The Tonbridge Children's Workshop Financial Statements and Annual Report for the Year Ended 31st August 2025
The Tonbridge Children's Workshop Trustees Report
for the Year Ended 31st August 2025
This report includes information required by the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting by Charities 2005.
SECTION A - REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Name: The name of the Charity is The Tonbridge Children's Workshop (TTCW). The main operating name of the charity is High Hopes which is explained further under objectives and activities.
Charity Number: The Charity is registered with the Charity Commission, Charity Number 1069911 and was first registered in April 1998.
Charity Principal Address: Room 3, Christ Church United Reformed Church, High Street, Tonbridge, TN9 1SG
Trustees
| Trustees | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Ofce (If any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Date of resignaton |
| Steve Tringham | Chair | ||
| Rev Deryck Charnock | Vice Chair | Sept 2024 | 27thSeptember |
| Jill Beard | Responsibility for safeguarding |
Sept-June | 30thJune |
| Joanne Ramsden | |||
| David Balcombe | Treasurer | ||
SECTION B - STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Description of the charity's trusts:
Governing Document: The Charity is governed by a Trust Deed, copies of which are available, and it is constituted as a Charitable Trust.
The activities of The Tonbridge Children's Workshop (TTCW) are overseen by the Trustees in accordance with the provisions of The Trust Deed and as such the Trustees are responsible for the financial and general oversight of the work. The trustees continue to consider ways
of expanding the work of the charity and to ensure each aspect of governance is in keeping with legal requirements as well as supporting planned growth.
The Trustees had 6 meetings in the year in person. There was also an additional meeting in June one morning to discuss the salary review of employees.
In June 2025, one of the trustees stepped down as trustee for family reasons.
One of the trustees continues to formally act as treasurer. However, the financial administration of the charity in terms of accounts preparation and writing of budgets is undertaken by a financial administrator (a qualified accountant).
Some policies were updated to reflect changes to the law.
The charity had some generous one-off donations given early in the year (from a local church and a trust) which enabled them to advertise for a second schools worker. Interviews took place in January, and a new person was appointed to work part time.
Appointment of Trustees: Candidates for becoming trustees are selected by taking advice from the leadership of the local Christian community, notably Tonbridge Area Churches Together Executive Group (TACTEG), existing trustees and other stakeholders - e.g. schools and churches. Potential trustees are interviewed by at least two trustees, normally including the chair. They are subsequently invited to see the work of TTCW in action, for example by visiting a school assembly. Following this they may be invited to the next trustees meeting where they gain a fuller understanding of the work and may ask questions and meet the rest of the trustees. The candidate is then asked to withdraw, and existing trustees discuss and then vote on the appointment at a Special Meeting called for the purpose. If successful, the candidate is invited to become a trustee and if they accept this will complete their appointment. The trustees seek to appoint a diverse mix of backgrounds, experiences and skills that will fully represent the community and users we serve and who will be able to contribute to the work of the charity. Continual efforts are in place to find and appoint new trustees.
Additional governance issues:
TTCW continues with a closer operational tie to the local churches by consulting with leadership and stakeholders before implementing its mission – adapting its practice, if necessary, to accommodate the needs of the community.
SECTION C - OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Summary of the objectives of the charity set out in its governing document:
"The advancement of the Christian Faith and the advancement of religious and other education for the public benefit and in particular for the benefit of children and families."
We call our main schools work ‘High Hopes’. We believe that Hope is part of God’s plan for every child, and the natural response to encountering God. We visit all the children in the ‘High’ name of God to share our Hope in him and the positive impact of the Christian life. We also believe that children should ‘aim high’ and be ambitious in their personal and spiritual development. We are passionate about children achieving good and great things, and we know that it is hope that sustains them as they aim to fulfil their potential.
Review of activities and achievements:
This year saw the 30th Anniversary of the ministry, with 20 years of Mike at the helm. Indeed, Mike was the only front facing team member at the beginning of the year, with Debbie continuing as administrator.
As such, a major aim for the year was a focus on increasing the numbers of people involved in three main areas: the ministry team, trustees, and ‘Friends’ (i.e. prayerful and fundraising supporters).
First steps towards trying to broaden our supporter and friend base were led by one of the trustees who arranged a ‘cake and prayer’ afternoon for the charity (graciously hosted by the Children’s Worker at St John’s Church Hildenborough). This has since evolved into termly prayer evenings set to commence in the new academic year, September 2025.
