MEDWAY VINEYARD CHURCH
(A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION)
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st January 2025
CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1135029
MEDWAY VINEYARD CHURCH (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION)
CONTENTS
| Page 2 | Legal and Administrative Information |
|---|---|
| Pages 3 to 6 | Report of the Trustees |
| Page 7 | Independent Examiner’s Report |
| Page 8 | Receipts and Payments Account |
| Page 9 | Statement of Assets and Liabilities |
| Pages 10 to 11 | Notes to the Accounts |
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MEDWAY VINEYARD CHURCH (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION)
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
PREVIOUS NAMES
Bromley Vineyard Hope Vineyard Church Croydon Limited Medway Vineyard Church Limited
CHARITY NUMBER 1135029 START OF FINANCIAL YEAR 1[st] February 2024 END OF FINANCIAL YEAR 31st January 2025
TRUSTEES WHO SERVED DURING THE Aoife Obatre YEAR AND AT DATE OF SIGNING Derek Bluer Andrew Millar (Chair and Secretary) Stephen Leveritt – appointed 13/10/2025 REGISTERED ADDRESS 15 Thames Avenue Rainham Kent ME8 9BN DATE OF INCORPORATION 16[th] January 2010, converted to a CIO on 2[nd] March 2021 GOVERNING DOCUMENT Constitution adopted on 2[nd] March 2021 BANKERS CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Sarah Crispin ACA Stewardship Services [UKET] Limited 1 Lambs Passage London EC1Y 8AB
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MEDWAY VINEYARD CHURCH (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION)
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st January 2025
The trustees are pleased to present their annual report and accounts of the charity for the year ending 31st January 2025.
Nature of the company
Medway Vineyard Church Limited was incorporated on the 16[th] January 2010 as a charitable company limited by guarantee as defined by the Companies Act 2006 (company registration number 7127431). Medway Vineyard Church Limited was also registered as a charity on 18th March 2010 (charity number 1135029). On 2[nd] March 2021, the charity converted to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with the name Medway Vineyard Church. It is therefore now only accountable to the Charity Commission and is required to comply with charity legislations. The company’s financial year is February to January.
Governance and Organisational Structure
Responsibility for setting policy and for making operating decisions rest with the trustees who meet regularly to monitor the activities of the charity. The day to day running of the church is led by Andrew and Sharon Millar who are the Senior Pastors, and Andrew is also a trustee. They along with volunteers implement the objectives and execute the administration of the charity.
Connected Organisations
Medway Vineyard Church is connected to the charity Vineyard Churches UK and Ireland (VCUKI) which was formed with the purpose of joining together churches that hold common values and practices. It gives oversight to the pastors of Vineyard churches and facilitates church planting. It helps, serves and strengthens the churches by leading, training, resourcing, administrating and providing pastoral support to Senior Pastors. Medway Vineyard Church uses the name under license from VCUKI.
Appointment of Trustees
Trustees are appointed from candidates who are generally from within the Vineyard movement and considered on the basis of their skills, experience and sympathy with the aims of Medway Vineyard Church. New trustees will be appointed by the existing trustees, and trustees attend periodic training days in order to keep them up to date.
Trustee Indemnity Insurance
The charity does not have indemnity insurance to protect it from loss arising from neglect or default of its trustees or agents or to indemnify the trustees or officers against the consequences of any neglect or default on their part.
Objects of the Charity
The objectives of the charity as stated in the constitution are:
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A) To advance the Christian faith and the planting of other Vineyard churches;
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B) To further Christian education;
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C) To relieve sickness and financial hardship and to promote and preserve good health by the provision of funds, goods or services of any kind, including through the provisions of counselling and training in life skills;
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D) To provide or assist in the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities.
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MEDWAY VINEYARD CHURCH (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION)
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st January 2025 (continued)
Summary of the charity's main activities and achievements
This is captured by the church’s vision to ‘Bring Hope, Healing and Freedom to Medway through the love of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit’. The church has continued to grow throughout this last year and the church is diverse in nature with a broad mix of people attending. The church employs two people, a Pastor (Sharon Millar) and an administrator for Wonderfully Made (WM) and during this year employed a church administrator for six months.
