LightCity Church Trustees Annual Report
For the year ending 31st December 2023
Charity Name: LightCity Church
Charity Registration Number: 1094949
Address: 149 Glastonbury Road Morden-Surrey SM4 6PD
Objectives and Activities
LightCity Church is a Christian charity committed to advancing faith, education, health, personal development, and the relief of poverty. Our primary objectives are:
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Advancing the Christian Faith in the UK and internationally, providing spiritual support and religious education.
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Relieving sickness and financial hardship, promoting health and wellbeing through counseling, medical missions, and other support services.
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Advancing education through learning programs, resources, and skills development.
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Equipping individuals and communities to discover and develop their potential, supporting personal and societal advancement.
Public Benefit
The trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty to have regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. LightCity Church strives to serve communities through charitable programs and initiatives, offering support and resources to help individuals and families in need.
Achievements and Performance
In the past year, LightCity Church has made significant strides in advancing its objectives. Key activities and outcomes include:
1. Advancement of the Christian Faith
• Community Worship and Prayer Events: Provided a safe space for community worship and reflection, hosting weekly services attended by individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Special prayer events were held, focusing on national unity and peace in our communities.
- Knife Crime Prevention Event: Partnered with local organizations and law enforcement to host a knife crime prevention event, attended by 200 young people and community members. This event offered practical guidance, mentorship opportunities, and provided a platform for positive engagement.
• Marital Counseling: Offered marital and family counseling sessions to couples and families in need of support. Over 50 families benefited, receiving guidance and resources for building healthier relationships.
• Women Empowerment Program: Launched a program focused on empowering women through skills training, workshops on self-confidence, and small business grants. The program reached over 75 women, enabling them to build skills and pursue personal goals.
2. Relief of Poverty and Support for Health Initiatives
- International Medical Mission: Organized a medical mission to Ghana, delivering essential healthcare services, medicines, and hygiene supplies to
underserved communities. Our team provided medical screening and care to over 500 individuals, through our local and international medical missions, focusing on preventive health education and basic medical support.
• Local Health Initiatives: In the UK, hosted a series of health workshops on topics such as mental health, addiction recovery, and stress management. Additionally, free health screenings were offered in partnership with local healthcare providers, benefiting 150 community members.
• Financial Support for LightCity Church Ghana Building: Provided financial assistance toward the construction of a new church facility in Ghana, which will serve as a center for community worship, education, and medical outreach. The building will support ongoing religious and health initiatives for the local community.
3. Advancement of Education
• Youth Education and Mentorship: Supported youth through tutoring programs and mentorship, helping young people enhance literacy and numeracy skills. Over 100 children participated, with many showing improved academic performance.
• Educational Workshops for Personal Development: Held workshops for job readiness, financial literacy, and personal development, focusing on underprivileged community members. These sessions reached over 80 individuals, providing them with the skills needed for employment and personal growth.
• Support for Other Charities: Partnered with local and international charities to provide resources, share expertise, and support broader education and development goals.
4. Personal Development and Community Empowerment
- Volunteer and Leadership Development: Our training programs for volunteers have enabled individuals to gain practical skills and confidence.
These volunteers have been active in various community projects, fostering a culture of service and personal responsibility.
- Skills and Talents Training: Provided courses and support programs that encourage individuals to explore and develop their talents. Programs included small business training, workshops on leadership skills, and personal development coaching.
• Community Building and Engagement: Our community outreach and engagement activities have encouraged stronger community ties, with residents actively taking part in volunteer work, educational workshops, and neighborhood improvement projects.
Financial Review
LightCity Church is funded primarily through donations, grants, and fundraising activities. We have managed these resources prudently to maintain a stable financial position, allowing us to expand our programs and extend our reach.
Income
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Total income for the year: £27,227
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Primary income sources: Donations, Grants, and Fundraising Activities
Expenditure
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Total expenditure for the year: £33,674
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Major areas of expenditure: Community programs, health missions, operational costs, and outreach events.
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Trustees regularly review financial practices to ensure that funds are managed responsibly and in line with our aims. LightCity Church keeps a reserves policy to support ongoing and future projects.
Future Plans
In the coming year, LightCity Church aims to:
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Continue building partnerships with local and international charities to expand our health and education programs.
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Support the completion of the LightCity Church building in Ghana, enabling ongoing services, educational outreach, and health initiatives.
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Strengthen our knife crime prevention program, offering additional events and resources to address youth violence.
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Expand our women empowerment program, offering business skills training and micro-loans to support economic self-sufficiency.
Governance and Management
The Board of Trustees oversees the charity’s activities and ensures compliance with regulatory requirements. Trustees meet quarterly to review progress, assess risks, and make strategic decisions for the charity’s development. Policies on safeguarding, financial management, and volunteer engagement are reviewed regularly to align with best practices.
Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved this Annual Report for the year ending 31st December 2023.
