Trustees, Annual Report for the period Period start date Period end date TOWN Ye3r 2024 TOWN PASTO April 31° March 2025 From To PASTO Section A Reference and administration details Charity name Town Pastors (Bury St Edmunds) Other names charity Is known by Bury Town Pastors Registered charity number (if any) 1157108 Charity's principal address Sundial House, Bargate Lane West Row Bury St Edmunds Postcode IP28 8PS Names of the charity trustees who manage the charlty Dates acted if not for whole ear Trustee namo Office lif any) Name of person {or body) entitled toa oint tru8te8 Ifan John Sullivan Chair Deputy Chair Co-ordinator Ben Greeves Joanna Copsey Derek Gadd Treasurer Safeguarding Officer Philip Lloyd-Jones Anthony Hitchcock Sharon Steven Appointed 25.11.2024 Appointed 25.11.2024 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example. any custodian trustees) Name Dates acted if not for whole ear
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) e of adviser Name Address Name of chief executive or names of senior staff rnembers (Optional infonnation) Section B Structure, overnance and mana ement Description of the charlty's trusts Type of goveming document Constitution How the charity is constituted astr,:" Charitable Incorporated Organisation Trustee selection methods Appointed by existing Trustees Additional governance issues (Optional informatlon) The Trustees of Town Pastors (Bury St Edmunds) have given consideration to the major risks to which the charity is exposed and satisfied themselves that systems or procedures are established in order to manage those risks. The Trustees of Town Pastors (Bury St Edmunds) also ensure that appropriate insurance cover is maintained. You may choose to include additional infonnation, where relevant, about.. policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees; the charity's organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity relationship with any related parties. trustees, consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them. Section C Ob"ectives and activities To advance the Christian faith for the benefit of the public in Bury St Edmunds Suffolk and surrounding districts and in other parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the trustees may from time to lime think fit particularly but not exclusively by means of caring, listening and helping people on the streets and at various venues day or night and to fulfil such other purposes which are exclusively charitable according to the law of England and Wales and are connected to the charitable work of the charit Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document
Town Pastors (Bury St Edmunds) express their Christian faith for the benefit of the public by patrolling the bar and club area of Bury St Edmunds town centre from 10.00pm - 4.00am on weekend nights, offering care and support to those in need. While on duty, Town Pastors are supported by a prayer team; some praying at a town centre venue and some in their own homes. The main activities undertaken for the benefit of the public in general are.. •Helping to make people feel safe (fear of crime is a very real issue). •Helping those who have consumed eXsSive amounts of alcohol. Town Pastors care for and support vulnerable, intoxicated individuals who are incapable of looking after themselves and might otherwise be subject to assault andlor in need of medical attention. As well as helping to keep people safe, this decreases the necessity for police intervention, ambulance callouts and hospital admissions. •Defusing potentially violent situations. Town Pastors are often able to calm tense or aggressive situations by providing a friendly Presen, in a non-judgernental and non-confrontational way. .Reducing crime and anti-social behaviour. Town Pastors are visible capable guardians and have an important role in discouraging crime and anti-social behaviour. .Giving pastoral care and support for individuals in distress, with difficult or overwhelming personal cirCumstanS andlor with mental health issues. .Providing water which improves hydration and general attitude therefore reducing the risk of intolerant or aggressive behaviour. .Providing chocolate which raises blood sugar levels, which are frequently significantly lowered by the consumption of excessive alcohol. Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the ststutory declaration that trustses have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit) The Trustees of Town Pastors (Bury St Edmunds) have carried out the purposes of Town Pastors (Bury St Edmunds) for public benefit by making decisions that have had due regard for public benefit guidance when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant. Addltlonal dètails of objectlves and activities (Optional infonnatlon) Contribution made by volunteers The Trustees of Town Pastors (Bury St Edmunds) acknowledge the service to the community and dedicated commitment of all the Town Pastors and of all the Prayer Team members who support the Town Pastors while they are on duty. You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about.. policy on grantmaking. policy programme related investment; contribution made by volunteers. Volunteering as a Town Pastor or as a Prayer Team member involves being on-duty at anti-social hours between 10.00pm and 4.00am. The Trustees of Town Pastors (Bury St Edmunds) are very grateful for all the volunteers who give up not only their time but also their sleep, to help ensure the safety and well-being of those enjoying a night out in Bury St Edmunds.
