Staplehurst Free Church
Reports and Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 October 2024
Company number: 06725987
Charity number: 1127205

REFERENCE AND ADMINSTRATION INFORMATION
Trusteos
T Hawgood
R Howse
R Laming
Mrs K Minett
G. Smith
Address of the principal office of the charlty
Stap18hurst Fr88 Church
Stalion Road
Staplehurst
Kent
TN12 OQQ
Indepondent Examlner
Mr L.C. Seal FCCA FAIA
Blain Pritchard
74 College Road
Maidstono
Kent
ME15 6SL
Treasurer
Mrs Carol Skov
Bankers
National Westminster Bank plc
Maidstone Branch
3 High Street
Maidstone
Kent
ME14 1XU

TRUSTEES REPORT
Th8 trust885 arg pleased lo present their report together with the financial statements for th8 year
ended 31 October 2024. The financial statements comply with Current statutory requirem8nts, th8
Companies Act 2006 and the Statement of Rècommended Practice "Accounting and R6POrting by
Charitias" (SORP) effectlve from January 2015.
CHARITABLE OBJECTIVES
Our Memorandum and Articles of Association state the following oblectivo:
To advance the Christlan Faith in accordance with the Slaternent of Beliefs and in Slapl8hurst,
Kent and in such other parts of the Unlted Kingdom or the World as the Trustoas may from tlme to
time think fit and to fulfil such other purposes which are exclusiv6ly charitable aGcording to th8 law
of England and Wales and are conn8c18d to the charitable work of the Charity.
Relleving sickness, hardship and promoting and preserving good health by the provision of funds,
goods and servicas of any kind, including the provlsion of counsalling and support in Staplehurst,
Kent and other such parts of tha United Kingdom or the Wortd as the TNslees from lime to tim8
may think fit.
SUMMARY OF THE CHARITY'S MAIN ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
To further thè abov6 objects and vislon, the charilyls main activities and achievem8ntS W8r8 as
follows:
In 2024 we celebrated 55 years as a community church for Staplehurst.
Our social, health and wellbelng activities have continued to expand alongsid8 our usual falth-
based seNices and m8atings. Th6 building Con￿nueS to be in use every day of the week, with
multiple sessions each day, as follows., -
Mondays - Debt Advice Cgnlre, Men's Walklng Group, SFC Choir. Tuesdays- Friends
Together, Wam Hub, Community Fridgè, Home Groups (off 8lte}. Wednesdays-Pray8r M88ting.
Community Fridgo, Homa Groups (on sile}, AA Me8ting' Thursdays - FreeBees, Communily
Fridge, Mixed Badminton. Fridays- Pastoral Car8 Mèèting, Interest Group, Ladies Badminton.
Youth24, Worship Group R8hearsals. Salurdays - Community Fridge, Family Fun, and ad hoc
Social Ev8nis• Sundays- Church SeTvices, Sharing Lunches and Social Events (occasional)
Key developments in the year hav6 beon as follows: In person attendance at Church services
continuad to increasè with 110 r8gular attend888 and several new families attending. Online
broadcasting has also been maintain8d with ov8r 2000 vi8ws in the y8ar. We also cglebrated 8
baptisms in the year. The Community Fridg8 has seen almost 6,000 visits in 2024 a 26Yo increase
driven by the continued cost-of-living crisis. This initiative Is part of the Shepherd's Pantry portfollo
a food-insecurity community support programme which started during the Covid pandemic lo
reclaim food from retailers and suppliers that would oth8rwis8 go to waste or Is surplus to their
requirements. This is then made available to the public, particularly those In financlal hardship al
no cost. The Fridg8 is open at varying times over 4 days a week with over 20 volunteers in the
team co118Ctlng food, underlaking stock control and welcoming and informally supporting vlsitors.
Other building users are invited to make use of the Community Fridge on othar days.
Our busl8St month of the y8ar was August which we believe is related to the school holidays. The
WinlerW8lcom8 Spac8 became the Warm welco￿ Hub opening up our premis8S to local p8opI8
and to provided warmth, company and refreshments. During the coldest months freo hot soup and
rolls were also provided, Up to 40 people are served each week.The FreeBees support sessions

