REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1081250
Report of the Trustees and
Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
for
The Synergy Christian Trust
Monahans Oakley House Tetbury Road Cirencester Glos GL7 1US
The Synergy Christian Trust
Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
| Page | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 4 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 5 | ||
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 | ||
| Balance Sheet | 7 | ||
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 8 | to | 11 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 12 |
The Synergy Christian Trust
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The objectives of the trust are to:
Advance the Christian faith in accordance with our statement of beliefs, in the United Kingdom and elsewhere as the trustees may from time to time think fit.
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The Synergy Christian Trust
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Charitable activities
Introduction
Synergy Christian Trust began its work in schools and churches back in September 2000. Today, it continues to employ Trevor and Ruth Ranger as Field Worker and Administrator respectively. The aim of the trust remains the same; to help children, young people and adults explore and consider the Christian faith.
The trustees met in person on three occasions this year. In addition, they communicated with one another at other times by telephone and by email. The trustees continue to review and update various employment and safeguarding policies.
Over the years, 'Synergy' has been financially supported by many different individuals and churches, but changes in their circumstances (and their ability to give) led to concern this year about the trust's income. The trustees decided to make a special financial appeal to friends and supporters of the trust who responded in a positive way. As such, 'Synergy' is now on a much more stable footing.
Synergy continues to be a Local Mission Partner of Scripture Union (SU) but this year saw a significant change in SU's regional structure. The South-West region, of which Synergy was a part was merged into a much bigger 'South' region. As a result, none of Trevor's SU's South-West colleagues remain in post. For the trustees, Synergy's ongoing relationship with SU will be a matter of discussion in the months ahead.
The trust continues to operate its website and to send a newsletter three times a year to more than 250 of its supporters.
Schools
Trevor conducted a total of 128 assemblies in 13 primary schools, mostly in and around Chippenham, North Wiltshire. The theme for this year's series of assemblies was "God's Big Story" in which Trevor helped children to explore the Bible, not simply as a book of stories, but also as one big story of God's plan for the world.
Following last year's review of the schools' work, the trustees agreed that Trevor should offer to help schools with the Christian elements of the RE curriculum. Several schools accepted the offer and during the year, Trevor led 12 RE lessons and 2 RE Enrichment events with children from Years 1-6. For each lesson, Trevor had to study the school's RE syllabus, establish which elements to include and then send a lesson plan to the teacher in advance. Topics for these lessons included the biblical understanding of 'Sacrifice', 'Eucharist', 'Resurrection' and 'Mission'.
In two schools, Trevor was invited to spend an entire morning with children looking at the themes of either Christmas or Easter as an RE Enrichment event. Trevor's work was appreciated so much by one school, he was invited to a staff meeting to train the teachers in the best ways to teach and explore the concept of 'Salvation'.
Trevor again joined the team for the annual "Lifepath" schools' event at Malmesbury Abbey, which took place in June 2025. During the three days, he led 11 workshops, exploring how a person's priorities may change over time and how the first disciples of Jesus left their professions to follow him.
Churches
During the year, Trevor accepted invitations to lead 25 services in a total of 15 different churches across the West of England area. The churches are of a variety of denominations and traditions. They provide Trevor with the opportunity to share and promote the ministry of Synergy.
Trevor led two Holiday Clubs in the year. In the February half-term, he was asked to lead a club for a relatively new church in Chippenham that meets in a local secondary school. He was surprised by the invitation as it is a church that has a good number of children's leaders, but this was the first Holiday Club that they had run, and they wanted someone with experience to guide them through the process as well as to lead the presentational elements of the programme.
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The Synergy Christian Trust
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
Then in the summer, using Scripture Union's "Teambuilders" resources, Trevor led another Holiday Club in the Gloucestershire village of Marshfield. The programme ran for 3 hours each morning for 3 days and was appealing to working parents who could 'drop-off' their children for the entire morning.
