Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1.4.2024 Period start date To 31.3.2025 Period end date
Charity name: RIVERSIDE FAMILY CHURCH
Charity registration number: 1003598
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | 1. The advancement of the Christian religion either in the United Kingdom or overseas. 2. The advancement for the public benefit of religious or other education 3. The relief of the aged, poor, sick, deprived, disabled or homeless. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
TO PROMOTE AND UPHOLD THE CHRISTIAN FAITH THROUGH CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS, COMMUNITY SERVICE AND SOCIAL ACTION, BY SUPPORTING THE UNDERPRIVILEGED AND WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WIDER CHRISTIAN CHURCHES WITHIN SOUTHAMPTON. Children’s and Youth Activities - providing games, crafts and activities, and learning life values in line with Christian principles. Regular Christian services which are open to the public providing a place of welcome, acceptance, support and friendship irrespective of ethnicity, race, background or gender. We started a midweek bible study – tackling social isolation by seeking to build relationships locally. |
| We provided prayer support to local people seeking help from us. Special support for those in need at Christmas through Christmas hampers for the community. We partnered with Compassion and One by one to help those in need internationally. A Community Café provided in half term school holidays. Helping tackle social isolation and provide activities for families. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | In planning our activities for the year, we kept in mind the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit at our trustee meetings. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers Other
Achievements and Performance
SORP reference
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | Citywide engagement with other charitable organisations to make a difference to many people in the city in areas of homelessness, food poverty, evangelistic initiatives Summer Community events and ‘Christmas at Riverside’, which served many from the immediate community by providing free food, refreshments, activities for children etc. As a church we also actively connect with One Body Southampton. We connected with other churches and begun discussion to look at a shared city vision for collaboration. We continued to give over 10% of our income to support other charitable organisations which varied from protecting children, to sharing the Christian message around the world. We supported the following organisations: One By One, Martis Productions (formerly, E-quip Arts) and Compassion UK. We worked in partnership with the local community centre helping develop stronger community links and started planning joint projects together. We have around 40 active members |
|
|---|---|---|---|
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 |
Other
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The income for the year was £78,476.69 against expenditure of £77,460.99. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Riverside Family Church has a commitment to holding 3 months priority costs in reserve. This includes funds to cover staffing costs, insurance and utilities as well as covering costs for unforeseen circumstances. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | At the end of March 2024, we had unrestricted reserves of £16,873.63 which is in line with our reserves policy |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | n/a |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | n/a |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | n/a |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 |
All income is through the giving and generosity of the members of Riverside Family Church and is used to fulfil the objectives and vision of the charity. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Trust deed |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | By Charitable Trust |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Nominated and appointed by the existing trustees |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 |
|
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | Our operational governance is in accordance with the constitution of Assemblies of God GB (AOG GB) with whom we are fully affiliated members |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Riverside Family Church |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1003598 |
| Charity’s principal address | 131A Northam Road Southampton Hampshire SO14 0QH |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton Betteridge | Chair of Trustees | |||
| Julia Maddock | Trustee | |||
| Philippa Robertson | Trustee | |||
| Laurence Brackpool |
Lead Minister and Trustee |
|||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
|---|---|---|
| The Official Custodian for charities as holding trustee on behalf of the Trustees of Riverside Family Church |
||
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets n/a held in this capacity
Name and objects of the n/a charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects
Details of arrangements for n/a safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Type of | Name | Address |
|---|---|---|
| adviser |
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Laurence Brackpool (Lead Minister)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
The church changed its name from Riverside Family Church to RIVER CHURCH.
