**HOPE CHAPEL (1134290)**
_**FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**_
## **HOPE CHAPEL**
## ANNUAL REPORT
## AND
## FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
## YEAR ENDED 30[TH] SEPTEMBER 2024
Charity Number: 1134290
**HOPE CHAPEL (1134290)**
_**FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**_
## **CONTENTS**
**LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION .................................................................................. 3 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES ................................................................................................................ 5 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT .............................................................................................. 18 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES ........................................................................................... 19 BALANCE SHEET .............................................................................................................................. 20 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS......................................................................................... 21**
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**HOPE CHAPEL (1134290)**
_**FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**_
## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
Status:
Hope Chapel was created by a trust deed in July 2000 as a member of the Congregational Federation of England and Wales. It is also a registered charity (number 1134290). In 2023 the church name was changed to ‘Hope Chapel’ from ‘Hope Community Church.’ This name change was to simplify communication and identification of the church.
Hope operates from the Hope Chapel site in Hotwells, Bristol. The elders are the managing trustees and the Congregational Federation is the custodian trustee of the property.
Hope Chapel’s HM Revenue and Customs charity reference is XR32133.
## **Managing Trustees:**
The managing trustees are the elders who, throughout the year to 30 September 2024 and to the signing date of the report, were:
|Claire Allan|Appointed Feb 2023|
|---|---|
|Alice Bond|Appointed Feb 2005|
|Chris Bond|Appointed Feb 2005|
|Bill Drewett (Chair)|Appointed Feb 2023, Chair from August 2023|
|Emma Drewett (Treasurer)|Appointed Feb 2023|
|Esther Lambert|Appointed Feb 2020|
|Helen Westbury|Appointed Feb 2020|
|Peter Westbury (Chair)|Appointed Feb 2020, Chair until August 2023|
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**HOPE CHAPEL (1134290)**
_**FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**_
## **Address:**
Hope Chapel, Hope Chapel Hill, Hotwells, Bristol, BS8 4ND
## **Independent Examiner:**
Joshua Kingston BSc (Hons) ACA
Burton Sweet Limited The Clock Tower,
5 Farleigh Court, Old Weston Road, Flax Bourton, Bristol BS48 1UR
## **Bankers:**
Charities Aid Foundation Bank Ltd, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Mailing, Kent, ME19 4JQ
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**HOPE CHAPEL (1134290)**
_**FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**_
## REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
The trustees present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2024.
## **Objects and Activities**
The objects of the charity are as follows:
The principal purpose of the church is the advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles and usages for the time being of congregationalism and in accordance with any specific requirements in the foundation trusts.
The church may also advance education, relieve need and carry out other charitable purposes in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world.
The charity’s trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission in exercising their powers and duty.
## **Vision**
Hope Chapel's vision is “to bring hope to all people through the good news of Jesus Christ.”
Within this we particularly pursue these four dreams that give us a focus amongst other churches within Bristol:
- To be a prayer centre for the city.
- To be a family for people on the margins of society.
- To be a church that children love.
- To be at the heart of the community.
These dreams sharpen our focus as a church,
recognising that we serve the city best when we focus on our strengths and the specific areas to which God has called us. Most members of Hope have been drawn to the church because they are passionate about one or more of the dreams or because they are drawn to the culture of the church, which in itself has been shaped by these dreams.
**HOPE CHAPEL (1134290)**
_**FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**_
## **Strategy**
Minster - Our strategy for effectiveness and growth has been inspired by the Celtic concept of ‘minsters.’ In Celtic Britain, minsters were the first Christian buildings. These were a mid-point between a monastery (separate from society with rhythms of prayer and spiritual discipline) and parish church (hands on in leading worship and providing for the needs of the local community). They were regional in their scope, sending out their members as lay missionaries to the region around the minster. They were gathering places for learning, refuge, poverty relief, education, enterprise, and had within them rhythms of prayer and worship, much like Hope Chapel. The map below shows the locations of Hope households, with Hope members living as followers of Jesus within their workplaces and local communities across Bristol and the surrounding area.
_Hope Chapel Households Map_
Depth - Our emphasis has also been on establishing a greater depth of relationship, discipleship, and prayer within a smaller church membership, rather than on growing a numerically larger church. We look to ‘send out’ individuals or couples or families after a season of being part of Hope, to bring what they have grown in to other settings. To date we have prioritised this over the idea of planting other church congregations.
Purpose – A third aspect of strategy is to support each individual in finding and living in their God-given purpose. Ephesians 2.10 writes that God has prepared good works for each person to do. Alongside workplace and local community, our ‘boats’ (more below) provide another opportunity for people to minister in line with their gifts, passion and purpose.
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**HOPE CHAPEL (1134290)**
_**FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**_
## **Organisation**
During the year the staff team was as follows:
Chris Bond Pastor (full time) Alice Bond Pastor (2 days per week) Hannah Lehmann Administrator (4 days per week) Aaron Mathias Caretaker (15 hours per week) Claire Collins Finance administrator (1 day per week) – ended September 2024 Dylan Lindo Jones Finance Administrator (1 day per week) – began September 2024 Charlie Carron Youth Pastor (3 days per week) Micah Partridge Youth Intern (24 hours placement time per week)
Hope operates to a large extent as a volunteer organisation and much of the work of the staff team is supporting and facilitating the work of volunteers. Most of the volunteers are members of Hope (see below) or people who worship at Hope but have not formally become members. Each Sunday service involves approximately 20 volunteers in addition to the employed pastors, on teams including hospitality, worship & PA, welcoming, and the different children’s groups.