In fulfilling these objectives, the church holds Christian services, children’s and youth activities, provides charity locally across Medway. The church provides hardship relief both financially and through the giving of time, via the compassion ministry, Wonderfully Made. During this year the church has continued to support two local primary schools in a deprived area through the provision of food for breakfasts. This is aimed at children who wouldn’t otherwise be provided with a breakfast at home and has served up to 50 children. Wonderfully Made, the church’s school uniform ministry has continued apace and was awarded further funding this year which is essential support to enable the provision of this vital service. The church has received some very encouraging feedback from both clients and referrers (social workers, schools etc) which has inspired the team and shows how valuable this ministry area is. In excess of 300 uniforms per year are provided to the most vulnerable in society. This has led to support in other areas, such as the provision of furniture, referrals to other churches to support those who struggle to speak English.
The following two sections seek to look back over the activities of the past year and then forward to what is planned and hoped for in the coming year.
Looking back:
2024 saw continued growth in the church, both numerically (with new families and individuals regularly attending), and in depth of discipleship. The Youth Group has bonded well over the last year despite some moving on as they enter the adult church, others have joined from the Kids’ ministry. The annual week-long youth camp, Dreaming the Impossible (DTI) was a success once more and the Youth have also been on mini versions of this more locally. The church appointed an (unpaid) associate Pastor which has really strengthened the leadership and provided much needed support to the Pastors. The creche was also launched, meaning there are now three age groups for young people to be discipled and equipped on a Sunday morning and beyond. In a surprising development, but in line with many other churches, we have seen an increase in young adults attending, some of whom are exploring faith. We have run one Alpha course and about to launch the next with approx. 12 attendees.
Following on from the strong links to HMP Rochester we have continued to support Alpha courses in the prison and provide occasional services within the prison on a Sunday morning. To enhance this further, one of the church’s ladies has now been appointed as the Prison’s Pastor and will be imminently taking up a position as a Prison Chaplain (the first time this has been made available to the Vineyard.
As the church continues to grow, so does the need to provide small groups. We continue to provide a variety of small groups on different days and at different times:
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Five location-based traditional Vineyard Small Groups
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Strategic Prayer Meeting
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Intercessory Prayer Group
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Blokes’ Breakfast Group
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Women’s Group (Love a Latte)
The church continues to seek funding for Wonderfully Made and are expectant of receiving grants through the year.
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MEDWAY VINEYARD CHURCH (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION)
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st January 2025 (continued)
Following on from last year’s initiative, the church used our contacts within social services to run a love Christmas project, buying food vouchers and gifts for some of the most needy families we have connected with through Wonderfully Made. The whole church was involved in the purchase of gifts once more. In addition to this, links through WM have enabled the church to provide for some extremely deprived families, some of whom had zero furniture, clothing, appliances etc. We were able to link in via social services to provide of this and more for two families.
We have strengthened our links with Churches Together In Medway (CTIM), and are regularly represented at all meetings. We have also taken a closer role within the provision of worship at CTIM events, having sent teams to lead worship at a youth event in a barn, the monthly CTIM worship and prayer evening and also a bespoke Medway House of Prayer worship evening.
Looking Forward:
Church numbers are likely around 140-150 with regular Sunday attendance at around 90-100. This means the use of the school remains viable, but we are always alert to the need to move to something more flexible with more frequent access in the near future. This pressing need remains and the use of a purposed building is becoming more important. The barriers to this are availability and cost. We remain hopeful that at the right time, such a building will be made available.
We have two or three people still considering church planting and they are on a development track working towards this.
We anticipate further Prison Alphas, church growth discipleship and opportunities to serve the poor in the coming year. A focus on young adults is likely given the increase in their number and what appears to be a noticeable move across the UK.
