OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2021-03-31-accounts

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust

Annual Report and Accounts

31 March 2021

Charity Registration Number 327357

Contents

Reports

Reference and administrative information 1
Trustees’ report 2
Independent auditor’s report 63
Accounts
Statement of financial activities 68
Balance sheet 69
Statement of cash flows 70
Principal accounting policies 72
Notes to the accounts 79

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust

Reference and administrative information

Trustees Sister Janette Brown (resigned 27 August 2021)
Sister Anne Marie Buckley
Sister Mary Deane (appointed 28 August 2021)
Sister Eleanor O’Gorman
Sister Bernadette Healy (appointed 28 August 2021)
Sister Angela Murphy
Sister Eileen Keating
Sister Catherine O’Neill (resigned 27 August 2021)
The Trustees are incorporated under the Charities Act
2011.
Province Team Leader Sister Eileen Keating
Province Bursar Sister Eleanor O’Gorman
Administrative address The Lodge
Chesterfield Road
Matlock
Derbyshire
DE4 3FT
Charity registration number 327357
Auditor Buzzacott LLP
130 Wood Street
London
EC2V 6DL
Investment managers Rathbone Investment Management Limited
8 Finsbury Circus
London
EC2M 7AZ
Principal bankers The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
St Ann Street
Manchester
M60 2SS
Solicitors Massers Solicitors
15 Victoria Street
Nottingham
NG1 2JZ

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 1

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

The Trustees present the statutory report and the accounts of the English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2021.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on pages 72 to 78 of the attached accounts and comply with the charity’s trust deed, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable to the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

Introduction

The Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (the Congregation) is an International Roman Catholic Religious Congregation. It was founded in Ireland in 1775, where its Generalate is still located. It is divided into several Provinces throughout the world. In the Union there are approximately 991 sisters.

The English Unit has a special relationship with the Irish Provinces. Our collaboration set up in 2017 a Justice Desk with three sisters who are the co-ordinators for Interprovincial collaboration. These sisters are: Sister Jacinta McKillion of the English Unit, Sister Helen Lenehan of the North-East Irish Unit, and Sister Miriam Pollard of the South-West Irish Unit. This requires time and commitment. Brian O’Toole was appointed as the director of the Interprovincial Justice Desk and he is the Justice contact for the three provinces.

The Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is also affiliated to the International Presentation Association (IPA), which is a network of 14 Presentation Congregations in 22 countries, across the globe. Together there are some 2,200 Presentation Sisters throughout the world. Every five years representatives from the English Province attend an International Presentation Gathering.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 2

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Introduction (continued)

At 31 March 2021, the English Unit comprised 61 sisters who live in 16 communities and three single living sisters. Below is a map showing the location of each community. All of our sisters have given most of their working lives to the charitable activities of the Congregation both in England and abroad. The average age of the membership has increased. There has been no increase in membership.

The Community Houses are for the most part located in those areas of towns or cities where it is believed that the sisters can provide the most help to the poor and marginalised. Many of our houses were founded in order to minister in these areas and the sisters still give valuable service to the people of their area.

Below is a map showing the location of each community.

----- Start of picture text -----
Derbyshire
Manchester The Lodge, Matlock
New Moston White Street Derby
Audenshaw
Livesey Street
Nottinghamshire
Birmingham Shirebrook,
Nechells Nottingham
Acocks Green
Moseley
Leicestershire
Market Harborough
Warwickshire Eyres Monsell, Leicester
Nuneaton
Coventry
Wiltshire
Swindon Holy Land
----- End of picture text -----

In 1836, the Presentation Sisters went one step beyond when they began their ministry in England.

In 2013, the Presentation Sisters went one step further and began their ministry in the Holy Land.

On 1 July 2018 the English Unit was expanded further to include the community in the Holy Land. As the CLT wrote in their letter of 16 April:

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 3

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Introduction (continued)

This decision followed the recent evaluation of the mission in the Holy Land and consultation with the Sisters in England and the Holy Land.

It is our continued hope that this decision continues to support and develop the mission in the Holy Land and also grow and strengthen our missionary spirit and the bonds of connectivity between the Sisters in England and the Holy Land.

The accounts accompanying this report are the accounts of the charity on which the assets of the English Province of the Congregation in the United Kingdom are held and through which its finances operate. The charity is governed by a Trust Deed dated 14 February 1986 and Charity Commission Schemes dated 5 January 1987 and 24 February 1995. It is registered under the Charities Act 2011, Charity Registration No 327357.

Principal aims

The aims of the charity are to support the charitable work of the English Unit of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This includes education in its broadest sense and engagement in other charitable works based on the Christian message of “bringing good news to the poor” in accordance with the Roman Catholic faith and traditions as well as the Constitutions and Chapter Documents of the Congregation. We are committed to care for each other and for our earth.

Mission

The charity has a continuing commitment to support the work of the sisters of the Unit and the Congregation and to care for those members throughout their lives. The following are some of the ministries in which the sisters are engaged. All of these ministries benefit members of the general public.

They fall into the following main headings:

A Care Centre owned by the sisters provides care and nurture for members of the public and sisters of the Congregation who are in need of such care.

Sisters in the Unit are engaged in education in schools. Some are also engaged in social and pastoral work as chaplains in schools, prisons, hospitals and to the travelling and gipsy community. The sisters work in parishes with the elderly, vulnerable women and children and with travellers and refugees.

Sisters also work in advisory roles in religious education, youth programmes and are also engaged in spiritual direction, counselling and therapeutic practice.

3 Overseas support

Members of the Unit support the work of our sisters abroad, especially in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Thailand and India.

When setting the objectives and planning the work of the charity for the year, and when encouraging the work of individual sisters, the Trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 4

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies

As stated above under “Mission”, the activities of the charity can be divided into caring for members including older and frail sisters and three other principal areas:

Care of members

As with other Congregations, the age profile of the members is increasing as existing members grow older and there have been no new vocations in the last 29 years. The age profile is shown below.

The Congregation has an obligation, both moral and legal, to provide care for its members, none of whom have resources of their own and all of whom have devoted a significant part of their lives to the care of others who have been in need – both in this country and abroad. As the age profile of the Unit increases so too does the need to provide increasingly expensive care for the sisters.

----- Start of picture text -----
AGE PROFILE OF SISTERS AS AT
31ST MARCH 2021
30
80-89, 24
70-79, 22 50-59
20
60-69
90+, 9 70-79
10
60-69, 5
50-59, 1 80-89
0
90+
50-59 60-69 70-79 80-89 90+
----- End of picture text -----

We foresee that the number of sisters needing nursing/residential care will increase over the next decade.

The Trustees are giving careful consideration to the impact this will have on the Unit re:

The aims of the Trustees in the forthcoming years includ e:

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 5

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Care of members (continued)

Operation of a residential and care establishment

The following is the report from the Chairman of the Care Centre Management Board.

Right: Steve Taylor Chairman with Mrs Julie Lowe – member of the Board of Management of the Care Centre.

Background:

The charity owns and operates a Care Centre for the elderly at its site in Matlock, and is registered with Care Quality Commission (CQC) for 36 residents.

The philosophy of the Care Centre, as stated in its Mission Statement, is: ‘To strive to respect the individuality, dignity and need for privacy of each person and to encourage freedom of choice in daily living. Placing the person at the heart of their care, we work continually in partnership with them, their family, friends and associates as well as our healthcare professionals to achieve this.’

As the Care Centre is owned and operated by the Presentation Sisters, its ethos is Catholic. However, we have a strong belief in equal opportunities and inclusivity

and warmly welcome people from other denominations who are happy to share the life of the Centre.

Throughout the year, the charity continued to assist members of the Province in their charitable and religious work. Currently four members are cared for in the charity’s Care Centre whilst other members were enabled to work and volunteer in their chosen ministry.

Due to the restrictions imposed through the prolonged coronavirus pandemic, the sisters in the community attached to the Care Centre, in terms of a pastoral role have been unable to fulfil their normal activities, which were contributing to the services and facilities provided in the Care Centre. Sisters’ visits to those in the Care Centre have been missed and added a valuable contribution to the Care Centre Community and continuing ministry.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 6

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Operation of a residential and care establishment (continued)

Facilities and Services

The Care Centre provides long-term residential and nursing care for the elderly in 36 bedrooms. Each room has TV, wash basin facilities and all are linked to the Nurse Call system; one room is also en-suite. All areas of the home are accessible by lift/stairs. Residents are encouraged to use the sitting rooms/dining areas throughout the Care Centre, as well as our beautiful outdoor space and we continue to ensure that the Care Centre remains of a high decorative standard.

During this pandemic year reported, the Care Centre has benefitted from an infection control grant and has been able to use these funds to enable safe visiting for residents. Notably, the centre has installed a summerhouse for outside visiting along with a partition to facilitate inside safe visiting:

The chapel that our residents have availed of, has also unfortunately been off limits during the Covid pandemic, but the extensive gardens have been maximised to their full potential during this period by our residents and allowed safe visiting for the families:

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 7

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Operation of a residential and care establishment (continued)

Facilities and Services (continued)

2020 also saw the Care Centre hit the national press - The Daily Mail - when it received a free consignment of PPE and some very positive coverage of the Centre during this difficult year:

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 8

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Operation of a residential and care establishment (continued)

Facilities and Services (continued)

On the right – interview with Sister Eileen Keating, Unit Leader being interviewed by Richard Marsden, reporter with the Daily Mail. On the left staff at the Care Centre posing for the camera. Photo published in the paper

The Care Centre continues to focus on making the lives of its residents as meaningful and purposeful as is possible and provides this focus through a blended programme of both group and individual activities. Song and entertainment focus heavily on the core activities of the Care Centre.

The Care Centre has worked hard this year at ‘making its own entertainment’ rather than the blend of external volunteers and entertainers along with the sisters it avails of in ‘normal times.’

Residents enjoying their weekly chair-based exercises and craft sessions.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 9

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Operation of a residential and care establishment (continued)

Continuing financial pressures

We are still hoping to increase the number of beds in the Care Centre – subject to necessary building regulations, by reconfiguration of some beds currently used as part of the Convent. However, the pandemic has temporarily placed a halt on these plans as occupancy rates have changed during this period.

However, I am pleased to report that the Care Centre has not succumbed to any Covid outbreak which has devastated many and has focused on keeping the Centre person centred and lively – being mindful of its residents mental wellbeing, whilst adhering to guidelines which has meant periods of lockdown.

Care Centre Management Board

The Trustees, via the Care Centre Management Board they have established, aim to ensure the Care Centre meets the required standards and legal requirements and strives to improve.

The Management Board meets four times per year and supervises the operation of the Care Centre by: setting budgets, agreeing an annual business plan, receiving monthly reports from the Care Centre Manager, considering reports from the monthly providers’ visits and general business supervision to give direction and compliance.

Usual monthly visits normally undertaken on behalf of the charity by myself and Mrs Julie Lowe, a retired nurse and member of the Board, have been halted due to the no visitor current policy. Under normal circumstances, we select an area of the Care Centre each month to visit and check on the environment, care provided etc. We talk to staff, residents and relatives and inspect various paperwork, such as care plans, compliance records etc. These are reported to the bi-monthly Management Board meetings and action is taken on any points raised.

We have regular pharmacy inspections, and the Lead Nurse undertakes her own regular clinical and medication audits - corrective action being taken as a result of any findings. The contracting authorities (Social Services and NHS) who normally visit the Care Centre to monitor the contracts we have with them have also been absent due to the pandemic. They do however have regular contact with all their Healthcare Professionals through zoom meetings, Microsoft teams and telephone conversations.

Again, this year we have had no complaints about the care and service we provide, and many compliments have been received from relatives, whilst caring and nursing their loved ones through a difficult period.

Notable activity and achievements for 2020/21

We continue to control spending as much as possible and the additional grant funding has allowed safe visiting and adequate supply of PPE to ensure that our high standards remain. In the year being reported we continued our redecoration programme around the Care Centre.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 10

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Operation of a residential and care establishment (continued)

Financial performance 2020/21

Operating conditions, particularly in relation to local authority fees remain tight but we are intending to maintain our financial performance in the coming year.

Fortunately, the Presentation Sisters Care Centre continues to enjoy an enviable reputation and this means that much care and hard work goes into the service we provide to our residents; our staff and volunteers are to be commended for this. Unfortunately, due to our reputation, we are often unable to provide care for some people who need and prefer the atmosphere and ethos at the Presentation Sisters Care Centre as we are often full and clearly demand for our care continues to grow.

Education, social, health and pastoral work

The Sisters continue to carry out various forms of educational, social and pastoral work in order to fulfil their individual ministries. This has been conducted entirely through letter writing, Microsoft teams, zoom meetings and telephone. No face-to-face meetings or contact has been undertaken during the prolonged pandemic. Examples of some of these ministries are given by way of illustration.

Due to age and declining health, of the 61 Sisters, 45 are ministering in various parts of England and 1 in The Holy Land. “Small but beautiful” might describe the numerical size of the Unit. In a country of approximately 57 million people made up of nearly every nation under the sun, we number just 61 sisters – Irish, English, Scottish and Indian. Many sisters have ministered in India, Africa, the Americas and Europe and their experience brings a richness and global feel to the Province. However, the average age of the sisters is 82, and this has had a significant impact, along with the Coronavirus, on the energy, vibrancy and involvement in ministry which is part of the life of the Province.

The England of today is a society enriched by multi-cultural, multi-faith and multi-ethnicity. It has an aging society – underpinned through the pandemic, causing a crisis in care and in the NHS. In addition, it is a country with 4 million children living in poverty/increased homelessness/drug abuse. It is more divided than ever between rich and poor, north and south, with issues regarding integration of migrants and refugees, and increasing levels of trafficking, homelessness and substance abuse.

In England today, the traditional family unit is no longer the norm and civil partnerships are increasing. There are increasing numbers of young people with mental health issues alongside becoming a country where the majority do not hold religious beliefs; where parishes are closing because of lack of priests/lack of consultation/fewer vocations/clericalism strong in some areas.

It is in this atmosphere that the ministries are carried out in the Unit. Through all forms of social medium; prayer, education, pastoral work, health care, social work, prison, catechetics, spirituality and faith development, chaplaincy, counselling, work with travellers, refugees and asylum seekers has been carried out. Through the giftedness of each sister, we try to meet the needs of individuals and society where possible, in the place where we find ourselves.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 11

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

Our lifestyle tries to facilitate communion with the poor and availability to those in need. Living simply, we challenge materialism, exploitation and injustice and give witness to Christ and his values.

The Matlock building was bought and opened as a Convent in 1927.

The Lodge has seen several changes in its use – from housing Sisters and then Boarders during term time, to the Chaplain, to Sisters, to being rented out and now back to the use of the Sisters.

