Sharon Full Gospel Church Osborne Road, Pontypool NP4 6LU Registered Charity Number 1050642 Trustees Annual Report 2024
Aims and Purposes
Sharon Full Gospel Church is an independent Christian church, and a member of the Evangelical Alliance (Membership Number 251867). Our main aim is to advance the Christian religion. As is set out in our governing documents, we seek to achieve this aim by proclaiming the Gospel of God concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord through preaching and teaching of the Word of God and by maintaining a place of worship and prayer for this purpose.
Alongside religious services, our aims are equally furthered by the practical expression of our faith through our charitable works which support our local community: by relieving poverty, providing activities for families and children, and promoting better community cohesion and mental and physical health.
Objectives and Activities
Our objectives are set to reflect our faith and community. Each year our trustees review our objectives and activities to ensure they continue to reflect our aims. In carrying out this review the trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion.
Our aim remains to proclaim the Christian message, as expressed in our statement of faith and ethos statement, providing a facility where Christians can both worship and express their faith practically by supporting and working in partnership with the local community.
Achievements and Performance
The church has opened throughout the week for various religious meetings for prayer, worship and Bible teaching. Membership has increased modestly with new families are in regular attendance. Our mission to proclaim the gospel has continued in partnership with other Pontypool churches through joint services as part of churches together in Pontypool.
In addition to this, we demonstrate love to our neighbours by running a wide-ranging programme of community work, and employ a part-time Community Engagement Worker, in a project called “Hope for the Community.” The most recent impact report for the project is included at the end of this report.
Despite the secular nature of our community project, some people, having visited us for practical help, also want to find out about what spiritual help is available. Indeed, with our project footfall running at 600-750 people per month, church leadership have struggled to keep up with the number of enquiries. We received grant money from the SMB Trust to hire a community chaplain for 6 hours each week who works in our community café to deal with faith enquiries and provide a listening ear, especially in times of bereavement.
We also continue to employ a part-time children’s & families minister, who throughout 2024 ran a Christian afterschool club for 5-11 year olds one night per week, and a parent & toddler group one morning per week. She also liaises with our local school, and we were wonderfully impressed by the nativity plays put on at our church this Christmas by 100 pupils from Geroge Street Primary School.
Financial Review
The final balance sheet for 2024 is attached, together with the report from our independent examiner. The total income for the year was £122,568.30. £80,751.39 of this was restricted for our community project. Grants above £5,000 were as follows: The National Lottery People & Places Medium Grant £33,366.50; Torfaen County Borough Council Social Enterprise Grant £16,744.00; Torfaen County Borough Council Community Resilience Grant £8,348.00; Torfaen County Borough Council Food4Growth Grants £6,220.57; Torfaen County Borough Council Levelling Up Grant £6,202.00.
There was also a £5,000 restricted grant for Help2Heat, £5,000 for our chaplaincy (Dorcas Trust, £2,500.00; Goshen Trust £2,500) and £2,400 for our families minister from the Rehoboth Trust. £29,416.91 was donated for general funds. In addition to the direct expenses from the restricted funds, an amount of £30,537.84 was transferred across during the year from restricted to general funds, covering pro-rata core costs as agreed with donors in their individual grant acceptance agreements.
Reserves Policy
Sharon Full Gospel Church seeks to maintain a reserve of approx. 9 months of operating costs whenever possible to cover eventualities such as unforeseen increases in day-to-day operational costs, or when a source of income may be lost (as when a member leaves or dies). This reserve does not include restricted funds. During 2024 our reserve continued (as in 2023) to be 5-6 months of operating costs, and this is being carefully monitored.
Volunteers
We would like to thank all the volunteers who are drawn both from the church membership and our local community. Twelve volunteers assisted us in 2024. They work so hard to make our church the lively and vibrant community it is. Thank you also to our trustees, elders, and deacons for keeping the church running.
Structure, Governance and Management
The church is administered by the Church Council, which is a team of at least three trustees (minimum of Chair, Secretary and Treasurer), the appointment of whom is set out in the governing document. These are assisted in the day-to-day religious life of the church by elders and deacons the appointment of whom is also set out in the governing document. The Church Council meet six times each year.
Administrative Information
Sharon Full Gospel Church is an independent Christian church situated in Osborne Road, Pontypool NP4 6LU. It is a member of the Evangelical Alliance. The correspondence address is The Minister, Bethany, 7 Park View, Freeholdland Road, Pontnewynydd, Pontypool NP4 8LP.
