## Beechwood Chapel
Report and Accounts Year ended 31 December 2024
1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk
## **BEECHWOOD CHAPEL**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS**
ADDRESS FOR 1 Everleigh Close CORRESPONDENCE Beechwood Prenton CH43 9XJ GOVERNING DOCUMENT CIO dated November 2013 CHARITY REGISTRATION 1154591 NUMBER TRUSTEES Jonathan Norwood Amy Peters Robert Smart Daniel Thomas BANKERS Barclays Bank PLC INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Archie McDowall BA CA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
## **INDEX**
Page 1 Legal & Administrative Details Pages 2-5 Trustees' Report Page 6 Independent Examiner's Report Page 7 Receipts and Payments Account Page 8 Statement of Assets & Liabilities Pages 9-10 Notes to the Accounts
Page 1
## **BEECHWOOD CHAPEL**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES**
## **Year Ended 31st December 2024**
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year ended 31st December 2024
## **Aims and Purposes**
Beechwood Chapel exists to bring people to faith in Jesus and show His love by serving each other and the wider community of Beechwood by meeting spiritual, pastoral and social needs. The chapel is also responsible for the maintenance of the building ‘Beechwood Chapel’ which is located on Fifth Avenue, Beechwood, CH43 9LB.
## **Objectives and Aims**
Beechwood Chapel is committed to enabling and encouraging as many people from Beechwood and from further afield to worship together at the Chapel and become part of the Chapel’s active community.
When planning our activities for the year, we have considered the Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the supplementary guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. In particular, we try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our community through:
- Worship and prayer; learning about the Gospel; and developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus.
- Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish.
- Missionary and outreach work.
To facilitate this work it is important that we maintain the fabric of the Chapel building.
Page 2
The primary school aged kids have their teaching while the sermon is happening, with a regular group of
between 8 and 15 children. We finished the curriculum provided by Mustard Seeds and started the
curriculum based around The Biggest Story Bible. This has proved a hit with the children who always
have lots to add to the discussion and questions to challenge their leaders withl
2024 included regular church lunches and socials on Sunday afternoons throughout the year. This
included a walk in Thurstaston, a trip to an apple squashing afternoon and sports day in the park. All of
these were a good opportunity to invite people along and get to know them as a church family.
Some Sunday evenings were set aside for a Prayer and Praise with partner churches, both as
Merseyside group of churches {CCL, Formby Village Church, Ebenezer Walton, Trinity Church Everton)
and as Wirral Gospel Partnership. These were a great time to create and renew friendships and mutually
encourage one another. There was also a Sunday evening online prayer meeting every other month
which was attended by friends and mission partners of the chapel who would share updates with us.
A new initiative for Sunday afternoons was 'Kids Lifegroup,. This was a meet up for junior school aged
children to play games, eat tea and do a Bible study together. This has been well attended and a place
the kids can invite their friends to.
Beechwood Tots
The tots group that meets on a Monday afternoon during term time has been regularly attended, with
about 5 children leaving to start school at the end of the summer term and presented with a Beginners
Bible. The member who has led this group has worked hard to improve the communication with the
families using whatsapp and social media to remind those on our registers of events that are coming up.
We have stuck to telling Bible stories and songs each week and this has been a great time to just share
simple stories about Jesus.
Lifegroups
Our weekly Bible study groups have continued to meet each week- Wednesday daytimes and evenings.
We have sometimes chatted through the sermon from the previous Sunday, including our motto verse for
the year and also followed other courses. One of these was the Fruitfulness on the Frontline course,
looking at how to live out and share the gospel in our everyday lives. It's been a good chance to deepen
our friendships, encouragement one another in our faith and eat many biscuits.
Chapel Away Day
In September we held a Chapel Away Day at Longcroft Church, Barnston and approximately 70 people
attended including many unbelievers. Neil Forsythe spoke excellently from Psalm 23 and the day was a
fantastic occasion of encouragement, food, games and a bouncy castle.
Chapel Tea
Chapel Tea remains a stable weekly event for the church family and the community. The number of
regular visitors has increased which is both a blessing and a challenge. We are thankful for the
opportunities it gives to invite and develop relationships with families from local schools, and from our tots
and St Oswald's Court ministries. There is always an invite to Sundays and any special events.
