Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01.04.2024 Period start date To 31.03.2025 Period end date
Charity name: Gap Ministries
Charity registration number: 1111373
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | Gap Ministries (also known as Gap Kenya) exists to relieve poverty, advance education, and promote the welfare of vulnerable children and young people primarily in Mombasa, Kenya. The charity achieves this by providing and supporting foster care, two community centres providing support programmes, educational opportunities, practical assistance, and pastoral care. In doing so, the charity seeks to promote the holistic wellbeing, safety, and development of those in need, irrespective of background, faith,or circumstance. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
During the year, Gap Ministries continued its work to relieve poverty, advance education and promote the welfare of vulnerable children, young people and families in Mombasa, Kenya. The charity supported its residential centres and foster homes, ensuring that children in need received safe accommodation, appropriate care, education, nutrition, and emotional support. In addition, the charity provided practical assistance such as school fees, uniforms, food and welfare support to children and families within the local community who were experiencing hardship. The Stepping Stones Day Centre provides a safe place for vulnerable children and young people (boys) living on the streets to receive practical care and support. The centre offers nutritious meals, showers |
| and laundry facilities, basic medical care, teaching, recreational activities and counselling. Alongside this practical provision, the charity seeks to share the love of Jesus by affirming each child’s value in God’s eyes and showing consistent love, dignity and care. Through this combined approach, the centre aims to support the physical, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing of the children who attend. The Joseph Centre, located beside Mombasa’s main garbage dump, provides a safe and nurturing environment for vulnerable children aged 2–16 (girls and boys) whose mothers live or scavenge on the dump. The centre offers crèche care and early learning for children aged 3–5, while older children who are not in school receive basic literacy and numeracy teaching to help prepare them for formal education. Children also benefit from play, creative activities and pastoral support, as well as medical care for injuries sustained while scavenging. The charity currently funds school fees and uniforms for around 40 children and provides them with breakfast and lunch. Two former pupils are now in their second year at boarding high school. The foster home provides a stable and caring family environment for 13 boys who live with foster parents. Five of the boys are now over 18 but continue to be supported while they complete their education. During the year, one young man successfully graduated from college as a teacher and is now employed and preparing for independent living. All of the boys are in education, including one who is deaf and attends a specialist boarding school, and each receives consistent care, encouragement and support. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The trustees confirm that they have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit when planning the activities of the charity, and are satisfied that the work undertaken during |
the year continued to provide clear public benefit.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | N/A |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | N/A |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Volunteers make a valuable contribution to the work of Gap Ministries. The charity is supported by several long-term Kenyan volunteers who assist staff in the two centres and play an important role in daily activities. All volunteers are engaged in line with the charity’s Volunteer Policy. The charity also welcomes short-term volunteers from overseas who offer their time and skills to support the work when appropriate. |
| Other |
Achievements and Performance
SORP reference
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | The Stepping Stones Centre continues to provide a safe and welcoming place for street-connected children to receive meals, showers, laundry facilities, teaching, recreation and consistent care. Several children attending the centre were successfully repatriated with their families during the year. A key aim of the centre is to help children adapt to routine and positive discipline in preparation for leaving street life should they wish to do so. Medical care was provided where needed, ranging from basic first aid to hospital treatment for more serious injuries. In addition, a number of older boys were supported with skills training in areas such as tailoring, photography and computer skills. |
|---|---|---|
