2025-12-31-accounts - Guildford United Reformed Church Charity

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ANNUAL REPORT and ACCOUNTS

For the YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

FOR

GUILDFORD UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY

Registered Charity Number: 1130808

GUILDFORD UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY

Page 2

CONTENTS OF THE ACCOUNTS For the Year Ended 31 December 2025

	Page Number
Annual Report and Accounts	3 --7
Statement of trustees’ responsibilities in respect of the accounts	7
Independent Examiner’s Report	8
Statement of Financial Activities	9
Balance Sheet	`0
Notes to the Financial Statements	11 - 16

GUILDFORD UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY

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ANNUAL REPORT and ACCOUNTS For the Year Ended 31 December 2025

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Name and Registered Number of Charity

The Charity is known as “Guildford United Reformed Church Charity”. Its registered number is 1130808.

Administration and Management of Charity

The charity is administered by the Trustees of Guildford United Reformed Church who represent the members of the Church and are the Minister of the Church and elected Elders of the Church.

Appointment of Trustees

The Trustees are all appointed by Church Members at the Annual General Meeting of the Church or at a specially called meeting of Church Members. In the case of the Elders they are appointed for three years and may be elected to serve for a further three years before retiring for at least one year and, in exceptional circumstances, for a further year, except for the Church Secretaries and Church Treasurer for whom there is no time limit. Any Minister remains in situ after the call to the pastorate until he or she leaves for another pastorate or retirement.

Scope of Report and Accounts

This report and the annexed accounts relate to the operations of the Trustees for the year ended 31 December 2025.

Governing Document

The Charity operates under the 1972, 1981 and 1990 United Reformed Church Acts of Parliament.

Name of Trustees

The Trustees serving for the full year were: Mrs S Badger, Mrs H M Davies, Mr R M Dunnett, Reverend W C Hawkins (only until 31 Dec 2025), Miss A Marshall.

The following Trustee served for lesser periods as stated: Mrs W A Dunnett, Mr A Green (to 16 Mar 2025) Mr H T Jones (from 16 Mar 2025)

Principal Address

83 Portsmouth Road, GUILDFORD GU2 4BS

Other Relevant Organisations or Persons

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER BANKERS Nicola Willshire CAF Bank Ltd Accounting Services (Guildford) Limited 25 Kings Hill Avenue Mulberry Cottage Kings Hill Goose Rye Road WEST MALLING WORPLESDON ME19 4JQ GU3 3RJ

GUILDFORD UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY

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ANNUAL REPORT and ACCOUNTS (continued) For the Year Ended 31 December 2025

NARRATIVE INFORMATION

Origin and Historical Review

The Church was formed in 1662 in Guildford as a Free Church initially worshipping in Black Horse Lane and then in Chapel Street. It became a Congregational Church in about 1706. The Church moved to North Street in 1865 and to its present site in Portsmouth Road in 1965.

When the Congregational Church in England and Wales and the Presbyterian Church in England united in 1972 to become the United Reformed Church, Guildford Congregational Church became Guildford United Reformed Church.

Mission and Objective

Guildford United Reformed Church is an open and inclusive Christian community.

The Elders are committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church and to become part of the community which uses our premises. The Elders maintain an overview of worship and make suggestions on how the many groups that are involved in the life of the church can participate in our services. Our worship puts faith into practice through prayer, scripture, music and sacrament.

The Elders have considered the Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion when planning activities to enable anyone to live out their faith as part of our community through:

Worship and prayer; learning about the Gospel and developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus. Provision of pastoral care for people connected with the church. Mission and outreach work.

To facilitate this work it is important that we maintain the fabric of the church building.