Trevor continues to work closely with Sheldon Road Church and each Wednesday during term time, he leads their 'Game Changers' children's club for Primary school-aged children. This year, he led the programme on 33 occasions.
Last year, the leadership of Malmesbury Abbey invited Trevor to advise them on their work with children and families and in January 2025, he helped them begin a new family-orientated service, designed to be an informal and enjoyable worship event for young and old alike. The Abbey @ 9.30am service has since gone from strength to strength.
Music
Trevor's YouTube channel, featuring videos of his songs continues to provide online resources to churches and schools. He continues to hear encouraging stories of how the songs are being used. One teacher at a school that he visits wrote to Trevor and explained how his songs are a key tool in helping one particular child with challenging behaviour. "He seems to calm the minute I put the songs on and it has made such a difference for us and him as his emotional needs are so very extreme. (Being) able to find a way into his very troubled little mind has been so powerful".
Trevor has been invited to write a song for Sheldon Road church's 125th anniversary in 2026 and hopes to present the church leadership with the song in time for the first church service of the year.
All of Trevor's songs are available on all the major streaming services and Synergy continues to receive a share of the royalties. However, in Synergy's case the costs of professional music production far outweigh the income that the songs generate, and it is unlikely that Trevor will be able to write a fifth album of his all-age worship songs.
Future Plans
Trevor will conduct assemblies in 13 schools and for the next academic year will explore the question; 'What is God like?' with the children and how Christians use the Bible to answer the question. He will continue and potentially extend his work in leading RE lessons with local Primary schools.
Trevor will again join the 'Lifepath' team at Malmesbury Abbey, leading workshops about the life of Jesus and how the disciples' priorities changed once they had met him.
Trevor will continue to lead the Game Changers (children's club) team at Sheldon Road Church, as it begins its 5th year.
Trevor will speak at or lead numerous church services and events and hopes to lead two Holiday Clubs. The trustees have encouraged him to take church services on no more than 2 weekends each month. That way, he and Ruth have the opportunity of attending their own church regularly.
Trevor will explore the possibility of using AI music generation software, not necessarily to help write songs but with a view to producing good quality vocal arrangements of his songs.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Results for the year are acceptable.
The Trust reserves policy is to hold approximately six months income, this has now been achieved.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust and constitutes an unincorporated charity.
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The Synergy Christian Trust
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The Trust is managed by a team of volunteer trustees who receive no remuneration for their work. Trustees meeting are held as and when required. On such occasions as new trustees are required, they are recruited from churches and educational establishments, within the North Wiltshire area.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number
1081250
Principal address
11 Sandes Close Chippenham Wilts SN15 2NH
Trustees
Mr M Strathdee Mrs R Read Mrs L Townend Mr A Paddock Mrs M Hardy Ms H Rhodes
Independent Examiner
S G Nuttall Monahans Oakley House Tetbury Road Cirencester Glos GL7 1US
Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by:
................................................................. Trustee
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Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Synergy Christian Trust
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Synergy Christian Trust
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Synergy Christian Trust (the Trust) for the year ended 31 August 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation 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 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.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of 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.
S G Nuttall
Monahans Oakley House Tetbury Road Cirencester Glos GL7 1US
13 May 2026
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The Synergy Christian Trust
Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
| 2025 Unrestricted fund Notes £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 49,356 Investment income 2 73 Total 49,429 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Children and Youth Work 39,854 NET INCOME 9,575 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 34,185 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 43,760 |
2024 Total funds £ 41,289 144 |
|---|---|
| 41,433 | |
| 38,985 | |
| 2,448 31,737 |
|
| 34,185 |
The notes form part of these financial statements
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The Synergy Christian Trust
Balance Sheet
31 August 2025
| 2025 Unrestricted fund Notes £ CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 6 567 Cash at bank 43,749 44,316 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 7 (556) NET CURRENT ASSETS 43,760 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 43,760 NET ASSETS 43,760 FUNDS 8 Unrestricted funds 43,760 TOTAL FUNDS 43,760 |
2024 Total funds £ 503 34,209 34,712 (527) 34,185 34,185 34,185 34,185 34,185 |
|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ............................................. and were signed on its behalf by:
............................................. Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
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The Synergy Christian Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain assets, liabilities and investment properties measured at their fair value through income or expenditure.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.
