# **Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council for the year ended 31 December 2025** 

## **Incumbent** 

Sophie Chatten 

## **Bank:** 

The Co-Operative Bank Skelmersdale WN86WT 

## **Independent Examiner:** 

Tony Jopson & Co. 246 Peverell Park Road Plymouth PL3 4QG 

## **Registered Charity Number:** 

1134139 

## **The Parish Church of Charles with St Matthias and St Simons** 

## **‘St Matts Plymouth’** 

North Hill, Plymouth, PL4 8HF **stmplymouth.org.uk** 

**1** 




THE **EVANGELISATION** OF THE NATIONS THE **REVITALISATION** OF THE CHURCH AND THE **TRANSFORMATION** OF SOCIETY 

## **ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL** 

# **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

_(presented Sunday 27th April 2025)_ 

## **‘CHARLES WITH ST MATTHIAS AND ST SIMON ’** 

## **Diocesan ID - 9187 Registered Charity Number - 1134139** 

**PURPOSE -** St Matts is a **City Centre Resource Church** with a vision to play its part in: 

The **EVANGELISATION** of the nations; The **REVITALISATION** of the Church; The **TRANSFORMATION** of society. 

St Simons is a **Revitalisation Church Plant** from St Matts into Mount Gould. Together we are one church with two sites and four congregations. 

**MISSION -** St Matts aims to fulfil this vision through three operating lenses: 

**LOVE GOD** - We want everyone to come into a personal relationship with God. We do this principally through our **Sunday Services** and encouraging people in their own personal faith journey. 

**LOVE OTHERS** - We want everyone to grow in their relationship with God and discover freedom and life, and we believe this happens best in community. Through belonging to midweek **Small Groups** we grow in life, faith and friendship. Through serving on our **Dream Team** we each participate in a life of service and blessing which energises us and blesses others. 

**GO AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE -** We want everyone to live lives of witness, service and blessing. We want to make a difference in the communities where we live and work so that others may receive the good news of Jesus. 

**2** 



**Background -** The church was launched on **25 September 2016** by Revd Olly & Ali Ryder and a small staff & volunteer team, at the invitation of the Bishops of Exeter and Plymouth in partnership with Holy Trinity Brompton, London. As part of St Matts heart for revitalisation, the church agreed to pastoral reorganisation to include a neighbouring closed church leading to the new Parish of Charles with St Matthias and St Simon being formed in **November 2021** . Since **February 2024** St Matts has been led by Revd Sophie Chatten. Sunday services at St Simons recommenced on **19 May 2024** headed up by Assistant Vicar Revd Mike Knight. St Matts and St Simon is part of the **Plymouth City Deanery** in the **Diocese of Exeter** in the **Church of England.** The parish’s administrative centre is based at St Matts at the top of North Hill, Plymouth, PL4 8HF. 

**Structure, Governance and Management -** St Matts and St Simons is led by the **PCC** (Parochial Church Council). The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church of England’s _‘Church Representation Rules’_ . All church attendees who consider themselves as belonging to the worshipping communities of St Matts and St Simons are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll. All those on the Electoral Roll may stand for election on the PCC. The Church Council should reflect the diversity of the church and local community. PCC members are re-elected every three years. The Church Council has responsibility, alongside the Vicar, staff team, and lay pastors, of fulfilling the church’s vision. PCC members who served from **April 2025** until the date this report was approved are: 

## **PCC Members** 

## _**Ex-Officio Members**_ 

Vicar and Chairman Sophie Chatten Assistant Curate Mike Knight Assistant Curate Liz Grier Assistant Curate James Harding 

_**Church Wardens Elected annually up to six successive years**_ Steve Campion Elected 2023, 2024, 2025 Laura Fraser Crewes Elected 2025 _**Deanery Synod Members Elected every three years**_ Louis Winstone Elected 2025 Jeff Stephenson Elected 2023 _**Elected Members Elected every three years**_ Amy McCusker Elected 2023 Lizzie Philips Elected 2023 Alston Chan Elected 2024 Radu Ciubotarasu Elected 2024 Debs Marks Elected 2024 Graham Stirling Elected 2024 Rich Bull Elected 2025 Jon Harris Elected 2025 - one year term Selwyn Jeba Elected 2025 - two year term Mark Pearson Elected 2025 - _**Safeguarding Representative**_ 

**3** 



Elected 2025 - _**Treasurer**_ Elected 2025 Reelected 2025 

Adam Taylor Alleyn Wilson Jonny Wilson 

## _**In Attendance (non-voting)**_ 

Hannah Bowker Claire Worth 

**Secretary** [since 2017] **Staff - Executive Director** [until Jun 2025] 

## **Staf Team** 

## **As at Jan 2026** 

Sophie Chatten Vicar Mike Knight Associate Minister Hannah Bowker Church Coordinator & Executive Assistant Teressa Cornish Ordinand Rachael Hutchins Operations Manager [from Sep 2025] Amy Wheeler Kids & Youth Pastor Louis Winstone Worship & Young Adults Pastor [from Sep 2025] 

## **Also on team during 2025** 

Claire Worth Executive Director [to Jun 2025] Paul Worth Worship Pastor [to Sep 2025] Zoe Wilson Student Pastor [to Aug 2025] Terri Jackson SWYM intern [to Jun 2025] 

**4** 



## **Safeguarding Report** 

This report outlines the safeguarding activities at St Matts and St Simons over the past year, reinforcing our commitment to creating a safe environment for all, particularly children and vulnerable adults. Safeguarding remains a vital part of our Christian mission to reflect God’s love and care for every individual. 

We have adhered to the Church of England’s safeguarding guidelines as detailed in “Promoting a Safer Church” (House of Bishops, 2017). This document provides the framework for our safeguarding policy and practices, ensuring they align with national standards. Our Parish Safeguarding Policy Statement has been reviewed and publicly displayed. 

All new kids/youth volunteers and staff undergo DBS checks and are recruited following safer recruitment principles, including safeguarding training. Additionally, all PCC members and Prayer Ministry Team have been asked to complete safeguarding training at the required levels. We have conducted risk assessments for all church activities involving children and young people, as required by diocesan guidelines, and all these activities have been approved by the PCC.. 

This year, we’ve had a number of safeguarding concerns that were raised and reported to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team. We implemented all advice given and kept appropriate records. A Safeguarding Report was given verbally at every PCC meeting and the PCC have been satisfied that we are following due diligence. 

In 2025 we made excellent progress with the Parish Safeguarding Dashboard and will continue work on our Action Plan to make sure we are following best practice as a church. Special thanks to Mark Pearson, our Parish Safeguarding Officer, for his dedication to this essential work. Together, we remain committed to fostering a safe and caring church environment. 

