Shrewsbury Youth for Christ – Charity No: 1106486 Annual Report to the AGM, September 2023
Report from the Chair of Trustees (including project report)
The pandemic lock downs might have been behind us at the start of 2022 but the Spring term began with a sobering reminder that Covid wasn’t going away anytime soon as the team helped with school Covid testing programmes, and face coverings were mandatory in classrooms and corridors. Nevertheless we were able to continue with our regular activities from 2021.
At the start of 2022 Christian unions at both Shrewsbury Colleges Group and Meole Brace school re-started and we were able to meet with new young people alongside those we already knew. At Belvidere school, strong relationships with students continued through our sports-based lunch time group, Trivolle. The start of 2022 also kicked off new mentoring programs within Shrewsbury Academy and Shrewsbury High School. Whilst at Mary Webb school the year began with leading an assembly about living together at peace, we also quickly re-started both lunch time and break time groups, 1-1 mentoring with students as well as forming a new group to support the Ukrainian students at the school.
The previous two years had taught us to hold our plans and intentions more loosely and to be more flexible and responsive to the changing demands and circumstances we found at each school. So we were delighted to be able to start a new programme of the John Muir Award at Mary Webb School, and very pleased to welcome Becci Amos back as a volunteer to lead a 12 week course with Year 8 students.
In March 2022 it was encouraging to be reminded that we were part of a movement that started 75 years ago when Torri Johnson and Billy Graham held the first Youth for Christ rallies in the UK with the flagship event at Birmingham Town. It was also humbling to think that as each one of us comes and goes it is God who remains faithful and it His work that we are playing our part in.
Mentoring has for a number of years been a very important part of our work and finding new and creative ways to do it is so important. In the Spring term Hannah introduced a brand new mentoring project: Wild Craft Mentoring at Shrewsbury High School and Shrewsbury Academy. Each course ran for 6 weeks with a small group of young people in an environment that excites and inspires them. Wild Craft Mentoring aims to encourage young people to enter and observe the landscape around them while allowing time for meaningful discussion. While making pigment from rock, paintbrushes from trees and stamps from vegetables we were able to looking at topics such as emotion, stress and communication.
Continuing on the outdoor theme, Ellie was able to run several Campfire Cooking courses at Meole Brace School during the year. Everyone knows that being outdoors is great for mental health and during these times also keeps the Covid risk down but, for us, it also presents an opportunity to be amazed at creation and the glimpses it gives us of our wonderful creator God!
A sad tinge was brought to May when we mourned the passing of one of our most faithful supporters, Stanton, but we were also able to rejoice in the life he lived for his Lord with so much of his time given to s-yfc in later years.
The monthly prayer meetings continued to provide a vital source of support and encouragement, and ensure the project remains focused on seeking God’s will. In April we thanked God for Zoom but rejoiced at the return to face to face meetings in May when we restarted our visits to many of our supporting Churches. We also celebrated the return of a face to face AGM gathering in July!
Towards the end of the Summer term we had the pleasure of being in some of our local primary schools to talk to the Year 6 pupils about moving up to secondary school and help them prepare for the new challenges and changes ahead. These sessions often present an opportunity to work with a number of Churches who regularly visit their local primary schools and strengthen our partnerships with the local church; something that is at the heart of s-yfc. For the Belvidere School feeder schools we did things a little differently this year by supporting the secondary school at its Summer school which is run for the new Year 7 intake.
In September things finally started to feel ‘normal’ with not a single Covid test in sight! We started back with many of our usual activities including: Assemblies at Mary Webb School, Trivolle at Belvidere, CU at Shrewsbury College, Y Club and Campfire Cooking at Meole Brace School and mentoring and drop-ins at Mary Webb. The year ended with delivering Christmas assemblies at Mary Webb School and Christmas lessons to year 7s at Meole Brace secondary school.
The Treasurer’s report provides details of our strong financial position and it is so encouraging to read about the number of individuals who give regularly alongside the many more who support us through the giving of their Church group. We thank God and all the individuals and Church groups who are able to support us in this way.
We continue to be blessed with an enthusiastic and committed group of Trustees and Council of Reference who are drawn from many local Churches. Together they are able to offer extensive knowledge and experience and lots of practical support to the team as well as offering thoughtful, considered and prayerful spiritual direction,
The observant among you will have noticed that we do not have a Director’s report this year but I suspect you will have worked out why. After 10 years as Project Director with s-yfc, Hannah (Moore) decided it was time to move on and in December she did so with our blessing. She has done a wonderful job for the young people of Shrewsbury, being God’s visible presence within their ranks. We thank her for all she has done for s-yfc and wish her well.
Also my sincere thanks go to all the others who have worked for and with s-yfc during 2022 – Ellie, Becci, Rev. Greg, Craig, the Trustees, the Council of Reference, Church partners, the Local Ministries team at British Youth for Christ and the many volunteers who help in so many ways.