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s)
Full name(s) Clayton Betteridge Julia Maddock ~~es ee~~ Position (eg Secretary, Chair of Trustees Trustee Chair, etc) ~~es~~
Date 18/01/2026 ~~——~~
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
| Report to the trustees/ | Riverside Family Church | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| members of | |||
| On accounts for the year | 31 | Charity no | 1003598 |
| ended | (if any) | ||
| Set out on pages | 2-3 |
Respective The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in responsibilities of accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Act and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
-
to follow the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Act, and
-
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention
Basis of independent My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given examiner’s statement 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 In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my examiner's statement attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act or
-
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: Date: 19 December 2025 ~~VFihevboon [|~~ Name: J Robertson FMAAT ~~Po~~ Address: JSR Management & HR Consultancy Services Ltd 37A Victoria Road Southampton SO19 9DY
River Church Income & Expense Account Basis: Cash
From 01/04/2024 To 31/03/2025
| Account | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating Income | ||
| General Income | 30.01 | |
| Gift Aid | 13,581.97 | |
| Grants | 1,500.00 | |
| Sales | 400.00 | |
| Tithes & Offering | 60,594.71 | |
| Income for specific purpose | 0.00 | |
| Buildings | 1,000.00 | |
| Specific activity | 570.00 | |
| Total for Income for specific purpose | 1,570.00 | |
| Total for Operating Income | 77,676.69 | |
| Cost of Goods Sold | ||
| Total for Cost of Goods Sold | 0.00 | |
| Gross Profit | 77,676.69 | |
| Operating Expense | ||
| Bank Fees and Charges | 72.42 | |
| Buildings Maintenance | 2,900.17 | |
| Childrens | 296.77 | |
| Cleaning supplies | 125.55 | |
| Conference and training | 2,184.16 | |
| Gifts out | 1,060.00 | |
| One off giving | 2,235.94 | |
| Regular giving | 6,000.00 | |
| Total for Gifts out | 9,295.94 | |
| Insurance | 6,019.41 | |
| IT and Internet Expenses | 27.00 |
| Account | Total |
|---|---|
| Meals and Entertainment | 607.18 |
| Riverside Community Café | 41.62 |
| Welcome Team | 1,007.41 |
| Courses / Conferences | 13.30 |
| Total for Meals and Entertainment | 1,669.51 |
| Office Supplies | 474.34 |
| Other Expenses | 1,070.70 |
| Repairs and Maintenance | 4,837.37 |
| Salaries and Employee Wages | 5,107.00 |
| Seasonal mission | 33.78 |
| Summer events | 23.75 |
| Christmas @ Riverside | 450.37 |
| Christmas Hampers | 623.09 |
| Easter @ Riverside | 97.75 |
| Total for Seasonal mission | 1,228.74 |
| Subscriptions | 1,053.10 |
| Urban Saints | 84.00 |
| Accountants | 685.00 |
| DBS | 176.16 |
| Membership | 3,099.00 |
| Total for Subscriptions | 5,097.26 |
| Worship | 15.38 |
| Youth | 171.43 |
| Travel | 0.00 |
| Automobile Expense | 568.34 |
| Fuel/Mileage Expenses | 260.87 |
| Parking | 73.48 |
| Total for Travel | 902.69 |
| Utilities | 0.00 |
| Broadband | 576.00 |
| Electricity | 1,519.36 |
| Gas | 1,008.86 |
| Account | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 299.94 | |
| Total for Utilities | 3,404.16 | |
| Employee Costs | 0.00 | |
| HMRC Employee tax | 4,015.87 | |
| Pension | 2,772.98 | |
| Salaries | 26,111.25 | |
| Total for Employee Costs | 32,900.10 | |
| Total for Operating Expense | 77,800.10 | |
| Operating Profit | -123.41 | |
| Non Operating Income | ||
| Total for Non Operating Income | 0.00 | |
| Non Operating Expense | ||
| Total for Non Operating Expense | 0.00 | |
| Net Profit/Loss | -123.41 |
River Church
Cash Flow Statement
From 01/04/2024 To 31/03/2025
| Account | Account Description | Total | Year To Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/04/2024 - 31/03/2025 | |||
| Beginning Cash Balance | 17,450.75 | 17,450.75 | |
| Cash Flow from Operating | |||
| Activities | |||
| Accounts Receivable | . | -800.00 | -800.00 |
| Employee | 92.88 | 92.88 | |
| Reimbursements | |||
| Net Income | 676.59 | 676.59 | |
| Non-cash adjustments | |||
