Charity number: 1052147
Riverlife Church Sunderland
Unaudited Receipts and Payments Account
for the year ended 5 April 2024
Riverlife Church Sunderland
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Legal & Administration Details | 1 |
| Trustees' report | 2 - 5 |
| Independent examiner's report | 6 |
| Unaudited Receipts and Payments Account | 7 - 8 |
| Notes | 9 - 10 |
Riverlife Church Sunderland Legal and Administration Details for the year ended 5 April 2024
Charity registration number
1052147
Pastor
Mr Barrie Watson Mrs Rebekah Watson
Trustees
Mr B E Watson Mrs R Watson Mr J W Gaze Mrs E Dutton Mrs L J Gaze
Bankers
Barclays Bank PLC 53 Fawcett Street Sunderland SR1 1RS
Kingdom Bank
Media House Padge Road Beeston Nottingham NG9 2RS
Independent Examiner
G Henderson FCCA FCA ATT (Fellow) Counting North Salvus House Aykley Heads Durham DH1 5TS
Solicitor
Geldards Law Firm Dumfries House Dumfries Place Cardiff CF10 3ZF
Principal Office
Riverlife Church Ettrick Grove Humbledon Sunderland SR3 4AW
Page 4
Riverlife Church Sunderland Report of the Trustees for the year ended 5 April 2024
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting their annual report together with the unaudited accounts of the charity for the year ended 5 April 2024.
Administration Details
Constitution
The charity is set up under a Trust Deed which sets out the objectives and purposes of the charity.
Structure, Governance and Management
The constitution and trust deed were adopted on 10 August 1993, as amended om 17 February 1997 and 11 September 2002.
The church is managed by a Board of Trustees, which comprises the Minister and appointed leaders of the Church. The Board appoints Trustees for the purpose of holding the land and buildings of the Church.
The Trustees meet at least four times in each year and deal with the administration of the charity overseeing financial accountability, risk management and any other administrative business of the Church. The operational management of the organisation is undertaken by the paid staff team and other Trustees and volunteers.
Objectives and Activities
The objectives of Riverlife Church are to advance the Christian faith in accordance with the Statement of Faith of the Evangelical Alliance in such ways and in such parts of the United Kingdom or the World as the Board from time to time may think fit. To relieve sickness and financial hardship and to promote and preserve good health by the provision of funds, goods or services of any kind including through the provision of counselling and support in such parts of the United Kingdom or World as the Board from time-to-time think fit; and to advance education in such ways and in such parts of the United Kingdom or World as the Board from time-to time think fit.
Give every man, woman, and child the opportunity of understanding the gospel and to provide a church where they can grow in ministry for the Glory of God.
Public Benefit Statements
The Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on their legal duty on public benefit and are satisfied that that the Charity delivers public benefit; due regard is paid to the guidance on public benefit when deciding on what new projects the charity should undertake.
Page 2
Riverlife Church Sunderland Report of the Trustees for the year ended 5 April 2024
Achievements and Performance
Sunday Family Service – Our service starts at 11am, but our doors open at 10:30am for prayer. Each week we worship, share communion and one of our pastors or an invited speaker will share from the Bible bringing teaching and direction as we each seek to know the love of Jesus and love the people around us.
Small Groups & Prayer – Our small groups are a great way for church members to get involved with church life during the week. Together we discover more about the Bible in a relaxed, informal setting.
Kids Crew – Ran every Sunday by DBS-checked volunteers our children’s programme is bible based and fully interactive, for ages 3+ with stories, games and craft activities. We also provide creche facilities for toddlers and babies, which offers service relay for parents and carers.
Active Forever – Working with Active Families North East running community fitness classes for the over 55’s. The classes offer exercise to improve strength and balance, also body circuit sessions for mobility and overall fitness – serving the older part of our community these classes are a great opportunity to meet new people.
Shoot – After school football and sports club for school years 3 & 4. Comprising of sports games, half time gospel team talk and a football match. Runs weekly. Services children in the local community. Promoted with leaflets through local schools.
