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2023-12-31-accounts

Annual Report

2024

We’re about seeing young peoples lives changed by Jesus by taking the Good News relevantly to every young person in Newmarket & District

newmarketyfc@gmail.com www.newmarket.yfc.co.uk

The Basement, 15 Mill Lane, Fordham CB7 5NH

Table Of Contents

01

02

03

04

05

Team Update Director’s Report

Staff: Hannah

Staff: Janice

Executive Report

08 Schools (cont’d)

09 Newday ‘23 10 Pulse ‘23 & Youth Groups 11 Alive ‘24 12 Prayer

06 Council Of Reference

13

Volunteers & Treasurer Report

07 Schools

14 Accounts

Team

Well, I think it is safe to say that this year marks the biggest team change in the history of Newmarket & District Youth For Christ – Jerry has retired! We thank Jerry for all of his faithful hard work over many years!

We were able to thank Jerry with a small gathering to mark his retirement in March. But we await a bigger gathering and display of thanks to Jerry for all he has done over the years, in September.

Since the last AGM report in July 2023, Tasha & Hannah joined the team (in September 2023). After initial employment as Senior Youth & School’s worker, Tasha stepped in to lead the team in January 2024 whilst Jerry was unwell. The Exec team then appointed Tasha as Centre Director in April 2024.

Hannah joined the team as a Trainee Youth & School’s worker. Hannah has enjoyed learning and growing in the role.

Hi Folks,

I trust that this finds all of you well and knowing God moving in your lives?! “'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. '” Jeremiah 29:11.

I would like to say a big Thank You to all the Supporters, Executive, Referral committees and all Colleagues, who have worked alongside me over the last 34-ish years, it has been a privilege! I pray that the seeds we have sown in young people’s lives through our work, sharing how God walks with us, loves us and all people will bear fruit now and in the future.

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Farewell Jerry
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I am excited at how God is using the new team, Tasha, Janice and Hannah, since I stopped working for N&D Youth for Christ this year. Please continue to pray and support them in all that God has planned for N&D Youth for Christ in the future.

I thank Sara for all her support, and we would value your prayers for us as we move into this new chapter of life.

“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

God Bless you!!!

Jerry xxx

Staff

Director’s Report

Well, hello! For those of you who have not met me yet, I am Tasha. I am Jerry Bendall’s daughter. Whilst my Dad and I share lots of similarities, we are very different!

What a privilege it has been to work with my Dad for a few months at the start of the school year. I learnt so much from him during that time. Dad has worked so hard to build Newmarket & District Youth For Christ into the centre it is today – the relationships built with churches and local schools are just fantastic! Well done, Dad – and THANK YOU!

It has been a ‘stormy’ year. But we have such a good God, don’t we! He is always there with a word of encouragement. Most recently, God showed me a picture of a huge, dark, shadowy mountain. I just felt His gentle voice say, “I move mountains”. We just need faith. I thank God that He is in charge here at Newmarket & District Youth For Christ and I will endeavour to continue steering the centre in tune with where He is leading. And of course, with the wise guidance of our fantastic Exec team and wise council of the referral team.

A particular highlight for me this year has been stopping to pause and pray – a chance to put the handbrake on as Dad officially left the centre. To stop and recalibrate. To turn our eyes away from the work to look directly at the Father. Throughout the two weeks, many different people joined us to pray and we have made a record of all that God has said and promised the centre.

During the ‘pause’, I felt it would be right to invite some ex-employees to come and pray for our current team. Some of the words that came through were hugely encouraging to the centre. One shared from Oswald Chambers ‘We must build our faith, not on the fading light, but on the light that never fails. When ‘big’ men go we are sad, until we see that they are meant to go; the one thing that remains is looking in the face of God for ourselves… A Christian worker is one who perpetually looks in the face of God and then goes forth to talk to people.’ WOW! Thank you, Lord for reminding us that it is good and right for Dad to move on – and it is important for us to look into your face before we go out into the world.

Another shared a word given to them from God about Newmarket & District Youth For Christ centre… I asked for a word for you and immediately the word ‘pillars’ came to mind. Pillars are for support – they ‘stand firm’, are strong, enduring and often are in a ‘network’. Just amazing and so true. N&D YFC is a strong support who have stood firm & built a strong network. We hope to continue that work into 2025 and beyond!

Huge thanks to each and every one of you for your support, prayers and financial giving towards the work of N&D YFC. I hope you enjoy reading about all that N&D YFC have done this past year.

