2025-03-31-accounts - The Shaftesbury Christian Centre Battersea

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The Shaftesbury Christian Centre, Battersea

Report and Accounts Year ended 31 March 2025

1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk

THE SHAFTESBURY CHRISTIAN CENTRE, BATTERSEA

LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE

2 Austin Road Battersea London SW11 5JP

GOVERNING DOCUMENT

CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER

Declaration of Trust dated 10 July 2006 1116087

TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING THE CHARITY

Glen Donegan Sarah Hurt Fiona Ripley Brian Watts

BANKERS

Barclays Bank plc

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

Jaimée Young Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB

INDEX

Page 1 Pages 2-5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Pages 9-10

Legal & Administrative Details Trustees' Report Independent Examiner's Report Receipts and Payments Account Statement of Assets & Liabilities Notes to the Accounts

Page 1

THE SHAFTESBURY CHRISTIAN CENTRE, BATTERSEA

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Objects of the charity

The charity, which is a church, is governed by a trust deed and is constituted as a trust. The charity's principal objects, as set out in its governing document, are:

a) the advancement of the Christian faith in the UK and elsewhere

b) the relief of hardship

c) the provision of facilities for recreation in the interest of social welfare

The Shaftesbury Christian Centre is a local faith-based community. Situated in an area of significant social need, its local mission is to show Christian care in action.

Our Mission Centre is located between the Doddington and Battersea Park estates in Battersea, South London, an area of significant social need. Our remit is to come alongside individuals and to offer activities and relationships that help achieve inclusion, empowerment, security, self-worth, and significance.

The Shaftesbury Christian Centre works in partnership with other local providers, mainly voluntary and community groups, to develop programs, provide outreach, and to share resources where possible. We seek to serve and respect all people regardless of their faith, race, ethnic origin, gender, marital status, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental capability. At the heart of the Shaftesbury Christian Centre is a church community whose expression of worship is to serve the local community in practical ways.

Summary of the charity's main activities and achievements

Last year (2023-2024) we reported the need to find a partner church with whom we might collaborate to build our resource base for the future. That inquiry led us to The Bridge, a church with similar aims to our own, and our partnership has continued to be fruitful (see point 3 below).

Our three areas of strategic focus continue to be:

Pastoral Care
Maintenance of Core Activities
Developing of Partnerships

1. Pastoral Care

As a church community we are committed to human flourishing and place high value on our relational skill and participative approach to care. This manifests in two ways. First, to those who are seeking help at a time of particular need. This includes those from within our membership and those outside whose need draws them toward us. Second, to support all in our community to enjoy well-being and to live in a generative way.

In practice this is provided, as appropriate, via:

Individual, face to face, pastoral meetings, including home visits and hospital visits.
Individual counselling, coaching, and mentoring.
Group education and training.
Church services, including prayer ministry.
Informal developmental conversations.

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2. Maintenance of Core Activities

Church ministry

We are pleased to report that our church meetings continue to provide a place for members to express their faith and to commune with one-another. Activities have included regular Sunday services, prayer meetings, small group meetings, and attendance at conferences.

Foodbank

A key area of our ministry is Foodbank. We open on Saturday mornings as a local distribution centre, in partnership with Wandsworth Foodbank. We continue to provide emergency food and this year, across the whole borough, Wandsworth Foodbank provided 12,638 emergency food parcels to local people, with 63% being for families with children. We are pleased to have contributed to this and our local volunteer base remains strong.

Alongside the emergency food parcels, our volunteers offer advice on benefits, housing, etc. Where appropriate guests are referred to our Citizens Advice Project and this year 673 individuals received expert advice.

A number of our volunteers have attended relevant training, e.g. Benefits Advice, Mental Health First Aid.

Friends Together

Friends Together is a monthly meal that gathers adults and their children. This continues to be a place of friendship and support for local families. As well as providing a much-needed listening ear, we have also given practical support in the form of children’s clothing, furniture, and parenting advice. We are active in building links between Foodbank and Friends Together so that those who find themselves in food poverty may also benefit from supportive friendships.

Thursday Drop-in

In partnership with Cheer (see 3. below), this year we launched a regular morning drop-in for local parents. This provides a place for parents to gather, build meaningful relationships and to find mutual support.

