TfT ANNUAL REPORT: 1996/97
This Annual Report covers the work of True freedom Trust between May 1996 and April 1997

Introduction

Throughout 1996/97 we sought to continue to provide a Christian support and teaching ministry offering help to those struggling with homosexuality and related issues. We have also aimed to support others indirectly affected by these struggles, such as families, friends and church leaders. In our previous Annual Report we stated that 1995/96 had been one of the most difficult years for TfT since it's foundation in 1977. Looking back now an 1996/97 we can report on a period of further change and consolidation and also recognise how the Lord has protected and guided the ministry throughout the year.

Our office in London closed in the Autumn of 1996 and we said goodbye to our London staff (more anon). All records and equipment were moved to the Merseyside office from where the work of TfT is now fully administered and co-ordinated. Yet despite becoming a "leaner" organisation we dealt with an ever increasing workload of new enquiries, speaking engagements, and training initiatives.

Counselling Enquiries

 During the year there were 155 new counselling contacts in the Merseyside office. Of these 119 were men and 36 women. (Although the London office was open for the first part of 1996/97 it did not undertake any counselling work.) Many of these people were not seen personally - much of our counselling continued to be conducted through correspondence and over the telephone, and increasingly we were able to refer those seeking help to other counsellors and agencies. Those requesting counselling also included many parents, spouses, and friends of those struggling with issues of sexuality.

General Enquiries

In the Merseyside office during 1996/97 we received 337 general enquiries about our work (compared with 258 in the previous year). Many of the enquiries came from church leaders needing assistance with pastoral matters. They also included requests for speaking and teaching engagements.

Counsellors Directory

Before closing in autumn 1996 the London office spent several months compiling a Directory of individual counsellors and counselling agencies throughout the country who would be willing to take referrals from us. This Directory was used extensively in the latter part of 1996/97 and ensured we were able to put many people in touch with counsellors where previously we were not aware that help was available.

Befrienders

During the year we had 30 Befrienders operating throughout the country. These are members of TfT who make themselves available to listen, support and encourage those struggling with various issues. Some Befrienders are called upon more than others, depending on where needs most often arise. But we are aware that in many parts of the country we have no Befrienders available, and we would encourage TfT members to consider applying to be added to our referral list.

Pastoral Support Workers

Before closing, the London office also created a team of Pastoral Support Workers (PSW's) across London and the South East. We had 12 PSW's working on a voluntary basis throughout the year. Their task is to meet new contacts (usually over 4 sessions) to assess their specific needs and report on the most appropriate way of providing further help and encouragement.

Support Groups

During 1996/7 our support groups were renamed Barnabas groups. They met throughout the year in Merseyside, Birmingham, London and Edinburgh. More recently a new group has started meeting in Manchester and it is anticipated that others will be opened shortly.

Speaking Engagements

Martin Hallett continued to have many speaking engagements during 1996/97. These included preaching at Sunday church services visiting University and College Christian Unions, speaking at clergy chapter meetings, and attending conferences and seminars organised by other organisations.

Examples of Martin's engagements included leading training days for YWAM and Oasis, taking seminars at the Probation Service Christian Fellowship conference, speaking to young people at Altrincham Baptist Church and Harvest 96, and lecturing at All Nations, Oak Hill and many other Bible colleges. 

Books

One highlight of the year was the publication of Martin Hallett's new book Out of the Blue in September 1996. The book seeks to directly help those struggling with issues of sexuality, but is also for others such as families and friends who are affected by the homosexuality of someone else. The response to the book from media and public was extremely positive, and sales over the first year have been encouraging.

Prayerline

During the year the TfT prayerline continued to be sent out about every two months. This allowed requests for prayer (and answers!) to be circulated to those members (over 60 in number) who wished to support others with needs in this particular way.

Annual Conference

The annual conference was held from 29 November to 1 December at a new venue - Quinta Hall in Shropshire. About 70 members attended. The main speakers were Keith Tiller from Parakaleo Ministries, and Annelies Barth from the Netherlands. For many people this was regarded as our best ever conference, and we received many positive responses from delegates.