Messy Vintage – A gospel community outreach programme, Messy Vintage is a great way for older people to socialise and every session includes a light lunch and is part of the 'Messy Church' movement. Every month is Christ-centred and based on creativity, hospitality and celebration. Open to all, this programme is aspiring to include people of all ages while specifically reaching out to older people.
Key Services and Events – Invitations are given out to family, friends and neighbours and the local community for the following services and events:
Services – Easter Sunday Egg Hunt & Celebration service: April 2023, Remembrance Day Service: November 2023, Easter Sunday Egg Hunt & Celebration service: March 2024
Community Events – Coronation Day Big Lunch May 2023, Sunday Summer Teas August 2023, Big Macmillan Community Coffee Morning September 2023, Mothers’ Day lunch with gifts March 2024, Good Friday Family Fun Day March 2024
Christmas – Throughout December 2023 we held a Flower Arranging Evening, Pie & Pea Supper with Family Quiz, Christmas Coffee Morning, Community Christingle service, Children’s Carol Service with lunch and Christmas party and a traditional Carol Service on Christmas Eve 2023.
Christmas Giving/Community Donations – Riverlife Church members gifted brand new Children’s toys and books alongside women’s toiletries which were distributed to Wearside Women in Need. Gifts of sweets, cakes and biscuits were collected and given to Sunderland Soup Kitchen.
Supporting other Charities in the UK and Aboard – Throughout 2023-24 Riverlife Church members supported the Evangelical Alliance, Premier NxtGen, Release International, Our Daily Bread, Thirtyone:eight and Pioneer Network.
Sustainability – Part of our church mission statement is a commitment to the use of Fair-Trade goods to support farmers, our service time refreshments are supplied by Kingdom Coffee Ltd.
Page 4
Riverlife Church Sunderland Report of the Trustees for year ending 5 April 2024
Financial review
Income increased during the year from £26,194 to £42,285 which is mainly due to the gift aid received from HMRC. There were specific donations of £60 and £350 in respect of the women’s refuge & Soup Kitchen and designated youth & children’s work.
Expenditure increased from £64,365 to £66,762 primarily due to increased salary and running costs. There were specific donations of £1,000 to Mr & Mrs M Jackson. During the year assets were purchased totalling £745, items included new mics and stands, radiators and youth equipment.
Assets retained for use in the charity have slightly increased from £20,458 to £21,204 due to the purchases listed above.
Charity’s Reserves
The Church holds reserve funds with Kingdom Bank and Barclays Bank.
Charity’s Principal Source of Funds
General Offering and Donations from Riverlife Church members.
Page 4
Riverlife Church Sunderland Report of the Trustees for the year ended 5 April 2024
Statement of the Trustees Responsibilities
The Charities Act 2011 requires the trustees to keep proper books of account with respect to the affairs of the charity, and to prepare statements of unaudited accounts for each accounting year consisting of a Receipts and Payments accounts together with notes to the accounts. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
In preparing these accounts, the Trustees are expected to:
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Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently.
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Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
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Follow the recommendations of the Charity Commission and of the accounting profession with regard to the form and content of the unaudited accounts and to disclose and explain any departures therefrom.
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Prepare the unaudited accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will be able to meet its objectives; and
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Consider the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees
~~…………………………~~ Barrie Watson (Jan 31, 2025 13:50 GMT) ………………………..
Mr B E Watson Chairman
Date: 31 January 2025
Page 5
Riverlife Church Sunderland Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees for the year ended 5 April 2024
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Riverlife Church Sunderland (‘the charity’) for the year ended 5 April 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the Trustees of the charity, you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements, in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act (the 2011 Act).
I report in respect of my examination of the accounts carried out under Section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145 (5) (b) of the Act.
My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the group's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent Examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the group and the group's Trustees, as a body, for my work or for this report.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I can confirm that no material matters have come to my attention. In connection with my examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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Accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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The financial statements do not accord with those records; or
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The financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content if 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.
I have no concerns 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.
