BURY ST EDMUNDS AND DISTRICT
CHRISTIAN YOUTH ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st JULY 2025
BURY ST EDMUNDS AND DISTRICT CHRISTIAN YOUTH (ALSO KNOWN AS BCY)
CHARITY NUMBER 1000519 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2025
| Charity number: | 1000519 | |
|---|---|---|
| Address: | c/o Bridge Community Church | |
| 68 Queens Road | ||
| Bury St Edmunds | ||
| Suffolk IP33 3EW | ||
| Trustees: | Mrs E Barnard | |
| Mrs B Burroughs | ||
| Mr A Kirk | ||
| Mrs C Vallance | ||
| Mr M Wallace | ||
| 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
During the financial year under review, the charity operated from premises at Unit 23, Park Farm Business Centre, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. IP28 6TS. During August 2025 the Charity relocated to premises kindly provided rent free at Bridge Community Church, 68 Queens Road, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. IP33 3EW
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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 2024 to the date of this report were: -
Mrs Elizabeth Barnard
Mrs Beverley Burroughs
Mrs Rebecca Pickering (resigned 31 December 2025)
Mrs Caroline Vallance (Chairperson)
Mr Mark Wallace
Mr Andrew Kirk
Mrs Hannah Brown (appointed 11 July 2024 and resigned 22 September 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 June 2024.
Employees and Volunteers
Staff workers
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Nicola 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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:
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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 must adhere to BCY’s volunteering policies and Statement of Faith and 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 safeguarding and health and safety and when in schools, must adhere to the schools’ policies. This training is undertaken by the staff workers.
Accountability and reporting
The annual public meeting (BCY 34) of the charity was held on Sunday 23[rd] March 2025 at St. Mary’s Church in 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
DBS checks and Safeguarding
All trustees and staff workers have been subject to DBS checks. Online update checks have been undertaken during the course of the year. Staff and trustees are required to undertake regular safeguarding training, as set out in BCY’s safeguarding policy.
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 continued to develop opportunities in schools and have also built strong networks with local churches and organisations.
Over the past year, the team have increased the number of schools they work with on a regular basis. Their involvement now spans primary schools, secondary schools, and the sixth-form college age group. Activities have included assemblies, lessons, Christian Unions, after-school clubs, prayer spaces, and wellbeing workshops. These have all been well received, with many students attending regularly, all our groups are available to those with and without a faith background.
A significant development this year was the launch of a weekend residential for young people in School Years 5, 6, and 7. The event was well attended, and the young people greatly enjoyed both the on-site activities (such as zip wire, kayaking, and archery) and the Christian teaching. Following the success of the 2024 residential, plans are now underway for another residential, which will expand to include Year 8 students.
In addition to the team’s work in school, they also partnered with local churches to run occasional events, such as a termly youth worship gathering, giving many young people opportunities to lead in different ways. The senior worker and primary worker were also able to support two summer camps, as well as two holiday clubs over the summer months.
Our senior worker continues to lead the team in delivering our current programme while also facilitating progress towards our longer-term development plan.
Charity accounting procedures
The Trustees have fulfilled their responsibility to prepare accounts for the financial year ending 31[st] July 2025, 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 2024 to 31[st] July 2025.
The charity has reserves of £57,312. This has increased from £40,190 over the previous 12 months.
The Charity has had a difficult period of time financially. While the need for the work has never been greater, finances were proving to be challenging. During the later part of the 2024 calendar year there was a significant monthly deficit. After a great deal of reflection, and prayer, the trustees concluded that the only way that the Charity could continue to function is if it downsized. The trustees consulted with staff and started redundancy procedures.
In the early part of 2025, a significant number of large gifts were forthcoming. We were successful in obtaining grant funding of £9,300, and giving generally increased. The net result is that we were able to reverse our decision to downsize, and proceed into the 2025/26 financial year with confidence.
We would like to say a big thank you to all of our supporters who stepped up to the challenge, and praise God for his abundant provision.
Approved by the Trustees on 29 May 2026 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 2025
I report on the accounts of Bury St Edmunds and District Christian Youth for the year ended 31st. July 2025, 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
Dated:- 29 May 2026
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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 2025
| RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS | ||
|---|---|---|
| 12 months | 12 months | |
| to | to | |
| 31st July | 31st July | |
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| INCOMING RESOURCES | ||
| Incoming resources from generated funds: | ||
| Gifts , events and donations (note 1) | 102,609 | 46,835 |
| Interest received | 423 | 1,892 |
| Total incoming resources | 103,032 | 48,727 |
| RESOURCES EXPENDED | ||
| Charitable activities (note 2) | 76,580 | 77,097 |
| Governance costs (note 3) | 9,330 | 7,497 |
| Total resources expended | 85,910 | 84,594 |
| Net incoming / (outgoing) resources for the year | 17,122 | (35,867) |
| Fund balance brought forward at 1st August | 40,190 | 76 057 |
| 2024 | ||
| Fund balance carried forward at 31st July | £57,312 | £40,190 |
| 2025 | ||
| Represented by cash at bank: | ||
| Lloyds Bank Business Current Account | 4,814 | 4,609 |
| Lloyds Bank Business Savings Instant Access | 52,498 | 35,581 |
| £57,312 | £40,190 |
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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 2025
| ASSETS AND LIABILITIES | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31st July 2025 | 31st July | |||
| £ | 2024 | |||
| £ | ||||
| ASSETS | ||||
| Gift Aid claim | 6,907 | 2,816 | ||
| Prepaid Expenses | 300 | 336 | ||
| Cash at bank | 57,312 | 40,190 | ||
| Total assets | 64,519 | 43,342 | ||
| LIABILITIES | ||||
| Wild Weekend 2025 Advance Payments | 1,450 | - | ||
| Trade Creditors | 46 | 100 | ||
| HMRC PAYE and NEST Pension | 1,077 | 1,484 | ||
| NET ASSETS | £61,946 | £41,758 |
Approved by the Trustees on. 29 May 2026 and signed on their behalf by
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 2025
| 1 GIFTS AND DONATIONS Churches Individuals Grant Income Miscellaneous income including events Gift Aid tax recovery 2 CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Employment of youth workers Events or resources 3 GOVERNANCE Training and CRB/DBS checks Capital investment Office and admin costs |
2025 £ 36,541 46,007 9,300 7,945 2,816 102,609 70,684 5,896 76,580 1,869 1,460 6,001 9,330 |
2025 £ 36,541 46,007 9,300 7,945 2,816 102,609 70,684 5,896 76,580 1,869 1,460 6,001 9,330 |
2024 £ 16,137 19,145 - 7,472 4,081 46,835 72,407 4,690 69,972 1,203 353 5,941 7,497 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
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