With every blessing, Tasha

Staff

Hannah

I have worked alongside Newmarket Youth for Christ as a volunteer for a long time. I started working for N&D YFC last September and during the last year, I have realized how much work goes on in the background. It has been an encouragement and a blessing to see the young people who come to the events, youth groups and lunch clubs grow in their confidence, their friendships and in their knowledge of the Lord.

Public speaking has never been my strong suit. I have never been comfortable or had much confidence in speaking in front of people. We do a lot of work in schools, lessons, assemblies and lunch clubs. During this last year I have been able to work on my confidence and gain experience in presenting lessons and assemblies.

What I have enjoyed the most is planning, presenting and hosting events like Pulse and Alive. I am so encouraged when young people come to these events and hear God’s word, hear testimonies but also to have fun with old friends, create new friends and create new memories.

At the end of 2023, we were approached by Soham Village College to potentially start a second lunch time club, as there was a boy in year 10 who would often go to the Hub centre to read his bible alone.

In February, we started a lunch club for the year 9, 10 & 11’s at Soham Village College. This boy, along with 3 others have been coming regularly. As all of the lads are from a church background, we decided to focus more on studying the bible. It has been encouraging to see these 4 boys interacting and getting along with each other so well and engaging with the bible studies and discussions.

This year, I have felt the Lord place on my heart, the desire to see our young people in all the local churches come together so that they can form friendships with young people from other churches and also grow and strengthen their faith together.

Hannah

Staff

Janice

This year has been a year of change. The most obvious change has been as a result of Jerry retiring and Tash and Hannah both starting. This turnaround seems to have happened very quickly but both Tash and Hannah have been willing to adapt to all that they have encountered, and it has been great to get to know them and to see the different skill sets that have been brought into the team. One of our aims this year is to support and encourage churches to engage with the youth, so it has been great to have 2 volunteers, James (Youth worker from LightWave) and Anne (from Kings church) to work alongside at the MCA lunch club. As a team we are all very different and the result has been more than the sum of its parts! Being in school gives us a platform to be a listening ear for the students. Some of those we have come into contact with are from local churches, but others have no church background. However, wherever they are in their faith journey we can provide them with an opportunity to ask questions and explore faith. During our time in school we also come into contact with a variety of staff members. This is another opportunity to provide an impartial listening service, and give some encouragement in what can often, at times, be a very testing environment. Throughout the academic year we have the privilege of delivering assemblies and RE lessons. Whilst assemblies are mainly a one-way delivery scenario, lessons are much more two way and it is fascinating, although at times daunting, to listen to the young people’s questions as they engage with the material that we give to them. It’s often a student’s question that make me reflect quite seriously about what I believe and why, or reassess whether I believe what I am saying or if it is just something that I have learned to say as a response without really considering the implications of what I am saying. Being in the classroom often feels just like being a student again!

At Easter we took time, as an organization, to pause and reflect on the work of N&D YFC. Over the two weeks it was really encouraging to meet together with the wider team. The greatest revelation for me during this time was just how passionate everyone was about working with young people. Although this should be a given, I hadn’t anticipated the overwhelming enthusiasm for reaching the youth of today and their desire to be a part of the solution to reach this generation. During the Pause we reassessed the work that we do, and the challenge now is to make sure that we follow through on what God said to us during this time. In order to do this, we need to remember to press into what we have felt God say, to be patient to wait for doors opening and to trust God when He closes doors. Both our two large events “Alive” and “Pulse” went well. Ever since the Pulse event one young man, although not a believer, has started to attend both the lunchtime club and a youth group on a regular basis, something which a year ago didn’t seem possible. The young people who went to “Alive” were also asking about the summer youth festival “New Day” and were keen to promote the event to all their peers. At present we only have the capacity to take these young people to the event for a day, but we trust that God will use this situation for His purposes.

Much of the work that we do is very ordinary and as a result we can find ourselves overlooking what God is doing in the midst of the ordinary. Recently, one young man, who has been attending the lunch club since the beginning of the year, started to ask questions about what he had heard about Jesus. Somehow the language that he used to state what he knew came in a different format than what I expected and seemed totally out of sequence. However, it was only later when I was reflecting on the group that I realized that what he had said was both true and showed that he had been contemplating a Bible story.

