Holylands Christian Trust
Annual Report and Statement of Accounts
For the year to 31 March 2024
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2024
The Trustees of the Holylands Christian Trust are pleased to submit their report and accounts for the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.
Charitable Objects
The objects of the Holylands Christian Trust are: -
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To further the religious and other charitable work of All Saints’ Church, Canterbury Street, Belfast, BT7 1LB;
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To advance the Christian religion in any part of the world as expressed in the Holy Bible and the 39 Articles of the Church of Ireland; and,
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To support the raising and training of those in Christian Ministry as the Trustees see fit.
Public Benefit Statement
The Holylands Christian Trust exists for the following purposes and public benefits: -
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Promoting a practice and maintaining a belief which are consistent with the religious and charitable ethos of All Saints’ Church, In supporting the work of All Saints’ Church, the Trust will aid the Church in facilitating more and higher quality engagement with the general public in pursuit of its aims. The benefits to these users can be assessed by reviews with staff workers at All Saints’ Church and increased attendance, an increased programme of events or increased social integration. The beneficiaries of this purpose will be the members of All Saints’ Church and other users of the services offered by All Saints’ Church. The Trustees are not currently aware of any private benefit that may flow from this purpose to any individual. If a member or user of All Saints’ Church were to apply to the Trust, the application for the award of a grant will be considered in the same way as all other applicants;
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The direct benefit of participating in Church life includes the enjoyment of public worship and the giving and receiving or pastoral ministry, improved understanding of the values relating to civic engagement, community cohesion and providing a bridge between diverse groups. This can be measured and evidenced through increased social integration and pastoral care delivered at the point of need. The beneficiaries of this purpose will be organisations, churches, individuals and the general public in any part of the world. Any private benefit arising out of the fulfilment of our Christian ministry is essential to the fulfilment of the purpose of the advancement of religion. No Trustee receives remuneration, reward or other private benefit for carrying out their Trustee responsibility.
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The general public will benefit in turn from their engagement with and exposure to the individual or organisational beneficiaries. The general public will further benefit from the increased number of people who are trained to further the work of All Saints’ Church and/or the advancement of the Christian religion around the world, by virtue of the grants made to individual or organisational beneficiaries. The benefits can also be evaluated by way of reviews of the training received, and the individual’s subsequent employment prospects. The benefits are demonstrated by an individual
finishing a training course or other training, working in a church or organisation or otherwise working in order to advance the Christian religion. The Trustees are aware that there is a remote possibility of harm resulting to the beneficiary of the Trust. The beneficiary’s employment prospects may be enhanced by training that is partially funded by grants from the Trust and then gain work in a high-risk area of the world. The Trustees are aware that there is a slight possibility of harm such as anxiety and stress from a beneficiary undertaking Bible classes and otherwise. However, the Trustees are not aware of other harm that may result from beneficiaries fulfilling this purpose. Furthermore, the wider benefit to the individuals or organisations in increased knowledge in religion and moral improvement will outweigh any detriment arising from the teaching of the Christian faith. The beneficiaries of this purpose will be individual recipients who are training for or engaged in Christian Ministry, or organisations who provide training or are otherwise engaged in Christian Ministry. Individual and organisational beneficiaries may benefit from financial support or increased employment prospects. Any private benefit arising out of the fulfilment of this purpose is essential to the fulfilment of the purpose of the advancement of religion. No Trustee received remuneration, rewards or other private benefit for carrying out their Trustee responsibility.
Summary of Activities and Achievements
The Holylands Christian Trust continues to develop, and the Trustees are very pleased with the progress that has been achieved in the financial year 2023/2024. The Trustees would like to express thanks specifically to the Rector of All Saints’ Church, Belfast (Rev Trevor Johnston) for his input at various junctures and his continued support of the Holylands Christian Trust to date.
First requests for grants/funds
In 2023/2024, the Holylands Christian Trust received its first requests for funds. These requests were received from, and on behalf of, the three interns working for All Saints’ Church, Belfast. The request for funds was received on an informal basis (via email). Part of the funds sought were to assist in the cost of attending a weekend conference organised by All Saints’ Church, Belfast. This weekend conference is an annual conference where the congregants of All Saints’ Church, Belfast gather to be taught from the Holy Bible and enjoy community and fellowship. These interns were heavily involved in the work of All Saints’ Church, Belfast, including their youth and student ministries, as well as outreach in the local area around All Saints’ Church. The Trustees were content with the merit of the request, albeit there were some clarifying questions that required further input from the applicants. It was agreed to issue the formal application form to assist in obtaining the clarity needed for the Trustees to fully consider the merits of the application.
The application form was returned, but only on behalf of one intern, seeking funds of £500. At a subsequent meeting of the Trustees, the application was considered in full by the Trustees and granted in part, however communication was lost with the applicant following a request for bank details despite regular follow-up.
The Trustees have welcomed the learnings drawn from this first application, which ultimately illustrated the need for some guidelines regarding the completion of the application forms (to be drafted and published) and the need to develop and publish a website for the Trust. It is the hope of the Trustees that future applications for funds will become more streamlined with these changes implemented in the next financial year.
Website
As indicated above, the need to finalise and publish a website for the Holylands Christian Trust became a key priority for the Trustees in 2023/2024. Following our presentations/discussions with All Saints Church, Belfast, in 2022/2023, it became very obvious that a platform to direct individuals towards, containing all of the necessary information regarding the Holylands Christian Trust was an essential next step in the development of the Trust and to progress its Objects.