Section D Achievements and performance Town Pastors (Bury St Edmunds) have approximately 19 active Town Pastors and 38 Prayer Team members drawn from approximately 30 different churches of various denominations in Bury St Edmunds and surrounding area. All are volunteers who commit to being 'on-duty' once a month. Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year Regular patrols on Saturday nights have continued throughout the year. Town Pastors also patrolled on New Yearfs Eve. Town Pastors (along with numerous other voluntary organisations) are finding that, as more time passes since the pandemic, there is gradually becoming more interest in volunteering and new recruits are beginning to come foThvard. It has taken considerably longer than anyone could have anticipated to get to this point. Town Pastors (Bury St Edmunds) recruited and trained.. four new Town Pastors in Aprillmay 2024 one new Prayer Team member in September 2024 one new Prayer Team member in March 2025 During the year, Town Pastors worked alongside other agencies, including the police, ambulance service and CCTkl control room staff, helping to make Bury St Edmunds a safer place on Saturday nights. Regular communication with West Suffolk Council Rough Sleeper Prevention Team has continued throughout the year. Town Pastors are involved with providing assistance to those in need and helping to get people safely home in the early hours of the morning. Town Pastors help to calm volatile situations and to reduce crime and disorder. They also remove dangerous items (such as bottles and glasses) from the streets. Statistics are compiled for the year, showing 'Town Pastor Activities, within each of fifteen specific categories. .Town Pastors ensured the personal safetyfviellbeing of 156 people., this included making sure vulnerable people got safely to their transport, were walked home, or were reunited with friends. .Town Pastors cared for 36 people who were eXsSiVe1Y drunk and unable to look after themselves. In addition, each person was kept safe from theft of personal belongings or becoming a victim of crime, assault or sexual assault. •Town Pastors gave out 326 bottles of water, primarily helping to rehydrate those who have consumed large quantities of alcohol. .Town Pastors gave pastoral support and care to 81 people who were facing significant issues, distressed andlor have mental health issues. .On 32 occasions Town Pastors were able to preventlreduce crime, often by defusing fights or calming potentially aggressive situations. This redUd personal injury and the need for police intervention or for arrests to be made. .Town Pastors removed over 348 bottles and glasses (potential weapons) from the streets of Bury St Edmunds. •Town Pastors had 56 interactions with people who are homeless (or presenting as homeless) and 10 situations where they observed but didn't interact with someone who is homeless (or presenting as homeless). Lack of interaction is usually due to the person being asleep.
Town Pastors are regularly thanked by people they meet on a Saturday night. This may be general thanks and appreciation, or thanks for help they (or their friends or family members) received from Town Pastors on a specific occasion. INhen Town Pastors are on patrol, people quite often come up and say, 'you saved my life.. Often this means that Town Pastors helped them find their friends, or looked after them while they were throwing up on the pavement, or called someone to come and collect them etc. But sometimes Town Pastors do actually help to save someone's life, as this rent conversation shows... Town Pastors were approached by a man who wanted to express his thanks and appreciation for help he had received from the Town Pastors in Bury St Edmunds some years earlier. He explained that he had been in a very bad dark place and often felt suicidal, thinking his life would never get any better so there was no point carrying on. He was so appreciative that Town Pastors had shown him love and care on number of occasions when he was suicidal, which had helped him not to take his life. He was so grateful for encouragement to keep going and he said that, at that time, he could never have imagined that he would be where he is now... in his second year of a four year university degree, studying a subject that he loves! During the year, Town Pastors in Bury St Edmunds have ensured the safety of a number of people who were suicidal. On some occasions this has been providing a listening ear until the person felt in a better place, and on other occasions Town Pastors have involved the ambulance service andlor the police in order to make sure that the person was taken to a place of safety. The figures and this account demonstrate that Town Pastors have had considerable impact on people and situations they have encountered while patrolling on Saturday nights during the year. Town Pastors (Bury St Edmunds) were delighted to appoint two new trustees in November 2024. Maintaining an adequate level of volunteers is an ongoing challenge. Town Pastors (Bury St Edmunds) closed the year planning a recruitment drive in preparation for a Town Pastor training course taking place in MaylJune 2025.
