2022-12-31-accounts

Trustee’s Annual Report January to December 2022

Reference & Administrative details...

Spilsby Christian Fellowship Charity Reg Number – 1052165

Registered Address – Halton Road, Spilsby, Lincolnshire, PE23 5LA

Trustee’s serving during the year – Mr Nigel T Coe Mrs Judith S Coe Miss Sophie E Chamberlain

No new appointments or resignations during the year 2022

Objectives and Activities

Spilsby Christian Fellowship serves the local community of Spilsby and surrounding areas, our constitution states, the aim of the church is to benefit the public.

a) to advance the Christian faith in accordance with the statement in such ways or in such parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the church council from time to time may think fit

b) to relieve sickness and financial hardship and to promote and preserve good health by the provision of funds, goods and services of any kind including the provision of counselling and support in such parts of the UK or the world as the church council from time to time may think fit

c) to advance education in such ways and in such parts of the UK or the world as the church council from time to time may think fit.

In a nutshell the overall aims of SCF are, to relive sickness and financial hardship and to promote and preserve good health, whilst helping to advance education, within our local community.

The activities the charity has undertaken during the year 2022 include a range of groups, services and activities, accessible to ALL freely or for a small voluntary donation. These include:-

Weekly services (mainly term time)

*”Come & Play Toddler Group” twice weekly on a Monday and Wednesday morning

• Baby Group – once weekly on a Tuesday morning

• Coffee n Chat – warm space, all welcome providing tea/coffee n cake and a friendly atmosphere

• Youth Groups – weekly on a Friday evening – 2 groups 1 for primaries, 1 for secondaries

• Sunday morning worship services, with Sunday school – Glu club

Support Services

*Food bank plus care packs, cleaning products, baby and sanitary supplies and FREE Surplus Food Trolley

*School uniform bank

*Household items/clothing and baby equipment as available

Occasional Events

*Family fun days/events – Summer days out

Easter trail

Light party

Christmas crafts

*Fundraising events – Rummage Sales

*Ladies social/craft/support nights

EXTRA’s

*Christmas Stocking Appeal

*Christmas Jumper Appeal

“ – Achievements & Performance to include impact the ” - - charity has in the local community NOTES , transitional and deprived rural town

Summary of main achievements – Over the year we have seen a number of families attend “Come & Play tots” with up to 15 families per session – many are now regulars and say it is a vital part of their week. The range of families attending is diverse, with mums, dads, grandparents and child carers and on a general basis everyone “mucks” in, helping out where they can and showing a real “care” for each other.

Each session provides a variety of “play stations” and a range of activities from role play, construction to messy play and Storytime – being in a rural area, it is important that families can access the high quality, consistent support our groups offer, this helps stops rural isolation and enables families to have “somewhere safe and stimulating to go” benefitting not only their children, but themselves too. It is good to see the parents’ making friendships, supporting one another and to see how the children quickly “jell” together. Families attending these groups, benefit not only from the range of activities on offer, but also the knowledge of it’s trained and experienced “early years” practitioner, who is on hand to support, answer questions, signpost and pick up on anxieties or concerns. Many attending these groups have commented about how it has helped their “mental health and well-being”, whilst giving them vital “ideas” for encouraging their child’s development and helped enhance their parenting knowledge, giving them confidence to try new things and for many giving them the skills and self-esteem to move onto work.

Likewise baby group has been well attended, parents enjoying the opportunities to socialise and learn about baby development, for their babies to experience a different range of quality resources, in a safe, friendly, non-judgemental environment and to be able to ask advice if needed.

We have found that many parents/carers attending these groups, have built up relationships with the volunteers at SCF, allowing

them to “offload” or seek support/ help as necessary. Often it is hard to admit you need help – but we find the stability of volunteers ensures families and individuals get to know us, and feel comfortable asking for the help, sometimes just by chatting a volunteer is able to ascertain need and can help (meaning the person does not have to ask) – this enables us to help relieve financial hardship, whether it be the need for a one off food parcel, due to a high car or household bill or more sustained help for a short period of time. Sometimes “personally knowing” our families and the individuals who access our “food trolley” means we can offer occasional treats “bunches of flowers” or “cakes” we have had donated – bringing a smile and sometimes tears.