for new parents continue to be popular. Two age-appropriate groups operate on Thursday
mornings and aflemoons with a walling list in plac8 for the morning session. Places are freed up
as parents rètum to work or chlldr8n start att8nding nursery, so over lime we are able to provide
support to many famllles who b6nèflt from lh8 help and encouragement given by Ihe sessions
hosts and other parents with shared experiences. At any onetime we have had up to 66 children
registerad wilh us. In Ihe autumn w6 concluded our training programme the 'Emmaus Project,
helping us plan and deliver a coordinated programm6 of community engag6m8nt events. In tho
last year we have held a free barn dance, a free quiz night, a Santas Grotto, a summer music
evont and an Annivèrsary c818bratSon. Furth8r events ar8 plann8d for the comSng year. Also, in the
Autumn w8 launchèd Youth24, an interactiv8 fun evening for young people of secondary ￿h0o1
age. Sessions run on the second and fourlh Fridays during term lime. Following his succéssful
first year with us our Church Leader, Peter Brook has increased his hours and will now work four
days perweek in the coming year. In late June we had solar panels and back up batteries fittad
thanks to a generous grant from Maidstone Borough Council. This has helped reducé our
electricity bills and reduced our carbon emissions and expect th8 System to start gen8raling
passive income in the summer months
In planning the activities, the trustees have applied the guidance on public bénefit issuad by th&
Charfty Commission.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Tho charity is a company limitad by guarant68, Wlth a Mèmorandum and Articles of Association as
its goveming document. It was incorporated on 16th October 2008. Prevlously Staplehurst Free
Church, which began in the home of one of the founder members in 1969. was an unincorporated
charity governed by a Trust Deed.
The Constitution of Slaplehurst Free Church sets out the rules on how tho organisalion will oporate
on a day-tO￿aY basis. This document sets out the purpose, statement offailh, vision, mission and
goals. It al80 Contains provisions regarding memb8rship, th8 govemance ofthe church through
the leadership l8am and their appointment and responsibilities, the option to appoint a
remunerated pastor, the Conduct of Church meetings and reference to the role of trustees. In the
event of a conflicl between the constitution and the Memorandum and Articles of Association, then
the Memorandum and Articles of Association have preference.
The Leadership Team take principal responsibility for Ihe day to day running of the church and
overse8ing ils numgrous volunteer led actlvities. Succession planning for Ihe Leadership Team
had been a prioTlty for the previous year. Several of those previously acting had been doing so for
many years and wished to transition out of leadership but in a managed way that did not leave the
church leader-lèss. Since slgnlficant difficulties were previously experienced after recruiting
someone comp18tely unknown to the Church. a strategy wa8 adopted lo openly approach a cohort
of people who have some previous knowledge or involvement in Church life. Since our financial
situatlon would likely only enable any n8w church leader to be appointed on a part-time basis, this
approach also provided scope for those with difforent skills and other sourc8s of income to express
Interost. there would b6 flexibility to scope a rolg rathèr than It b6 prèscribed and potentially
exclude good candidates. Various expressions of interest were received and after a Selection and
consultation proc8ss, Peter Brook, a long-standlng Chri8tian who had joined the Church within the
last two y8ars, was nomlnated to the membership to be the new remunerated ChU￿h leader and
he ctxnmenced Ihis role on th8 1st DeGemb8r 2023. Previous mombers of Ihe Leadership Team,
Clive Jones and Bob Howse, stood down from leadershlp at the same Ilme. The Leadership team
therefore continues to be made up of membèrs with significant historic involvemènt In and
exporienc& of Christian and Church life and comprises:
Peter Brook {Church leader). Ter8nc8 Hawgood (S8nior Eld8r). Mary Howse (Assistant
Leader). Kate Henry {Assistant Leader)
Addilionally, the members of the Charity may by ordinary resolution appoint a person who is willing

