2025-03-31-accounts

CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1099595

River of Life Ministry

Unaudited Financial Statements

31 March 2025

River of Life Ministry

Financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2025

	Page
Trustees' annual report	1
Independent examiner's report to the trustees	4
Statement of financial activities	5
Statement of financial position	6
Statement of cash flows	7
Notes to the financial statements	8

River of Life Ministry

Trustees' Annual Report

Year ended 31 March 2025

The trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Reference and administrative details

Registered charity name	River of Life Ministry
Charity registration number	1099595
Principal office	2 Tarragon Gardens
	Birmingham
	West Midlands
	B31 5H
The trustees
	CL Linden
	MA Axelsson
	SA Adedamola
Company secretary	Mrs Pamela Aggrey

Objectives and activities

1. To Advance the Christian Faith in accordance with the Statement of Beliefs appearing in the Schedule hereto in Sandwe ll and the surrounding area and in such other parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the trustees may from time to time think fit and to fulfil such other purposes which are exclusively charitable according to the law of England and Wales and are connected with the work of the charity.

2. To relieve persons who are in conditions of need or hardship or who are aged or sick and to relieve the distress caused thereby in the said location and in such other parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the trustees may from time to time think fit.

Achievements and performance

In 2024/25 Significant Developments:

(1) On June 27th, 2023, the government approved plans for the regeneration of Ladywood Ward, the neighbourhood where our church building is situated. Berkeley Group and St. Joseph Developers will act as contractors, working with Birmingham City Council, to revitalise Ladywood Ward over the next 20 years. We aim to have one of our ministers involved in the Ladywood Regeneration Steering Group.

(2) In September 2024, Minister A. McBride was ordained as the official chaplain of the River of Life Ministry.

(3) Chaplain A. McBride is presently serving as a volunteer Assistant Chaplain at Sandwell NHS Hospital.

(4) In January, we will launch a "Super Son Day" each month, exploring the Books of Ephesians in the morning service and the Book of Revelation in the evening service.

(5) Additionally, we are establishing two community ministries: a. Esther Group (a women's Christian community service) b. Community Prayer Meeting (bringing together three churches once a month) (6) Furthermore, the Ministry had a Christmas Community Feeding programme in December 2024,

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River of Life Ministry

Trustees' Annual Report

Year ended 31 March 2025

providing for forty vulnerable adults and children.

2

River of Life Ministry

Trustees' Annual Report (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

Plans for future periods

1. In light of the Ladywood Regeneration, to keep the Ladywood Community informed, RLM plans to open the church doors for surgeries to: a. Birmingham City Council

2. b. Berkeley & St Joseph Developer

3. c. Birmingham Minds

4. d. TPAS "Tenants Participation Advisory Service"

5. e. ARK Consultancy

6. There are plans to start in May 2025 to create a weekly food and clothes bank called "Open House" for vulnerable families in Ladywood.

7. In June 2025, there are plans to restructure the "Friday Morning Prayer Breakfast" into a "Prayer Brunch", which will involve the Ladywood community during these uncertain times related to the Ladywood Regeneration, turning it into a time of community gathering.

8. There are also plans in June 2025 to restructure the ministry to attract more volunteers.

9. Plans are in place to work with the Church of England, particularly St John's & St Peter's, on youth and Christmas events, aiming to encourage Ladywood residents.

10. Various ventures are being planned: a. Hosting Team b. Church Library

11. c. Youth Study Corner (for academic work)

12. d. Media Team

13. e. Enhancing online presence (Facebook, Instagram)

14. f. Jibble, a volunteer and safeguard monitoring service.

15. Additional Christmas activities are planned:

a. Moving the Christmas Community Meal from Saturday to Friday afternoon to suit mothers and school closing times. b. Organising a Christmas Community Trivia

The trustees' annual report was approved on .6[th] February,2026 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:

CL Linden Trustee

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River of Life Ministry

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of River of Life Ministry

Year ended 31 March 2025

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of River of Life Ministry ('the charity') for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the 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:

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

2. the financial statements do not accord with those records; or

3. the financial statements 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.

