Trustees Annual Report 2025
Trustees Annual Report For the year ending 31st Dec 2025
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Trustees Annual Report 2025
The Board of Trustees
The Trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ending 31 December 2025. The Trustees, who are also the Directors of The Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre ("the Centre") for the purposes of company law and who served during the year were as follows:
Bishop Robert Springett (Chair of Trustees) Rev’d Canon Joanne Wetherall Benjamen Preece-Smith Carole O’Donnell Roland Bott Simon Moore Michael Wyatt Barry Stevens
Rev’d Sam Norton (resigned 19.01.2025) Rev’d Tim Hastie-Smith (resigned 04.03.2025) Fred Bancroft (resigned 02.05.2025) Lucy Marshall (resigned 20.05.2025) Stephen Longton (resigned 20.05.2025) The Ven Hilary Dawson (resigned 19.12.2025)
2025 was a year of significant transition within the Board, with several long-serving Trustees standing down following the completion of all major capital projects and changes in leadership. The Trustees are grateful for their service and commitment during a period of substantial development.
Group artwork collage in the Cross Meadow Building entitled ‘Love’
The Public Benefit
Public benefit was delivered through residential and day programmes, subsidised provision for disadvantaged groups, robust safeguarding arrangements, and inclusive access to outdoor education. The purposes and main activities of Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre are:
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To educate and assist young persons through their leisure time activities to develop their physical, mental and spiritual capacities so that they may grow to full maturity as individuals and members of society, and that their conditions of life may be improved.
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To educate and assist young people suffering from mental or physical disability and those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to develop their full capacities, so that their condition of life may be improved.
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To advance religious and other charitable work of the Church of England in the Diocese of Gloucester.
The Trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance in exercising their powers and duties. The activities of the Centre continue to be undertaken for the benefit of the public, particularly children and young people, including those who are disadvantaged or have additional needs.
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Trustees Annual Report 2025
Our Main Achievements
In 2025, Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre continued to deliver strongly against its charitable purposes by providing residential visits, activity days, outdoor learning, group accommodation, and opportunities for children, young people, churches, schools and community groups to benefit from the Centre’s facilities and programmes. There is a sense of deep gratitude and blessing for all that has been achieved.
Across the year, the Centre delivered around 5,300 participant engagements, demonstrating the continuing reach and relevance of its work in a year when ‘the cost-of-living crisis’ has been impactful with lower visitor numbers in general and a higher number of bookings cancelled. Despite this, Primary schools remained a particularly strong part of the Centre’s educational delivery, with Church of England primary schools and other primary schools continuing to bring large numbers of children for outdoor education, residential experiences and adventure activities.
A key achievement during the year was the continued success of the school package model, which has become a core and sustainable part of the Centre’s offer since the pandemic. These packages are easier for schools to organise, more predictable for the Centre to deliver, and provide a cost-effective way for children to access outdoor learning and residential adventure experiences. Recent bench marking of pricing against other adventure centres has shown that we offer extremely good value for money alongside excellent feedback for our delivery and hospitality.
Church youth group engagement was another encouraging highlight, with residential bookings doubling on last year. This suggests that the Centre is continuing to serve its Christian mission well by supporting churches and youth groups with meaningful opportunities for fellowship, discipleship, adventure and shared residential experience.
The year also revealed some important and unexpected challenges in terms of access and participation amongst those who are disabled/special needs groups. We saw a reduction in bookings which was disappointing, mainly due to schools having their funding/budgets cut alongside other economic factors such as the high cost of employing support workers to accompany participants. This reinforces the importance of the Centre’s charitable role in widening access for this particular people group who are missing out due to funding pressures or reduced community resources.
The new eco-pod development is now fully functional and gives the Centre an important opportunity to extend its charitable impact beyond the traditional peak season, making the site more usable throughout the year and helping more groups to benefit from outdoor residential experiences. However the Trustees recognise that the strategic challenge is two-fold, not just to increase numbers and fill capacity which will support long term sustainability, but to ensure that the Centre also continues to target and reach the right people – and gives careful considering to how it can remove barriers to participation for those who are disadvantaged.
