OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2023-03-31-accounts

(Haverhill)

Annual Report and accounts 2022/2023

Rolcc.org.uk

Index

Legal and Administrative Details Pages 2 - 3
Trustees’ Report Pages 4 - 8
Independent Examination’s Report Page 9
Receipts and Payments Account Page 10
Statement of Assets and Liabilities Page 11
Notes to Accounts Pages 12 - 14

Registered Address: Chalkstone Community Centre, Millfields Way, Haverhill, CB9 0JB Registered Charity No. 1115810 Page 1

RIVER OF LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH (HAVERHILL)

LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Trustees

Paul Turner (reinstated 22 May 2023) Andy Cuthbert (resigned 18 July 2022) Roy Graham David Howell Joanna Nicholas (Chair from April 2018) Henry Wilson

Book Keeper

Angela Wilson

Key staff

Paul Turner (Pastor) Jacqueline Lowry (Operations co-ordinator) Jenna Keenan (LHOH Manager)

Governing Document CIO Constitution as accepted by the Charities Commission 22 July 2019

Charity Registration Number 1115810

Registered Office

Chalkstone Community Centre Millfields Way Haverhill Suffolk CB9 0JB

Lisa King FCCA MAAT

Burdett King Accountancy Limited Tel: 07825 317323

Independent Examiner

Registered Address: Chalkstone Community Centre, Millfields Way, Haverhill, CB9 0JB Registered Charity No. 1115810

Page 2

Banks

Nat West 18 High Street Newmarket CB8 8LH

Kingdom Bank Ltd Ruddington Fields Business Park Mere Way Ruddington Nottingham NG 11 6JS Limited

Registered Address: Chalkstone Community Centre, Millfields Way, Haverhill, CB9 0JB Registered Charity No. 1115810

Page 3

RIVER OF LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH (HAVERHILL)

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023.

Charitable Objects: this is why we exist.

a) to advance the Christian faith in accordance with our Statement of Beliefs in Haverhill and the surrounding area and in such other parts of the United Kingdom or the World as the trustees may from time to time think fit and other such purposes which are exclusively charitable according to the law of England and Wales and are connected to the charitable work of the Charity;

b) to relieve persons who are in conditions of need and hardship and sickness and who may be aged and to relieve the distress caused thereby in Haverhill and the surrounding area in such other parts of the United Kingdom or the World as the Trustees may from time-to-time think fit.

c) to further or benefit the residents of Haverhill and the surrounding area by associating together the said residents and the local authorities, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the objective of improving the conditions of life for the residents.

Chair of Trustees Report

With regards to our Charitable Aims, the launch of ‘Little Hub of Hope’ in summer 2022, initially as a suicide prevention/support group, which has now expanded to support improving mental health through connection and creativity is certainly benefitting our community. The hub has linked with other mental wellbeing initiatives within the town and church communities, and these are providing a range of support to those who are taking up the services.

We have continued to support and promote the activities within the community which promote the Christian Faith, including the Christmas and Good Friday activities jointly with the Churches Together in Haverhill and District, the work of Haverhill and District Youth for Christ and the support of workers in East Africa, working in their own communities.

We continue to support the work of Reach Community Projects to alleviate financial and social poverty in our community.

Registered Address: Chalkstone Community Centre, Millfields Way, Haverhill, CB9 0JB Registered Charity No. 1115810

Page 4

The Church has joined with ‘Pioneer’, a network of Churches with a common aim. This network assists in providing peer support to church workers, whether employed or voluntary, through networking opportunities and development accordingly.

2022-23 saw the Church seeking a new pastor, following the resignation of the Senior Pastor in 2022. This was a time of much learning for all of those in the recruitment team, and resulted in an offer being made which was not taken up by the candidate. The Senior pastor has remained in post following this, and the aspects of succession planning that we have learned from following the recruitment process will be considered further, and gaining additional insight following our connections into the Pioneer network.

Like many charitable organisations, we have noted a reduction in the number and willingness of volunteers to return to the roles that were being filled prior to the lockdowns in 2020, and so we have been actively recruiting volunteers during this time and will do so moving forwards. This is particularly relevant with respect to our Trustees, as we have two Trustees who are having to stand down in 2023 due to ill-health, or other commitments.

Finally, I would just like to say thank you to all those who support the work of our charity, whether financially or in practical ways. We really couldn’t do it without you and as trustees we do appreciate your support.

Joanna Nicholas

Chair of Trustees

Organisation

Our trustees have responsibility for the overall running of the trust, in particular the financial activities that enable the working of the trust. The spiritual side of the church is overseen by the Leadership Team. However, both the trustees and the Leadership Team recognise the need to communicate well and to not take actions that involve committing sizeable resources without agreement between the two bodies.

The Leadership Team delegate responsibilities as appropriate to individuals who lead teams within the church, for instance connect group leaders, children's leaders, music leaders etc.

Financial Review

For the financial year to 31 March 2023 income received was £115,938 and no additional funds were received through loans and mortgages. Total Expenditure including fixed asset purchases and loan repayments was £121,743. As a result, the cash held by the charity reduced by £5,805 to £95,060. Unrestricted cash held at the year-end is £69,085 although £17,206 of these funds are currently designated for other purposes. These designated funds could be used for general purposes should the need arise, and therefore, the Trustees are confident the reserves are in line with the trustees reserves policy.