Trustee’s Names
Rev David Kwakye-Saka Bishop Ben Osei Owusu-Ansah Jesse Debrah Grant Mr Tim Krolak Mr Emmanuel Attuquayefio
Rev Mrs Emelia Kwakye-Saka
Chair of Trustees: Rev David Kwakye-Saka Date: 25/10/2024
| No (if any) Charity Name Receipts andpayments accounts Period start date Period end date To For the period from 1094949 LIGHTCITY CHURCH 01/01/2023 31/12/2023 ~~rr a~~ |
No (if any) Charity Name Receipts andpayments accounts Period start date Period end date To For the period from 1094949 LIGHTCITY CHURCH 01/01/2023 31/12/2023 ~~rr a~~ |
No (if any) Charity Name Receipts andpayments accounts Period start date Period end date To For the period from 1094949 LIGHTCITY CHURCH 01/01/2023 31/12/2023 ~~rr a~~ |
No (if any) Charity Name Receipts andpayments accounts Period start date Period end date To For the period from 1094949 LIGHTCITY CHURCH 01/01/2023 31/12/2023 ~~rr a~~ |
No (if any) Charity Name Receipts andpayments accounts Period start date Period end date To For the period from 1094949 LIGHTCITY CHURCH 01/01/2023 31/12/2023 ~~rr a~~ |
No (if any) Charity Name Receipts andpayments accounts Period start date Period end date To For the period from 1094949 LIGHTCITY CHURCH 01/01/2023 31/12/2023 ~~rr a~~ |
No (if any) Charity Name Receipts andpayments accounts Period start date Period end date To For the period from 1094949 LIGHTCITY CHURCH 01/01/2023 31/12/2023 ~~rr a~~ |
No (if any) Charity Name Receipts andpayments accounts Period start date Period end date To For the period from 1094949 LIGHTCITY CHURCH 01/01/2023 31/12/2023 ~~rr a~~ |
No (if any) Charity Name Receipts andpayments accounts Period start date Period end date To For the period from 1094949 LIGHTCITY CHURCH 01/01/2023 31/12/2023 ~~rr a~~ |
No (if any) Charity Name Receipts andpayments accounts Period start date Period end date To For the period from 1094949 LIGHTCITY CHURCH 01/01/2023 31/12/2023 ~~rr a~~ |
CC16a ~~-~~ |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section A Receipts and payments | |||||||||||
| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds |
Restricted | Endowment funds |
Total funds | Last year | ||||||
| to the nearest £ |
to the nearest | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | |||||
| A1 Receipts | |||||||||||
| Donations | 26,997 | - | - | - | 26,997 | 22,635 | |||||
| Interest received | 230 | - | - | - | 230 | 17 | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
(Gross income for AR) |
27,227 | - | - | - | 27,227 | 22,652 | ||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). - - - - - - - - - Sub total - - - - - Total receipts 27,227 - - 27,227 22,652 ~~——————~~ |
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| A3 Payments | |||||||||||
| Charitydonations | 200 | - | - | - | 200 | 430 | |||||
| Online meetings costs | 82 | - | - | - | 82 | 166 | |||||
| Expensed equipments | 1,719 | - | - | - | 1,719 | 857 | |||||
| Honorarium | 200 | - | - | - | 200 | - | |||||
| Hospitality& refreshements | 1,389 | - | - | - | 1,389 | 438 | |||||
| Insurance | 272 | 272 | 352 | ||||||||
| Ministryexpenses | 1,463 | 1,463 | 1,073 | ||||||||
| Overseas missions | 9,514 | 9,514 | - | ||||||||
| Rent | 12,575 | 12,575 | 3,400 | ||||||||
| Software costs | 80 | 80 | 80 | ||||||||
| Subscriptions | 300 | - | - | - | 300 | 300 | |||||
| Sundryexpenses | 447 | - | - | - | 447 | 542 | |||||
| Telephone and fax | 1,918 | - | - | - | 1,918 | 903 | |||||
| Travel & subsistence | 537 | - | - | - | 537 | 201 | |||||
| Wages & salaries | 2,300 | - | - | - | 2,300 | 3,750 | |||||
| Website costs | 278 | - | - | - | 278 | 235 | |||||
| Welfare support | 400 | - | - | - | 400 | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| **Sub total ** | 33,674 | - | - | - | 33,674 | 12,727 | |||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) - - - - - - - - Sub total - - - - - Total payments 33,674 - - 33,674 12,727 ~~———=—~~ |
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| Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
- 6,447 - - - 6,447 9,925 - - - - - 32,110 - - 32,110 22,185 25,663 - - 25,663 32,110 ~~SSSS=~~ |
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
31/10/2024
1
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 B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B1 Cash funds |
Details Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Cash at bank Details Details Details Signature |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 25,663 - - - - - 25,663 - OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - - - - - Print Name David Kwakye-Saka |
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 |
|||
| David Kwakye-Saka | |||
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
31/10/2024
2
LIGHTCITY CHURCH
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of LIGHTCITY CHURCH ('the Charity')
I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Responsibilities and Basis of Report
As the Trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). I report in respect of my examination of the Charity'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 2011 Act.
Independent Examiner's Statement
Your attention is drawn to the fact that the Charity has prepared the accounts in accordance with 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) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has been withdrawn.
I understand that this has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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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.
Signed:
D TABIRI FCCA
31.10.2024
177 Ballens Road, Chatham. ME5 8PG