Preliminary actions included review of the content of other local Christian charitable trusts’ websites, to assist the Trustees in identifying the key content requirements. What came from this was the understanding for a simple, “landing-zone” website setting out the aims/purposes of the Holylands Christian Trust, how people can become involved (as donors or beneficiaries, or non-financial partners in prayer etc), and direct access to the application forms to be completed by individuals/organisations seeking funding.
The Trustees also explored and considered the possibility of having some direct link with the website of All Saints’ Church, Belfast, given the close relationship between the two entities. The outcome of our discussions concluded that this would not be the best fit for the Holylands Christian Trust, and that there may be further delays in publishing the website should we proceed down this route.
It was, therefore, decided to design, produce and publish a unique website for the Holylands Christian Trust. A domain was purchased by SquareSpace and work commenced towards the end of the financial year 2023/2024 with the view to publication in the subsequent financial year.
New Trustee
Having undertaken a tremendous amount of work to get the Holylands Christian Trust on its feet, in spite of the difficulties/delays arising from the Covid19 pandemic, the Trustees agreed that further assistance was required to move the Trust into the next phase. In line with the finalisation and publication of the website, the Trustees now want to progress the profile of the Trust, both to potential future donors and beneficiaries. It was agreed by the Trustees that new individuals should be invited to join the Trust who share the objectives and vision, to assist the current Trustees with this next phase.
Discussions between the Trustees considered whether, or not, the Trust would be better supported by a new Trustee being appointed, or a small number of “ambassadors” who would be responsible for advertising/profile only, rather than any formal powers/duties arising from the Trust. The key traits the Trustees were looking for were: (i) shared vision; (ii) passion for the objectives of the Trust; and, (iii) credibility. With the kind/helpful input of Rev.
Johnston, a number of potential individuals were considered under each of these categories. Discussions landed upon the appointment of a further Trustee. The Trust had commenced with five Trustees, before a founding member (Ms Millar) resigned and so it would be appropriate to bring the number of Trustees back to five. Further, the individual whom the Trustees was considering displayed the desired character and qualities that the Trust requires, particularly as we move into this next phase.
The individual under consideration was Dr Niall Collum. Whilst being the spouse of a current Trustee, the remaining Trustees considered (independently) that no conflict of interest arose, should Dr Collum be appointed.
The Trustees formally approached Dr Collum and invited him to a formal meeting of the Board with a view to assessing and considering his willingness to join the Board and assist the Trustees in advancing the profile of the Trust. The Trustees were pleased that, following this meeting, Dr Collum was very keen to join the Board. A call for a Special Meeting (pursuant to clause 12 of the Trust Deed) was made by the Chairman, which was held after the close of financial year 2023/2024. The Trustees are pleased, however, to report that Dr Collum has since been appointed as a Trustee as of April 2024.
Financial Review
This is the second financial review of the Holylands Christian Trust, being for the year ended 31 March 2024. Entering this year, we had a bank balance of £4,172. In the year from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, we received donations of £8,520. The only expenditure/payments incurred were bank account fees of £30.10. The Holylands Christian Trust, therefore, holds £12,663 in funds at 31 March 2024.
The Holylands Christian Trust received one application for funds by individuals in the year to 31 March 2024. As outlined above, the application was successful, however the applicant failed to provide any bank details (despite regular follow-up) and it was agreed between the Trustees for the application to lapse pending further engagement from the applicant.
The Holylands Christian Trust is registered with HMRC for gift aid. We received £1,520 in gift aid during the reporting year.
Approved and adopted by a meeting of the Board of Trustees on 28 January 2025, and signed on their behalf.
S A Francey ___ Samuel A Francey Chairman (Electronically signed)
Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024
Statement of receipts and payments:
| £ |
|---|
| Receipts 1/4/23 to 31/3/24 8,520.89 |
| Payments 1/4/23 to 31/3/24 30.10 |
| Receipts less payments 8,490.79 |
Statement of assets:
| £ |
|---|
| Bank account at 1/4/23 4,172.24 |
| Receipts less payments 8,490.79 |
| Bank accounts at 31/3/24 12,663.04 |
All of these funds are unrestricted funds. There are no restricted funds.
Approved and adopted by a meeting of the Board of Trustees on 28 January 2025 and signed on their behalf.
S A Francey ___ Samuel A Francey (Electronically signed) Chairman NI Charity No. NI108278
Laura King _____ LAURA KING Treasurer (Electronically signed)
Reference and Administrative Details
Charity Name
The Holylands Christian Trust
Charity Number
Registered Charity in Northern Ireland No. 108278
Principal Address
℅ Mrs Kathryn Collum 34 Balmoral Avenue Belfast BT9 6NW
Charity Trustees
Mr Samuel A Francey Chairman Mrs Laura King Treasurer Mrs Kathryn Collum Mr Michael Hamer Mr Niall Collum
Other Charity Trustees in the year to 31 March 2023
None
Governance and Management
The Holylands Christian Trust is a charitable Trust constituted by a Trust Deed executed on 23 January 2020.
The Holylands Christian Trust is managed by a Board of Trustees which consists of all of the appointed Trustees, whose names are set out above.