We are excited to see what 2023 brings as we welcome Ellie (Lord) as our new Director and look to recruit at least one new staff team member. I am confident that the guiding hand of God will ensure we continue to deliver His plan.
Our commitment is to continue to do God’s work with schools and local Churches in a way that honours Him and successfully brings the Good News to the young people of Shrewsbury.
Martin Withington Chair of Trustees
Trustees who served from January 2022 to December 2022
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Martin Withington (Chair)
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Emma Broomfield (Secretary)
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Sara Short (Treasurer)
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Paul Kelly
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Joyce Hayward
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Fi Iddon
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Roy Ellis (to June 2022)
-
Roy Haworth
-
David Summerfield
Council of Reference who served from January 2022 to December 2022*
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Andy Houghton (Chair)
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Simon Pierce
-
The Council of Reference did not formally meet during 2023 pending a review of the role of this body and new members being identified and appointed.
Treasurer’s Report 2022
Once again 2022 has seen the Charity blessed with financial provision from a wide variety of sources but principally from our individuals and families who continue to give generously on a regular basis to the project and also from a network of supporting Churches. I have just read ‘Nevertheless’ (from 1 Chronicles 11 4b-5). The book is an incredible account of John Kirkby’s faithfulness during his difficult journey in founding Christians Against Poverty – a truly lifechanging organisation now operating worldwide (capuk.org/lifechanger). It has reminded me how truly blessed we are but also encourages me to step out more in faith given that we do have such a strong ‘army’ of faithful support. As John Kirby quotes: ‘ Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. ’ (Ecclesiastes 11 4).
Our full time Director, Hannah Moore, left us for pastures new at Mary’s Meals at the beginning of December. We employed Ellie Harper (now Lord, following her marriage in July) full time (including one day a week with Trinity Churches who funded that day) until August 2022 when she dropped to four days per week, all funded by s-yfc. The work with fundraising consultant, Dani Knox, in 2021 has continued to result in successful bids for funds from our applications to Grant and Trust bodies: The Baron Davenport Trust, the Bible Heritage Trust, the Matthew Wrightson charity, the Hilton Jones Trust and John James Grant fund all gave generously in 2022. We do also recoup some of our costs from the schools who employ the team to undertake specific work such as Campfire Cooking with Ukrainian students at Meole Brace School.
The balance at the end of the year remains very healthy. Our plan now is to make the most of all the opportunities God is giving us by recruiting new staff to the team to meet the undoubted need to provide help and support to young people, by spreading His message: please continue to pray.
| 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | 25,000 | 61,000 | 43,000 | 41,000 | 53,000 | 50,200 | 55,600 | 43,400 | 49,100 |
| Exps | 34,000 | 41,000 | 53,000 | 60,000 | 56,000 | 51,700 | 37,700 | 36,500 | 53,200 |
| Reserve | 15,000 | 35,000 | 25,000 | 6,000 | 3,000 | 1,500 | 19,400 | 26,300 | 22,200 |
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | ||
| Income | 50,700 | 58,600 | 49,300 | 56,750 | 56,300 | 63,820 | 59,730 | 58,360 | |
| Exps | 58,500 | 55,600 | 52,800 | 55,100 | 53,580 | 53,220 | 64,870 | 58,195 | |
| Reserve | 14,400 | 17,400 | 13,900 | 15,550 | 18,260 | 28,860 | 23,720 | 23,885 |
As well as thanking each and every one of you for your support I would also like to thank my fellow Trustees, our Council of Reference and David Smith for his invaluable assistance as our auditor. I am relishing working alongside Ellie in her new role as Centre Director.
If ever you wish for any more information about anything, please do not hesitate to ask.