3. Developing Partnerships

We reported in year 2022-2023 the need to find a partner organisation. From our analysis two key areas arose:

1.We acknowledged the need to find a partner church with whom we might collaborate so as to build our resource base for the future.

2.Aligned to this is the need to develop a leadership succession plan. Our current Pastors intend to retire in 2026.

At the close of this current year we have now forged a working alliance with the leadership team from The Bridge. The Bridge is a church with similar aims to our own, working on neighbouring estates in Battersea (Surrey Lane, Somerset). They understand the unique context of Christian ministry on council estates and have an active programme of outreach. Together we have discovered much synergy.

Last year (September 2023), after due consultation, we agreed to commence working as close partners so as to build resource across both missions. This has continued through the current year and we are confident will continue through to next year.

For ourselves at the Shaftesbury Christian Centre this has:

• Increased our capacity to resource services through shared leadership.

• Added new members to our church, thus increasing our volunteer base for outreach activities.

• Provided a key collaborator in our plans for succession in the next year 2025-2026.

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We value highly our partners from other churches and missions that share our aims. And in addition to our relationship with The Bridge, the following groups work alongside us:

Led by Lighthouse Chapel, Music Academy provides music lessons for children and young people. The programme is supported by an impressive array of online video lessons for keyboard, drums, guitar, and bass. In addition they also lead a weekly youth group and provide 1-1 mentoring support for teenagers.
We continue to work with Cheer, a local charity for lone parents and their children. With their office now based at our premises, Cheer provides bi-monthly Cheer Lunches, Coffee Mornings, and Day Trips for lone parents and their children. Of note was the distribution of Christmas Hampers to local families in need. We continue to explore ways in which we can work together for the local good.
In partnership with Compassion UK, we support the schooling of 6 children around the world (2 Ghana, 2 Ecuador, 2 Brazil). These activities engage volunteers who each write to these children, and provide a valuable opportunity to minister beyond our local context.

Summary

We are pleased to report that the core of our work is in good shape and the increase in our people resource provides confidence that the work will continue to flourish and grow. This has all been achieved through the loyal support of our members, volunteers, and key partners. We anticipate that this next year will bring further growth and increase our local outreach.

In planning the activities the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.

Post year end

Since the close of this year we have firmly established our relationship with The Bridge. As a result we intend to merge our respective churches into one new church, based at our venue, The Shaftesbury Christian Centre, Battersea. This will provide for us an increase in resource and a Pastor to succeed our own. For the Bridge they also benefit from an increase in resource including the benefit of a building from which to minister. We will report this fully in next year's annual review and accounts.

Financial review

During the year income increased by £9,700, to £89,500, and expenditure increased by £10,400, to £91,600. As a result the cash held by the charity decreased by £2,100, to £86,200, of which £19,200 is restricted - see note 5 to the accounts.

Reserves policy

The trustees have determined that the charity should aim to hold unrestricted cash of no less than £16,000 (which equates to about 3 months of unrestricted expenditure) so that the charity could continue to operate should income and / or expenditure vary adversely. At the year end, the charity held unrestricted cash of £67,000 and the charity is complying with its reserves policy.

Governance

Responsibility for setting policy and for making operating decisions rest with the trustees who meet regularly to monitor the activities of the charity. Responsibility for the day to day operation of the charity has been delegated to the church leadership team. New trustees are recruited and appointed by the existing trustees, by a majority vote.

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Responsibilities of 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:

Brian Watts

Brian Watts (Dec 21, 2025 13:49:05 GMT)

_____ Brian Watts Dec 21, 2025 Date:___

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF

THE SHAFTESBURY CHRISTIAN CENTRE, BATTERSEA

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Shaftesbury Christian Centre Battersea ('the charity') for the year ended 31 March 2025 on pages 7 to 10 following.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