## **Rev Sophie Chatten** 

Vicar, Parish of Charles with St Matthias and St Simon, Plymouth 

**5** 



## **- ANNUAL REVIEW 2024/25** 

St Matts has completed its **ninth** full year as a ‘ **HTB Network’ City Centre Resource Church** with a vision to play its part in the **‘evangelisation of the nations, the revitalisation of the church and the transformation of society’** by helping people to: 

## **Love God Love Others Go and Make A Difference.** 

Our **four vision priorities** as a church are: 

**Empowering Young People -** we want to empower, encourage, equip and evangelise the next generation to be whole-hearted followers of Jesus. We have particularly expressed this: at _**St Matts**_ through launching a youth band; creating a permanent role to oversee ministry to young adults; relaunching and rebranding our student ministry; intentionally creating opportunities for young people to preach and lead; and continuing to grow our kids and youth ministry. 

at _**St Simons**_ through starting our first Sunday kids group which has grown steadily both in numbers and friendship over the rest of the year with mostly primary school age children. We are keen to move forward with plans for a local youth group and to explore possibilities for working with young babies and toddlers having had a mini baby boom in 2025! 

**Enhancing Spaces -** we want to rethink our spaces to craft places that inspire and support growth. We have particularly expressed this: 

at _**St Matts**_ through starting essential works and surveys following the Quinequennial Inspection; installing HIVE systems to control heating systems; exploring opportunities to host events and welcome in community groups. 

at _**St Simons**_ through our wonderful grounds team has continued improving the site, alongside internal works redecorating the lower rooms and repairing the bell tower. We are beginning a new community garden with raised beds, and received Diocesan permission to further explore future possibilities for the church hall site to support local mission and ministry. 

**Enriching Community -** we want to foster deep, meaningful connections to impact the city. We have particularly expressed this: 

at _**St Matts**_ through partnering with Transforming Plymouth Together (TPT) and Path to provide accommodation for rough sleepers during the winter months; continuing to work as part of the Plymouth Soup Run team; and blessing our local community through the Love Christmas initiative. 

at **St Simons** through events like summer BBQs and a new community café, creating space for friendship and belonging and looking to grow in invitation. We also blessed our local school through Love Christmas and welcomed hundreds to our Christmas services. 

**Engaging Prayer -** we want to strengthen our spiritual foundations and harness prayer as the powerhouse for renewal. We have particularly expressed this: 

at _**St Matts**_ through hosting a 24/7 prayer week; preaching on prayer; relaunching prayer ministry; and introducing Fast and Pray May. 

**6** 



at **St Simons** through whole-church gatherings like Thy Kingdom Come, monthly meetings, and the continued faithful prayer particularly of our Tuesday congregation. In 2026, we plan to start Sunday prayer ministry and partnering with local churches to pray for our community. 

Each of these four vision priorities reflects our heart as a church and where we believe the Lord is calling us to invest our time, energy and resources in this season. We will continue to lean into these over the coming year. 

**Staf team** - during the year we had changes to our staff team, saying farewell to Claire & Paul Worth (Executive Director & Worship Pastor), Zoe Wilson (Student Pastor) and Terri Jackson (SWYM intern). We were delighted to welcome Rachael Hutchins as our Operations Director and Louis Winstone as Worship and Young Adults Pastor. 

**Love South West** - this event took a break in Plymouth for 2025.  We are networking with other local churches to reimagine and relaunch an impact weekend to ‘pray, serve & invite’ for 2026. We have felt challenged to refocus from the Friday night event back to blessing our local communities through the Saturday serve day. We’re excited to embrace this new season of Love South West and look forward to unveiling plans for **5th-7th June 2026.** 

**Creation Fest** - once again we headed off to Creation Fest as a church with around 80 people (including around 20 kids) camping on site and volunteering on teams. We loved being able to welcome many more of our church family coming as day visitors over the weekend and enjoyed a special lunch together on Sunday. We will be going again as a church family in 2026 for an extended weekend with churches across the South West for worship, teaching, prayer, fun and time together but plan to take a breather in 2027.. 

_As you read the rest of this report, we hope you enjoy and are inspired by all that God is doing in and through us and all that lies ahead. Thank you so much for being part of this family and this God-adventure by the sea!_ 

**7** 



## **- LOVE GOD Sunday Services** 

## **CONTACTS** 

|**Database- ‘Join the Adventure’  **|**Database- ‘Join the Adventure’  **|**Database- ‘Join the Adventure’  **|**Database- ‘Join the Adventure’  **|**Database- ‘Join the Adventure’  **|**Database- ‘Join the Adventure’  **|**cards**||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**Jan**|**Feb**|**Mar**||**Apr**||**May**|**Jun**|**Jul**||**Aug**|**Sep**|**Oct**||**Nov**||**Dec**||
|**2022**||1375|1402|1417||1446||1458|1483|1488||*archiving|1353|*archiving||1131||1138||
|**2023**||1138|1176|1191||1223||1227|1224|1226||1234|1235|1267||1309||1318||
|**2024**||1310|1323|1330||1335||1340|1346|1352||1368|1370|1372||1376||1387||
|**2025**||1390|1399|1399||||Database cleansing|||||1147|1187||1215||1214||
|**2026**||1225|1232|||||||||||||||||
|**Facebook - ‘Followers’**||||||||||||||||||||
|**2022**||2144|2100|2086||2096||2102|2106|2110||2134|2146|2158||2166||2170||
|**2023**||2197|2206|2220||2227||2232|2235||||2192|2250||2300||2368||
|**2024**||2399|2386|2381||2378||2375|2373|2378||2387|2393|2398||2403||2411||
|**2025**||2418|2426|2428||2437||2440|2442||||2432|2442||2449||2467||
|**2026**||2472|2477|||||||||||||||||
|**Instagram- ‘Followers’**||||||||||||||||||||
|**2022**||1667|1676|1680||||1691|1697|1703||1700|1699|1710||1724||1738||
|**2023**||1740|1741|1743||1752||1756|1767||||1758|1763||1767||1770||
|**2024**||1765|1750|1747||1749||1748|1748|1748||1748|1748|1756||1760||1758||
|**2025**||1754|1757|1759||1760||1763|1766|1769||1770|1774|1778||1782||1773||
|**2026**||1779|1781|||||||||||||||||



**ELECTORAL ROLL** - (members of the church’s official register) **: 158** (as at 24th March 2025). 

This was the year of a complete revision of the electoral roll and we were very pleased with the number who re-joined or signed up for the first time. 

## **SUNDAY SERVICES** 

_**St Matts**_ has two main Sunday services - **THE TEN** & **THE SIX** with an average weekly attendance of around 260 people across the two services - 215 adults & 45 children - and a further 80-100 for ‘Church Online’. 