Sister Eileen Keating is Unit Leader. Born and brough up in Kerry, where she entered the Presentation Sisters, she has ministered in New Zealand and Chile before coming to England. She was Youth Chaplain and Parish ministry in Corsham and then moved to Holy Family, Sheffield – where she was Canonical Pastor for 27 years, before being elected as Unit Leader of the English Unit in the summer of 2014.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 12

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

The Heart of Presentation

Hospitality and Community are at the heart of ‘Presentation’. We share our stories, our ministries, our struggles and challenges with each other as well as celebrating with gratitude our journey in life. ‘Presentation’ is dynamic, being with people as we reach out to make Nano’s vision alive in our time and place, following our models Mary and Nano. We listen and respond to God in our lives and journey into the unknown as Mary and Nano did. We aspire to live lives of commitment, dedication, availability and being of service to all, especially to those made poor, so that they become empowered. We give witness by living lives of simplicity, by living the present with passion and by allowing God to love each of us more deeply as we strive to live prophetic missionaries.

The Eucharist is central to our lives. The time we spend in silent prayer in community before the Blessed Sacrament is most helpful and the Presentation Day Novena unites us all powerfully. Growing in a deeper prayer life involves growing in right relationships. Beginning the challenge of each day anew calls us to a deeper trust in a compassionate and loving God and to share his gifts with all we meet. Strengthened by His presence we can be filled with joy and open to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We need to be filled with Christ and to share the Word of God with others.

With our associates we are growing in our understanding on interconnectedness with creation and all people, striving to create a more just and peaceful world.

Below are examples of the work carried out by our sisters over the last twelve months:

April 2020 Earth Day

Sisters caring for what the Lord has created and given for us to enjoy. Sisters Christina, Pius, Elizabeth and Margaret all taking care of our land so that we can enjoy. Thank you.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 13

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

April 2020 (continued)

Celebrating Earth Day in Swindon and thanking God for all His Gifts.

From Nuneaton:

During this Pandemic and time of isolation many people have joined various social media outlets to have a sense of connection and solidarity. On Thursday May 21 Justice coordinators met with Brian O’Toole through zoom and I would like to give you a flavour of the discussion.

“Some weeks ago, we received the Justice newsletter for the three provinces (NE/SW/ Eng.) which was produced by Brian on behalf of the Justice Desk. I am sure you found it a ‘good read’ packed as it was with all the events, we have been involved in over the past year. Our own Justice day in Matlock September 2019, ECO Congregation Award for the work on the Bog in Lixnaw, and Nano Nagle Place in Cork- to name but a few. I would like to draw your attention to the Cork Intergenerational Climate Conference and the words of President Michael Higgins - ‘we must be careful not to ask the poor to do with less, to give up more as we make the “intergenerational Just Transition”

This newsletter is published on the Bulletin Board and if you want to learn a little more just click on the blue links.”

During the meeting on Thursday Brian expressed his thanks for the response from those who had received this newsletter. Many sisters were pleased to have something to read, study and pray during this time of lockdown.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 14

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

April 2020 (continued)

The information re the celebration for the 5 years of Laudate Si was also welcomed by many people. It is hoped to use some of the learning, input and inspiration from this event for a collaborative Season of creation involving the three Provinces. (September /October 2020.) At present as material is becoming available from the Laudato Si’ Week it will be held on the Presentation Justice Desk Bulleting Board.

During the week May 24 – 30 our Diocese usually travels to Lourdes and meets up with the Middlesbrough Diocese. As the pilgrimage could not take place, we had a virtual journey to Lourdes courtesy of both dioceses with Masses/ rosary/ processions / youth events. Many in the parish took part in this event. It has been encouraging and hopeful to see how many people have taken the initiative and put our weekly meditation group on Facebook along with daily rosary groups. Like many parishes our parishioners are anxious to keep in touch with Mass and church and look forward to the time we can all join together in church.

In the meantime, Sister Therese Horrigan tends the garden, bakes bread and makes soup to keep us well and healthy.

Thursday Clap for the NHS and Care Workers

Sisters supported the local communities throughout lockdown by participating in the Thursday Clap to show their gratitude and appreciation for all those frontline workers.

Sisters pictured here clapping with hands, pots and pans on Thursday with staff from the Care Centre, both upstairs and downstairs.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 15

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

April 2020 (continued)

Celebrating Laudato Si week

Because of lockdown I spend more time than usual tending to, and enjoying the front and back gardens in Nechells.

I am reminded of the care Sister Justine gave to the garden here when she and Sister Bernadette started the ministry in this inner-city area of Birmingham in 1997. There is a great selection of shrubs ready to burst into bloom all planted by Sister Justine. The blooms have just faded on the two now mature Camelias which she planted. The sparrows have a great time nesting and flying in and out of the hedge formed by the great array of shrubs.

The Jasmine shrub planted by Sister Pius is in full bloom and sends out a most beautiful scent across the garden, especially in the evenings. The rose bushes are glorious at present and the flower beds are alive

with a great variety of colour. I can certainly see the “signature of God” in this glorious innercity garden.

Rosemma and Gennet who share the house deeply appreciate and value the spacious peaceful garden.

During Laudato Si week celebrations I listened to the wonderful insights of Sister Ilea Delio and others describing how “nature is nothing other than a certain kind of art, namely God’s art, impressed upon things whereby those things are moved to a determinate end” (LS para. 80).

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 16

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

April 2020 (continued)

“From the panoramic vistas to the tiniest living form, nature is a constant source of wonder and awe. It is also a continuing revelation of the divine.” (LS para 85).

Nechells Inner city garden

May 2020:

APPRECIATING THE GIFT OF GOD IN CREATION DURING LOCKDOWN By Sister Theresa Kennedy

In this bewildering time when we are wondering perhaps, where God is in it all, we can sometimes miss the opportunities God gives us to raise our hearts to Him in His creation which is, like life, His precious gift to us.

Having to totally isolate for age and health reasons, I decided early on to see Laudato Si and how I could respond even in a small way to Pope Francis and his prophetic insights to create a greater awareness of nature etc. during these weeks of lockdown . I have been so surprised at how this awareness in so many ways hav grown!

I love flowers: planting them, seeing them shoot forth, and delighting in their display as they burst into bloom. Sadly, we do not have a ‘ garden’ or even a blade of grass around White Street, but we do have concrete space ! Over the past two years I have accumulated a number of planters all shapes and sizes, and put in bulbs and seeds to brighten up this back space for some of the year at least. This year I made a special effort as I had more time! Early on in lockdown, various blooms began to appear above the soil, daily surprising me – magnificent coloured pansies in rich blues, yellows and deep reds; tall and stately narcissi and hyacinth heavily scented, shy clematis slowly opening along the trellis , every petal and bloom precious and opening to glorify their Creator . In Psalm 104 we are told ‘the Lord rejoices in all His works’ and I feel sure He does here! Never have the colours been more brilliant or the scent stronger and inviting. Pope Francis in Laudato Si reminds us that “the entire material universe speaks of God’s love, his boundless affection for us…soil, water, flowers, mountains, everything is, as it were, a caress of God. These flowers in their splendid, simple array certainly moved and still move my heart to praise the Lord and glorify Him in union with them.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 17

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

May 2020 (continued)

Another feature of this lockdown time is my increasing awareness of the cheery chirping of so many birds I never noticed before in the big tree overlooking our house. Their songs delight and are another reminder of God’s living presence in creation all around us. I watch them as they peck food, and gather twigs etc. to build nests, always so busy! The clearer skies and purer air , with less pollution, allow this appreciation in a new way. Even the spider creating his web (and we have many around) is a cause for admiration and wonder! Such a work of art!

In Laudato Si , Francis urges us to care for the earth and creation but we have been very slow to respond sensing that such would require major changes. Is it possible that through this crisis God has been creating the conditions for these changes to take place? Through our slowing of pace and deepening of the contemplative spirit, we are learning a new language and creating a new awareness of the beauty of the wonderful world of nature all around us and hopefully resolving too, to protect it in every way.

Are we the new ‘rainbow’ people allowing God’s glory to shine through us? During this time of lockdown have we truly begun to live ‘Laudato Si’? As Francis reminds us:

“We are children of the great King, of the Creator, capable of reading his signature in all of Creation. We are not safeguarding that creation today, but that creation holds the signature of God who made it out of love. May the Lord make us understand this ever more deeply and lead us to say “thank you”; and that “thank you” is a beautiful prayer.” Pope Francis

The Daily Mail comes to Matlock!

The Care Centre was the fortunate recipient of a donation of masks and other PPE equipment from the Daily Mail.

Above photographed are the staff at the Care Centre with the sisters from the Matlock community in the background. This picture made page 14 of the Daily Mail.

Noted in the article was the fact that the Care Centre was one of few in Derbyshire that had been COVID-19 free. This is thanks to the staff and sisters both in the Care Centre and the convent for their continued vigilance.

We would like special thanks to go to Mrs Jayne Carnall, our Registered Manager and the team who work alongside her who have overseen this process.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 18

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

June 2020

In June, we thanked Sister Teresa Phelan and Sister Philomena Hartnett for all the work they have both done to help set up and grow; ‘The Presentation Associates and Friends of Nano.’ We are where we are today with such a great group of people because of the time and energy they both gave.

Thank you and may we continue to help and support one another.

Lockdown 2020. By Sister Teresa Phelan

Someone remarked recently, ‘What Lockdown? Sure, we have been in Lockdown for the last thirty years. How true that can be. We all know people who live alone, lonely and forgottenin-Lockdown. Today we think of the McCann Family in Lockdown for the past thirteen years. We think of Julie, a single mother, living near the top of a multi-storied block with three young children, and nothing but cement and concrete staring in their faces – yes Lockdown.

However, this present-day Lockdown is somewhat different, something forced upon all of us.

Here in St Osburg’s Parish, the Lockdown has (as in many places) hit hard.

There is a big population where people are imprisoned in their own homes - the mature, the middle-aged and the children - all very vulnerable people, all anxious and afraid, all God’s gifts to us.

Some come loosely wrapped, a light touch and the contents come tumbling out, others, tightly wrapped and appearing secure.

In general, in our area people are being catered for in the material sense with many charities providing for their needs. There is another side to the story of the Housebound some of whom are not quite sure of what is happening around them, who long for a few re-assuring words, who feel ‘left out.’

During this Lockdown time the Sisters have been trying to fill that emptiness in a small way through a phone call. In normal times Holy Communion is taken to around 40 alone Housebound, as well as to Residents in 7 Care Homes, on a weekly basis. So as to preserve the one-to-one relationship these people are called at least once a week for a word or two.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 19

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

June 2020 (continued)

It is amazing how much these phone calls are looked forward to and appreciated – the words, ‘thanks for phoning, thanks for thinking about me, when will we see you,’ are some of the responses. We are very fortunate that our local priest is Chaplain to the City Hospital and so there is continual updating around patients and their needs.

Every cloud has a silver lining and we know that even in the dullest of moments little miracles are happening between the Givers and the Receivers and that we are merely ‘doing our duty’ - we are a small drop in the Ocean of Givers.

When this is over the hope is that we will have learned together, grown together, stayed together, and that anything and everything can be overcome together.

Nora Warnaby, Presentation Associate from Nechells (who is in isolation herself) describes how she tries to continue Nano’s work during the Covid 19 Pandemic

As the pandemic became evident in March 2020 local Lib Dems (I am a member) worked with other groups in the area to establish The Great Barr Volunteers, who have been working throughout B42, B43 and B44 all this time. I volunteered as a call handler and a chat group member.

I work with an amazing couple to whom I refer the people who need specific help, mainly shielders and those self-isolating. This couple do shopping, collect and deliver medicines and check on the most vulnerable.

As the Lockdown continued, we became worried about the loneliness of those isolated and in particular the impact on their mental health. Our local Councillors were able to get funding to facilitate our ideas for helping those confined at home and alleviate some of their stress.

They formed a book bank, loaning books, DVDs, Jigsaws and other games. They also got IT Tablets and on-phone tutoring to help people to use them. I managed to help a local elderly couple to use their iPad to enable them to get Mass every day and to FaceTime their family in Wales and London.

My main voluntary work is answering the phone, taking referrals and allocating the work to my two specific volunteers and keeping the Main Coordinator informed of new referrals. I also telephone a small group of 10 people on a regular basis offering support. We have become friends and look forward to meeting after Covid. Two of them are recently bereaved, widows like myself. We often cry together!!

The local GP’s, pharmacies, social workers and support workers from MIND refer lonely, stressed people to me regularly. It is a privilege to be able to listen, chat and facilitate their needs. The fear, panic and often despair is palpable.

With the guidance and help of the Holy Spirit and with Nano on my shoulder I am able to give some hope and comfort. Actually, I am just a poor instrument. The other two (Holy Spirit and Nano) do all the work. Praise God! My two Hindu volunteers are amazing too!

God bless you and stay safe

Nora Warnaby Nechells Presentation Associate

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 20

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

July 2020

Ministry to the Travelling People during Covid19

I have been working from home since Mid–March and it is good being able to keep in touch pastorally with groups of Travellers through prayer groups, phone contact and social media (mainly What’s App groups daily). The Travellers themselves also make contact on a regular basis to share concerns and joys important to them and their families.

Some are particularly vulnerable especially those asked to shield due to high risk underlying health conditions. Social–distancing or self-isolation is particularly challenging due to confined and communal households, and restricted living conditions on sites. Some families lack basic amenities including running water, adequate sanitation, and refuse disposal facilities.

Most tell you how difficult it is not to be able to attend Mass as their faith is very important to them and the reception of the Sacraments. Normally at this time many of the children and young people would be celebrating Baptisms, First Holy Communion and Confirmations.

Young couples find it difficult having to put their marriages on hold and are appreciative of a blessing from a priest and support from the Church. It is also the time of the year when families would be travelling and attending pilgrimages and fares near and further afield.

Loved ones becoming ill is difficult and especially those nearing death is painful for families not to be physically present with them. Normally people would travel from near and far to say their final goodbyes.

Funerals are a sad time, especially when not able to have a Mass. In small ways the person’s life is remembered and celebrated in local sites before making their final journey for burial. For two graveside funerals I attended the hearse stopped on route at the sites which was a moment of comfort and prayer to families and friends who all formed a guard of honour to show their respect and support.

Travellers overall are experiencing this strange time with mixed emotions. Families who live away from elderly parents and grandparents find it hard not to be able to visit. Children are missing their daily routine at school integrating with their friends and teachers and home schooling is a challenge for parents often with low level literacy and numeracy skills themselves. Men struggle not having work to provide for the family. This has led on occasions to stresses, strains and a rise in mental health problems. Those struggling are appreciative of support from foodbanks and aid from local community groups. Several Travellers in houses are very generous in supporting elderly and vulnerable people close to them in helping with shopping and checking to make sure they are safe and well.

The recent Channel 4 programme aired in mid-April “The Truth about Traveller Crime” was very dehumanising, unbalanced and unfair to their community. Most felt unjustly treated and have reported a rise in hate speech towards the Traveller community at a time they are already vulnerable. The programme reported on crimes allegedly committed by Travellers living on a site in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, and analysed national statistics on recorded crimes near Traveller sites around the country.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 21

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

July 2020 (continued)

The reaction has provoked outrage among the community and anger to local Travellers in Lutterworth. Most of the residents are Catholics with a strong faith. They attend their local Church regularly and have exceptionally good relationships with their parish. They were very appreciative of support they received from the Church and community groups at a time when their community is so vulnerable to Covid-19.