Outdoor learning & fun
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Trustees Annual Report 2025
Our Charitable Activities
2025 has been another strong operational year for the Centre with resilient demand for high-quality outdoor education and residential experiences. We continue to offer a wide range of onsite and offsite adventure activities with programmes that are flexible and age appropriate.
Feedback from schools, churches and partner organisations has continued to be extremely positive, reflecting the professionalism, commitment and skill of the staff team to deliver meaningful educational programmes with transformational opportunities that support young people’s development.
The Centre has continued to be purposeful about access for disabled and disadvantaged groups. Through a combination of staff expertise and creative programme design, we have been able to facilitate a wide range of visits that might otherwise not have been possible. It is true to say that our staff team are exceptionally good at ‘adapting and overcoming’ to provide accessible and adventurous activities for this people group.
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Onsite Abseiling & High Ropes course
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Instructor resourcing and stability has remained an important objective. The industry suffered hugely following the recent pandemic with many freelance and seasonal instructors taking up more secure work in other areas. This affected our resourcing and there is generally a lack of young people coming through into these types of roles which causes us concern. The Centre has now established its preference for employing permanent instructors wherever possible, reducing reliance on freelance staff and investing in training and development. While some underspend against the staff training budget was identified, this has informed planning for a more intentional approach to professional development going forward.
Our Safeguarding
Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre is a leading outdoor activity and residential Centre based in the stunning Forest of Dean. Rooted in Christian values, we are committed to providing inclusive, enriching experiences that support personal, social, and spiritual development. While our ethos is faith-based, we warmly welcome individuals and groups from all backgrounds, beliefs, and walks of life.
As part of Viney Hill’s opportunities for all, we seek to ensure our activities are safe and those at risk of harm are protected. We have a strong commitment to protecting and promoting the health, wellbeing and safety of all engaged in our work. The Centre Operations Manager acts as the designated safeguarding lead and Carole O’Donnell is our lead trustee for safeguarding. We have a Safeguarding Policy and Procedure which is reviewed each year.
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Trustees Annual Report 2025
The Board of Trustees of Viney Hill recognise that they have collective responsibility to ensure that the charity is accountable to all users, staff and volunteers and the wider public in relation to safeguarding. The Board are committed to integrity and accountability in relation to safeguarding and this is emphasized in our new safeguarding strategy.
In 2025 we undertook the following:
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Commissioned an external safeguarding audit through Jane Bee.
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Wrote a new safeguarding strategy along with a safeguarding implementation plan as actions from the external safeguarding audit.
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Updated our safeguarding policy in line with changes suggested by the external audit of our safeguarding arrangements.
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Implemented Safer Recruitment as part of our recruitment processes and ensured that senior staff and the trustee lead for safeguarding have undertaken safer recruitment training,
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Instigated a new safeguarding report that informs trustees at every meeting of current updates, incidents and training at the Centre.
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We had no significant safeguarding concerns or near misses related to our activity which required reporting to regulators. Our team engage with our clients to ensure that they are aware of our safeguarding culture and that they should inform our designated safeguarding lead of any incidents that they deal with whilst on our premises.
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Ensured all staff and volunteers had completed their safeguarding training, the designated safeguarding lead and his deputy both undertaking as a minimum the Level 3 training for DSL’s.
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All trustees are aware of the outcomes of the external audit, of Charity Commission guidance and will be reviewing the implementation plan quarterly.
In 2026 our priorities will include:
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Continued review of the implementation plan and oversight of the safeguarding culture
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Continuing engagement with all staff and volunteers to ensure our culture of integrity and trust is promoted and understood. This will include induction/refresher training on safeguarding, whistleblowing and anti-bullying and harassment. We shall also at the board level ensure inclusion and diversity amongst our staff and volunteers.