Reserves: Our policy is to keep 2 months of core operational costs.

ITEM POLICY ROLCC CCC MINIMUM
RESERVES 22/23

Registered Address: Chalkstone Community Centre, Millfields Way, Haverhill, CB9 0JB Registered Charity No. 1115810

Page 5

Salaries 2 months £2,571 £3,449 £6,020
Running costs 2 months £6,350 £2,075 £8,425
£8,921 £5,524 £14,445
ITEM POLICY ROLCC CCC MINIMUM
RESERVES 21/22
Salaries 2 months £5,926 £1,568 £7,494
Runningcosts 2 months £2,275 £2,899 £5,174
£8,201 £4,467 £12,668

Risk Statement: The trustees are aware of the need to manage the risks associated with running our charity and seek to identify, monitor, review and develop our ability to manage those risks on an ongoing basis.

Public benefit statement: The trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the charity commission on public benefit as reflected in the structure of ROLCC.

Appointing trustees: The Chair of the trustees will approach individuals who have been in the church for some time and who are known and considered to have skills that benefit good governance. A potential trustee is invited to attend a trustee meeting prior to deciding if the role is correct for them. A new trustee is given a copy of the governing documents, the staff handbook (which includes all policies) and recent accounts plus a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.

Trustees

Henry Wilson, David Howell, Roy Graham, Jo Nicholas, Paul Turner

Mission: To take responsibility for the legal and financial running of the organisation. All teams are accountable to the trustees.

Leadership Team

Paul Turner, Bill Reynolds, Nicola Wilson

Mission: To uphold the vision, values, direction, cultures, and spiritual health of the church and all its activities. To put the annual vision and programme into practice. To oversee the general wellbeing of the church congregation.

Registered Address: Chalkstone Community Centre, Millfields Way, Haverhill, CB9 0JB Registered Charity No. 1115810

Page 6

Church Life

In 2022 /23:

We also continued to offer support to organisations in developing countries as well as some local organisations. These include:

During 2022/23 Our Pastor decided it was time to begin the process of handing over the leadership of the church. We began the process of looking for a new Pastor but as yet have not found a suitable replacement.

Working with Others

We are part of the Evangelical Alliance, as well as part of Haverhill District Churches Together working with other mainstream Christian denominations for the greater good in the town. We have a good relationship with the local government having been given the Community Centre we now own back in 2015, and a plot of land from 2011. During this year we progressed our relationship with The Pioneer Network with a view to joining them as a church.

Chalkstone Community Centre

“A Resource for our community and the Home of River of Life Community Church”

Community Focused

The Chalkstone Community Centre was transferred into our ownership in 2015 by the local authority with the understanding that it would continue to be somewhere the local community could hire as well as a base for our church. Since then we have developed the centre and significantly increased the use by the local community. We see the centre as an expression of our desire to be a community focused church. The building is used throughout the week by an assortment of support groups, community activity clubs and private parties.

Registered Address: Chalkstone Community Centre, Millfields Way, Haverhill, CB9 0JB Registered Charity No. 1115810

Page 7

The Community Centre is self-funded as the lettings income covers all costs and provides a space for The River of Life Community Church. The relationship benefits both parties and allows for the community to be in the Church building 7 days a week and for the Church to be visible to the community every day. Should the Church wish to use the facilities more often then they can book rooms in the same way that the public can.

Projects

LHOH is a support group for anyone who is struggling with their mental health. We offer peer support and creative activities to support and promote wellbeing.

Responsibilities of the Trustees:

Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.

We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.

We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.

Registered Address: Chalkstone Community Centre, Millfields Way, Haverhill, CB9 0JB Registered Charity No. 1115810

Page 8

Approval:

This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

………………………………………………………….. Joanna Nicholas

Date: ....27 November 2023...............................................

Registered Address: Chalkstone Community Centre, Millfields Way, Haverhill, CB9 0JB Registered Charity No. 1115810 Page 9

FOA YIIEYUR EIttDII tE5tn(fed FLvwJ5 6?921 1¢.774 x? )J9 iuii 2aJSJ 31719 IM 14134 X51S 1¥651 51411 J17(0 i?)oi )4,n7 $5 Registered Address-. Chalksione Community Centre, Miiifields Way, Haverhill, CB9 OIB Page 10

sriTEMEwfoFASSET5Y•iil GAyr¥ rA J7A 41 aj ¥1 1,7 I￿￿#(h 17.555 27 November 2023 Registered Address-. Chalksione Community Centre, Miiifields Way, Haverhill, CB9 OIB Page 11

YaEa Jroa 12A4• 5lrn 17y7 1.165 710 4J74 733 4JOI 631 a5 1.719 7gJJF Jtsi Registered Address-. Chalksione Community Centre, Miiifields Way, Haverhill, CB9 OIB Page 12

otL4JO]J ni iyJ 67.JS4 iOL716 177 JMI IIL743 Registered Address-. Chalksione Community Centre, Miiifields Way, Haverhill, CB9 OIB Page 13