TAUNTON YOUTH FOR CHRIST TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2025 Registered Charity Number: 1081565
TAUNTON YOUTH FOR CHRIST TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2025 CONTENTS Page No Officers and professional advisers Trustees' annual report Report of the independent examiner to the trustees Receipts and payments account Statement of assets and liabilities Notes to the financial statements 1 - 6 7 8 9 10
TAUNTON YOUTH FOR CHRIST CHARITY INFORMATION TRUSTEES: (Executive Committee members) REGISTERED ADDRESS: Mrs C Solanki (Chair) Mr H J Clark Mr S Burton Mr D Slack Miss L R Darley Ms N Vieira - Resigned 16/07/2024 1 Fons George Road Taunton Somerset TA1 3JU REGISTERED CHARITY: INDEPENDENT EXAMINER: 1081565 Bernard Critchley Aspen Waite Chartered Certified Accountants Rubis House 15 Friarn Street Bridgwater Somerset TA6 3LH
Trustees Annual Report 2024-25 Taunton Youth for Christ, Oakwood Church Centre, Obridge Road, Taunton TA2 7PU Charity number 1081568 Chairperson Mrs Cathrine Solanki Treasurer Mr David Slack Secretary Miss Laura Darley Trustees Mr Harvey Clark Mr Sam Burton Employees Full time, Kelly Jones, Centre Director. Appointed August 2022 Chaplain, 29 Hours per week. Chloe Mew, (Nee Deitz). Appointed August 2024 Summary of Purpose "To see young people's lives changed by Jesus." Main activities Detached community work, School Mentoring, School Chaplaincy support/ safe space, schools work, support Christian Unions, termly events, support churches, mentoring in the community. School Mentoring Taunton Youth for Christ offer one afternoon of Mentoring/Chaplaincy at Pyrland School Taunton weekly and twenty-nine hours, at Court fields School Wellington. Pupils are referred by Welfare and Chaplaincy staff at the school and topics covered are anger management, issues around peer groups, family reconciliation and forgiveness. Sessions are based on biblical principles and cover many topics including the above mentioned.
Chaplaincy Kelly assists the Chaplain at Pyrland School, one afternoon a week. These sessions began in a safe space provided by school; however, the demand was so great Kelly now operates in several locations on campus. Kelly continues to attend the Ethos committee meetings at school providing a platform to input Christian values. Kelly also supports the Christian Union run at Pyrland School alongside another run by two students at Huish Episcopy School. Chloe's timetable is split between mentoring and Chaplaincy work at Court Fields. Her activities mirror those of Kelly at Pyrland School. Outreach The van continues to be an invaluable resource to the team. We run two outreach sessions weekly throughout the year at Priorswood and Hamilton Park, and plan to offer another in Wellington by the end of 2025. The team regularly see 30-35 young people attend the van depending on the weather. Relationships continue to grow with young people, and local police inform us they have seen a reduction in criminal activity because of TYC interaction with several individuals. We continue to work towards creating a culture of honour and respect to model good practice. Local police and PCSO's visit the van frequently and spend time building relationship with the youth. In addition, the team now have open dialogue with police in the event of concerns or challenging situations arising. The Wellington van session has been postponed until September 2025; however the teams are building relationship to begin early during the September Term. Bible Study We run a weekly bible study at a local church for those seeking to go deeper. Asylum Seekers We continue weekly session with asylum seekers at a local hotel. We regularly see twenty young people and KS2 children attending the van sessions. Each session varies; however, craft, singing and Xbox are regular features. After School Revision Club The club runs weekly providing a safe quiet space for students to do homework, revision, and job applications with assistance, if necessary, for the work set. Sessions vary as the needs of those attending are met. We find some attendees need a safe space to share concerns around school and home life, so tailor each session accordingly. Several attendees who are no longer in mainstream school attend and work on literary skills. As a result of this group, we saw one attendee return to full time education having been absent for several years.