The elders who served during the year and to the date of this report are listed on page 1. The pastors and associate pastors of the church are elders ex officio. The other elders are members of Hope who have been nominated and appointed by the members of the church to serve as elders for a term of three years.
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**HOPE CHAPEL (1134290)**
_**FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**_
## **2023-2024**
As we have pursued our vision to bring hope to all people through the good news of Jesus Christ, and particularly given focus to our four dreams, the following are notable features of this year:
## Our Dream Is…. To Be A Prayer Centre For The City
- Knife crime had risen in Bristol through 2023 and there were 5 fatal gang related stabbings up until 5[th] March 2024. In response Hope led in collaboration with other city churches calling a day of prayer and fasting for peace in Bristol. This event, held on 6[th] March 2024 saw churches across the city open their doors for prayer, an early morning Zoom prayer time with over 50 churches represented, a gathering in the Cathedral in the evening led by a large group and variety of church leaders in prayer, testimony, repentance and worship. Since that day there have been no further fatal gang stabbings in Bristol.
- On 16[th] July, Hope celebrated 25 years of the Prayer Centre. Churches were invited to send several generations of prayer leaders to the event which both told the story of prayer in Bristol over 25 years (from the Prayer Centre perspective) and prayed for and commissioned younger generations. All agreed that it was a powerful evening of worship and rich encouragement.
- Hope, largely through pastor Chris Bond, is very involved in cross church prayers including a 7am weekly online Bristol church leader’s prayer gathering. This meeting has strengthened friendship and collaboration across churches. Hope hosted an in person prayer breakfast for church leaders in September.
- There is still much potential for the Prayer Centre to be used by people within Hope and across the city more regularly. The aim is to build on this through 2025. Hope has also asked God’s House International Centre, the church that Hope partners with closely in the city, to pass on their learning and experience in prayer to better equip Hope Chapel to pray in 2025.
## Our Dream Is…. To Be At The Heart Of The Community
- The relationship with Hotwells School has continued to be strong. Chris Bond serves as Chair of Governors. We use the school grounds for a children’s group on a Sunday morning. The school has used Hope for events through the year including ‘Christmas in a Box’ and the Hope team were involved with ‘Easter in a Box’ at Holy Trinity Church site. The school staff hold meetings in the crypt and Hope has hosted other events including a PTA disco.
- The Ukrainian community has continued to find a strong home in Hope Chapel even though most of the other hubs that were setup for Ukrainians fleeing the war have now closed across the city because they are no longer needed. There is a tight sense of community and fun here.
- The Hong Kong church has also developed deeper roots. Previously part of the Good Neighbour Church network, the Hope Chapel congregation were told that they could no longer be supported by the Good Neighbour network because they did not have the resources to support all of their sites across multiple cities. The congregation has continued to meet though, leading themselves with support from the Hope Chapel staff team and infrastructure. They continue to host events for elderly Hong Kongers in Bristol and these are very well attended.
- Amongst our various ‘boats,’ and ‘life groups’, Celebrate Recovery is another strong community within Hope Chapel, the local area and for the city. This Christ-centred 12 Step
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**HOPE CHAPEL (1134290)**
_**FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**_
recovery community is for people with various habits and addictions but in many ways just helps anyone to lead a healthy life of humility and growth through following Jesus each day.
## Our Dream Is…. To Be A Church That Children Love
- Youth have continued to thrive, growing numerically and as they have grown in age, those who often might be expected to attend services and gatherings less have continued to prioritise being actively present at Hope Sunday services and events. Micah, our Youth Intern has been an excellent support to Youth Pastor Charlie Carron.
- Church Members have encouraged us to look to appoint a Children’s Pastor for the growing numbers of children inside the church and also to be able to reach out to other children outside the church. In our Elders and Church Members Business Meetings this year we have discussed and prayed this role and decided in February that we would look to appoint a Children’s Pastor for 2.5 days per week. The role was first advertised in May 2024 in an environment where several churches in the city were recruiting for that sort of role and finding it difficult to recruit. We had not recruited by year end (though now, in the following financial year we have recruited an excellent Children’s Pastor). Additional giving from church members was encouraged in order to fund this post. We saw an increase in giving in response.
- Little Stars toddler group ended this year as there was not a team available to lead it. This community event has been much appreciated over the years and we hope to be able to start it again at some point.
- Youth and Children’s camp events over the year included Spree for older primary school children, and DCYC (Devon Christian Youth Camp) for youth. These were hugely popular and helped to form strong cohorts of friends and grow faith.
