**The Josiah Trust** (A company limited by guarantee) ## **Directors’ Report and Accounts** Year ended: 31 December 2025 ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025** ## **COMPANY INFORMATION** **Directors and Trustees** Mr S Boase (appointed 2021), Chair Miss H Lyons (appointed 2013) Mr M Underhill (appointed 2012) Rev R Moul (appointed 2004) Miss D Kelly (appointed 2009) Mr M Sweeting (appointed 2018) Mrs G Harvey (appointed 2013) **Company Secretary** Mrs G Harvey **Treasurer** Mr R Ede **Governing Document** Memorandum and Articles of Association **Registered Office** 5 Bulwer Road London E11 1DE **Company Registration Number** 5322595 **Charity Registration Number** 1109230 **Independent Examiner** Mr Matthew Harrison 40 Holdbrook Way Harold Wood Essex, RM3 0JD **Bankers** Santander, Bootle, Merseyside, L30 4GB Kingdom Bank, Media House, Nottingham NG9 2RS **Solicitors** Edward Connor Solicitors 10 The Point Market Harborough LE16 7QU Josiah Trust Report & Financial Statements 2025 2 ## **Status** The directors of the company (“the Trust”) are its Trustees for the purpose of charity law and throughout this report are referred to as “the Trustees”. For the period cpvered by this report, The Josiah Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 30 December 2004, and registered as a charity on 26 April 2005. The Josiah Trust converted to a CIO on 22 January 2026. The Josiah Trust was established under a Memorandum of Association, which established its objects and powers. It is governed under its Articles of Association. Josiah Trust Report & Financial Statements 2025 3 |**Contents**|**Page**| |---|---| |Legal and administrative information|2-3| |Chairman’s Report|5-9| |Report of the Independent Examiner|10| |Accounts for year ending 31 December 2025:|| |I
Balance sheet|A1| |II Statement of income and expenditure|A2| Josiah Trust Report & Financial Statements 2025 4 ## **Chairman’s Report** This annual report of the Josiah Trust reports on our activities and includes financial statements for the year ending 31 December 2025. ## **Objects of the Charity** The overarching purpose of the charity is the advancement of the Christian faith. Our activities are therefore directed to supporting Christian ministry in various forms. In practice, Christian ministry means both making available the message of the Christian gospel to people of all backgrounds in the community and wider society (evangelism), and the teaching, pastoring and nurture of Christians. Our understanding of historic, scriptural, orthodox Christianity is summarised in the doctrinal basis set out in our Articles. The charity supports activity conforming to that basis, principally by making grants. The formation of the charity in 2004 arose from the collective wish of a group of individuals at Christ Church Leyton (‘CCL’) to provide for biblical Christian ministry at Christ Church itself. It remains the case that the Trust’s donors were members and/or supporters of CCL giving to the Trust to enable its continued support of ministry work at CCL. We are satisfied that CCL continues to pursue the advancement of the Christian faith consonant with our Objects. In 2019 we published a brochure outlining the work of the Trust to ensure people are clear about its aims and to encourage new giving. ## **Government** The policy and operating decisions of the charity rest with the Trustees who meet regularly to monitor the activities of the Company. Trustees can recommend the appointment of new Trustees. The Trustees have continued with their plans to convert from a charitable company to a CIO. This work began in 2023, and continued through 2024 and 2025. (The process completed - beyond the period covered by this report - on 22[nd] January 2026.) As part of this work, the Trustees have reviewed and taken legal advice on updating the Trust’s governing documents to reflect current charity best practice and in preparation for conversion to a CIO. The Trustees have also made some clarifications in the wording of the Statement of Faith to remove some areas of ambiguity. These changes to the articles of association were approved by the company members on 21[st] April 2025, following approval from the Charity Commission granted on 6[th] February 2025, and form the basis for the CIO constitution. ## **Review of Activities during 2025** Ministry provided by Christ Church Leyton (CCL) remained the central focus of grant-making for the Trust through 2025. The Trust made grants to CCL to support its ministry totalling £101,522 during the year. All grants to CCL are agreed by and requested by the CCL PCC, and are then considered for approval by the JT trustees. These grants enabled CCL to run a variety of activities, including a weekly free-of-charge parent and toddler group open to all. The Trust also supports a range of other Christian mission causes in the UK and overseas that are consistent with our Objects. The majority of these grants are intended to run over multiple years and support longterm ministry commitments. In order to reduce administrative overheads, the Trust does so in partnership with CCL, and the Trustees are grateful to the CCL treasurer and wider finance team for managing these grants for the Trust. Josiah Trust Report & Financial Statements 2025 5 The CCL PCC and the Trustees consider in turn a balanced spread of external mission causes of various types in the UK and overseas, and, subject to Trustees’ approval, 10% of unrestricted income received by the Trust in the previous year is disbursed on the Trust’s behalf by the CCL PCC to those causes during the year. These are further detailed under ‘Public Benefit’ below. In 2025 the total amount granted in this way was £11,719. In addition, the Trust made a single grant of £2000 during 2025 to Rachael Muluuta, to support her ministry training. This grant was requested by Rachael and made by the Trustees independently of CCL. The Trustees were happy to support Rachael in this training, in line with the Trust’s Objects. ## **Financial Review** General giving to the charity was £87,772, a decrease in giving compared to 2024 (£97,696). The Trustees remain very grateful