Achievements and Performance

Worship and Prayer

Family worship is normally held every Sunday morning. An informal all-age service is held in the afternoon on one (since November two) Sundays of most months. Services continue to be livestreamed as well as being available as a recording. The average attendance in church has been around 30 with an unknown number joining online. Messy Church is normally held on the first Saturday of each month, with an average attendance of about 60. A children’s Holiday Club for over 70 children was held in July. There is an Open Table (LBGTQ+) service or discussion held monthly in the church or at St Mary’s Church as part of our commitment to being an Inclusive Church.

As well as our regular services, we enable our community to celebrate and thank God at the milestones of the journey through life. Through baptism we thank God for the gift of life, in marriage public vows are exchanged with God’s blessing and through funeral services friends and family express their grief, give thanks for the life which is now complete in this world and commend the person to God's keeping.

Pastoral Care

Through a network of pastoral visitors, regular care is maintained for those associated with the church.

GUILDFORD UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY

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ANNUAL REPORT and ACCOUNTS (continued) For the Year Ended 31 December 2025

On two Saturdays every month the Church has continued to run the only Contact Centre in Guildford to enable children whose parents have split to meet the non-resident parent.

The church is a collection point for food bank donations and home to various social need groups including about fifteen 12-Step groups.

Mission and Evangelism

Helping those in need is a demonstration of our faith. The church has again made donations to Guildford Town Centre Chaplaincy and Cherry Trees (a local organisation providing a safe place and respite care for children with disabilities,) both in part through another successful Christmas Tree Festival. The church also raised sizeable sums for Christian Aid, including through the URC’s Commitment for Life project. A large number of charities use our premises either free or at reduced rates.

Ecumenical Relationships

The church is connected with many other churches in the town through the Guildford Town Centre Chaplaincy. There are especially close links with a local Anglican church, St Nicolas’ with which we hold a number of joint services. We are involved in the local Inter-Faith Forum and also welcome a Muslim group for their daily prayers.

Children and Families Worker employed jointly with St Nicolas’ Church Guildford

The post is split 75% with us and 25% with St Nicolas’ although the cost of joint activities is split equally. She has run monthly Messy Church with growing numbers, another very successful joint Holiday Club in July and a monthly group for 11-16 year-olds, as joint activities, as well as various groups in our church for younger children.

Community Worker

Community work has continued with an increasing emphasis on support for those with dementia and their carers through weekly sessions with a mixture of musical activities, games playing and informal coffee and chat as well as a monthly lunch club preceded by an Inter-Generational Music session, open to a wider range of older people. There was also a two-day Holiday at Home in August and a one-day one in December both for around 40 people. Another very successful Community Day was held in August with a range of activities, performance displays and stalls which attracted around 400 people of all ages. Ways of further widening our community outreach are being investigated.

Volunteers

Much of the community, outreach and mission work is done by members and others associated with the church.

Application of Income

The Church’s income is used for the advancement of the Christian faith for the benefit of the public in accordance with the Scheme of Union of the United Reformed Church.

In addition to this the premises of the Church are used by numerous local and national organisations, many of them charities in their own right.

GUILDFORD UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY

Page 6

ANNUAL REPORT and ACCOUNTS (continued) For the Year Ended 31 December 2025

Review of Year’s Activities

During the year eleven meetings of Trustees have been held together with five meetings of Church Members, including the Annual General Meeting.

Reserve Policy

The Trustees having considered the needs of the Church into the future feel that a General Fund reserve of approximately one half of one year’s expenditure is a reasonable reserve to aim for, with the Designated Long Term Maintenance Fund providing a reserve of about £100,000 for significant maintenance costs which arise from time to time, especially given the size and age of the building.

Financial Review

As the church’s income was below £250,000 the accounts reverted to receipts and payments basis from accruals basis in 2024. This report is confined to an overview of the financial performance in the year under review and of the position at 31[st] December 2025.

The opening balance at 1[st] January 2025 of all funds was £943,889 (General & Designated Funds £899,761, Restricted Funds £44,128). The closing balance was £870,495 (General & Designated Funds £828,927, Restricted Funds £41,568).

