BURY ST EDMUNDS AND DISTRICT
CHRISTIAN YOUTH ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st JULY 2024
BURY ST EDMUNDS AND DISTRICT CHRISTIAN YOUTH (ALSO KNOWN AS BCY)
CHARITY NUMBER 1000519 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2024
| Charity number: | 1000519 |
|---|---|
| Address: | Pump Lane |
| Bury St Edmunds | |
| Suffolk IP33 1HN | |
| Trustees: | Mrs E Barnard |
| Mrs B Burroughs | |
| Mr A Kirk | |
| Mrs R Pickering | |
| Mrs C Vallance | |
| Mr M Wallace | |
| Mrs H Brown | |
| Rev A Williams | |
| Bankers: | Lloyds Bank plc |
| 9 Butter Market | |
| Bury St Edmunds | |
| Suffolk IP33 1DF | |
| Independent Examiner: | David G King FCCA ATII |
| Peacock Ridge | |
| Brettenham Road | |
| Buxhall | |
| Suffolk IP14 3DX |
| INDEX | PAGE |
|---|---|
| Trustees’ report | 1 - 6 |
| Independent examiner’s report | 7 – 9 |
| Statement of financial activities | 9 |
| Statement of assets and liabilities | 6 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 11 |
BURY ST EDMUNDS AND DISTRICT CHRISTIAN YOUTH (ALSO KNOWN AS BCY) CHARITY NUMBER 1000519
TRUSTEES REPORT
Governance and objectives
The Charity is governed by a trust document dated 3rd September 1990, as amended by supplemental deeds dated 8[th] July 1997 and 11[th] July 2006.
The Charity was formed in September 1990 to appoint and employ youth workers to advance the Christian religion amongst young people in schools and churches in and around Bury St. Edmunds. The Mission Statement is:
Mission
To take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the young people of Bury St Edmunds and District.
Methods
Building relationships with young people to provide role models in Christian lifestyle and to nurture young Christians in their walk with God by:
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developing positive relationships with schools, supporting them in the provision of collective worship and with a clear Christian input into religious and other areas of the school curriculum.
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initiating and encouraging the development of extra-curricular activities to provide opportunities for interested young people to learn about Jesus Christ in an informal setting
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encouraging, training, and supporting churches in their work with young people
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encouraging prayer by individuals and churches for all work with young people
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acting as a stepping-stone between churches and young people
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looking for new opportunities to take the gospel to young people in Bury St Edmunds and District and to enable them to respond to its challenges.
The charity also has a Statement of Belief. The Statement of Belief, comprising ten statements, is modelled on that of the Evangelical Alliance and major Christian educational charities such as Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship and Scripture Union (in Schools). All employees and trustees affirm this statement on appointment.
Charity administration
The charity operates from premises at Unit 23, Park Farm Business Centre, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. IP28 6TS.
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BURY ST EDMUNDS AND DISTRICT CHRISTIAN YOUTH (ALSO KNOWN AS BCY) CHARITY NUMBER 1000519
Trustees
Trustees who served during the period 1st August 2023 to the date of this report were: -
Mrs Elizabeth Barnard
Mrs Beverley Burroughs Mrs Rebecca Pickering Mrs Caroline Vallance (Chairperson) Mr Mark Wallace
Rev Robert Strachan (resigned) Andrew Kirk Mrs Hannah Brown (appointed 11 July 2024) Rev Andrew Williams (appointed 11 July 2024)
Whilst the trustee body is very varied in both age and expertise, it is still the aim to add to the team anyone who meets the criteria and can contribute another needed area of expertise. The process for the recruitment of trustees is: potential trustees are invited by letter to consider joining the trustee body; those who affirm their willingness to consider the possibility receive documentation relating to the functions and responsibilities of trustees, including Charity Commission publications, along with BCY’s statements of belief and mission. They are also invited to attend one or two trustee meetings in observer status before a definitive decision is made between the charity and the potential trustee. Since we select new trustees because of their Christian beliefs and sympathy with BCY’s religious and educational objectives, an element of the formal appointment process is the signing of the statement of belief. The statement of belief closely resembles that of the Evangelical Alliance and major Christian educational charities such as Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship and Scripture Union (in Schools).
Functioning of trustee body
A good deal of communication amongst trustees and between trustees and staff is done by email. Also, A WhatsApp group between staff and trustees is used to communicate what work is happening each week. Most communication happens between the chair and senior worker, and then the senior worker line manages the rest of the staff team. The Chair is readily available to meet or chat over the phone should any of the staff need additional support.