_**St Simons**_ has one Sunday service at **ELEVEN** which finished the year with an average attendance of around 50 people attending - 40 adults & 10 children. In addition the mid-week **TUESDAY** service at 10.00am has an average weekly attendance of 25 people. 

|**Average Main Service Attendance**|**Average Main Service Attendance**|**Average Main Service Attendance**|**Average Main Service Attendance**|**Average Main Service Attendance**|**Average Main Service Attendance**|**Average Main Service Attendance**|**Average Main Service Attendance**|**Average Main Service Attendance**|**Average Main Service Attendance**|**Average Main Service Attendance**|**Average Main Service Attendance**|**Average Main Service Attendance**|**Average Main Service Attendance**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**Jan**|**Feb**|**Mar**|**Apr **|**May**|**Jun**|**Jul**|**Aug**|**Sep**|**Oct**|**Nov**|**Dec**|
|**2022**|TEN|118|131|156|225|207|170|137|153|175|166|182|139|
|**2022**|FIVE|96|124|147|108|132|98|98|55|65|132|109|168|
|**2022**|YouTube|156|121|111|157|110|98|110|82|72|85|110|102|
||**Total**|**370 **|**376 **|**414**|**490 **|**449**|**366**|**345**|**290 **|**312**|**383**|**401**|**356 **|
|**2023**|TEN|159|175|138|197|144|136|148|136|118|138|152|131|
|**2023**|FIVE|88|100|105|71|70|100|96|86|96|73|80|179|
|**2023**|YouTube|72|70|79|109|133|138|103|88|88|110|120|119|
||**Total**|**319**|**345**|**322**|**377**|**347**|**374**|**335**|**310**|**301**|**321**|**352 **|**429**|
|**2024**|TEN|149|143|206|148|132|120|122|105|160|154|146|174|
|**2024**|ELEVEN|-|-|-|-|-|33|36|34|30|33|37|90|
|**2024**|FIVE|92|86|84|70|68|65|48|-|-|-|-|-|
|**2024**|SIX|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|95|70|75|120|
|**2024**|YouTube|79|82|103|70|70|60|86|107|96|99|108|89|
||**Total**|**320**|**311**|**393**|**288**|**270 **|**278 **|**292 **|**246 **|**381**|**356 **|**366**|**473**|
|**2025**|TEN|180|162|157|195|147|138|132|130|133|138|145|158|
|**2025**|ELEVEN|-|30|32|42|35|36|40|-|40|37|42|153|
|**2025**|SIX|100|80|70|60|58|55|55|-|70|104|72|182|
|**2025**|YouTube|108|86|83|100|72|68|98|99|86|84|94|115|
||Total|**388**|**358 **|**342 **|**397**|**312**|**297**|**325**|**229**|**329**|**363**|**353**|**608**|



**8** 



|**2026**|TEN|134|129|||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**2026**|ELEVEN|38|-|||||||||||
|**2026**|SIX|74|69|||||||||||
|**2026**|YouTube|103|96|||||||||||
||**Total**|**349**|**294**|||||||||||



**BAPTISMS -** It’s been a joy to welcome people into the Christian faith and join with them as they publicly affirm their faith in Baptism. 

|||||
|---|---|---|---|
|**Spring**|**Summer**|**Autumn**|**Total overyear**|
|8|9|6|23|
|7|7|5|19|
|-|12|5|17|
|9|8|9|26|



## **CHILDREN & YOUTH - Amy Wheeler (Kids & Youth Pastor)** 

## **Vision** 

Our vision is to love and serve the children and young people of St Matts and beyond, helping them become wholehearted followers of Jesus. This is rooted in Proverbs 22:6: “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Everything we do centres around building faith, having fun and forming strong friendships. 

## **Age Groups & Curriculum** 

– Creche (0 2s with parents) 

Based in the downstairs office with a live stream of the service, toys and space for parents to sit comfortably. 

This year we rebranded all our Sunday morning groups, giving each room its own name and identity. This has helped children and young people recognise their stage of faith and belonging, especially as we were able to split our growing youth group into two. – Bubbles (2 4.5s) 

Lower hall. Play and creative learning focused. We continue to use Scripture Union’s Tiddlywinks. 

– Splash (4.5 9s) 

Upper hall. Building strong foundations in discipleship and fellowship using Faith in Kids curriculum. 

– Waves (9 11s) 

Join worship in church, then head to the Library. Preparing children to live confidently as young followers of Jesus. Faith in Kids is also used here. 

– – Breakers (11 14s) & Depths (14 18s) 

Meet in the Youth room and Staff office after Worship in church. The focus is helping young people explore and strengthen their personal faith. Breakers use Youth for Christ resources. Depths follow a curriculum written in house. 

**9** 



## **Team** 

We have 34 volunteers across Kids, including one young person serving monthly, and 20 volunteers in Youth for both Sundays and Thursdays. 

This year we introduced a Room Coordinator role for every Sunday age group. Coordinators carry leadership responsibility for their room, meet with Amy termly, and gather their team each term to review what is going well and what could improve. 

We have also refreshed team T shirts and lanyards to improve visibility and safeguarding. This has positively impacted team morale and clarity of roles. 

## **Light Parties** 

Our Halloween outreach ran three events in one day: 

- Pumpkin Patch (Under 5s): 30 families 

- Funfair Party (5–11s): 55 children 

- Youth Escape Room (11–18s): 24 young people 

## **Schools** 

We are intentionally investing in the two schools on our doorstep: Mount Street Primary School and Plymouth High School for Girls. A weekly Christian Union now runs at Plymouth High School for Girls every Thursday lunchtime. With Mount Street we deliver a termly assembly and support families through Love Christmas hampers. 

## **Mini Matts** 

Mini Matts continues to welcome 10–15 families each Thursday morning. It is led by Amy and Bec. We are currently praying for another volunteer to assist with set up. 

## **Outreach** 

Amy serves on a core team alongside SWYM, Youth for Christ, and other local churches to lead Ignite, a termly citywide youth gathering. Three gatherings have taken place so far, with the next in May. 

In August we partnered with Transforming Plymouth Together to host Lighthouse Lunch, supporting families during the holidays. We plan to continue these during future school breaks, with the next scheduled for Easter. 

## **Vision & Next Steps** 

- Prayerfully seeking a new Kids & Youth intern for September. 

- Taking Youth and Year 5 and 6 to Spree again this year. 

We are thankful for all that God is doing and remain expectant for what is to come. 