Church Council Members (Trustees): Reverend Mathew Bartlett (Chair of Trustees), Mrs Barbara Yvonne Owens (Treasurer), Mr David Vaughan (Secretary) Elder: Mr David Hinwood
Accountants: Greens Accountancy & Tax Services Ltd, 106a Commercial Street, Risca, Newport NP11 6EE
All Reports and Accounts Approved by the Church Council on 12/09/2025 and signed on their behalf by Mathew Bartlett (Chair of Trustees)
Annual Impact Report: Hope for the Community Project at Sharon Full Gospel Church
Reporting Period: June 2024 – May 2025
The Story of Our Year
Our community project began in 2021 with a National Lottery grant enabling us to employ a part-time community worker. The community had identified the need for support with food and fuel and to reduce loneliness following the pandemic. This year, our project “Hope for the Community” has continued to grow and deepen its engagement with the community in Pontypool. Operating three days per week, our community hub, with its grocery store and café at the heart, has remained a welcoming, accessible space offering low-cost food and a safe environment for connection and support.
We’ve reached around 1,000 people this year, providing essentials such as low-cost groceries, home fuel grants, and school holiday meal hampers. But beyond the numbers, we’ve built a place where people feel seen, heard, and cared for.
Community at the Centre
From the start, we have prioritised working with our community, not just for them.
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Volunteers from the local area play a vital role in our café, shop, and other services. Despite some health setbacks among team members, neighbours stepped in to ensure we continued to meet our commitments. We have welcomed seven new volunteers this year, including those with disabilities.
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Our regular questionnaires provide basic information about what our community feels about our services and how they can improve.
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Our “People’s Forum” , is an ad-hoc group made up of non-church community members, advises our decisions and reflects the lived experience of our service users.
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We’re learning that face-to-face conversations — often over a cuppa in the café — are the best tools we have for understanding what our community truly needs.
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Children and young people joined in, fundraising for local causes, participating in cleanups, and creating a joyful intergenerational presence.
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We now host a community information point , a computerised access point for “What’s On” in Torfaen, especially in the voluntary sector.
The Difference We’ve Made
Big Impacts:
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School holiday hampers: 70 food hampers fed almost 200 parents and children in need for days at a time during school holidays. Feedback shows families prefer this support at home, rather than breakfast clubs.
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OAP hampers supported 30 pensioners this Christmas, as we signposted those eligible to sign up for pension credit before losing their winter fuel allowance.
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Fuel support: Increased fuel grants (£50, up from £30) reached 80+ crisis-hit households, thanks to Community Foundation Wales and Newsquest support.
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During the winter months we advertise as a Warm Space. Our footfall counter registered 2,283 visitors in Jan-Feb, but since many people come more than once a week a more reasonable estimate is of 300+ unique visitors in the coldest months.
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Our Grocery Store has sold 415 £5 baskets and 120 £10 family-size baskets of groceries this year, and membership stands at 354 people from 124 households. This is significantly up on last year.
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With Community Fund funding we opened a low-cost Community Café in September, which has since prepared 823 meals and many more snacks and drinks. In November we extended our hours to serve both cooked breakfasts and lunches.
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Our use of Welsh has grown, as our local Welsh Language group Menter Iaith now meets in the community cafe every week, and we have been helped by Welsh-speaking volunteers.
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Building improvements: Thanks to capital funding from Torfaen Council, the National Churches Trust and TNL match-funding, we now have a new roof, solar panels, and a warmer, more welcoming front façade — with significant long-term savings on energy costs.
Quiet Miracles: Some Anonymous Case Studies
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A woman escaping domestic violence found safety through our café and was connected — sensitively — to police and social services in a way that respected her wishes.
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A man struggling with changes to disability benefits found friendship, a food referral, and a gentle nudge toward mental health support — all over a 30-minute conversation and a £5 shop.
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New immigrants and asylum seekers were supported with filling in housing forms, safe spaces, and essential cultural dignity — including welcoming conversations across faiths and backgrounds.
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A family of five received a bailiff’s note about Council Tax arrears and asked for help. We directed them to Citizens Advice, offered them emotional support, and provided both parents and children with food in the café.
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A family of four was completely flooded out over Christmas, losing all of their clothes and presents. Our community got together and donated Christmas gifts and clothing for the two girls (ages 3 and 5). We provided additional support through our contact with local social services.
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Our community came together in a big way when one of our regular visitors, a disabled man, died without relatives or means. We were able to arrange for some of the friends he had made in our centre to attend the public health funeral.
Adapting and Learning
We’ve learned a great deal this year:
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“Signposting” must be personal. Simply handing out contact details is not enough. We now prioritise relational referrals — listening deeply and helping clients navigate systems they find overwhelming. We often make first contact with other services on their behalf.
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Community needs are changing. While pandemic-era food needs have decreased slightly, the complexity of need has increased — especially among migrants, families facing debt, and those with mental health struggles. This is why our focus for next year is turning to more partnership working with other groups offering expert support. We remain over-subscribed for support in the school holidays, so fundraising and partnerships with schools is becoming another future priority.