Page 3
Evangelistic events
Evangelistic events have been well attended this year. These have included a Kids Empty Tomb Easter
event, Egg Hunt, an Easter afternoon cream tea, Love Beechwood Events week, a Christmas Kids, Club,
a Christmas wreath workshop, and a Christmas Carol Service. These have generally been attended by
people who have been invited by members of the chapel, building on existing friendships and
relationships.
Love Beechwood and Hopewell Partnership
We were blessed to receive a mission team of 20 people from our new partner church Hopewell Church.
Pennsylvania to support us with our Love Beechwood week in August 2024. We co-led a children's
holiday club on the theme of 'The Armour of God, fed 80+ people each evening, completed community
DIY projects and litter picks as well as plenty of opportunities to chat to neighbours and make connections
in the community. It was an exhausting but encouraging week culminating in a special joint church prayer
and praise meeting on the Saturday evening.
St Oswalds Court {Extra Care Housing)
The ministry to St Oswald's Court has continued over the year. A small team goes in once a month to
spend time with the residents, sing hymns, pray and share from the Bible. This has been attended by
between 3 and 8 residents. Two of them are now regulars on a Sunday and Wednesday, with others
joining them occasionally.
Life on the estate
Beechwood chapel are striving to engage in the life of the community outside the chapel gates. One
member is a governor the local school, one a trustee of the local community centre, one a trustee of a
local charity, members and running and supporting a regular coffee morning in a local school, mums of
little ones are supporting local tots groups and local sports classes, and joining friends at the Social Club
for bingol
The estate has its difficulties with antisocial behaviour and petty crime, but there is a strong sense of
community and there are always opportunities to serve the area with litter picksl
Beyond Beechwood (Mission Partners)
The mission of the chapel goes beyond Beechwood with a continued partnership with Benji and Gill
Daniel in Canada, Jon Hearn in North Africa, Medhurst Ministries across the north of England, then
partnering with FIEC, North West Gospel Partnership, Counties, Wirral Gospel Partnership and Count
Everyone In.
Page 4
## **Financial Review**
Total receipts to the Chapel were £64,461 (2023: £69,552). Total payments were £64,696 (2023: £72,046). At the year end the Chapel holds funds £14,720, of which £14,382 are unrestricted and can be used for any charitable purpose.
In broad terms we followed the budget which we set out and was agreed by the membership at the beginning of the year.
## **Reserves Policy**
It is the policy of the Chapel to maintain a balance on unrestricted funds which allows for essential liabilities (such as salaries/building maintenance etc) to be met for between one and three months. This is equivalent to £5,000-£15,000. At the end of 2024 we held £14,382 in unrestricted funds and the reserves policy is met.
## **Trustees' Responsibilities**
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:
## Daniel Thomas
Daniel Thomas (Oct 8, 2025 21:56:07 GMT+1)
Daniel Thomas, Trustee
Date: Oct 8, 2025
Page 5
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT**
## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF**
## **BEECHWOOD CHAPEL**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Beechwood Chapel ('the charity') for the year ended 31 December 2024 on pages 7 to 10 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 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 accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
2. 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 order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
## Archie McDowall
Archie McDowall (Oct 10, 2025 15:55:35 GMT+1)
Archie McDowall BA CA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
Date: Oct 10, 2025
Page 6
## **BEECHWOOD CHAPEL**
## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|Notes
**_Income receipts_**
Donations
Gift aid receipts
Other grants
Other
**_Total receipts_**
**_Payments_**
2
3
**_Total payments_**
Transfers between funds
5
**Net movement in funds**
Cash funds as at last year end
**Cash funds at this year end**
A
Net of receipts / (payments) before
Grants
paid
in
relation
to
charitable
activities undertaken by others
Payments
in
relation
to
charitable
activities undertaken directly||General
Designated
Funds
Funds
£
£
49,994
-
9,802
-
-
-
3,594
-
63,390
-
53,051
-
9,605
-
62,656
-
734
-
-
-
734
-
13,648
-
14,382
-
Unrestricted Funds|Restricted
Funds
£
725
-
-
346
1,071
2,040
-
2,040
(969)
-
(969)
1,307
338|2024
£
50,719
9,802
-
3,940
64,461
55,091
9,605
64,696
(235)
-
(235)
14,955
14,720|2023
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||General
Funds
£
49,994
9,802
-
3,594
63,390
53,051
9,605
62,656
734
-
734
13,648
14,382||||
||||||49,990
9,183
10,129
250|
||||||69,552|
||||||66,186
5,860|
||||||72,046|
||||||(2,494)
-|
||||||(2,494)
17,449|
||||||14,955|
The notes on pages 9-10 form part of these accounts.
