2025-03-31-accounts - Open Heaven (Wednesbury)

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 01April 2024 To 31 March 2025

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 continued to build on the successes of previous years, with continued church and community activities. The number of the congregation increased across all areas – adults, youth and children, enabling an increase in activities and further expansion of the church leadership team. In addition to weekly church services, children’s activities, parent and toddler groups, special events continued to be delivered including 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. Having bought a baptistry in 23-24, preparation for being able to hold multiple baptism services, we held our first baptism service using the baptistry. This was a

great success and will become a regular part of the church calendar. To supplement the influx of new members, we delivered several courses to ground people in the fundamentals of the Christian Faith (Alpha Course) and evangelism (God Loves You). The church connected with the God Loves You event organised by an international organisation, partnering with the organisers to promote the event, and taking two coaches of people to the main event. 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 pantry to those who were struggling financially. A 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 Wednesbury), 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 remained on the fixed tariff contracts which continue into 2025-26. We have continued to organise public events and these continue to be very well attended and are essential in maintaining the good standing of the church in the local community. This year we have started to offer craft events to the community at a fraction of commercial rates. These have been very well received and offer the community the chance to get experience art and craft activities that they otherwise

might struggle to attend. The purchase of the equipment associated with the craft activities means that these can be offered for years to come. 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 continued to be the meeting place for the Women’s Rotary club, which meets at the church once a month. We maintained a baby bank following the completion of last year’s 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 again 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 number of people we took this year increased by 50%. We also partnered with a touring youth event called Extreme. The organisers partner with churches and visit for two days. The first day they advertise a youth event, visiting places where the local youth hang out, speaking to them and promoting the event which takes place the following day. The event itself was well attended and we plan to partner with the group again in 2025/26. The process of reviewing/updating church policies and procedures continued, with regular updates as required. We continue to partner with ThirtyOne Eighty with regards to safeguarding procedures.

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

Achievements against objectives set	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 maintains its tenancy of the Price Road site with Church Growth Trust for a further four 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 2024/25 with total funds of £25,614. Income was £79,766 and expenditure was £85,797, a net decrease of £6,031 for the year. Grant funded projects from the previous financial year were successfully completed and £22,970 in new grants were secured to fund work in the community. These included West Midlands Police My Community funding and projects focussing on community health with Sandwell MBC and Active Black Country. Offerings and donations decreased slightly from £45,824 to £43,011 but still leaving the charity with a good 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 £4,600
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 continues 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. A survey of Price Road did not yield any major repair requirements, although we did replace the emergency exit doors. There is a leak in the roof of Crankhall Lane building that will be repaired in financial year 2025/26. Funding for the repair is being raised through various events and a Just Giving page. 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
Charity’s principal address	152 Crankhall Lane Wednesbury WS10 0ED

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)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
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)	Signature(s)
Full name(s)	Full name(s)Reverend Dr Nicola Woodcock	Alison Rosenberg
Position (eg Secretary,	Position (eg Secretary, Chair	Treasurer
Chair, etc)

Date29-01-2026	29-01-2026

Charity registration No. 1123352

OPEN HEAVEN WEDNESBURY

ACCOUNTS

UNAUDITED

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

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 26-01-2026

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examinerfs Report Report to the trustees OPEN HEAVEN (INEDNESBURY) On accounts for the year ended 31 ST March 2025 Charity no (if any) 1123352 Set out on pages 5-10 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity {°the Trust") for the year ended 3110312025. Responsiblllties and basis of report As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirernents of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act.). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust'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 Act. Independent tThe charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 and l am qualified to examiner's ststsment undertake the examination by being a qualified member of [insert name of applicable listed bodyJ]. 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 below ") which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 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 Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair, view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across 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 the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Date: Name: Relevant professional qualifiGation(s) or body (if any): IER Oct 2018

Address: OLI Ggl LA Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concem (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief detslls of any items that the examiner wlshes to disclose. fx) IA IER Oct 2018

Open Heaven (Wednesbury)

Income and Expenditure Account

April 2024 to March 2025

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 2024 b/f Fund balances at 31 March 2025 c/f Movements In Funds Funds as at 1 April 2023 Income - 2023/2024 Expenditure - 2023/2024 Funds as at 1 April 2024 Income - 2024/2025 Expenditure - 2024/2025 Funds as at 1 April 2025	Unrestricted funds £ - 30,425 3,206 7,050 40,680 16,767 9,274 118 20,652 - 834 47,644 -6,964 18,215 11,251	Restricted funds £ 22,970 12,586 3,470 60 39,086 - 7,360 - 10,154 20,639 - 38,153 933 13,430 14,363	Total Funds 2025 £ 22,970 43,011 6,676 7,110 79,766 16,767 16,634 118 30,806 20,639 834 85,797 -6,031 31,645 25,614	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
				31,797 101,475 -101,627
				31,645 79,766 -85,797
				25,614

Open Heaven (Wednesbury)