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We will be looking to expand our overall provision of safeguarding for trustees, staff and volunteers by linking with the Diocesan safeguarding team for advice and resources.
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An annual audit of our safeguarding practices will become the norm, and an external audit will be conducted every three years.
Carole O’Donnell
Trustee Safeguarding Lead
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Trustees Annual Report 2025
Our Christian Ethos
The Christian ethos of Viney Hill remains central to all aspects of its work and Trustees continue to focus on our distinctiveness in this respect. The Centre is clear that it welcomes groups of all faiths or none, and that its Christian mission is worked out through the values of hospitality, opportunities for personal growth and being part of a loving community.
We are seeing a trend of more Church family and youth groups using the Centre on weekends, along with Alpha Away Days and Leaders Retreats becoming more popular. We are delighted with this development as we believe that the opportunities here – to be engaged with nature and green spaces in this beautiful forest setting, will support time and space for spiritual growth as groups journey with their community.
Our partnership with Sportily is also growing in creative ways. Whilst The Centre can offer meeting spaces, resources and adventure activities, Sportily can deliver programmes and be out there in the community offering follow programmes for young people. It is a model that works extremely well and we are now partnering on a new initiative called ACTIVE ALPHA for local primary school children. The free use of our Minibus to pick up and drop off young people has been a gamechanger in respect of young people being able to engage with this programme. Young people from rural and deprived areas do not have transport capability but when provided we are seeing a fully booked, indeed oversubscribed programme and we are excited about the potential of seeing more young people come to faith in this area.
2025 Christmas Adventure Days
Schools participating in our Christmas Adventure Days engaged with the nativity story in creative and ‘adventurous ways’ undertaking the journey of carrying gifts across our Low Ropes Course, shepherds rescuing their sheep high up on the cliff (Abseiling), finding a spare room for Joseph & Mary overnight (Navigation) and all ending up the atmospheric Stable where they were reflected on the real meaning of Christmas .
2025 Carols by Campfire
A joyful evening with fantastic singing, a thoughtprovoking talk and plenty of hot chocolate, cake and marshmallows toasted on the fire afterwards. It was also so lovely to stand and see the stars, whilst listening to an owl hooting at the end of the night!
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Trustees Annual Report 2025
Our Site & Facilities
2025 has been a year of significant investment in terms of site development. The most substantial focus has been the completion and ‑ commissioning of 6 x NEW eco friendly dormitory pods and associated works on the Cross Meadow campsite.
These Eco-pods replace the original tented accommodation with all year round, high quality and accessible accommodation and we are pleased to report that the project was completed on time and in budget.
The Board is hugely grateful to the dedication and skillset of the trustees, staff and specialist contractors that worked to make this project such a success. This major capital project represents a ‑ huge step up in the quality, accessibility and year ‑ round usability of the Centre’s accommodation.
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The Old Vicarage
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Alongside this there was a major refurbishment of our Toilet/Shower block, and we were delighted to be able to raise enough funds to include the installation of low energy heating & hot water systems, another step in our long-term commitment towards environmental stewardship.
The Old Vicarage has also been upgraded with all the internal doors replaced to high quality fire doors and all the old stye wooden sash windows replaced with new PVC windows.
The Trustees have continued to ensure that routine maintenance, compliance works and targeted improvements have been undertaken across the wider site - ensuring that that the Centre remains safe, welcoming and fit for purpose.
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NEW Eco-pods
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All of these capital works play a key role in making our facilities fit for purpose and support ‑ the long term sustainability of the charity.
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Trustees Annual Report 2025
Our Finances
The Trustees have continued to exercise careful oversight of the charity’s finances throughout 2025. Detailed management accounts and budget variance reports have been reviewed regularly by the Finance Committee and reported to the Board of Trustees.
The Centre’s overall finances in 2025 should be understood in the context of several years of strong and stable financial management. After six consecutive years of surplus funds between 2019 and 2024, including an exceptional surplus of £73,176 in 2024, the planned deficit, amounting to £7,516 in 2025, reflects the strategic draw down of our reserves to fund the significant capital building projects.