for the regular giving to the Trust from many donors. Tax reclaimed on the General Fund was £17,448. (Gift Aid is claimed every three months in arrears so this reflects the tax refunded on donations made between October 2024 and September 2025.) The Trustees are grateful to the treasurer for his work in continuing to manage the Trust’s savings using a variety of instant access and notice savings accounts. This has led to an increase in bank interest for the year to £4661. Total overall income for 2025 was £113,274. There were no designated gifts in 2025, but the Trustees have maintained the designated fund for the costs of an assistant minister at CCL. This fund reduced from £100,000 to £71,978 during the year as grants were made to CCL to support the employment of the assistant minister. The Trustees agreed at the Trust’s AGM in May 2025 to establish a restricted fund to hold gifts to support the Orwell camps. This fund received donations totalling £2,743 and reclaimed tax of £650 during 2025. The Trustees’ expectation is that these funds will be used to to support the running of the Orwell camps in summer 2026, as requested by the leaders of the camp. The Trustees agreed at the Trust’s AGM in May 2024 that in future 10% of unrestricted income each year would be given to recipients (as permitted by the Trust’s Objects) other than CCL during the following year. To reduce administration effort, the Trust partners with the CCL PCC to determine these causes, which are approved by the JT Trustees. These funds were given in 2025 to the following beneficiaries (see the final part of the Public Benefit section below for details of the activities these gifts have supported): |•|Arab World Ministries - France|£3000| |---|---|---| |•|Crosslinks - Moldova|£3000| |•|Shepherd’s Staff – east London|£3000| |•|Open Doors|£1000| |•|ReNew|£500| |•|London Gospel Partnership|£250| |•|Child Evangelism Fellowship|£250| |•|Tatenda Trust|£250| |•|All Saints Denaby Main|£250| |•|UCCF (Southampton area)|£219| Josiah Trust Report & Financial Statements 2025 6 Total income to the Trust in 2025 was £7,000 less than total expenditure. The Trust continues to hold a larger sum on deposit than justified by its Reserves Policy. As explained in previous reports, a large part of these funds were being held in the expectation that the CCL PCC would decide to “unpause” payment of the church’s parish share during 2025, or request to use these funds for another ministry purpose. The CCL PCC decided in October 2025 to un-pause these payments and requested a grant of £68,022 in November 2025 from the Trust, which was used to make a donation to the Ephesians Fund as a way of meeting the request from the diocese for a parish share contribution. It is also likely that donations in respect of parish share contribution will be an on-going expense in subsequent years which the CCL PCC will ask the JT for grants to help meet. Notwithstanding the above, the Trustees are cognizant that the JT is holding funds which were given by donors for the purpose of gospel ministry, and which total more than the agreed maximum reserves. They are keen to work with the CCL PCC and others to identify suitable opportunities to grant funds which will help to enable gospel ministry, as permitted under the Trust’s Objects. Administrative expenses were unusually high in 2025. This was primarily for legal fees paid to Edward Connor Solicitors for their assistance with the CIO conversion process, including a review and update of the Trust’s governance documents and Statement of Faith. The Trustees recognise that this is a complex and lengthy process which they themselves do not have the skills or time to do, and that using professional help for this is a prudent use of the Trust’s funds. Other administrative expenses were for the examination of the accounts and annual fee to Companies House. The Trustees and officers received no remuneration, expenses, payments or benefits of any kind. There are no premises and no administrative staff. Overheads this year were 4.4% of income, leaving 95.6% of income for use in pursuit of our Objects. ## **Public Benefit** In planning the activities, the Directors have had regard to the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission. The Trust has operated to date as a grant-making charity, occasionally also providing equipment, to assist with the provision of public services. The public benefit that arises from the Josiah Trust’s activities – essentially providing material support to our causes – is a proper concern for our Trustees. Christ Church Leyton – our principal cause – provides a range of activities open to the public and is active in reaching out to the surrounding community. The specific ways in which the Josiah Trust’s material support has continued to bring public benefit through the advancement of the Christian faith during 2024 include: - Provision of funding support for ministry costs at Christ Church Leyton. A total of £101,522 was granted to CCL in 2025, which contributed to enabling a range of activities beneficial to the public: - sustaining multiple Sunday services open to the public; - holding activities for children and young people which are open to the public; - running courses for those wishing to find out about Christianity, open to the public; - additional support for children’s and women’s ministries; - preparation of teaching resources and communication materials; Josiah Trust Report & Financial Statements 2025 7 - training and instruction of Christians for roles of various sorts. - Support for CCL in 2025 helped CCL to continue to run weekly Parents’ and Toddlers’ groups for members of the public to attend free of charge. - Support for CCL in 2025 helped CCL to continue to run an English conversation class for non-English speakers learning or wanting to practice the language, open to the public to attend free of charge. - In addition, in partnership with Christ Church Leyton, the Trust supported a broad and balanced range of wider Christian mission causes delivering a range of public benefit, including: - Training of men and women for public Christian ministry, Christian mission & ministry work in the UK and overseas _(Crosslinks (Moldova), Arab World Ministries (France), Rachael Muluuta)_ - Supporting Christian mission amongst communities in east London _(Shepherd’s Staff)_ - `-` Support for persecuted Christians _(Open Doors)_ - Support for Bible-believing churches _(Renew, London Gospel Partnership, All Saints Denaby Main)_ - Support for university Christian unions _(UCCF)_ - Support for Bible teaching to children _(Child Evangelism Fellowship, Tatenda Trust)_ ## **Reserves Policy** The Trustees have established a policy whereby free reserves held by the charity should be maintained at a level sufficient to cover unexpected costs. The main points of the Policy remain: - Circumstances permitting, we aim to hold a minimum of £20,000 in reserve at any time; - We will not allow the reserves to increase beyond £80,000, and in fact would aim to make prudent use of cash held to fund additional ministry at Christ Church Leyton so this upper limit is never reached (unless saving for a particular planned project, such as purchasing property); - We will continue to make clear to donors that we are building reserves for future ministry costs at Christ Church Leyton as well as covering current financial pressures there; - Given the uncertainties involved, we will review this policy and its underlying information annually and adjust as necessary. The Trustees have created a designated fund for the support of an assistant minister at Christ Church Leyton with the expectation of an increased level of support (for staff costs and/or housing needs) in future. ## **Risk Statement** The Trustees regularly review the risks to which a small charity operating with no employees is exposed. Appropriate procedures are in place to identify, monitor and review these risks on a regular basis. ## **Trustees’ Responsibilities** Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which give a true and fair view of the state of the charity and of its income and expenditure for the year. Josiah Trust Report & Financial Statements 2025 8 1. Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently 2. Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent 3. State whether the applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts. 4. Prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business. We are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities. ## **Changes in Trustees** The rules require that one third of the Trustees resign each year. Helen Lyons and Mark Underhill resigned at the AGM on 12[th] May 2025 and were willing to stand again. They were re-elected. Also at the AGM, Simon Boase was re-appointed as Chairman and Ron Ede as Treasurer. ## **Approval** This report was approved by the Trustees on 26[th] May 2026 and signed on their behalf by: ## _Signed:_ ## **S J Boase** Mr S Boase, Chairman Josiah Trust Report & Financial Statements 2025 9 THE JOSIAH TRUST Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2025 2024 2025 Assets Cash at Bank 106,987 41,114 101,134 Current Account Deposit Account Savings Bond 45,360 92,618 104,292 Net Assets Represented by.'- 149,235 100,000 General Fund AM Designated Fund ORWELL Reslricled Fund 166,899 71,978 3,393 For the year ending 3111212025 the company was entitled lo exemption from audit under section 47712} of the Companies Act 2006. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in ac￿rdanCe with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The directors acknowledge their responsibility for. il ensuring the company keeps accounting records which comply with Section 386,. and ii) preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of the stale of affairs of the company as at the end of the financial year. and of its profil or loss for the financial year, in accordance with the requirements of section 393, and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act relating to accounts, so far as is applicable to the company. Signed.. REde Treasurer A1 THE JOSIAH TRUST Income & Expenditure Account for the year ended 31 December 2025 2024 2025 Incom8 97.696 Donations (Generall Donations (ORWELL fund) Income Tax refunded {Generall In¢ome Tax refunded (ORWELL fvndl Bank Interest 87.772 2,743 17,448 650 4,661 19,493 2,366 Tolal Income Les* Ex frndi ure Grants Christ Church Leyton - Ministry Support Grant lo R Muluula Other Mission Causes Isee note 1 b8lowl Total Grants 101,522 2,000 7,320 115,241 Admlnistratlon 3,652 365 Trustees. Expenses Purchases Miscellaneous Fees & expenses Legal Fees (see note 2 below) Totsl Admin 1,592 262 8,817 4.999 Total Expendlture 103,418 Net SurpluslDoficll for the Year 4,965 Balance Brought Forward Current 8alance There are no gains or losses other than the surplus or deficit for the year. Note 1.. The Trustees aim lo grant a totsl of 100/0 of all unrestncted income from the previous year to recipients other than Christ Church Leyton Nolg 2.. Legal fees are for using solicitors lo assist in updating the Jf$ governing documents and conversion to a CIO THE JOSIAH TRUST INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 December 2025 Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Art 2011 (the Charities Actl and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to.. examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act. to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under sertion 1451511bl of the Charities Actl, and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examinerfs statement My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charitv Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of anv unlssual items or disclosures in the accounts. and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair, view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examinerfs ststement In connection with my examination. no matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in. any material respect, the requirements.. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act- and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met.. or to which. in my opinion. attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed.. Matthew Harrison Date.. 2<