**10** 



|**Children & Youth- St Matts Average Weekly Service Attendance**|**Children & Youth- St Matts Average Weekly Service Attendance**|**Children & Youth- St Matts Average Weekly Service Attendance**|**Children & Youth- St Matts Average Weekly Service Attendance**|**Children & Youth- St Matts Average Weekly Service Attendance**|**Children & Youth- St Matts Average Weekly Service Attendance**|**Children & Youth- St Matts Average Weekly Service Attendance**|**Children & Youth- St Matts Average Weekly Service Attendance**|**Children & Youth- St Matts Average Weekly Service Attendance**|**Children & Youth- St Matts Average Weekly Service Attendance**|**Children & Youth- St Matts Average Weekly Service Attendance**|**Children & Youth- St Matts Average Weekly Service Attendance**|**Children & Youth- St Matts Average Weekly Service Attendance**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Jan**|**Feb**|**Mar**|**Apr**|**May**|**Jun**|**Jul**|**Aug**|**Sep**|**Oct**|**Nov**|**Dec**|
|**2022**|45|48|52|48|58|51|57|36|48|45|52|28|
|**2023**|37|42|37|45|42|40|42|18|32|41|40|42|
|**2024**|39|38|38|36|39|37|42|35|35|45|49|46|
|**2025**|51|48|48|39|33|41|44|38|48|42|44|39|
|**2026**|45|44|||||||||||
|**Children & Youth - St Simons Average Weekly Service Attendance**|||||||||||||
||**Jan**|**Feb**|**Mar**|**Apr**|**May**|**Jun**|**Jul**|**Aug**|**Sep**|**Oct**|**Nov**|**Dec**|
|**2024**||||||7|8|10|8|9|4|25|
|**2025**|6|4|7|9|5|10|10|/|10|8|12|42|
|**2026**|11||||||||||||
|**Children & Youth- Total Contacts on Database**|||||||||||||
|**2022**|668|673|676|680|688|707|711|592|602|604|606|612|
|**2023**|612|621|625|629|634|637|641|645|647|652|659|660|
|**2024**|664|666|668|672|687|691|695|699|705|716|724|725|
|**2025**|727|729|733|736|737|738|741|743|746|749|751|755|
|**2026**|759|762|||||||||||
|**Youth Nights**|||||||||||||
|**2022**||6|8|9|10|9|-|-|10|10|8|6|
|**2023**|7|8|6|8|8|6|7|-|8|10|7|7|
|**2024**|10|11|10|10|10|10|-|-|15|16|14|17|
|**2025**|16|15|14|14|15|16|-|-|16|14|12|13|
|**2026**|10|10|||||||||||



## **Youth Band - Louis Wintone (Worship & Young Adults Pastor)** 

The Youth Band was started at St Matts in January 2025, led by Paul and Claire Worth. A small team has formed with 9 youth attending regularly. Louis took over in September with the change in Worship Pastor. Throughout the year there has been the opportunity to lead worship at three services across the year with the group growing in confidence each time. It has also been encouraging to see those attending coming to understand the heart behind worship and gaining a vision for what it means to lead corporate worship. 

Looking ahead there are plans to give the youth more opportunities to serve alongside current members of the worship team, and to continue to foster their growth as disciples of Jesus in the context of the worship. 

## **YOUNG ADULTS MINISTRY - Louis Winstone** 

In Summer 2025 St Matts ‘Student Ministry’ evolved into a more broadly focused young adults ministry serving all those aged 18-25. Following this, Young Adult Nights began weekly on Thursdays in September. This key part of the ministry runs on an alternating cycle of Small Group Nights with food, community time and this year the Bible Course, and Gathered Nights consisting of worship, a talk, response time and games. The year ended with a Christmas Party which was great fun for all involved. Around 30 young adults gather each Thursday with around 70 engaged in the life of the church, attending at both Sunday services, engaging in small groups and serving across all teams. 

There has been real growth amongst the community over the Autumn Term in terms of friendships as well as in faith and learning particularly through the Bible Course which has sparked good conversations and has been really helpful for those newer to faith. Excitingly we are seeing a steady stream of young adults trying out church, coming to know Jesus for the 

**11** 



first time or rekindling their childhood faith. We are praying both for this to continue as we long to see more of God at work in this generation, and for us as a church to be able to meet them where they're at and for them to be discipled in the way of Jesus. 

The Young Adults Ministry is facilitated by a committed core team of 7 people who have really taken ownership of building community amongst 18-25s, welcoming new students in September and running Young Adult Nights. With Zoe moving as the Student Pastor in the Summer and Louis joining in September as the Young Adults Pastor this team has played a key role in supporting and shaping the ministry. 

Looking ahead we are running 'Host A Roast' in March and are hoping to get involved with the Love South West serve day in June. In the Spring we are also hosting a Discipleship Training Event with the organisation Fusion alongside a few churches in Plymouth to be inspired to grow in evangelism. There is also the opportunity moving forward to develop our relationships with the universities' Christian Unions and other churches in the city as we work together to make Jesus known amongst the students and young adults of Plymouth. 

|**Students- connected with community**|**Students- connected with community**|**Students- connected with community**|**Students- connected with community**|**Students- connected with community**|**Students- connected with community**|**Students- connected with community**|**Students- connected with community**|**Students- connected with community**|**Students- connected with community**|**Students- connected with community**|**Students- connected with community**|**Students- connected with community**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Jan**|**Feb**|**Mar**|**Apr **|**May**|**Jun**|**Jul**|**Aug**|**Sep**|**Oct**|**Nov**|**Dec**|
|**Instagram -@stmstudents**|||||||||||||
|**2022**|419|422|430|433|439|439|439|436|434|445|469|471|
|**2023**|473|474|475|472|468|465|465|466|466|487|495|495|
|**2024**|495|494|492|489|488|488|488|489|489|490|492|489|
|**2025**|484|489|489|489|489|489|||483|488|493|487|
|**2026**|489|491|||||||||||
|**Student Nights**|||||||||||||
|**2022**|-|40|45|45|49|49|-|-|45|45|45|45|
|**2023**|50|40|40|40|40|-|-|-|30-40|30-40|20-35|45<br>party|
|**2024**|35|35|35|37|37|-|-|-|31|31|31|31|
|**2025**|31|32|31|30|29|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|
|**Young Adults Nights - 18 - 25s**|||||||||||||
|**2025**|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|25|38|30|40|
|**2026**|30|30|||||||||||



## **LOVE OTHERS** 

## **SMALL GROUPS - Revd Mike Knight** 

Small Groups have one, simple purpose - to bring people together. We believe God created us to live in community with others and only then can we experience the full life he intends for us. Small Groups provide a place for us to **connect with others** , **share life** , and **grow in faith** together. We believe life-change happens in the context of relationships. Our belief and vision is that St Matts is a church **of** Small Groups, not a church **with** Small Groups. 

Small groups are a core part of our church life. We have had a solid number of small groups running through (around 20-25). We have encouraged more longer term discipleship based groups to start this year . So although we have fewer groups than in some previous years we are seeing a greater consistency through the year in these groups. We have made this clear on 

**12** 



our sign up website too differentiating between those groups that meet mainly around longer term friendship, discipleship, prayer and bible study, and meet mostly in people’s homes; and those that meet around a particular shared activity. Both are great spaces to connect with others and grow in faith and friendship together. We have also run training in the autumn as a space both to grow in leadership of our groups as well as to help new leaders to get up and running with new groups. 

|**Small Groups**|**Small Groups**|**Small Groups**|**Small Groups**|**Small Groups**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**Spring**|**Summer**|**Autumn**|
|**2022**|**Groups **|43|41|44|
||**Leaders**|55|52|48|
||**Members**|410|355|330|
|**2023 **|**Groups **|45|33|24|
||**Leaders**|55|45|30|
||**Members**|345|251|286|
|**2024 **|**Groups **|24|20|21|
||**Leaders**|34|28|28|
||**Members**|250|194|178|
|**2025 **|**Groups **|23|21|22|
||**Leaders**|34|25|28|
||**Members**|164|139|179|
|**2026**|**Groups **|20|||
||**Leaders**|23|||
||**Members**|135|||



## **DREAM TEAM** 

Every member of St Matts and St Simons is encouraged to serve on the **Dream Team** whether it’s helping with Kids Church, Worship, Welcome, Production, Cafe, Students, Youth, Small Group Leadership, Prayer Team, or Services Team. A MASSIVE thank you to everyone who serves in whatever capacity - we truly appreciate the many ways you live out our value of being #blessed to bless. 