Income from charitable activities remained strong with £474,000 generated from packages, accommodation and adventure activities. This was slightly down on the previous year which was £503,000 and we felt we were impacted by economic factors including the ‘cost of living crisis’ which resulted in fewer numbers of visitors overall and a higher number of cancelled bookings.
Grant income from Sylvanus Lyson’s continued to play a vital role in provision for subsidising the cost of disadvantaged groups and the Trustees are hugely grateful for their support in this.
The Balance Sheet on 31 December 2025 shows total assets/capital reserves of £372,233. The Trustees consider the financial position at year end to be stable, with sufficient liquidity to meet ongoing commitments.
Looking ahead to 2026
Following significant financial investment in The Centre over the past 5 years the Trustees are in the process of working with the staff team and stakeholders on a Strategic Development Plan for the next 3-5 years.
This will focus on ‘sustainability and strength’ and take a thoughtful and proactive look at all areas of the organisation to identify what is working well and what needs to be strengthened, embedded, and supported to ensure that Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre is sustainable in the long term.
The intention is not to tackle everything at once, but to set realistic, measurable, and prioritised goals over a three-five year period. In this way the Trustees are dedicated to serving future generations well, safely, and in line with its values.
Hitting the target with a little bit of help
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Trustees Annual Report 2025
Reserves Policy
The aim of the Charity is to hold sufficient reserves to allow the Centre to continue as a going concern for a minimum period of six months should there be no income stream. it is the policy of the Trustees to hold minimum designated reserves of £180,000. This level reflects the scale of operations, the responsibility of maintaining newly developed assets, and the Trustees’ assessment of financial risk.
Structure, Governance and Management
The organisation is a charitable business that is a Company limited by guarantee and not having share capital. The governing document for the charity is the Memorandum & Articles of Association incorporated 18th November 2003. The Trustees’ appointment process is outlined in this document including details of any constitutional provision, e.g., election to post or name or any person or body entitled to appoint one or more Trustee. Every member of the company undertakes to contribute such amount as may be required not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charitable company in the event of it being wound up while he or she is a member, or within one year after he or she ceases to be a member.
Risk management
The Trustees are conscious of their responsibility to identify and manage the risks faced by the charity. A structured risk register is maintained and reviewed regularly, with particular attention given to financial controls, health and safety, safeguarding and operational resilience.
Trustees’ financial responsibilities
The Trustees (who are also Directors of The Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre for the purpose of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Annual Report and the Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom accepted accounting practice. Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources,
including the income and expenditure of the charitable company for that period.
They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Trustees’ Policies
In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently.
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP.
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make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation.
Small company provisions
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions for small companies under Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
Trustees Annual Report
Approved by The Board for Trustees at the AGM meeting 9[th] June 2026.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees Bishop Robert Springett Chair of Trustees
Registered Charity number 1102939
The Christian Adventure Centre The Old Vicarage Viney Hill Lydney GL15 4NA
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Charity Registration Number: 1102939 Company Registration Number: 04967427
The Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre Unaudited Financial Statements 31 December 2025
CURRENT ACCOUNTANCY LIMITED
19a Singleton Court Business Park Wonastow Road Industrial Estate Monmouth NP25 5JA
The Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre Financial Statements Year ended 31 December 2025
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees’ annual report (incorporating the director's report) | 1-2 |
| Independent examiner's report to the trustees | 3 |
| Statement of financial activities | 4 |
| Statement of financial position | 5 |
| Statement of cash flows | 6 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 7-15 |
| Detailed statement of financial activities | 16-17 |
The Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre Trustees’ Annual Report Year ended 31 December 2025
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2025.