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BURY ST EDMUNDS AND DISTRICT CHRISTIAN YOUTH (ALSO KNOWN AS BCY) CHARITY NUMBER 1000519
Trustees meet six times per annum. As a rule, the Senior worker is present for the whole agenda apart from discussions on their terms and conditions of employment. Other staff members are invited to attend occasional meetings. The chair, treasurer and staff workers report to the trustee body as a whole, and BCY’s aims, and objectives and activities are kept under review.
Usually, the trustees and staff workers meet in a private home for a so-called Awayday without a business agenda in order to reflect strategically and prayerfully on BCY’s operation. The last one was on 14 October 2023 and the next one is scheduled to be in Novemeber 2024.
Employees and Volunteers
Staff workers
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Nicola Anne Bolton, part-time youth worker
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Gavin Moss, senior full time youth worker
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Phil Warren, full time youth worker
Volunteers
As a matter of policy BCY welcomes contributions made by volunteers and will support or co-operate with them in their desire to share Christian teaching with school children. In the past volunteers have operated in two ways
:
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some have assisted the staff with the lunchtime or after-school clubs in Primary schools, Secondary schools, and 6[th] form colleges.
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Some volunteers from local churches – run extra-curricular clubs in their local and/or parish schools, using our subject-matter, methods, and materials.
All volunteers for activities involving direct contact with children are screened by trustees or staff, We also take up 2 references from leaders of the church which they attend, and we process a DBS-check.
Volunteers are made aware of BCY’s policies for both child safeguarding and health and safety. This training is undertaken by the staff workers.
Accountability and reporting
The annual public meeting (BCY 33) of the charity was held on Sunday 24[th] March 2024 at Kings Edwards VI School, Bury St Edmunds, this was included in our annual anniversary celebration service.
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BURY ST EDMUNDS AND DISTRICT CHRISTIAN YOUTH (ALSO KNOWN AS BCY) CHARITY NUMBER 1000519
CRB/DBS checks and child protection
All trustees and staff workers have been subject to DBS checks. Online updates have been undertaken during the course of the year. The Trustees are aware of the need for employees to undergo regular safeguarding training, and measures are currently being considered to facilitate this.
Risk management
Three risk assessment documents exist, covering premises and events. Although a formal financial risk assessment does not exist, the monthly documentation sent to all trustees facilitates careful control of the funds. This documentation includes (1) a simple statement of receipts and payments for the month in question (2) a financial report showing receipts, payments, surplus/deficit for both the month and the year to date, fund balances, bank balances, reserves in terms of months of operating costs, comparative figures for the preceding financial year.
As to reserves, the target is to retain enough funds for six months’ expenses. For reasons explained below, this year the target has been exceeded every month,
Public benefit
In planning our activities for the year, the trustees have kept in mind the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefits at their meetings.
BCY supports schools in meeting the requirements of the Education Act 1944 and the Education Reform Act 1988 in regard to the daily act of worship. We have several opportunities to speak at school assemblies. Contributions to extra-curricular clubs have been numerous. In addition, schools are assisted in the delivery of the RE, PHSE and Citizenship syllabi.
Through BCY’s work many children and young people have had their educational horizons broadened or the moral framework of their behaviour clarified and strengthened.
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BURY ST EDMUNDS AND DISTRICT CHRISTIAN YOUTH (ALSO KNOWN AS BCY) CHARITY NUMBER 1000519
Review of activities and summary of future plans
The staff team have had a large number of opportunities in local schools.
Having taken on a Primary schools worker last year. We have begun to build up some good relationships with several primary schools in the area. Running assemblies, lessons, Prayer space events and after school clubs. We also had a Christian theatre company come and tour round many of the primary schools, including a public event all of which was very successful.
The team have continued to build upon their work in middle and secondary schools, running assemblies, lessons, prayer spaces, mentoring and running wellbeing workshops. We have also been able to work with the older 6[th] form age group with our wellbeing workshop too.
Also, the team have been able to run occasional events with local churches, such as a youth worship event and the senior worker and primary worker were able to support holiday camps and a holiday club over the summer months.
Our senior worker continues to facilitate and work to our development plan going forward. We are hoping to run a residential in 2024 and we plan to welcome the theatre company to do another tour.
Charity accounting procedures
The Trustees have fulfilled their responsibility to prepare accounts for the financial year ending 31[st] July 2024, showing the charity’s deficit for that period. In preparing these accounts the Trustees have observed the requirements to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently.
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make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts; and
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prepare the accounts on the going concern basis.