## **GIVING** 

It is a privilege and a joy to be able to give to God as part of our worship. We encourage everyone who calls St Matts and St Simons ‘home’ to develop godly practices with their finances including giving to support the work of the church. We now mention giving at every service and we thanks to the generous donation by the Diocese of Exeter of a new giving machine have improved our contactless options. 

We had an encouraging response to Giving Sundays throughout the year and this played a large part in enabling us to end the year with a small surplus rather than the projected deficit. We’re continuing to pray for an increase in our number of givers and total giving to enable us to move forwards with confidence into the exciting vision we have. We are very grateful to God for everyone who gives financially into the life of the church which enables us to flourish and grow as a church family and bless the city, region and further afield. 

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|**GIVING: Number of individual monthly givers & monthly amountsgiven**|**GIVING: Number of individual monthly givers & monthly amountsgiven**|**GIVING: Number of individual monthly givers & monthly amountsgiven**|**GIVING: Number of individual monthly givers & monthly amountsgiven**|**GIVING: Number of individual monthly givers & monthly amountsgiven**|**GIVING: Number of individual monthly givers & monthly amountsgiven**|**GIVING: Number of individual monthly givers & monthly amountsgiven**|**GIVING: Number of individual monthly givers & monthly amountsgiven**|**GIVING: Number of individual monthly givers & monthly amountsgiven**|**GIVING: Number of individual monthly givers & monthly amountsgiven**|**GIVING: Number of individual monthly givers & monthly amountsgiven**|**GIVING: Number of individual monthly givers & monthly amountsgiven**|**GIVING: Number of individual monthly givers & monthly amountsgiven**|**GIVING: Number of individual monthly givers & monthly amountsgiven**|**Total**<br> <br>155<br>189797<br>125<br>167781<br> <br>103<br>157135<br>108<br>186,981|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**Jan**|**Feb**|**Mar**|**Apr**|**May**|**Jun**|**Jul**|**Aug**|**Sep**|**Oct**|**Nov**|**Dec**||
|**2022**|<br>**Givers**|<br>130|<br>132|<br>170|<br>143|152|139|173|135|141|<br>157|148|<br>171||
||**Amount**|<br>15450|<br>14938|<br>19089|15810|<br>16913|14586|16,438|<br>14,457|15634|17829|14660|<br>13993||
|**2023**|**Givers**|<br>135|131|<br>130|<br>139|130|131|<br>126|<br>115|112|<br>131|<br>113|107||
||**Amount**|<br>14826|<br>14166|<br>13682|<br>16347|14,231|15,083|13,420|<br>13,041|<br>13,352|<br>13,617|13,338|<br>12678||
|**2024**|**Givers**|<br>111|<br>104|104|95|89|89|91|<br>105|111|<br>127|106|<br>102||
||**Amount**|<br>13122|<br>12664|12728|<br>10834|12418|<br>12141|<br>13419|11,128|<br>11,084|15,767|14,815|17,015||
|**2025**|**Givers**|<br>110|<br>111|<br>121|<br>116|<br>107|102|<br>105|100|<br>103|106|<br>107|104||
||**Amount**|<br>14,837|17,374|16,113|16,746|<br>15,275|15,270|14,988|13,985|15,055|14,627|£16,638|16,073||
|**2026**|<br>**Givers**|<br>101|||||||||||||
||**Amount**|<br>14,618|||||||||||||



## **GO AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE** 

## **ALPHA** 

We encourage members of the congregation to share their faith with others in their everyday life. We also run the Alpha course as a more intentional way of providing an opportunity for people wanting to investigate Christianity or are new to faith. 

This year at St Simons we ran Alpha during the summer months. We had regular attendance of around 20 people which was a mixture of people who are brand new to faith as well as those who have been around church for much longer. Most of these already had an ongoing connection to the church so we had a good consistent attendance. The Holy Spirit day was particularly special, with opportunities to pray for many who haven’t had the opportunity before. We were really grateful to those who helped run the course and especially to cook for us! 

|**Alpha**|**Alpha**|**Alpha**|**Alpha**||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**SPRING**|**SUMMER**|**AUTUMN**<br>|**Total**|
|**2021 attendees**|29|-|-<br>|29|
|**2022 attendees**|50|-|-<br>|50|
|**2023 attendees**|20|-|-<br>|20|
|**2024 attendees**|25|-|-<br>|25|
|**2025 attendees**|25|20||45|



## **SOUP RUN - Jill & Jerry Morris** 

Plymouth Soup Run operates every night with teams from churches, community and business groups from across the city and beyond. It serves at 4 stops, offering food and other supplies, but also support, being a link to other services, in particular PATH (Plymouth access to housing). This winter has seen an even closer collaboration with them via Project 58.7 which some of our team have also been involved with. 

St Matts team serves on alternate Tuesdays, with a wonderfully dedicated team of volunteers. Currently this consists of a strong core of mostly church members, including 1 family with 2 youngsters, but also volunteers from other churches and the community. 

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Volunteers come and go, but we usually have enough on any one night to have separate teams for food prep and going out, except perhaps around the holiday seasons when we might enlist help from family. 

We are often, or occasionally, joined by students from the church, Dof E placements, and a business team. 

In the 6 years we've been a part of this ministry we have seen a significant increase in need. Facts and figures are carefully documented by the coordinators of Plymouth Soup Run, but the increase is noticeable, and our team now prepares around 100 hot meals each time, far more than when we began. 

We also provide homemade soup, hot drinks, sandwiches, snack bags, fruit, and various other items of food.  Each session, food is collected from Fareshare and skillfully turned into hot meals by Sheena and her kitchen team. We are extremely grateful for her ongoing commitment to the ministry. 

We also feel incredibly blessed to have a team who willingly turn their hands to anything, whether on food prep, washing pans, or chopping mountains of veg etc, or braving the weather to go out, it really can be challenging serving food in a downpour. All the work is undertaken with smiles and good humour. 

None of what we do would be possible without money, so we would like to say a big thank you to the church leaders, pcc and individuals for the continued generous financial support which enables us to purchase the food and disposable items, (hot food containers, cups etc) required to serve it in. 