## Our Dream Is…. To Be A Family For People On The Margins Of Society
- Hope On Wednesday, a discipleship group for men and women with backgrounds in prison and addiction has continued this year, though smaller in numbers. Food Bank has seen changes in clients to include more who are homeless this year. The Wednesday soup lunch is a much appreciated gathering place for people around the table with an average of perhaps 12 people each week. Yes Friends ethical clothing company staff team have been regular people around the table. This year they outgrew their storage and office space within Hope Chapel and have moved to a larger premises in Bedminster. They were very good tenants whose business shared many of the values of Hope.
- A regular feature for the church calendar is preparing gift bags for Bristol prisoners each November. A production line is setup to do this at the end of the service, as it is in several churches across the city under the umbrella of the Sixty One prison ministry.
## Other Notable Features
Besides the four dreams, other features of the year include:
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**HOPE CHAPEL (1134290)**
_**FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**_
- Partnership with God’s House International Centre. Marvin Rees, previously Mayor of Bristol challenged the churches in the city by saying that the divisions along lines of race and class in Bristol also exist within the churches. He said that the church should be leading the way in ‘stitching the city together.’ In response to that we have formed an intentional partnership with God’s House (GHIC). This is a largely (but not exclusively) African Pentecostal church with their building in Staple Hill, Bristol. Collaboration this year has included a joint carol service in 2023 where all of the church came to Hope Chapel and we combined our traditions for a wonderful time together. Hope went to GHIC for Good Friday. We joined in with events including their football tournament, and GHIC joined Hope for our annual Living Free course. This partnership is having quite an impact in the city.
- We have changed our approach to Church Business Meetings, making them more prayerful and workshop type spaces. They had previously been more structured around communication of a message from the front. This new approach is working well to be more prayerful and collaborative amongst members.
- We had an excellent weekend away at Heatree Activity Centre in June. The venue was beautiful, about 130 Hopers came, our theme was on using our gifts with the aid of the 6 Types of Working Genius tool, and it helped build community further within the church.
## **Activities in 2023-2024**
Hope pursues its vision through:
1. Gathering as a whole church in a single Sunday morning service to worship God and to inspire and equip church members and those seeking God (this is deliberately one service that brings together people of all ages and many different social backgrounds).
2. Running various mid-week ministries in Hope Chapel and around the city.
3. Accountable relationships, discipleship courses and events.
4. Encouraging members that their homes, workplaces and local communities are settings for all to advance the Christian faith in a wide variety of ways.
5. Sending and supporting mission partners locally, nationally and internationally.
## **1. Sunday Gatherings**
Our weekly Sunday morning service continues to be our main gathering as a whole church. We have continually decided against starting a second or evening service so as to maintain the intergenerational richness of the church. Our growing youth have increasingly been meeting in different forms on Sunday evenings including a monthly youth worship evening service.
Our Sunday teaching has largely been around the Sermon on the Mount. Alice Bond and Bill Drewett have each been following their own series with each speaking on one Sunday per month. The first Sunday of each month has continued to be a time of extended prayer and worship.
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**HOPE CHAPEL (1134290)**
_**FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**_
The second halves of our services involve children and youth joining groups in different locations whilst adults hear these talks and have more worship. We’ve moved these round different locations through the year to find enough space and the best spaces for these groups. The youth outgrew the 264 Hotwell Road living room so are now meeting in the Prayer Centre, with Little Gems in the Crypt, babies in the Meeting Room and Kids over at the school.
## **2. Mid-Week Ministries (Boats & Life Groups)**
Hope’s mid-week ministries are listed below under the other dreams to which they relate. In line with the ‘Beach and Boat Vision’ these ministries are described as ‘boats’, communities of Hope members who are together on a missional purpose as shown in the drape that hangs in the hall in Hope Chapel.
We also currently have 4 Life Groups. Known in other churches as cell groups or home groups or similar, these provide an opportunity for people to build relationship with others and grow in their faith in a home setting.
_**Beach & Boat Vision drape, showing how Hope operates as a church. Members gather on the beach to worship and pray together and commission the boats which then go out 'on mission'.**_
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**HOPE CHAPEL (1134290)**
_**FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**_
_Mid-week ministries relating to Hope’s dream - to be a prayer centre for the city:_
- Hope Monthly Day of Prayer – monthly 24 hours of prayer for Bristol with each hour of prayer hosted by a different person or people from within Hope.
- Our 24/7 prayer room is used by many individuals from across the city including monthly city leaders prayers
_Mid-week ministries relating to Hope’s dream - to be a family for people on the margins of society:_
- Hope On Wednesday – discipleship group for (mostly) men with backgrounds in addiction.
- Celebrate Recovery – a Christ-centred 12 Step group for people with addictions and life altering behaviours.
- Mentor Me – a Bristol ministry under the umbrella of Sixty-One that connects people due to leave prison with a mentor who can support them as they adapt to life outside prison. Several people within Hope serve as mentors.
- Food Bank – Hope Chapel is an outlet for the Trussell Trust North West Bristol Foodbank; a Hope team host the Food Bank and a café each Wednesday morning.
- Soup Run – as part of the Bristol Churches Soup Run, a Hope team takes soup to the homeless on one night each month.
- Ukrainian Refugee Hub – A weekly hub for Ukrainian Refugees to eat together, have community and plenty of opportunities for play for the children. We’ve been delighted that a number of volunteers from a church of displaced individuals from Hong Kong help with the hub.
