2024-03-31-accounts - Open Heaven (Wednesbury)

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 01April 2023 To 31 March 2024

Charity name: Open Heaven (Wednesbury)

Charity registration number: 1123352

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	THE OBJECTS OF THE CHARITY ARE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC ("THE OBJECTS"): (A) TO ADVANCE THE CHRISTIAN FAITH IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATEMENT IN SUCH WAYS AND IN SUCH PARTS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OR THE WORLD AS THE CHURCH COUNCIL FROM TIME TO TIME MAY THINK FIT; (B) TO RELIEVE SICKNESS AND FINANCIAL HARDSHIP AND TO PROMOTE AND PRESERVE GOOD HEALTH BY THE PROVISION OF FUNDS, GOODS OR SERVICES OF ANY KIND INCLUDING THROUGH THE PROVISION OF COUNSELLING AND SUPPORT IN SUCH PARTS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OR THE WORLD AS THE CHURCH COUNCIL FROM TIME TO TIME THINK FIT; AND (C) TO ADVANCE EDUCATION IN SUCH WAYS AND IN SUCH PARTS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OR THE WORLD AS THE CHURCH COUNCIL FROM TIME TO TIME MAY THINK FIT.
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	• Provides human resources • Provides buildings / facilities • Provides services • Provides advocacy / advice / information Youth clubs Children’s club After school clubs Parent and toddler activities Family activities Youth camp Community inclusion activities Church meetings Food pantry and food bank

Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	In the construction of the aims of the charity, the trustees have had regard to said guidance.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	Grant applications support activities that align to the charity objectives such as youth and children activities. Grant money is kept within restricted budgets to ensure correct spend allocation.
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38	The charity invests both grant and donated monies in the delivery of its activities.
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	The charity delivers several activities each week that are either wholly or partly staffed by volunteers. These include activities for children, youth and adults and range from clubs to coffee mornings to a food pantry and parent activities.
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 charity built on the successes of 22-23, with continued church and community activities. In addition to weekly church services, children’s activities, parent and toddler groups, special events such as Passover, Easter, Mothers and Fathers Day services, together with the regular Christmas services – Children’s party, Nativity and Carols by candlelight all attracted good engagement with the community. With the increase in church attendees, we have begun preparations for baptism services, which will be held in financial year 2024-25. We have bought a baptistry in preparation for being able to hold multiple baptism services. We will also launch an Alpha course in 2024-25 to support new Christians.

For several years, the church has sponsored a child through Compassion and maintained that sponsorship throughout the year. The minibus, purchased in 2021 continues to be an excellent asset, making the provision of trips for children and adults much easier, while also being used to collect and deliver large food volumes for the food pantry. The church continued to provide a food bank to those who were struggling financially. The food bank remained available as an emergency provision, although the pantry remained our primary provision of food support to the community. We maintained connections with several organisations and companies that could provide food (such as FareShare and Morrisons Bescot, Walsall), which provided food for the food pantry. The pantry operates on the social supermarket model, where members pay a small weekly fee and can then choose what food they wish to ‘buy’, typically four or five times the value of the weekly fee. There are high costs involved with running the pantry and providing the food, but the income, together with the donations of food, mean that the net cost to the church is minimal at this time. Energy costs associated with the pantry increased somewhat, as we entered into a new contract following the expiration of the previous contract. However, we were able to minimise these costs through taking out a fixed price contract for several years. We have continued to organise public events such as community meals and celebrations associated with special occasions such as the King’s coronation. These continue to be very well attended and are essential in maintaining the good standing of the church in the local community. We are again the main organisers of the Friar Park Christmas lights switch on event, which is a core activity of the Christmas calendar for the community. The event is attended by upwards of 1,000 people from the community and includes a fair, live performances and craft stalls for local sellers. The church continues to partner with community groups and this year became the meeting place for the Women’s Rotary

