Charity registration number 1153923 (England and Wales)
THE WELLSPRING COMMUNITY BRIGHTON
ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
THE WELLSPRING COMMUNITY BRIGHTON
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
| Trustees | Ben Gray |
|---|---|
| Katy Gray | |
| Lara Manighetti | |
| Christopher Manighetti | |
| Howard Davies | |
| Charity number | 1153923 |
| Registered office | 1 Elm Grove |
| Brighton | |
| East Sussex | |
| BN2 3ET | |
| Independent examiner | Darren Harding ACA FCCA DChA |
| Richard Place Dobson Services Limited | |
| Ground Floor | |
| 1-7 Station Road | |
| Crawley | |
| West Sussex | |
| RH10 1HT |
THE WELLSPRING COMMUNITY BRIGHTON
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees report | 1 - 2 |
| Independent examiner's report | 3 |
| Statement of financial activities | 4 |
| Balance sheet | 5 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 6 - 13 |
THE WELLSPRING COMMUNITY BRIGHTON
TRUSTEES REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the Charitable Incorporated Organisation's foundation constitution, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "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)".
Objectives and activities
The Wellspring Community has continued to deliver public benefit through the advancement of the Catholic faith, education, and community building. In our final year of operation, we have remained committed to fostering spiritual growth, leadership development and community among young adults, students, and families across the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton. Through our ministry, events and relationships we have offered consistent support and formation in a culture where many are searching for meaning, identity and hope.
The Charitable Incorporated Organisation's objects are:
1, the furthering and advancement of the Roman Catholic Religion and Benedictine Spirituality by in particular (but not limited to) teaching, pastoral care and other apostolic projects and to maintain those, including members of the Charity, engaged in such work.
2, such other purposes that are charitable in English Law whether or not directly connected with the Roman Catholic Church.
Achievements and performance
Family Ministry
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS)
This year has presented challenges for our CGS programme. Worth Abbey was no longer able to offer us free use of their facilities due to financial pressures, and unfortunately, we were not able to afford the space for regular CGS sessions. This highlighted the ongoing difficulty of securing venues that are suitable for both storing the materials and hosting both children and accompanying adults. Despite this, we have been able to run a reduced programme in a parish in Hove. This is not a longterm solution, but has allowed us to continue serving a smaller group of families. We are continuing to search for a more permanent home for CGS, so that this vital work of faith formation for children can continue and grow.
Huts Days
Our Huts Days continue to grow in popularity. These are relaxed family gatherings with a strong spiritual and communal aspect. Word has spread significantly, and in the run-up to Holy Saturday this year, we had an exceptional number of enquiries. These days have become a gentle and effective gateway into deeper engagement with faith and community life.
Friday Family Group
The Friday Family Group, which meets monthly at Worth Abbey, continues to be a valuable space of welcome, friendship and faith-sharing. It is attended by families with young children, many of whom are new to the Church or re-engaging after time away. The simplicity of the space - a warm welcome, prayer, conversation and play - continues to have a deep impact.
The Wellspring Community – Final Statement
In 2025 the Trustees made the decision to bring The Wellspring Community to a formal close.
“As you may be aware, the Wellspring Community has gone through a great deal of change over the last six years and so in light of these changes, both internal and external, we have made the decision to draw the community to a close. Twenty years ago a group of young adults moved into a house in Brighton and set up Deep Waters, a weekly group of fellowship, prayer and formation for young adults and Sunday lunches for students and young adults. This group eventually founded The Wellspring Community twelve years ago and established the Formation and Mission year, a residential year for young adults to live community life, receive formation and serve the local parish and city. Over the years members have been involved in the chaplaincy at Cardinal Newman school, running retreats at Worth Abbey, University Chaplaincy and over the last three years, we have established a ministry to young families based at Worth Abbey and reaching across the Diocese.
page 1
THE WELLSPRING COMMUNITY BRIGHTON
TRUSTEES REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
The young adults ministry will now be carried out by the Diocesan Student Ministry Team, a collaboration of former Wellspring members and Worth monks which will be based at the new Brighton Mission Hub once that has been built. They will continue to serve the young adults of Brighton and beyond as Wellspring has done over the last twelve years and the Elm Grove Community and various young adults resident in a house share, did before that. The family ministry which has grown over the last few years, seeking to serve, renew and build community with families through the Benedictine tradition will also be continuing, led by former members of the Wellspring Community. This will continue in a new charity, The Catholic Family Foundation. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all those who have supported the community and its ministry over the last 13 years and ask for your continued prayers for the ministries which will continue and as community members explore what their futures might look like.“
Structure, governance and management
The Charitable Incorporated Organisation was established by a Foundation constitution on 23 September 2013.