Income
Incoming resources are treated as income upon receipt with the exemption of Gift Aid receipts which are dealt with on an accruals basis.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the entitycharity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits
Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as an expense in the period in which the related service is provided. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that the prepayment will lead to a reduction in future payments or a cash refund.
When contributions are not expected to be settled wholly within 12 months of the end of the reporting date in which the employees render the related service, the liability is measured on a discounted present value basis. The unwinding of the discount is recognised as an expense in the period in which it arises.
2. INVESTMENT INCOME
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Deposit account interest | 73 | 144 |
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continued...
The Synergy Christian Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
3. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 August 2025 nor for the year ended 31 August 2024.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 August 2025 nor for the year ended 31 August 2024.
4. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
5.
| Unrestricted | |
|---|---|
| fund | |
| £ | |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM | |
| Donations and legacies | 41,289 |
| Investment income | 144 |
| Total | 41,433 |
| EXPENDITURE ON | |
| Charitable activities | |
| Children and Youth Work | 38,985 |
| NET INCOME | 2,448 |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS | |
| Total funds brought forward | 31,737 |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 34,185 |
| TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS | |
| Fixtures | |
| and | |
| fittings | |
| £ | |
| COST | |
| At 1 September 2024 | 1,896 |
| Disposals | (1,896) |
| At 31 August 2025 | - |
| DEPRECIATION | |
| At 1 September 2024 | 1,896 |
| Eliminated on disposal | (1,896) |
| At 31 August 2025 | - |
| NET BOOK VALUE | |
| At 31 August 2025 | - |
| At 31 August 2024 | - |
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continued...
The Synergy Christian Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
| 6. | DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Other debtors | 324 | 274 | ||
| Prepayments and accrued income | 243 | 229 | ||
| 567 | 503 | |||
| 7. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR | |||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Taxation and social security | 556 | 527 | ||
| 8. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS | |||
| Net | ||||
| movement | At | |||
| At 1.9.24 | in funds | 31.8.25 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
| General fund | 34,185 | 9,575 | 43,760 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 34,185 | 9,575 | 43,760 | |
| Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: | ||||
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | ||
| resources | expended | in funds | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
| General fund | 49,429 | (39,854) | 9,575 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 49,429 | (39,854) | 9,575 | |
| Comparatives for movement in funds | ||||
| Net | ||||
| movement | At | |||
| At 1.9.23 | in funds | 31.8.24 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
| General fund | 31,737 | 2,448 | 34,185 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 31,737 | 2,448 | 34,185 |
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continued...
The Synergy Christian Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| resources | expended | in funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 41,433 | (38,985) | 2,448 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 41,433 | (38,985) | 2,448 |
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS |
Net movement At 1.9.23 in funds £ £ 31,737 12,023 31,737 12,023 |
At 31.8.25 £ 43,760 |
|---|---|---|
| 43,760 |
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| resources | expended | in funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 90,862 | (78,839) | 12,023 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 90,862 | (78,839) | 12,023 |
9. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 August 2025.
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The Synergy Christian Trust
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Donations and legacies Gifts Gift aid Investment income Deposit account interest Total incoming resources EXPENDITURE Charitable activities Wages Pensions Insurance Postage and stationery Sundries Travel Total resources expended Net income |
2025 £ 45,926 3,430 49,356 73 49,429 33,453 4,154 472 316 401 1,058 39,854 39,854 9,575 |
2024 £ 37,821 3,468 |
|---|---|---|
| 41,289 144 |
||
| 41,433 32,321 3,660 452 897 520 1,135 |
||
| 38,985 | ||
| 38,985 | ||
| 2,448 |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
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