Balance Sheet

as at 31 March 2025

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	2025 £ - 22,128 5,560 27,688 -2,074 53,600 5,117 28,691	2024 £ £ - 27,709 4,987 32,696 -1,051 25,614 55,200 53,600 79,214 5,747 31,808 33,808 45,406	£
			31,645

			55,200

			86,845

			37,555

			49,290

Open Heaven (Wednesbury)

Notes to the Accounts

April 2024 to March 2025

1. Income analysis

Grant Funding Sandwell MBC - Pantry grant Neighbourly Food Grant The Grantham Yorke Foundation Sandwell MBC - Get set go Friar Park Active Black Country - Get out get active West Midlands PoliceMy Communities Fund Sandwell MBC - Christmas Lights HM Gov - Cost of Living Fund SMBC - Better Mental Health Strategy 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 £ - - - - - - - - - - - - 27,225 - 3,200 - - - 30,425 - 89 114 - 430 - 116 865 1,593 - 3,206 6,650 400 - 7,050	Restricted funds £ 7,500 500 1,000 2,940 2,430 4,000 4,000 600 - - - 22,970 - 9,238 3,348 - - - 12,586 1,635 - - 20 - 320 - 1,494 - - 3,470 - - 60 60	Total Funds 2025 £ 7,500 500 1,000 2,940 2,430 4,000 4,000 600 - - - 22,970 27,225 9,238 6,548 - - - 43,011 1,635 89 114 20 430 320 116 2,359 1,593 - 6,676 6,650 400 60 7,110	Total Funds 2024 £ 5,000 - - - - - - 25,306 500 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

Open Heaven (Wednesbury)

Notes to the Accounts

April 2024 to March 2025

2. Expenditure analysis

Employee costs Salary - pay ref 008 Salary - pay ref 010 Salary - pay ref 011 Payroll Costs HMRC PAYE/NIC 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 £ 11,236 1,770 562 1,249 1,800 150 16,767 2,016 5,280 64 - - 1,914 9,274 118 - - - 118 1,371 594 1,999 2,902 2,804 219 1,421 274 461 1,395 - 304 3,053 - 2,314 1,011 529 20,652	Restricted funds £ - - - - - - - - - - 2,753 - 4,607 7,360 - - - - - - - - 1,635 20 - - - - - - 60 320 7,379 78 662 - 10,154	Total Funds 2025 £ 11,236 1,770 562 1,249 1,800 150 16,767 2,016 5,280 64 2,753 - 6,521 16,634 118 - - - 118 1,371 594 1,999 4,537 2,824 219 1,421 274 461 1,395 - 364 3,374 7,379 2,392 1,673 529 30,806	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

Open Heaven (Wednesbury) Notes to the Accounts

April 2024 to March 2025

2. Expenditure analysis (cont.)

Grant expenses Coronavirus Community support - sessional costs Sandwell MBC - Pantry grant Neighbourly Food Grant The Grantham Yorke Foundation Sandwell MBC Crankhall Christmas lights HM Gov - Cost of Living - Staffing costs HM Gov - Cost of Living - Training 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 Sandwell MBC - Get set go Friar Park Active Black Country - Get out get active West Midlands PoliceMy Communities Fund 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 HMRC - PAYE/NI J Woodcock claim back	Unrestricted funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 650 50 134 834	Restricted funds £ - 2,500 500 1,000 4,000 1,281 600 - - - - 2,592 2,120 3,096 2,274 676 20,639 - - - -	Total Funds 2025 £ - 2,500 500 1,000 4,000 1,281 600 - - - - 2,592 2,120 3,096 2,274 676 20,639 650 50 134 834 2025 £ - 2025 £ 96 480 85 5 1,408 - 2,074	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

Open Heaven (Wednesbury)

Notes to the Accounts April 2024 to March 2025

5. Property/Mortgage payments Value of land (no depreciation) Depreciated value of property over life of mortgage (£1600/yr) Value of property & land Mortgage loan balance Jan 2024 Mortgage principal payments on loan (as of Dec '24) - Mortgage loan balance start 2025/26 Interest payments (as of Dec '24) Total payments Jan 24 - Dec 24 6. Liabilities Mortgage loan balance start 2025/26 Mortgage principal payments on loan 2025/26 (current liability) - Long term liability Interest payments 20025/26 - Jan to Dec 25 Total payments Jan 25 - Dec 25 Church growth trust 12 months rent 2025/26 (current liability) Church growth trust loan balance start 2025/26 Payments on loan 2025/26 (current liability) - Long term liability NB Loan repaid £5616 over 5 years (280.80/mth)	2025 £ 40,000 13,600 53,600 34,151 2,624 - 31,527 2,599 5,223 31,527 2,837 - 28,691 2,443 5,280 2,000 281 281 - 0	2024 £ 40,000 15,200
		55,200
		36,203 2,052
		34,151
		2,597 4,649 34,151 2,624
		31,527
		2,599 5,223 2,000 1,404 1,123
		281