The opening balance of General Fund was £154,577, with income of £229,431, expenditure of £226,704, gain in investments of £10,561 and a transfer of £5,000 to the Long Term Maintenance Fund, a transfer of £23,400 to the Children & Families Worker Fund and a transfer of £10,000 from the Legacy Fund. These all resulted in the Fund decreasing by £5,112 to £149,465.

The opening balance of the Long Term Maintenance Fund was £99,678. There was expenditure of £16,309 and £5,000 was transferred in from the General Fund with a carried forward balance of £88,369.

The opening balance of the Children & Families Worker Fund which receives income from St Nicolas’ Church and Guildford URC was £841. It had income of £11,105 with a transfer in of £23,400 and made payments of £33,793 with a carried forward balance of £1,553.

An unexpected and very substantial legacy was received in 2024 and 2025. This has been put in a designated Legacy Fund. Whilst some has been used for work done with those suffering from dementia, for looking at ways to improve the premises and for AV improvements, the bulk is being retained until the church decides how to put it to best use. The opening balance was £644,665. It had income of £1,442 and made payments of £46,568 plus a transfer to the General Fund of £10,000 with a carried forward balance of £589,539.

The opening balance of the Organ Fund was £33,122. Income was £1,057 with no expenditure. There was a negative movement in investments during the year of £1,373, resulting in a balance of £32,806.

The opening balance of the Restricted Fund was £11,006. Receipts amounted to £4,819 and payments to £7,063. These activities resulted in the balance decreasing by £2,244 to £8,762

GUILDFORD UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY

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ANNUAL REPORT and ACCOUNTS (continued) For the Year Ended 31 December 2025

To fit with current financial practice:

The Organ Fund has been re-classified from being restricted Fund to being designated. investments of £85,000 have been re-allocated from the General Fund to the Long Term Maintenance Fund balanced with the same amount in cash going in the opposite direction

Balance Sheet

Total net assets at 31[st] December 2025 were £870,495, a decrease of £73,394 on the value at 31[st] December 2024.

Conclusion

The Trustees are of the opinion that the Charity’s finances are sound.

This annual report was approved by the Trustees on 8[th] April 2026

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPECT OF THE ACCOUNTS

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Page 8

GUILDFORD UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF GUILDFORD UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY

For the Year Ended 31 December 2025

Charity Number: 1130808

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Foundation”) for the year ended 31st December 2025, which are set out on pages 8 to 13.

Responsibilities and basis of report:

As the charity trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with 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 examiner's statement

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

the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 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.

Signed by the Independent Examiner dated: 16[th] March 2026

N Willshire

Nicola Willshire Accounting Services (Guildford) Limited Mulberry Cottage Goose Rye Road WORPLESDON GU3 3RJ

GUILDFORD UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY

Page 9

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES For the Year Ended 31 December 2025

General Fund Designated Funds Restricted Fund £ £ £ 44,634 801 - 7,599 - - 30,470 2,042 3,525 13,121 161 123 4,235 9,539 1,099 92,237 - - 8,552 774 - 28,583 287 72	2025 Total Funds £	2024 Total Funds £ 47,228 5,417 54,348 14,262 19,869 96,440 8,996 32,467

	45,435

	7,599

	36,037

	13,405

	14,873

	92,237

	9,326

	28,942

229,431 13,604 4,819		279,027
	247,854

48,131 - - 12,269 10,448 - 88,747 56,118 678 62,282 30,104 - - - 4,935 15,275 - 1,450		46,470 22,182 109,079 85,888 5,939 15,000
	48,131

	22,717

	145,543

	92,386

	4,935

	16,725

226,704 96,670 7,063		284,558
	330,437

		5,587

10,561 (1,373)	9,188

		56 -
13,288 (84,439) (2,244)	(73,395)
(18,400) 18,400 -
	-

(5,112) (66,039) (2,244) 154,577 778,307 11,006		56 943,833
	(73,395)