Sylvanus Dzotsi B.A(Hons), FCCA Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Yevs House 130 Cape Hill Smethwick West Midlands B66 4PH Independent Examiner

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River of Life Ministry

Statement of Financial Activities

Year ended 31 March 2025

			2025		2024
		Unrestricted	Restricted
		funds	funds	Total funds	Total funds
	Note	£	£	£	£
Income and endowments
Donations and legacies	4	31,535	–	31,535	35,854
Charitable activities	5	–	–	–	1,248
Investment income	6	71	–	71	26
		----------------------------	--------------	----------------------------	----------------------------
Total income		31,606	–	31,606	37,128
		============================	==============	============================	============================
Expenditure
Expenditure on charitable activities	7,8	37,389	–	37,389	40,048
Other expenditure	9	887	–	887	–
		----------------------------	--------------	----------------------------	----------------------------
Total expenditure		38,276	–	38,276	40,048
		============================	==============	============================	============================
		----------------------------	--------------	----------------------------	----------------------------
Net expenditure		(6,670)	–	(6,670)	(2,920)
		============================	==============	============================	============================
Other recognised gains and losses
Other gains/(losses) user defined 1		–	–	–	(7,027)
Other recognised gains/(losses)		–	7,023	7,023	7,023
		----------------------------	-----------------------	----------------------------	----------------------------
Net movement in funds		(6,670)	7,023	353	(2,924)
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward		9,039	(639)	8,400	18,347
		----------------------------	-----------------------	----------------------------	----------------------------
Total funds carried forward		2,369	6,384	8,753	18,343
		============================	=======================	============================	============================

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The notes on pages 8 to 15 form part of these financial statements.

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River of Life Ministry

Statement of Financial Position

31 March 2025

		2025	2024
	Note	£	£
Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets	13	1,845	1,845
Current assets
Debtors	14	2,490	2,272
Cash at bank and in hand		4,425	11,306
		-----------------------	----------------------------
		6,915	13,578
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year	15	55	–
		-----------------------	----------------------------
Net current assets		6,860	13,578
		-----------------------	----------------------------
Total assets less current liabilities		8,705	15,423
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year	16	(48)	–
		-----------------------	----------------------------
Net assets		8,753	15,423
		=======================	============================
Funds of the charity
Restricted funds		6,384	6,384
Unrestricted funds		2,369	11,959
		-----------------------	----------------------------
Total charity funds	18	8,753 =======================	18,343 ============================

These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 6th February 2026, and are signed on behalf of the board by:

The notes on pages 8 to 15 form part of these financial statements.

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River of Life Ministry

Statement of Cash Flows

Year ended 31 March 2025

	2025	2024
	£	£
Cash flows from operating activities
Net expenditure	(6,670)	(2,920)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets	–	164
Other interest receivable and similar income	(71)	(26)
Changes in:
Trade and other debtors	(218)	(2,272)
Trade and other creditors	7	–
	-----------------------	-----------------------
Cash generated from operations	(6,952)	(5,054)
Interest received	71	26
	-----------------------	-----------------------
Net cash used in operating activities	(6,881)	(5,028)
	=======================	=======================
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(6,881)	(5,028)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	11,306	–
	----------------------------	-----------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	4,425	(5,028)
	============================	=======================

The notes on pages 8 to 15 form part of these financial statements.

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River of Life Ministry

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2025

1. General information

The charity is a public benefit entity and a registered charity in England and Wales and is unincorporated. The address of the principal office is 2 Tarragon Gardens, Birmingham, West Midlands, B31 5HU.

2. Statement of compliance

These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland', the 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) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Charities Act 2011.

3. Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities and investment properties measured at fair value through income or expenditure.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.

Going concern

There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the charity's purposes.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular future project or commitment.

Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure declared by the donor or through the terms of an appeal, and fall into one of two sub-classes: restricted income funds or endowment funds.

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River of Life Ministry

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has passed to the charity; it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:

• income from donations or grants is recognised when there is evidence of entitlement to the gift, receipt is probable and its amount can be measured reliably.

• legacy income is recognised when receipt is probable and entitlement is established.

• income from donated goods is measured at the fair value of the goods unless this is impractical to measure reliably, in which case the value is derived from the cost to the donor or the estimated resale value. Donated facilities and services are recognised in the accounts when received if the value can be reliably measured. No amounts are included for the contribution of general volunteers.

• income from contracts for the supply of services is recognised with the delivery of the contracted service. This is classified as unrestricted funds unless there is a contractual requirement for it to be spent on a particular purpose and returned if unspent, in which case it may be regarded as restricted.