Accordingly, proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the charity’s financial position have been kept and a summary presented each month to the trustees. They have fulfilled their responsibility to safeguard the charity’s assets and to take reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
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BURY ST EDMUNDS AND DISTRICT CHRISTIAN YOUTH (ALSO KNOWN AS BCY) CHARITY NUMBER 1000519
Financial summary
Our income is composed almost exclusively of donations from individuals and churches.
The statement of financial activities covers a twelve-month period from 1[st] August 2023 to 31[st] July 2024.
The charity has reserves of £40,190. This has fallen from £79,057 over the previous 12 months.
The reason for the decline in reserves is that we appointed a second full time youth worker last year following some generous gifts. We expect our reserves to fall by a similar amount next year. The trustees estimate that the charity can operate for another 14 months at the present level of expenditure.
We are grateful to our staff and volunteers for their dedication and to the many churches and individuals who support the trust both financially and morally.
Approved by the Trustees on 23 May 2025 and signed on their behalf by
Mark Wallace
Trustee
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BURY ST EDMUNDS AND DISTRICT CHRISTIAN YOUTH (ALSO KNOWN AS BCY) CHARITY NUMBER 1000519
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ ST] JULY 2024
I report on the accounts of Bury St Edmunds and District Christian Youth for the year ended 31st. July 2024, which are set out on pages 9 to 11.
RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND EXAMINER
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Charities Act”) and that an independent examination is needed
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention
BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT
My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect: -
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.
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BURY ST EDMUNDS AND DISTRICT CHRISTIAN YOUTH (ALSO KNOWN AS BCY) CHARITY NUMBER 1000519
I 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 accounts to be reached.
David G King FCCA ATII
Peacock Ridge
Brettenham Road
Buxhall
Suffolk IP14 3DX
David King
Dated:- 23 May 2025
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BURY ST EDMUNDS AND DISTRICT CHRISTIAN YOUTH (ALSO KNOWN AS BCY) CHARITY NUMBER 1000519
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
| RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS | ||
|---|---|---|
| 12 months | 12 months | |
| to | to | |
| 31st July | 31st July | |
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| INCOMING RESOURCES | ||
| Incoming resources from generated funds: | ||
| Gifts and donations (note 1) | 46,835 | 49,950 |
| Interest received | 1,892 | 1,020 |
| Total incoming resources | 48,727 | 50,970 |
| RESOURCES EXPENDED | ||
| Charitable activities (note 2) | 77,097 | 69,972 |
| Governance costs (note 3) | 7,497 | 15,642 |
| Total resources expended | 84,594 | 85,614 |
| Net (outgoing) / incoming resources for the year | (35,867) | (34,644) |
| Fund balance brought forward at 1st August | 76,057 | 110,701 |
| 2023 | ||
| Fund balance carried forward at 31st July | £40,190 | £76,057 |
| 2024 | ||
| Represented by cash at bank: | ||
| Lloyds Bank Business Current Account | 4,609 | 7,104 |
| Lloyds Bank Business Savings Instant Access | 35,581 | 35,503 |
| Charities Deposit Fund | -___ | 33,450 |
| £40,190 | £76,057 |
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BURY ST EDMUNDS AND DISTRICT CHRISTIAN YOUTH (ALSO KNOWN AS BCY) CHARITY NUMBER 1000519
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31 JULY 2024
| ASSETS AND LIABILITIES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 31st July 2024 | 31st July | ||
| £ | 2023 | ||
| £ | |||
| ASSETS | |||
| Gift Aid claim | 2,816 | 4,081 | |
| Prepaid Expenses | 336 | - | |
| Cash at bank | 40,190 | 76,057 | |
| Total assets | 43,342 | 80,138 | |
| LIABILITIES | |||
| Trade Creditors | 100 | - | |
| HMRC PAYE and NEST Pension | 1,484 | 1,022 | |
| NET ASSETS | £41,7586 | £79,116 |
Approved by the Trustees on. 2 3May 2025 and signed on their behalf by
Mark Wallace
Trustee & Treasurer
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BURY ST EDMUNDS AND DISTRICT CHRISTIAN YOUTH (ALSO KNOWN AS BCY) CHARITY NUMBER 1000519
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
| 1 GIFTS AND DONATIONS Churches Individuals Miscellaneous income including events Covenant/gift aid tax recovery 2 CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Employment of youth workers Other events or resources 3 GOVERNANCE Training and CRB/DBS checks Capital investment Office costs |
2024 £ 16,137 19,145 7,472 4,081 46,835 72,407 4,690 77,097 1,203 353 5,941 7,497 |
2023 £ 15,554 24,224 909 9,263 49,950 67,718 2,254 69,972 1,945 1,239 12,458 15,642 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
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