Exodus Europe

TfT is a founder member of Exodus International Europe (EIE), a federation of Christian counselling agencies offering hope to the homosexual person. In May 1996 Martin Hallett spoke at the EIE conference in Urk, Netherlands.

Staff

Martin Hallett the TfT founder, continued throughout 1996/97 as full-time Director and Counsellor. He was assisted in the Merseyside office by Martin Daly (Administrator) and Chris Bennett(Secretary). Valuable assistance on the accounts was also provided by Betty McCabe. The closure of the London office in October 1996 meant we sadly said farewell to Dr Vaughan Williams (part-time counsellor) and Elizabeth Norris (part-time Administrator). In April 1996 Sally Parry, who had served for many years in our Merseyside office, also left for another appointment. We miss all three staff very much indeed and wish to formally record our gratitude for their effort and commitment to TfT over the years.

Trustees

The Trustees - Welter Hurst (Chair), Peter Haydock (Treasurer), Jean Haydock, JohnBerry, Tricia Berry, Ian Knox and Deborah Spillards - met 3 times during 1996/97. Due to pressure of work Brian Mills resigned during the year, and we were deeply saddened by the death of another Trustee, Arthur Coe, after a long illness.

Council of Reference

Our Council of Reference for the year was Rev Canon David Atkinson, Rev Canon L Roy Barker, Rt Rev Michael Baughan, Rev Ian Bunting, Rev Clive Calver, Ralph Chambers, Gerald Coates, Rev David Field, Very Rev Brandon Jackson, Elaine Storkey, Rev Derek Tidball, Rt Rev Geoffrey Turner and JP Noel Vallely. We are most grateful to the Council for the continued support they gave to the work of TfT throughout the year.

Financial Report

During the year to end April 97 income totalled �69,707. This was a decrease of 17% compared with 1995/96 (�83,599) which had been the last year in which we received a grant from the Jerusalem Trust. Expenditure during 1996/97 was �74,031, which represented a decrease of 8% over 1995/96. Thus during 1996/97 as a whole we had a working deficit of �4,324. Fortunately our reserve allowed for us to carry this deficit and at end April 97 our balance in the bank was in credit to the tune of �7,564.

As usual, the two main categories of income during 1996/97 were directs gifts made through the bank (�31,853) and other gifts via the office (�29,561). Other income continued to be raised through the sale of literature and tapes, conference fees and bank interest.

Salaries, tax and NI payments accounted for the biggest item of expenditure in 1996/97(�40,787). Other major categories of spending during the year included travelling and other expenses (�4,946) printing & stationery (�4,401), and accommodation costs (�5,158). The latter figure was particularly high in 1996/97 because of the need for our London office to hire new premises during the first half oft he year prior to it's closure.

Our budget for 1997/98 anticipates a further small reduction in income to �67,500, and a more significant fall in expenditure to �64,200 (reflecting the reduction in staff numbers). We therefore estimate a small excess for the year of �3,300.

We would again like to thank the very many supporters of TfT who gave so generously throughout 1996/97. Our ministry now relies almost entirely on the goodwill and generosity of our members and we look forward to continued support in this way.

Looking Forward

After the many changes of the past two years we now anticipate a period of consolidation and growth as we approach the end of the century. We will continue to see less emphasis on direct counselling by TfT staff, and a greater role for PSW's and those counsellors and agencies who are prepared to take referrals from us. In this way we hope to increase even further our coverage across the whole country.

There are plans too for establishing several new Barnabas (support) groups, and we will be seeking additional Befrienders to take on this vital role of listening and encouraging.

There is little doubt that the debate over homosexuality will continue to have a high profile in the Church of England and other denominations in coming months. This is likely to lead to an ever increasing workload for TfT, both in terms of the numbers of new contacts and enquiries and also as measured by the demand for literature and speakers. We are confident we can continue to meet this increasing demand for care and training - but only through the Lord's provision and with the prayer and encouragement of our many supporters.