2024-08-31-accounts

Charity number 298035

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

31 August 2024

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

CONTENTS

	Page
Reference and administration details	3
Trustees’ Report	4
Independent Examiner’s Report	8
Statement of financial activities	9
Balance sheet	10
Notes to the financial statements	11-17

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BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATION DETAILS

Trustees J Appleton Chair S North resigned June 2024 A Street C Rogers L Mason resigned January 2025 E Champion-Howard J Wall

Charity number 298035

Principal office 45 Woodland Road

Clifton Bristol BS8 1UT

Bankers Natwest PLC 40 Queen’s Road Clifton Bristol BS99 5AD

Independent examiner E Clements

29 Pynne Close Stockwood Bristol BS14 8QW

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BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of Bristol International Trust (the charity) for the year ended 31 August 2024. 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

The charity was registered on November 27th, 1987. The Trust Deed was amended on May 18th, 2015. Its charitable objects are 'To advance the christian faith among people of all nations. To relieve poverty, need, hardship and distress.'

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.

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BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

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 objects of the charity are;

To advance the Christian faith among people of all nations.

To relieve poverty, need, hardship and distress.

ACTIVITIES

Welcoming international students on arrival in the country. 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. Running social events throughout the year to further welcome international students, and provide social benefits.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

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 trustees are confident that 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.

ACTIVITIES

Our activities for 2023/24 started with our Welcome Meals. We ran meals over eight evenings this year, and served 267 meals over these eight evenings. There was a lovely atmosphere, lots of good conversations, and a wide range of nationalities.

During the Autumn term, we continued our weekly lunch for international students- a hot meal on Wednesday - which ran for the whole academic year. In addition we ran a number of Friday evening social events, all aimed at helping the students meet one another, sharing culture, and building a sense of community and belonging.

We ran an Alpha course, where people can learn about Christianity, in the Spring term. Wednesday lunch continues to be a popular event, with a strong sense of community and welcome.

Our weekend trips have centred on showing our students more of the surrounding area. We've visited Wells, Ashton Court Christmas craft fair, Bath, Clevedon and several churches have hosted meals and activities including inviting us to their church service on a Sunday.

Staff and Volunteers

We said goodbye to Hiro, our events manager, and welcomed in Zoe to her role. We are very grateful for her new ideas and kind spirit. Our director, Alison, was on long-term sick leave for the majority of this year. This impacted BISC in a number of ways, but the team pulled together brilliantly.

We are incredibly grateful to our volunteers who come to cook for us and lead outings, our Local Link hosts, our church partners who pray for us and host events… BISC really wouldn't be BISC without them!

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TRUSTEES' REPORT

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

Weekly events

We continue to serve many students each week, sometimes as many as 40 attending an individual event. For most of the year, we have an accomplished cook on the team who has produced quality international recipes with student and other volunteers. Friday night socials have included trips to the ice cream parlour, Bonfire and Bubble Tea nights and feasts for Christmas and a more inclusive Lunar new Year. They have all been wellsupported with around 15-30 students at most events, and the welcoming feel that we have been aiming to create has been well-received.

In addition to the weekday events, we have enjoyed a number of trips around the area including, Wells, Ashton court Christmas craft fair, Bath and Clevedon. We have avoided expensive travel costs by keeping the groups small and using buses and trains for transport. Our partner churches, have also hosted events for us, which have been popular. As well as being helpful cultural experiences for our students, the trips have been fruitful in terms of relationship-building.

Christian content

Our Alpha course, run in partnership with Woodlands Church, ran from January to March and was joined by a group of around 7 students.

We continued Friday Fellowship during the Autumn term with an international faith focus, a low-key Bible study for students with a Christian faith and those exploring faith. There were low numbers throughout this term, but a few students were helped greatly.

Local Link

We were delighted to be able to offer Local Link again from late Autumn. We currently have around 13 students being hosted through the scheme and a number of new hosts. Also, around 7 students were hosted on Christmas day.

Tenants

All seven bedrooms have been let during the year, with a good mix of students from different parts of the world and different faith groups. We were able to support a tenant through the unfortunate circumstance of the roof leak. We were also able to help multiple tenants this year with their personal difficulties.

Building

Roof work was completed this year in August to ensure it survives for the next few decades. This also involved various work inside the building to redecorate and repair from a roof leak.