I look forward returning safely to pastoral visits, supporting with sacramental programmes, meeting families and continuing to respond to the ongoing needs of the ministry. Sister Bernadette Healy

Zoom meeting of JPIC Commission 10.00 – 11.30 am 15 July 2020

There were 15 people present for this meeting including Brian O Toole.

Sister Therese gave us a talk - as agreed at the last meeting – about Catholic Social Teaching. Pope Leo in his encyclical Rerum Novarum was the first to highlight this aspect of our faith.

Input from Brian O’Toole

Catholic Social Teaching

Catholic social teaching is said to have originated in 1891 with the encyclical letter, Rerum Novarum translated as The Workers Charter by Pope Leo X111. Since then, a wealth of teaching continues to give new life to the scriptures and shape the Church's response to our modern world.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 22

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

July 2020 (continued)

According to Pope John Paul 11 CST (Catholic Social Teaching) rests on the threefold cornerstones of: HUMAN DIGNITY, SOLIDARITY AND SUBSIDIARITY

Today I am going to share on two of these: human dignity and solidarity.

Firstly, human dignity:

In Jeremiah Chapter 5 We read "Every human person is made in the likeness of God. This is a gift we all share as human beings; we are all infinitely loved by our Creator.

God is present in every person regardless of religion, culture, nationality or economic standing. Each of us is unique and beautiful. We are called to treat every person with loving respect. Now I am going to relate about a person who felt he was treated with dignity, Mulenga lives with mental and physical illness in Zambia. He speaks about how his dignity is honoured, thanks to the support of Cafod and the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

He says: The Sisters gave me some plants and fertilizer and now I feel able to help my family. They gave me a wheelchair. Now I can move about my village and go to Church, Failure to recognize the human dignity of each person opens the door to all manner of violence and injustice.

Social Justice is about transforming unjust and violent relationships through CONSCIOUSNESS RAISING, ORGANIZING AND MOBILIZING those who are marginalized and oppressed politically, economically and socially.

An individual needs support and being part of a movement amplifies the voice of the voiceless.

We are not always aware of how our actions and life styles are implicated in the injustices that others face, Awareness is necessary. ( Now we take a few moments to think over our experiences and some ways you were able to help others, you may like to share at the end.)

SOLIDARITY. Matthew. 25: 40. ‘In truth I tell you, in so far as you did this to the least of my brothers or sisters, you did it to me.’ We are all familiar with this passage.

Solidarity is that persons interact without anyone's rights getting violated. Solidarity arises when we remember that we belong to each other, we reflect on this in a special way at Mass. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: The Eucharist commits us to the poor. To receive the Body and Blood of Christ given for us, we must recognise God in the poorest.

Solidarity spurs us on to stand side by side with our sisters and brothers, especially those living in poverty. Robert Corry, father of two ran the London marathon and raised the amazing sum of £2,000 for Cafod. He explains how his faith inspires him to act in solidarity.

It can be difficult to get out of bed early in the morning to fit in the next training session, but then I think about the people Cafod supports, and I ask myself how I would cope if my house was destroyed or if I lost my family in the war.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 23

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

July 2020 (continued)

Pope Francis speaks on inter- generational solidarity in Laudato Si.

Solidarity that acknowledges this generation's obligation to the next and to bequeath to them a world at least as unspoiled and bountiful as the one we inherited. Paragraph 159

He broadens the idea to PLANETARY SOLIDARITY with the earth. Nature cannot be regarded as something separate from ourselves or a mere setting in which we live. All creatures are moving forward with and through us, towards a common point of arrival which is God. P 83

Pope Francis is careful to cite sources of wisdom from different faith traditions so that together we reach global solidarity that is required to respond to climate change. The Columbians in Pakistan had Laudato Si translated into Urdu and it is used in the schools and by the youth.

One final point - Employees must not set up working conditions and hire workers exclusively with an eye on profit. They must take into account their workers as human persons. Not just productivity but the flourishing of the worker as a human being.

Now all that remains for us is to live sustainably and live the sustainable developments goals, SDG's

There is a very good article: entitled “Let's get ethical” written by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks in the 21st March edition of the Tablet.

Sister Therese Horrigan

Zambia Project

I first became interested in Zambia ten years ago upon becoming a Presentation Associate. I had just retired from full time employment and the associated physical and mental pressures that came with the territory. I decided that I wanted my remaining years to be lived more fully in line with my Christian and socially progressive beliefs.

I was introduced to the Presentation work at the Kaoma project in Zambia, I considered it to be very targeted in the present, with the vital daily survival and development of orphaned children, but also with a focus for their future prospects via education.

I have a friend who works for UNICEF in Zambia who put me in touch with the Coptic School for orphaned children in Lusaka who would welcome volunteer help, especially with English literacy teaching. Teaching English literacy to people with learning difficulties as well as overseas students in UK colleges and universities has been a great part of my work over many years and so arrangements were made and I spent a few fulfilling weeks working at the school.

That experience was the first of many further teaching episodes in Zambian schools which also led me to developing small social projects such as funding poor children in education, supporting elderly and disabled in accommodation and subsistence etc. This is made possible by the help and support of a few kind donors mainly from within my parish plus a certain amount of disposable income that I am fortunate enough to be able to dedicate to the cause.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 24

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

July 2020 (continued)

I have good friends among the order of Marianhill Fathers in Zambia, especially Fr Ignatius Kaunga who is the headteacher of St Nicholas Community School in Chambishi, northern Zambia. I stay with him and the priests and brothers at their mission house at the parish church. On each visit I usually bring with me about 30 kg of children’s clothes, again donated by friends and parishioners, these clothes are distributed by the church and really well received by the incredibly poorer families where often choices have to be made in buying their children food or clothes. I am also trying to build up the school’s computers stock, and so I usually buy two good quality reconditioned laptops for each visit.

The school has now 1,500 pupils, most of whom are orphans or ex street kids. They often live-in terrible conditions, some very brutal. The school has a feeding programme for the children who are the most neglected and suffering malnutrition.

I usually work with a class of between 50-60 teen aged children. I find poetry a great medium for teaching English language skills. I start by reciting a few poems and then encourage them to stand at the front and recite a poem in good clear English, this also gives them confidence and self-esteem. We then break into several small groups and decide a title for a class poem, each title is written on the board and voted by the whole class. Usually they will choose sport, friendship etc. However, during my earlier visit this year, the class unanimously voted for a poem about child marriage.

We discussed the surrounding issues over a few hours, how the young victim would feel, the reasons behind it, the social implications etc. I was shocked to hear that most of the children knew of someone who had been sold into a child marriage, some even had siblings who after being orphaned were sold into marriage.

This poem is the joint result of our deliberations which we discussed line by line as we developed the story. We wrote it from the perspective of one of their friends trapped in a marriage and writing an imaginary letter to them.

CHILD MARRIAGE: NO!!

I am thirteen years old, innocent, and young. My school, my friends, education, and fun. These things brought me pleasure. And memories that I now treasure.

One day a darkness upon me descended. And my dreams and my future ended. A wicked nightmare life of shame. Where nothing will ever be the same.

My life is now harsh and cruel. I miss my friends and my school. My friends hear my plea. And in your prayers remember me. CHILD MARRIAGE NO!!

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 25

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

July 2020 (continued)

At this point I had to leave Zambia earlier than expected due to the UK Covid lockdown. Usually after learning the poem the children perform, it in class and we then develop music and dance to perform it before school assemblies. I hope that during my next visit, once normal travel, and safety resumes, I shall be able to return to the same group of children and continue with the great poem that they started

Antony Tompkin, Nottingham Presentation Associate

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 26

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

September 2020

Pope Francis has asked all of us to join with other Christians, other religions and people of good will to celebrate a ‘Season of Creation’ as a way of reminding us of our connection to all that God has made of us.

Lockdown imposed in response to COVID 19 shrank our physical world to the areas within walking distance of our homes. Our eyes have been opened because of the restrictions to a world we have not always had the time to observe and enjoy.

From Leicester:

We had a Spring where blossoms adorned the trees and we heard and saw so many birds that we had forgotten were there.

Time and appreciation of our local environment has helped us to counteract some of the problems brought about by the pandemic.

The Season of Creation (September 1 - October 4) is taking place during the 5th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’.

The Season of Creation is a celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home. It is a time to slow down and focus on what matters. During this time, we repair and restore our relationships with each other and with all creation.

Pope Francis sees concern for the Earth and the Environment as a moral and spiritual issue closely connected to our faith.

We are being called in new ways to make the changes needed to preserve our planet, care for the poor, and draw closer to God.

This Season of Creation, Lord, help us to pray and act, so that our world in which we live is not threatened by our selfishness and greed, but is protected and preserved for generations to come. Amen

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 27

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

September 2020 (continued) Capacitar's mission: Sisters Susan Richert and Mary Deane

Capacitar’s mission: is to heal ourselves and heal our world through simple, holistic, wellness practices that help people tap into the wisdom of their own body, ......

We had planned a number of Capacitar Workshops over the summer months which as with many other events had to be cancelled due to the lockdown. During these challenging times we have found that the body, mind and spirit exercises developed by Capacitar have been really helpful for our own self-care and well-being, and have also integrated them into our communal prayer and life, availing of the weekly online zoom sessions that Paul Golightly (National Co-ordinator for Capacitar in England) has provided since the end of May.

This encouraged us to organise and host a Capacitar Taster Workshop using Zoom on Saturday,11 July from 10.00 – 12.00 facilitated by Paul Golightly.

There were 40 participants from a range of backgrounds. Paul introduced the session and also explained about the history and philosophy of Capacitar. The session was inter-active as we engaged in some of the Capacitar practices such as tai-chi; breath-work and safe place visualisation; finger holds; salute to the Sun; acupressure and the energy flow in our bodies.

NJPN: Sister Jacinta

We joined the National Justice and Peace Network (NJPN) conference by zoom on Saturday, July 18 together with approx. 300 participants. The morning session consisted of input about the outreach to “Forgotten People” by -

– Colette Joyce Westminster J & P group - care for the homeless in London during the pandemic – we were told to stay home – they had no home and while many were put into hotels, they had nothing and needed to be fed. There was a great inter-faith collaboration. Where do they go now?

Nick Hanrahan – from the Jesuit Refugee Centre - they took their centre onto the road and cared for refugees who are particularly vulnerable. Due to lack of funding – many are on the streets and are very vulnerable to developing health issues.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 28

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

September 2020 (continued)

Kevin Flanigan – from St. Antony’s Centre Trafford – which supports people who are in work and struggling; and those out of work and looking for work. He warned that there will be a huge unemployment. How are we going to support these people? He regretted that the Catholic Bishops no longer have a World of Work Committee since the challenges are great and growing. He encouraged us to support the right of workers to join Trade Unions who fight for their cause?

Clare Dixon – from CAFOD – giving a global perspective on the pandemic.

What we have experienced, the global south is experiencing without many of the social supports that we have in place here BUT – how do you stay socially distanced in a shanty town? How do you receive any help? It’s a case of no work, no food….the importance of the local church to mobilise the people and to give support and assistance to people.

We then broke into groups to share about how we felt about what we had heard and how does it call us to act. One of the recurring themes was the need for formation in Social Catholic Teaching – and then let’s put it into practise – a mission-led Church.

We need to ask our Bishops –

In the afternoon – t he input was from Father. Joe O’Hanlon, a priest of the Nottingham Diocese who is a Biblical Scholar.

He posed the question as to whether the Church will be any different when we emerge from this Pandemic or will it be just a return to what we were doing before. How will the church reflect this new time and place that we find ourselves in.

He talked about the meaning of the Kingdom of God – it’s about love.

How do we see God’s love in the world? How do we show God’s love to the world?

He suggested it is about Righteousness – what is the right way to live?

The Kingdom of God is where God’s Justice and Mercy is lived out – in the lives of people coming together

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 29

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

October 2020

Salford Safeguarding Network

The 26 October Meeting of the Salford Safeguarding Network focussed on Safeguarding Adults in order to help our communities. This was attended by a sister designated as safeguarding lead. Some examples of the risk to adults in later life which we can be alert with when attending to our communities:

Financial Abuse

Examples were given of older people who were cheated by family members and carers, by telephone scams (bogus charities) or by computer scams.

It was recommended that we be aware of these dangers to ourselves and where possible to help those who we know are at risk, perhaps by contacting the Statutory Agencies.

Self-neglect

Examples of this are:

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 30

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

October 2020 (continued)

Season of Creation

Many of the communities gathered on 3 October to celebrate and raise awareness of the Season of Creation and listened to the inspiring input from speakers. Several people were asking what other actions we could take to care for and protect our common home. Below are two links to petitions on Greenpeace and Cafod websites which you might like to sign if you haven’t already done so.

One from Greenpeace relates to stopping the destruction of the Amazon rainforest. The other from Cafod is asking the Prime Minister to end all UK support for fossil fuels overseas. Both websites also have links to interesting articles on these subjects if you would like to find out more.

https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/take-action/

https://e-activist.com/page/53571/petition/1

GLOBAL CATHOLIC CLIMATE MOVEMENT (GCCM)

GCCM is gaining representation through the Sisters as one of our own is championing its cause and raising awareness around all communities.

Here is what she wrote back in October:

This is a programme I did recently as animator for GCCM. It has made me passionate about climate change and the courage we need to act to change the present situation.

It can be summed up under three main headings:

1 SPIRITUAL DIMENSION:

We need to undergo an ecological conversion, GO SLOW like the tortoise, slow down, take time to see and hear what creation wants to teach us. Be more contemplative. The external deserts are growing because the internal deserts have become so vast. LS 217 Internal transformation leads to external transformation.

2 LIFESTYLE DIMENSIONS

Shrink our footprint and live more simply. We recognize the need to live more simply and in harmony with creation.

3 SOCIETAL DIMENSION:

We raise a prophetic voice for bold public policies. GO FAST like the hare, change is needed now when forests burn, the ice cap melts and the temperature is rising. We raise our voice for climate justice and the protection of our common home. We are moved by The appeal of Pope Francis: "Our common home is being pillaged, laid waste and harmed. Cowardice in defending it is a grave sin, I ask you in the name of God, to defend Mother Earth."

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 31

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

October 2020 (continued)

We need a community; we cannot do it alone. The ecological conversion needed is also a community conversion. LS 219. Everyone's talents are needed to redress the damage caused by human abuse of Creation. LS 14.

We know that things can change LS 13. We are people of hope. Despite the gigantic challenge of climate crisis, we are certain that good will prevail. Thank you for being beacons of HOPE.

Caring for our Common Home : Zoom 3 October 2020

October 3 is the eve of the Feast of St. Francis and to mark this special Season of Creation we were invited to participate in a Zoom Assembly Call that encouraged all to renew their Season of Creation commitments. The message that rings through loud and clear is that we all have a significant part to play and that we must engage fully. We considered that the Season of Creation should no longer be confined to the month of September but that this special time must be a year-long commitment. From earlier in the year when the Sisters and Associates began to consider their focus on this particular Season of Creation, they encouraged all to think of the ongoing damage to “Our Common Home”. We were to think on the causes of the current pandemic and how people have contributed to these ever-present difficulties.

Far from being a gathering that focussed on what is wrong, this Zoom gathering was a wellspring of hope. We were treated to a variety of inputs that provoked thought, encouraged pause, needed reflection and could bring about new actions.