The church remains committed to serving Jesus in the Medway Towns and will look to His guidance and direction in the coming year.
Financial Review
The charity had a deficit during the year of £16,994 (2023/24: surplus of £2,181). Giving to the charity remained static during the year in the general unrestricted funds at £60,356 (2023/24: £60,330), but the level of income received into the Restricted funds reduced significantly to £4,061 (2023/24: £22,850). Expenditure increased slightly during the year, particularly in areas such as the rent and young person’s work, offset by reductions in gifts and hardship relief.
At the end of the year the charity had unrestricted reserves of £24,062 (31[st] January 2024: £32,220), of which £4,800 was in a designated fund for future property requirements and restricted reserves of £Nil (31[st] January 2024: £8,836) relating to Wonderfully Made.
Reserves Policy
The trustees have considered the level of reserves they wish to retain, appropriate to the charity’s needs. This is based on the charity’s size and the level of financial commitments held. The trustees aim to ensure the charity will be able to continue to fulfil its charitable objectives even if there is a temporary shortfall in income or unexpected expenditure. The trustees will endeavour not to set aside funds unnecessarily.
As such, the trustees have set a minimum level of unrestricted reserves of £9,000, which will ensure that at least three months of the charity’s core activities could continue during a period of unforeseen difficulty.
This policy is reviewed regularly, at least annually, by the trustees.
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MEDWAY VINEYARD CHURCH (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION)
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st January 2025 (continued)
Risk Management
The charity is exposed to various risks - be they operational, financial or reputational. The trustees review the charity's activities regularly to identify significant risks and, where possible, they take appropriate measures to mitigate those risks.
Public Benefit
The charity acknowledges its requirements to demonstrate clearly that it must have charitable purposes or ‘aims’ that are for the public benefit.
In planning the activities of Medway Vineyard Church the trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. The trustees believe that this report provides suitable evidence of the public benefit being provided.
Responsibilities of trustees
Charity law requires us as trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.
We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.
We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.
Approval
This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Andrew Millar
Andrew Millar (Oct 7, 2025 10:46:09 GMT+1) Andrew Millar Date: Oct 7, 2025
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MEDWAY VINEYARD CHURCH (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION)
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF MEDWAY VINEYARD CHURCH
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Medway Vineyard Church (“the charity”) for the year ended 31 January 2025 on pages 8 to 11 following.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 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 2011 Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
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.
Sarah Crispin Sarah Crispin (Oct 16, 2025 13:46:05 GMT+1)
Sarah Crispin ACA
Date: Oct 16, 2025
Stewardship 1 Lambs Passage London EC1Y 8AB
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MEDWAY VINEYARD CHURCH (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION)
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st January 2025
| Note INCOME RECEIPTS Donations Gift aid receipts Other grants Investments TOTAL RECEIPTS PAYMENTS Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly 2 Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others Purchase of fixed assets TOTAL PAYMENTS Net of receipts /(payments) before transfers Transfers between funds NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Cash funds as at last year end CASH FUNDS AT THIS YEAR END 3 |
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds TOTAL 2024/25 TOTAL 2023/24 £ £ £ £ 53,153 600 53,753 66,283 7,119 7,119 8,570 - 3,461 3,461 8,243 84 - 84 84 |
|---|---|
| 60,356 4,061 64,417 83,180 |
|
| 65,898 14,674 80,572 71,378 360 - 360 5,360 479 - 479 4,261 |
|
| 66,737 14,674 81,411 80,999 |
|
| (6,381) (10,613) (16,994) 2,181 (1,777) 1,777 - - |
|
| (8,158) (8,836) (16,944) 2,181 32,220 8,836 41,056 38,875 |
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| 24,062 - 24,062 41,056 |
The notes on pages 10 to 11 form part of these accounts.