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TRUSTEES' REPORT

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

INVESTMENT POLICY AND PERFORMANCE

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

FINANCIAL REVIEW

We ended the year with a surplus of £6,229 (2023: £43,141). Income fell compared to last year, mainly as a result of a large donation towards the building work, received last year. We are very grateful to those churches, charities and individuals who have donated to help us continue our work to provide a 'home from home' for international students in Bristol.

A major leak in our roof required signifcant spend for initial repair, main work, and rent discount for the tenant affected.

The remedial building work was completed this year, thus increasing expenditure from £85,805 last year to £107,512 this year. This work means our accommodation is in line with new accommodation standards, including extra socialising space for tenants, although we have had to sacrifice one of the bedrooms to provide this. The charity has managed to maintain other expenses at a similar level to last year. Salary costs were reduced due to long term sickness.

RESERVES POLICY

The charity has a policy of holding six months' 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 £7,264 (2023: £2,602) which was £35,236 below the target of £42,500, being six months' worth of expenditure. This is as a result of the renovation of the property. The trustees are working with a group of charity consultants to apply for grant funding to increase funds over the next few months. We have had several successful grant applications since September 2024.

This report was approved by the Trustees on June 11, 2025, and signed on their behalf by:

J Appleton, Chair

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BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

I report on the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2024 which are set out on pages 9 to 17.

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:

• examine the financial statements under section 145 of the Act

• follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act; and

• state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

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:

• 1 which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:

• to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Act; and

• to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Act

have not been met; or

• 2 to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.

…...........................................

E Clements

11 June 2025

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BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

Note Income from: Donations and legacies 2 Charitable activities 3 Other trading activities 4 Investments Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 5 Total expenditure Net income/expenditure Transfers between funds 12 Total funds at 1 September 2023 Total funds at 31 August 2024 12	Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds Funds 2024 £ £ £ 65,044 - 65,044 5,273 - 5,273 43,424 - 43,424 - - -	Total Funds 2023 £ 80,991 7,848 39,755 52
	113,741 - 113,741	128,646
	107,512 - 107,512	85,505
	107,512 - 107,512	85,505
	6,229 - 6,229 - - 506,642 - 506,642	43,141 - 463,501
	512,871 - 512,871	506,642

Prior year fund comparatives can be seen in note 15

The notes on pages 11 to 17 form part of these financial statements

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BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 AUGUST 2024

Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 9 Current assets 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 Total funds	2024 £ 505,607 10,759 12,394 23,153 (15,889) 7,264 512,871 7,264 505,607 512,871 512,871	2023 £ 504,040 1,515 23,217
		24,732 (22,130)
		2,602
		506,642
		2,602 504,040
		506,642
		506,642

These financial statements were approved by the trustees on 11 June 2025 and are signed on their behalf by:

J Appleton, Chair of trustees

The notes on pages 11 to 17 form part of these financial statements

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BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

1 Accounting policies

• a) The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued in October 2019 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2019.

The financial statements have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. This departure has involved following 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) issued in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

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.

• b) Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

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

• I. When donors specify that donations given to the Charity must be used in future accounting periods, the income is deferred until those periods;

• II. When donors impose conditions which have to be fulfilled before the Charity becomes entitled to use such income, the income is deferred until the pre-conditions have been met.

• Gifts in kind includes donated services and facilities which are recognised at a reasonable estimate of the amount the Charity would be prepared to pay for such items. An equivalent amount has been included as expenditure under the appropriate heading in the Statement of Financial Activities.

• Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid is recognised at the time of the donation.

• c) Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular activities they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Where support costs cannot be allocated directly to charitable activity 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.

• d) Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. All assets costing over £500 are capitalised. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following bases: All fixed assets 25% reducing balance

• 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.

• e) Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts.

• f) Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

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BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

• g) Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

• h) Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the trustees.

• i) Designated funds are funds set aside by the Trustees out of unrestricted general funds for specific future purposes or projects.

• j) Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the Charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

2 Donations

Donations Gift aid reclaimed	Unrestricted Funds £ 55,801 9,243	Restricted Funds £ - -	Total Funds 2024 £ 55,801 9,243	Total Funds 2023 £ 80,716 275
	65,044	-	65,044	80,991

In 2023 all income from donations was unrestricted.

3 Income from Charitable Activities

Trips, activities and lunches	Unrestricted Funds £ 5,273	Restricted Funds £ -	Total Funds 2024 £ 5,273	Total Funds 2023 £ 7,848
	5,273	-	5,273	7,848

4 Other Trading Activities

Other Trading Activities
	Unrestricted	Restricted	Total Funds	Total Funds
	Funds	Funds	2024	2023
	£	£	£	£
Rental income	43,424	-	43,424	39,755

In 2023 all income from Other trading activities was unrestricted.