We were blessed with a large donation that was received in the summer of 2024; this allowed us to press ahead confidently to recruit a new employed team member. The autumn advertising for a new part time schools work post elicited a strong response from the wider area around Tonbridge with Jess eventually joining the team in February 2025. Jess has taken on the role of ‘Tonbridge Schools Worker’ to ensure dedicated outreach in the town’s central schools as demand from schools increases across the area.
The actual ministry of the work focused on a programme titled ‘Beyond Belief’ which we developed with resource partners ‘The Spinnaker Trust Ltd’. Beyond Belief used the language of common school values (Respect, courage, etc) to point to the character of God and nature of Heaven in children’s lives. Using Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:21 (Your heart goes where your treasure is), children have been encouraged to see the treasure and worth of ‘Values’ and enabled to recognise the transformative power of God at work in those characteristics.
Beyond Belief formed the back bone of our assembly outreach throughout the year. However, our weekly Fun Club at a north Tonbridge school had to be paused until Jess’ arrival in the spring term. Since its revival Jess has taken leadership and increased the age limits to allow larger numbers of children to attend.
The addition of Jess to the team also enabled us to cap the year off with Year 6 transition workshops which focused on equipping pupils for secondary school through activities and meditations on the story of David as he encountered Goliath.
Future Goals
As ever, our key aim is to honour and maintain our established ministry, representing Christ and the Christian Faith as best we can, while reviewing and evaluating the work of the charity.
We hope to more clearly articulate the skills and services we can offer schools, meeting the demand for the provision of quality assembly/worship times and Christian lessons for their pupils.
We also hope to continue with increasing the number of people involved in the ministry team, supporter base, and particularly the trustee board as we lost two members over the course of the year.
Financial Review
Our financial period runs from 1st September 2024 to 31st August 2025. During the year, our income, which is made up primarily from local donations, was £48,190 compared to the previous year when it was £44,281. This is a 9% increase on last year.
There were no live performances of the pantomime because of illness and so, for the third year in a row, donations from schools that have occurred in the past at this event did not happen.
In the past, we have looked to local grants to increase our income but last year we did not apply for any local grants.
Donations from individuals, including some gift aid, came to £23,442 with a further £12,641 coming from churches. £12,000 was received from other organisations.
Our staffing costs have increased from £28,233 to £29,824. This was because we recruited a new member of staff, Jess, in February 2025. The resulting increase in staffing costs caused was offset by a reduction in Mike’s hours from October 2024.
The trustees are mindful of the risk to funds on a long-term basis because of the pandemic and possible decline in church attendance in some areas. However, at present, the risk is not so great as to affect the reserve. We recognise that church income continues to be affected by the cost-of-living crisis, and, as such, the giving from our regular donors might change significantly. We will instigate strategies to address this if required.
The charity’s regular supporters have been contacted throughout the year and are showing an ongoing commitment to continue funding our work.
Our opening bank balance was £43,618 and our closing balance was £57,639. The higher balance reflects the increase in donations from other organisations. There is also a gift aid
claim which has yet to be made for this year. A gift aid claim was made in September 2024, but this relates to the previous year.
Reserve Policy
The Trustees always aim to keep 3 months’ worth of expenditure in the bank account as a reserve. Monthly expenditure for this purpose is usually calculated as an average from the previous financial year’s spending. Three months spending for the financial year 2024 to 2025 amounts to £8,542.
We ended our financial year with a bank reserve of £57,639 which exceeds the reserves policy level. The financial administrator supplies regular accounts, and the chair would convene an urgent extraordinary Trustee meeting if the bank balance went below the level of 4 months’ worth of expenditure.
Related Partes Transactons
None of the Trustees received any remuneration, benefits or expenses during the year. There is one related party transaction: Zachary Ramsden receives payment for his services as financial administrator (£272 in the year ending 2025) and he is married to one of the trustees.
Office space is rented from Christ Church, Tonbridge.
We would expect any connected party declaration to be made to each of the organisations involved. Furthermore, any trustee who has a conflict of interest should not vote on TTCW issues, when appropriate to do so. They should also be mindful of ensuring confidentiality and separation between TTCW and other organisations meetings.
All payments are authorised by two authorised signatories. Steps have been taken to add additional signatories to the list of those able to if usual signatories are away or ill. The trustee married to the financial administrator is not a signatory.
Additonal Comments
It is the opinion of the trustees that the charity can continue as a going concern for the foreseeable future. Due to the current bank reserves, we project sufficient funds to increase the ministry team (see Future Goals).
Once again, the charity and trustees would like to express their grateful thanks to all the individuals, churches and organisations who have given so generously to support the work of High Hopes. Their support and encouragement have enabled this work to continue and have also helped raise the profile of children’s work in and around Tonbridge. Without this support our highly valued work could not continue.