Local Churches Kelly has visited several local churches over the year to speak about youth culture and our role locally. In addition, Kelly offers guidance to churches seeking advice on how to move forward in youth work. Youth Space We are currently in communication with a local church to develop a youth space. Talks are ongoing and progress has been slow due to building regulation requirements. We continue to plan and hope to see progress early in 2026. Summary of achievements School & Community Mentoring Mentoring sessions take place one afternoon a week. Individual young people are referred by the welfare unit at Pyrland School. These sessions have proved valuable in enabling young people to overcome fears and anxiety in addition to signposting them to further help if required. Kelly is a qualified THRIVE practitioner, (Trauma informed method of improving mental health and wellbeing in children and young people) so implements this during sessions. Several additional mentoring sessions are held during the week in local cafes for young people who are not attending mainstream school. These sessions have resulted in a marked improvement in mental health and wellbeing, with several of those being mentored now attending our after-school revision club to do Maths and English. Kelly has on several occasions represented as advocate/ accompanied a young person at meetings with social services and police. Wellington mentoring sessions are timetabled as following- Tuesday - Learning Support Day, supporting students 1:1 with academic work, based in Learning Support Wednesday- Learning Support Day, supporting students 1:1 with academic work, based in Learning Support Thursday- Learning Support Day, supporting students 1:1 with academic work, based in Learning Support Chaplaincy Kelly assists the Chaplain at Pyrland School one afternoon a week and offers advice and materials including youth bibles for the Christian Union at the school. Kelly patrols the outside areas during lunch break and often helps out in IE, Internal Exclusion.
Chloe is Chaplain at Court Fields School for two full days a week. Monday - Chaplain Day, meeting students being available, based in the Wellbeing Hub Friday - Chaplain Day, meeting students being available, based in the Wellbeing Hub In addition, Chloe runs a Christian Union during a lunch time once a week. Outreach We continue to demonstrate Christian values and encourage the young people we meet during outreach sessions to follow our example in forgiving, showing tolerance towards each other, accepting new members to join us, and respecting the needs of every individual. We have been hugely encouraged by the uptake during the detached sessions and the team have built solid relationships. We continue to engage with young people who have experienced severe trauma, frustration with home circumstances, confusion, who struggle with school, and those who need encouragement. Our goal is always to accept each young person as they are, demonstrate love and build relationship. This builds trust and in doing so enables us to speak into their lives and work through some of the obstacle they encounter in daily life. We frequently get feedback from local police including visits from PCSO's and members of the Violence Reduction Unit. They inform us of the positive impact on many of the young people who regularly spend time with us. We run two outreach sessions, one at Hamilton Park and a second at Priorswood Park in Taunton. We currently have a vacancy for a full-time youth worker to work with us and a local church. This will enable us to extend our outreach and school sessions when someone is appointed. The van continues to be a safe space and is valued by both young people and parents as it provides a focal point for the young people to gather. Bible Study We run a weekly bible study for anyone asking questions about faith. This attracts a small number of young people, and we spend an hour discussing topics and themes in the bible. It provides a safe space to ask questions some may find difficult to ask during outreach sessions. Attendance is by invitation and word of mouth as regular attendees sometimes invite friends along. Asylum Seekers We attend a local hotel, housing asylum seekers with the outreach van on a weekly basis. Working with Charis Taunton, a local charity who help integrate asylum seekers having arrived in Taunton. We have forged links enabling us to offer the use of the van, Xbox, crafts and somewhere to hang out after school. Attendees enjoy playing Xbox, and music, often dancing and singing their national songs whilst enjoying time together.