	943,890

		£943,889
£149,465 £712,268 £8,762	£870,495

GUILDFORD UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY

Page 10

BALANCE SHEET As at 31 December 2025

General Designated Funds Restricted Fund £ £ £ 2,085 4,922 273 35,018 596,877 8,449 90 - 40 112,272 110,469 - - - -	2025 Total Funds £	2024 Total £ 10,840 712,014 304 213,553 9,904
	7,280

	640,344

	130

	222,741

	-

£149,465 £712,268 £8,762	£870,495	£946,615 (2,726)
- - -
	-

£149,465 £712,268 £8,762	£870,495	£943,889

All the Charity’s activities are classed as continuing.

There are no liabilities or tangible assets of any value.

The Notes on Pages 11-14 form part of these accounts
These Accounts were approved by the Trustees on 8[th] April 2026



 These Accounts were approv 	ed by the Trustees on 8thApril 2026
Trustee Name	Signature	Date
S Badger	S Badger	8thApril 2026
R M Dunnett	R M Dunnett	8thApril 2026

GUILDFORD UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY

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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

For the Year Ended 31 December 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1.1 Scope and basis of the financial statements The financial statements are prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable for charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective 1 January 2024).
1.2 Fund Accounting

General and Designated Funds are available for use at the discretion of the church in furtherance of its charitable objectives. Restricted funds are subject to restrictions on the expenditure imposed by the donors or contained in the terms of a grant. The church has no endowment funds.

1.3 Incoming Resources & Resources Expended

The accounts are produced on a receipts and payments basis. Much of the management and activity of the church is carried out by volunteers. The tangible cost is not included in the financial statements as this contribution to the life of the church is incalculable.

1.4 Tangible Fixed Assets

Freehold Property The owner of the church and manse buildings is the United Reformed Church (Wessex) Trust Limited (Charity 282729) which holds them on trust for purposes connected with Guildford United Reformed Church.

Equipment The cost of new furniture and equipment is written off in the year of purchase.

1.5 Investments
Investments are stated at mid-market value and are considered to be current assets rather than long term investments.
1.6 Government grants

None have been received

2. ACTIVITIES GENERATING INCOME (General Fund only)

Use of rooms Car park licence fees	2025 £ 73,148 19,089	2024 £ 79,224 17,216
	£92,237	£96,440

3. DONATIONS, LEGACIES & GRANTS RECEIVED

Badminton Club Bowls Club David Williamson Trust Emmaus – The John Beane's Charity Scutt & Durrant Trust St Nicolas 9th Guildford Scouts XY Strings & Music Society URC Wessex Legacies Miscellaneous donations	General Fund Designated Funds Restricted Fund £ £ £ 720 - - 1,000 - - - 500 - - 9,367 720 - 12,526 - - 600 - - 700 - - - 1,000 - - - - 5,057 322 3,525	2025 Total £ 720 1,000 - 500 10,087 12,526 600 700 1,000 - 8,904	2024 Total £ 700 - 274 350 14,189 12,280 - 1,300 - 20,000 5,255
	£30,470 £2,042 £3,525	£36,037	£54,348

GUILDFORD UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY

Page 12

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) For the Year Ended 31 December 2025

4. CHURCH RUNNING COSTS

URCH RUNNING COSTS
Administration, publicity Governance Gas and electricity Insurance, council tax, water Premises maintenance Cleaning Contract Other running costs	General Fund Designated Funds Restricted Fund £ £ £ 6,408 516 678 1,300 - - 21,967 - - 12,741 - - 24,709 55,601 - 17,972 - - 3,650 - -	2025 Total £ 7,602 1,300 21,967 12,741 80,310 17,972 3,650	2024 Total £ 8,513 1,300 19,080 10,888 48,990 16,969 3,339
	£88,747 £56,117 £678	£145,542	£109,079

MINISTERIAL COSTS (General Fund only)