Sara Short Treasurer
Sfvrewsbury Youth for Christ- CharityNumber 1106486 Statsment of FlnanclalActlvlties- Year•nded 31 December2022 Note UnstrIcted Restricted Funds Funds Year ertded 31 December 2022 Ye8r ended 31 December 2021 Incomrng resources Voluntary Incomg Investment Income other Incoming Resources Ibncl. Grantsl 53613.17 27.49 4720.80 0.00 0.00 0.00 53613.17 27.49 4720.80 53313.31 6405.37 Totaltincoming resources 58361.46 0.00 58361.46 59726.62 Resources expetpded Costs of generating voluntary income Charitable Activitse$ 34.79 3.4&5 58116.56 0.00 43.98 34.79 58160.54 746.19 64121.14 Totalre$ource5 expended 58151.35 43.98 58195.33 64867.33 Ilet tncomingl(outyolng-)re$our¢e$ 210.11 43.98 166.13 -5140.71 Total Fund5 brought forw8tYl 23681.57 43.98 23725.55 28,866.26 Totalfunds ¢arried loard 23891.68 0.00 23891.68 23725.55
Shrewsbury Youth for Christ- Charity number 1106486 Income and Expenditure Account- Year ended 31 December 2022 Note Year ended 31 December 2022 Year ended 31 December 2021 Income Donations and voluntsry income Interest received Other income and relmbursements 53613.17 27.49 4720.80 53313.31 7.94 6405.37 58361.46 59726.62 Expenditure Employee Costs Other operating costs Depreciation 51079.87 7013.46 102.00 58195.33 56652.41 8112.92 102.00 64867.33 Surplus/{deficit) 166.13 -5140.71 Funds Unresticted Reserve brought foThvard Surplusldefi¢it(-) for year 23725.55 166.13 28866.26 -5140.71 Reserves carried forward 23891.68 23725.55
Shrewsbury Youth for Christ- Charity number 1106486 Balance Sheet at 31 December 2021 At 31 Decembgr 2022 At 31 December 2021 Fixed Assets Tangible Fixed Assets Note 137.00 239.00 Current Assets Debtors and Prepayments Cash at Bank and in hartrd 881.06 22873.62 23754.68 2073.57 21412.98 23486.55 CUrt Liabilities Trade Creditors 0.00 0.00 Net Current Assets/Liabilities(-) 23754.68 23486.SS Net Assets 23891.68 23725.55 Funds of the Charity Unrestricted funds Restricted Funds 23891.68 0.00 23891.68 23681.57 43.98 23725.55 The above accounts, together with the accompanying notes, were considered by the Trustees at their 17 meeting on J**• 2023 and are signed on their behalf by: Chairman Secretary
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(HARITY (OMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES | Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of Shrewsbury Youth for Christ On accounts for the year ended 30 Dember 2022 Charity no {if any) 1106486 Set out on pages Two to five I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ('the Trust.) for the year ended 3111212022. As the charity's Irustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 { the Acl"). Responsibilities and basis of report I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts Carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying OLrt my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5)(b) of the Act. Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have èxaminer's statsm6nt come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to be5ieve that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kepl in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act- or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records., or Ihe accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements Conrning 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 hav6 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". Date: 18 September 2023 Name: David Arthur Smith Relevant professional qualification(s) or body lif any): CPFA Address: 5 Sawston Close, Radbrook Green, SHREWSBURY, Shropshire SY3 6AY IER Oct 2018
Shtpwsbury Youth lor Christ- CharityNumber 1106486 siat•montof Fin8n¢ial Actwttles- Yearended 31 December2022 No¢e Unr•51rict8d Restricl8d Funds Funds Year ended 31 December 2022 Year eAile(I 31 December 2021 Incomlng resourc•s Voluntary In¢om8 Investrnent Income Other Incomlng Rosouregs lincl. Grants) 53613.17 27.49 4720.80 0.00 0.00 53613.17 27.49 4720.80 53313.31 6405.37 Tot81incoming resources 58361.46 0.00 S8361.46 59726.62 Resour¢e5 expended Costs of generatin9 voluntary incom8 haritsble Activities 34.79 3,4&5 58116.56 34.79 58160.54 746.1g 64121.14 43.98 Tot&1 resour¢e$ expended 58151.35 43.98 58195.33 64867.33 Netincoming/{outyoing. )resour¢e$ 210.11 43.98 166.13 -5140.71 Total Funds bmught fofward 23681.57 43.98 23725.55 28.866.26 Total funds tar*ledfonYard 238g1.68 23891.68 23725.55
Shrewsbury Youth for Christ- Charity number 1106486 Income and Expenditure Account- Year ended 31 December 2022 Note Year ended 31 December 2022 Year ended 31 December 2021 Income Donations and voluntary income Interest received Other income and reimbursements 53613.17 27.49 4720.80 53313.31 7.94 6405.37 58361.46 59726.62 Expenditure Employee costs other operating costs Depreciatlon 51079.87 7013.46 102.00 58195.33 56652.41 8112.92 102.00 64867.33 surplU{deflCitY 166.13 -5140.71 Funds Unresticted Reserve brought foThvard Surplusldeficit(-) for year 23725.55 166.13 28866.26 -5140.71 Resenies carrled forward 23891.68 23725.55
Shrewsbury Youth for Chrlst- Charity number 1106486 Balance Sheet at 31 December 2021 At 31 December 2022 At 31 December 2021 Fixed Assets Tangible Fixed Assets Note 137.00 239.00 Current Assets Debtors and Prepayments Cash at Bank and in hand 881.06 22873.62 23754.68 2073.57 21412.98 23486.55 Current Liabilities Trade Creditors 0.00 0.00 Net Current Assets/Liabilities(-J 23754.68 23486.55 Net Assets 23891.68 23725.55 Funds of the Charity Unrestricted funds Restricted Funds 23891.68 0.00 23891.68 23681.57 43.98 23725.55 The above accounts, together with the accompanying notes, were considered by the Trustees at thelr 17 meeting on J•w• 2023 and are signed on their behalf by.. Chairman Secretary
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