## **THE DURHAM-LESOTHO DIOCESAN LINK** ## **Registered Charity Number: 702809** ## **ANNUAL REPORT 2022** The Durham-Lesotho Diocesan LINK is a partnership between two independent Christian organisations, the Lesotho Link, which manages and develops the ‘LINK’ - a residential resource centre specialising in education, training and outdoor activities - and the Durham Link, which, primarily, supports the Lesotho Link’s work, spiritually, practically and financially. Despite the challenges of the Covid pandemic, the Lesotho Link not only successfully navigated those challenges, but, in many ways, emerged in better shape. This was mainly due to the hard work, determination and commitment of its EO and the LINK staff, as well as the continued support and encouragement of the Durham Link. The new Bishop of Lesotho's positive influence on diocesan relationships and an improving political climate also played their part. The Lesotho Link began the year in a strong financial position, with surplus in the bank. A well-prepared developmental programme gave key staff (hospitality, outdoor activities and site maintenance managers, plus the EO’s PA) clear responsibilities and a mandate to share and progress their own ideas. After months of disruption, it was important for the LINK, dependent on the revenue raised from catering and accommodation, to become fully operational once again. As the organisation pressed ahead with its re-revised building programme, staff members gradually started to welcome church and school groups back to the centre. The on-site recording of a popular TV programme generated good publicity and stimulated bookings. Large numbers of families, affected by travel restrictions to South Africa, also began to use the Centre's recreational activities, particularly at weekends. The construction of a lapa (a traditional South African structure consisting of poles, roof and drop-down canvas side panels) with added kitchenette and storage area, took precedence over the planned upgrade of the Backpackers accommodation block. Although this increased their costs, the lapa has the capacity to seat up to 100 people and was in use by the end of the year - affording the Lesotho Link much greater flexibility. The LINK’s new kitchen arrangement and equipment proved to be game changers for the domestic staff, providing them with the means to improve standards as well as easily cater for the many groups attending the various workshops, training sessions, conferences and events. On reassessing its active ministry, the Lesotho Link management board realised their child-focused projects - Child Headed Households (CHH), education, life skills training and outdoor adventure - needed to be put back at the heart of its work. To this end, they appointed an experienced, dedicated youth officer to oversee their CHH programme, Sunday schools training and church-based youth projects in Ha Mohatlane: she was soon developing new work, especially amongst local orphanages. The Durham Link agreed to fund this important post 2022/2023 and 50% fund in 2024. The new Bishop better understood the scope of the Durham-Lesotho LINK’s impact in the diocese, which meant relationships were more amicable & constructive. She actively supported and encouraged clergy training, worked well alongside the Lesotho Link’s EO & was enthusiastic about a new degree course for priests. With her involvement, their busy Christian Education programme, funded by Durham Link & UK-based Society of the Sacred Mission, will continue to thrive. Other projects, including Health and Environment, remain on hold until dedicated lead workers can be hired to manage and develop them. At the Lesotho Link’s second site in rural Ha Mohatlane, the situation was not so upbeat - the Community Educational Centre (MCEC) was operating without a warden to manage repairs and maintain its upkeep, and both the agricultural and eggs projects had stalled. Whilst the latter had proved unsustainable, after negotiating with the management board, men from the villages formed a co-operative to re-establish the cultivation of high yielding crops. After 6 months, they began supplying three local schools with produce for school meals; the MCEC also received a percentage. The full time Child Headed Household coordinator was well-embedded in the community and continued to liaise with villagers to improve awareness and understanding. A more targeted approach to ongoing CHH young people's issues, however, had yet to be implemented. The on-site vocational school (teaching carpentry, brick laying, welding & metalwork, cookery, garment making and agriculture) continued to do well and 185 were enrolled in the primary school. The nurse/midwife-led clinic offered Covid & HIV counselling and mother & baby services in addition to basic medical healthcare but, due to charges, was less well used than expected. The Lesotho Link ended the year in as good a position as it has ever been; this was reassuring for the Durham Link which, ultimately, aims to facilitate the LINK’s development, not maintain it. Throughout 2022, Durham Link trustees progressed with redistributing tasks and responsibilities, and transitioning to a new EO. In March, they met and interviewed Lee Musson, manager of Whithaugh (one of four UK Centres run by Christian charity, Rock UK) and leader of previous Rock UK visits to the LINK. Lee was offered a newly defined EO position, starting January 2023; his appointment was endorsed by the Lesotho Link’s EO and the Bishop of Durham. In February, EO Rob Bianchi, after two years' absence, made his penultimate working visit to Lesotho. He was impressed by their ongoing response to Covid - the site was well-maintained and staff were keen, focused and had a real sense of purpose - his report was very encouraging. Financially, the Durham Link kept within budget and trustees agreed to increase their reserve using