- The Well – a community providing supported living for young care leavers.
_Mid-week ministries relating to Hope’s dream - to be a church that children love and Hope’s dream - to be at the heart of the community:_
- Aside from the involvement of children on Sundays, Little Stars toddler group meets every Monday morning and welcomes about 25 local families who find friendship and encouragement alongside the joys and challenges of parenting young children.
- Our Youth Pastor continues to lead a team of volunteers in running various youth groups and events including weekly discipleship groups, monthly worship & encounter evenings and ad hoc youth socials.
- Roger & Angie Allen lead the Knowle West ‘boat’, leading the Lee Abbey community in Knowle West.
- Partnership with Hotwells Primary School – mutual use of buildings.
- Hope also leases the building to outside organisations that are not necessarily Christian but that are beneficial for the local community, including a Tango club, the annual Hotwells
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**HOPE CHAPEL (1134290)**
_**FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**_
Pantomime (4 nights of performance each March with more than 1,000 local people performing and watching), local orchestra, other ad hoc events.
## **3. Homes, Workplaces and Local Communities**
Hope’s roots are in Congregationalism. This Christian denomination emphasizes the ‘priesthood of all believers’ and ‘every member ministry.’ These biblical concepts from 1 Peter 2, 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4, teach that every Christian should participate in the life of the church. This is not a privilege reserved for ordained clergy. Furthermore, the church is not confined to services or certain times and places, but is designed to bring the presence of Jesus into every area of life. Archbishop William Temple said in 1944 “We are convinced that England will never be converted until the laity use their daily opportunities afforded them in their various crafts and workshops.” In light of this, a significant emphasis is given within the life of the church to members’ homes, workplaces and local communities as their places of godly influence and ministry.
## **4. Sending and Supporting Mission Partners Locally, Nationally and Internationally**
- Roger and Angie Allen continue in their work enabling church unity and partnership through the different spheres of life across the city of Bristol.
- James and Sally Harding have moved to Sandhurst in James’ capacity as a padre within the British Army.
- Hope supports Silas & Annie Crawley in their development of prayer in Bristol
- We support Beloved, a local charity offering support to women working in the indoor sex industry in Bristol and the surrounding areas and give opportunities for them to be disciple in the Christian faith where wanted.
- We support Bristol School’s Connections who equip the church in Bristol to serve their local schools and help the, create imaginative prayer spaces for spiritual development.
- We support STEP, working with children in the Middle East.
- We support Futsoul – a Futsal club that unites communities across Bristol through playing football.
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**HOPE CHAPEL (1134290)**
_**FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**_
## **Church Membership**
Those attending the church, who subscribe to its values and beliefs, and who feel called and committed to the church are encouraged to become ‘members’ of Hope.
Adults can become members through having their names put forward at a church meeting and are then invited to become members of the church by making a public commitment before the congregation and are welcomed into church membership. The commitment of church membership is an agreement to live within the community of the church in the sharing of time and resources and to live in accountable relationships with each other.
Membership of Hope involves members discerning God’s together what God is saying to the church. This includes members attending and voting at church meetings and contributing to the appointment of elders and some staff roles.
Hope currently has 96 formal adult “members”, 266 subscribers to the Fortnightly Email, 161 adults on the database, and 105 children and youth. The population pyramids overleaf show the age and gender demographics.
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**HOPE CHAPEL (1134290)**
_**FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**_
## **Trustee and Members’ Meetings**
Church members vote to appoint ‘elders’ who oversee the church. These are also the trustees of the charity. The elders have met twice each month through 2023-2024 for meetings that combine the charity’s governance with the spiritual leadership of the church. Matters that were relevant to members for decision making were brought to members’ meetings. Four members’ meetings were held this year.
The non-staff elders are:
Claire Allan
Bill Drewett
Emma Drewett
Esther Lambert
Peter Westbury
Helen Westbury
Chris & Alice Bond are elders as a part of their roles as pastors.
Elder meetings have also included regular governance issues such as reviewing the church finances, safeguarding and other matters.
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**HOPE CHAPEL (1134290)**
_**FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**_
## **Building Hire**
Some local community groups hire the church building for events and regular meetings. These all provide some additional income to the church. We enjoy a mutual relationship with Hotwells Primary School with them using Hope Chapel for various events and Hope using their hall and green space for children on a Sunday morning.
Yes Friends ethical clothing business relocated out of Hope Chapel this year having outgrown the office and storage space. For the past year they occupied previously under-utilised space, paid some useful rental income and contribute positively to the social fabric of the building. We were glad to be able to provide spaces for them through this phase of their growth and will look out for opportunities to host similar enterprises that share Hope’s values.
## **Reserves & Financial Position**
Average giving to the church by members and regulars (gift aided and non-gift aided) over the last year has been £13,033 per month. This has remained fairly consistent throughout the year and is just £252 less than last year. The number of people/households giving has been on average 55. There is some monthly fluctuation and a slight downward trend since a peak of regular givers that was reached at the end of last financial year of 59.
