The Directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the Charity's [governing document], the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019).
The objectives of the charity are the advancement of Christian religion and the advancement of Christian education.
In planning our objectives for the year and planning our activities, the trustees have considered the charity commissions guidance on public benefit.
Public worship is held in the chapel each Tuesday and Sunday.
Whirlow Grange Trust (the trust)
The trust had for many years owned the freehold of the land and buildings at Whirlow Grange. Following a Charity Commission Scheme on 17 June 2004 the Trust's objects were changed to further the objects of the company and the Trust's freehold property encompassing the Whirlow Grange conference centre was identified as permanent endowment of the Trust.
In addition a uniting direction was made so that the company and the trust be treated as a single charity for the purpose of administration and accounts. Further details are provided in note 6 to the accounts.
Following the sale of the conference centre and grounds in August 2014 the proceeds have been invested in quoted investments and this remains as part of the functional endowment of the charity.
Supporters and volunteers
The charity is fortunate in having a significant group of supporters and volunteers without whom it would be difficult to operate. The board wishes to put on record its deepest thanks for their financial and practical commitment and hard work that ensures that both property and programme are presented to the highest standard.
Whirlow Spirituality Centre at the Chapel of the Holy Spirit
2024 has been a year of consolidation for the Spirituality Centre. Alison Richards, the Chaplain, is now established in her ministry and leadership at the Centre. Dedicated and experienced volunteers have continued to lead regular services, worship and reflective activities and new volunteers have been recruited across the range of activities. John Harrison left employment at the Centre in May 2024. After a considered recruitment process Hannah Walter was appointed as the Events & Communications Coordinator in April 2024. Rob Hawksworth was appointed as Administration and Operations Coordinator in November 2024 after the role was covered by a consultant for an interim period. Three trustees reached the end of their terms of appointment in June 2024 and three new trustees were appointed to replace them. Throughout the year the Centre offered a consistent ministry of peace, reflection and hospitality.
External bookings of the Centre remained stable, with 69 bookings in 2024, as against 68 in 2023. These were from a range of Christian groups and also other organisations offering learning, reflective and therapeutic activities, often informed by wider faith and spiritual traditions. Several organisations made regular bookings, principally the Diocese of Sheffield Education Team, for the Art of Spiritual Accompaniment course, St Hild's theological college for a Baptist ministry formation group, a regular yoga group and, less frequently, a Buddhist inspired meditation group and a group coming together to sing spiritual songs. Positive efforts to reach out to church groups who may not think that Whirlow was a place that would welcome them were successful , with a black-majority young Christian group, a South Asian community church and a Chinese community church all using the Centre. The Centre was also used on two occasions as a polling station for local and national elections, which brought many local people through the doors, some of whom chose to sit for a while in the gardens and some who wished to talk to the Chaplain. The poustinias and gardens continued to be well used, demonstrating an ongoing need for a quiet space by individuals and those meeting for spiritual accompaniment.
As reported a year ago, numbers attending the reflective communion services increased in late 2023 and have remained at a high level throughout the year. Numbers have also been slightly higher for the monthly reflective activities that are offered at the Centre.
Regular Worship/Events | Estimated average 2023 | Estimated average 2024 |
Reflective communion (weekly) | 26 | 35 |
Space to Reflect (monthly) | 14 | 15 |
Simple Quiet Days (monthly) | 8 | 10 |
Space to Be (weekly) | 12 | 12 |
Contemplative Dialogue (monthly) | 10 | 11 |
Praying Without Words Online (monthly) | 6 | 9 |
A varied spirituality programme was offered throughout the year. Lent began early and a Lent course focused on the mystical writings contained in the Gospel of Thomas was well attended and received. A textile art exhibition during Lent- entitled Lament- was very well received. It included a well-attended Quiet Day followed by a concert given by the Steel City Clerks which was fully booked. Father Grant Naylor from St Matthew's Church Carver Street led Quiet Days in Lent and Advent which brought in some new faces to the Centre. Holy week and Easter saw a full programme of reflections, an Agape and vigil on Maundy Thursday, Stations of the Cross on Good Friday and a sunrise communion service on Easter day. All were well attended and much appreciated. During the summer months a day reflecting on icons, a course on "Questionable Masculinity" and an afternoon of "Soul Stitching" were offered, with the last being fully booked and with a waiting list. Some evening contemplative walks were less well attended but appreciated by those who came. An early summer residential retreat at Wydale Hall didn't recruit as well as hoped but went ahead. That prompted a decision to pause residential retreats. A non-residential weekend retreat was offered in October and fully booked, which seemed to provide a good alternative. The Autumn had a full and well attended programme, including some additional Sunday evening events, another fully booked day using craft as a way into reflection and a series on the Quaker Testimonies. This led on to four Advent Quiet Days and another successful Contemplative Carols and Turn of the Year event to close the year. As previously, the role of volunteer hosts and facilitators is hugely appreciated and valuable, enabling us to offer events that are very affordable and well-resourced.
Our partnership with All Saints, Ecclesall (ASE) continued to visibly offer benefits to many. The regular Community Bible Study sessions on Friday mornings welcome many participants, and ASE again used the Centre for a session on Prayer as part of their Parish Away Day in October. We jointly hosted a service for Baby Loss, led by Jo Hird, St Luke's Hospice chaplain also in October, which offered a space to come together for grieving families. Underpinning the work of the Centre is our partnership arrangement with ASE which supports the financial management of the Chapel and Centre.
As we look ahead to 2025 we are grateful for the work and commitment of all our trustees, acknowledging the work and support given by Chris Ellis, Rosemary Murphy and Peter Rainford, who stepped down this year.