A few Families and individuals accessing our services, have begun to attend church services and have shown an interest in the spiritual side of things, asking for prayer and asking about the Christian faith… we believe that it is our role to “share and show” – God’s love in a very real and practical way, offering encouragement and leading to God – only if the person indicates an interest” – We do not believe in pushing God at people, and respect their own opinions and beliefs.

The rise in the cost of living has meant more families have accessed the free food trolley, however we have had to limit usage due to the large fall in surplus foods we are able to collect, and also the drop in individual donations. We have noted that a number of different people are requesting parcels, many of whom are “working” or “self-employed” simply not earning enough to make “all ends meet” – these people fall through the net and cannot access any other “state” help. Many individuals are specifically requesting “care packs” shampoo, shower gel, sanitary products and toilet rolls, as these are simply not in their budget allowances – fortunately a bulk donation of these items has helped up meet these needs this year. Individuals accepting food parcels, have expressed gratitude and relief at being able to access support, and we note how often a few months later, when they are on their feet again, they are the ones who will donate to help supplies – saying “we helped when they needed help, so they want to show their appreciation and pass on the help to someone else”

During the Nov/Dec 2022 our “Christmas Stocking Appeal” was underway and with the help of local firms, individuals, and

charities – Tong Engineering, GCP industries, J&A International, and Neighbourly (M&S) donating funds and gifts, a team of voluntary “elves” were able to fill and deliver 130 stockings and gift bags – these went out to local individuals and families referred by local schools, adult and children services and professionals. Families were touched by the stockings and for many it made their Christmas a happier time.

Future Plans

Due to the keenness of local people supporting us by way of donating unwanted items, in April 2022 SCF took on an empty industrial unit in Alford and are in the process of getting this ready to open as a “social enterprise” enabling us to take in and encourage people to reuse items rather than build on “landfill”. The aim is to enable SCF to offer items for sale, raising funds for the charity whilst also supporting people’s needs for good quality item at reasonable prices – and gifting items (at no cost) where needed. It is hoped that “recycle, reuse craft sessions” will be run at the venue, educating, and giving people an opportunity to learn new skills and to enable them to repurpose items themselves – whilst also encouraging socialisation and support. We would also like to involve local adults with learning difficulties in the day-today work of the unit – which will be known as “Trinity Reuse” allowing us to give back, lifelong skills and to acknowledge the benefits working alongside others can have for everyone.

Financial Review

Our financial position is fairly good, and we had a surplice of £281 for the year and in all accounts, we have a total of £17,836.98 available.

Included in this is £10,810.96 in the Church house account, this is our contingency fund but will not be going up anymore as Church house is now empty with no rent coming in. It is hoped that Church house will be sold and the revenue that is received will pay for the work needed to the Community rooms, insulation, and heating options to the main Church building, possibly the installation of solar Pannels etc. this will make it much more efficient to run so the costs will much lower. The finer details are yet to be decided upon, we will have consultations with experts once we have funds available.

Day to day management

One of the Church trustees is normally at the church most days running or overseeing groups and only lives two doors down

How trustees are appointed and trained

Trustees are appointed, by the current trustees meeting with them, discussing the roles and responsibilities of trustees, why they feel they want to be a trustee and what they can bring to the board, an enhanced DBS check is carried out and character references may be sought, a vote is taken on whether they are to be appointed.

Trustees may attend local training sessions as deemed necessary – these are often provided by LCVYS and other local agencies. They are also encouraged to access the charity commission website for guidance as well.

Trustees are as the constitution states from the church membership so will have an understand of what the Church’s aims are and will be committed to the work of the Church already. Trustees meet at least once a quarter to discuss the business of the Church and any issues that may have arisen.

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