up. Lockdown was eased slightly towards the end of the summer term, so we were able to meet up in small, physically-distanced groups in the BISC garden to say farewell to those students moving on.

Trips and Events

In the Autumn and Spring terms we arranged our usual range of outings and events, which are always popular. We visited London, Stratford Upon Avon, and Stonehenge. A little closer to home we enjoyed a walk around Bristol, learning more about Brunel. In the summer term, our visit to the Cotswolds was a virtual one, witha q quiz to test our knowledge of what we had seen.

Our links with local churches help us to arrange weekly events around the city. We are grateful for volunteers who meet with our students for Tea and Conversation, helping them improve their English speaking skills. We had a great christmas party at the Centre, complete with a visit from Father Christmas himself! The Pancake Party on Shrove Tuesday and Easter lunch, hosted by partner churches for us were great fun. Students were also offered the opportunity to join an Alpha Course to learn more about the Christian faith, hosted by Jacqueline and Charl. The group managed to continue to meet over Zoom when we were no longer able to meet in person.

After such a busy couple of terms, it was saddening to have to cancel the events planned for the Summer term, and we had to quickly adapt to meeting online. Our weekly lunches became online lunches, an opportunity to catch up. We had booked outings to the theatre, so we met virtually to test our knowledge with a quiz about the shows we would have enjoyed. Lockdown eased slightly over the summer, and over the summer we were able to host physically-distanced picnics in the BISC garden. We continued to meet virtually over the summer, so students could join in whether they had to remain in Bristol or left for their home countries.

We are very grateful to all of the churches and university societies for working with us to provide such fun and engaging events and trips throughout the year!

Local Link.

We are so grateful to Ann who has faithfully maintained our Local Link programme, matching students with host families.


7

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020

Opportunities to Explore the Christian Faith

Besides all the opportunities to explore different cultures in aid of internationalisation, offering hospitality and wellbeing support, BISC’s aim is to inspire curiosity about our Christian faith through friendship and care, by what we do and how we interact with one another and how we live our lives. The more formal ways that we provide are through short 10-minute talks, as part of our Christmas Card Making, Christmas Dinner Celebration and Pancake Party, as they provide a platform for students to hear and respond to the Christian message. Students have an opportunity to attend an Alpha Course to learn more.

We hold monthly prayer meetings during the daytime and are very grateful to Angela Cattell for leading this meeting. The BISC prayer diary is sent to a large number of prayer supporters on a monthly basis with regular feedback from these prayer partners.

Church Links

We are continually grateful for the practical, financial and prayerful ways local church members get involved and give towards the work of BISC. A bi-annual newsletter (by email or post) is circulated to supporters and churches to keep them up-to-date with BISC news.

c. INVESTMENT POLICY AND PERFORMANCE

The trust deed places no restrictions on the investment powers of the trustees.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

a. RESERVES POLICY

The charity has a policy of holding one year's expenditure in free reserves (i.e. net current assets held in nondesignated unrestricted funds) to cover unforeseen liabilities. The Trustees consider that this is appropriate in order to ensure that no financial reliance is placed on the voluntary income that the Trust receives in a given year, which itself cannot be guaranteed. At the end of the year under review the charity had free reserves of £96,638 (2019: £65,275) which was £14,638 above the target of £82,000, being one year’s worth of expenditure. This increase is a result of reduced expenditure for the year due to covid-19, and receiving a covid-19 related grant from Bristol City Council. This will be spent in the coming year maintaining the Centre as a Covid-secure venue and replacing worn out fittings.

This report was approved by the Trustees on June 12th, 2021, and signed on their behalf by:

S North, Chair


8

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020

I report on the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2020 which are set out on pages 10 to 18.

This report is made solely to the charity's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 and regulations made under section 154 of that Act. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.

RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND EXAMINER

The charity's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements, and they consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and seeking explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the financial statements present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT

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

R Ghali

Date June 12, 2021


9

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020

Note
Income from:
Donations and legacies
2
Charitable activities
Other trading activities
3
Investments
4
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
5
Total expenditure
Net income/expenditure
Transfers between funds
12
Total funds at 1 September 2019
Total funds at 31 August 2020
12
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total Funds
Funds
Funds
2020
£
£
£
61,396
-
61,396
13,218
-
13,218
44,058
-
44,058
3,168
-
3,168
Total Funds
2019
£
41,422
22,670
26,056
4,500
121,840
-
121,840
94,648
82,704
-
82,704
110,503
82,704
-
82,704
110,503
39,136
-
39,136
1,355
(1,355)
-
425,344
1,355
426,699
(15,855)
-
442,554
465,835
-
465,835
426,699

Prior year fund comparatives can be seen in note 15


The notes on pages 12 to 18 form part of these financial statements

10

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 AUGUST 2020

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
9
Current assets
Investments: Loan stock
Debtors
10
Cash at bank
Creditors:
amounts falling due within one year
11
Net current assets
Net assets
Income funds
Unrestricted funds
Free reserves
13
NBV of fixed assets
13
Total unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
13
Total funds
2020
£
369,197
50,000
4,027
68,056
122,083
(25,445)
96,638
465,835
96,638
369,197
465,835
-
465,835
2019
£
360,069
100,000
18,186
8,948
127,134
(60,504)
66,630
426,699
65,275
360,069
425,344
1,355
426,699

These financial statements were approved by the trustees on June 12, 2021 and are signed on their behalf by:

S North, Chair of trustees

The notes on pages 12 to 18 form part of these financial statements


11

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020

1 Accounting policies

The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102.

The accounts have been prepared on the going concern basis. The Trustees know of no material reason why this should not be appropriate.

Income from donations is included in income when it is receivable, except as follows:

Where support costs cannot be allocated directly to charitable activitie of the charity, they are allocated between the activities of the charity on a basis consistent with use of the resource.

All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

Freehold property is not depreciated as the trustees consider that the property's carrying value in the accounts is not materially different from its residual value.


12

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020

2 Donations

Donations
Gift aid reclaimed
Legacies received
Offerings, donations and gift aid
Unrestricted
Funds
£
43,685
315
17,396
Restricted
Funds
£
Total Funds
2020
£
43,685
315
17,396
Total Funds
2019
£
41,052
370
-
61,396 - 61,396 41,422

In 2019 all income from donations was unrestricted.

3 Other trading income

Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds
Funds Funds 2020 2019
£ £ £ £
Rental income 44,058 - 44,058 26,056

In 2019 all income from Other trading activities was unrestricted.

4 Investments

Investments
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds
Funds Funds 2020 2019
£ £ £ £
Loan stock interest 3,168 - 3,168 4,500

In 2019 all investment income was unrestricted.


13

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020

5 Expenditure on Charitable activities

Direct costs
Costs of trips and activities
Wages and salaries
Employer's National Insurance contributions
Employer's Pension contributions
Support costs
Office expenses
Depreciation
Unrestricted
Funds
£
14,501
44,661
1,689
1,211
19,542
1,100
Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
Total Funds
2020
£
14,501
44,661
1,689
1,211
19,542
1,100
Total Funds
2019
£
24,788
58,474
1,648
2,319
22,617
657
82,704 - 82,704 110,503

There were no governance costs in either 2020 or 2019.

All expenditure for both 2020 and 2019 was from Unrestricted funds.

6 Net income for the year is stated after charging:

2020 2019
£ £
Depreciation 1,100 657
Pension costs 1,211 2,319

7 Staff costs and numbers

The aggregate payroll costs were:

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Employer's pension costs
2020
£
44,661
1,689
1,211
2019
£
58,474
1,648
2,319
47,561 62,441

14

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020

7 Staff costs and numbers (continued)

No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000.

No trustees have been remunerated or reimbursed for their out of pocket travel expenses (2019: Nil)

The trustees consider themselves to be the key management personnel of the Charity, and as such have received no remuneration. Key management personnel includes the charity trustees (who are not remunerated for their role as trustees) and the charity director. The total benefits, including employer's national insurance contributions and employer's pension contributions payable to key management personnel during the year were £15,030 (2019: £34,512).

The average weekly number of employees based on average headcount during the year was as follows:

2020 2019
No. No.
Administration 3 3

8 Taxation

The Charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

9 Tangible fixed assets Cost

Tangible fixed assets
Cost
At 1 September 2019
Additions
At 31 August 2020
Depreciation
At 1 September 2019
Charge for year
At 31 August 2020
Net book value
At 31 August 2020
At 31 August 2019
Freehold
Property
£
357,666
8,230
£
23,890
1,998
Plant and
machinery
£
18,030
-
Office
equipment
Total
£
399,586
10,228
365,896 25,888 18,030 409,814
-
-
22,406
870
17,111
230
39,517
1,100
- 23,276 17,341 40,617
365,896 2,612 689 369,197
357,666 1,484 919 360,069