After School Revision Club We have run the after-school club since January '24. Over this period, some use the space to do homework or revision, some are following a KS2 maths programme having missed several years of school due to dysfunctional families and others don't have a quiet place at home to work. The sessions have proved popular, and attendees have requested we continue to meet on an informal basis during the school holidays. Financial Review Income Income was £76,995 and expenditure was £58,012 for the year. We continue to receive the Willats Trust Grant of £15,000 annually until September 2026. Surplus for the year was £15,833. Governance Taunton Youth for Christ is affiliated to British Youth for Christ. The constitution is based on the national model and TYfC seeks to comply with the national charter. However, TYfC is an independent charity that has trustees appointed by the existing trustees. The Trustees have continued to meet regularly throughout the year bimonthly and are always available in the event of urgent matters arising. The Trustees are aware of the Charities Commission's Guidance on public benefit and are satisfied that the above activities meet the public benefit requirements for charitable status. Future Plans We continue outreach and community mentoring, reaching the young people on the fringe of school and society. We have built relationship with Somerset Children's Services and the local police and now have a joined-up service with other agencies. Having appointed a Chaplain at Court Field's School we aim to run an outreach session once a week having built relationship with the youth in that area. This will result in the van being out three evenings a week. We currently have an additional post advertised for a youth worker to join us part time, the remainder of the week to be based at a local church. It is our hope this post will further bridge the gap between the local church and the young people we see on outreach, providing further support to them and their families. Kelly has retained her Thrive training though CPD to enable her to share material with secondary schools and implement the techniques for trauma related issues they encounter. The schools we engage with have all stated the value of our input into the welfare of pupils and one has offered materials for the homework club as it continues to grow. As we spend time with our local youth and demonstrate love and acceptance to many who have seen very little in their lives it continues to build confidence in the young people and the reward is immeasurable.
We are currently working with a local church to develop a youth space in one of the communities we work within and hope to see a permanent base develop where we can host young people in a relaxed environment and provide life skills teaching in a purpose-built Cathrine Solanki @ Solanti Chair of Trustees Taunton Youth for Christ
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF TAUNTON YOUTH FOR CHRIST This report on the Receipts and Payments account and statement of Assets and Liabilities of Taunton Youth for Christ for the year ended 31 March 2025, set out on pages 6 to 8, is in respect of an examination carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner As Trustees you are responsible for the preparation of accounts; you consider that there is no requirement for any audit of those accounts under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an indepenent examination is needed. It is my responsibility, under instructions from you, to examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act, to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act, and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examiner's report 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 Trustees and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes considering any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as 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. Independent examiner's statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements - to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and - to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act. have not been met; or (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Allas Bernard Critchley Aspen Waite Chartered Certified Accountants Rubis House, 15 Friarn Street Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 3LH 24 September 2025
TAUNTON YOUTH FOR CHRIST RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 RECEIPTS Non Gift Aid donations Gift Aid donations Income tax recovered on Gift Aid donations Donation re van costs Charitable Trusts Interest received Total Receipts PAYMENTS Staff salaries Resources Telephone Training Outreach British Youth for Christ Travel Insurance and licences Accountancy and payroll Van cost and equipment Van generator Van running costs Fundraising and publicity Office costs Total Payments Net (Deficit)/Surplus Bank and cash funds at 1 April 2024 Bank and cash funds at 31 March 2025 Unrestricted Funds 2025 24,656 16,505 5,041 Restricted Fund for Courtfields Chaplain 2025 € 14,384 Restricted Grant from Willats Trust 2025 15,000 47,611 14,384 15,000 16,733 769 - 1,558 2,318 600 4 1,078 622 : 5,572 1,008 1,516 31,778 15,833 56,916 72,749 9,919 294 15,000 270 101 350 300 11,234 3,150 1,000 4,150 - - : 15,000 - - Total Funds 2025 € 54,040 16,505 5,041 : 1,409 76,995 41,652 769 1,852 2,318 600 4 1,348 722 : 5,572 1,358 1,816 58,012 18,983 57,916 76,899 2024 22,793 18,585 4,404 1,300 7,500 853 55,435 30,058 828 28 1,927 2,880 1,000 234 940 603 5,641 87 1,232 45,458 9,977 47,939 57,916
TAUNTON YOUTH FOR CHRIST STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31 MARCH 2025 Unrestricted Funds 2025 Restricted Fund for Courtfields Chaplain 2025 Total Funds 2025 2024 CASH AND CURRENT ASSET FUNDS Bank and cash Bank current account Bank reserve account 35 day liquidity Debtor HMRC 2,516 35,893 34,340 4,764 77,513 4,150 4,150 2,516 40,043 34,340 4,764 81,663 2,302 25,260 30,354 5,852 63,768 The financial statements were approved by the Trustees in September 2025 and signed on its behalf by Chairman Treasurer (Shanta Damnd Slack