Gerald Henderson Gerald Henderson (Jan 31, 2025 13:50 GMT) Gerald Henderson FCCA ACA ATT
N E Accountancy Services Salvus House Aykley Heads Durham Dated: 31 January 2025 DH1 5TS
Page 6
Riverlife Church Sunderland Unaudited Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 5 April 2024
| Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2024 2024 £ £ Receipts General offering 27,190 - Gift Aid 13,634 - Interest received 811 - Donations 240 410 41,875 410 Income from Asset and Investment Disposal of assets - - Employee loan repayments 4,910 - Total Receipts 46,785 410 Payments – Cost of generating funds: Wages, salaries and national insurance 40,821 - Administration 1,603 - Printing, postage and stationery 167 - Repairs and maintenance 459 - Donations 1,440 60 Upkeep of services 1,174 - Community events 3,009 - Light, heat and water - - Insurance 219 - Ministry Expenses 1,266 - Rent and Rates 7,200 - Sundries 96 - Travel 400 - Advertising 292 - Accountancy 810 - Removal costs - - Payments C/F 58,957 60 |
Total funds 2024 £ 27,230 13,634 811 610 42,285 - 4,910 47,195 40,821 1,523 167 459 1,500 1,174 3,009 - 219 1,266 7,200 139 400 292 810 - 59,017 |
Total funds 2023 £ 26,100 - 94 - 26,194 46,523 936 73,653 35,320 1,859 156 1,408 1,220 1,119 2,689 61 191 1,421 6,999 692 490 538 809 2,255 57,227 |
|---|---|---|
Page 7
Riverlife Church Sunderland Unaudited Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 5 April 2024
| Unrestricted Restricted Total funds funds funds 2024 2024 2024 £ £ £ Payments B/F 59,017 60 59,017 Asset and investment purchases Purchase of assets 530 215 745 Employee loan 7,000 - 7,000 Total Payments 66,487 275 66,762 Net of (payments)/receipts (19,977) 135 (19,567) Transfers between funds - - - Net Movement in funds for the year (19,977) 135 (19,567) Cash funds at last year end 79,838 224 80,062 Cash funds at this year end 59,861 359 60,495 |
Total funds 2023 £ 57,227 7,138 - 64,365 9,288 - 9,288 70,774 80,062 |
|---|---|
Page 8
Riverlife Church Sunderland Notes to The Unaudited Accounts for the year ended 5 April 2024
1. Cash Funds held and Assets Retained for the Charity’s use
| Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2024 2024 £ £ Cash Funds Barclays bank account 6,412 359 Kingdom savings account 53,447 - Cash in hand 2 - Total Cash Funds 59,861 359 Assets Retained for Charity’s Use Furnishings 7,475 - Bibles 242 - Toddlers & children’s activities assets 2,137 - Sundry & electrical equipment 1,647 - Sound equipment 6,881 - Computer equipment 2,318 - Strimmer/lawnmower 504 - Total Assets Retained for Charity Use 21,204 - |
Total funds 2024 £ 7,046 53,447 2 60,495 7,475 242 2,137 1,647 6,881 2,318 504 21,204 |
Total funds 2023 £ 2,183 77,836 43 80,062 7,138 242 1,921 1,588 6,747 2,318 504 20,458 |
|---|---|---|
Signed on behalf of the Trustees.
~~………………………~~ Barrie Watson (Jan 31, 2025 13:50 GMT) …………………………..
Mr B E Watson Chairman
Date: 31 January 2025
Page 9
Riverlife Church Sunderland Notes to The Unaudited Accounts for the year ended 5 April 2024
2. Restricted Reserve
| Balance at | Incoming | Resources | Transfers | Balance at | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06-Apr-23 | resources | expended | in/out | 05-Apr-24 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Specific | |||||
| Samaritans purse | 34 | - | - | - | 34 |
| Youth after school project | 190 | 350 | (215) | - | 325 |
| Women’s refuge | - |
60 |
(60) |
- |
- |
| 224 |
410 |
(275) |
- |
359 |
|
| Balance at | Incoming | Resources | Transfers | Balance at | |
| 06-Apr-22 | resources | expended | in/out | 05-Apr-23 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Specific | |||||
| Samaritans purse | 34 | - | - | - | 34 |
| Youth after school project | 514 | - | (324) | - | 190 |
| Ukraine appeal | - |
1,020 |
(1,020) |
- |
- |
| 548 |
1,020 |
(1,344) |
- |
224 |
Page 10