club, which meets at the church once a month. We established a baby bank through a grant that enabled the church to buy moses baskets and essentials for new mothers who struggle financially. The church has a weekly keep fit group for the older generation that is very well attended. During the summer we took a large number of our youth to the Limitless festival at Stafford Showground. This is an event attended by upwards of 5,000 people and allowed the young people to experience an environment that they do not usually have exposure to. The event was such a success that we will return during 2024-25. The church expanded its leadership team and began a programme of reviewing/updating its policies and procedures.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41	The charity continues to perform well against its objectives. It has good standing in the community and local council and is seen as a key provider of community activities. Activities aimed at all sections of the community continue to be delivered, with connections made where people attending one activity could benefit from attending other activities. We continued to emphasise the provision of food and emotional support, while maintaining the spiritual connection with the congregation.
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41	The charity remains financially secure and is able to meet its objectives through the level of funding it achieves. It has continued to innovate, increasing the projects it delivers and continues to raise new funds for those projects.
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41	The church remains financially secure, maintaining a level of reserve funds required to continue should a financial shock occur.
Other		The church has renewed its tenancy of the Price Road site with Church Growth Trust for a further five years

Financial Review

Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	The charity remains in a good position at the end of 2023/24 with total funds of £31,645. Income was £101,475 and expenditure was £101.627, a net decrease of £152 for the year. Grant funding for the year increased from £4,036 to £38,402 mainly due to funding to support the cost of living increases, and offerings and donations increased from £32,901 to £45,824. Thus, the charity has a healthy unrestricted balance. The food pantry expenses remain within our planned expenditure for the project and we will maintain this activity going forward.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	The charity holds at least 6 months unrestricted expenditure in reserve to cover costs for the mortgage taken out against the church building.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	12 months reserve is £6300.
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23

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	Funding for the charity principally comes from member giving (Unrestricted funding) and grants for the delivery of targeted activities (Restricted funding). Grant applications support activities that align to the charity objectives such as community, youth and children activities.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	The church does need to evaluate the full running costs against income from the food pantry and ensure that these remain within acceptable levels of what the church is capable of supporting. This occurs on an ongoing basis to minimise the risk. There could be repair costs associated with both buildings and a survey will be organised to ascertain the scale of these so

that a prioritised maintenance programme can be put forward. Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Trust Deed. CONSTITUTION ADOPTED 5 FEBRUARY 2008
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	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	Appointed

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	There is a Safeguarding Policy at the Charity. All children and youth workers are DBS checked
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51	The church has a board of trustees and a full leadership team.
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Open Heaven (Wednesbury)
Other name the charity uses	Wednesbury Church
Registered charity number	1123352

152 Crankhall Lane Wednesbury WS10 0ED

Charity’s principal address

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5 6 7	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
	Reverend Dr Nicola Woodcock	Chairman
	James Woodcock	Secretary
	Alison Rosenberg	Treasurer
	Charlie Banks
	Edward Davies

– 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 None held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for 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 Name Address adviser 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)	Signature(s)
Full name(s)	Full name(s)Reverend Dr Nicola Woodcock	Alison Rosenberg
Position (eg Secretary,	Position (eg Secretary, Chair	Treasurer
Chair, etc)

Date31-01-2025	31-01-2025

Charity registration No. 1123352

OPEN HEAVEN WEDNESBURY

ACCOUNTS

UNAUDITED

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Statement of Trustees. Responsibilities Law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the Board of trustees to prepare financial statements for eath financial year which give a true and fair view of the charitrfs financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the financial year. In preparing those financial statements giving a true and fair view, the Board of trustees should follow best practice and:_ Select suitable accounting policies and them apply them consistently, Make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent, State whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practi have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements, Prepare the financial statements on the going conrn basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue to operate. The trustees are also responsible for kPIng proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the charity and enable them to aSrtain the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the requirements of applicable law and regulations. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hen taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities This report was approved by the board of trustees on Signed Nicola Woodcock Chairltrustee Date 28-01-25

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examinerfs Report Report to the trusteesl members of OPEN HEAVEN WEDNESBURY On accounts for the year ended 31" March 2024 Charity no (if any) 1123352 Set out on pages 5-10 Respective The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. responsibilities of The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year trustees and examiner under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 {the Charities Act> 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 section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and to slate whether particular matters have Come to my attention. Basis of independent My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given examinerfs statement by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kepl by the charrty and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees conceming 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 fairf view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent In connection with my examination. no material matters have come to my examiner's statement attention (other than that disclosed below ') which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. accounting records were nol kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records I 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. Please delete the words in Ihe brackels rf they do not apply. Signed: Date: 311, Izs Name: SLA LJ IfK>Cr Relevant professional qualificatlon(sl or body (if any): AA.T Lk Address: LOOC LAfKsC SOLI 14uuL B fjl 2 HL1

Sectlon B Disclosure Only complete If the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief detsils of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose.