The SOFA shows total income of £100,020 (2023: £91,413) and total expenditure of £105,038 (2023: £73,417) resulting in a deficit for the year of £5,018 (2023: surplus £17,996). The main reason for the increase in expenses in 2024 is that the Charity paid a full 12 months salary of our Chaplain, whereas in 2023 the Chaplain commenced employment in September and only 4 months salary was paid. The Trustees are grateful to the Church Burgesses Trust which made a grant of £5,000 to assist in funding this expenditure. The Endowment Fund increased by the unrealised gains on the Charity’s holding of CCLA investments of £29,131 (2023: £73,272) to leave the balance on Endowment Fund at £1,561,871 (2023: £1,532,740). Total funds at 31 December 2024 amounted to £1,661,903 (2023: £1,637,790).
Reserves Policy
At 31 December 2024 the charity had reserves, as shown above, exceeding £1.6m. However the majority of these funds are held as Endowment funds. The balance on unrestricted funds of £100,032 is, in the directors’ view, sufficient to fund 6 months running costs, which are budgeted at approx. £55,000.
Grants to Organisations and Individuals
The board sets aside a proportion of its income each year to provide grants to organisations and individuals in support of Christian Education and Personal Christian Spiritual Growth. Grants made in the year amounted to £6,743 comprising 18 grants to individuals and grants of £250 to St Leonard's Community Church, £250 to Wadsley Church PCC and £500 to the Sheffield Methodist Circuit.
Legal Structure and Charitable Status
The company is limited by Guarantee and does not have any share capital. It is a registered charity (number 701073). The company is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Appointment of Directors
The Bishop of Sheffield is the president of the charitable company. The president's appointee as Director & Chair is Bishop Richard Blackburn. Two directors are appointed by the Bishop of Sheffield Bishop's council, two by ecumenical partners and two by the company's directors. The vicar of All Saints Ecclesall is a director ex officio. In addition one director is a former Whirlow Grange Trustee.
Organisational Structure
The board of directors administers the charitable company and meets quarterly.
The Chaplain, is responsible for the programme of Spirituality, Christian education and training, chapel services and related activities
The Directors who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
The Trustees report was approved by the Board of Directors.
I report to the Directors on my examination of the financial statements of Whirlow Grange Limited (the Charity) for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the Charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
Investments
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Whirlow Grange Limited is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Whirlow Spirituality Centre, Whirlow Grange Close, Sheffield, S11 9SY.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charity's [governing document], the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019). The Charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The Charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, [modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value]. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Directors in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the Charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount or include conditions restricting them to expenditure in a specified period, in which case they are recognised in that period. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit 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.
Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Partnership with All Saints Eccleshall
A partnership has been established between Whirlow Grange Limited and the parish of All Saints Ecclesall PCC to run the chapel and adjoining office and meeting rooms. Income and expenses are shared by the partners equally and accounted for on a quarterly basis. The figures in the accounts reflect the charity's 50% share of income and expenses in the year.
Tangible fixed assets comprise the land associated with the Whirlow Spirituality Centre and the adjacent meeting room and office connected to the Chapel of the Holy Spirit. They are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation and are subject to an annual impairment review.
The freehold land and buildings are not depreciated as the directors consider them to have an indefinitely long useful life. In addition, depreciation charge and accumulated depreciation are not considered to be material as the assets have a very long useful life and the residual value of the assets are not materially different from their carrying value.
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
Fixed asset investments are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.
At each reporting end date, the Charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
The Charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the Charity's balance sheet when the Charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the Charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
In the application of the Charity’s accounting policies, the Directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Grants receivable
Spirituality centre events programme
Partnership with All Saints Ecclesall PCC
The trust benefits from the involvement and support of its volunteers, details of which are given in our annual report. In accordance with FRS102 and the Charites SORP (FRS 102), the economic contribution of general volunteers is not recognised in the accounts
Spirituality Centre Events Programme
Partnership with All Saints Ecclesall PCC - Chapel expenses
The charity has continued to provide a programme of events in the year and the income and expenditure figures in the accounts reflect fees paid for these chargeable events and their related expenses.
A Partnership has been established between Whirlow Grange Limited and the parish of all Saints Ecclesall PCC to run the chapel, adjoining offices and meeting rooms. Income and expenses are shared by the partners equally. The figures in the accounts reflect the charity's 50% share.
Partnership charge for use of Spirituality centre
Repairs and maintenance
Recharged salaries, office running costs, IT and website
Professional charges
Support costs includes payments to the auditors of £2,380 (2024-£2,634) for independent examiner fees.
The administrator, the events coordinator and the Chaplain were employed by All Saints Ecclesall. Employment costs incurred by All Saints were re-charged in full to Whirlow Grange and are included in support costs.
There were no directly employed members of staff in either of the current year or prior year.
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
Land and buildings with a carrying amount of £110,000 were revalued in November 2014 by Fowler Sandford Chartered Surveyors whom are not connected with the Charity on the basis of market value. The valuation conforms to International Valuation Standards and was based on recent market transactions on arm's length terms for similar properties. The directors do not consider the valuation to have materially changed from this date.
The directors are of the opinion that the estimated useful economic life of the freehold building exceeds 50 years and as the asset has a residual value at least equal to its valuation no impairment has been charged.
COIF investments fund
COIF property fund
COIF fixed interest fund
Endowment funds represent assets which must be held permanently by the Charity. Income arising on the endowment funds can be used in accordance with the objects of the Charity and is included as unrestricted income. Any capital gains or losses arising on the assets form part of the fund.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
There was no trustee remuneration paid in the year (2024: Nil)
One trustee was paid nil (2023: £844) in respect of retreat and associated travel costs in the year. Under our Partnership arrangement All Saints Ecclesall refunded one half of this amount to the charity