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Support for grief matters. We’ve seen the long-term emotional and mental health toll on those unable to afford dignified funerals. Working together with the church we have been able to host free memorial services which have provided healing and dignity where none was otherwise possible.
Changing What We Do
This year we began shifting from reactive crisis support to more sustainable, empowering solutions :
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We launched a £10 family-sized shop , ensuring healthier, more complete meals.
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Introduced reusable nappies, free period products , and some baby food support .
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Recruited a chef , allowing us to open our community café and serve hot meals daily at low cost — with plans for cookery classes to promote self-sufficiency.
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Began offering catering for events , including funerals, to develop income streams.
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Continued training and capacity-building for staff and volunteers — including support for disabled volunteers and training from Cwmpas on income diversification.
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We have improved connections with other local services . For instance, we are now able to issue vouchers to the local Trussell Trust Foodbank for those in crisis. In return, they refer those not yet in crisis or coming out of crisis to us.
We are now working more closely than ever with schools, local food networks, and statutory services , preparing to coordinate school holiday food support and build on the expertise of each sector. The changes ahead for us will focus on building more collaborative working until we are ae confident that whoever comes in for help will not simply be passed on to another service, but supported to get that help by stronger connections with those services.
Looking Further Ahead
With planning permission pending, we hope to redevelop our building , creating:
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Unisex and accessible toilets
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A purpose-built café/shop
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Soft play and youth spaces
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Rooms for hire to generate income and build connections with more community groups.
We are transitioning to a Community Interest Organisation (CIO) and rebranding to reflect our broader community role. While continuing to operate as a place of worship, our new building will be a mixed space we can more fully share with the community.
Thanks to You
The support of our donors and funders has enabled much of this growth. Thanks to your faith in our work, we’ve:
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Raised additional capital funding
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Won awards (including Torfaen & Monmouthshire Third Sector Business of the Year 2024)
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Hosted community celebrations, training events, and creative holiday fun, including our Christmas fayre and summer craft sessions
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Welcomed councillors, MPs, and hundreds of neighbours into our shared space
Your support is not just financial — it is catalytic. It has allowed our small project to become a vibrant, adaptive, and deeply human space at the heart of Pontypool.
We are proud of what we’ve built — and excited for what comes next.
Sharon Full Gospel Church Balance Sheet 2024
Summary Page
Asset Summary
Capital
Building & Lands £785,569.00 (Insured Value)
Contents £77,941.00 (Insured Value)
Total Capital: £863,510
Investments Nil
Cash
All Cash Balances as of 31/12/2024: £37,436.03
Bank Account Activity Summary
| Account | Equals Money: | Church Current Account (1066) |
LM35 Savings Account |
Hope for the Community Current Account (0638) |
Totals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening Balance |
£42.38 | £23,238.37 | £6,022.63 | nil | £29,303.38 |
| Total In | £4500 (by XFR) | £119,948.21 | £194.09 (interest) |
£2426.00 | £122,568.30 |
| Total Out | £4355.78 | £112,673.25 (includes 3550 XFR to EQUALS) |
nil | £1906.62 (includes £950 XFR to EQUALS) |
£114,435.65 |
| Closing Balance |
£186.60 | £30,513.33 | £6,216.72 | £519.38 | £37,436.03 |
Amounts Agreed with Funders to either: a) be Transferred from restricted to general funds during year per grant or b) be used for general expenses such as heat/light/repair:
TNL People & Places Medium £16,792.00 (June 24-June 25, move half £8,396 in 2024, half in 2025) TCBC Social Enterprise Grant £17,475.59 TCBC Community Resilience Grant £1,296.25 TCBC Food4Growth Grants £1,620.00 TVA Grants £1,750.00
Total = £30,537.84 TRANSFER FROM RESTRICTED TO GENERAL IN 2024
End of 2024 the balances after transfers were worked out as follows:
General Fund: £26,165.14
Childrens: -£4,047.19 (subsidised by general fund)
Chaplaincy: £3,406.75
Hope for the Community: = £9,036.33
Help2Heat = £2,875
Income 2024 (£)
General Fund
| General Fund | |
|---|---|
| Gift Aided DD Donations | 10,069.00 |
| Gift Aid Claimed (2 years) | 8,410.89 |
