The Trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the charity’s governing document, 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 in the UK and Republic of Ireland published in October 2019.
The Charity's objectives are the promotion of any charitable purposes for the benefit of the community of Sheffield and in such other areas as the Charity may from time to time determine; and in particular the advancement of the Christian religion, the advancement of education, the promotion of religious and educational study and research and the publication of the results of all such study and research; and the relief of poverty, sickness, affliction and distress.
In furtherance of the above objectives, but not otherwise, the Charity may exercise the following powers:
(i-viii are the standard powers of a charitable company)
(ix) provide facilities for religious fellowship and training.
(x) procure to be written and print, publish, issue and circulate gratuitously or otherwise any reports or periodicals, books, pamphlets, leaflets or any other documents,
(xi) arrange and provide for, or join in arranging and providing for the holding of exhibitions, meetings, lectures and classes,
(xii) establish residential communities for persons directly engaged in the furtherance of the purpose of the aforesaid,
(xiii) promote, encourage or undertake experimental work.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
Providing facilities for religious fellowship: Two Weekend Conferences were held: in May at The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire, and in October at Foxhill, Frodsham in Cheshire. Day meetings held in July and in February were by video conference. The regular gatherings online, open to all-comers, which had been started in June 2020 continued to meet fortnightly. The branch in London continued its practice of holding monthly meetings, alternately on line and in person. The North-West England branch meets occasionally in person but mainly by video conference. The online meetings were valued by participants who were geographically remote or in poor health, while the meetings in person were valued by those unable to participate in the online meetings because they lacked access to IT. Most of these meetings were attended by associates and non-members, thus providing a public benefit.
Publications: ‘ACT Together’, containing articles by Community members and friends, was published in May and October.
Residential communities: Two of the Community’s houses in Sheffield were sold. One, being to a charity providing accommodation for people seeking asylum. The remaining two houses in Sheffield continue as residential communities. Work continued on the refurbishment of accommodation within the Burngreave complex.
Relief of poverty etc.: All members were asked to give a day’s income to the annual appeal, which this year went to The Four Homes of Mercy, a charitable organisation in Bethany, Palestine that provides care and support for individuals with severe multi-sensory challenges, particularly children. A grant was also made from the Wider Service Fund to the Four Homes of Mercy as well as to the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust to maintain a wood in memory of one of the Community’s members. The Burngreave community rooms have started to be used again to provide a meeting place for local people, with activities such as a men’s mental health cafe, language classes, women only craft and education activities and a free community meal. Following on from discussions started last year, we were able to give grants using surplus money from previous sales of properties to a project undertaking grass root theological education and distance theological education for the majority world.
For the period under review, the Trust had a deficit of income over expenditure of £111,578, which relates to a restricted fund surplus of £150 and an unrestricted funds deficit of £111,728. This is including a deficit on the sale of a number of properties in the year of £43,246.
It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level sufficient enough to meet the expected annual running costs.
The 5 year plan of the trustees, following consultation with the membership, is to dispose of all our property, taking due regard to the interests of remaining tenants, and involving other charities where possible. During the year, 2 of the properties were sold according to the agreement reached last year.
Detailed procedures for disposing of further funds as they become available were agreed at the national gathering in October 2024, with two categories of projects for which applications could be made on the agreed application form: Projects/organisations proposed by members and associates of Ashram and Organisations working with people in housing need. Conversations have begun with a local Sheffield network as to whether an agreement can be reached for them to use the Burngreave property, and with a Housing Association regarding giving to them the Rock Street property. When all remaining assets have been disposed of, the company and Charity will be wound up.
The charity is a company limited by guarantee.
The charity's governing documents are the memorandum and articles of associations from incorporation on 29 May 2003.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
Trustees are selected from the members of at least two years standing. A potential new trustee will be approached by one of the existing trustees, on the basis of the skills and experience which they have on offer. If prepared to serve, their name will be put to the AGM of all members for approval.
None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.
The Ashram Community is A Not for Profit Charity.
Decision making is by the whole Membership of the Community at the Community Meetings held four times a year. The Community elect the Trustees who meet four times a year or more frequently if required. The Annual General Meeting elects the officers of the Community.
There are up to Six Trustees who have oversight of the Properties and Finances and who ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
Any decisions by the Trustees are discussed and approved by the membership including approving the annual accounts
A Trustee has been appointed by the Community to manage the day to day running and administration of the properties.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Ashram Community Trust (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 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. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
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 Companies Act 2006.
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 Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the financial statements 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 financial statements 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.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 March 2025. No member of the company has deposited a notice, pursuant to section 476, requiring an audit of these accounts.
The trustees' responsibilities for ensuring that the charity keeps accounting records which comply with section 386 of the Act and for preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the financial year and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the financial year in accordance with the requirements of sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to accounts, so far as applicable to the company.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.
Ashram Community Trust is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 31 Budebury Road, Staines, Middlesex, TW18 2AZ.
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" 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)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
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. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees 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 trustees 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. 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.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:
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.
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.
There were no employees during the year.
The average number of trustees was 6 (2024 - 6)
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
Days Income - Members contribute annually a Day's income towards a project, normally overseas, as decided by the Community Meeting, where an amount of up to £1,000 would make a difference.
Community Projects Fund - Funded through membership giving, donations are given to local community projects or initiatives that member are involved with, as agreed by the Community Meeting.
Wider Service Fund - The members who contribute to this fund decide on the recipients. It supports people, inside and outside of the Community, who are in situations that are in need of financial help.
Burngreave Multifaith - Money generated by the Burngreave Mult-faith project is used for local Sheffield Initiatives.
During the year the Wider Service Fund donated £63.30 across to the Days Income fund. This has been represented as a transfer above.
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.
Weekends Fund The Weekends Fund is used to subsidise those who are unable to pay the full fees for the residential weekends.
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).