Resources expended

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is classified under headings of the statement of financial activities to which it relates:

• expenditure on raising funds includes the costs of all fundraising activities, events, non-charitable trading activities, and the sale of donated goods.

• expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs incurred by a charity in undertaking activities that further its charitable aims for the benefit of its beneficiaries, including those support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitable activities.

• other expenditure includes all expenditure that is neither related to raising funds for the charity nor part of its expenditure on charitable activities.

All costs are allocated to expenditure categories reflecting the use of the resource. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs are apportioned between the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis.

Tangible assets

Tangible assets are initially recorded at cost and subsequently stated at cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Any tangible assets carried at revalued amounts are recorded at the fair value at the date of revaluation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

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River of Life Ministry

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Tangible assets (continued)

An increase in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of a revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, unless it reverses a charge for impairment that has previously been recognised as expenditure within the statement of financial activities. A decrease in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, except to which it offsets any previous revaluation gain, in which case the loss is shown within other recognised gains and losses on the statement of financial activities.

Depreciation

Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost or valuation of an asset, less its residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:

Impairment of fixed assets

A review for indicators of impairment is carried out at each reporting date, with the recoverable amount being estimated where such indicators exist. Where the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset is impaired accordingly. Prior impairments are also reviewed for possible reversal at each reporting date.

For the purposes of impairment testing, when it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, an estimate is made of the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. The cash-generating unit is the smallest identifiable group of assets that includes the asset and generates cash inflows that largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets.

For impairment testing of goodwill, the goodwill acquired in a business combination is, from the acquisition date, allocated to each of the cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination, irrespective of whether other assets or liabilities of the charity are assigned to those units.

Financial instruments

A financial asset or a financial liability is recognised only when the charity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the amount receivable or payable including any related transaction costs.

Current assets and current liabilities are subsequently measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received and not discounted.

Debt instruments are subsequently measured at amortised cost.

Where investments in shares are publicly traded or their fair value can otherwise be measured reliably, the investment is subsequently measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in income and expenditure. All other such investments are subsequently measured at cost less impairment.

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River of Life Ministry

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Financial instruments (continued)

Other financial instruments, including derivatives, are initially recognised at fair value, unless payment for an asset is deferred beyond normal business terms or financed at a rate of interest that is not a market rate, in which case the asset is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.

Other financial instruments are subsequently measured at fair value, with any changes recognised in the statement of financial activities, with the exception of hedging instruments in a designated hedging relationship.

Financial assets that are measured at cost or amortised cost are reviewed for objective evidence of impairment at the end of each reporting date. If there is objective evidence of impairment, an impairment loss is recognised under the appropriate heading in the statement of financial activities in which the initial gain was recognised.

For all equity instruments regardless of significance, and other financial assets that are individually significant, these are assessed individually for impairment. Other financial assets are either assessed individually or grouped on the basis of similar credit risk characteristics.

Any reversals of impairment are recognised immediately, to the extent that the reversal does not result in a carrying amount of the financial asset that exceeds what the carrying amount would have been had the impairment not previously been recognised.

Defined contribution plans

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.

4. Donations and legacies

	Unrestricted	Total Funds	Unrestricted	Total Funds
	Funds	2025	Funds	2024
	£	£	£	£
Donations
Offerings	4,074	4,074	–	4,000
Tithes	734	734	–	770
Other Donations	26,727	26,727	–	31,084
	----------------------------	----------------------------	--------------	----------------------------
	31,535	31,535	–	35,854
	============================	============================	==============	============================

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River of Life Ministry

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

5. Charitable activities

		Total Funds	Total Funds
		2025	2024
		£	£
Other income from charitable activities type	2	– ==============	1,248 =======================

6. Investment income

	Unrestricted	Total Funds	Unrestricted	Total Funds
	Funds	2025	Funds	2024
	£	£	£	£
Bank interest receivable type 1	71	71	–	26
	==============	==============	==============	==============
Expenditure on charitable activities	by fund type
	Unrestricted	Total Funds	Unrestricted	Total Funds
	Funds	2025	Funds	2024
	£	£	£	£
Support costs	37,152	37,152	–	40,048
Exceptional costs of charitable
activities	237	237	–	–
	----------------------------	----------------------------	--------------	----------------------------
	37,389	37,389	–	40,048
	============================	============================	==============	============================