Section E Financial review Town Pastors (Bury St Edmunds) has a policy to hold unrestricted reserves of between four and six months of forecast ex enditure. Despite some cash flow concerns mid-way through the year, Town Pastors (Bury St Edmunds) were again blessed with higher than expected income particularly during the latter part of 202412025 resulting in a good level of reserves by the year end. On 31 st March 2025 Town Pastors (Bury St Edmunds) had unrestricted reserves cover of 5.6 months of forecast annual expenditure for the ensuing year. Looking forward, unrestricted reserves cover is forecast to Oscillate between 4 and 5.5 months during 202512026. Brief statement of the charity's policy on reserves Details of any funds materially in deficit Further financial review details (Optional information) Town Pastors (Bury St Edmunds) main sour$ of funding received during year-end 31 St March 2025 were: Crime and Disorder Reduction grant from Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner Suffolk Community Foundation through the Miller Trust Grantmaking Programme Grant from Bury St Edmunds Town Council Grant from the Tudwick Foundation Grant from the Garfield Weston Foundation Donations from local churches Donations from individuals Donations from organisations and businesses Total income for the year to 31 March 2025 is £27,387 resulting in a surplus over expenditure of £4,351 {2024: income £21,990 with a surplus over expenditure of £322). Reserves at the year*nd are £16,647 (2024.. £12,296), including restricted funds of £5,235.Lno restricted funds held on 31 March 2024).. You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about: the charity's principal SoUrS of funds (including any fundraising)- how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity" investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted. Section F Other optional information Section G Declaration The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees Slgnaturels) ,SILfy Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary. Chair, etc) John Leonard Sullivan Joanna Jane Lankester Copsey Chair Co-ordinator Date 11.7.2025
Town Pastors (Bury St Edmundsl Known as." Bury Town Pasto 1157108 ments accounts CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Receipts and pa For the year from 1st April 2024 To 31st March 2025 PASTO Section A Receipts and payments Unrestrfcted funds Restricted funds Total funds Last year Recelpts Grant.. Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner Grants.. Others Church giving Individual giving Gift Aid Oonations from organisations Income from events organised by third parties Interest on funds on deposit Sundry income Total recelpts {Note 21 10,500 4,828 5,315 25 240 20 260 295 295 81 15 81 15 102 10 Paymonts Operdtlng costs Pastors operating costs Pastors equipment Pastors uniforms Prayer Base costs Prayer Base travel Personnel and training DBS checks and sundry expenses Sulktotal: Oporattng costs 30 1.144 789 1,174 789 892 720 1,272 187 26 454 91 4,075 36 1,726 278 1,101 42 1, 623 437 391 53 Admlnlstrntlon costs Coordinators salary Pension contributions Staff travelling and training costs Town Pastors Central contribution Insurance Office and training equipment Stationery and postage Telephone and broadband costs Subscriptions and licences Sundry expenses Sub-total: Admlnlstratlon costs 6.582 434 447 8.545 20 96 650 532 15,127 454 543 650 532 14,487 435 868 580 532 27 240 266 293 240 85 368 240 40 85 Total payments Net receiptsl{payments) Transfers between funds Funds as at 1st Aprll 2024 Funds as at 31st March 2025 5.235 4,351 322 12,296 11,412 12,296 16,647 11,974 12,296 5,235 Bury Town PorS Charity No. 1157108
Town Pastors {Bury St Edmund8) Known as.. Bury Town P•sto 1157108 ments accounts 31st March 2026 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Recei tsand For tha yèar from 1st Aprll 2024 P4Sl0 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year Unrestricted Restricted funds funds Totsl funds Funds: representsd by: Bank current and deposit accounts 11,363 5,235 16.598 Cash in hand Creditor.. Town Pastors Central Totsl fund8 144 144 (95) 11,412 (95) 16,647 5.235 Section C Notes to receipts and payments accounts 1. Accountlng pollcies Accounting basis The accounts, including notes thereto, show all funds which are govemed by the Charity presented on a cash received and paid basis. The accounts are prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011. Fund accounting Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. Restricted funds can only ba used for specified purposes within the objects of the charty. Restriction8 arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for specific purposes. Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund Is Included in note 2. 2. Grants received and other restrlctsd Income Re8trlctsd funds Last year Grants received Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner Crime and Disorder Reduction Grant - apportionment of grant awarded to Town Pastor schemes in Suffolk (For operating expenditure including a portion of st8ff costs and administTrtwe ovetheads ) Bury St Edmunds Town Council (For Fit Aid training. DBS checks and leaflets ) - Balance at 31 March 2025.. £235 Tudwick Foundation {For running costs ) Funding from Sufft)Ik Community Foundation through.. Miller Trust Grant Making Programme (For staff and office costs) - Ba18nce at 31 M8rch 2025.. £2, 000 Garfield Weston Foundation (For core and general costs ) - Balance at 31 March 2025." £3, 000 Total Grants (restricted £19.000.. 2024.. £10.500) 10.000 10,500 1,000 3.000 2,000 3,000 19,000 10,500 Restricted income (other than grants): Individual donation (For stationery) 20 10 Totsl grant and restrlctsd Income 10,510 Bury Tovm Pastors Chadty No. 1157108
Town Pastors (Bury St Edmunds) Known as.. Bury Town Pastors 1157108 ments accounts CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND ANO WALES Receipts and For the year from 1st Aprll 2024 To 318t March 2025 PASYO Section C Notes to receipts and payments accounts continued 3. Guarantses and secured debts The trustees confirm, in accordance with the Charitable Incorporated Organisations (General) Regulations 2012. that at the year end the CIO did not have any outstanding guarantees to third parties nor any debts secured on assets of the CIO. 4. Trustses remuneration and benefits Mrs J J L Copsey, who is a trustee, is employed as Charity Coordinator and, as provided by the Charty Constitution she is remunerated in that role. During the year remuneration paid, including employers pension contributions and pay rolled benefts was £15,821 (2024: £15,162). She is not renumerated for work as a trustee of the charity. Excluding reimbursed out of pocket expenses incurred wholly in respect of the operation of Ihe Charrty, there were no other payments made to trustees during the year in their capacity as Charity trustees. Section D Approval The Board of Trustees have approved the receipts and payments accounts for the year to 31 st March 2025 on pages 1 to 3 above and the accounts are signed on their behalf by: Slgnature Print N8me Date of rov81 John Sullivan (Chalr) LIEI?s 6(81iC Dorek Gadd (Treasurer) Bury Tovm Pastors Charity No. 1157108
Town Pastors (Bury St Edmunds) Operating as: Bury Town Pastors Independent Examiner's report to the Trustees I report on the attached accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025. Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and Examiner As the Trustees of Town Pastors (Bury St Edmunds) you responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011. You consider that there is no legal or other general requirement for an audit and an independent examination is required. I report in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 201 l and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable directions given by the Charity Commission under that Act. Basis of Independent Examiner's report An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the organisation and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or dIlOsUreS in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as the Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequently, no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'trne and fair view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent Examinerls Statement I have completed my examination. I confinn that no material matters hav¢ come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in any material respect: accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act 2011. or the accounts do not accord with those records; or th¢ accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the forn] and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. J 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. Colin Firth l O Garden Close Great Barton Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP312SY j'Y125