As I look back over this past year, I realize that God has shifted my attention to focus more on walking in step with Him. This doesn’t always “feel” comfortable and it is easier to do things in my own strength but if I have learnt anything this year, it’s that when I’m in step with Jesus, it’s so much more productive. So, for everyone who has taken time to pray for us at some point over this last year I want to say a massive thank you! The old analogy of an iceberg comes to

mind – the visible top is only a small proportion of the whole and the bit underneath, despite humanly speaking remaining unnoticed, ensures that the work remains in tact! We are so grateful for all who have taken time out to support us and in whatever way God has called you “Thank you!”

Executive Committee

Jane Culpin - Chair

Alison Reid - Secretary

Selina Jellyman - Trustee

Nick Crawford - Treasurer Julia Meeks

Jane

I recently read Matthew’s account about Peter stepping off the boat during a storm and walking on water. Despite his initial panic, Peter looked to Jesus who grabbed hold of him, and after Jesus calmed the storm, they walked on water – what an incredible experience that must have been for Peter! I was reflecting on this passage and thinking about the last few months of N&D YFC’s journey. In September our new senior worker Tasha took up post. The Executive Committee also appointed Hannah, and the road ahead looked exciting. But then at the beginning of the year, whilst both Tasha and Hannah were settling in and ‘learning the ropes’ Jerry was advised on medical grounds to take some time out, and it became unclear how the year ahead would unfold. Tasha, who’d only been in her role for 4 months, accepted the offer to step up as centre director. Supported by the Exec, Tasha managed the team and all the work of the centre continued.

At Easter Jerry retired. For 34ish years Jerry has managed the centre with dedication and faithfulness, and so it felt sad when his retirement came whilst off work. But, just like Peter when he bravely stepped off the boat, we all look to Jesus and walk closely with Him, side-by-side, trusting in His faithfulness and generosity, knowing that His plans are perfect. After Easter the Executive committee offered Tasha the role of Centre Director on a permanent basis and were delighted when she accepted.

With a new Centre Director comes change, and with change comes a necessary period of adjustment. Change can, at times, feel unsettling and uncertain. It takes time for prayer and discussion, and we question the decisions being made. Change is about trying new things, and this can feel uncomfortable. However, change is also healthy and allows for growth. When Peter boldly stepped out of the boat to try something new his faith and focus on Jesus stopped him drowning. And just like Peter, N&D YFC are doing something new, prayerfully, and faithfully walking with Jesus to see where He is leading the centre as they enter this new season.

On behalf of the Trustees and all Supporters, a huge thank you to Jerry for your many years of commitment and service to N&D YFC. We pray God will bless and guide you as you step-out and stepforward and walk with Jesus in your new direction. Thank you to Tasha, Janice and Hannah for your dedication and commitment to the centre, and as you step-out and step-forward with Jesus, we pray He will guide you with the many decisions to be made and in your direction of travel.

And on behalf of the Executive Committee, I would like to say a huge thank you to all our supporters who pray, give financially and volunteer in many different ways. Your generosity of time and giving enables the mission work to continue.

Blessings to you all

Jane

Chair of Trustees of Newmarket and District Youth for Christ

Council Of Reference

Rachael Heffer - Chair Reference Chris King Val Locke ah Michael Spooner Klara Belzar

Rachael

As I reflect back on another year of the input and impact of Newmarket & District Youth for Christ I remain in awe and so grateful to the team for their steadfast faithfulness, their obedience to lean in and listen to God for His leading, and their commitment to serving the thousands of young people across our region. Despite so many personal challenges and changes over the last year, what a joy to be able to celebrate the thousands of young lives who, over the last 12 months alone, in our schools, groups, and churches, have heard of the good news of Jesus and the profound reality that, still today, Jesus is at work changing lives!

It's been a year of change with us saying a huge heartfelt and abundant ‘Thank you’ to Jerry for his incredible and faithful service to the life of the Centre over 30+ years. I pray that he will be even a little aware of the tens of thousands of young lives who heard of the gospel good news of Jesus because of his faithfulness and desire to see them hear of light, hope, and truth in a relevant way.

As members of the Council for Reference (who are a group of people all representing various Churches from across the region and YFC radius) we were thrilled to see immense answer to prayer in the person of Tasha coming in to lead the team and the Centre. Tasha and team did a great job laying work and busyness aside earlier in 2024 to intentionally have a ‘period of Pause’ to reflect of the work and direction of the Centre into this new phase. It was a joy to join together in prayer, reflection, and seeking God’s leading and insight for this next phase of the work and ministry.

As a Council for Reference, meeting three times a year, to prayerfully support the team and work of the Centre, we were sorry to see Lynne Johnson step down from the Council after a number of years. We wish her all the very best and pass on our immense thanks and appreciation for all that Lynne has done to prayerfully support and champion the work of the centre over these years.