We learned of the Laudato Si animators course offered by the Global Catholic Climate Movement that offers the participant new insights and renewed courage as it lights a fire to ignite all imaginations in prayer and action to mobilise for our common home. The course is grounded in the teachings of Laudato Si and looks outwards as a gift for all faiths and none.

We are being called to an ecological conversion. We must be alert to this call. Perhaps this pandemic is the bell that awakens.

Many might say that such a Zoom call as this preaches to the converted but it was heartening to see the children of the local school being engaged in projects, walks, art and more that offers an appreciation of that which is all around us for free. We followed with the same wonder and awe as they saw, touched and understood more the natural world that connects us all. As we watched the children, we were reminded that we must be good stewards of the planet and that we have an enduring responsibility to preserve it for the future generations that these children represent.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 32

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

October 2020 (continued)

Savio Carvalho zoomed in from Denmark to offer generous comment on some of the most impactful practices that compromise the future of our planet for all but especially for those children whom we could see question the nature around them in Matlock. He gave some interesting but worrying comment on current unsustainable agricultural practices that will denude the land of nutrients quickly and permanently. We learned of the destruction caused by our enormous greed for soy and for palm oil and that to satisfy such appetites we must clear important forests and habitats that increase the pace of the biodiversity emergency that is now upon us. In the UK we live in a temperate climate and the extremes being experienced by our brothers and sisters elsewhere in the world may seem distant and disconnected from our experience however, we learned more about forest fires, significant climate events, floods, melting ice and drought. We were reminded by how much off track we are to achieve planetary stability as we promised at the Paris Agreement.

But as we reflected, we understood that we not only have a responsibility but that we have time and opportunities to make a difference. Next year in 2021 the United Kingdom has a unique opportunity to host two world conferences, COP26 and the G7. It is here that we are depending upon our government to put OUR best foot forward. We can and should lobby them to articulate our dissatisfaction with their speed of change. We need to alert all to the urgency as we head towards a tipping point. We need them to redouble their efforts to help our brothers and sisters furthest behind first wherever in the world they live. We must move away from fossil fuels quickly and exclude the presence of the big fossil fuel companies at COP26 in Glasgow in 2021.

Our Zoom call reminded us of why we chose the Season of Creation as our Justice Theme. We were all called to be animators for a just future for the children who need a safe sustainable planet on which they can live. In our Zoom call we learned, we taught, we listened and reflected, we prayed and engaged and more than this we renewed our Season of Creation commitments. We are all connected and Pope Francis reminds us in Fratelli Tutti (signed at the time of this Zoom call) “No-one is saved alone” FT(54). The Season of Creation is no longer confined to a month. The Season of Creation is forever. Amen.

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 17 October 2020

The United Nations marks 17 October as the International Day for the Observance of the Eradication of Poverty.

Each year to mark this day IPA identify a project that Presentation people all over the world can support both financially and with our prayer. This year we are being invited to support the Presentation Sisters Mission in Papua New Guinea. Their project is focussing on elimination of violence against women and children. The project involves working with other NGOs, giving assistance to women and children escaping violence in the home and developing education programs for them.

Here in England, we are asking for donations to support this cause.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 33

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

November 2020

Creation Walk from Livesey Street:

Here is the experience recounted by one of the Sisters from Livesey Street:

During Creation time 4 of us went on a walk to thank God for the beauty and abundance of His Creation and to repent of our selfishness in harming it. We had planned for a bigger group but the ‘rule of six’ put a stop to that.

We went alternately to uplifting places and depressing places praising God for people who took pride in their surroundings and asking forgiveness for those who chose to throw their litter about, remembering also the creatures that may have been harmed by the latter.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 34

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

November 2020 (continued)

We first went to the Lalley Centre Allotment (the brain child of Sister Rita Lee) where there still is some produce growing. During our walk about we praised God for His abundance this harvest time, for those who worked in the allotment and for the people who benefit from it. We then sat and prayed the Canticle of Daniel which calls upon the whole of creation to ‘Bless the Lord’.

As we were leaving Brother Ruben, a Missionary of Charity, brought us freshly made bread from their wood-burner oven and homemade jams which we ate with delight but it delayed our progress!!

One place we had planned to go to, but didn’t, was the canal side green space popular with walkers and Canada geese but now a building site for a private housing estate. Before we

parted company, we asked God’s forgiveness for the injustice of depriving this local community and the geese of their much-needed open space and prayed for those who feel aggrieved because of this imposition.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 35

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

November 2020 (continued)

November also saw Sisters attending a Zoom conference: ‘Together We are Caritas. Here is a brief overview by one of our attendees:

On 7 November, 84 people attended “Together We are Caritas” a Zoom conference in Nottingham to discover a little more about Caritas and how we might eventually be part of this movement in our diocese. It was a momentous occasion spear-headed by the Diocesan Programme Leader for Social Action, Paul Bodenham.

We were joined on the day by Bishop Patrick McKinney who shared his vision for Caritas in the diocese, Ged Edwards from the national Caritas Social Action Network on putting Catholic Social Teaching into practice and Dr Amy Daughton, practical theologian from the University of Birmingham, who helped us reflect on the impact of the pandemic and what is asked of us now.

Caritas says what it does, simply LOVE. Globally, the Caritas family is the second biggest provider of humanitarian service in the world. It is an International confederation of over 160 members who are working at the grassroots in almost every country of the world. Inspired by Catholic faith, Caritas is the helping hand of the Church – reaching out to the poor, vulnerable and excluded, regardless of race or religion, to build a world based on justice and fraternal love. It responds to the hopes of Pope Francis in recent encyclicals when he writes:

Moved by [Jesus’] example, we want to enter fully into the fabric of society, sharing the lives of all, listening to their concerns, helping them materially and spiritually in their needs, rejoicing with those who rejoice, weeping with those who weep; arm in arm with others, we are committed to building a new world.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 36

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

November 2020 (continued)

All of us are part of Caritas: parishioners, chaplaincies, Catholic organisations, clergy and religious. We can achieve far more if we collaborate. During the afternoon in breakout groups, we discussed several themes:

It was stressed that everything Caritas does should be nourished with prayer and spirituality: the ‘journey of prayer is part of Caritas’

Getting involved: there are plenty of ways to get involved in the parish or in the diocese and a number of ministries were outlined in which we might like to share individually or as a parish.

We came away with plenty to think about and workshops were planned to explore some of the themes in January.

I chose to attend one of the workshops in January: Journey in Hope – patterns for contemplation and action. Again, it was a rich experience but only 26 attended this workshop which was also much shorter. During our general conversation we tried to explore resources that would help to nourish the spiritual roots of Caritas. Many of those attending had experience of spirituality and prayer in one way or another. As for myself I have found that having small spirituality groups following a programme like “Joy of the Gospel” had been very rewarding, also weeks of Guided Prayer and spiritual accompaniment. All could contribute to creating a spiritual foundation on which we could build the various ministries. Other suggestions included the practice of Capacitar in prayer, healing prayer, looking at contemplation and action, and various forms of sharing prayer.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 37

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

November 2020 (continued)

In our various breakout groups, we discussed the question

How can we bring it to life across the diocese?

In our group ideas included: taking root in some area and reaching out, learning new ways of doing liturgy, giving people confidence as many skills are already there, seeking to practice contemplative healing, making resources available to suit different people and circumstances, and so much more.

We look forward to the launch of Caritas in some six months’ time when we will also be invited to become Friends of Caritas. So much has already been put into place and much is taking place in various regions of the diocese. We need to look out for information on the on- going programme of workshops called “Here: Now: Us” during months to come.

"This initiative comes at an exciting time for our diocese, as we listen afresh to the Gospel’s invitation to encounter Christ, grow as disciples, and step out in mission... Every parish that takes up the invitation of ‘Here: Now: Us’ won’t just make an impact at home; it will be joining the universal Church in making Christ’s love known on earth.” Bishop Patrick

December 2020

December saw the English Unit saying another goodbye to one of the Sisters ministering in The Holy Land:

Sister Shobha has been in the Holy Land since the foundation, and has been a most dedicated, passionate and hard-working mission driven sister. She has worked at Lifegate and held peoples’ lives and livelihoods in her heart and mind as a routine part of her job. To leave all this is hard and painful. Sister Shobha like us all is a part of a larger and integrated community.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 38

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

December 2020 (continued)

It is a true act of faith to do what the situation requires – putting aside what would make you “feel good” and doing what would create the best outcome.

So, Shobha you are needed, perhaps more than ever. Your talents, your gifts, your endurance to do your work while you worry about your family.

We thank you Shobha for the time you have given to the English Unit – sorry we did not have long enough to share life and mission together but much always wants more.

Rest assured your great ministry will be enjoyed by others – their gain our loss but we wish you blessings in whatever you do and wherever you go.

THANK YOU

Friends of Nano – Associates

(Sister Mary Deane)

The online Advent evening reflection – Tending the Heart - led by Sister Anne Lyons on 10 December was an inspiring and nourishing event. Anne began with a beautiful prayer reflection –Earth’s Call by Ger Holton and Linger Lovingly by Carmel Boyle which lasts for about 12 minutes.

The Friends of Nano had a number of on-line Gatherings last year and it looks like this will continue for the foreseeable future. The Core Group – Consuelo Meneses, Sister Catherine O’Neill, Maria Owen, Catherine Tompkin, Nora Warnaby along with myself, have been meeting regularly on zoom to plan and organize events and we are most grateful for all they have done in enabling and facilitating the various events.

The Annual Assembly will once again be online this year and we will keep you posted about this. We hope to have regional face to face meetings later in the year.

We also are hoping to have a Lenten reflection evening which is still being birthed and again we will be in touch with you about this. A Friends of Nano face-book page is also in the process of being set up.

There are a lot of our Friends who are unable to access the online meetings for various reasons. We have tried to keep connected with them, letters and cards have been sent out regularly and all of our Friends of Nano - Associates received a copy of the Novena Booklet. Thank you for all you are doing to keep connected with your own groups.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 39

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

December 2020 (continued)

At the online Assembly in June, Ann Fenton (Treasurer) reported that over the past 17 years up to March 2020, the Associates -Friends of Nano contributed £101,000 to the Kaoma Children’s Project which is an incredible amount and a great tribute to the generosity of so many over the years. In November, Sister Vianney sent a lovely letter, which we sent out, thanking the Associates – Friends of Nano, for their support over the years with an update on her work. The orphanage in Kaoma is no longer in operation since many more people are now living with HIV/Aids than are dying with it, due to the availability of the necessary drugs. The Project continues to support young people who came through the orphanage and provides funding for education and training but thankfully they have sufficient income to do this as she outlined in the letter.

In light of this and following consultation with the leadership Team in Africa, in the spirit of Nano Nagle who believed in the transformative power of education, the Core group proposed that going forward, any money raised will be used to sponsor children in Zambia and Zimbabwe to attend primary and secondary school.

And finally, just a little plug if anyone would like to buy lip balm. Two of our Friends of Nano from Buxton –Lisa and John Cooper from Buxton have made lip balm containing beeswax form their own bees that they are selling that will be used to sponsor children in Zambia and Zimbabwe. They cost £3 a pot and can be obtained by contacting them directly: lisacooper145@gmail.com.

January 2021

January saw many of our Sisters reflecting on the Gift of God In Creation during lockdown. Here is a one reflection recounted:

In this bewildering time when we are wondering perhaps, where God is in it all, we can sometimes miss the opportunities God gives us to raise our hearts to Him in His creation which is, like life, His precious gift to us.

Having to totally isolate for age and health reasons, I decided early on to see how I could respond even in a small way to Pope Francis and his prophetic insights in Laudato Si and create a greater awareness of nature etc. during these weeks of lockdown. I have been so surprised at how this awareness in so many ways has grown!

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 40

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

January 2021 (continued)

I love flowers: planting them, seeing them shoot forth, and delighting in their display as they burst into bloom. Sadly, we do not have a ‘garden’ or even a blade of grass around White Street, but we do have concrete space! Over the past two years I have accumulated a number of planters all shapes and sizes, and put in bulbs and seeds to brighten up this back space for some of the year at least. This year I made a special effort as I had more time! Early on in lockdown, various blooms began to appear above the soil, daily surprising me – magnificent coloured pansies in rich blues, yellows and deep reds; tall and stately narcissi and hyacinth heavily scented, shy clematis slowly opening along the trellis, every petal and bloom precious

and opening to glorify their Creator.

In Psalm 104 we are told ‘the Lord rejoices in all His works’ and I feel sure He does here! Never have the colours been more brilliant or the scent stronger and inviting. Pope Francis in Laudato Si reminds us that “the entire material universe speaks of God’s love, his boundless affection for us…soil, water, flowers, mountains, everything is, as it were, a caress of God”. These flowers in their splendid, simple array certainly moved and still move my heart to praise the Lord and glorify Him in union with them.

Another feature of this lockdown time is my increasing awareness of the cheery chirping of so many birds I never noticed before in the big tree overlooking our house. Their songs delight and are another reminder of God’s living presence in creation all around us. I watch them as they peck food, and gather twigs etc. to build nests, always so busy! The clearer skies and purer air, with less pollution, allow this appreciation in a new way.

Even the spider creating his web (and we have many around) is a cause for admiration and wonder! Such a work of art!

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 41

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

January 2021 (continued)

In Laudato Si, Francis urges us to care for the earth and creation but we have been very slow to respond sensing that such would require major changes. Is it possible that through this crisis God has been creating the conditions for these changes to take place? Through our slowing of pace and deepening of the contemplative spirit, we are learning a new language and creating a new awareness of the beauty of the wonderful world of nature all around us and hopefully resolving too, to protect it in every way.

Are we the new ‘rainbow’ people allowing God’s glory to shine through us? During this time of lockdown have we truly begun to live ‘Laudato Si’?

Francis reminds us:

“We are children of the great King, of the Creator, capable of reading his signature in all of Creation. We are not safeguarding that creation today, but that creation holds the signature of God who made it out of love. May the Lord make us understand this ever more deeply and lead us to say “thank you”; and that “thank you” is a beautiful prayer.” - Pope Francis

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 42

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

February 2021

Our Sister wrote an account of what a year in lock down has looked like in The Holy Land, again we share this in our report:

A heart full of gratitude

The year 2020 was a year like no other. Here, in the Holy Land, as in the rest of the world, the COVID-19 pandemic caused an unprecedented situation of instability, isolation, economic challenges and physical vulnerability. From the onset of the COVID-19 to date, we have had three times of lockdown; from the middle of March to the middle of May, from September 18 to October 18, and the third one beginning on 27 December and stretching to 7 February 2021. In order to avoid the crowded buses that ply the Bethlehem – Jerusalem route, when going to work every day, and the problems of lockdowns which restrict the movements between these two cities, I moved to Jerusalem in March 2020. I stay at a Centre for the children of Migrants and Asylum Seekers, which is run by the St. James Vicariate (where I am working), and located at the property of the Capuchins.

The year 2020 also brought significant changes to our presence and mission in the Holy Land. Last year, both Sister. Silvia Francis pbvm and Sister. Shobha D’Sami pbvm, the two pioneers to the Holy Land Mission, returned back to the South Indian Unit after seven years of loving and selfless service to the people of this land. Sister. Silvia left on 21 March and Sistr. Shobha on 26 August.