Joanne Ramsden
Mrs Joanne Ramsden (trustee)
Steve Tringham
Mr Steve Tringham (chair of trustees)
On behalf of the trustees of The Tonbridge Children’s Workshop
September 2025
| The Tonbridge Children's Workshop | The Tonbridge Children's Workshop | The Tonbridge Children's Workshop | 1069911 | 1069911 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receipts and payments accounts 01/09/2024 31/08/2025 To For the period from ~~ee ee ee~~ |
CC16a | |||||||||||
| Section A Receipts and payments | ||||||||||||
| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds |
Endowment funds |
Total funds | Last year | ||||||||
| to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | |||||||
| A1 Receipts | ||||||||||||
| Individual donations andgifts | 23,442 | - | - | 23 | 23,442 | 22,953 | ||||||
| Donations andgifts from other organisations | 24,641 | - | - | 24 | 24,641 | 17,642 | ||||||
| Fundraisingevents | - | - | - | - | - | 3,362 | ||||||
| Billed school and church activities | - | - | - | - | - | 250 | ||||||
| Interest | 107 | - | - | 107 | 107 | 74 | ||||||
| Legacy | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) | (Gross income for AR) | 48,190 | - | - | 48,190 | 48,190 | 44,281 | |||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). - - - - - - - - - Sub total - - - - - Total receipts 48,190 - - 48,190 44,281 ~~——————~~ |
||||||||||||
| A3 Payments | ||||||||||||
| Direct school costs | 275 | - | - | 275 | 275 | 212 | ||||||
| Charitable donations | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| Rent and rates | 1,180 | - | - | 1 | 1,180 | 1,371 | ||||||
| Insurance | 677 | - | - | 677 | 677 | 675 | ||||||
| Admin costs | 110 | - | - | 110 | 110 | 192 | ||||||
| Computer costs | 248 | - | - | 248 | 248 | 215 | ||||||
| Travel and subsistence | 756 | - | - | 756 | 756 | 893 | ||||||
| Bank charges | 60 | 60 | 60 | 66 | ||||||||
| Staff salaries | 29,824 | 29 | 29,824 | 28,233 | ||||||||
| Training | 174 | 174 | 174 | 200 | ||||||||
| Subscriptions | 159 | 159 | 159 | 150 | ||||||||
| Payroll fees | 210 | 210 | 210 | 611 | ||||||||
| Accountancy | 300 | 300 | 300 | 285 | ||||||||
| Sundryexpenses | 196 | 196 | 196 | 90 | ||||||||
| **Sub total ** | 34,169 | - | - | 34,169 | 34,169 | 33,193 | ||||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) - - - - - - - - - Sub total - - - - - Total payments 34,169 - - 34,169 33,193 ~~—————~~ |
||||||||||||
| Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
14,021 - - 14,021 11,088 - - - - - 43,618 - - 43,618 32,530 57,639 - - 57,639 43,618 ~~——_—S=S=~~ |
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
11/04/2026
1
| Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets |
Joanne Ramsden Signature Steve Tringham PAYE Independent examiner fee Room charge Staff expenses Details Details CAF Bank Details Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Debtor: Gift aid reclaim Details |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 57,639 - - - - - 57,639 - OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 2,425 - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) General fund 179 General fund 315 General fund 236 59 Print Name Steve Tringham Joanne Ramsden |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| OK | |||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| When due (optional) |
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| Date of approval |
|||
| Steve Tringham | Steve Tringham | 23/02/2026 | |
| Joanne Ramsden | Joanne Ramsden | 23/02/2026 |
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
11/04/2026
2
22 January 2026
adventus accounting solutions Supporting Charitable Organisations
Independent Examiner’s report to the Trustees of The Tonbridge Children’s Workshop Charity Registration Number 1069911
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 which are set out on the pages following.
Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and Independent Examiner
The charity’s 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(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 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 2011 Act;
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Follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
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State whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner’s Statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given 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.
adventusaccounting@btinternet.com 07523 622979 www.adventusaccounting.wixsite.com/website
Independent Examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
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to prepare accounts which accord with these accounting records have not been
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met; or
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(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Yours sincerely
Martyn Burt
B.Sc.(Hons), ACMA, CGMA
adventus accounting solutions 10 Walnut Lane Laceby Grimsby DN37 7BY
e-mail: martyn.burt@btinternet.com or adventusaccounting@btinternet.com Telephone: 07523 6229679
adventusaccounting@btinternet.com 07523 622979 www.adventusaccounting.wixsite.com/website ~~PT~~