Page 7
## **BEECHWOOD CHAPEL**
## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES**
## **AS AT THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|Notes
**A**
**Cash funds**
Cash at bank with immediate access
**B**
**Other monetary assets**
Gift aid due to charity
Other debtors
**C**
**Liabilities**
**Falling due within one year**
Fee for Independent Examination
Pension contributions
**D**
**Assets retained for charity's own use**
Land and buildings
Equipment||General
Designated
funds
funds
£
£
14,382
-
14,382
-
9,772
-
-
-
9,772
-
924
-
251
-
1,175
-
Unrestricted Funds|Restricted
funds
£
338
338
-
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to
which asset
belongs
General|2024
£
14,720
14,720
9,772
-
9,772
924
251
1,175
Value
£
806,767
46,179
852,946|2023
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||General
funds
£
14,382
14,382
9,772
-
9,772
924
251
1,175||||
||||||14,955|
||||||14,955|
||||||9,802
-|
||||||9,802|
||||||900
213|
||||||1,113|
|||||||
Reliable valuations are not available so the trustees have used insurance values as an approximation.
## **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 by:
## Daniel Thomas
___________________________________Daniel Thomas Daniel Thomas (Oct 8, 2025 21:56:07 GMT+1) Date:_______________________ Oct 8, 2025
The notes on pages 9-10 form part of these accounts.
Page 8
## **BEECHWOOD CHAPEL**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **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 directly**
Employment costs (see note 4)
Staff expenses
Traning Costs
Utilities
Insurance
Support services and admin
Outreach activities
Hardship gifts
Maintenance of buildings & equipment
Work among the young
Minor Equipment
Professional fees and governance
Weekend away
Other costs
**3**
**Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others**
Grants for:
Grants to organisations (Over 1K)
Grants to organisations (under 1k)
Grants to individuals||Unrestricte|Designated
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
d Funds|Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
1,285
-
-
10
409
-
120
-
-
216
-
2,040
-
-
-
-|2024
£
39,502
334
-
3,048
860
1,653
1,170
409
5,979
266
-
1,060
758
53
55,091
-
4,825
4,780
9,605|2023
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||General
funds
£
39,502
334
-
1,763
860
1,653
1,160
-
5,979
146
-
1,060
542
53
53,051
-
4,825
4,780
9,605|||||
|||||||42,471
488
2,892
2,482
653
1,149
1,765
100
9,883
203
2,506
993
600
-|
|||||||66,185|
|||||||5,460
5,860
-|
|||||||11,320|
## **4 Transactions with related parties**
Jonathan Norwood served as a church leader and was paid £33,820 including pension contributions (2023: £29,213) for serving in that capacity, not for serving as a trustee. These payments are permitted by the charity's governing document.
Page 9
## **BEECHWOOD CHAPEL**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **5 Movement of funds**
|**vement of funds**||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|General funds
Restricted funds
Hardship Fund
Ukraine Mission Support
Fuel Costs Fund
Big Local
Utility Bills fund
Weekend away/Away day
Oven fund
Tots group
Chippy Tea
Total funds|Opening
balance
£
13,648
290
12
486
519
-
-
-
-
-|Receipts
£
63,390
195
-
-
-
280
216
250
120
10|Payments
£
(62,656)
(409)
-
(486)
(519)
(280)
(216)
-
(120)
(10)|Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|Closing
balance
£
14,382
76
12
-
-
-
-
250
-
-|
||1,307|1,071|(2,040)|-|338|
||14,955|64,461|(64,696)|-|14,720|
Big Local and Fuel Costs funds were for general costs of heating, electric and fuel costs and boiler replacement. The remaining balance on these funds was spent in full during the year.
The Utility Bills fund was a gift from Onward Homes Parent Carer Project towards the cost of utility bills, when they used the church bulding for their group meetings. The fund was spent in full during the year.
The oven fund is a donation from a church member towards the cost of purchasing a new oven. This will be spent in 2025.
Page 10