the money gained from the cessation of the EOs’ remuneration. The annual Diocesan Grant of £25,000 and donations from churches & individuals continue to form the bulk of the charity’s income. The regular £20,000 was transferred to Lesotho, in quarterly payments, plus an extra £5,000 towards the LINK’s building programme; a further £10,000 was promised, on the proviso all buildings were adequately insured. Unfortunately, due to work commitments, the Bishop of Lesotho’s anticipated July visit to Durham had to be postponed. Jason Exley was welcomed to the board in September. He has experience in leading school groups to Lesotho and was eager to reinstate visits post Covid. Jason also offered to help redevelop the Durham Link’s website after the EO changeover. In November, after 30 years of working for the Durham-Lesotho LINK, and having made more than 50 trips to Lesotho, Rob and Margeret travelled to the LINK as Durham Link EOs for the last time. Before returning home, 100+ guests were invited to a blessing of the new lapa and celebratory farewell gathering held in their honour. 2022 saw the Lesotho Link grow in maturity, competence and confidence. The board acknowledged the need to redress the balance between commercial and strategic development if they were to fulfil their primary objective and succeed in identifying and reaching out to the neediest of Lesotho’s children. Rob and Margaret's exit marked the end of an era for the Durham-Lesotho LINK, but their successor, Lee Musson, has the skill set, experience & energy to reinforce and encourage the Lesotho Link’s resolve to work towards financial independence in a sustainable way. His appointment also reaffirms the partnership’s Christian calling - to promote greater physical and spiritual unity between the Dioceses of Durham & Lesotho, through prayer, learning and the sharing of ideas & expertise. **The Durham-Lesotho Diocesan Link is an unincorporated association There is no limit to the number of trustees on the board; trustees may be appointed at a trustee meeting Current trustees:** Nick Barker, Elisabeth Bryant, Susan Egglestone, Ruth Hicks, Alex Nelson, Andrea Pritchard, Rick Simpson **New Trustee:** Jason Exley > **We said goodbye to:** Margaret Wilkinson (stepped down 31/12/2021) **We remember:** Rev Dr Ntsiuoa Rathabaneng, first female Mosotho national ordained into priesthood in Lesotho **Executive Officers (self employed):** Margaret Bianchi, Rob Bianchi (now retired/new EO starts January 2023) **Address** (until 31/12/22) **:** 8 Lindisfarne Washington Tyne and Wear Andrea Pritchard (Secretary) October 9th 2023 DURHAM - LESOTHO DIOCESAN UNK Charity Number . 702809 Receipts and Payments Account for the Year ended 3tst De￿mber 2022 Unrestricted Funds 2022 2021 Recelpts Donations Churches Individuals Palmer Endcliffe Trus1 Basotho Education Trust Gift Aid Diocese of Durham Leaver5 senrice Bank Interest Retirement gifts Total Reteipts 3,829.59 L749.(hJ 4.229.59 5,980.36 4,540.(KI 5.185.00 1.2Th).(M) I.2(￿1.(￿) 9.745.CQ 20,631.CA) 851.25 2s.(KK).￿ 25.(X)O.cKI 210.(M) 2.791.(M) 9.745.Cil 392.(K) 25,C(X).Ix) 210.CX) 29.53 29.53 5CK). 13?24.(N) 32AIO.12 46.334.12 58W.05 dymefits Transfers to Lesotho 30.IXKI. 2.fA)4.(XI 32,604.IX) 24.383.IX) Church of the Resurrection 4CQ.00 Basotho Education Trust 9.8(Kl.(M) 9,8CM).O) 10,831.C(I Exec. Officers, tr4vel to Lesotho Exec. Officers, Fees Administration Bank Charge5 Retirement Gift Sundry Payments Totsl Payments 1,841.07 2.555.rxJ 1.841.07 2.555.(N) 4,21XJ.(J) 579.88 202.50 163.50 163.50 5CK).IX) 27.00 34,96&17 482n.17 40.623.38 Surplus / Loss 2,558.05 620.1 1.938.05 18,224.67 DURHAM - LESOThO DIOCESAN LINK Charity Number . 702809 Receipts and Payments Account for the Year ended 31st December 2022 ststement of Assets Bank Balances at 3tst December 2022 CAFCash Account 33.133.13 6,165.73 CAF Gold Account lunrestrlcted reserve) Total Bank Balances 39,29&86 Fund Balances at 3tst December 2022 Unrestricted Funds 27,416.14 Restrirtd Funds 11,882.72 Total 39,298.86 Notes Rob and Margaret Bianchi retired as Executive Officers of the Link on December 31st. Donations totslling £51XI were made for a gift for them In December. They are referred to as RG in the ac¢ount5 for December. A sheet labelled retiring summarises these. together with the payments made to Nick Barker who purchased the actu31 gift. Gift aid note Gift aid is still to be claimed on donètions frorn December 2022. Signed Trustee Hon Exarniner Date 12.o3.&oz3 Date CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Rèport to the trusteesl mèmbors of On accounts for the year ended 3 9931 Charlty no (If any) 7pAgp Set out on pago8 I report to th8 trustees on my examination charity ('Ihe Trust.) for the year erKled 31 ccounts of the above R￿pOnSIbIlItI￿ and As the chadty trustees of the Trust. you are regponslble for the preparation basls of Mport of the accounts in accordanca with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {'the Acr). I r•port In respect of my examlnation of the Trust's accounts carried out under seth'on 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the appllcable Directions given by the Charty Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Ad. I have completed my examination. I confirn that no materlal matters have come to my attention ) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. accounting records were not kept In accordance wrth sectlon 130 of the A¢1 or the accounts do not accord wlth the accounting record8 Independent •xamln•f8 8tat•m•nt I have no concem8 and have como across no other matters in connection wlth the examlnatlon to whlch attentlon shoukl be drawn In order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts lo be reached. ' Please delete the wonls in the br8ckèts rfth8y th) not 8ppIy. Slgnod: Namo: Relevant professlonal quallfication{s) or body {11 any): Address: _sp￿• 14* % 1 IER October 2018