Open Heaven (Wednesbury)

Income and Expenditure Account

April 2023 to March 2024

Income Grant funding Donations, gifts, Offerings Activity/trip Other income/profit Total income Expenditure Employee Costs Premises costs Repairs General administrative expenses Grant expenses Other Finance charges Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) for year Fund balances Fund balances at 1 April 2023 b/f Fund balances at 31 March 2024 c/f Movements In Funds Funds as at 1 April 2022 Income - 2022/2023 Expenditure - 2022/2023 Funds as at 1 April 2023 Income - 2023/2024 Expenditure - 2023/2024 Funds as at 1 April 2024	Unrestricted funds £ 500 34,513 2,593 6,957 44,563 7,477 13,798 2,700 29,880 - 665 54,519 -9,956 28,171 18,215	Restricted funds £ 37,902 11,311 7,639 60 56,912 - 360 - 17,268 29,480 - 47,108 9,804 3,626 13,430	Total Funds 2024 £ 38,402 45,824 10,232 7,017 101,475 7,477 14,158 2,700 47,147 29,480 665 101,627 -152 31,797 31,645	Total Funds 2023 £ 4,036 32,901 1,362 14,335
				52,634
				5,196 15,236 302 16,595 20,520 646
				58,497
				-5,862 37,659
				31,797
				37,659 52,634 -58,497
				31,797 101,475 -101,627
				31,645

Open Heaven (Wednesbury)

Balance Sheet

as at 31 March 2024

Notes Current assets Debtors 3 Bank balance Cash in hand Creditors 4 Net current assets Fixed assets Church building 5 Net fixed assets Net assets Liabilities 6 Current liability Long term liability Net liability Net assets and liabilities	2024 £ - 27,709 4,987 32,696 -1,051 55,200 6,322 31,233	2023 £ £ - 29,140 3,223 32,363 -566 31,645 56,800 55,200 86,845 4,561 35,555 37,555 49,290	£
			31,797

			56,800

			88,597

			40,117

			48,480

Open Heaven (Wednesbury)

Notes to the Accounts

April 2023 to March 2024

1. Income analysis

Grant Funding SCVO Vision 2030 – Jubilee events Heart Of England - Harry Payne Sandwell MBC - Pantry grant SMBC - Better Mental Health Strategy HM Gov - Cost of Living Fund Sandwell MBC - CIL Funding S.C.V.O Community Mental Health Grant Donations, Gifts, Offerings Tithe & Offerings Foodbank & Pantry Donations Break in appeal Fundraising Funerals Activity/trip Youth Stream subs Tuck Children Toddler subs Catering - donation for food Outreach Outreach events Crankhall Christmas lights General ministry Other income/profits Gift aid Invoices (Events & consultation) Child sponsorship	Unrestricted funds £ - - - 500 - - - 500 30,213 - 4,100 - - 200 34,513 - 112 127 112 426 - - - 1,767 50 2,593 4,657 2,300 - 6,957	Restricted funds £ - - 5,000 - 25,306 4,096 3,500 37,902 - 9,293 495 1,523 - - 11,311 251 - - 10 - 554 30 374 6,420 - 7,639 - - 60 60	Total Funds 2024 £ - - 5,000 500 25,306 4,096 3,500 38,402 30,213 9,293 4,595 1,523 - 200 45,824 251 112 127 122 426 554 30 374 8,187 50 10,232 4,657 2,300 60 7,017	Total Funds 2023 £ 500 1,000 2,536 - - - -
				4,036
				20,532 9,321 1,148 850 500 550
				32,901
				- 192 182 - 452 536 - - - -
				1,362
				8,125 6,150 60
				14,335

Open Heaven (Wednesbury)