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MEDWAY VINEYARD CHURCH (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION)
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31st January 2025
| A Cash funds Cash at bank with immediate access B Other monetary assets Gift aid due to the charity Prepaid tickets for DTI2025 C Liabilities Falling due within one year Fees for Independent Examination Accrued expenses D Assets retained for charity’s own use Land and buildings – church office Music and PA equipment Computers and IT Furniture |
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds £ £ 24,062 - |
Total 31 Jan 2025 Total 31 Jan 2024 £ £ 24,062 41,056 4,031 760 2,433 - 6,464 - 810 780 1,845 1,630 2,655 2,410 Cost Current value £ £ 7,541 3,448 6,132 2,924 1,691 743 776 73 |
|---|---|---|
| 4,031 - 2,433 - |
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| 6,464 - |
||
| 810 - 1,845 - |
||
| 2,655 - |
||
| Fund to which asset belongs General General General General |
||
| 16,140 7,188 |
Current values have been estimated by the trustees by depreciating the assets on a reducing balance method.
E Guarantees and secured debts
The charity has not given any guarantees and has not provided its assets as security for any liabilities
The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf
Andrew Millar
Andrew Millar (Oct 7, 2025 10:46:09 GMT+1) By: Andrew Millar Date: Oct 7, 2025
The notes on pages 10 to 11 form part of these accounts.
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MEDWAY VINEYARD CHURCH (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION)
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st January 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.
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. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.
2. PAYMENTS IN RELATION TO CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN
| Advertising and promotion Bank charges 31:8 (CCPAS) Fees and Subscriptions Gifts Small groups and outreach Hardship relief Independent Examination fees Insurance Miscellaneous Pastoral items Refreshments Rent Rochester Prison Project Staff Costs School breakfasts School Uniform Ministry Stationery and postage Telephone Training and conferences Travel Young people’s work |
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds TOTAL 2024/25 TOTAL 2023/24 £ £ £ £ 644 726 1,370 960 377 - 377 301 209 - 209 237 4,905 - 4,905 3,709 4,133 - 4,133 2,205 3,730 - 3,730 856 1,942 - 1,942 2,506 780 - 780 750 - - - 282 420 38 458 535 857 - 857 1,184 1,867 - 1,867 1,803 7,309 480 7,789 4,590 60 600 660 - 26,602 4,500 31,102 26,571 130 - 130 370 - 8,063 8,063 15,945 5 - 5 155 585 - 585 450 3,792 - 3,792 3,009 2,108 267 2,375 1,946 5,443 - 5,443 3,014 |
|---|---|
| 65,898 14,674 80,572 71,378 |
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MEDWAY VINEYARD CHURCH (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION)
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st January 2025 (continued)
3. MOVEMENTS IN FUNDS
| Unrestricted Funds General Fund Designated Fund Restricted Funds School Uniforms Rochester Prison Project Total Funds |
Balance at 31 Jan 2024 Income Expenditure Transfers Balance at 31 Jan 2025 £ £ £ £ £ 28,020 60,356 (66,737) (2,377) 19,262 4,200 - - 600 4,800 |
|---|---|
| 32,220 60,356 (66,737) (1,777) 24,062 |
|
| 8,836 3,461 (14,074) 1,777 - - 600 (600) - - |
|
| 41,056 64,417 (81,411) - 24,062 |
There were two restricted fund this year. The School Uniforms Project, known as Wonderfully Made, is designed to provide school uniforms to those that might struggle to afford one otherwise. Any shortfall in this fund during the year is made up from general funds. The Rochester Prison Project was to bless the local prison through the providing of doughnuts to them at Christmas
The designated fund is amounts set aside by the trustees for possible future building requirements, and are held as cash balances at the balance sheet date.
4. TRUSTEEES’ REMUNERATION AND TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
Mrs S Millar is a related party to Mr A Millar, and received remuneration of £23,422 (2023/24: £21,600) in respect of her work in the running of the church, as permitted by the governing document. She is also considered to be Key Management for the Charity.
Mr A Millar and Mrs S Millar received travel expenses between them of £2,076 (2023/24: £1,786) during the year, as permitted by the governing document. All other expenses paid to them were reimbursement of specific costs incurred.
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