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BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

5 Expenditure on Charitable activities

Direct costs Costs of trips and activities Welcome Wages and salaries Employer's Pension contributions Staff costs Support costs Office expenses Consultancy Maintenance costs Building expenditure Depreciation	Unrestricted Funds £ 2,246 1,688 50,488 1,450 270 16,291 2,550 29,837 1,859 833	Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - - - - -	Total Funds 2024 £ 2,246 1,688 50,488 1,450 270 16,291 2,550 29,837 1,859 833	Total Funds 2023 £ 3,851 2,313 56,376 1,695 393 15,120 - 3,156 1,492 1,109
	107,512	-	107,512	85,505

There were no governance costs in either 2024 or 2023. All expenditure for 2023 was from Unrestricted funds.

6 Net income for the year is stated after charging:

	2024	2023
	£	£
Depreciation	833	1,109
Pension costs	1,450	1,695

7 Staff costs and numbers

The aggregate payroll costs were:

Wages and salaries Social security costs Employer's pension costs	2024 £ 50,488 - 1,450	2023 £ 56,376 - 1,695
	51,938	58,071

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

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 (2023: 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 £9,270 (2023: £16,277).

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

	2024	2023
	No.	No.
Administration	4	4

8 Taxation

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

9 Tangible fixed assets Cost

Cost At 1 September 2023 Additions At 31 August 2024 Depreciation At 1 September 2023 Charge for year At 31 August 2024 Net book value At 31 August 2024 At 31 August 2023	Freehold Property £ 500,709 2,400	£ 29,147 - Equipment	£ 19,363 - Office equipment	Total £ 549,219 2,400
	503,109	29,147	19,363	551,619
	- -	26,670 619	18,509 214	45,179 833
	-	27,289	18,723	46,012
	503,109	1,858	640	505,607
	500,709	2,477	854	504,040

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BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

10 Debtors

Other debtors and prepayments Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Other loans Other creditors	2024 £ 10,759	2023 £ 1,515
	10,759	1,515
	2024 £ 12,000 3,889	2023 £ 20,000 2,130
	15,889	22,130

11 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Several years ago, the trust received a loan of £20,000, but have not received a request for repayment or been able to trace the lender. The trustees therefore took the decision to write off the loan, treating it as a donation. The trustees recognise their obligation to repay the loan if the lender subsequently requests repayment.

12 Movement in funds

Year ended 31 August 2024 Unrestricted funds Free reserves NBV of fixed assets Total funds Prior year Year ended 31 August 2023 Unrestricted funds Free reserves NBV of fixed assets Total funds	1 September 2023 Income £ £ 2,602 113,741 504,040 -	1 September 2023 Income £ £ 2,602 113,741 504,040 -	Expenditure £ (106,679) (833)	Transfers £ (2,400) 2,400	31 August 2024 £ 7,264 505,607
	506,642	113,741	(107,512)	-	512,871
	1 September 2022 Income £ £ 86,619 128,646 376,882 -		Expenditure £ (84,396) (1,109)	Transfers £ (128,267) 128,267	31 August 2023 £ 2,602 504,040
	463,501	128,646	(85,505)	-	506,642

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

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. Each year, the value of assets purchased is transferred to this account from General funds.

13 Analysis of net assets

Year ended 31 August 2024

Year ended 31 August 2024
Unrestricted funds Year ended 31 August 2023 Unrestricted funds General funds	Tangible fixed assets £ 505,607	Other net assets £ 7,264	Total £ 512,871
	505,607	7,264	512,871
	Tangible fixed assets £ 504,040	Other net assets £ 2,602	Total £ 506,642
	504,040	2,602	506,642

14 Related party transactions

During the year, one of the trustees made a loan to the charity of £12,000, with no interest payable on the loan or a specified repayment period. This remains outstanding at the year end.

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BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

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 2022 Total funds at 31 August 2023	Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds Funds 2023 £ £ £ 80,991 - 80,991 7,848 - 7,848 39,755 - 39,755 52 - 52
	128,646 - 128,646
	85,505 - 85,505
	85,505 - 85,505
	43,141 - 43,141 - - - 463,501 - 463,501
	506,642 - 506,642

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