Total unrestricted income from October 2023 to end September 2024 is £215,814 giving an average monthly income of £17,985 over the year. This is slightly up compared with the monthly average from the previous financial year of £16,843.
Total unrestricted expenditure from October 2023 to end September 2024 is £201,910 giving a monthly average expenditure of £16,825 over the year and an average monthly surplus of £1,160. £6,319 was transferred from unrestricted funds to cover restricted expenditure leaving a surplus of £7,585 added to the unrestricted reserves.
Total unrestricted reserves at year end are £319,515. Of this amount, £270,046 is the value of the building, fixtures and equipment and £49,469 is cash reserves. At the end of September 2023 total unrestricted reserves were £311,930 of which £39,668 was cash reserves.
The reserves policy adopted by the members is to keep cash balances held in unrestricted funds in the range from £10,000 to £40,000. These cash balances are expected to be sufficient to accommodate short-term cash flow fluctuations, but the church does not seek to generate substantial surpluses or to build up excessive reserves.
The trustees and church members decided not to appoint new associate pastors immediately following Andrew and Rebekah Stansbury, given the financial position last year where expenditure exceeded income for a time, and to enable the opportunity to consider the church’s staffing needs in light of changes since the Pandemic and in light of other changes within the staff team. The church decided this year to appoint a Children’s Pastor.
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**HOPE CHAPEL (1134290)**
_**FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**_
## **Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities**
The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees’ report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England & Wales 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 and of the income and expenditure 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 judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable UK 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 operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient 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 charity’s governing document. 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.
Feb 13 2025
By order of the trustees on……………………
**Emma Drewett Chris Bond Treasurer Pastor**
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**HOPE CHAPEL (1134290)**
_**FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**_
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Hope Chapel (the Charity) for the year ended 30[th] September 2024.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do 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.
Joshua Kingston BSc (Hons) ACA Burton Sweet Limited The Clock Tower 5 Farleigh Court Old Weston Road Flax Bourton Bristol BS48 1UR
Feb 13 2025 Date: ……………………………….
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## **HOPE CHAPEL**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**
## **YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024**
|**Note**
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
**2**
Charitable activities
**3**
**Total income**
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
**4**
**Total expenditure**
**Net income/(expenditure)**
**7**
**Transfers between funds**
**14**
**Net movement in funds**
**Total funds at start of year**
**14**
**Total funds at end of year**
**14**|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
195,079
20,735
215,814
201,910
201,910
13,904
(6,319)
7,585
311,930
319,515|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
2,305
-
2,305
17,243
17,243
(14,938)
6,319
(8,619)
11,228
2,609|**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
197,384
20,735
218,119
219,153
219,153
(1,034)
-
(1,034)
323,158
322,124|**Total Funds**
**2023**
**£**
237,955
9,120
247,075
229,649
229,649
17,426
-
17,426
305,732
323,158|
|---|---|---|---|---|
The charity has no recognised gains or losses other than the results for the year as set out above. All activities are classed as continuing.
The comparative statement of financial activities is shown in note 10.
**The notes on pages 21 to 29 form part of these financial statements.**
**19**
## **HOPE CHAPEL**
## **BALANCE SHEET**
## **AS AT 30 September 2024**
|**Note**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible fixed assets
**11**
**Current assets**
Debtors
**12**
Cash at bank
**Creditors: Amounts falling due within**
**one year**
**13**
Net current assets
**Net assets**
**Funds**
Unrestricted
**15**
Restricted
**15**|**£**
7,530
49,309|**2024**
**£**
270,046
56,839
(4,761)
52,078
322,124
319,515
2,609
322,124|**£**
7,318
48,117|**2023**
**£**
272,262
55,435
(4,539)
50,896
323,158
311,930
11,228
323,158|
|---|---|---|---|---|
Feb 13 2025 These financial statements were approved by the trustees on …..................................................... and are signed on their behalf by:
Emma Drewett Treasurer
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Chris Bond
Pastor
**----- End of picture text -----**
**The notes on pages 21 to 29 form part of these financial statements.**
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## **HOPE CHAPEL**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024**
## **1 Accounting policies**
## a) **Basis of preparation**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the historical cost convention (except where otherwise stated in the accounting policy note) and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued in October 2019, and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), and the Charities Act 2011.
The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. This departure has involved following Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
The charity is a public benefit entity.
## b) **Income**
Income from donors is included within income when receivable, except as follows:
i) When donors specify that donations given to the charity must be used in future accounting periods, the income is deferred until those periods.
ii) When donors impose conditions which have to be fulfilled before the charity becomes entitled to use such income, the income is deferred until the pre-conditions have been met.
Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified.
- c) **Expenditure**
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to that category. Expenditure includes attributable VAT that cannot be recovered.
Governance costs which are included within support costs of charitable activities include all those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include independent examination fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.
## d) **Tangible fixed assets and depreciation**
Tangible fixed assets costing more than £100 are capitalised and included in the balance sheet at cost including any incidental expenses of acquisition. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life as follows:
Equipment 25% per annum reducing balance Church Building Not depreciated Fixtures 10% straight line
The church building was gifted to Hope Community Church in October 2002. At the time of the church building asset was not recognised within the accounts. FRS 102 SORP requires charities to recognise and value assets such as the church building on the balance sheet at fair value at the time of the gift. Fair value is able to be estimated by the trustees and the property is recognised at this deemed cost as if it had always been treated in this way.