We also receive donations of sleeping bags and blankets, toiletries, extra food and some essential clothes items, from individuals and via central soup run appeals, such as the reverse advent calendar appeal. Our cupboards are currently well stocked with items that make a difference to the people we serve. Thank you. 

## **OTHER ACTIVITIES/REPORTS DURING THE YEAR** 

## **BUILDINGS & MAINTENANCE REPORT - Rachael Hutchins (Operations Manager)** 

**Church roof** – As reported last year, the lead on the roof over both aisles is very old and has come to the end of its life. A visit from the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) at the end of 2025 ruled out the possibility of the previously explored use of a Hybrid Liquid Plastic System as a medium term solution, so we are now looking at a big project in the coming year to re-lead both roofs, adding insulation at the same time. We hope to cover much of the cost of this through applying for grants. 

**Church heating** – The Diocese has told us that we are unable to replace our heaters like for like as they are not eco-friendly, but we have been able to source parts to fix them now, so 

**15** 



hopefully we can keep them going for a few more years. We have very limited options for replacing the system entirely, due to the Church of England’s target to be net zero carbon by 2030. 

**Quinquennial report** – The most recent report was done in September 2024 and we are working our way through the list of things that need work within the five-year timeframe. The most significant work, aside from the roof, involves repairing the stonework around several windows. 

**Other works** completed this year include moving the production studio from the South Porch to the Vestry, allowing the South Porch to become a fire exit, meaning we can increase our capacity for numbers of people in the building which opens up options for hosting large events. Minor works such as replacing or upgrading lighting in the church and hall have also been carried out, as well as pressure washing the walkways and adding yellow paint to the step outside the hall to make it more visible. 

In 2026 we are planning some significant projects, including work on the church roof, café floor, hall roof, stonework around the windows, lower hall floor and garden. We are also planning our first ‘Big Church Spring Clean’ in March which will hopefully make the church and halls look brighter and more welcoming. 

**MISSIONS -** St Matts ‘tithes’ 10% of it’s income to other local, national and international charities and mission organisations including: 

**- 2% - Trevi House / Sunflower Project** (https://trevi.org.uk/) - Trevi is a nationally award-winning women’s and children’s charity based in St Matts parish, Plymouth providing safe and nurturing spaces for women in recovery to heal, grow and thrive. 

- **2% - Shekinah** (https://shekinah.co.uk/) - South West charity providing opportunities for people who are experiencing all forms of homelessness. 

- **2% Creation Fest** (https://creationfest.org.uk/) - regional Christian festival supporting and encouraging the church in the South West. 

- **2% - Church Planting Fund** - a fund to support and enable church planting in and around Plymouth through St Matts. 

- **2%** - St Matts ‘Missionary Fund’** - a fund providing small grants to support St Matts members with missionary endeavours. 

- **St Matts ‘Acts 4 Fund’** - a fund providing small grants for St Matts members in financial hardship 

**If / when the balance of the hardship fund drops below £4,000, 1% of giving received will be allocated to this fund and giving to the St Matts missionary fund will be reduced to 1%. 

This historical allocation of funds was reviewed by the PCC at the end of 2025 to reflect the new partnerships we have been exploring. In particular we are excited to begin supporting Transforming Plymouth Together (TPT), Safe Families/Home for Good, and Mercy Ships. 

**16** 



## **FINANCE REPORT – Adam Taylor (Treasurer)** 

This year the charity received a total income of £272,364. The vast majority of this income (£193,817) was from voluntary giving and we were able to claim £39,505 in Gift Aid on this. Total income also includes £27,524 generated from the hire of the church and hall and £11,518 received from a combination of grants, donations, fees and bank interest. 

Expenditure in the year came to £308,645 and from the summary you can see that for 2025 we have separated out the maintenance and running costs for the two church buildings. We are extremely encouraged and grateful to report an operational surplus of £1,715 for 2026 despite a budgeted deficit of over £33,000. This was achieved through a combination of higher than anticipated levels of giving, reduced staffing costs and lower expenditure than budgeted for St Simon’s. Sunday teaching focused on giving as part of discipleship in both May and October which led to new regular givers signing up and an increase in regular giving amounts. 

Overall the accounts show a deficit of £36,381 once the £19,948 charge for depreciation on fixed assets and the strategic use of £16,333 (net) from former endowment fund reserves to cover specific expenditure is included. In 2025, £4,747 from these funds was used to support provision of a SW Youth Ministries worker for part of the year, whilst £1,467 was used to purchase office tech. St Simon’s used £1,782 (net) of designated reserves towards fabric project expenditure, leaving an end of year balance of £88,632. The Acts 4 Fund, which supports church members in financial difficulty, has paid out £2,500 in grants and the end of year fund balance is £5,110. The Mission Fund which exists to provide small grants for those involved in mission activities at home or abroad, stands at £8,074. Information about these funds is available on the website and from the PCC. 

## Investment policy 

In accordance with the charity’s governing document, the Trustees have the power to invest funds in any investments that they see fit. The policy is to adopt a low-risk strategy while maximising returns. The Trustees are satisfied that the policy adopted remains adequate and appropriate. 

## Reserves policy 

As is best practice, it is the policy of the Trustees to maintain unrestricted funds, which are free reserves, at a sufficient level to secure the continued provision of normal charitable activities for a maximum period of six months. 

Adam Taylor 

## Treasurer 

**17** 



**Trustees’ Responsibilities -** Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity at the end of the year and of the surplus or deficiency for the year then ended. 

In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to select suitable accounting policies, as described later in the accounts, and then apply them on a consistent basis, making judgements and estimates that are prudent and reasonable. The trustees must also prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue. 

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. The trustees 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. 

## **Safeguarding** 

The PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults). 

## **Independent Examination** 

A resolution to appoint Tony Jopson & Co. as independent examiners for the ensuing year will be proposed at the next APCM during which the financial statements are approved in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 

On behalf of the PCC 


Sophie Chatten, Priest In Charge 

Date: 2nd March 2026 

**18** 



INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORTTO THE PAROCHIALCHURCH COUNCIL OF CHARLES WITH ST
5T
MAThHIAS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
I report on the attached accounts of the Parochial Church Council I'PCC'I for the year ended 31
December 2025, in respect of an examination carried out under regulation 3 of the Church Accounting
Regulations 1997 to 2CKJI and Section 145, Charites Act 20111.the 2011 Act~l.
Respertive re5pon5ibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees Imember5 of the PCCI are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. They
consider that èn audit is not required for this year under Section 144 of the 2011 Act and that an
independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to..
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act-
to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners
(under seclion 14515llbll of the 2011 Act- and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention_
Bos15 of Independent Exominews Statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity
Commissioners. An examirsation includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and
a comparison of the accounts presented with these record5. It a150 includes consideration of any
unusual items or disc105ures in the accounts. and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning
any such matters. The Pfocedure5 undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required
in an audit, and consequently no opinion 15 given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair
view" and the report is limited io those matters as Set out in the statement below.
Independent Examinerf5 Statement
In connection with my examination. no matter has come to my attention..
iii
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements..
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Art. and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting record5 and comply with the accounting
requirements of the 2011 Act, have not been met- or
121
to which. in my opinion. attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding
of the accounts to be reached_
I913/￿
A Pjopson, FCA
Date
(Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales)
Tony Jopson & Co Ltd, Peverell Corner. 246 Peverell Park Road, Plymouth, PL3 4QG
19