15

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020

10 Debtors
Other debtors and prepayments
11 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Other loans
Other creditors
12 Movement in funds
1 September
2019
Income
Year ended 31 August 2020
£
£
Unrestricted funds
Free reserves
65,275
121,840
NBV of fixed assets
360,069
-
Restricted funds
1,355
-
Total funds
426,699
121,840
Prior year
1 September
2018
Income
Year ended 31 August 2019
£
£
Unrestricted funds
Free reserves
157,010
94,648
NBV of fixed assets
284,189
-
Restricted funds
1,355
-
Total funds
442,554
94,648
10 Debtors
Other debtors and prepayments
11 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Other loans
Other creditors
12 Movement in funds
1 September
2019
Income
Year ended 31 August 2020
£
£
Unrestricted funds
Free reserves
65,275
121,840
NBV of fixed assets
360,069
-
Restricted funds
1,355
-
Total funds
426,699
121,840
Prior year
1 September
2018
Income
Year ended 31 August 2019
£
£
Unrestricted funds
Free reserves
157,010
94,648
NBV of fixed assets
284,189
-
Restricted funds
1,355
-
Total funds
442,554
94,648
10 Debtors
Other debtors and prepayments
11 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Other loans
Other creditors
12 Movement in funds
1 September
2019
Income
Year ended 31 August 2020
£
£
Unrestricted funds
Free reserves
65,275
121,840
NBV of fixed assets
360,069
-
Restricted funds
1,355
-
Total funds
426,699
121,840
Prior year
1 September
2018
Income
Year ended 31 August 2019
£
£
Unrestricted funds
Free reserves
157,010
94,648
NBV of fixed assets
284,189
-
Restricted funds
1,355
-
Total funds
442,554
94,648
Expenditure
£
(81,604)
(1,100)
-
2020
£
4,027
2019
£
18,186
4,027 18,186
2020
£
20,000
5,445
2019
£
51,400
9,104
25,445 60,504
Transfers
£
(8,873)
10,228
(1,355)
31 August
2020
£
96,638
369,197
-
426,699 121,840 (82,704) - 465,835
1 September
2018
Income
£
£
157,010
94,648
284,189
-
1,355
-
Expenditure
£
(109,846)
(657)
-
Transfers
£
(76,537)
76,537
-
31 August
2019
£
65,275
360,069
1,355
442,554 94,648 (110,503) - 426,699

16

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020

12 Movement in funds (continued)

Free reserves represent the free reserves of the charity. Transfers out of this fund represent the cost of fixed asset additions in both the current and prior year.

NBV of fixed assets represents the Net Book Value of tangible fixed assets held by the charity. Expenditure from this fund represents the depreciation charge on tangible fixed assets in both the current and prior year.

Restricted voluntary funds relate to donations received for the purposes of renewal and replacement of machinery and equipment. During the year, these were spent on new kitchen equipment.

13 Analysis of net assets

Year ended 31 August 2020

Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Year ended 31 August 2019
Unrestricted funds
General funds
Restricted funds
Tangible
fixed assets
£
369,197
-
Other
net assets
£
96,638
-
Total
£
465,835
-
369,197 96,638 465,835
Tangible
fixed assets
£
360,069
-
Other
net assets
£
65,275
1,355
Total
£
425,344
1,355
360,069 66,630 426,699

14 Related party transactions

During the prior year, E Wall, daughter of R Scott-Cook, a trustee, was employed by the Trust and received a salary of £9,233. The Trust paid employer's national insurance contributions of £681 on her behalf.

A Street, a trustee, loaned the charity £31,400 in July and August 2019 to aid with cashflow for the completion of the extension to the upstairs flat. This was outstanding at the start of the year, and was fully repaid in October 2019. No amount was outstanding at the end of August 2020.


17

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020

15 Prior year comparative funds statemement

Income from:
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
Other trading activities
Investments
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
Net income/expenditure
Transfers between funds
Total funds at 1 September 2018
Total funds at 31 August 2019
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total Funds
Funds
Funds
2019
£
£
£
41,422
-
41,422
22,670
-
22,670
26,056
-
26,056
4,500
-
4,500
94,648
-
94,648
110,503
-
110,503
110,503
-
110,503
(15,855)
-
(15,855)
-
-
-
441,199
1,355
442,554
425,344
1,355
426,699

18