Due to the nature of the Grade II church building and the trustees’ responsibility to maintain it, a policy of not depreciating the asset has been chosen.
## e) **Debtors**
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid after taking account of any discounts due.
**21**
## **HOPE CHAPEL**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024**
## **1 Accounting policies (continued)**
- f) **Cash at bank and in hand**
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short term maturity of three months of less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
## g) **Creditors**
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any discounts due.
## h) **Fund accounting**
- General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Designated funds form part of unrestricted funds and have been identified as being for particular purposes by the Trustees. They are not restricted and can be transferred to general funds at any time at the discretion of the Trustees.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with the specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in note 14 of the financial statements.
## **2 Donations**
|**Current year**
Regular donations
Youth Intern
One-off donations
Gift aid
**Prior year**
Regular donations
12 Buildings
Youth Worker Grant
Donations for hardship fund
One-off donations
Gift aid|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
163,031
-
156
31,892
195,079
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
163,283
-
-
-
435
29,279
192,997|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
-
1,000
1,305
-
2,305
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
-
16,900
8,270
1,588
18,200
-
44,958|**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
163,031
1,000
1,461
31,892
197,384
**Total Funds**
**2023**
**£**
163,283
16,900
8,270
1,588
18,635
29,279
237,955|
|---|---|---|---|
**22**
## **HOPE CHAPEL**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024**
|**3**
**Income from charitable activities**
Conferences and courses
Rental income
Little Stars
Other income|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
9,830
9,977
-
928
20,735|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-|**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
9,830
9,977
-
928
20,735|**Total Funds**
**2023**
**£**
30
8,635
44
411
9,120|
|---|---|---|---|---|
All charitable activity income in the prior year was unrestricted.
|**4**
**Expenditure on charitable activities**
**Current year**
Grants (note 5)
Staff salaries and payroll costs (note 8)
Building improvements
Pastoral expenditure
Hospitality (including Sunday breakfasts)
Conferences and courses
Under 18s
Hope on Wednesday
Refugee hub
Youth Intern costs
Hope Chapel Annexe
Support costs (note 6)
**Prior year**
Grants (note 5)
Staff salaries and payroll costs (note 8)
Building improvements
Pastoral expenditure
Hospitality (including Sunday breakfasts)
Conferences and courses
Under 18s
Hope on Wednesday
Refugee hub
Hope Chapel Annexe
Support costs (note 6)|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
20,930
121,778
259
884
3,654
14,381
3,532
1,346
-
-
-
35,146
201,910
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
14,855
130,562
883
998
4,172
492
1,781
1,105
-
-
26,915
181,763|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
1,292
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
4,024
10,217
1,710
-
17,243
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
2,159
7,595
25,588
-
-
-
-
107
2,971
9,466
-
47,886|**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
22,222
121,778
259
884
3,654
14,381
3,532
1,346
4,024
10,217
1,710
35,146
219,153
**Total Funds**
**2023**
**£**
17,014
138,157
26,471
998
4,172
492
1,781
1,212
2,971
9,466
26,915
229,649|
|---|---|---|---|
**23**
## **HOPE CHAPEL**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
5 Analysis of grants
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024
£ £ £
To Institutions
-
Churches City Fund 3,800 3,800
-
Crisis Centre Ministries (In Hope) 1,050 1,050
Beloved 2,565 - 2,565
Bristol Schools Connection 2,425 - 2,425
-
Crawley OCOD 4,225 4,225
-
R&A Allen - Chrysalis Ministry 4,225 4,225
Links International 800 - 800
Futsoul 360 750 - 750
Sixty-One - Christmas gift bags 340 - 340
STEP (UK) 750 - 750
Hardship fund - 292 292
To individuals - 1,000 1,000
20,930 1,292 22,222
Prior year comparative
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2023
£ £ £
To Institutions
-
Churches City Fund 3,000 3,000
-
Crisis Centre Ministries (In Hope) 1,800 1,800
Beloved 1,500 - 1,500
Bristol Schools Connection 1,500 - 1,500
Bees for HM Bristol Prison 455 - 455
-
Crawley OCOD 3,300 3,300
-
R&A Allen - Chrysalis Ministry 3,300 3,300
-
Hardship fund 1,659 1,659
To individuals - 500 500
14,855 2,159 17,014
**----- End of picture text -----**
**24**
## **HOPE CHAPEL**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024**
|**6**
**Support costs**
Insurance
Heat, light and water
Cleaning
Equipment
Repairs and maintenance
Memberships
Security, health and safety
Telephone
Postage, printing and stationery
Depreciation
Bank charges
Licences, legal and professional
Sundry
Governance costs
All support costs in the prior year were unrestricted.