They are greatly missed in the Presentation Community and the wider community in which they lived, served and bore witness as prophetic women of the resurrection. Indeed, the Holy Land is not the same without these two gallant and brave daughters of Nano, who lit Nano’s lantern in Jenin, then in Bethlehem, and kept it burning bright through their dedication and commitment to community living, journeying with the people and earth made poor and building bridges of hope, reconciliation and healing in the divided and broken society of the Holy Land.

Their saying ‘yes’ in coming to the Holy Land in June 2013 laid the foundation of Presentation presence and mission here. The initial years in Jenin were very difficult and trying, but they did not give up. As true daughters of Nano,

‘in the face of fear, they chose to be daring,

in the face of anxiety, they chose to trust,

in the face of impossibility, they chose to begin,’ (Songs of the Journey 2001).

My coming to the Holy Land in May 2016, was made possible by their daring, their trusting and their choosing to begin. To these two women, I owe a lot of gratitude, for on their shoulders I continue to stand tall.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 43

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

February 2021 (continued)

So, with Silvia and Shobha back in India, for now, I am the only Presentation sister in the Holy Land. We had hoped that before the middle of the year 2020, Sister Julie Hurtado pbvm would be granted an A3 (religious) visa and come to join the Holy Land community and mission, but the pandemic and the ensuing conditions made it impossible. We continue to hope and pray that the situation continues to improve and enable her to come to the Holy Land in the near future.

L to R: Sisters Julie Hurtado, Shobha D’Sami, Eileen Keating, Anna Manyonga & Silvia Francis

I may be the only Presentation Sister in the Holy Land for now, but I am not alone. God is my BB (Best Buddie), and I know that I am held in a large pool of prayers and support by all of you in our Unit and the Presentation family all over the world, and for that I am deeply grateful.

The Capuchin Community has been extremely generous to me, allowing me to attend their community daily mass and inviting me to their house for meals in celebration of Presentation Day, Christmas and other feasts. The Presentation community in the Holy Land has a good and cordial relationship with the Capuchins which began in Zimbabwe. Father Kevin, (the guardian of the Jerusalem Community) spent 16 years in Zimbabwe. He and other Capuchins stayed in our community (Wadzanai) when they were learning Shona Language in Harare, Zimbabwe.

God has also blessed me with caring friends and colleagues who continue to support and journey closely with me. Indeed, for all these blessings, my heart is full of gratitude.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 44

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

March 2021

The Covid Pandemic has never been far from our reflections and has both hindered and strengthened our resolve at times to continue our work. Here are several accounts of how the communities have coped during the pandemic and drawn support from each other:

How one grieves during covid:

Pandemic 2021

When I was asked how I felt about not being able to attend Sisters Funerals the first thought that came to me was the memory of arriving home when my Mother died. Sadly, she died suddenly in hospital when “visiting time was up” and family members had left for home. When I arrived the following day, my sister met me in our house where my mother was reposing and said to me-“I am so so sorry you weren’t here”. Those words are etched in my memory...you weren’t here.

Today I recall these words being repeated so often over the past months when Sisters, Family Members, Parishioners, Neighbours, Friends have been taken from us and a limited number of peoples eligible for attendance at their funerals. Mary said to me,” I said goodbye to Martin as they took him in the ambulance and never saw him again till he had died”. And again-the story of Mary Rose, who had yearned to see her brother in Ireland for him to be told when he arrived at the hospital “you have come from another country and we cannot let you into the ward”. The curtailing on Funeral attendance is equally distressing - deciding who can attend the Funeral Rites must be heart rending. Today I celebrated along with many more the Funeral Mass of our Beloved Joan and just a few weeks ago the funeral Mass of Assumpta Mulroe and each time the feelings of aloneness and loneliness were very strong. After all their years living in Community the Sisters were distanced and masked as they laid their loved ones to rest. For me it is all so unreal and so strange.

As we are well aware these restrictions have to be honoured for own safety and the safety of others and we hope and pray that soon these limitations will be lifted and the deaths and funerals of loved ones will be duly celebrated and honoured. Sister Teresa Phelan

Funerals in Covid times

It is with deep sadness and regret that Covid has prevented me from attending a Sister's Funeral. I always feel strongly about honouring the lives of our Sisters whether I know them well or not. They have done the work God called them to do and being a daughter of Nano on whose shoulders we now stand. When close friends die, it is even sadder not being to visit them before they leave us but also not being able to be present at their Mass and Burial to celebrate their life and bid them a final farewell.

It’s hard to grieve or even to accept that they are gone.

I have quietly visited the graves in Matlock when in the area for Medical treatment. Yes, in these strange times it is hard to 'surrender to the Lord -- from whom we come and to whom we return'.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 45

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Education, social, health and pastoral work (continued)

March 2021 (continued)

I'm personally aware that I'm carrying some grief yet for those we have had to return to the Lord. I keep reminding myself that none of us know who shall be next but I pray I will be ready when then the Lord calls. May all who have left us during this Pandemic :

Sisters Maureen Moorehouse, Alphonsus Mills, Assumpta Mulroe and Joan Ryan. May they all rest in the Peace of Christ. Amen. May their Communities, Family ,Friends and the Province be truly Blessed for having touched their lives. AMEN. Sister Terasa Ridge

Covid 19 Grief and bereavement

The death of a loved one is one of the most difficult emotional experiences in life. The pain and grief that follows can seem at times overwhelming.

In March 2020 early in the pandemic my first cousin Martin died. His burial was simple. It took place with his dad and three sisters at the graveside due to Covid 19 restrictions when households were in self isolation and social distancing from friends and family. Bereavement for the family and friends here was an extremely lonely time. Talking with friends and family can be one of the most helpful ways to cope after someone close to us dies.

In January 2021, my second cousin Beatrice died after a short illness. Her three daughters were able to be by her side, all two meters apart. Doctors and nurses were incredibly supportive and upset too. Family and friends were able to join the funeral Mass via webcam and their presence was supportive to the family at a painful time.

In February 2021, my uncle Thomas died. Again, his funeral was limited to immediate family sitting two per row. The Mass was relayed on webcam. All over Ireland and beyond, family and friends silently followed, and their presence was supportive to family. The Mass was sad but intimate, the priest spoke personally. There was beautiful music and flowers, but it was hard not to be present with family and friends.

The worst part of grieving through this pandemic is a feeling for me that the grief has not yet really begun at all. Sister Bernadette Healy

Remembering

Remembrance and sharing memories are so much part of the grieving process for all our loved ones who have died. It is a year since Coronavirus appeared in our midst and has had such devastating consequences. We have to change, adapt and adjust in our way of life as we go through the joys and sorrows each day. I was grateful for the Mass Booklet for Sister Joan’s funeral. I was inspired by the poem “He comes, comes, ever comes “as I know that Joan through love and kindness shared herself with all of the Sisters and everyone she met. She was a true daughter of Nano. I look forward to the time when we can all meet up and share the memories, we have experienced with all the people. Sister Philomena Rooney

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 46

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Overseas

During the year, we have continued to receive donations for our overseas missions and these have been forwarded to them. The Congregational Bursar oversees and ensures that these accounts are kept accurately. If a sister living abroad is in receipt of a pension from England, the pension will be forwarded to her Unit for her support.

We support missionary and care services overseas, particularly in Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Presentation Associates have adopted a project for Aids orphans in Zambia as their main fundraising objective.

In one mission in Zambia, a Cheshire Home is administered by the sisters and staffed by nurses and carers. Here, children with physical disabilities and limitations are medically examined and treatment is made available.

Volunteers

Throughout the year, many of the sisters give their time to assist those in need. This year, all work has been carried out through zoom, telephone, email and letters. The majority of the Sisters receive no financial reward for this work which contributes to the overall achievement of the charity’s objectives. In addition, members are involved in administering the work of the Unit and the Charity – without their contribution the Charity would not be able to function as effectively as it does.

Sisters often do voluntary work in more than one area. This is reflected in the table below as more sisters than are in the province in these figures. Other sisters receive a small/nominal stipend for the ministry they undertake. These ministries are usually in the areas of Parish; Catechesis; Spirituality.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 47

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Volunteers (continued) Volunteers (continued) Volunteers (continued)
Area No. of
Volunteers		 Approx. Hours
Volunteered
(over the year)
Hospital visiting, hospice/housebound 39 16,021
Chaplaincies: school, prison and hospital 8 2,338
General Parish Ministry/ Children’s Groups 27 11,616
Assisting in Schools 6 1,238
Spirituality 23 5,110
Refugee service 7 1,552
Outreach to women / Homeless 4 138
Outreach to Special Needs Adults 3 504
Outreach to local community 24 7,269
Administration 21 11,482
Commissions 5 881
Vocation/Formation 3 148
Associates/Properties 22 2,611
Justice And Peace 18 864
Ministry to Travellers 4 2,262
Carers of sisters within own community 13 8,300
Counselling 1 40
Overseas volunteering (bi-annual) 1 240
Heritage Centre/Archives 1 120
Friendship Group/Ecumenism 1 72
Support of Other Charities (i.e., Cafod etc.) 2 240
Total
73,046

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 48

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Volunteers (continued)

An example of this is that Sister Eleanor has been working with Cafod as a school’s volunteer for about three years. Cafod (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development) is an international development charity which aims to reach out to people living in poverty with practical help, whatever their religion or culture. They also campaign for global justice, so that everyone can live their life to the full. Cafod’s aims and values are very much aligned with the values of the Presentation Sisters.

‘As a school’s volunteer, I visit primary schools, mainly in the Birmingham Diocese, and offer assemblies and workshops on specific themes using the resources provided by the Cafod schools team. I have recently given assemblies on themes such as the Amazon rainforest and the effect of climate change on people living in Uganda. There have been interactive workshops where children have imagined what it would be like to live without easy access to water and opportunities to design posters based on the UN rights of the child. I have particularly enjoyed giving workshops to individual classes on Laudato Si and the children have made promises to care for the environment.

I am enjoying working with children who are already aware that we are all one family and that we need to take care of each other and care for the earth, our home.’

Grants, donations and support of missionary work and ministry

Grants and donations

Grants and donations are made by the Trustees in consultation with other members of the Unit. In the main, the charity supports the work of the Presentation Sisters in those overseas countries where there is the most need. The charity has in this present year responded to requests from our sisters in areas affected by natural disasters.

The Trustees continue to give financial support also to United Kingdom organisations whose work is within the objects of the charity e.g., CAFOD and C.A.P. The Unit also supports short term requests for charity in relation to natural disasters, famine etc.

The charity does not regard itself as a grant making entity and applications for grants and donations are not invited.

Use of our buildings for networking and collaboration

Due to the pandemic, we have been unable to maintain a policy of “open house”. However, in normal circumstances our houses are used by others for various activities. In this way, we share our resources with the local community.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 49

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Use of our buildings for networking and collaboration (continued) Examples of such uses are:

Outside of the Covid Pandemic, the following Diocesan and Parish organisations hold meetings within the charity’s properties and make use of its facilities:

In addition, the following religious instruction programmes take place:

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 50

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Grants, donations and support of missionary work and ministry (continued)

Solidarity Fund set up in 2001

We contribute to the Solidarity Fund which was been set up by the Congregational Leadership Team to further the work among the poor and to assist in the provision of training for ministry in new situations. In this way, while we ourselves are an ageing group, we can support the younger and more active members of the Congregation to continue our ministry of bringing “good news to the poor” in those parts of the world which are desperately poor.

Ministry Of Justice

The ministry of Justice is a core commitment of the members of the Presentation Congregation and their Associates. To carry out this statement we see the following as our vision:

In order to ensure the on-going commitm ent of members a ‘Towards Creating Just Systems’ is active in the Province.

The sisters, Associates and all with whom we network, are committed to change at personal, local, country and world level in order to bring about more just systems, fair trade issues, care of our earth and sustainable development.

We write letters, protest peacefully, challenge respectfully on behalf of those unable to do so themselves. We network with other groups both in localities and globally to bring about change. We look at our own use of resources and try to be responsible and careful.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 51

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Grants, donations and support of missionary work and ministry (continued)

Ministry of Justice

Recycling is encouraged and taken seriously as is the use of energy in our houses; so also, is the whole area of ecology and care of the earth.

Vocations

While it is the responsibility of every member of the Congregation to pray for and encourage women to think about our way of life, there is a Vocation Team which consists of (four sisters and an Associate). The team meets regularly to plan Vocation Days and support communities in their responsibility of praying and encouraging women to think about this way of life.

They also respond to enquirers and accompany some who request help in discerning their vocation in life. They organise events for young adults to deepen their Faith and prayer life and thus discover their vocation in life. Events include retreats, Lectio Divina groups, Flame Rally, World Youth Events and Bible Study.

Investment policy

The charity’s investments are managed by professional investment managers under a discretionary investment agreement. The investment strategy is set by the Trustees, with help and advice from the Congregational Bursar, and takes into account income requirements, risk profile and the investment managers’ views of the market prospects in the medium term.

The policy is to maximise total return through a diversified portfolio whilst providing a level of income advised by the Trustees from time to time.

The charity has an ethical policy precluding investment in any company which, after reasonable enquiry, clearly has significant profits from an activity which is contrary to the objectives of the Christian Church.

The performance of the portfolio and the charity’s investment strategy are reviewed by the Trustees and the Congregational Bursar who meet with the investment managers annually.

Fundraising Policy

The charity aims to achieve best practice in the way in which it communicates with donors and other supporters. The charity takes care with both the tone of its communications and the accuracy of its data to minimise the pressures on supporters. It applies best practice to protect supporter’s data and never sells data, it never swaps data and ensures that communication preferences can be changed at any time. The charity and the group manage its own fundraising activities to react to and investigate any complaints regarding its fundraising activities and to learn from them and improve its service. During the year, the charity received no complaints about its fundraising activities.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 52

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)

Covid-19

The Presentation Sisters acknowledge the existence of Covid-19, and the fact that it is outside of the control of the charity and that it has had a wide-ranging impact on society generally. The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the shape and nature of the world. It has impacted not only the basic nature of social interactions but has also had a significant economic impact at every level in ways which have been outside of the charity’s control.

Covid-19 has affected the charity’s work since March 2020; The charity has addressed these challenges by using alternative forms of communication – in particular Zoom conferencing, emails and telephone to continue to reach out and minister with limitations.

Whilst there will undoubtedly be challenges ahead, the Trustees do not expect material concerns to arise over the charity’s financial position.

Future plans

Whilst acknowledging the ongoing challenges presented by Covid 19 (see above) including the need to restrict visitor access to the Care Centre, the Trustees do not anticipate any significant change to the charity and its other activities during 2021. It is their intention to continue to meet the objectives of caring for members of the Congregation and to support the charitable work of the sisters and the wider Congregation for the foreseeable future.

Financial report for the year

Income and expenditure

Total income for the year was £3.41 million (2020: £2.91 million), of which £1.7 million (2020: £1.19 million) comprised voluntary income. This included £1.53 million (2020: £1.03 million) in respect to sisters’ salaries and pensions including lump sum pension receipts. A further £1.37 million (2020: £1.37 million) of income comprised fees for care services.