Reference and administrative details
Registered charity name The Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre Charity registration number 1102939 Company registration number 04967427 Principal office and registered office The Old Vicarage Viney Hill Lydney Gloucestershire GL15 4NA The trustees B Stevens (resigned 01 January 2026) B T L Preece-Smith C A O'Donnell F Bancroft (resigned 2 May 2025) H Dawson (resigned 19 December 2025) J Wetherall L Marshall (resigned 20 May 2025) M D Wyatt R P Bott R W Springett (Chair of Trustees) S A Moore S C Norton (resigned 19 January 2025) S Longton (resigned 20 May 2025) T M Hastie-Smith (resigned 4 March 2025)
Company secretary
Independent examiner
T Paragreen Current Accountancy Ltd 19a Singleton Court Business Park Wonastow Road Industrial Estate Monmouth NP25 5JA
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The Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre Trustees’ Annual Report (continued) Year ended 31 December 2025
Strategic report
The trustees' annual report is appended as a separate document using the Charity Commission template.
The trustees’ annual report and the strategic report were approved on 9th June 2026 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:
R W Springett (Chair of Trustees)
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The Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre Year ended 31 December 2025
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of The Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre ('the charity') for the year ended 31 December 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the CIO you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (’the Act’).
As the CIO's gross income exceeds £250,000 the independent examination must be completed by a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination as a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians, which is one of the listed bodies.
I report in respect of my examination of the CIO's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 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:
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Accounting records were not kept as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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The accounts do not accord with those records.
I confirm that there are no matters to which your attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Bethany McGowan FCCA
Current Accountancy Limited
Independent Examiner
19a Singleton Court Business Park Wonastow Road Industrial Estate Monmouth NP25 5JA
30 April 2026
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The Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre
Statement of Financial Activities (including income and expenditure account) Year ended 31 December 2025
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2025 2024
Unrestricted Restricted
Note Funds Funds Total Funds Total Funds
£ £ £ £
Income and endowments
Income from charitable activities 496,119 249,779 745,898 965,031
Investment income 4 11,427 - 11,427 16,521
Other income 5,324 - 5,324 4,031
Total income 512,870 249,779 762,649 985,583
Expenditure
Expenditure on charitable activities 518,318 249,779 768,097 910,689
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Expenditure on support costs 2,068 2,068 1,880
Total expenditure 520,386 249,779 770,165 912,569
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Net income / (expenditure) (7,516) (7,516) 73,014
Reconciliation of funds
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Total funds brought forward 379,749 379,749 306,735
Transfers between funds - - - -
Total funds carried forward 372,233 - 372,233 379,749
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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 7 to 15 form part of these financial statements
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The Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre Statement of Financial Position Year ended 31 December 2025
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Note 2025 2024
£ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 9 170,131 140,541
Current assets
Debtors 10 14,573 11,602
Cash at bank and in hand 319,585 609,989
334,158 621,591
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 11 132,056 382,383
Net current assets 202,102 239,208
Total assets less current liabilities 372,233 379,749
Net assets 372,233 379,749
Funds of the charity
Restricted funds - -
Unrestricted funds 372,233 379,749
Total charity funds 12 372,233 379,749
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For the year ending 31 December 2025 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors' responsibilities:
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The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476;
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The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.
These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 9th June 2026 and are signed on behalf of the board by:
R W Springett (Chair of Trustees)
The notes on pages 7 to 15 form part of these financial statements
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The Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre Statement of Cash Flows Year ended 31 December 2025
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2025 2024
£ £
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income / (expenditure) (7,516) 73,014
Adjustments for:
Other interest receivable and similar income (11,427) (16,521)
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 22,820 15,516
Profit/Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment - -
Changes in:
Trade and other debtors (2,971) 53,166
Trade and other creditors (250,327) 258,838
Net cash from operating activities (249,421) 384,013
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (52,410) (95,132)
Interest received 11,427 16,521
Net cash from investing activities (40,983) (78,611)
Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (290,404) 305,402
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 609,989 304,587
Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (290,404) 305,402
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 319,585 609,989
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The notes on pages 7 to 15 form part of these financial statements
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The Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre Notes to the Financial Statements Year ended 31 December 2025
1 General information
The charity is a private company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales and a registered charity in England and Wales. The address of the registered office is The Old Vicarage, Viney Hill, Lydney, Gloucestershire, GL15 4NA.
