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2025-08-31-accounts

Charity number 298035

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

31 August 2025

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

2

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATION DETAILS

Trustees J Appleton Chair A Street C Rogers L Mason resigned January 2025 E Champion-Howard J Wall Dickson Asamoah-Owusu appointed November 2025

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

3

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of Bristol International Trust (the charity) for the year ended 31 August 2025. 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.

4

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

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 by hosting welcome meals at affordable rates. 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 2024/5 started with our Welcome Meals. We ran meals over eight evenings this year, and served 220 meals over these eight evenings. Each evening saw a good mix of nationalities and was hosted by a local church

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, celebrating cultural or Christian festivals, 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 a lively group joined us to learn about Christianity, in the Spring term. Our weekend trips have centred on introducing students to church buildings and communities around Bristol.

Staff and Volunteers

We said goodbye to Evan and Jancis, our Operations and Communications managers, and welcomed Benjamin and Melissa into these roles. Our director, Alison, returned from long-term sick leave, which has been helpful for the team and brought some fresh energy and ideas.

Our volunteer team has grown in number and diversity, both aspects of which we are truly grateful for. They bring such skills, energy and love with them, we appreciate them very deeply.

5

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Weekly events

We continue to welcome good numbers of 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 Lunar new Year. We also held an event to mark International Women's Day, which was well-attended and one of the highlights of the year.

In addition to the weekday events, we have enjoyed a number of volunteer-led day 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 with our financial supporters.

Christian content

Our Alpha course, run in partnership with Woodlands Church, ran from January to March and was joined by a lively group of students, all completely new to faith.

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 20 students being hosted through the scheme and a number of new hosts. Also, around 14 students were hosted on Christmas Day.

Tenants

We have had full bedrooms this year, with two of our students being on reduced rates or flexible payments due to their challenging personal circumstances.

Building

The electrics started causing some issues, with regular power outages. This required some temporary solutions while we seek a full explanation from a qualified electrician.

6

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

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 £21,213 (2024: £6,229). Income fell compared to last year, as a result of the conclusion of the main building work, and therefore we did not receive additional donations for this, as we had done in the past two years. 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.

The remedial building work was completed last year. This is the main cause of the reduction in the charity's expenditure from £107,512 to £90,389. Our accommodation is in line with new accommodation standards, including extra socialising space for tenants. The charity has managed to maintain other expenses at a similar level to last year. Salary costs have increased this year, as a result of our director's return to working her normal hours after sickness. The other major increase is due to working with our fundraising consultants for a full year this year.

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 have increased free reserves to £29,201 (2024: £7,264) which although still below target reserves of £42,500, (being six months' worth of expenditure), are much improved. The trustees continue to work with a group of charity consultants to apply for grant funding to increase funds over the next few months, and have had several successful grant applications since September 2025.

FUTURE PLANS

Since the year end, the charity successfully applied to become a Chartered Incorporated Organisation which was granted on 18th May 2026.

This report was approved by the Trustees on 24 June, 2026 and signed on their behalf by:

J Appleton, Chair

7

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

I report on the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2025 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:

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:

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

E Clements

24 June 2026

8

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds
Funds Funds 2025 2024
Note £ £ £ £
Income from:
Donations and legacies 2 60,196 - 60,196 65,044
Charitable activities 3 5,327 - 5,327 5,273
Other trading activities 4 46,179 - 46,179 43,424
Total income 111,702 - 111,702 113,741
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities 5 90,389 - 90,389 107,512
-
Total expenditure 90,389 90,389 107,512
-
Net income/expenditure 21,313 21,313 6,229
-
Total funds at 1 September 2024 512,871 512,871 506,642
Total funds at 31 August 2025 12 534,184 - 534,184 512,871
----- End of picture text -----

Prior year fund comparatives can be seen in note 15

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

9

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 AUGUST 2025

----- Start of picture text -----
2025 2024
Note £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 9 504,983 505,607
Current assets
Debtors 10 8,582 10,759
Cash at bank 29,404 12,394
37,986 23,153
Creditors:
Amounts falling due within one year 11 (8,785) (15,889)
Net current assets 29,201 7,264
Net assets 534,184 512,871
Income funds
Unrestricted funds
Free reserves 13 29,201 7,264
NBV of fixed assets 13 504,983 505,607
Total unrestricted funds 534,184 512,871
Total funds 534,184 512,871
----- End of picture text -----

These financial statements were approved by the trustees on 24 June, 2026 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

10

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

1 Accounting policies

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.

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

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

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.

11

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

2 Donations

----- Start of picture text -----
|||||| |---|---|---|---|---| |Unrestricted|Restricted|Total Funds|Total Funds| |Funds|Funds|2025|2024| |£|£|£|£| |Donations|53,524|-|53,524|55,801| |Gift aid reclaimed|6,672|-|6,672|9,243| |-| |60,196|60,196|65,044|

----- End of picture text -----

In 2024 all income from donations was unrestricted.