During the year the charity incurred expenditure of £2.99 million (2020: £3.19 million), of which £1.08 million (2020: £1.27 million) related to the upkeep of the sisters and enabling them to carry out their charitable work. £1.69 million (2020: £1.6 million) was spent on providing care services at Matlock. Donations in support of miscellaneous charitable activities, including to the work of the Congregation overseas, amounted to £152,550 (2020: £255,544).

The net income for the year before net investment gains totalled £419,110 (2020: net expenditure before net investment losses £275,505). Net investment gains totalled £3,038,061 (2020: net investment losses £1,160,281) and resulted in an increase in funds over the year of £3,457,171 (2020: decrease of £1,435,786).

The charity’s investments are managed by Rathbone Investment Management Limited. They have invested in accordance with the Trustees’ (and the Congregation’s) investment policy set out above and in compliance with the ethical guidelines given to them. The investments together with cash held by the investment managers for investment had a market value of £13,421,530 at 31 March 2021.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 53

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Financial report for the year (continued)

Income and expenditure (continued)

During the year, the charity’s listed investments achieved an income yield of 2% and a capital yield of approximately 26% reflecting the upturn in markets. Further details of the investment portfolio are included in note 12 to the attached accounts.

The Trustees continue to take a long term view and believe their investment policy remains appropriate.

Financial position and reserves policy

The balance sheet shows total reserves of £22.9 million (2020: £19.4 million). £126,677 (2020: £103,793) of these reserves represent restricted funds held primarily for the Congregation’s missions overseas.

Of the balance, £8.4 million (2020: £8.2 million) is represented by tangible fixed assets used to support the work of the sisters. A further £12 million (2020: £10 million) represents a retirement reserve designated to provide income to communities for the care of elderly sisters. It is the charity’s policy to designate as a separate fund an amount to provide for the sisters in the future, as they are wholly dependent on the charity, and to give the level of resources necessary to continue to support their work. Given the increasing age profile of the sisters and the lack of new vocations this sum will only provide modest resources to look after them.

The Trustees have examined the requirement for free reserves i.e. those unrestricted funds not invested in tangible fixed assets, designated for specific purposes or otherwise committed. The Trustees consider that, given the nature of the charity’s work, the level of free reserves should be approximately six to twelve months’ annual expenditure, to provide for contingencies and unevenness in future income and to meet the challenges presented by Covid-19 (see below). At the date of the balance sheet, free reserves amounted to £2.37 million (2020 - £1.13 million) which is within the amount implicit in the policy. The Trustees will continue to monitor reserves but do not regard the overall reserves of the charity as inadequate or excessive.

The charity’s assets

Acquisitions and disposals of fixed assets during the year are recorded in the notes to the accounts.

Governance, management and community structure

Governance

The Trustees are incorporated under the Charities Act 2011. They are appointed by the Unit Leader and their number is specified in the Trust Deed. At any one time, there must be a minimum of five Trustees. The Unit itself is administered by the Unit Team Leader, a Team of four and other Trustees including the Province Bursar. In assisting and supporting the Unit, the Trustees work closely as a team and meet regularly throughout the year. The members of the Unit Team are elected by members of the English Unit and are accountable to the Congregational Leadership Team.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 54

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Governance, management and community structure (continued)

Governance (continued)

The Unit Team is elected by the members of the Unit for a six-year term. On being elected the incoming Unit Team is required to spend some time with those leaving office. They also meet with the Unit’s legal, financial, investment and property advisers to obtain a full briefing of their responsibilities and the charity’s position.

Each community in England is visited regularly by the Unit Leader and/or her Team and there is a system of accountability operational in the Unit ensuring that the Team is aware of developments in the work and life of each community. This ensures that progress of the ministries undertaken by the sisters is kept under review.

A visit from the Congregational Leader or member of her Team from Ireland is undertaken at least every six years. These visits provide an opportunity for the international dimension of the Congregation to be kept alive.

Management

The names of the Trustees who served during the year are set out as part of the reference and administrative details on page 1 of this annual report and accounts. Brief biographical details on each trustee in office at 31 March 2021 are given below. The team began their term of office in September 2014. (from left to right)

Sister Eileen Keating , elected the Unit Leader in April 2014, came from her 25-year ministry in Sheffield where she was the Canonical Pastor. Among her many other roles was advocacy for asylum seekers. Prior to that Sister Eileen had spent some years in New Zealand and South America, where her ministries were many and varied, and so brings a wealth of experience to the Leadership role.

Sister Janette Brown entered the Presentation Convent in Livesey Street, Manchester, in July 1965 and made her Final Profession in March 1973. She has lived in a number of Presentation Convents in the English Unit, taught in a number of schools, been involved in administration, and worked at a ‘wellness and healing centre’ at St Luke’s Centre in Manchester as a member of the team involved in candidate and clinical assessments. She became a member of the staff at this wellness and healing centre, for present and future priests as well as other religious, in September 2006.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 55

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Governance, management and community structure (continued)

Management (continued)

Since Sister Eleanor O’Gorman made her first profession of vows in 1985, she has lived in communities in Scunthorpe, Acocks Green, Glossop and Gorton and has taught in primary schools in Scunthorpe, Birmingham and Stockport. She is currently living in Acocks Green where she is doing voluntary work with Cafod and at Tabor House, a centre for people experiencing homelessness.

Sister Catherine O’Neill has lived in a number of communities in the English Unit and taught in a number of schools. She has also been involved in formation work, in leadership, in spirituality and parish ministry. At present she is living in Nechells community, an inner-city area of Birmingham, is working with young people and refugees and is a member of the leadership team in Matlock.

The above sisters are members of the Province Leadership Team.

The following sisters make up the full complement of the board of Trustees at 31 March 2021:

Sister Anne-Marie Buckley is resident at Presentation Convent in Matlock. She has retired from a very active life in teaching and Pastoral Ministry.

Sister Angela Murphy is resident in Acocks Green, Community, Birmingham. Sister Angela continues to minister in the prayer and spirituality area. Sister Angela is a member of the Leadership team in Matlock.

Trustees’ responsibilities

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ report and accounts 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 requires the Trustees to prepare accounts 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 accounts, the Trustees are required to:

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 56

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Governance, management and community structure (continued)

Trustees responsibilities (continued)

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011, the applicable Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 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.

Structure and management reporting

The Trustees are ultimately responsible for the policies, activities and assets of the charity. The Unit Leader and her Leadership Team meet once a month to review developments and make decisions. The full board of Trustees meet twice a year and when necessary, meet with the charity’s professional advisers including property consultants, accountants, and investment managers. The day-to-day management of the charity’s activities and the carrying out of its policies is delegated to the appropriate members of the Congregation.

Community structure

At 31 March 2021, the Province consisted of 61 sisters. For the most part the sisters live in small communities of between two and five sisters. However, we have three communities of between five and six members and another community, attached to the Care Centre, of 24 sisters. Three] sisters live on their own for the sake of mission. The largest community has named leadership while other communities work on a collaborative model, and have a designated Cluster Leader.

Care Centre

The Charity owns and operates a highly regarded Care Centre for older people within the Matlock Community. The Care Centre is open to all regardless of belief.

The Care Centre fulfils the aim of the charity to both provide an appropriate care facility for sisters of the Congregation and for members of the public

who need care and would benefit from a peaceful and religious environment. Whilst fees are charged for the Care Centre, assistance is given for residents to be able to claim state assistance, subject to Government qualification criteria. Top-Up fees are reduced when there is an inability to pay and any specific cases of hardship are put to the Trustees if the resident does not qualify for state assistance. All residents have access to pastoral services provided by the sisters and the on-site chapel is available for services and contemplation.

The Business Manager of the Care Centre during the year was responsible for the day-today administration. This post is held by Mrs Jayne Carnall. Medical care was supervised by the Matron, and Nicola Wilson, again, held this post during the year.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 57

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Governance, management and community structure (continued)

Structure and management reporting (continued)

Care Centre

The charity has a serious and continuing commitment to the care, support and maintenance of the members who are being cared for in our Care Centre at Matlock. We continue to be aware of the increasing age and fragility of the members of the Province and seek always to find the best ways to care for them.

Key management personnel

The Trustees consider that they comprise the key management personnel of the charity in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the charity on a day-to-day basis.

As noted above, the day-to-day operations of the Care Centre are overseen by a Management Board. Steve Taylor (a director of Axiom Healthcare Limited and a member of the Management Board), the Registered Manager and Care Centre Manager, and the Matron oversee the running of the Care Centre and report to the Province Leader on matters regarding residents, finance and premises.

The pay of the Registered Manager and Care Centre Manager and the Matron are reviewed annually by the Trustees and the members of the Management Board. Their pay generally is increased in line with average earnings within the Care Centre. Consultancy fees payable to Axiom Healthcare Limited are paid under a service agreement, the terms of which are agreed by the Trustees.

Working with other organisations

The charity works closely with a number of other charities and public bodies in various fields to achieve its mission. In some instances, sisters are employed by organisations whilst in other instances the relationships are more informal.

In working together, the sisters further the Congregation’s mission. They also work in coordination with other organisations in order to further their objectives in relation to care and education.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 58

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Governance, management and community structure (continued)

Examples of other organisations with which members co-operate are as follows:

Risk management

In line with the requirement for Trustees to undertake a risk assessment exercise and report on the same in their annual report, the Trustees have looked at the risks the Congregation currently faces, including those in the Care Centre, and have reviewed the measures already in place, or needing to be put in place, to mitigate them.

The following main areas where risks may occur have been identified:

Governance and management

The Unit Team Leader works closely with her team ensuring that responsibility and information regarding the charity is shared. This mitigates the risk of one key person holding all the responsibility and information for the charity. Management of key areas of the charity (care of the elderly sisters, the Care Centre, finance) have been delegated to the appropriate members of the Congregation and competent individuals who are accountable to and work closely with the Trustees. A re-structuring plan is in operation re the good use of our resources including property and the deployment of our members.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 59

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Governance, management and community structure (continued)

Risk management (continued)

All local houses are accountable to the Unit Bursar regarding finance and resources. The Unit Leader and her Leadership Team meet once a month to review developments and make decisions. As regards the Care Centre, a Management Board meets every two months. The Board reports to the Unit Leader on matters regarding residents, finance and premises.

All sisters and staff receive training and formation in appropriate skills. It also ensures the good use of the charity’s resources and members are enabled to learn new skills and constantly update their training in the light of new developments.

The principal financial assets of the charity are its properties and investment portfolio. The Unit Bursar oversees the maintenance and management of properties in conjunction with the Trustees and advisers. All the properties are fully insured with a reputable insurance company. The investment portfolio is subject to market fluctuations and so is managed by a competent and reputable firm of investment managers who act in accordance with the Trustees’ investment policy which is reviewed annually. The Trustees meet annually with the investment managers to review the performance of the portfolio and to ensure that funds are at appropriate levels to meet the charity’s needs both now and into the future.

An analysis of the age profile of the sisters in the Unit shows that the main group of sisters are in their 70s and 80s. Recent experience has shown that this is the group likely to have unexpected health issues. Therefore, the planning for the future needs to take provision for the future of these sisters into account alongside the more obvious needs of the more elderly. The Trustees are aware of their legal and moral responsibility to care for their members. None of the sisters has resources of her own as all pensions, salaries and other income have been donated to the charity under a Gift Aid compliant Deed of Covenant. Key to managing this risk is: ensuring there are financial resources available to finance this care now and into the future by setting aside designated funds for this purpose; also, regular reviews of the ministries and needs of the sisters in order to identify and address those needing more support or care.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 60

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Governance, management and community structure (continued)

Risk management (continued)

Care Centre

The Care Centre operates in a highly regulated field of activity and as such is subject to regular inspection by a number of agencies. The result of this degree of scrutiny is that operational risk policies are very well developed in the areas of quality of service, health and safety of residents and employees and employment issues. The Management Board, the Registered Manager and the Lead Nurse with experience of running health care organisations advise the Trustees on the myriad of clinical, care and other risks associated with the operation of the Care Centre including, for example, safeguarding (see below); the continuing shortage of qualified nurses and care assistants; and the changing regulatory environment including alterations to the inspection regime of the Care Quality Commission and the need for specific written policies.

The Care Centre complies with all regulations regarding fire alarms, emergency lighting, fire doors, emergency exits, and procedures for alerting the fire brigade. Fire tests are regularly carried out and handbooks are provided for workers. In all our properties, a qualified engineer annually inspects our machinery and plant equipment.

Safeguarding

Sisters engaged in any ministry in Great Britain and all those who work or volunteer for the charity and work with children or vulnerable adults (including our elderly sisters) must obtain clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

The sisters commit themselves to care in this area, guided by CSAS, the Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service. This entails being aware of the need to protect those who are vulnerable. The Catholic Church has unified the structures for Safeguarding, using a ‘One Church Approach’.

‘The Catholic Church in England and Wales is striving towards a culture of safeguarding where all are safe from harm and abuse.

This commitment calls the whole Church to live the values and principles. Whilst all members of the Church have a role to play in promoting a culture of safeguarding, clear leadership is crucial. Bishops and Congregation Leaders need to be vigilant in exercising their ministry of leadership, ensuring that a culture of safeguarding is both understood and embraced by the whole Church.

(Extract from CSAS Document)

The Unit is now aligned with the Salford Roman Catholic Diocese. To this end, the Unit Leadership has appointed a Safeguarding Co-ordinator for the Unit. This has involved a financial outlay in order to enable the safeguarding lead sister to fulfil her role.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 61

Trustees’ report Year to 31 March 2021

Governance, management and community structure (continued)

Employees, volunteers and members of the Congregation

The Trustees wish to record their recognition of the professionalism and commitment of all their staff, volunteers and the individual members of the Province and Congregation. Their dedication and positive approach are very much appreciated.

Signed on behalf of the Trustees:

Eileen Keating PBVM

Trustee Approved by the Trustees on: 8 December 2021

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 62

Independent auditor’s report 31 March 2020

Independent auditor’s report to the Trustees of The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust

Opinion

We have audited the accounts of The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2021 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows, the principal accounting policies and notes to the accounts. 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 accounts:

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 accounts section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the accounts 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 accounts, we have concluded that the Trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the accounts 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 accounts 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 English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 63

Independent auditor’s report 31 March 2020

Other information

The Trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report and Accounts, other than the accounts and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the accounts does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the accounts, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the accounts 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 accounts 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 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of Trustees

As explained more fully in the Trustees’ responsibilities statement, the Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts 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 accounts that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the accounts, 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 English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 64

Independent auditor’s report 31 March 2020

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the accounts 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 accounts.

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 to irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

How the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities including fraud

Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:

We assessed the susceptibility of the charity’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 65

Independent auditor’s report 31 March 2020

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts (continued)

How the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities including fraud (continued)

To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:

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.

We did not identify any irregularities, including fraud.