to act as a Trustee either to fill a vacancy or as an additional Trustee at a General Meellng in
a￿ordanCe with the Articles of Association. Trustees are also reappointed, if desired, on a
rotational basis in the order in which they were appointed as also defined in the Articles. As at the
date of this report the followlng aré the charity's trustees and directors for the purposes of the
Companies Act.. -
Bob Hows8. Tér8nc8 Hawgood. Roy Lamlng. Graham Smith. Kathryn Minett
Th8 Leadership Ta8m and the Trust8es ensure th8 various policles of the church are reviewed
annually to ensur8 it uses bast practlce across all activities. Policies in plac8 include but are not
limitèd to the Equal Opportunllles Policy and Ethos Statement, Safeguarding Pollcy for Children
and Vulnerable Adulls, Pastoral Care Pollcy, Acceptable Behaviour Policy, Mlssion Funding Policy,
H8alth & Saf8ly Policy Including the Food Hyglene Policy, Premisés Security Policy and the Fire
Safety Policy. A new a Members and Volunteers Handbook was also comple16d this y@ar.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Our financial position remains robust. Around 600A of income comers from the regular monthly
giving, mostly by standing order. from our generous members and regular attendees. The
remaining income is madè up from other grants, onè-off donations towards the work of the church,
donations for participation in church activity group s88sions, Ihe gift ald rebate and other ad-ho
income. We also had a one-time grant from Maidstone Borough Council of £45,000 for a solar
panel System which will Contribute greatly to our financlal sustainability in the long term.
Our expenditure for the year was in line wlth expectations and the bank balanc6 remains health
with sufficient res6tv6s lo meet short tèrm n8eds If incom8 signiflcanlly dropp8d, We antlcipaÉe
being abl8 to incr8as8 th8 pastor's working hours to four days p&r w89k in the wming year.
On6 of the comerstone activities of the Church is providing financial support for a variety of third-
party charitablé organisations and we ar6 pleased to be able to r6port we have sustained thls
activity through the continuous generous donations of our members and regular attend60S.
FUNDS IN DEFICIT
None
INVESTMENTS POLICY
Nona
RESERVES POLICY
Of the cash in hand at the bank at year end, £15.000 of this is ringfenced as reseNes which covers
3 months of fixed expenditure which the trusteos consider to be adequate.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES UNDER CHARITY LAW
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial Statemen18 for each financial year which
give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity al the year end and of its income and
exp8ndlture durlng the y8ar. In preparing Ihese flnancial stalemants, tha Iruste8s are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently. make judgments and estimates
that are reasonable and prudent. state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of
recommandgd practlC8 have baen follow8d' subject to any material departuras disclos8d and
explained in th8 financial statem8nts,' and pr&par6 lh8 financlal statem8nts on a golng ¢onc8rn
basis unl8SS it is inappropria18 to presume that th8 charily wlll Gontlnu8 in business.
The trustees are required to keep proper accounting records whlch disclose with reasonable
accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them lo ensure that the
financial stalements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for
safeguarding the assets of the charity and for taking reasonable Steps for the prevention and
detection of fraud and other irregularitles.
Signature
This r
as approved by the trustees, and Is signed on their behalf by:
R Laming
Data,..,....