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | The Joseph Centre supported 40 vulnerable children aged 2–16 during the year, and enabled a further 40 children to attend the local primary school by providing school fees, uniforms and learning materials. The centre welcomed two children with disabilities, both of whom made remarkable progress through the safe, nurturing environment provided. One child with learning difficulties, who had previously never attended school and struggled to communicate, is now engaging in class activities and beginning to interact confidently. A second child with physical disability, previously assumed to have learning difficulties, has flourished academically and is thriving. Two former pupils successfully completed their first year at boarding high school and have now progressed to their second year. The centre continues to maintain strong relationships with parents and the local school, ensuring joined-up support for the children. The foster home continues to provide a loving, stable family environment where the boys receive consistent care, guidance and educational support. Three boys are now in their finalyear of high school and a |
|---|---|---|
| further four are in their penultimate year. The boy who is deaf is progressing extremely well at his specialist school and currently serves as Head Boy. One young man with a gift for acting has joined a theatre company for further training, while another successfully completed college and is now a qualified primary school teacher. A further student will begin university in 2025 and is currently volunteering at a local school. Beyond education, the boys have shown significant personal growth, maturing into polite, caring and well- adjusted young men who are trusted and valued within their communities. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Fundraising remains challenging; however, during the year the charity achieved several small but encouraging successes, particularly through applications to charitable trusts. This was the first year the charity has actively engaged in trust fundraising, and the trustees are encouraged by the positive initial response and the potential for further development in this area. The charity raised £76,116 against an expenditure of £70, 725. |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | The charity does not currently hold investments, as available funds are applied directly to its charitable activities. Cash balances are held in standard bank accounts only. The trustees continue to plan carefully to ensure that all financial commitments can be met and that income is managed prudently to support the ongoingwork of the charity. |
| Other | N/A |
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end jof the period |
Para 1.21 | At the end of the financial year, the charity remained in a stable financial position, with income carefully managed to ensure that all core commitments to the projects were met. The trustees continue to monitor expenditure closely to ensure the charity remains sustainable. Full details of the charity’s income,expenditure,assets and |
|---|---|---|
| liabilities are set out in the submitted accounts accompanyingthis report. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The trustees have agreed a policy of maintaining unrestricted reserves in order to ensure the continuity and stability of the charity’s activities in the event of unexpected fluctuations in income or unforeseen expenditure. At the year end, the charity held reserves of approximately£10,000, which represents aroundtwo months of average expenditure. The trustees consider this level of reserves to be appropriate to support the ongoing operation of the charity and to provide a prudent financial buffer. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £10,000 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | We have no financial deficit. |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | The trustees have considered the financial position of the charity and its projected income and expenditure for the forthcoming year. At the time of approving this report, the trustees are satisfied that there are no material uncertainties regarding the charity’s ability to continue as agoingconcern. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | The charity’s income is derived from a range of sources. A number of churches and small businesses provide financial support, some on a regular basis and others on an ad hoc basis. The charity is also supported by individual donors, several of whom give regularly through monthly donations. In addition, the charity received income from a number of charitable trust funds during the year. This year we have also applied to several trusts with some small successes. The charity does not receive any statutory or government funding. These combined sources of income enable the charity to continue its work in support of vulnerable children and families. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | The charity does not currently operate a formal investment policy, as available funds are applied directly to its charitable activities and cash balances are held in standard bank accounts only. The trustees therefore have not adopted a social investment policy at this time. Should the financial position of the charity change in the future, the trustees will review the need to develop an appropriate investment policy. |
|---|---|---|
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity. |