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 English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 66

Independent auditor’s report 31 March 2020

Use of this 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. 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

9 December 2021

Buzzacott LLP is eligible to act as an auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 67

Statement of financial activities Year to 31 March 2021

Notes Un-
restricted
funds
£



Restricted
funds
£		 Total
funds
2021
£		 Un-
restricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
funds
2020
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
1
Investments and interest receivable
2
Charitable activities
. Charges for care services
Other sources:
. Coronavirus Infection Control,
Rapid Testing and PPE
. Coronavirus
Job Retention Scheme
. Surplus on disposal of tangible
fixed assets
3
. Miscellaneous
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
. Investment manager’s fees
Charitable activities
. Support of members of the
Congregation and their ministry
4
. Provision of care services
5
. Grants and donations in support of
miscellaneous charitable purposes
6
Total expenditure
Net income (expenditure) before
net investment (losses) gains
8
Net investment gains (losses)
12
Net income (expenditure) and net
movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
at 1 April 2020
Total funds carried forward
at 31 March 2021		 1,626,200
245,965
1,373,791
41,182
31,639
1,000
14,847
73,369

18

—

—

—

—

—		 1,699,569
245,983
1,373,791
41,182
31,639
1,000
14,847		 1,114,150
337,078
1,373,477
—
—
—
14,772		 73,330
139
—
—
—
—
—		 1,187,480
337,217
1,373,477
—
—
—
14,772
3,334,624
73,387		 3,408,011 2,839,477 73,469 2,912,946
61,524
1,083,716
1,690,372
102,785
—

—

739

49,765		 61,524
1,083,716
1,691,111
152,550		 61,555
1,272,065
1,596,219
134,193		 —
—
3,068
121,351		 61,555
1,272,065
1,599,287
255,544
2,938,397
50,504		 2,988,901 3,064,032 124,419 3,188,451
396,227
3,038,061
22,883

—		 419,110
3,038,061		 (224,555)
(1,160,281)		 (50,950)
—		 (275,505)
(1,160,281)
3,434,288
19,343,979
22,883

103,794		 3,457,171
19,447,773		 (1,384,836)
20,728,815		 (50,950)
154,744		 (1,435,786)
20,883,559
22,778,267
126,677		 22,904,944 19,343,979 103,794 19,447,773

All of the charity’s activities comprised continuing operations during the above two financial years.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 68

Balance sheet 31 March 2021

Notes 2021
£		 2021
£		 2020
£		 2020
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
11
Investments
12
Current assets
Debtors
13
Cash at bank and in hand
Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year
14
Net current assets
Total assets less current
liabilities
Creditors:amounts falling due
after more than one year
15
Total net assets
The funds of the charity:
Restricted income funds
16
Unrestricted income funds
. Tangible fixed assets fund
17
. Designated funds
18
. General fund		 574,202
910,714		 8,409,741
13,421,530		 234,896
632,822		 8,213,241
10,777,899
21,831,271
1,213,673		 18,991,140
621,588
1,484,916
(271,243)		 867,718
(246,130)
8,409,741
12,000,000
2,368,526		 8,213,241
10,000,000
1,130,739
23,044,944
(140,000)		 19,612,728
(164,955)
22,904,944 19,447,773
126,677
22,778,267		 103,793
19,343,980
22,904,944 19,447,773

Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Eileen Keating PBVM

Trustee

Date: 8 December 2021

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 69

Statement of cash flows Year to 31 March 2021

A
B		 Notes
2021
£		 2020
£
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
A
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investment income and interest received
Proceeds from the disposal of tangible fixed assets
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Proceeds from the disposal of investments
Purchase of investments
Net cash provided by investing activities
Cash inflow from financing activities:
Capital element of finance lease rentals
Net cash (used in) financing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 April 2020
B
Change in cash and cash equivalents due to exchange rate
movements
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March 2021
B

110,248		 (473,552)


246,032
1,000
(472,130)
1,272,886
**(977,675) **		 350,440
21,603
(930,875)
1,500,773
(406,318)
70,113 535,623


**(8,037) **		 (3,698)
**(8,037) ** (3,698)
179,297

895,758
(624)		 48,065
847,319
374

1,074,431		 895,758
Notes to the statement of cash flows for the year to 31 March 2021.
Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash used in operating activities
2021
£
Net movement in funds (as per the statement of financial activities) 3,457,171
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charge
264,543
(Gains) losses on investments
(3,038,061)
Investment income and interest receivable
(245,983)
Deficit (surplus) on disposal of tangible fixed assets
(1,000)
Exchange losses (gains)
624
Non cash transactions – movement in provision against loan
(34,000)
Decrease in debtors
(305,355)
increase (decrease) in creditors
12,309
Net cashprovided by (used in) operating activities
110,248
Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
2021
£
Cash at bank and in hand
910,714
Cash held by investment managers
163,717
Total cash and cash equivalents
1,074,431		 2020
£
Net movement in funds (as per the statement of financial activities)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charge
(Gains) losses on investments
Investment income and interest receivable
Deficit (surplus) on disposal of tangible fixed assets
Exchange losses (gains)
Non cash transactions – movement in provision against loan
Decrease in debtors
increase (decrease) in creditors
Net cashprovided by (used in) operating activities		 3,457,171
264,543
(3,038,061)
(245,983)
(1,000)
624
(34,000)
(305,355)
12,309		 (1,435,786)
232,625
1,160,281
(337,217)
2,779
(374)
—
(36,514)
(69,654)
110,248 (473,552)
Analysis of cash and cash equivalents 2021
£		 2020
£
Cash at bank and in hand
Cash held by investment managers
Total cash and cash equivalents		 910,714
163,717		 632,822
262,936
1,074,431 895,758

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 70

Statement of cash flows Year to 31 March 2021

C Analysis of changes in net debt

At 1
April
2020
£		 Cash
flows
£		 At 31
March
2021
£
Cash
Finance lease obligations
Total		 632,822
(8,037)		 277,892
8,037		 910,714
—
624,785 285,929 910,714

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 71

Principal accounting policies 31 March 2021

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the accounts are laid out below.

Basis of preparation

These accounts have been prepared for the year to 31 March 2021 with comparative information provided for the year to 31 March 2020.

The accounts 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 accounts.

The accounts 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 (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 accounts are presented in sterling and are rounded to the nearest pound.

Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement

Preparation of the accounts requires the Trustees to make significant judgements and estimates.

The items in the accounts where these judgements and estimates have been made include:

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 72

Principal accounting policies 31 March 2021

Assessment of going concern

The Trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern assumption is appropriate in preparing these accounts. The Trustees have made this assessment in respect to a period of at least one year from the date of approval of these accounts.

The Trustees acknowledge the continuing existence of Covid-19, and the fact that it is outside of the control of the charity and that it has had a wide ranging impact on society generally. The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the shape and nature of the world. It has impacted not only the basic nature of social interactions but has also had a significant economic impact at every level in ways which have been outside of the charity’s control.

Covid-19 has affected the charity’s work since March 2020 including interactions and operations since lockdown began. The charity has addressed these challenges by using alternative forms of communication – in particular Zoom conferencing, emails and telephone to continue to reach out and minister with limitations.

Whilst there will undoubtedly be challenges ahead, the Trustees do not expect concerns to arise over the charity’s financial position.

Therefore, the Trustees of the charity have concluded that there are no material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The Trustees are of the opinion that the charity will have sufficient resources to meet its liabilities as they fall due. The most significant areas of judgement that affect items in the accounts are detailed above. With regard to the next accounting period, the year ending 31 March 2022, the most significant areas that affect the carrying value of the assets held by the charity are the level of investment return and the performance of the investment markets (see the investment policy and the risk management sections of the Trustees’ report for more information).

Income recognition

Income is recognised in the period in which the charity is entitled to the income, the amount of the income can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.

Income comprises donations and legacies, investment income and interest receivable, charges for care services and other income including the surplus on the disposal of tangible fixed assets.

Donations, including salaries and pensions of individual religious 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.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 73

Principal accounting policies 31 March 2021

Income recognition (continued)

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.

Entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the charity is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor to the charity that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the charity has been notified of the executor’s intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the charity, or the charity is aware of the granting of probate, but the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material. In the event that the gift is in the form of an asset other than cash or a financial asset traded on a recognised stock exchange, recognition is subject to the value of the gift being reliably measurable with a degree of reasonable accuracy and the title of the asset having being transferred to the charity.

Investment income is recognised once the dividend or similar distribution has been declared and notification has been received of the amount due.

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.

Income from fees and related charges in respect to care services is recognised to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the charity and the revenue can be reliably measured. It is measured at fair value of the consideration received or receivable, excluding discounts and rebates.

Other income is measured at fair value and is recognised in the period in which the charity is entitled to receipt and the amount can be measured with reasonable certainty.

Income from the Government’s Job Retention Scheme in respect to the Covid-19 pandemic, and other coronavirus related income, is accounted for when 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.

The surplus on the disposal of tangible fixed assets is calculated as the difference between the sale proceeds net of sale costs and the net book value of the asset immediately prior to disposal. It is accounted for once legal completion of the disposal has taken place.

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 English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 74

Principal accounting policies 31 March 2021

Expenditure recognition (continued)

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. All expenses are allocated to the applicable expenditure headings. The classification between activities is as follows:

Expenditure on raising funds includes all expenditure associated with raising funds for the charity. This relates to investment management fees only.

Expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs associated with furthering the charitable purposes of the charity through the provision of its charitable activities. Such costs include costs in respect to the support of members of the Congregation; expenditure incurred in the provision of care services to residents at the charity’s Care Centre in Matlock, Derbyshire; and charitable grants and donations.

Donations relate, in the main, to the support of the Congregation’s own work overseas and the support of other Roman Catholic charitable organisations. Donations are included in the statement of financial activities when approved for payment. Provision is made for donations approved but unpaid at the period end.

All expenditure is stated inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

Allocation of support and governance costs

Support costs represent indirect charitable expenditure. In order to carry out the primary purposes of the charity it is necessary to provide support in the form of personnel development, financial procedures, provision of office services and equipment and a suitable working environment. The nature of the charity’s structure means that support costs applicable to each of the charity’s activities can be identified directly and there has been no need for any apportionment between headings.

Governance costs comprise the costs involving the public accountability of the charity (including audit costs) and costs in respect to compliance with regulation and good practice.

Governance costs are apportioned using percentages based on the direct expenditure incurred on the support of members of the Congregation and their ministry and on the provision of care services. No apportionment is made to expenditure on donations and grants or to expenditure on raising funds as the amounts are not deemed material.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 75

Principal accounting policies 31 March 2021

Tangible fixed assets

All assets costing more than £1,500 and with an expected useful life exceeding one year are capitalised.

Fixed asset investments

Listed investments are a form of basic financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction value and subsequently measured at their fair value as at the balance sheet date using the closing quoted market price.

The charity does not acquire put options, derivatives or other complex financial instruments.

As noted above the main form of financial risk faced by the charity is that of volatility in equity markets and investment markets due to wider economic conditions, the attitude of investors to investment risk, and changes in sentiment concerning equities and within particular sectors or sub sectors.

Realised gains (or losses) on investment assets are calculated as the difference between disposal proceeds and their opening carrying value or their purchase value is acquired subsequent to the first day of the financial year. Unrealised gains and losses are calculated as the difference between the fair value at the year end and their carrying value at that date. Realised and unrealised investment gains (or losses) are combined in the statement of financial activities and are credited (or debited) in the year in which they arise.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 76

Principal accounting policies 31 March 2021

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. Cash placed on deposit for more than one year is disclosed as a fixed asset investment.

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. They have been discounted to the present value of the future cash payment where such discounting is material.

Foreign currencies

Income received and costs incurred overseas are translated into Sterling at the rate of exchange in force at the year end. This policy does not comply with FRS 102 but has been adopted to avoid over-complexity. The amounts involved are not material.

Exchange differences arising on translation of assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date are recorded as movements on general funds.

Pension contributions

The charity offers its employees membership of a defined contribution pension scheme administered by the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST). Contributions to the scheme are debited to the statement of financial activities in the year in which they are payable to the scheme. The assets of the scheme are held by an independent corporate trustee, whose activities are governed by the National Employment Savings Trust Order 2010, made by the Secretary of State in exercise of powers confirmed under the Pensions Act 2008.

Finance leases

Assets held under finance leases are capitalised and depreciated over their useful lives. The corresponding lease obligation is treated in the balance sheet as a liability. The interest element of rental obligations is charged to the statement of financial activities over the period of the lease at a constant proportion of the outstanding balance of capital repayment.

Operating leases

Rentals under operating leases are charged on a straight line bases over the lease term.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 77

Principal accounting policies 31 March 2021

Funds structure

Restricted funds comprise monies raised for, or their use restricted to, a specific purpose, or contributions subject to donor imposed conditions.

The general fund comprises those monies which may be used towards meeting the charitable objectives of the charity and which may be applied at the discretion of the Trustees.

The designated funds are monies or other assets set aside out of general funds and designated for specific purposes by the Trustees.

The tangible fixed assets fund represents the net book value of those tangible fixed assets used for the support of the sisters and their ministry. A decision was made to separate this fund from the general fund in recognition of the fact that the assets are used in the day to day work of the charity, and the fund value would not be realisable easily if needed to meet future contingencies.

Services provided by members of the Congregation

For the purposes of these accounts, no monetary value has been placed on administrative and other services provided by the members of the Congregation.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 78

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2021

1 Income from: Donations and legacies

Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£


Total
funds
2021
£		 Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
funds
2020
£
Salaries and pensions of individual
religious received under deed of
covenant (including lump sum
pension receipts)
General donations
Legacies		 1,525,036
84,359
16,805		 —
56,564
16,805		 1,525,036

140,923

33,610		 1,029,167
84,983
—		 —
73,330
—		 1,029,167
158,313
—
1,626,200 73,369 1,699,569 1,114,150 73,330 1,187,480

2 Income from: Investments and interest receivable

Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
funds
2021
£		 Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
funds
2020
£
Income from listed
investments
. UK fixed interest
. UK equities
. Overseas equities and
alternatives
Interest receivable
. Bank interest
. Other interest
2021 Total funds		 36,039
115,761
84,235
—
—
—		 36,039
115,761
84,235		 40,625
211,440
81,431		 —
—
—		 40,625
211,440
81,431
236,035 — 236,035 333,496 — 333,496
7,632
2,298

18
—		 7,650
2,298		 1,287
2,295		 139
—		 1,426
2,295
9,930 18 9,948 3,582 139 3,721
245,965
18		 245,983 337,078 139 337,217

3 Income from: Surplus on disposal of tangible fixed assets

Total
funds
2021
£
1,000		 Total
funds
2020
£
Surplus on disposal of motor vehicles —

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 79

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2021

4 Expenditure on: Support of members of the Congregation and their ministry

Unrestricted
funds
**£ **
Restricted
funds
£

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
Total
funds
2021
£

118,967

310,580

526,496

6,832

92,943

—

(34,000)

53,970

7,928
1,083,716



Unrestricted
funds
£

124,912

303,956

649,197

37,217

71,860

2,779

—

67,650

14,494

1,272,065
Restricted
funds
£		 Total
funds
2020
£
Staff costs (note 9)
Premises
Sisters’ living and ministry
expenses
Education, training and
spiritual renewal
Depreciation of buildings
Deficit on disposal of motor
vehicles
Provision against loan (note
13)
Other support costs
Governance costs (note 7)		 118,967
310,580
526,496
6,832
92,943

—
(34,000)
53,970

**7,928 **
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
124,912

303,956

649,197

37,217

71,860

2,779

—

67,650

14,494
1,083,716
—
1,272,065

5 Expenditure on: Provision of care services

Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
funds
2021
£		 Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
funds
2020
£
1,220,905

95,490
361,805
12,172
—

—

739
—		 1,220,905
95,490
362,544
12,172		 1,153,551
95,490
332,972
14,206
—

—

3,068
—		 1,153,551
95,490
336,040
14,206
1,690,372
739		 1,691,111 1,596,219
3,068		 1,599,287

6 Expenditure on: Grants and donations in support of miscellaneous charitable activities

The charity makes grants and donations, principally in support of the overseas missions of the Congregation and to other causes which further the Roman Catholic faith.

