unity Church ~ River of Life (Haverhill) Annual Report and accounts 2024/2025
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 - 13 |
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 2025
Trustees
Paul Turner (resigned Aug 2024) Alién Rojas Cañizares (joined Sept 2024) Joanna Nicholas (Chair from April 2018) Roy Graham
Book Keeper Angela Wilson Paul Turner (Pastor) until 08/2024 Key staff Alién Rojas Cañizares wef 09/2024 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
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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 2025
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025.
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 continuation of the ‘Little Hub of Hope’ during this financial year has been of great benefit to the community that uses it. However, securing funding streams to ensure that this initiative continues in the same format has not been successful, and the programme came to an end in May 2025. Those involved in the group are continuing to meet in an informal fashion, and plans are being developed for a similar initiative, partnering with the ‘Renew Wellbeing’, a national programme of wellbeing spaces. The volunteer team for this is undergoing training with a view for this to begin in Autumn 2025.
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 have begun to include more outreach activities in our regular calendar, including having a market stall in May 2025 and a stall at the Haverhill Show in August 2025.
Registered Address: Chalkstone Community Centre, Millfields Way, Haverhill, CB9 0JB Registered Charity No. 1115810
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We continue to support the work of Reach Community Projects to alleviate financial and social poverty in our community.
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. This has provided opportunities for training for our volunteer workers who are working with vulnerable adults and children, alongside trustee training.
Following our unsuccessful search for a new Senior Leader in 2022-3, we began the search again in 2024, with Paul Turner staying in post for an additional 15 months (to August 2024) to accommodate the search. We were able to use the lessons learned previously, along with our connections with the Pioneer Network to appoint a new leader in Autumn 2024. Paul stood down as a Trustee at that time, and we have been actively in discussions with others about joining the team of Trustees.
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 not yet been able to expand the team of trustees. We are actively recruiting, and are seeking those who come from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds and can bring additional skills to our team of Trustees.
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.
Registered Address: Chalkstone Community Centre, Millfields Way, Haverhill, CB9 0JB Registered Charity No. 1115810
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Financial Review
| ITEM | POLICY | MINIMUM RESERVES 24/25 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salaries | 2 months | £10,741 | ||||
| Running costs | 2 months | £12,668 | ||||
| £23,409 |
For the financial year to 31 March 2025 income received was £130,800 and no additional funds were received through loans and mortgages. Total Expenditure including fixed asset purchases and loan repayments was £140,460. As a result, the cash held by the charity reduced by £9,660 to £75,580. The Trustees have begun several initiatives to address this loss, but as the reserves are currently well covered, the Trustees are confident that a move towards a break-even condition within 5 years is achievable.
: Our policy is to keep 2 months of core operational costs.
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.
Registered Address: Chalkstone Community Centre, Millfields Way, Haverhill, CB9 0JB Registered Charity No. 1115810
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Trustees
Roy Graham, Jo Nicholas, Paul Turner, Alién Rojas Cañizares
Mission: To take responsibility for the legal and financial running of the organisation. All teams are accountable to the trustees.
Leadership Team
Paul Turner, Alién Rojas Cañizares, Bill Reynolds, Steve Watts, Annette Illingworth
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.
Church Life
In 2024/5:
Over the past year, we’ve seen vibrant ministry across all ages and stages—men’s and ladies’ breakfasts, a pioneering women’s conference at Chalkstone, and the continued development of our vision for a House of Prayer, led faithfully by Henry and Angela. Prayer has been central, with weekly gatherings, 24-hour prayer, prayer walks, and special events like March’s conference with Pastor Davis.
We now have five Connect Groups journeying through the Bible reading plan, and our young adults have led powerful outreach efforts in the high street and at the town show. In August, we celebrated five baptisms—new believers publicly affirming their commitment to follow Jesus.
Our youth and children’s ministries continue to grow, with Bronwyn and Chino now leading the young adults, and Rob stepping into leadership for the children’s ministry. Roy continues to guide the older group, and we’ve held two teachers’ and helpers’ fellowships to strengthen our team.
We’ve also seen the church live out its calling as a family—supporting members through house moves, delivering meals to new parents, and offering countless messages, calls, and counselling sessions. Rachel’s prayer blasts have kept us connected to the needs of our church and wider community.
There’s still much to do as we pursue our vision of becoming a house of prayer, worship, and restoration, committed to the Great Commission and making disciples. Thank you to everyone who has served, prayed, and journeyed with us this year—you are deeply appreciated.
We also continued to offer support to organisations in developing countries as well as some local organisations. These include:
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New Life homes and Barnabus Ministries in Kenya
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REACH community projects
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Haverhill and District Churches together
Registered Address: Chalkstone Community Centre, Millfields Way, Haverhill, CB9 0JB Registered Charity No. 1115810
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- Haverhill and District Youth for Christ
During 2024/25 we continued to look for a new Church leader. Paul Turner stepped down in August 2024 and Alién Cañizares began on 1[st] September 2024.
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. At the Pioneer Leadership conference in February 2024 ROLCC was officially welcomed into the Pioneer Network, and the church has used this network for training opportunities, conferences and support.
Chalkstone Community Centre
“A Resource for our community and the Home of River of Life Community Church”
Since its transfer from the local authority in 2015, Chalkstone Community Centre has grown into a vibrant, self-sustaining hub for the local community. Operated with a strong community focus, the centre is not only the home of River of Life Community Church but also a welcoming space for a wide range of local groups, support services, and private events.
The centre is in use seven days a week, reflecting our commitment to being a church that is visible and accessible to the community. Income from lettings fully covers operational costs, ensuring sustainability while enabling both the church and the wider public to benefit from the facilities. This shared use model strengthens community ties and supports our vision of being a church at the heart of community life.
Projects
Supporting Mental Wellbeing
LHOH is a peer support group for individuals facing mental health challenges. Through shared experiences and creative activities, we aim to promote wellbeing and provide a safe, supportive environment for all who attend.
The group is currently funded until May 2025, at which point it is expected to conclude due to the end of funding. However, there is potential for it to continue in a new form as a volunteer-led initiative, ensuring ongoing support for those who need it.
Registered Address: Chalkstone Community Centre, Millfields Way, Haverhill, CB9 0JB Registered Charity No. 1115810
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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.
Approval:
This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
………………………………………………………….. Joanna Nicholas
Date: 24.10.2025
Registered Address: Chalkstone Community Centre, Millfields Way, Haverhill, CB9 0JB Registered Charity No. 1115810
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Registered Address: Chalkstone Community Centre, Millfields Way, Haverhill, CB9 0JB Registered Charity No. 1115810
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24.10.2025
Registered Address: Chalkstone Community Centre, Millfields Way, Haverhill, CB9 0JB Registered Charity No. 1115810
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Registered Address: Chalkstone Community Centre, Millfields Way, Haverhill, CB9 0JB Registered Charity No. 1115810
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Registered Address: Chalkstone Community Centre, Millfields Way, Haverhill, CB9 0JB Registered Charity No. 1115810
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Registered Address: Chalkstone Community Centre, Millfields Way, Haverhill, CB9 0JB Registered Charity No. 1115810
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Registered Address: Chalkstone Community Centre, Millfields Way, Haverhill, CB9 0JB Registered Charity No. 1115810
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Registered Address: Chalkstone Community Centre, Millfields Way, Haverhill, CB9 0JB Registered Charity No. 1115810
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