Para 1.46 | The trustees regularly review the principal risks and uncertainties facing the charity. The main risks identified relate to the ongoing challenge of maintaining sufficient income to meet the charity’s financial commitments to its projects, particularly as the charity is dependent on voluntary donations. There is also a risk associated with fluctuations in exchange rates and the rising cost of living in Kenya, which may increase project expenditure. In addition, the trustees recognise the operational risks linked to working overseas through local partners, including safeguarding, governance and compliance risks. The trustees seek to manage these risks through careful financial planning and monitoring, maintaining appropriate reserves, close communication with project leaders in Kenya, and ensuring that appropriate policies and procedures are in place. Both the founders spend 11 months in Kenya overseeing and managing the projects. |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
Gap Ministries operates as a charitable trust established for the public benefit, with its purposes focused on the relief of poverty, the advancement of education and the promotion of the welfare of vulnerable children and families in Mombasa, Kenya. The charity is governed by its trust deed, under which the trustees are responsible for the stewardship of all funds received and for ensuring that these are applied solely in furtherance of the charity’s stated purposes. The trustees receive and distribute funds to support the charity’s projects and associated activities in accordance with the governing document and relevant charitylaw. |
|
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 |
Trust deed |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g. unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Gap Ministries is an Unincorporated Trust |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Trustees are appointed in accordance with the provisions of the charity’s governing document. New trustees may be appointed by the existing trustees when a vacancy arises or when it is considered that additional skills or experience would benefit the charity. All prospective trustees are provided with information about the charity’s activities and responsibilities of trusteeship and are required to confirm their eligibility to serve. The trustees seek to ensure that, collectively, the board has the range of skills, experience and commitment necessary to oversee the charity’s work effectively. The charity currently has 5 trustees. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | New trustees receive an induction pack which includes the charity’s governing document, recent Trustees’ Annual Reports and Accounts, key policies, and an overview of the charity’s activities and structures. Trustees are briefed on their legal duties and responsibilities under charitylaw and are encouraged to |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| familiarise themselves with the Charity Commission’s guidance on “The Essential Trustee.” Ongoing training needs are considered as required, and trustees are encouraged to attend relevant training events or access online resources to help them carryout their role effectively. |
||
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | Gap Ministries is governed by a Board of Trustees who are responsible for setting the strategic direction of the charity, ensuring good governance and overseeing the proper use of funds. The trustees meet regularly to review activities, finances and safeguarding matters and to support the operational leadership of the projects in Kenya. The day-to-day delivery of services in Mombasa is carried out by locally-based staff and volunteers. The two founders of the charity currently live in Kenya and are responsible for the management and oversight of all the projects on the ground, working closely with the trustees in the UK through regular communication and reporting. The charity also works in partnership with local churches, community groups and schools, as well as other organisations where appropriate, to ensure that support for children and families is well coordinated and effective. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | The trustees confirm that there are no related party relationships that require disclosure other than those already noted in the accounts. The charity works closely with its founders, who currently reside in Kenya and oversee the day-to-day management of the projects. Any transactions or financial support involving trustees, founders or their immediate families are conducted in accordance with the charity’s conflict of interest policy and are fully disclosed in the financial statements where required. The trustees are satisfied that all such relationships are managed transparently and in the best interests of the charity and its beneficiaries. |
The charity works closely with the Children’s Department, and Education Department in Mombasa. Other
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Gap Ministries |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | Gap Kenya |
| Registered charity number | 1111373 |
| Charity’s principal address | 4 Manor Farm Close Ashton-u-Lyne Gtr Manchester OL7 9LS |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Woods | Chairman | |||
| Gayle Woods | Secretary | |||
| Gill Barber | ||||
| Grace Thompson | 30/12/24 | |||
| Moroluwa Adejuwon | 5/1/25 | |||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for N/A safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Type of adviser Name |