The grants and donations payable during the year were as follows:

Institutions
. Generalate of the
Congregation
. Irish Province of the
Congregation
. Overseas missions of
the Congregation
. Church Action on
Poverty
Grant to one individual		 Unrestricted
funds
£
69,969
24,966
1,950
2,400
3,500
102,785		 Restricted
funds
£
—
—
49,765
—
—
49,765		 Total
funds
2021
£		 Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£


Total
funds
2020
£
69,969
24,966
51,715
2,400
3,500		 57,651
76,542
—
—
—		 —
—
121,351
—
—
57,651

76,542

121,351
—
—
152,550 134,193 121,351
255,544

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 80

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2021

7 Governance costs

Governance costs
Total
funds
2021
£		 Total
funds
2020
£
Legal andprofessional fees 20,100 28,700
Allocated as follows: Total
funds
2021
£		 Total
funds
2020
£
Support of members of the Congregation and their ministry (note 4)
Provision of care services (note 5)		 7,928
12,172		 14,494
14,206
20,100 28,700

All governance costs related to unrestricted funds in both 2020 and 2021.

8 Net expenditure before net investment gains (losses)

This is stated after charging (crediting):

Total
funds
2021
£		 Total
funds
2020
£
Staff costs (note 9)
Auditor’s remuneration, including VAT
. Statutory audit services
Depreciation
Exchangegains(losses)		 1,339,872
20,100
264,543
624		 1,278,463
28,700
232,625
(374)

9 Staff costs, Trustees’ remuneration and key management personnel

2021
£		 2020
£
Staff costs during the year were as follows:
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension contributions
Agency staff
Staff costs by function were as follows:
Support of members of the Congregation and their ministry (note 4)
Provision of care services (note 5)		 1,213,424
82,004
17,385		 1,118,940
73,062
17,503
1,312,813
27,059		 1,209,505
68,958
1,339,872 1,278,463
118,967
1,220,905		 124,912
1,153,551
1,339,872 1,278,463

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 81

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2021

The average number of employees during the year expressed as both full time equivalent (FTE) and average numbers, analysed by function, was:

2021
FTE		 2020
FTE		 2021
average		 2020
average
Support of members of the Congregation
and their ministry
Provision of care services		 5
56		 5
52		 10
64		 10
61
61 57 74 71

As members of the Congregation, the Trustees’ living expenses during the year were borne by the charity, but they received no remuneration or reimbursement of expenses in connection with their duties as Trustees during the year.

Key management

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 Congregation 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 or work as key management (2020: £nil).

The Registered Manager and Care Centre Manager; the Matron; and Steve Taylor of Axiom Healthcare Services Limited are considered key management personnel of the charity’s Care Centre in charge of running and operating the Care Centre under the supervision of the Management Board. The total remuneration for the year (including employer’s pension contributions) was £99,595 (2020: £96,875) and consultancy fees payable to Axiom Healthcare Services Limited were £23,890 (2020: £34,747).

10 Taxation

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable 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.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 82

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2021

11 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets
Freehold and long leasehold
land and buildings		 Furniture,
plant and
equipment
£		 Motor
vehicles
£		 Total
£
Non-
Specialised
£		 Specialised
£
Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2020
Additions
Disposals
At 31 March 2021
At deemed cost (1996 valuation)
At cost
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 April 2020
Depreciation charge for the year
On disposals
At 31 March 2021
Net book values
At 31 March 2021
At 31 March 2020		 2,515,662
13,650
—		 9,060,582
361,124
—		 181,684
86,269
(3,570)		 311,493
—
(6,490)		 12,069,421
461,043
(10,060)
2,529,312 9,421,706 264,383 305,003 12,520,404
1,611,525
917,787		 6,475,476
2,946,230		 —
264,383		 —
305,003		 8,087,001
4,433,403
2,529,312 9,421,706 264,383 305,003 12,520,404
466,033
—
—		 3,073,034
188,433
—		 100,302
43,883
(3,570)		 216,811
32,227
(6,490)		 3,856,180
264,543
(10,060)
466,033 3,261,467 140,615 242,548 4,110,663
2,063,279 6,160,239 123,768 62,445 8,409,741
2,049,629 5,987,548 81,382 94,682 8,213,241

Included within freehold and long leasehold land and buildings is a property held on a 999 year lease signed on 5 March 1964. The property is included in the accounts at a net book value of £1,006,697 (2020: £1,042,346). There were no additions to the property in the year (2020 - £18,117) and accumulated depreciation was £775,771 (2020: £740,122). The lease provides for the charity to occupy the property at an annual rent of £1 but to take responsibility for all costs relating to the building including repairs, maintenance and insurance. Under the lease the charity covenants to occupy and use the property solely as a Roman Catholic institution for religious and charitable purposes in accordance with its trust deed. At any time, should the charity wish to cease to occupy the premises, the Trustees are to give the lessor six months’ notice in writing and, on surrender of the lease, the lessor is required to pay to the charity an amount equal to the value of the lease term surrendered, such value to be determined between the two parties.

As permitted under FRS 102, the charity has opted to adopt a policy of not revaluing its tangible fixed assets. The book value of the land and buildings owned at 1 April 1996 is based on Trustees’ valuation made, with professional assistance, as at that date on the basis of replacement cost for existing use. As permitted by FRS 102, with effect from 1 April 2014 the value assigned to this property is now deemed its cost. Additions in subsequent years are stated at cost. Other tangible fixed assets are stated at cost.

The historical cost of the freehold land and buildings included above at a valuation cannot be obtained without significant time and expense researching past records. The Trustees are of the opinion that such information would not add to the understanding of the accounts.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 83

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2021

11 Tangible fixed assets (continued)

It is likely that the open market values of certain of the charity’s land and buildings are materially greater than their book values. The amount of such differences cannot be ascertained without incurring significant costs, which, in the opinion of Trustees, is not justified in terms of the benefit to the users of the accounts.

A finance lease on a motor vehicle was repaid during the year and there are no vehicles held under finance leases at 31 March 2021. In 2021 the net book value of motor vehicles included £4,050 in respect to assets held under finance leases and the amount of depreciation in respect to such assets amounted to £16,200.

Capital commitments

At 31 March 2021, the charity had no capital commitments (2020: £275,000 in respect to building works contracted but not provided for).

12 Investments

Investments
2021
£		 2020
£
Listed investments
Market value at 1 April 2020
Additions
Disposals at book value (proceeds: £1,272,886; gains: £153,359)
Net unrealised investment gains (losses)
Market value at 31 March 2021
Cash held by investment managers for re-investment
Historical cost of listed investments at 31 March 2021		 10,514,963
977,675
(1,119,527)
2,884,702		 12,769,699
406,318
(1,541,131)
(1,119,923)
13,257,813
163,717		 10,514,963
262,936
13,421,530 10,777,899
8,259,637 8,567,129

Listed investments held at 31 March 2021 comprised the following:

2021
£		 2020
£
UK fixed interest
UK equities
Overseas equities
Alternatives		 1,601,992
5,438,048
4,855,182
1,362,591		 1,465,332
4,382,523
3,413,532
1,253,576
13,257,813 10,514,963

All listed investments were dealt in on a recognised stock exchange.

At 31 March 2021 listed investments included no individual investment holdings deemed material when compared to the overall portfolio valuation as at that date.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 84

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2021

13 Debtors

Debtors
2021
£		 2020
£
Care charges receivable
Loan (see below)
Investment income receivable
Prepayments and accrued income
Pensions of individual religious received under deed of covenant including
lump sum pension receipts		 128,129
120,130
3,277
55,398
267,268		 126,815
83,832
5,624
18,625
—
574,202 234,896

The loan represents an amount advanced to a former member of the Congregation to facilitate the purchase of a property. The loan, which is secured by way of a first legal charge over the property, is repayable on the sale of the property or the death of the former member. On repayment the loan attracts interest of 3% per annum calculated from the date it was advanced to the date of repayment. The accrued interest to 31 March 2021 of £43,614 (2020: £41,316) has been added to the loan.

The value of the property on which the loan is secured is now sufficient that the provision to adjust for the potential irrecoverable amount has been released in these accounts.

2021
£		 2020
£
Loan amount
Accrued interest
Provision for potential irrecoverable amount		 76,516
43,614
—		 76,516
41,316
(34,000)
120,130 83,832

14 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2021
£		 2020
£
Amounts payable in respect to capital works
Expense creditors
Amount due to the Generalate of the Congregation (including grant payable
of £20,000 (see note 15))
Taxation and social security costs
Other creditors
Deferred grants
Obligations under finance leases (note 20)
Accruals		 22,217
60,759

94,297
16,776
19,009
6,973
—
51,212		 33,304
43,197
89,220
15,600
2,729
—
3,082
58,998
271,243 246,130

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 85

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2021

15 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
2021
£
140,000
—
140,000		 2020
£
160,000
4,955
164,955
Amounts due to the Generalate of the Congregation
Obligations under finance leases (note 20)

In 2019 the charity committed to make a grant of £200,000 to the Generalate of the Congregation towards the cost of a building project to develop the Western Apex of Nano Nagle, Cork, Ireland. £20,000 is payable per annum.

16 Restricted funds

The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trusts to be applied for specific purposes:

At
1 April
2020
£		 Income
£		 Expenditure
£		 At
31 March
2021
£
Overseas missions fund
Care Centre residents’ fund		 102,972
822		 71,271
2,116		 (49,765)
**(739) **		 124,478
2,199
103,794 73,387 **(50,504) ** 126,677
At
1 April
2019
£		 Income
£		 Expenditure
£		 At
31 March
2020
£
Overseas missions fund
Care Centre residents’ fund		 153,113
1,631		 71,210
2,259		 (121,351)
(3,068)
102,972
822
154,744 73,469 (124,419) 103,794

Funds held at 31 March 2021 to be applied as follows:

The overseas missions fund

The overseas missions fund represents monies received for the purposes of supporting overseas missions of the Congregation.

The Care Centre residents’ fund

The Care Centre residents’ fund represents donations to be applied for the benefit of all residents of the Care Centre and used to pay for entertainment and other items to be decided on after consultation with the residents.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 86

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2021

17 Tangible fixed assets fund

Tangible fixed assets fund
2021
£
At 1 April 2020
Net movement in year
At 31 March 2021		 8,213,241
196,500
8,409,741
2020
£
At 1 April 2019
Net movement in year
At 31 March 2020		 7,529,065
684,176
8,213,241

The tangible fixed assets fund represents the net book value of the charity’s tangible 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 and as such their value should not be regarded as funds that would be realisable with ease, in order to meet future contingencies.

18 Designated funds

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:

At
1 April
2020
£		 New
designations
£		 New
designations
£		 Released
£		 At
31 March
2021
£
Retirement reserve 10,000,000 2,000,000 — 12,000,000
At
1 April
2019
£		 New
designations
£		 Released
£		 At
31 March
2020
£
Retirement reserve
Heritage Centre fund		 12,000,000
8,639		 —
—		 (2,000,000)
(8,639)		 10,000,000
—
12,008,639 — (2,008,639) 10,000,000

Retirement reserve

The retirement reserve consists of monies which the Trustees have set aside in order to provide for the sisters in their retirement. The value of the fund has been calculated using actuarial principles, but is adjusted as necessary in the light of available resources and changes in the number of the Province’s members and their age profile.

Heritage Centre fund

The Heritage Centre fund represented general donations received from visitors to the Heritage Centre which had been designated by the Trustees for the upkeep of the Heritage Centre. In 2020, the Trustees decided that the fund was no longer needed as the upkeep of the Centre is financed from general funds.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 87

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2021

19 Analysis of net assets between funds

General
funds
£		 Tangible
fixed assets
funds
£		 Designated
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
funds
£
Fund balances at 31 March
2021 are represented by:
Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Net current assets
Long term liabilities
Total net assets
—
1,421,530
1,086,996
(140,000)		 8,409,741
—
—
—		 —
12,000,000
—
—		 —
—
126,677
—		 8,409,741
13,421,530
1,213,673
(140,000)
2,368,526 8,409,741 12,000,000 126,677 22,904,944
General
funds
£		 Tangible
fixed assets
funds
£		 Designated
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
funds
£
Fund balances at 31 March
2020 are represented by:
Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Net current assets
Long term liabilities
Total net assets		 —
777,899
517,795
(164,955)		 8,213,241
—
—
—		 —
10,000,000
—
—		 —
—
103,793
—		 8,213,241
10,777,899
621,588
(164,955)
1,130,739 8,213,241 10,000,000 103,793 19,447,773

The total unrealised gains as at 31 March 2021 constitutes movements on revaluation and are as follows:

2021
£		 2020
£
Total unrealised gains at 31 March 2021 on investments
Reconciliation of movements in unrealised gains
Unrealised gains at 1 April 2020
Net gains (losses) in respect to disposals of listed investments in the
year
Net gains (losses) arising on revaluation of listed investments arising in
the year
Total unrealisedgains at 31 March 2021		 4,998,176 1,947,833
1,947,833
165,641
2,884,702		 3,597,205
(529,449)
(1,119,923)
4,998,176 1,947,833

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 88

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2021

20 Obligations under finance leases

At 31 March 2021, the charity had the following obligations in respect to finance leases relating to motor vehcles:

2021
£		 2020
£
Payable within:
. One year
. Two to five years
Amounts representing interest
Summary:*
. Amounts repayable within one year (note 14)
. Amounts repayable after one year (note 15)		 —
—		 3,082
4,955
—
—		 8,037
—
— 8,037
—
—		 3,082
4,955
— 8,037

*The finance lease ended during the year to 31 March 2020.

21 Commitments under operating leases

At 31 March 2021, the charity had future minimum commitments under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:

2021
£		 2020
£
Equipment
Payments falling due:
. Within one year
. Between two and five years		 2,444
2,444
2,652

5,295
4,888
7,946

22 Related party transactions and transactions with Trustees

As members of the charity, none of the Trustees have resources of their own as all earnings, pensions and other income have been donated to the charity under a Gift Aid compliant Deed of Covenant. During the year, the total amount donated by the Trustees to the charity was £154,928 (2020: £81,141).

Details of other transactions with Trustees are given in note 9 to these accounts

There were no other related party transactions in the year (2020: none).

23 Ultimate control

The charity, which is constituted as a trust, was controlled throughout the period by The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary by virtue of the fact that the Provincial Leader of the Congregation appoints the Trustees.

The English Province of the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Charitable Trust 89