| Non-cash adjustments | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Total | |||
| Net cash provided by | -30.53 | -30.53 | |
| Operating Activities | |||
| Cash Flow from Investing | |||
| Activities | |||
| Furniture and Equipment | . | -389.00 | -389.00 |
| Gift Aid Receivable | -496.70 | -496.70 | |
| Net cash provided by | -885.70 | -885.70 | |
| Investing Activities | |||
| Cash Flow from Financing | |||
| Activities | |||
| Net cash provided by | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Financing Activities | |||
| Net Change in cash | -916.23 | -916.23 | |
| Ending Cash Balance | 16,534.52 | 16,534.52 |
Page 1 of 2
Signed by one or two trustees on Behalf of all the trustees
----- Start of picture text -----
Signature Print Name
----- End of picture text -----
Date of Approval
Page 2 of 2
Financial Management Accountancy Bookkeeping & HR Consultancy Services Ltd
| Client: | Riverside Family Church |
|---|---|
| Client Manager: | |
| Bookkeeper: | |
| Year End: | 31.03.2025 |
| VAT: | |
| PAYE: | YES |
| Capium User | YES |
| Reviewed By: | John Robertson FMAAT |
| Review Dated: | 10/12/2024 |
| Summary: |
In line with our recommendations of previous years the church has invested in bookkeeping software to carry out the day-to-day transactions thus negating common accounting errors.
Not all expense incurred has a purchase invoice uploaded to zoho, Kingdom Coffee for example.
General Point: -
- a. Section B4 of the Independent report has NOT been updated as no current figures have been supplied.
As has been the case in previous reviews the accounts for Riverside Family Church have been presented in good order.
A cross section of transactions from each month were reviewed and consisted of: -
-
a. A check on Nominal to ensure correct data entry
-
b. Reconciliation of expenses to cheques raised by treasurer to reimburse personnel.
-
c. Bank Reconciliation
-
d. Fixed Assets
There are only a few minor observations as listed below.
-
Not all transactions in the Nominal “One off Giving” has supporting documentation to facilitate cross checking.
-
As above for “Regular Giving”
-
Fixed Assets – are long-term, tangible items a business owns and uses to generate revenue. I would suggest that boxes “to sort things” would not fall into this category. Fixed assets are subject to an annual depreciation, Depreciation is the gradual transfer of the original cost of a Fixed Asset from the Balance Sheet to the Profit and Loss Account . The transfer is usually done by a Journal . As general rule of thumb depreciation is calculated on the straight-line basis over the asset’s useful life.
JSR Management & HR Consultancy Services Ltd
37a Victoria Road Woolston Southampton SO19 9DY Telephone: 02380 323846 Registered in England & Wales Company Reg No. 7479823 VAT No. 106 637 130
Financial Management
Accountancy Bookkeeping & HR Consultancy Services Ltd
For example, a computer costs £1,000, and is expected to last 4 years, ie. an annual depreciation rate of 25%. On a straight line method, the annual depreciation is £250, which is transferred to the Profit and Loss Account from the Balance Sheet every year for 4 years. So after 1 year, the Balance Sheet value becomes £750, and the £250 has been charged as Depreciation to Profit and Loss. In the second year, the computer depreciates to £500, and another £250 is charged to Profit & Loss.
The Transaction details should be the item purchased and not how it was paid for.
The “Transaction Type” cannot be an “Expense” as Fixed assets are classed as “Capital Items”
The purchase of a computer should not be coded under “Furniture & Equipment” the nominal “Computer Equipment” would better describe the asset purchased. The opening balance of £24.00 requires explaining.
-
It is best practice to assist in the transaction audit trail that the transaction is given a purchase invoice number and the detail of the item purchased / generic detail added to the nominal.
-
As suggested in previous reports a secondary signature for approval of reimbursements should be introduced.
J Robertson FMAAT
JSR Management & HR Consultancy Services Ltd
JSR Management & HR Consultancy Services Ltd 37a Victoria Road Woolston Southampton SO19 9DY Telephone: 02380 323846 Registered in England & Wales Company Reg No. 7479823 VAT No. 106 637 130