Type of adviser Name |
Address |
|---|---|---|
| Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) | ||
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) ~~eS pit Wht | 2 P~~ Gayle Woods Full name(s) Paul Woods Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date
| GAP MINISTRIES(Gap Kenya). 2024/2025 Summary. | GAP MINISTRIES(Gap Kenya). 2024/2025 Summary. | GAP MINISTRIES(Gap Kenya). 2024/2025 Summary. | GAP MINISTRIES(Gap Kenya). 2024/2025 Summary. | GAP MINISTRIES(Gap Kenya). 2024/2025 Summary. | GAP MINISTRIES(Gap Kenya). 2024/2025 Summary. | GAP MINISTRIES(Gap Kenya). 2024/2025 Summary. | GAP MINISTRIES(Gap Kenya). 2024/2025 Summary. | GAP MINISTRIES(Gap Kenya). 2024/2025 Summary. | GAP MINISTRIES(Gap Kenya). 2024/2025 Summary. | GAP MINISTRIES(Gap Kenya). 2024/2025 Summary. | GAP MINISTRIES(Gap Kenya). 2024/2025 Summary. | GAP MINISTRIES(Gap Kenya). 2024/2025 Summary. | GAP MINISTRIES(Gap Kenya). 2024/2025 Summary. | GAP MINISTRIES(Gap Kenya). 2024/2025 Summary. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Apr-24 | May-24 | Jun-24 | Jul-24 | Aug-24 | Sep-24 | Oct-24 | Nov-24 | Dec-24 | Jan-25 | Feb-25 | Mar-25 | TOTAL | |||
| Income/ Donations | £7,157.43 | £7,544.43 | £7,709.10 | £14,307.39 | £2,876.98 | £2,034.13 | £5,484.64 | £7,894.38 | £2,384.40 | £4,358.61 | £9,670.13 | £4,695.25 | £76,116.87 | |||
| Expenditure | £5,673.53 | £5,569.45 | £5,443.40 | £5,087.13 | £5,192.73 | £5,768.98 | £5,332.79 | £4,833.24 | £9,669.23 | £6,444.05 | £5,977.65 | £5,733.29 | £70,725.47 | |||
| Surplus/ (Deficit) | £1,483.90 | £1,974.98 | £2,265.70 | £9,220.26 | -£2,315.75 | -£3,734.85 | £151.85 | £3,061.14 | -£7,284.83 | -£2,085.44 | £3,692.48 | -£1,038.04 | ||||
| Opening Balances | ||||||||||||||||
| RBS GAP Kenya Account | £6,918.16 | £8,941.59 | £10,486.02 | £12,195.12 | **£20,880.05 ** | **£18,757.03 ** | **£15,291.16 ** | **£15,155.39 ** | £17,549.77 | £5,434.17 | £9,666.81 | £13,136.94 | £6,918.16 | |||
| G&P Woods/ GAP Kenya Current Account | -£454.12 | -£1,127.65 | -£697.10 | -£140.50 | £272.37 | £79.64 | -£189.34 | -£22.13 | £644.63 | £5,475.40 | -£968.65 | -£746.30 | -£454.12 | |||
| GAP Kenya Savings Account | £8,937.42 | £9,071.42 | £9,071.42 | £9,071.42 | £9,193.88 | £9,193.88 | £9,193.88 | £9,314.29 | £9,314.29 | £9,314.29 | £9,440.26 | £9,440.26 | £8,937.42 | |||
| Opening Balance Total | £15,401.46 | £16,885.36 | £18,860.34 | £21,126.04 | **£30,346.30 ** | **£28,030.55 ** | **£24,295.70 ** | **£24,447.55 ** | **£27,508.69 ** | **£20,223.86 ** | **£18,138.42 ** | £21,830.90 | £15,401.46 | |||
| Closing Balances | ||||||||||||||||
| RBS GAP Kenya Account | £8,941.59 | £10,486.02 | £12,195.12 | £20,880.05 | **£18,757.03 ** | **£15,291.16 ** | **£15,155.39 ** | £17,549.77 | £5,434.17 | £9,666.81 | **£13,136.94 ** | £11,218.14 | £11,218.14 | |||
| G&P Woods/ GAP Kenya Current Account | -£1,127.65 | -£697.10 | -£140.50 | £272.37 | £79.64 | -£189.34 | -£22.13 | £644.63 | £5,475.40 | -£968.65 | -£746.30 | -£479.59 | -£479.59 | |||
| GAP Kenya Savings Account | £9,071.42 | £9,071.42 | £9,071.42 | £9,193.88 | £9,193.88 | £9,193.88 | 9,314.29 | 9,314.29 | 9,314.29 | £9,440.26 | £9,440.26 | £10,054.31 | £10,054.31 | |||
| (Ksh) | 1,577,579 | 1,577,579 | 1,577,579 | 1,596,982 | 1,596,982 | 1,596,982 | 1,616,839 | 1,616,839 | 1,616,839 | 1,636,942 | 1,636,942 | 1,636,942 | 1,636,942 | |||
| Closing Balance Total | £16,885.36 | £18,860.34 | £21,126.04 | £30,346.30 | **£28,030.55 ** | **£24,295.70 ** | **£24,447.55 ** | **£27,508.69 ** | **£20,223.86 ** | **£18,138.42 ** | **£21,830.90 ** | £20,792.86 | £20,792.86 | |||
| OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK |
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees Charity Gap Ministries On accounts for the year ended 01104124 -31103125 Charlty no (if any) 1111373 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ('the Trust.) for the year ended Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees, you ar8 responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('Ihe Act.). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under pAction 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commlsslon under section 145{5)(b) of the Acl. Independent trhe charity's gr0&8 income exceeded £250,000 ar l am qualrfied to examinerfs statement undertake the examination by being a qualrfied mem ber of [insert name of applicable listed body]]. Delete [ ] if not applicable. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed bek)w ') which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance wlth saction 130 of the Charities Act., or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Repts) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a Irue and fairf view which is nol a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems and have come acropA 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 tha accounts to be reached. ' Please delete the words in the brackets rfth8y do not apply. Slgned: Date: Name: John Grantham Relevant professional qualificatlon(s) or body IER Oct 2018
(if any): Address: ISST Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concem {s8e CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). Glve here brief details of any Items that the examlner wishes to dlsclosa. IER Oct 2018