SMETHURST MINISTRIES TRUST
Registration Number 1043713
Income and Expenditure Account
For the Year Ended 31st March 2025
| Income Gift Aid Income Less Expenditure Gifts and Donations Motor Expenses Bank Charges Missions and Conferences Office Costs Postage Repairs and Maintenance Insurance Books and Resources Wages and Pension Telephone Utilities Total Expenditure Excess to Capital Account |
2023 £49,037.03 £3,371.79 £52,408.82 £42,428.72 £3,248.15 £603.03 £5,665.03 £1,265.03 £243.22 £8,422.11 £1,660.80 £526.23 £10,815.00 £1,824.08 £2,461.02 £79,162.42 -£26,753.60 |
2024 2025 £118,612.38 £50,260.48 £8,126.23 £118,612.38 £58,386.71 £51,444.72 £15,448.94 £6,693.91 £3,541.70 £630.80 £608.89 £17,419.98 £5,349.24 £4,665.08 £1,794.57 £1,298.21 £402.40 £15,482.00 £9,888.46 £3,581.19 £3,094.30 £1,023.50 £209.87 £10,815.00 £10,814.70 £2,971.94 £890.60 £3,520.80 £2,183.57 £119,547.13 £54,227.24 -£934.75 £4,159.47 |
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SMETHURST MINISTRIES TRUST
Registration Number 1043713
Balance Sheet
| As at 31st March | As at 31st March | 2025 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital Account Balance as at 31st March Income over Expendiure Current Assets Cash at National Westminster Bank Savings Account National Westminster Bank Current Liabilities American Express Credit Card Natwest Mastercard Net Current Assets |
2023 £49,752.63 -£26,753.60 £22,999.03 £23,966.89 £0.01 £23,966.90 £806.58 £161.29 |
2024 2025 £22,999.03 £22,064.28 -£934.75 £4,159.47 £22,064.28 £26,223.75 £22,351.09 £25,416.61 £0.00 £0.00 £22,351.09 £25,416.61 £187.81 £165.59 £99.00 -£972.73 |
||
| £967.87 £22,999.03 |
£286.81 -£807.14 £22,064.28 £26,223.75 |
SMETHURST MINISTRIES TRUST
40 Rudyard Road, Brighton East Sussex, BN2 6UB
A Registered Charity 1043713
Annual Trustees Report
For the Year Ended 31st March 2025
The year 2024/2025 has once again been both challenging and rewarding for our charity. Following the years of disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have continued to rebuild momentum, reconnecting with communities across the UK and Europe. It has been encouraging to see our work resume and to collaborate once again with the many dedicated individuals we have trained and equipped in previous years. Their commitment and compassion have enabled vital humanitarian work to continue in areas of great need.
Supporting Those in Crisis
The ongoing conflict in the eastern Europe region continues to bring deep hardship to already vulnerable communities, particularly refugees, homeless individuals, single-parent families, and orphans now living across parts of Europe. Thanks to the efforts of our local partners, we have been able to provide essential support, counselling, medicine, and food to those most affected. Our teams in Norway, many of whom were trained by us in earlier years, have continued to serve with exceptional dedication. They have offered counselling and comfort to those who are grieving, ill, or displaced, and have even been called upon by hospitals and local refugee organisations to help with family support, marriages, and funerals.
The generosity of our donors has once again made it possible to send funds for medicines, blankets, warm clothing, and shoes, items that have been critical through another harsh winter. These provisions, along with access to heating and medical care, have ensured that vulnerable families and children could survive and maintain their health through very difficult conditions.
Education and Counselling
Education remains one of the cornerstones of our work. Many refugee children still face great barriers to learning, yet with our continued support, a number have again passed their school examinations with success. Their achievements, and the heartfelt speeches they have given on graduation days, have inspired local children to work harder and value education.
At Christmas, our teams were again able to bring light and warmth to families in Norway, and Latvia by distributing warm meals, educational gifts, heating supplies, and essential medicines. Though simple, these acts of care bring hope and dignity to those who are struggling and remind us that compassion in action truly matters.
Family and Relationship Support
Beyond humanitarian aid, our focus on strengthening families and supporting emotional wellbeing has remained strong. Throughout 2024 and 2025, a series of seminars, both in-person and online, provided encouragement and practical help to those facing relationship breakdowns, teenage challenges, and loneliness.
These sessions have continued to attract counsellors, caregivers, and volunteers from across Europe, many of whom are now using the training materials (translated into several languages) to support others in their own communities. The reach and impact of this work have been deeply encouraging.
Challenges Faced
This year, we have faced new financial pressures. Many of our long-term supporters, particularly older donors, have been affected by the rising cost of living and have sadly had to reduce or suspend their giving. In addition, our “Gift Aid” income has declined as many of these donors are now retired and no longer eligible to claim.
Despite these challenges, we remain profoundly grateful for every gift we receive, large or small, and for the continued trust and kindness shown by our supporters.
Looking Ahead
This year has reminded us of the resilience of those we serve and the compassion of those who give. While the needs remain great, we are encouraged by the tangible progress we have witnessed: the comfort restored to families, the confidence rebuilt in children, and the hope renewed among those who once felt forgotten.
As we move forward into a new year, we remain committed to our calling: to bring practical help, emotional support, and lasting hope to communities in crisis across the UK and Europe.
Signed on behalf of the trustees,
David C. Smethurst
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x CHARITY COMMISSION | Independent examiner's report on the
2) FOR ENGLAND AND WALES accounts
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Section A independent Examiner's Report
Report to the trustees/
On accounts for the year | 31.03.2025 Charity no | 1043713
ended (if any)
Set out on pages | Accounts attached
| report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above
charity (the Trust’) for the year ended q
Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the
basis of report accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011
(“the Act”).
| report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out
under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, |
have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission
under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent | have completed my examination. | confirm that no material matters have
examiner's statement Come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me
cause to believe that in, any material respect:
e the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130
of the Charities Act; or
e the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
e the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements
concerming 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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| have no concems 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 accounts to be reached.
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Name: | Alice Belcher
Relevant professional | Project Manager
Address: | 40 Rudyard Road, Brighton BN2 6UB
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IER
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Oct 2018
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