| Cash Oferings | 6,772.54 |
| Benefact Trust Grant | 3,500.00 |
| Refunds | 262.55 |
| Church Rental | 160.00 |
| Interest on LM35 Savings | 194.09 |
| Other Revenue | 47.84 |
| Total General Fund Income | 29,416.91 |
| Restricted Funds | |
| Children’s Dept | |
| Rehoboth Trust (Childrens Pastor) | 2,400.00 |
| Total Childrens Dept Income | 2,400.00 |
| Chaplaincy | |
| Dorcas Trust (Chaplain Salary) | 2,500.00 |
| Goshen Trus t (Chaplain Salary) | 2,500.00 |
| Total Chaplaincy Income | 5,000.00 |
| Help2Heat | |
| Community Foundation Grant | 5,000.00 |
| Total Help2Heat Income | 5,000.00 |
| Hope for the Community | |
| TNL People & Places Medium t | 33,366.50 |
| TCBC Social Enterprise Grant | 16,744.00 |
| TCBC Community Resilience Grant | 8,348.00 |
| TCBC Food4Growth Grants | 6,220.57 |
| TCBC Levelling Up Grant | 6,202.00 |
| TCBC Food Support Grant | 2,795.11 |
| TVA Grants | 1,750.00 |
| Food Sales | 5,139.56 |
| Melin Homes Grant | 185.65 |
Total Hope Income Gross Total Income 2024
80,751.39 122,568.30
Expenses 2024 (£)
General Expenses
| General Expenses | |
|---|---|
| Audit & Accountancy fees | 1,149.00 |
| Cleaning Items | 140.96 |
| Consulting | 4,794.00 |
| Cleaner Wages | 1,355.00 |
| Insurance | 1,054.98 |
| IT & Consumables | 129.91 |
| Legal Expenses | 1,153.20 |
| Light, Power, Heating | 3,984.95 |
| Printing & Stationery | 74.63 |
| Recruitment | 270.27 |
| Repairs & Maintenance | 15,809.37 |
| Pastor’s Salary | 19,110.00 |
| Subscriptions | 795.83 |
| Telephone & Internet | 380.19 |
| Water rates | 271.56 |
| Miscellaneous | 598.93 |
| Licenses | 458.72 |
| Ministry & Missions | 1,617.04 |
| Waste Management | 350.06 |
| Fire Safety | 465.80 |
| Total General Expenses | 53,964.40 |
| Restricted Funds | |
| Children’s Dept | |
| Childrens Pastor Salary | 3,724.03 |
| Activities/Crafts | 1,407.21 |
| Total Childrens Dept Expenses | 5,131.24 |
Chaplaincy
| Chaplain Salary | 2,359.00 |
|---|---|
| Total Chaplaincy Expenses | 2,359.00 |
| Help2Heat | |
| Fuel Top-Up Grants | 2,125.00 |
| Total Help2Heat Expenses | 2,125.00 |
| Hope for the Community | |
| Hope Food (1066) | 9830.70 |
| Hope Misc (1066) | 1300.68 |
| Hope Casual Work | 560.56 |
| Salary – Cook | 3,013.53 |
| Salary – Kitchen Asst | 2,570.98 |
| Salary – Comm Outreach Worker | 12,161.98 |
| Salary – Project Manager | 11,058.05 |
| Grocery Store Costs | 2,273.08 |
| Hope Training | 119.80 |
| Hope Volunteer Expenses | 634.70 |
| Winter Warmth Packs | 630.00 |
| Hope Advertising | 3,684.89 |
| Hope Equipment | 1,223.56 |
| Grocery Store Capital | 912.60 |
| Hope – Welsh Translation | 66.00 |
| TCBC Com Res Underspend | 814.90 |
| Total Hope Expenses | 50,856.01 |
| Total Expenses 2024 | 114,435.65 |
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF
SHARON FULL GOSPEL CHURCH
YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024
The report relates to financial statements set out on page 1 & 2
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The 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 report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners.
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 you as 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 to indicate that:
(1) Accounts have not been kept in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006
(2) The accounts do not accord with such records.
(3) Where accounts are prepared on an accruals basis, whether they fail to comply with relevant accounting requirements under section 396 of the Companies Act 2006, or are not consistent with the Charities SORP (FRS 102)
(4) Any matter which the examiner believes should be drawn to the attention of the reader to gain a proper understanding of the accounts.
Susan Lewis FCCA 106a Commercial Street Risca Newport. NP11 6EE
Date: 15th August 2025
Sharon Full Gospel Church NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following accounting policies have been used consistently in dealing with items which are considered material in relation to the financial statements.
Accounting Convention
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. In preparing the financial statements the charity follows best practice as laid down in the Statement of Recommended Practice Accounting and Reporting by Charities (revised 2005) and the Charities Act 1993.
Incoming Resources
Income is received by way of grants, donations and gifts and is included in incoming resources.
Resources Expended
Resources expended are included in the Profit and Loss on an accruals basis, inclusive of any Value Added Tax which cannot be recovered.
Taxation
As a registered charity the organisation benefits from rates relief and is generally exempt from Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates
Fund Accounting
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Unrestricted funds comprise those funds which the Trustees are free to use in accordance with the charitable objectives.
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Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular puposes.
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Restricted funds are funds which have been given for particlar purposes.The restriction being placed by the donor. The restricted funds are individually identified on the face of the profit and loss account.