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 Companies Act 2006.
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.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over it's estimated useful life:-
Building improvements - straight line over 3-10 years Computer equipment - straight line over 2-3 years Equipment - straight line over 3-10 years
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.
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The Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) Year ended 31 December 2025
- 3 Accounting policies (continued)
Financial instruments (continued)
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.
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.
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 projects or commitments.
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The Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) Year ended 31 December 2025
- 3 Accounting policies (continued)
Fund accounting (continued)
The aim of the charity is to hold sufficient reserves to allow the charity to continue as a going concern for a minimum period of six months should there be no income stream. It is the policy of the Trustees therefore to hold minimum reserves of £150,000 (equivalent of six months management and administration costs). Further, the Trustees have designated a further £30,000 to be held for emergency building repairs. As such, £180,000 of cash held is designated for these two reasons, controllable at the discretion of the Trustees.
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.
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:
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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.
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Legacy income is recognised when receipt is probable and entitlement is established.
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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.
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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:
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Expenditure on raising funds includes the costs of all fundraising activities, events, non-charitable trading activities, and the sale of donated goods.
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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.
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The Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) Year ended 31 December 2025
- 3 Accounting policies (continued)
Resources expended (continued)
- 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.
Government grants
Grants are accounted for under the accruals model as permitted by FRS 102. Grants of a revenue nature are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities in the same period as the related expenditure. The deferred element of grants is included in creditors as deferred income.
Operating lease commitments
Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.
Pension costs
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charity's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
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The Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) Year ended 31 December 2025
4 Investment income
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|Unrestricted|Restricted|
|Funds|Funds|Total 2025|Total 2024|
|£|£|£|£|
|Bank interest receivable|11,427|- 11,427|16,521|
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5 Net income/(expenditure)
Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):
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||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Unrestricted|Restricted|
|Funds|Funds|Total 2025|Total 2024|
|£|£|£|£|
|Depreciation|22,820|-|22,820|15,516|
|Operating leases|18,000|-|18,000|18,000|
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|---|---|---|---|
|Comparatives for the statement of financial activities|Unrestricted|Restricted|
|Funds|Funds|Total Funds|
|£|£|£|
|Income and endowments|
|Income from charitable activities|527,810|437,221|965,031|
|Investment income|16,521|-|16,521|
|Other income|4,031|-|4,031|
|Total income|548,362|437,221|985,583|
|Expenditure|
|Expenditure on charitable activities|475,348|437,221|912,569|
|Total expenditure|475,348|437,221|912,569|
|Net income and net movement in funds|73,014|-|73,014|
|Reconciliation of funds|
|-|
|Total funds brought forward|306,735|306,735|
|Transfers between funds|-|-|-|
|Total funds carried forward|379,749|-|379,749|
----- End of picture text -----
6 Comparatives for the statement of financial activities
11
The Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) Year ended 31 December 2025
7 Independent examination fees
| Fees payable to the independent examiner for: Independent examination of the financial statements Other fees |
2025 £ 436 1,632 2,068 |
2024 £ 306 1,574 1,880 |
|---|---|---|
8 Employment costs and defined contribution pension scheme
During the period the charity had on average 23 employees (2024 - 23 employees).
The trustees of the charity are not remunerated for their services.