**The Parochial Church Council of Charles with St Mathias, Plymouth** 

## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** 

## **Year Ending 31 December 2025** 

## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (SOFA)** 

|Note<br>**Income from**<br>Donations and legacies:<br>Regular giving<br>2<br>Other voluntary receipts<br>3<br>Church activities<br>4<br>Investments<br>5<br>**Total Income**<br>**Expenditure on**<br>Church activities<br>6<br>**Total Expenditure**<br>**Net income / (expenditure)**<br>**before investment gains / (losses)**<br>**Net gains / (losses) on investments**<br>**Net income / (expenditure)**<br>**Transfers between funds**<br>**Transfers in of 3 charities**<br>Assets controlled by PCC<br>**Net movement in funds**<br>**Total funds brought forward**<br>**Total funds carried forward**<br>11|**Restricted**<br>**Endowment**<br>**Total Funds**<br>**Total Funds**<br>**General**<br>**Designated**<br>**Funds**<br>**Funds**<br>**2025**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>232,861<br>461<br>0<br>0<br>233,322<br>239,740<br>230<br>1,250<br>0<br>0<br>1,480<br>972<br>33,498<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>33,498<br>39,119<br>4,064<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>4,064<br>3,956<br>**270,653**<br>**1,711**<br>**0**<br>**0**<br>**272,364**<br>**283,787**<br>276,951<br>6,999<br>24,695<br>0<br>308,645<br>311,936<br>**276,951**<br>**6,999**<br>**24,695**<br>**0**<br>**308,645**<br>**311,936**<br>**-6,298**<br>**-5,288**<br>**-24,695**<br>**0**<br>**-36,281**<br>**-28,149**<br>**0**<br>**0**<br>**0**<br>**0**<br>**0**<br>**0**<br>**-6,298**<br>**-5,288**<br>**-24,695**<br>**0**<br>**-36,281**<br>**-28,149**<br>**-85,680**<br>**85,680**<br>**0**<br>**0**<br>**0**<br>**0**<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>**-91,978**<br>**80,393**<br>**-24,695**<br>**0**<br>**-36,280**<br>**-28,149**<br>**91,980**<br>**189,035**<br>**45,957**<br>**0**<br>**326,971**<br>**355,120**<br>**1**<br>**269,428**<br>**21,262**<br>**0**<br>**290,691**<br>**326,971**<br>**Unrestricted Funds**|
|---|---|



20 



The Parochial Church Council of Charles with St Mathias, Plymouth
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Year Endlng 31 December 2025
BALANCE SHEEr
2025
2024
Note
Fixed Assets
Freehold investment property
Furniture, fixtures and fittings
Audio visual equipment
Investments
11,574
8,397
19,534
20,386
19,970
39,919
Current Assets
Debtors
Cash on deposit
Cash at bank and in hand
3,248
203,145
71,866
19,095
256,959
18,753
278,259
294,807
Creditors
Falllng due within one year
10
7,538
7,755
Net Current Assets
270,721
287,052
Total Assets les Current Liabilities
290,691
326,971
Creditors
Falllng due after more than one year
Net Assets
290,691
326,971
Funds
Endowment funds
Designated funds
Restricted funds
Unrestricted f unds
11
269,428
21,262
181,886
53,105
91,980
Total Funds
290,691
326,971
The financial statements were approved by the Parochial Church Council on 19/0312026 and slgned on its behalf by;
Rev S Chatten
Vicar
Mr A Taylor
Treasurer
21

## **The Parochial Church Council of Charles with St Matthias, Plymouth** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Year Ending 31 December 2025** 

## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES** 

## **Basis of preparation** 

The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with Church Accounting Regulations 2006 together with the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and Financial Reporting Standard 102 (FRS 102). 

The financial statements have been prepared under the historic cost convention, except for the valuation of investment assets, which are shown at fair value. 

The PCC meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the PCC. 

## **Going concern** 

The financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis. There are no material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubts upon the PCC's ability to continue as a going concern. 

## **Funds** 

General funds represent the funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for application on the general purposes of the PCC. Funds designated for a particular purpose by the PCC are also not restricted. 

Restricted funds are amounts which have been received by the PCC with specific directions concerning the way in which capital and any income arising are to be expended. 

Endowment funds are sums which are held by or on behalf of the PCC and where only the income can be spent, with the capital being retained permanently, or at the PCC’s discretion, and invested. 

The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of the church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body nor those that are informal gatherings of church members. 

## **Income** 

_Donations and legacies:_ Planned giving, collections and general donations are recognised only when received. Gift aid recoverable on donations is recognised when the donation is received. Grants and legacies to the PCC are recognised as soon as the PCC is notified of its legal entitlement, the amount due is quantifiable and its ultimate receipt by the PCC is probable. 

22 



## **The Parochial Church Council of Charles with St Matthias, Plymouth** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Year Ending 31 December 2025** 

_Charitable activities:_ Income from church fee income is recognised when the fee is due. Income from activities is accounted for gross. 

_Other trading activities:_ Rental income is recognised when the rent is due. Where income is received in advance, it is recognised in the year in which the event takes place that it relates to. 

_Investments:_ Interest entitlements are accounted for as they accrue. Dividends are accounted for when due and payable. 

## **Expenditure** 

_Raising funds:_ Expenditure on raising funds is accounted for on the accruals basis. Raising funds includes the costs of the investment property. 

_Charitable activities:_ Expenditure on charitable activities is accounted for on the accruals basis. The diocesan common fund is accounted for when payable. Any unpaid amount at 31 December is provided for in these accounts as an operational (although not legal) liability and is shown as a creditor in the balance sheet. Grants are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding obligation on the PCC. 

## **Tangible fixed assets** 

_Consecrated land and buildings and moveable church furnishing:_ Consecrated and beneficed property is excluded from the accounts by s10(2)(a) of the Charities Act 2011. No value is placed on moveable church furnishings held by the churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal since the PCC considers this to be inalienable property. All expenditure incurred during the year on consecrated or beneficed buildings and moveable church furnishings, whether maintenance or improvement, is written off as expenditure in the SOFA and separately disclosed. 

_Freehold property:_ Freehold property is valued at purchase price. In the opinion of the PCC members, depreciation of freehold properties would be immaterial and has not been charged. The members carry out an annual impairment review, and in their opinion no provision is necessary in respect of the value at which freehold properties are included in the financial statements. 