Independent Examlner's Report to the Trustees of Staplehurst Froe Church
I report on the financial stat8ments of Staplehurst Fr66 Church for the year ended 31 October
2024. which are sel out on pages 8 10 12,
Respective responslb¢litles of trustees and examlner
The trustees (who arg also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are
responsible for th8 preparation of the financlal statoments in accordance with th8 roquiremenls of
the Companies Act 20061'the 2006 Act,).
Having satisfied myself that the financial stat8m6nts of the charity are nol r8quir8d to be audited
under Part 16 of th6 2006 Act and are eliglbl8 for independent examlnation, I report in respect of
my examlnallon of the charity's financial statements as carried out under section 145 of the
Chadtles Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed the DIr￿tionS
given by th8 Charity Commission under section 145{bl ofthe 2011 Act.
This report, inGluding my statement, has beon prepared for and only for the charity's trustees as a
body. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity's truslees those matters I
am requir6d to state to them in an ind8P8nd8nl examinefs report and for no other purpose. To th8
fullest extent pormitled by law. I do nol accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than th8
charity and the Charity's trustees as a body for my exarninatlon work, for this report, or for the
statements I have made.
Basis of Independent examlner's report
My axamination was carrled out in accordance with the gen8ral Dir8Ctions given by trie Charity
Commission. An examination includes a review of Ihe accounllng records kept by the charity and a
comparison of tha financial statements presenled wllh Ihose records. It also includès consideration
of any unusual It8ms or disclosures in the financial stalements and seeking explanations from you
as trustees conceming any such matters. The procedures undortaken do nol provld8 all tha
evidence that would bo required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to wh8ther
the financial statements present a 'lrue and falr vlew. and the report is limited to thos8 matters set
out in the statement below.
Independenl examlnerfs statement
In conneclion with my examination, which is complete, no matters have com8 to my attention
which glve me reasonable Cause to bèlieve that in any material respect..
accounling records were not kept in resp8Ct of Staplehurst Free Church In accordance with
section 386 of the 2006 Act,. or
the ljnancial stat8ments d) not accord with th08e records., or
the financial Statements do not comply with the accountlng requirements of section 396 of
the 2006 Act other than any raquirèmenl that the financial statements giv8 a 'true and fair,
Vi8w which is not a matter consld8red as part of an independant examination; or
th8 financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and
principals of the Statèmènt of Recommended Practlce for accounting and r8porting by
charitles lapplicable to charlties preparing their accounts in accordanc8 Wlth the Financlal
Reporting Standard applicabl& in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].
I have no concerns and hav8 com8 acros8 no Other matters in connection with the examination to
which, in my opinlon, attention should be drawn In order to enable a proper underslanding of the
finanolal slatements to be raached.
Signed:
Mr L. C. Seal FCCA FAIA
Blain Pritchard, Charterod Certified Accountants
74 College Road, Maidstono, Kent ME15 6SL
Date..

Staplehurst Free Church
Statement of financlal activitios
for th• y•ar •nded 31 October
2024
Gén•ral Mlssionary Bulldlng
Fund
Fund
Fund
Total
Total
Notè
2024
2023
Incomè
Donatlons and Leg8cIg8
131,407
724
2,810
134,941 162,292
Charitable aclvilles
820
829
829
430
Inve8tmgnt8
Olhgr
1.055
1.055
Total incom•
133.292
724
2,810 136.826 163.543
Expenditure
Cha￿table ￿tIV￿leS
152.156
2,566
15,712
167.868 105,676
2,566
3,310
Goveman¢& ¢osts
TotAI •xpondltur•
154.722
15,712
170,434 108,986
Net incomellèxp•ndllur•}
bgfore transfers
Tr4nsl•rs baknoen lund
-21,430
-14,988
2,810
-33.607
54,556
-17,921
17,921
Met ineomèll•xpondltur•l
after tr￿sfOr$
-39,350
2,933
2,810
-33.607 54,556
Balanee brought fonvard
at 1 NOVem￿r
44.287
211
885.105 929,e03 875,047
Balan¢e ¢arr5ed forwwd
at 31 October
4.937
3.144
887,915 895.996 929,603

Staplehurst Free Church
Balance Sheet at 31 October
2024
G•n•ral Missionary Bulldlng
Fund
Fund
Fund
Tot
Total
2024
2023
Note
Flxed assets
Building cost
1,260,400 1,260,400
1,260,40
DepreGlation for the year
Accumulated depreciation
-25,208
-25,208
-25,208
-278,027 -278,027
-252.819
Net bullding value
gS7.165
957.165
982,373
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand
5.018
3.144
23,409
31.570
45.436
Debtors
Gift Aid re¢ov6r8blo
6,604
6.604
6.￿4
Liabilities: amounts
falllng due wfthin one
year
Accruals
Holiday pay accruals
Loan8
Mortgage
6.685
6,685
1,217
5.467
5,467
5.467
Net current
assetsl(Ilabllltles)
4.937
3,144
17,942
26,023
45,356
Long-term Llabllltles
Mortgage
87,192
87,192
98,127
Net assets
4,937
3,144
887.915
895,998
929,602
Funds..
Goneral Fund
Missionary Fund
Youth Fund
Building Fund
Hous8 party Fund
4,937
4.937
3.144
44.287
211
3,144
887.9rf5
887.915
885.105
Total funds
4,937
3.144
887,915
895,996
929,e03

