Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 6th April 2024 - period start date to 5[th] April 2025 - period end date
Charity name: The Zion Trust
Charity registration number: 1070353
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The Zion Trust is committed to the advancement of the Christian Faith. a. The advancement of religious and secular education; b. The advancement of religion in accordance with the evangelical tents of the Christian faith either in the United Kingdom or overseas including the promotion of missionary activity which furthers the spread of the Christian faith; c. The relief of the poor, the sick and the elderly |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
The Zion Trust is a Christian Church and our activities are centred around sharing the good news of the Christian gospel and the love of Jesus Christ and his teachings generally in the community of Thame and the surrounding towns & villages but not exclusively limited to geographical location. Our focus is meeting regularly each week in smaller, informal groups for all ages including a weekly meeting for 18 – 26 age group. The meetings promote community and personal wellbeing through healthy relationships and exploring and studying the Christian gospel message together. Meetings are open to all and are relaxed and informal. From time to time we meet in larger gatherings in local community halls. The purpose of these meetings is to share the good news of the Christian faith through relational connection, musical worship, reading and studying the Bible together and praying for one another, our local community and wider nationwide and global concerns. Our larger gatherings are an accessible way for the local community to experience Church, create new friendships and experience community. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | In setting our objectives and planning our activities Trustees have considered guidance provided by the Charity Commission on public benefit. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | |
| Contribution made by volunteers | Para 1.38 | |
| Other |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | The Zion Trust has established a regular rhythm of meeting in small groups each week at different times, gathering a growing number of people of all ages. Attendees support and encourage one another in the outworking and study of the Christian faith and the outworking of the charity aims are in evidence through these regular gatherings in homes. Meetings are open to all and currently, those regularly coming are between the ages of 14 and 80. Our weekly home church meetings have been a hybrid of in-person and Zoom gatherings as appropriate, allowing the less mobile to access the group remotely when unable to attend in person. More senior members have been involved in helping other community group called Men in a Shed. The Church also takes part in an annual national Christian Youth Festival promoting the advancement of the Christian Faith; we extend financial support to those who need it and subsidise all costs to make it accessible to as many local young people as would like to attend. As well as our own youth leaders, we are able to support the attendance of adult helpers who volunteer their time to serve on various teams necessary for the event to run. In the reporting period, the charity supported 28 attendees to the festival and witnessed personal growth in these young people and young adults which assured Trustees that the aims of the charity are continuing to be met through support of this initiative. The Zion Trust financially supports registered charities that align with the charitable aims & objectives to alleviate poverty, advance education and support the advancement of the Christian faith including regular donations to a UK based Bible translation charity and a foodbank to support families and households in Thame and the surrounding areas. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Income from gifts and donations increased slightly from the same period last year. |
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The Zion Trust aims to retain between 6-9 months of reserves to allow the charity to fulfil all likely financial commitments at any time. This policy is under review by the Trustees |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | approx £35,000 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves | Para 1.22 | n/a |
| Details of fund materially in deficit | Para 1.24 | |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | There is no uncertainty about the charity |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | The Zion Trust is governed by a trust deed |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Charitable Trust |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | The Trustees are empowered to appoint and discharge trustees by resolution at a meeting. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | The Zion Trust |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | Thame Home Church |
| Registered charity number | 1070353 |
| Charity’s principal address | 1 Rupert Way Thame Oxfordshire OX9 3YA |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole **year ** |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kelvin Sampson | |||
| 2 | Patrick Flynn | |||
| 3 | Barbara Sampson |
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
| Description of the assets held in this capacity |
n/a |
|---|---|
| Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects |
n/a |
| Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets |
n/a |
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Type of Name Address adviser Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) ~~a~~ Exemptions from disclosure Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
~~a~~ Other optional information ~~a~~
Declarations
The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ Report above
Signed on behalf of the charity’s Trustees
Signature(s) Full name(s) Kelvin Sampson Patrick Flynn Position (eg Secretary, Chair etc) Trustee Trustee Date 5 February 2026 5 February 2026
| Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year CC16a 06-Apr-24 05-Apr-25 1070353 The Zion Trust Receipts andpayments accounts Period start date Period end date To For the period from TORENGLAND AROHALES ~~es~~ ~~__SS~~ |
Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year CC16a 06-Apr-24 05-Apr-25 1070353 The Zion Trust Receipts andpayments accounts Period start date Period end date To For the period from TORENGLAND AROHALES ~~es~~ ~~__SS~~ |
Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year CC16a 06-Apr-24 05-Apr-25 1070353 The Zion Trust Receipts andpayments accounts Period start date Period end date To For the period from TORENGLAND AROHALES ~~es~~ ~~__SS~~ |
Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year CC16a 06-Apr-24 05-Apr-25 1070353 The Zion Trust Receipts andpayments accounts Period start date Period end date To For the period from TORENGLAND AROHALES ~~es~~ ~~__SS~~ |
Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year CC16a 06-Apr-24 05-Apr-25 1070353 The Zion Trust Receipts andpayments accounts Period start date Period end date To For the period from TORENGLAND AROHALES ~~es~~ ~~__SS~~ |
Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year CC16a 06-Apr-24 05-Apr-25 1070353 The Zion Trust Receipts andpayments accounts Period start date Period end date To For the period from TORENGLAND AROHALES ~~es~~ ~~__SS~~ |
Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year CC16a 06-Apr-24 05-Apr-25 1070353 The Zion Trust Receipts andpayments accounts Period start date Period end date To For the period from TORENGLAND AROHALES ~~es~~ ~~__SS~~ |
Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year CC16a 06-Apr-24 05-Apr-25 1070353 The Zion Trust Receipts andpayments accounts Period start date Period end date To For the period from TORENGLAND AROHALES ~~es~~ ~~__SS~~ |
Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year CC16a 06-Apr-24 05-Apr-25 1070353 The Zion Trust Receipts andpayments accounts Period start date Period end date To For the period from TORENGLAND AROHALES ~~es~~ ~~__SS~~ |
Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year CC16a 06-Apr-24 05-Apr-25 1070353 The Zion Trust Receipts andpayments accounts Period start date Period end date To For the period from TORENGLAND AROHALES ~~es~~ ~~__SS~~ |
Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year CC16a 06-Apr-24 05-Apr-25 1070353 The Zion Trust Receipts andpayments accounts Period start date Period end date To For the period from TORENGLAND AROHALES ~~es~~ ~~__SS~~ |
Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year CC16a 06-Apr-24 05-Apr-25 1070353 The Zion Trust Receipts andpayments accounts Period start date Period end date To For the period from TORENGLAND AROHALES ~~es~~ ~~__SS~~ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | |||||||
| A1 Receipts | ||||||||||||
| Donations | 31,749 | - | - | - | 31,749 | 30 | 30,010 | |||||
| HMRC Gift Aid | 6,474 | - | - | - | 6,474 | 7 | 7,626 | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) | (Gross income for AR)38,223 | - | - | - | 38,223 | 37,636 | 37,636 | |||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). Sub total Total receipts |
- - - - - - Sub total - - - 38,223 - - ~~=—~~ |
- - - 38,223 |
- - 37,636 |
- - 37,636 |
||||||||
| A3 Payments | ||||||||||||
| Venue Hire | 532 | - | - | - | 532 | 1 | 1,148 | |||||
| Donations | 22,429 | - | - | - | 22,429 | 28 | 28,380 | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| **Sub total ** | 22,961 | - | - | - | 22,961 | 29,528 | 29,528 | |||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) Sub total Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - 22,961 - - 22,961 29,528 15,262 - - 15,262 8,108 - - - - - 21,128 - - 21,128 13,020 36,390 - - 36,390 21,128 ~~=i~~ ~~===]=~~ |
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
05/02/2026
1
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Unrestricted Restricted funds |
Restricted funds Endowment |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Categories | Details | funds | funds | ||
| to nearest £ to nearest £ |
to nearest £ | ||||
| B1 Cash funds | 36,390 - - - - - - - - 36,390 - - Bank Account Total cash funds ~~===>~~ |
||||
| (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) | OK OK |
OK | |||
| Unrestricted Restricted funds |
Restricted funds Endowment |
||||
| funds | funds | ||||
| Details | to nearest £ to nearest £ |
to nearest £ | |||
| B2 Other monetary assets | - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - HMRC Gift Aid ~~—=_—=~~ |
||||
| Details | Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) |
Current value (optional) |
|||
| B3 Investment assets | - - - - - - - - - - ~~ne~~ |
||||
| Details | Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) |
Current value (optional) |
|||
| B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~~ese~~ |
||||
| Fund to which Amount due |
When due | ||||
| Details | liability relates (optional) |
(optional) | |||
| Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B5 Liabilities |
- - - - - Date of approval 05-Feb-26 05-Feb-26 Print Name Patrick Flynn Kelvin Sampson Signature ~~——~~ |
||||
| CCXX R2 accounts (SS) | 2 | 05/02/2026 |
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ Charity Name The Zion Trust members of
On accounts for the year 5-Apr-25 Charity no 1070353 ended (if any)
Set out on pages 1
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 05/04/2025
- Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I 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, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention (other than that disclosed below *) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
-
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
- Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.
Signed: M Clamp Date: 31-Jan-26 ~~Ps fF~~ Name: Malcolm Clamp – MC Accountancy Limited ~~PC~~ Relevant professional AAT qualification(s) or body (if any):
Address: 4 Catterick Road, Bicester, Oxfordshire OX26 1AW
1
October 2018
IER
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
2
October 2018
IER