Against the backdrop of the many challenging cultural conversations and questions that our young people grapple with, the truth of the gospel has never been more needed. What is encouraging is to see that, where young people have the opportunity to explore the Christian faith for themselves, across the UK we are seeing a wave of young people being more open to hearing about faith, to conversations about Christianity, and many teenagers are encountering Jesus for the first time. Let’s be praying for more of these encounters, visions, dreams, and revelations over the coming year.

Whilst recently looking at the story of Deborah in chapters 4 and 5 of the book of Judges, I was struck again by God’s promise that we are never alone in the ministry that He calls us to and, whilst challenging, He is always with us… In Judges 4 v 14 (NLT version), when on the verge of war, challenge, intimidation and anxiety, Deborah says to Barak and the troops ‘Get ready! This is the day that the Lord will give you victory…for the Lord your God is marching ahead of you’. As we go into another year, I pray for Tasha and the team (as indeed for all of us!) that they will be reassured of God’s equipping, strengthening, provision, and peace as we look to the many young lives we want to know of the transformational power of Jesus. Let us pray together that the team will know too that the Lord our God goes ahead of them to pave the way and together we may really make Jesus known in this time and season.

Rachael Heffer Chair of the N&D YFC Referral Committee

“It is fun and interesting. We learn a lot and make lots of things” 7

Schools work

“I like this club because it is something different to do”

Lunch Clubs

We continue to run regular lunchtime clubs at Soham Village . e College & Mildenhall College Academy. We have welcomed two new volunteers this year into the club at Mildenhall, which has been fantastic!

At Soham, we were approached by the school to open up a lunch club for the older age groups which we began after Easter. The group is small, but regular and a great opportunity for those who want to come and study God’s word together at lunch time. As you can see from the comments above, these clubs are enjoyed by the young people who attend.

“ We learn about Jesus and do fun ” things

It’s Your Move

In July we went into 2 schools in Red Lodge to help the year 6's to think about their move to secondary school. We use Bible stories and games to help the young people look at how they are feeling about their move. It’s a great way to allow young people to express their fears whilst having lots of fun. It also allows us the opportunity to make a connection with the young people so that when we are in school they will feel comfortable in speaking to us in their new school.

“not being I might be moving house and good enough” I’m being home schooled so I might lose my friends

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I’m trying to find my
class but I get lost
What do I do?
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Assemblies

We have delivered assemblies in Mildenhall College Academy, Newmarket Academy & Soham Village College on themes:

Schools work

Lessons

This year we have delivered lessons in Ely College, Newmarket Academy, Mildenhall College Academy, Soham Village College & Vista Academy in Littleport on the following subjects:

Comments from teaching staff

Once again, I would like to thank Newmarket YFC for their support this year. We have been pleased to welcome you into our curriculum lessons and also the successful lunch time club. Here's to next academic year!

Richard Goodenough, Mildenhall College Academy

It has been another good year in the relationship between Soham VC and Newmarket & District Youth For Christ. The YFC team take every opportunity to support our students by running two weekly clubs for younger and older students. Their excellent communication and positive attitude make dealing with the charity a delight and we look forward to welcoming them into the school again in the future.

Richard Pearce, Soham Village College

We have continued to work closely with Newmarket YFC this academic year. This has included lunch time clubs, assemblies (which have continued to be pre-recorded and viewed by the whole school) and members of Newmarket YFC delivering lessons – especially in Year 7 when looking at Christian parables. We would especially like to thank Jerry for his tireless work over many years and we wish him well in his retirement and we look forward to working with Tasha in the future.

Ed Lowis, Head of RE at Mildenhall College Academy

We are very grateful for the wonderful work you did this year and last year. It has made a lasting difference to our students across KS3/4.

Rebecca Wearing, Head of RE at Vista Academy

The children thoroughly enjoyed your visit. They produced some amazing raps. I hope this is a tradition that we can maintain at Christmas time. We would love to have you in again - it really does enrich our RE provision. Thanks again

Sian Bowyer, Head of RE at Houldsworth Valley Primary Academy

New Day ‘23

July 2023 we took 18 young people to the Youth Event “New Day”, which is held on Norfolk showground. The young people camp for 5 nights and have the opportunity to worship with more than 10,000 other young people. Jane Darley was our chef for the week and did an amazing job!