7. Expenditure on charitable activities by fund type

8. Expenditure on charitable activities by activity type

Activities

	Activities
	undertaken	Grant funding	Support	Total funds	Total fund
	directly	of activities	costs	2025	2024
	£	£	£	£	£
Governance costs	–	–	37,152	37,152	40,048
Exceptional cost of
charitable activities	74	163	–	237	–
	--------------	--------------	----------------------------	----------------------------	----------------------------
	74	163	37,152	37,389	40,048
	==============	==============	============================	============================	============================
Other expenditure
		Unrestricted	Total Funds	Unrestricted	Total Funds
		Funds	2025	Funds	2024
		£	£	£	£
Members Subscription		26	26	–	–
Sundries		861	861	–	–
		--------------	--------------	--------------	--------------
		887	887	–	–
		==============	==============	==============	==============

9. Other expenditure

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River of Life Ministry

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

10. Net expenditure

Net expenditure is stated after charging/(crediting):

Net expenditure is stated after charging/(crediting):
	2025	2024
	£	£
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets	– ==============	164 ==============

11. Staff costs

The total staff costs and employee benefits for the reporting period are analysed as follows:

	2025	2024
	£	£
Wages and salaries	22,693	22,399
Employer contributions to pension plans	983	981
	----------------------------	----------------------------
	23,676	23,380
	============================	============================

The average head count of employees during the year was Nil (2024: Nil).

No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2024: Nil).

12. Trustee remuneration and expenses

There are no Trustee remuneration or expenses for the year.

13. Tangible fixed assets

	Plant and	Motor
	machinery	vehicles	Equipment	Total
	£	£	£	£
Cost
At 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025	3,289	674	41,753	45,716
	=======================	==============	============================	============================
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025	1,446	674	41,751	43,871
	=======================	==============	============================	============================
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2025	1,843	–	2	1,845
	=======================	==============	============================	============================
At 31 March 2024	1,843	–	2	1,845
	=======================	==============	============================	============================
Debtors
			2025	2024
			£	£
Trade debtors			2,053	2,053
Other debtors			437	219
			-----------------------	-----------------------
			2,490	2,272
			=======================	=======================

14. Debtors

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River of Life Ministry

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

15. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

		2025	2024
		£	£
	Other creditors	55	–
		==============	==============
16.	Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
		2025	2024
		£	£
	Other creditors	(48)	–
		==============	==============

17. Pensions and other post retirement benefits

Defined contribution plans

The amount recognised in income or expenditure as an expense in relation to defined contribution plans was £983 (2024: £981).

18. Analysis of charitable funds

Unrestricted funds

Unrestricted funds
							At
		At			Gains and	31 March	20
	1	April 2024	Income	Expenditure	losses		25
		£	£	£	£	£
General funds		9,039	31,606	(38,276)	–	2,369
		=======================	============================	============================	==============	=======================
							At
		At			Gains and	31 March	20
	1	April 2023	Income	Expenditure	losses		24
		£	£	£	£	£
General funds		18,986	–	–	(7,027)	11,959
		============================	==============	==============	=======================	============================

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River of Life Ministry

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

18. Analysis of charitable funds (continued)

Restricted funds

Restricted funds
							At
			At			Gains and	31 March 20
	1	April	2024	Income	Expenditure	losses	25
			£	£	£	£	£
Restricted fund			(639)	–	–	4,108	3,469
Restricted fund -			–	–	–	2,915	2,915
			--------------	--------------	--------------	-----------------------	-----------------------
			(639)	–	–	7,023	6,384
			==============	==============	==============	=======================	=======================
							At
			At			Gains and	31 March 20
	1	April	2023	Income	Expenditure	losses	24
			£	£	£	£	£
Restricted fund			(639)	–	–	4,108	3,469
Restricted fund			–	–	–	2,915	2,915
			--------------	--------------	--------------	-----------------------	-----------------------
			(639)	–	–	7,023	6,384
			==============	==============	==============	=======================	=======================

19. Analysis of changes in net debt

					At
	At	1	Apr 2024 Cash flows		31 Mar 2025
			£	£	£
Cash at bank and in hand			11,306	(6,881)	4,425
			============================	=======================	=======================

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