The Trustees consider that the charity is fynlitled lo exemption from the requirement to have an audit under
the provisions of Section 477 of the Compani8$ Act 20061"Th6 Act'l and memb8rs have not requlred th8
oharily lo obtain an audit for the year in qu8slion in accordance with section 476 of the Act. The Trustees
acknowledg& thèir responsibili118s for ensuring that th& charity keeps accounting records which comply with
section 386 of the Act and for preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the stal& of
affairs of the Charity as al 31 October 2024 and of its deficit for the year th8n ended in accordance with the
requir8m8nls of section 396 of the Act and whlch otharwlse comply with the requiremants of the Companies
Act 2006 relating to th8 financial statements so far as applicable to the charlty.
Approvd b ilh Mangging Trustees on and signed on their behalf by
Roy Laming
10

Staplehurst Frèe Church
Notès to the financial statements
for the year ended 31 October 2024
Accountlng pollcles
Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared under the hlstorlcal cost eonvenlSon and In
accordan￿ with applicable United Kingdom accounting standards and thè Compani6s Act
2006. In preparing the financial statements the trust follows best practlC6 as laid down in
Ihe Statement of Recommended Practice "Accountlng and Reporting by Charities" issued
by the Charity Commission effective from January 2015.
Income
Donations and interest receNed are accounted for in th8 year in which the trust is 8ntit18d to
receive thèm.
Expenditure
All oxpenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and, in accordance with the
requirement of the SORP, and has been classbfi&d und&r headings that aggregate all costs
r61ated to that category.
In accordanc& wilh th8 requirement8 of the Statement of Recommended Practice
°Accounting and R8POrtlng by Charities. all expenditure has been classified under Standard
headings- Ithe charity has taken advantage of concessions provided by SORP and
prepared headings lo suit the charity as opposed to by activity categories which would
apply to larger charities subject8d to an auditl.
D8preaiation on th8 buildlng Is depreciated on a straight-line basis over 50 year8.
Funds
The general fund is available for us8 at th8 dlscr81ion of the trusleps in furtherance of the
general objectives of the charity.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the Trustees for particular purposes.
Details of designated funds are as follows:
Missionary fund- used for th6 support of missionaries overseas and in the UK and
charili8slmission organisations as approv8d by th8 Leadership Team.
Re8trioted funds are funds which are to be used In accordance wlth spociflc réstrlctlons
imposed by the donor. Details of restrict6d funds ar8 as follows:
Building fund - specifically for the repayment of tha loans taken out to complete lh8
construction of the church building.

Donatlons
During the year the total aggregated donations made by the charity by lh8 Irust88s was
£14,235. There were no conditions attached to the donations (2023: £10,320).
Loans
Loans tolalling £311.000 have been made by Church members since March 2012. Over
the past year £53,333 has been repaid from a donation. The balance of £53,333 has been
repaid within 2 years as r8quested by the lend8r.
Mortgage
A108n of £150.000 wa8 completed on 3 April 2012 from the Childs Charitable Trust at the
rate of 5.5% (variable) r8payable over 25 years payable by monthly instalments of capital
and Interest of £876.89 th8 first payment having been made on 1 June 2012. The loan is
secured on the land and building at Station Road, Slaplehurst.
Analysis of staff costs, truslee remuneratlon and expenses
2024
2023
Salarles and wa
8S
Social securit
costs
P8nslon costs
32,506.99
877.98
1,834.20
11,035.55
139.14
348.48
No employees had 8mploy88 ben8frts in 8XC8ss of £60,000 (2023.. £nili. The administrator
role continued to be filled on a part lim8 basis throughout the whole year.
The charlty trustees were not paid or received any other benefits in the year for undertaking
this voluntary role (2023.. £nill- Any expenses incurred ware rgimbursed in the samo way as
with other church members. No charity trustee received payment for professional or oth8r
services supplied to the charity (2023,. £nil).
Related Party Transactions
There have been no relaled party transactions in the year (2023: £nil).
12