The morning worship was split into different age groups and there was a great mix of chaotic fun and serious teaching. Each evening the main worship happened in a large tent which on one evening, included a healing service. However, for those who were unchurched or who found this too overwhelming there were other tents where the young people could hear testimonies in a much more relaxed venue.

During the week there were many different activities that the young people could try which included amongst other things, a dance workshop, a football tournament, a beauty palour,

slip and slide and crazy golf. Over the period of a week we watched the young people get to know one another and to grow in confidence. On the first night I woke in the early hours of the morning to find one young lady in floods of tears on her phone to her mum because her airbed had deflated and she was cold and miserable.

By the end of the week she was loving life and despite being one of the youngest she was indistinguishable from the rest of the group in her level of engagement in all that was on offer. For some of the young people during the week their level of commitment to Jesus had visibly increased which was a great encouragement to all the leaders. When we had our “Alive” weekend I was bombarded by the youth wanting to know when the booking forms would be out for the NewDay youth event and when I asked if anyone would be willing to explain it to the other attendees, I was inundated with volunteers who were willing to promote the event.

New Day Reunion

In September, All Saints Church in Newmarket , asked us if some young people would like to join them for 24/7 day of prayer. We decided to use this opportunity as a New Day 23 Reunion. Some of the young people who went to New Day decided to join us for an evening of prayer, along with a few games, hot chocolate, and snacks.

For the prayer time, we had a prayer space with different stations that had activities that helped focus on an item of prayer like prayer for different countries in the world, prayer for family and friends, and so on.

Hannah gave a short talk about trust and working together which reflected in the games. They were placed in groups and they had to work together to win the game.

It was great to see those who went to New Day with Newmarket Youth for Christ but also it was a good opportunity for the young people to catch up with each other and also grow/ strengthen their faith in Christ.

In 2023, the Pulse mission was held at Vista Academy in Littleport.

Pulse ‘23

We managed to see every student at the school (500+) for lessons and assemblies throughout the week. J Vessel came and taught students about the social media & mental health, song writing and shared

his faith in God. And of course shared his music with students, who thoroughly enjoyed it!

The team of churches working together in Littleport supported the YFC team and J Vessel throughout the week in school.

The Pulse Core Team then came together for the gig night on the Thursday evening which was the best attended Pulse gig to date! We had 121 young people attend (which was the venue capacity) we even had to turn a few young people away.

After J Vessel had shared his testimony we gave a chance for the young people to respond to the message they had heard. 37 young people responded and our prayer teams prayed with those young people.

The follow up group from the Pulse event was held at the youth & community centre in Littleport and run by YFC team and churches together teams (members of The Vine Church and St George’s Church). There were 15 young people who came to the opening night and then we had between 3-15 young people attend as we went through the Youth Alpha materials.

Youth groups

It’s been great to connect with church youth groups this year. Once per half term, we support Lynn Hawkins at Burwell Rock Solid club. It is great to get to know the young people

at this group a little bit and it is always nice when there is some cross over, with young people recognising our staff having been in their lessons Eifend Year 6 welcome, too! and assemblies. Lynn does a fantastic job of following the Rock Solid materials produced by National Youth For Christ. These aim to introduce faith in a ‘light’ way, whilst engaging young people in fun activities and games. ae YOUTH CAFE \

At King’s Church Mildenhall, the team heading it up has changed. Tim & Lizzie who have faithfully served for many years get married later this year and have decided to step down. We wish them well and pray for the team taking over.

Alive ‘24

Alive 2024 had the theme “Wonder”. Our intention was to inspire the young people to consider our amazing God. We were very privileged to be able to use the Ark church as the venue and once again had a wonderful team of caterers and volunteers to help us.

This year our craft activities included woodwork which was kindly organized by Martin Earl and as a result many of the young people went home with their own hand made bird box. Zorb football and laser tag were also firm favourites and it was exciting to see some of the youth make new friends during the day.

Alongside all the fun and frivolity we had testimonies from James Beckett (Lightwave) & Jade Biggs (Camberley YFC) and Bible teaching from Tom Cockerton (Lighthouse).

We also held an escape room which traced the Easter story. All the leaders and volunteers dressed up as biblical characters and threw themselves into their assigned roles. At the end of the day despite being exhausted we were grateful that we had had such a wonderful day!

Pause & Pray

After the Easter Holidays, we came back to work having said goodbye to Jerry. We felt that it would be good to take a ‘Pause’ in the work and take time to pray and seek God.

During the 2 weeks, we sent out a devotional every day to the wider YFC team (staff, Exec team, Referral team & volunteers), we had prayer spaces, we had an ‘away day’ as a staff team and we invited ex-staff members of N&D YFC to come and pray with our current team.