| Salaries and wages Pension costs (defined contribution scheme) Employer's NI |
2025 £ 264,560 6,133 14,132 284,825 |
2024 £ 246,192 5,099 12,364 263,655 |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Tangible fixed assets Cost At 1 January 2025 Additions Disposals At 31 December 2025 Depreciation At 1 January 2025 Charge for year Disposals At 31 December 2025 Net book value At 31 December 2025 At 31 December 2024 |
Buildings & Improvements Equipment Motor Vehicles Computer Equipment Total 155,881 86,345 7,500 5,981 255,707 45,841 6,083 - 486 52,410 - (11,575) - (793) (12,368) 201,722 80,853 7,500 5,674 295,749 58,675 45,888 7,500 3,103 115,166 16,512 4,946 - 1,362 22,820 - (11,575) - (793) (12,368) 75,187 39,259 7,500 3,672 125,618 126,535 41,594 - 2,002 170,131 97,206 40,457 - 2,878 140,541 |
|---|---|
12
The Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) Year ended 31 December 2025
| 10 Debtors Trade debtors Prepayments Other debtors 11 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Trade creditors Accruals and deferred income Other creditors |
2025 £ 11,696 2,877 - 14,573 2025 £ 903 131,153 - 132,056 |
2024 £ 4,805 2,376 4,421 11,602 2024 £ 38,582 343,751 50 382,383 |
|---|---|---|
12 Analysis of charitable funds
| Unrestricted funds General funds Designated funds Restricted funds Restricted funds |
At 01 January 2025 Income Expenditure Transfers At 31 December 2025 £ £ £ £ £ 249,749 512,870 (520,386) (50,000) 192,233 130,000 - 50,000 180,000 - 249,779 (249,779) - - 379,749 762,649 (770,165) - 372,233 |
|---|---|
13
The Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) Year ended 31 December 2025
13 Comparative analysis of charitable funds
| Unrestricted funds General funds Designated funds Restricted funds Restricted funds |
At 01 January 2024 Income Expenditure Transfers At 31 December 2024 £ £ £ £ £ 176,735 548,362 (475,348) - 249,749 130,000 - - - 130,000 - 437,221 (437,221) - - 306,735 985,583 (912,569) - 379,749 |
|---|---|
14 Analysis of net assets between funds
| Fixed assets Current assets Creditors less than 1 year Net assets |
£ £ £ 170,131 - 170,131 329,158 5,000 334,158 (127,056) (5,000) (132,056) 372,233 - 372,233 Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds 2025 |
£ 140,541 621,591 (382,383) 379,749 Total Funds 2024 |
|---|---|---|
15 Employee benefit obligations
In addition to offering a defined contribution pension scheme under NEST, The Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre participates in the Pension Builder Scheme section of the Church Workers Pension Fund (CWPF) for lay staff. The scheme is administered by the Church of England Pensions Board, which holds the assets of the schemes separately from those of the employer and the other participating employers.
The CWPF has two sections:-
-
the Defined Benefits Scheme
-
the Pension Builder Scheme, which has two subsections;
-
a. a deferred annuity section known as Pension Builder Classic, and,
-
b. a cash balance section known as Pension Builder 2014.
Pension Builder Scheme
Both sections of the Pension Builder Scheme are classed as defined benefit schemes.
14
The Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) Year ended 31 December 2025
15 Employee benefit obligations (continued)
Pension Builder Classic provides a pension, accumulated from contributions paid and converted into a deferred annuity during employment based on terms set and reviewed by the Church of England Pensions Board from time to time. Discretionary increases may also be added, depending on investment returns and other factors.
Pension Builder 2014 is a cash balance scheme that provides a lump sum which members use to provide benefits at retirement. Pension contributions are recorded in an account for each member. Discretionary bonuses may be added before retirement, depending on investment returns and other factors. The account, plus any bonuses declared is payable, unreduced, from age 65.
There is no sub-division of assets between employers in each section of the Pension Builder Scheme.
The scheme is considered to be a multi-employer scheme as described in Section 28 of FRS 102. This is because it is not possible to attribute the Pension Builder Scheme’s assets and liabilities to specific employers and means that contributions are accounted for as if the Scheme were a defined contribution scheme. The pensions costs charged to the SoFA in the year are the employer's contributions payable to all pension schemes including those for the CWPF (2025 - £6,133, 2024 - £5,099).
A valuation of the Pension Builder Scheme is carried out once every three years. The most recent was carried out at 31 December 2025 with the report expected by 31 December 2026. The figures below are therefore based on the valuation carried out at 31 December 2022. The next valuation is due as at 31 December 2028.