3 Income from Charitable Activities

----- Start of picture text -----
||||| |---|---|---|---| |Unrestricted|Restricted|Total Funds|Total Funds| |Funds|Funds|2025|2024| |£|£|£|£| |-| |Trips, activities and lunches|5,327|5,327|5,273| |-| |5,327|5,327|5,273|

----- End of picture text -----

4 Other Trading Activities

----- Start of picture text -----
|||||| |---|---|---|---|---| |Unrestricted|Restricted|Total Funds|Total Funds| |Funds|Funds|2025|2024| |£|£|£|£| |Rental income|46,179|-|46,179|43,424|

----- End of picture text -----

In 2024 all income from Other trading activities was unrestricted.

12

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

5 Expenditure on Charitable activities

----- Start of picture text -----
|||||| |---|---|---|---|---| |Unrestricted|Restricted|Total Funds|Total Funds| |Funds|Funds|2025|2024| |£|£|£|£| |Direct costs| |-| |Costs of trips and activities|3,383|3,383|2,246| |Welcome|1,262|-|1,262|1,688| |-| |Wages and salaries|52,280|52,280|50,488| |-| |Employer's Pension contributions|1,528|1,528|1,450| |Staff costs|1,058|-|1,058|270| |Support costs| |-| |Office expenses|13,918|13,918|16,291| |-| |Consultancy|5,928|5,928|2,550| |Maintenance costs|8,938|-|8,938|29,837| |-| |Building expenditure|1,470|1,470|1,859| |Depreciation|624|-|624|833| |-| |90,389|90,389|107,512|

----- End of picture text -----

There were no governance costs in either 2025 or 2024. All expenditure for 2024 was from Unrestricted funds.

6 Net income for the year is stated after charging:

----- Start of picture text -----
|||| |---|---|---| |2025|2024| |£|£| |Depreciation|624|833| |Pension costs|1,528|1,450|

----- End of picture text -----

7 Staff costs and numbers

The aggregate payroll costs were:

----- Start of picture text -----
|||| |---|---|---| |2025|2024| |£|£| |Wages and salaries|52,280|50,488| |-|-| |Social security costs| |Employer's pension costs|1,528|1,450| |53,808|51,938|

----- End of picture text -----

13

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

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 (2024: 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 £10,771 (2024: £9,270).

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

----- Start of picture text -----
|||| |---|---|---| |2025|2024| |No.|No.| |Administration|4|4|

----- End of picture text -----

8 Taxation

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

9 Tangible fixed assets

----- Start of picture text -----
|||||| |---|---|---|---|---| |Cost|Freehold|Office| |Property|Equipment|equipment|Total| |£|£|£|£| |At 1 September 2024|503,109|29,147|19,363|551,619| |Additions|-|-|-|-| |At 31 August 2025|503,109|29,147|19,363|551,619| |Depreciation| |-| |At 1 September 2024|27,289|18,723|46,012| |Charge for year|-|464|160|624| |-| |At 31 August 2025|27,753|18,883|46,636| |Net book value| |At 31 August 2025|503,109|1,394|480|504,983| |At 31 August 2024|503,109|1,858|640|505,607|

----- End of picture text -----

14

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

----- Start of picture text -----
10 Debtors
2025 2024
£ £
Other debtors and prepayments 8,582 10,759
8,582 10,759
11 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2025 2024
£ £
Other loans 8,000 12,000
Other creditors 785 3,889
8,785 15,889
12 Movement in funds
1 September 31 August
2024 Income Expenditure Transfers 2025
Year ended 31 August 2025 £ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
Free reserves 7,264 111,702 (89,765) - 29,201
NBV of fixed assets 505,607 - (624) - 504,983
Total funds 512,871 111,702 (90,389) - 534,184
Prior year
1 September 31 August
2023 Income Expenditure Transfers 2024
Year ended 31 August 2024 £ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
Free reserves 2,602 113,741 (106,679) (2,400) 7,264
NBV of fixed assets 504,040 - (833) 2,400 505,607
Total funds 506,642 113,741 (107,512) - 512,871
----- End of picture text -----

15

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

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 2025

Unrestricted funds
Year ended 31 August 2024
Unrestricted funds
General funds
Tangible
fixed assets
£
504,983
504,983
Tangible
fixed assets
£
505,607
505,607
Other
net assets
£
29,201
29,201
Other
net assets
£
7,264
7,264
Total
£
534,184
534,184
Total
£
512,871
512,871

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. £4,000 was repaid during the year, leaving £8,000 outstanding at the year end. The remainder was repaid in November 2025.

17

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

15 Prior year comparative funds statemement

Income from:
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
Other trading activities
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
Net income/expenditure
Transfers between funds
Total funds at 1 September 2023
Total funds at 31 August 2024
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
£
£
£
65,044
-
65,044
5,273
-
5,273
43,424
-
43,424
113,741
-
113,741
107,512
-
107,512
107,512
-
107,512
6,229
-
6,229
-
-
-
506,642
-
506,642
512,871
-
512,871

18

Audit Trail

Document Details Document Details
Title
BISC
Final accounts 2025.pdf
File Name
BISC
Final accounts 2025.pdf
Document ID
5976347979fb4d30a16b59026220ebd8
Fingerprint
c88da4b00f19b6197266ea210a9d46d1
Status
Completed
Document History
Document Created Document Created by Christine Rogers (christine@bisc.org.uk)
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