Notes to the Accounts

April 2023 to March 2024

2. Expenditure analysis

Employee costs Salary - pay ref 008 Salary - pay ref 0010 Payroll Costs CCPAS membership /CRB checks Premises costs Utility bills of church Mortgage Life insurance - mortgage Rental costs - church growth trust Loan repayments - church growth trust Utility bills of church (Price Rd) Repairs Repairs - building Building work Repairs - building (Price Rd) Building work (Price Rd) General expenses Training/conferences Training resources Worship Youth Children Toddler General ministry Office costs & consumables CCLI license Insurance (Building, Liability & Contents) Insurance (Building - Price Rd) Child sponsorship - Compassion Catering & Janitorial Food Bank & Pantry Minibus Outreach events Crankhall Christmas lights	Unrestricted funds £ 4,725 1,500 1,035 217 7,477 8,642 4,850 64 242 - - 13,798 2,700 - - - 2,700 2,765 71 2,560 8,237 2,679 322 4,532 824 445 1,403 - 276 2,582 - 2,082 1,101 - 29,880	Restricted funds £ - - - - - 360 - - - - - 360 - - - - - - - - 251 10 - - - - - - 60 554 9,732 135 374 6,151 17,268	Total Funds 2024 £ 4,725 1,500 1,035 217 7,477 9,002 4,850 64 242 - - 14,158 2,700 - - - 2,700 2,765 71 2,560 8,488 2,689 322 4,532 824 445 1,403 - 336 3,136 9,732 2,217 1,475 6,151 47,147	Total Funds 2023 £ 4,200 - 867 129
				5,196
				4,212 4,158 64 1,075 1,123 4,604
				15,236
				- - 302 -
				302
				158 58 2,291 - 246 211 823 60 387 1,146 327 308 1,270 8,626 683 - -
				16,595

Open Heaven (Wednesbury) Notes to the Accounts

April 2023 to March 2024

2. Expenditure analysis (cont.)

Grant expenses Coronavirus Community support - sessional costs SCVO Food Pantry grant - Franchise SCVO Food Pantry grant - Capital SCVO 2030 Covid19 response fund WM Police PCC grant Epic grant - sessional workers Epic grant - Activity costs Epic grant - Workshop/seminar costs Epic grant - craft costs Epic grant - Publicity costs Epic grant - Refreshments Epic grant - Garden project SCVO 2030 Youth grant - Trips & activities SCVO 2030 Youth grant - Equipment SCVO Vision 2030 – Jubilee events Sandwell MBC - Pantry grant HM Gov - Cost of Living - Staffing costs HM Gov - Cost of Living -Premises rent HM Gov - Cost of Living - Utilities HM Gov - Cost of Living - Food HM Gov - Cost of Living- Baby Bank Sandwell MBC - CIL Funding S.C.V.O CMH Grant - activity costs Other Finance charges AOG Annual contribution AOG ministers subscription HSBC bank charges 3. Debtors 4. Creditors Moore Pay - Payroll charge Mar British Gas Virgin Media HSBC bank charges J Woodcock claim back	Unrestricted funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 480 50 135 665	Restricted funds £ 916 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 8,998 1,452 2,561 9,242 1,596 3,336 1,380 29,480 - - - -	Total Funds 2024 £ 916 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 8,998 1,452 2,561 9,242 1,596 3,336 1,380 29,480 480 50 135 665 2024 £ - 2024 £ 92 785 38 19 116 1,051	Total Funds 2023 £ 1,295 536 707 144 60 6,880 1,314 190 1,194 384 575 742 2,256 1,209 500 2,536 - - - - - - -
				20,520
				480 50 116
				646
				2023 £
				-
				2023 £ 67 449 43 7 -
				566

Open Heaven (Wednesbury)

Notes to the Accounts

April 2023 to March 2024

5. Property/Mortgage payments Value of land (no depreciation) Depreciated value of property over life of mortgage Value of property & land Mortgage loan balance Jan 2023 Mortgage principal payments on loan (as of Dec '23) - Mortgage loan balance start 2024/25 Interest payments (as of Dec '23) Total payments Jan 23 - Dec 23 6. Liabilities Mortgage loan balance start 2024/25 Mortgage principal payments on loan 2024/25(current liability) - Long term liability Interest payments 20024/25 - Jan to Dec 24 Church growth trust 12 months rent 2024/25 (current liability) Church growth trust loan balance start 2024/25 Payments on loan 2024/25 (current liability) - Long term liability NB Repay £5616 over 5 years (280.80/mth)	2024 £ 40,000 15,200 55,200 36,203 2,052 - 34,151 2,597 4,649 34,151 3,199 - 30,952 2,024 2,000 1,404 1,123 - 281	2023 £ 40,000 16,800
		56,800
		38,782 2,579
		36,203
		1,535 4,113 36,203 2,438
		34,151
		2,597 1,000 2,527 1,123
		1,404