The Wellspring Community was formally established 5 years before receiving charity status in 2013. As way of contextualising this report it might be useful to remind the reader that whilst the charity has only existed for 12 years the community’s roots are at least 17 years old in the Elm Grove Community project. The Promised members of the community renew their Promise annually, and Formation and Mission members are continuing to join us for a period of time to live and experience our way of life. This commitment coupled with prayer and a pooling of resources, has enabled us to have a great stability and deep communion with one another out of which we have been able to grow our ministry in a way that is quite beautiful. Many of the projects reported here have been running and developing for a number of years and we continue to see the great impact on a faith journey of a wide range of people they have had.
The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were: Ben Gray Katy Gray Lara Manighetti Christopher Manighetti Howard Davies
The trustees generally come from the membership of the community, though we occasionally invite non-members who can offer wisdom and expertise to join our board of trustees. Every trustee must be appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees.
In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustee, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO.
The trustees report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
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Date: __ CJ_./3-}-?.§
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THE WELLSPRING COMMUNITY BRIGHTON
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE WELLSPRING COMMUNITY BRIGHTON
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of The Wellspring Community Brighton (the Charitable Incorporated Organisation) for the year ended 31 August 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.
I report in respect of my examination of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
Independent examiner's statement
Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared the financial statements in accordance with the relevant version of the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn. I understand that this has been done in order for the financial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
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:
-
1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation as required by section 130 of the Charities Act 2011.
-
2 the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
-
3 the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of financial statements set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the financial statements 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 financial statements to be reached.
Darren Harding ACA FCCA DChA
Richard Place Dobson Services Limited Ground Floor 1-7 Station Road Crawley West Sussex RH10 1HT
Dated: .........................16/04/2026
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THE WELLSPRING COMMUNITY BRIGHTON
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | |
| Income from: | |||
| Donations and legacies | 3 | 7,217 | 29,020 |
| Charitable activities | 4 | - | 12,940 |
| Total income | 7,217 | 41,960 | |
| Expenditure on: | |||
| Charitable activities | 5 | 66,564 | 96,241 |
| Total expenditure | 66,564 | 96,241 | |
| Net expenditure and movement in funds | (59,347) | (54,281) | |
| Reconciliation of funds: | |||
| Fund balances at 1 September 2024 | 59,347 | 113,628 | |
| Fund balances at 31 August 2025 | - | 59,347 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
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THE WELLSPRING COMMUNITY BRIGHTON
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 AUGUST 2025
| Notes Fixed assets Tangible assets 12 Current assets Debtors 13 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 14 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities The funds of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation Unrestricted funds 16 |
2025 £ 1,715 4,915 6,630 (6,630) |
£ - - - - - |
2024 £ 831 59,473 60,304 (3,243) |
£ 2,286 57,061 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59,347 | ||||
| 59,347 | ||||
| 59,347 |
The financial statements were approved by the trustees on CJ./3-_}-?.§__
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page 5
THE WELLSPRING COMMUNITY BRIGHTON
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
1 Accounting policies
Charity information
The Wellspring Community Brighton is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
1.1 Accounting convention
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charitable Incorporated Organisation's Foundation Constitution, the Charities Act 2011 and "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) (effective 1 January 2019)". The Charitable Incorporated Organisation is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The Charitable Incorporated Organisation has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements 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 the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
1.2 Going concern
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have concluded that the charity will not continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Following a strategic decision to wind down activities and close the charity, the trustees have determined that the going concern basis of accounting is no longer appropriate. Accordingly, the financial statements have been prepared on a basis other than going concern, reflecting the intention to cease operations and realise assets and settle liabilities in the normal course of closure.
1.3 Charitable funds
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
1.4 Income
Income is recognised when the Charitable Incorporated Organisation is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.
Grants received are included in the year in which the charity is entitled to the income.
Charitable activities income include community members income and retreats and missions income. It is recognised in the period to which it related which is when the charity becomes entitled to it.
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THE WELLSPRING COMMUNITY BRIGHTON
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
1 Accounting policies
(Continued)
1.5 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Expenditure is included when incurred.
Charitable costs relate to the costs of the property & activities and have been allocated directly to the functional headings as shown on the SOFA.
Governance costs include costs incurred in dealing with the legal and administrative requirements of the charity and are recognised when incurred.
1.6 Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
Computers 3 years straight line Motor vehicles 25% reducing balance
1.7 Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
1.8 Financial instruments
The Charitable Incorporated Organisation has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the Charitable Incorporated Organisation's balance sheet when the Charitable Incorporated Organisation becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
1.9 Employee benefits
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the Charitable Incorporated Organisation is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
1.10 Retirement benefits
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
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THE WELLSPRING COMMUNITY BRIGHTON
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
1 Accounting policies
(Continued)
1.11 Taxation
As a charity, the organisation is not subject to Corporation Tax or any taxes on income and gains arising from its charitable activities.