**7**
**Net income / expenditure for the year**
This is stated after charging:
Depreciation
Independent examination fee
**8**
**Staff costs**
The aggregate payroll costs were:
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs|**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
3,307
8,590
1,594
1,437
4,255
1,138
1,748
1,384
2,619
3,163
60
1,202
1,685
2,964
35,146
**2024**
**£**
3,163
2,520
**2024**
**£**
109,839
3,455
8,484
121,778|**Total Funds**
**2023**
**£**
2,878
4,709
1,528
983
1,789
1,140
1,273
1,967
1,840
3,086
60
901
1,149
3,612
26,915
**2023**
**£**
3,086
2,280
**2023**
**£**
123,373
5,095
9,689
138,157|
|---|---|---|
No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000.
The average monthly headcount of employees during the year was 6 (2023: 7).
The total employee benefits received by key management personnel in the year was £66,046 (2023: £66,956).
## **9 Taxation**
The charity is exempt from Corporation Tax on its charitable activities.
**25**
## **HOPE CHAPEL**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024**
|**10 Comparative statement of financial activities**
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
**Total income**
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
**Total expenditure**
**Net income/(expenditure)**
**Transfers between funds**
**Net movement in funds**
**Total funds at 1 October 2022**
**Total funds at 30 September 2023**
**11 Tangible fixed assets**
**Cost**
At 1 October 2023
Additions
At 30 September 2024
**Depreciation**
At 1 October 2023
Charge for the year
At 30 September 2024
**Net book Value**
At 30 September 2024
At 30 September 2023|**Buildings**
**£**
250,000
-
250,000
-
-
-
250,000
250,000|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
192,997
9,120
202,117
181,763
181,763
20,354
(8,688)
11,666
300,264
311,930
**Fixtures**
**£**
26,399
-
26,399
5,280
2,640
7,920
18,479
21,119|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
44,958
-
44,958
47,886
47,886
(2,928)
8,688
5,760
5,468
11,228
**Equipment**
**£**
23,141
947
24,088
21,998
523
22,521
1,567
1,143|**Total Funds**
**2023**
**£**
237,955
9,120
247,075
229,649
229,649
17,426
-
17,426
305,732
323,158
**Total**
**£**
299,540
947
300,487
27,278
3,163
30,441
270,046
272,262|
|---|---|---|---|---|
The church buildings comprise Hope Chapel.
The Congregational Federation of England and Wales is the holding (custodian) trustee for all the above property. The elders of Hope Community Church became the managing trustees in October 2002.
## **12 Debtors**
|Other debtors|**2024**
**£**
7,530
7,530|**2023**
**£**
7,318
7,318|
|---|---|---|
**26**
## **HOPE CHAPEL**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024**
## **13 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**
|Other creditors
Taxation and social security
Accruals
**14 Movement in funds**
**Year ended 30 September 2024**
**Restricted funds**
Youth Intern
Donations for hardship funds
Restricted gifts
Refugee Hub
Hope Chapel Annexe
**Unrestricted funds**
DesGive
General funds
**Total funds**
**Year ended 30 September 2023**
**Restricted funds**
Buildings
Youth worker grant
Youth Intern
Restricted gifts
Donations for hardship funds
Agency
Refugee Hub
Hope Chapel Annexe
**Unrestricted funds**
General funds
**Total funds**|**1 Oct**
**2023**
**£**
3,000
190
-
4,304
3,734
11,228
-
311,930
311,930
323,158
**1 Oct**
**2022**
**£**
-
2,325
-
107
261
-
2,775
-
5,468
300,264
300,264
305,732|**Income**
**£**
1,000
-
1,000
305
-
2,305
-
215,814
215,814
218,119
**Income**
**£**
16,900
5,270
3,000
-
1,588
500
4,500
13,200
44,958
202,117
202,117
247,075|**Expenditure**
**£**
(10,217)
(292)
(1,000)
(4,024)
(1,710)
(17,243)
-
(201,910)
(201,910)
(219,153)
**Expenditure**
**£**
(25,588)
(7,595)
-
(107)
(1,659)
(500)
(2,971)
(9,466)
(47,886)
(181,763)
(181,763)
(229,649)|**2024**
**£**
1,111
1,130
2,520
4,761
**Transfers**
**£**
6,217
102
-
-
-
6,319
1,864
(8,183)
(6,319)
-
**Transfers**
**£**
8,688
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
8,688
(8,688)
(8,688)
-|**2023**
**£**
1,063
1,196
2,280
4,539
**30 Sep**
**2024**
**£**
-
-
-
585
2,024
2,609
1,864
317,651
319,515
322,124
**30 Sep**
**2023**
**£**
-
-
3,000
-
190
-
4,304
3,734
11,228
311,930
311,930
323,158|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
**27**
## **HOPE CHAPEL**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024**
## **14 Movement in funds (Continued)**
## **Fund Descriptions**
## **Restricted Funds**
**The Buildings fund** represents monies received that are to be spent on the church building.
**The Youth worker grant** represents monies received to pay for salaries for a youth worker.
**Youth Intern** is funding for the SWYM (South West Youth Ministries) internship role for the 2023-2024 academic year. This contributes to the SWYM placement fee and the cost of accommodation and living.
**The restricted gifts fund** is used for monies given to the church which are to be passed on to recipients designated by the donors.
**The donations for hardship funds** represent monies received with a specific purpose of giving to members financially affected by Covid-19.