We wanted to share with you some of the things we heard from God during that time and some of the themes that came through what God was speaking to people. And also some of the things we have put in place to move forward into what God has spoken to us.

Spring Clean

The phrase ‘Spring clean’. Luke 10:38-42 Martha & Mary – ‘slow down’. Mary’s attitude is key going forward – we are human beings not human doings.

Words about our spiritual lives as well as the centres spiritual guidance. We have changed the way we do our team meetings. We have a bi-weekly team meetings and we always pray together, one of the staff team share a bible study or prayer activity during this time. The word was also a practical one - and so we have dedicated time to sorting the office and clearing out things that we no longer need.

All in His Strength

John 15 – the true vine – apart from me you can do nothing - operating as a team effectively Pillars – support – network – enduring – strong – stand firm – working together in partnerships

As I have mentioned, we have changed the way we connect as a staff team. We have also put in some important infrastructure to enable effective communication between staff members. Of course none of this is possible without that important element of connecting with the Father. We have met as a wider team (staff, Exec, Referral & volunteers) for a prayer day where we worshipped & prayed together. We also took time to reflect on what we are doing now and where we would like to go as a centre. We meet again as a wider team later this year.

We are also starting a youth leaders gathering, to support and encourage youth workers in the area. We want to build a group who can partner together, champion each other and learn and grow together.

New things!

Isaiah 43:19 & Revelation 21:5 – God is doing a new thing

Turning a new chapter, there are empty pages that need to be filled – new ways, new directions. New shoots shooting up in different places.

We are looking to start new things (like the youth leaders gatherings and changes to our office & the way we meet as a team). We want to connect with local churches and support what you are doing with young people in your communities.

These are just some of the thing that came out of that time of ‘Pausing & Praying’. We would love to share more with you about what God said during that time. Please speak with a member of the team.

Prayer

We meet on the first Saturday of every month at 8:30-9am on zoom to pray together for the work of Newmarket & District Youth For Christ and young people in the area. We would love for you to join us!

Volunteers

I volunteer for 2.5 hours each Tuesday at Mildenhall College Academy and occasionally I fill in at Soham on a Wednesday.

Working with Janice and James we deliver a session with games and a Bible thought (eg God loves you and values you from Psalm 139). When I retired from teaching I wondered what I should be doing with my time and tentatively offered to help out at YFC. I wasn't sure if I was the right person to do it but I thoroughly enjoy the work. It is such a joy to be with young people again and to see them thinking seriously about God.

Anne

Lunch club volunteer

It was a great experience volunteering for the Pulse week and at the Gig seeing the students enjoying the experience and learning about composing songs and social media. Arthur

Volunteer at Pulse in Vista Academy

I have done a very simple job for YFC for some years now and, suppose the reason why, is that I so much admire what N&D YFC are doing in schools & churches. Running clubs and fun gigs for youngsters, and sharing something of the great love our Father God has for us - especially children and young people. I love my trips to the special basement ‘hub’ in Fordham and the very special group who make YFC the vitally important influence for good they truly are in our area.

Mary

Prayer Diary volunteer

Treasurer report

2023 has been my thirteenth accounting year as YFC treasurer. I continue to receive great support from Selina Jelleyman with CAF bank, and Jane Culpin has been added as a signatory. We still need to arrange for the accounts to be audited for this financial year. Unusually this was the first year I had not prepared a budget in advance as it was clear to us as an executive committee that it would be a year of great changes in our staffing which we couldn’t predict in advance. As these costs form the bulk of our spending as a committee, we found ourselves trusting God’s timing in our staffing and finances over my mathematics! We were led to recruit Natasha in advance of Jerry’s decision to retire to ensure continuity at the centre and spent September onwards with staffing costs at a level higher than could be sustained in the long term. Although a topic for 2024, Jerry’s retirement is already allowing this situation to gently correct itself. Despite these factors, giving improved slightly over an all-time low in 2022, and expenditure overall is now the lowest since I became treasurer in 2011. The overall effect gave us a small surplus in the year. Above inflation increases in things like the minimum wage and insurances continue to add pressure to the centre finances.

We continue to keep all matters of expenditure under careful review and consider very carefully how we use supporter’s funds and are always happy to discuss any matters that may concern you, throughout the year.

Many thanks again, Nick Crawford

Accounts

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Nick

you We are so grateful to you for your faithful support and generous giving to continue the work of Newmarket Youth For Christ a