Ministry & Mission Fund Manses running expenses less Synod allowance Car running costs & travel Ministerial expenses Pulpit Supply	2025 £ 40,680 4,703 (480) 1,873 622 733	2024 £ 37,800 7,477 (1,232) 1,498 522 405
	£48,131	£46,470

DONATIONS AND GRANTS MADE 7

Cherry Trees Christian Aid (incl. Myanmar appeal) Commitment for Life Christians Against Poverty Guildford Action Guildford Town Centre Chaplaincy Médecins sans Frontières Oakleaf URC (Jamaica appeal – 2024 Myanmar) Misc. small donations	General Fund Designated Funds Restricted Fund s £ £ 2,250 - - 3,600 - - 3,500 - - 1,000 - - 500 - - 2,250 - - 500 - - 500 - - 1, 125 - - 50 - 1,450	2025 Total £ 2,250 3,600 3,500 1,000 500 2,250 500 500 1,125 1,500	2024 Total £ 2,000 2,290 2,020 1,000 500 2,000 500 500 1,000 3,190
	£15,275 £- £1,450	£16,725	£15,000

The Church offers free or reduced rates for room use to charities and community organisations amounting to at least £26,000 (2024: £26,000)

GUILDFORD UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY

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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) For the Year Ended 31 December 2025

7. DEBTORS & CREDITORS (not applicable in 2025, General only in 2024)

7.1 Debtors and accrued income 7.2 Creditors

Room lettings Insurance pre-payment Miscellaneous	2024 General £ 6,692 2,921 291 £9,904 Car park rent prepaid Electricity/Gas Other	2024 General £ 1,439 1,225 62
		£2,726

INVESTMENTS (none in restricted funds)

General Fund Designated Funds £ £ 186,711 26,842 10,561 (1,373) (85,000) 85,000	2025 Total £ 213,553 9,188 -	2024 Total £ 207,966 5,588 -
£112,272 £110,469	£222,741	£213,554

£39,900 £33,149	£73,049	£73,049

Values are at the mid-market rate at the close of business on the charity’s Balance Sheet date. There were no purchases or sales during the year. At year end values 53.2% of investments were in M&G Charifunds and 46.8% in the CCLA COIF Ethical Investment Fund.

9. TRUSTEES

9.1 Three trustees were reimbursed for receipted expenditure. None of the trustees have been paid any remuneration or received any other benefits from an employment with their charity or a related entity as was the case in 2024
9.2 Trustees Indemnity Insurance is included in the church’s insurance policy.

GUILDFORD UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY

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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) For the Year Ended 31 December 2025

10. FUNDS

10.1 Description

Designated Funds

Children & Families Worker Fund For joint worker with St Nicolas’ Church, Guildford Long Term Maintenance Fund For occasional major items of maintenance and renewal becoming increasingly needed on a sixty year old building. Legacy Fund Temporary fund for large legacy until its use is decided Organ Fund For major repairs or alterations to the organ Restricted Fund Music Society For the spread of the appreciation of music

10.2 Movement of Designated Funds

	ted Funds

Balance as at 1 January Income during year Transfers in during year Expenditure during year Transfers out during year Movement on Investments Balance as at 31 December	Children & Families Worker Legacy Fund Long Term Maintenance Fund Organ Fund £ £ £ £ 841 644,665 99,678 33,123 11,105 1,442 - 1,057 23,400 - 5,000 -	Totals £ 778,307 13,604 24,800
	35,346 646,107 104,678 34,180 33,793 46,568 16,309 - - 10,000 - - - - - (1,373)	820,311 96,670 10,000 (1,373)
	£1,553 £589,539 £88,369 £32,807	£712,268

10.3 Movement of Restricted Fund

Balance as at 1 January Income during year Transfers in during year Expenditure during year Transfers out during year Movement on Investments Balance as at 31 December	Music Society £ 11,006 4,819 -
	15,825 7,063 - -
	£8,762