J. Young J. Young (Jan 5, 2026 09:48:55 GMT)

Jaimée Young Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB

Date: Jan 5, 2026

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THE SHAFTESBURY CHRISTIAN CENTRE, BATTERSEA

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Notes *Income receipts* Donations 5 Gift aid receipts Income from letting of facilities Interest *Total receipts* *Payments* 2 3 *Total payments* Transfers between funds 5 Net movement in funds Cash funds as at last year end Cash funds at this year end A Net of receipts / (payments) before Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly		General Designated Funds Funds £ £ 70,242 - 3,985 - 10,004 - 198 - 84,429 - 68,684 - 21,100 - 89,784 - (5,355) - - - (5,355) - 72,350 - 66,995 - Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds £ 4,149 891 - - 5,040 - 1,820 1,820 3,220 - 3,220 15,974 19,194	2025 £ 74,391 4,877 10,004 198 89,470 68,684 22,920 91,604 (2,134) - (2,134) 88,324 86,189	2024 £ 69,721 4,916 4,931 159 79,726 65,363 15,863 81,226 (1,499) - (1,499) 89,823 88,324

The notes on pages 9-10 form part of these accounts.

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THE SHAFTESBURY CHRISTIAN CENTRE, BATTERSEA

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

AS AT THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Notes A Cash funds Cash at bank with immediate access Petty cash B Other monetary assets Gift aid due to charity C Liabilities Falling due within one year Fee for Independent Examination Accrued expenses (insurance)		General Designated funds funds £ £ 66,821 - 174 - 66,995 - 5,521 - 5,521 - 1,140 - 891 - 2,031 - Unrestricted Funds	Restricted funds £ 19,194 - 19,194 432 432 - - -	2025 £ 86,015 174 86,189 5,953 5,953 1,140 891 2,031	2024 £ 88,087 236 88,324 3,903 3,903 1,098 4,000 5,098
		General funds £ 66,821 174 66,995 5,521 5,521 1,140 891 2,031

D Assets retained for charity's own use

Contents and equipment	Fund to which asset belongs General	2025 value £ 10,000 10,000	2024 value £ 7,000 7,000

Current values have been estimated by the trustees.

The property from which the church operates is owned by Livability and occupied rent free.

The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Brian Watts

_____Brian Watts Brian Watts (Dec 21, 2025 13:49:05 GMT) Date:_____ Dec 21, 2025

The notes on pages 9-10 form part of these accounts.

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THE SHAFTESBURY CHRISTIAN CENTRE, BATTERSEA

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 Accounting policies

The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.

2 Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly Pastoral costs Note 4 Ministry costs Utilities Maintenance of buildings & equipment Telephone and internet costs Governance Administration and support Other costs 3 Grants and gifts paid to others Organisations: Compassion UK The Bridge Church Organisations < £1,000 Individuals		Unrestrict	Designated funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ed Funds	Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - - - - 1,820 - - - 1,820	2025 £ 42,120 3,785 7,683 8,538 2,044 1,098 3,129 286 68,684 1,820 20,000 - 1,100 22,920	2024 £ 40,080 2,602 7,949 8,670 1,902 1,050 2,974 135 65,363 1,988 11,667 68 2,140 15,863
		General funds £ 42,120 3,785 7,683 8,538 2,044 1,098 3,129 286 68,684 - 20,000 - 1,100 21,100

4 Transactions with related parties

During the year, the charity paid fees for pastoral services totalling £42,120 [2024: £40,080] to Mr and Mrs Watts; Mr. Brian Watts is a trustee of the charity and did not receive any payment for services as a trustee; these payments are permitted by the charity's governing document.

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THE SHAFTESBURY CHRISTIAN CENTRE, BATTERSEA

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

5 Movement of funds

General funds Restricted funds Compassion UK Poverty relief Total funds	Opening balance £ 72,350 14,888 1,086 15,974 88,324	Receipts £ 84,429 3,955 1,086 5,040 89,470	Payments £ (89,784) (1,820) - (1,820) (91,604)	Transfers £ - - - - -	Closing balance £ 66,995 17,023 2,171 19,194 86,189

The Compassion UK fund has been set up to sponsor several children until they reach the end of their education, via the registered charity Compassion UK, which provides holistic support to children living in poverty in countries overseas. Additional funds raised will go towards other Compassion projects. The Poverty Relief fund has been set up for the purpose of supporting persons in extreme financial need, at the discretion of the Pastor/Trustees.

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