**The agency fund** represents a donation or gift that is given to Hope Chapel and then passed straight on to another individual or organisation that is related to and consistent with the church’s charitable purposes. Examples include an anonymous gift to an individual who is in financial hardship, or a gift to a charity that is a partner of Hope Chapel.
**The Refugee Hub** fund relates to a weekly event at Hope Chapel hosting Ukrainian refugees with a cooked meal, play space for children and relational space for adults. Finances associated with this are mostly spent on food, with some expenditure on equipment, such as a bouncy castle.
**Hope Chapel Annexe** is funding for the building project of a self-contained care-taker’s dwelling on the Hope Chapel site.
## **Designated Funds**
## **DesGive**
Hope commits to giving away a proportion of its income. The total allocated to the projects that Hope supports was less than the total Hope intends to give away. Therefore the unspent giving was collected in order to be allocated to a new project once one was identified. The Trustees made the decision in October 2024 to donate the funds put aside in the 2024 financial year to a project in Pakistan.
## **15 Analysis of net assets between funds**
## **As at 30 September 2024**
|Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
**As at 30 September 2023**
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds|**Tangible**
**fixed assets**
**£**
-
270,046
270,046
**Tangible**
**fixed assets**
**£**
-
272,262
272,262|**Net current**
**assets**
**£**
2,609
49,469
52,078
**Net current**
**assets**
**£**
11,228
39,668
50,896|**Total**
**£**
2,609
319,515
322,124
**Total**
**£**
11,228
311,930
323,158|
|---|---|---|---|
**28**
## **HOPE CHAPEL**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024**
## **16 Related party transactions**
In the year two trustees were remunerated as employees of the charity as below:
|**Current Year**
**Role**
Chris Bond
Senior Pastor
Alice Bond
Senior Pastor
**Prior Year Comparative**
**Role**
Chris Bond
Senior Pastor
Alice Bond
Senior Pastor
Andrew Stansbury - Term Ended April 2023
Associate Pastor
Rebekah Stansbury - Term Ended April 2023
Associate Pastor|**Gross**
**wages**
40,204
16,082
**Gross**
**wages**
38,300
15,320
18,301
1,708|**Employers**
**pension**
3,216
1,287
**Employers**
**pension**
3,064
1,226
1,523
132|**Total**
43,420
17,369
60,789
**Total**
41,364
16,546
19,824
1,840
79,574|
|---|---|---|---|
The approved governing document of the charity contains the legal authority upon which this remuneration is made.
Other than disclosed above, no trustee received any payment during the year.
Aggregate donations from trustees, key management personnel and other related parties was £14,730 (2023: Nil).
No related party transactions occurred in the year other than disclosed above or elsewhere in the financial statements.
**29**
Audit Trail
## **Document Details**
|**Title**
Accounts for signature|**Title**
Accounts for signature||
|---|---|---|
|**File Name**
2024|Financial Statements (ID 240125).pdf||
|**Document ID**
fc6fabe2edc046f88cfba3b245fbd11f|||
|**Fingerprint**
8bb985869bd8a3fe15f7e5228f3b41af|||
|**Status**
Completed|||
|**Document History**|||
|**Document Created**|Document Created by Karen Chelton (karen@burton-sweet.co.uk)
Fingerprint: a6c2b6ef26a79decdf449cc6cbdd8fb4|Feb 13 2025
06:58AM UTC|
|**Document Sent**|Document Sent to Chris Bond (chris.bond@hopechapel.co.uk)|Feb 13 2025
06:58AM UTC|
|**Document Viewed**|Document Viewed by Chris Bond (chris.bond@hopechapel.co.uk)
IP: 82.36.69.102|Feb 13 2025
10:29AM UTC|
||Document Signed by Chris Bond (chris.bond@hopechapel.co.uk)||
||IP: 82.36.69.102||
|**Document Signed**||Feb 13 2025
10:34AM UTC|
|**Document Sent**|Document Sent to Emma Drewett (emma.drewett34@gmail.com)|Feb 13 2025
10:34AM UTC|
|**Document Viewed**|Document Viewed by Emma Drewett (emma.drewett34@gmail.com)
IP: 82.43.245.33|Feb 13 2025
10:44AM UTC|
||Document Signed by Emma Drewett (emma.drewett34@gmail.com)||
||IP: 82.43.245.33||
|**Document Signed**||Feb 13 2025
10:59AM UTC|
|**Document Sent**|Document Sent to Joshua Kingston (josh.kingston@burton-sweet.co.uk)|Feb 13 2025
10:59AM UTC|
|**Document Viewed**|Document Viewed by Joshua Kingston (josh.kingston@burton-sweet.co.uk)
IP: 185.249.213.98|Feb 13 2025
11:01AM UTC|
||Document Signed by Joshua Kingston (josh.kingston@burton-sweet.co.uk)||
|---|---|---|
||IP: 185.249.213.98||
|**Document Signed**||Feb 13 2025
11:04AM UTC|
|**Document**|This document has been completed.|Feb 13 2025|
|**Completed**|Fingerprint: 8bb985869bd8a3fe15f7e5228f3b41af|11:05AM UTC|
||||