2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements
In the application of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
3 Income from donations and legacies
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | |
|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | |
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Donations and gifts | 7,217 | 29,020 |
4 Income from charitable activities
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | |
|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | |
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Rental income | ||
| Other income | - | 12,940 |
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THE WELLSPRING COMMUNITY BRIGHTON
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
5 Charitable activities
| Property Costs Activities Costs 2025 2025 £ £ Staff costs 7,538 - Rent, rates, water, light and heat 179 - Insurance - - Telephone and fax - - Sundry expenditure - 520 Motor and travel expenses - 6 Grant to East Brighton Parish young adult ministry - - Staff benefits - - Food costs - - Retreats - - Mission expenditure - 15,776 7,717 16,302 Grant funding of activities (see note 6) 35,740 - Share of support costs (see note 7) 759 - Share of governance costs (see note 7) 6,046 - 50,262 16,302 |
Total 2025 £ 7,538 179 - - 520 6 - - - - 15,776 24,019 35,740 759 6,046 66,564 |
Total 2024 £ 26,214 25,803 1,153 24 6,632 408 12,000 520 363 1,048 18,079 |
|---|---|---|
| 92,244 - 884 3,113 |
||
| 96,241 |
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THE WELLSPRING COMMUNITY BRIGHTON
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 5 Charitable activities For the year ended 31 August 2024
(Continued)
| Property Costs Activities Costs £ £ Staff costs 26,214 - Rent, rates, water, light and heat 25,803 - Insurance 1,153 - Telephone and fax 24 - Sundry expenditure - 6,632 Motor and travel expenses - 408 Grant to East Brighton Parish young adult ministry 12,000 - Healthcare 520 - Food costs - 363 Retreats - 1,048 Mission expenditure - 18,079 65,714 26,530 Share of support costs (see note 7) 884 - Share of governance costs (see note 7) 3,113 - 69,711 26,530 |
Total 2024 £ 26,214 25,803 1,153 24 6,632 408 12,000 520 363 1,048 18,079 |
|---|---|
| 92,244 884 3,113 |
|
| 96,241 |
| 6 | Grants payable | |
|---|---|---|
| Charitble | ||
| activities | ||
| 2025 | ||
| £ | ||
| Grants to institutions: | ||
| Other | 35,740 |
The grants paid in the year are in relation to the closure of the charity.
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THE WELLSPRING COMMUNITY BRIGHTON
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
| 7 Support costs allocated to activities Depreciation Bank fees Governance costs Analysed between: Charitble activities 8 Net movement in funds The net movement in funds is stated after charging/(crediting): Fees payable for the independent examination of the charity's financial statements Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets |
2025 £ 572 186 6,047 6,805 6,805 2025 £ 3,473 572 |
2024 £ 763 121 3,113 |
|---|---|---|
| 3,997 | ||
| 3,997 | ||
| 2024 £ 3,113 763 |
9 Trustees
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any expenses during the year, however two trustee received salaries for their roles as part of the leadership team.
10 Employees
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Number | Number | |
| - | 2 | |
| Employment costs | 2025 | 2024 |
| £ | £ | |
| Wages and salaries | 7,437 | 25,618 |
| Social security costs | 34 | 201 |
| Other pension costs | 67 | 395 |
| 7,538 | 26,214 |
Redundancy and termination payments totalling £2,145 were made in the reporting period, this is due to the closure of the charity during the financial period.
There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.
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THE WELLSPRING COMMUNITY BRIGHTON
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
| 10 | Employees | (Continued) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remuneration of key management personnel | |||
| The remuneration of key management personnel was as follows: | |||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Aggregate compensation | 7,538 | 40,834 |
11 Taxation
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
| 12 | Tangible fixed assets | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Computers ** | Motor vehicles | Total | |||
| £ | £ | £ | |||
| At 1 September 2024 | 830 | 14,351 | 15,181 | ||
| Disposals | (830) | (14,351) | (15,181) | ||
| At 31 August 2025 | - | - | - | ||
| At 1 September 2024 | 830 | 12,064 | 12,894 | ||
| Depreciation charged in the year | - | 572 | 572 | ||
| Eliminated in respect of disposals | (830) | (12,636) | (13,466) | ||
| At 31 August 2025 | - | - | - | ||
| Carrying amount | |||||
| At 31 August 2025 | - | - | - | ||
| At 31 August 2024 | - | 2,286 | 2,286 | ||
| 13 | Debtors | ||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| Amounts falling due within one year: | £ | £ | |||
| Other debtors | 1,715 | 158 | |||
| Prepayments and accrued income | - | 673 | |||
| 1,715 | 831 | ||||
| 14 | Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | ||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Accruals and deferred income | 6,630 | 3,243 |
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THE WELLSPRING COMMUNITY BRIGHTON
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
| 15 | Retirement benefit schemes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Defined contribution schemes | £ | £ | |
| Charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes | 67 | 395 |
The Charitable Incorporated Organisation operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation in an independently administered fund.
16 Unrestricted funds
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
| At 1 September | Incoming | Resources | At 31 August | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | resources | expended | 2025 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| General funds | 59,347 | 7,217 | (66,564) | - |
| Previous year: | At 1 September | Incoming | Resources | At 31 August |
| 2023 | resources | expended | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| General funds | 113,628 | 41,960 | (96,241) | 59,347 |
17 Related party transactions
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).
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