_Other fixed assets:_ Other fixed assets are recognised at cost. Individual assets with a purchase price less than £1,000 are written off when the asset is acquired. Depreciation has been provided on other fixed assets on a straight-line basis in order to write off the cost of the assets over the following estimated useful lives: 

- Fixtures and fittings - 10 years 

- Computers and equipment - 5 years 

23 



## **The Parochial Church Council of Charles with St Matthias, Plymouth** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Year Ending 31 December 2025** 

## **Investment properties** 

Investment properties are included in the balance sheet at their open market value in accordance with FRS 102 and are not depreciated. 

## **Investments** 

Investments are a form of basic financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction value and subsequently measured at their fair value as at the balance sheet date using the closing quoted market price. The SOFA includes net gains and losses arising on revaluations and disposals throughout the year. 

## **Debtors** 

Amounts owing to the PCC at 31 December in respect of fees, rents or other income are shown as debtors less provision for any amounts that may prove uncollectible. These are recognised initially at the settlement amount. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid, net of any trade discounts due. 

## **Cash and cash equivalents** 

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, and other shortterm liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. 

## **Creditors** 

Creditors are recognised when the PCC has an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Creditors are recognised at the amount that the PCC anticipates it will pay to settle the debt, or the amount it has received as advanced payment for the goods or services it must provide. 

## **Financial instruments** 

The church only has financial assets and liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. All (including debtors and creditors) are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value. 

24 



**The Parochial Church Council of Charles with St Mathias, Plymouth** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** 

## **Year Ending 31 December 2025** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Endowment Total Funds Total Funds<br>General Designated Funds Funds 2025 2024<br>£ £ £ £ £ £<br>2 Regular giving<br>Planned giving inc. envelopes 188,398 388 0 0 188,786 200,113<br>Collections at services 5,031 0 0 0 5,031 6,393<br>Income tax recovered 39,431 73 0 0 39,505 33,234<br>232,861 461 0 0 233,322 239,740<br>3 Other voluntary receipts<br>Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme 230 0 0 0 230 972<br>Four Greens Community Trust grant 0 1,000 0 0 1,000 0<br>The Social Change grant 0 250 0 0 250 0<br>Hardship fund 0 0 0 0 0 0<br>230 1,250 0 0 1,480 972<br>4 Income from church activities<br>Statutory fees - weddings, funerals, etc. 1,068 0 0 0 1,068 1,119<br>Miscellaneous 2,100 0 0 0 2,100 9,048<br>Gross income (solar panels) 2,806 0 0 0 2,806 2,103<br>Gross income (hall lettings) 27,524 0 0 0 27,524 26,849<br>33,498 0 0 0 33,498 39,119<br>5 Income from investments<br>Profit from sale of investments 0 0 0 0 0 0<br>Dividends & interest 0 0 0 0 0 0<br>Bank interest received 4,064 0 0 0 4,064 3,956<br>4,064 0 0 0 4,064 3,956<br>Total Income 270,653 1,711 0 0 272,364 283,787<br>6 Expenditure on charitable activities<br>Ministry: common fund 60,300 0 0 0 60,300 57,400<br>Church running expenses - St Matts 25,147 0 0 0 25,147 19,457<br>Church maintenance - St Matts 3,631 0 0 0 3,631 15,489<br>Church running expenses - St Simons 8,397 0 0 0 8,397 0<br>Church maintenance - St Simons 1,339 3,032 0 0 4,371 0<br>Upkeep of services 6,958 0 0 0 6,958 16,821<br>Music and production 7,100 0 0 0 7,100 6,782<br>Parish hall – services and maintenance 17,149 0 0 0 17,149 16,414<br>Events and other parish expenditure 2,909 0 0 0 2,909 3,705<br>Youth / student work 2,999 0 0 0 2,999 2,888<br>Salaries and fees 116,651 0 4,747 0 121,398 127,224<br>Training 2,103 0 0 0 2,103 2,014<br>External giving 14,405 2,500 0 0 16,905 13,542<br>Depreciation 0 0 19,948 0 19,948 19,948<br>Administration 7,463 1,467 0 0 8,930 9,851<br>Accountant’s fees 400 0 0 0 400 400<br>Total Expenditure 276,951 6,999 24,695 0 308,645 311,936<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


## **7 Transactions with PCC members and related parties** 

- None of the members of the PCC were remunerated or reimbursed for their expenses in their capacity as PCC members. 

- Hannah Bowker was paid £21,588 for her role as Church Centre Manager. Louis Winstone was paid £7,996 for his role as Worship & Young Adults Pastor. 

- During 2025, the PCC received £45,284 in donations from Trustees. The donors did not attach any conditions to their gift which required the charity to significantly alter the nature of its existing activities. 

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## **The Parochial Church Council of Charles with St Mathias, Plymouth** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** 

## **Year Ending 31 December 2025** 


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Furniture,<br>Investment  A/V & IT  Fixtures &<br>8 Tangible fixed assets Property Equipment Fittings Total<br>£ £ £ £<br>Cost or valuation<br>At 1/1/25 0 119,887 79,595 199,482<br>Additions 0 0 0 0<br>At 31/12/25 0 119,887 79,595 199,482<br>Depreciation<br>At 1/1/25 0 99,501 60,062 159,563<br>Charge for the year 0 11,989 7,960 19,948<br>At 31/12/25 0 111,490 68,022 179,511<br>Net book value<br>At 31/12/2025 0 8,397 11,574 19,970<br>At 31/12/2024 0 20,386 19,533 39,919<br>9 Debtors 31/12/25 31/12/24<br>£ £<br>Gift Aid reclaimable 3,073 2,852<br>Prepayments 0 0<br>Rent due 0 7,291<br>Solar feed-in 0 0<br>Other debtors 174 8952<br>3,248 19,095<br>10 Creditors 31/12/25 31/12/24<br>£ £<br>Fees due 0 0<br>Other creditors 4,551 4,008<br>Accrued expenses 2,986 3,747<br>7,538 7,755<br>11 Funds<br>Bal b/fwd Income Expenditure Transfers Bal c/fwd<br>£ £ £ £ £<br>General - unrestricted 91,980 270,653 276,951 -85,680 1<br>Church planting - designated 12,267 3,869 16,136<br>Casual reserves - designated 0 7,943 7,943<br>Capital purchases - designated 0 45,000 45,000<br>Younger generations - designated 0 10,000 10,000<br>Social action / start up - designated 0 10,000 10,000<br>Media & technology - designated 0 1,467 5,000 3,533<br>St Simons - designated 90,414 1,250 3,032 88,632<br>Mission - designated 4,205 3,869 8,074<br>Reserves - designated 75,000 75,000<br>Hardship fund - designated 7,149 461 2,500 5,110<br>Youth & media - restricted 6,040 4,747 1,294<br>Fixed assets - restricted 39,917 19,948 19,969<br>326,972 272,364 308,645 0 290,691<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


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