For the Pension Builder Classic section, the valuation revealed a surplus of £34.8m on the ongoing assumptions used. At the most recent annual review effective 1 January 2026, the Board chose to grant a discretionary bonus of 10% to both pensions not yet in payment and pensions in payment in respect of service prior to April 1997; and a bonus on pensions in payment in respect of post April 1997 service so that the pension increase was also 10% (where usually it would be calculated based on inflation up to an annual cap of 5% for pensions in payment in respect of service prior to April 2006 and 2.5% for pensions in payment in respect of service post April 2006). This followed improvements in the funding position over 2025. There is no requirement for deficit payments at the current time.
For the Pension Builder 2014 section, the valuation revealed a surplus of £8.5m on the ongoing assumptions used. There is no requirement for deficit payments at the current time.
The legal structure of the scheme is such that if another employer fails, The Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre could become responsible for paying a share of the failed employer’s pension liabilities.
16 Related party disclosures
There were no related party transactions during the year under review.
15
The Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre Detailed Profit and Loss Account Year ended 31 December 2025
----- Start of picture text -----
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS 2025 2024
£ £
Investment income
Deposit account interest 11,427 16,521
Charitable activities
Charitable activities 745,898 965,031
Other income
Other income 5,324 4,031
----- End of picture text -----
| Total incoming resources | 762,649 | 985,583 |
|---|---|---|
| EXPENDITURE | ||
| Charitable activities | ||
| Wages | 256,372 | 235,430 |
| Social security | 14,132 | 12,364 |
| Pensions | 6,133 | 5,099 |
| Other operating leases | 18,000 | 18,000 |
| Rates and water | 6,783 | 6,024 |
| Insurance | 15,318 | 12,150 |
| Light and heat | 11,658 | 14,497 |
| Telephone | 1,121 | 1,777 |
| Postage and stationery | 776 | 654 |
| Marketing and website costs | 3,204 | - |
| Sundry expenses | 4,351 | 6,348 |
| Catering purchases | 68,764 | 68,734 |
| Freelance fees | 8,188 | 10,761 |
| Hartpury expenses | 494 | 908 |
| Mallard's Pike lake expenses | 2,106 | 2,320 |
| Cleaning | 4,091 | 4,551 |
| Travel, subsistence and motor expenses | 8,258 | 6,223 |
| Health and safety expenses | 6,824 | 3,711 |
| IT software and consumables | 4,607 | 3,867 |
| Laundry | 7,290 | 9,847 |
| Membership and licence fees | 3,234 | 1,594 |
| Professional fees | 1,448 | 2,083 |
| Repairs and maintenance | 17,931 | 15,177 |
| Staff training | 1,900 | 2,867 |
| Grant expenditure | 249,779 | 437,221 |
| Eco-pod expenditure | 12,673 | 1,350 |
| Waste disposal | 3,254 | 2,811 |
| Carried forward | 738,689 | 886,368 |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
16
The Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre Detailed Profit and Loss Account Year ended 31 December 2025
----- Start of picture text -----
2025 2024
£ £
Brought forward 738,689 886,368
Activity equipment 6,588 4,778
Site improvements - 4,028
Depreciation 22,820 15,515
768,097 910,689
Support costs
Governance costs
Accountancy fees 2,068 1,880
Total resources expended 770,165 912,569
Net income / (expenditure) (7,516) 73,014
----- End of picture text -----
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
17
The Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre Year ended 31 December 2025
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of The Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre ('the charity') for the year ended 31 December 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the CIO you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (’the Act’).
As the CIO's gross income exceeds £250,000 the independent examination must be completed by a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination as a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians, which is one of the listed bodies.
I report in respect of my examination of the CIO's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 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 as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
The accounts do not accord with those records.
I confirm that there are no matters to which your attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Bethany McGowan FCCA
Current Accountancy Limited
Independent Examiner
19a Singleton Court Business Park Wonastow Road Industrial Estate Monmouth NP25 5JA
30 April 2026
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