Sidley Baptist Church
Known as
Freedom Church Bexhill
Report and Accounts
For the Year Ended
31 December 2024
Charity number: 1158651

Freedom Church ilexhill
Year Ended 31 December 2024
Contents
Page
Legal and Administralive Det￿18
Report of the Trustees
Report of the Independent Examiners
Receipts and Paytnents Accounts
Notes to the Accounts
9-11

Freedom Church Bexhill
Year Ended 31 Deeember 2024
Legal and Adn)inistrative Detalls
Charity Name
Freedom Church Bexhill
Charity Regi8(ration Number
1158651
Mailing Address
Claremont Road
Bexhill On Sea
East Sussex
TN39 5BX
Trustees
P Asselin { Resigned 12106124)
B Chaseley (Resigned May 2024)
P Goldsmith (Appointed Oct 2023}
K Davis (Appointed Oct 2023 Resigned Jan 2024)
L Daniels (Appointed Ocl 2021 Resigned June 2024)
M Scarlell (Appointed 12106124)
S Briton (Appointed 12106124)
P Mullens (Appointed 12106124)
T Purfield (Appointed 12106124 resigned November ?024)
I C05tley (Appc)inted 12106ll41
H Belton (Appointed 12106124)
Rev Sally Sago (Appointed Feb 2024)
Property Trustees
The Baptist Union Corporation Ltd., Baplist
House, 129 Broadway, Didcot, Oxfordshire
OX11 8RT
Independent Exan]iners
Ryefields Limited
Unit 139 Airport House
Purley Way
Croydon
Surrey
CRO OXZ

Freedom Church Bexhill
Year Ended 31 December 2024
Report of the T￿￿teeS
The Trustees presents their report and unaudited financial statements for the year ended 31 st Decernber 2024
Governance. Structure and Management
The Charity is governed by a constitution based on the Approved Governing Document for Baptist Churches.
The principal purpose of the charity is Ihe advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of the
Baptist denomination to include the advancement ol education, community service and other such general
charitable purposes in such parts of the United Kingdom and the world as the Church shall determine.
Membership and Trustees
Members of the Church are accepted in accordance with the Constitution wherein baptism by immersion upon
a personal profession of faith is the normal mode of entry but persons seeking membership who have not
been baptised may be accepted at the discretion of the Church Members, Meeting on their own public
profession of faith.
The members Meeting normally takes place 4-6 limes a year and has responsibilily for the overall policy of the
church.
In accordance with tho eonsljlulion. Ihe members appoint up to 19 Trust&os including tho Minigtor, Church
Secretary and Treasurer. They are responsible for the day to day running of the church's work and witness.
and the financial and legal aspects of the charity.
All members are encouraged to take an appropriate part in Ihe spiritual and practical tasks involved in the
furtherance of the charitable objective.
Relevant matters may be submitted to the Church meeting by the Trustees for guidance or may be raised by
members in Church meeting for further consideralion by the Trustees. Though the Constitution permits
decisions to be made at Church meetings by appropriale majorities, the Church seeks to work by consensus
wherever possible.
Public Benelit
The Church has read the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and is satisfied that there is clear
benefit lo the public through the activities it carries out in meeting its purpose and objectives.
This is particularly shown by..
Public opportunity to attend Worship events on Sundays including Sunday morning services and evenir5g
zoom meetings
Open access to outreach activities
Public access to Liltle Seeds (Parent and Toddler group)
Public access to Market Place la community food larder and café)
Accommodaling other publicly accessible activities and private hire agreements eg. Community & Church
lunches, Dance groups, Cookery Classes, Art Glasses, Older Peoples groups, Family Parties and Partnering
with Local Charities lor special events.

Freedom Church Bexhill
Year Ended 31 December 2024
Report of the Trustee (Cont)
Objectives and Activities
Core Activiti
In OTder to achieve the p¥incipal objective, which i% set out above, the Church %eeks to provide <i vartety of activities both
for its membership and the wider community of Sidley and beyond. The aim is to show the love of Jesus Christ in both
word and deed and to bring people into a closer Telationship with him as living Lord.
Central to the work and witness of the Church is the provision of regular public services of Christian worship. The main
5ervtce% tdke place each Sunday (It 10.30 drn, thi% service i.s live stredmed. Thi8 enables tho%e who Cdiinot get to the
building to continue to engiige and worship with us. There is a quieter worship and prayer service on 700m at 6pm on
Sundays, with a face-to-face meeting called 'The Well, at 6pm on the last Sunday of the month in the church sanctuary.
Other occa.sional service% are advertised on the church notice board, the website and using the weekly new%sheet.
Early in the year the A V desk was improved with the replacement and reconfiguring of some of the existing equipment.
This was financed by the members through a special gift appeal. Thi% resulted in improved sound quality both in the
church and online for streained scrvices. Thanks to Andy Sago for all his work in this area. Thanks also to those who
worked as part of the t¢arn each week on the Sound and iiisuals to support the services.
Many Lcatno coniiitsuicd io 6unday scryicc provisiun, thii ir]tiludcd ihc Sunday School icam, thc worship band, thc
welcome team, the prayer ministry team, those providing refreshments. Ihose preaching and those bringing all age
messages. All volunteers and a]1 woiking to fulfil our aim of sharing the love of Jesus to all who come into the church.
Attendance over the year was relatively static wrth occasional peaks for special occasions.
A tsll children's programme is provided during the morning services and numbers of children grew glightly over the
year. Thanks to the Sunday tearn of i'olunteers who dedicated time and energy to providing teaching and activities week
by week for varying ages of the children atjd young people who came along to church.
The Church run% %everal Explorc group% for the growth of faith, fellow.%hip ind di%ciple8hip in the home% of some
members, and in the church durinu each week. These groups continued to be fully subscribed. At the end of the year
planning was taktng place to consider how capacity and provision rnay be increased in the new year. These groups only
run due to the commitment and dedication of those willing to lead and those opening their homes where the groups take
place. W¢ are gral¢ful to them. The groups play an important part in the discipleship journey of faitliful Chrislians and
contribute to the oveidll unity and deeper relationships that Ch￿aC￿riSe church life.
The Church 18 responsible for a Toddler Group which meets in the Church premi.%es on Wednesddy mornings. with the
purpose of assisting the community and dernonstrating the love of Jesus Christ, whilst helping in the development of
learning and social skills in those under 5. This has continued to thrive during this year being very popular with parents
and their children. We thank Angle Young for leading this group so well over the last eighteen months and all the team
workn.ng with her as she siood in the gap whilst there was no Children and Families Worker.
The Market place is a community Food Larder which %eeL% to serve the loLal Sidley community as the impact of
economic hdrdship has had a considerable effect on thosc living in the area. By providing very chellp food. much of
which is donated by local supennarkets etc the WOTk brings some needed relief and support. This project allows the
church to work in partnership with many local agencie8, local businesses and local schools.

Freedom Church Bexhill
Year Ended 31 December 2024
Report of the Trustee (Cont)
Through the provision of a café at Market Place, this work also provides a place for those isolated, seeking friendship as
well as a safe place for parents ￿]d their pre-school children to play.
The Market Place is led by project leader Maureen Chaseley a church member who worked rirelessly throughout the
year, not only on thc premises but aLross thc voluntary scclor. partnerinu many loc&1 businesses and charities,
acce8%ing grant funding 10 5UPPOrt the co%t of food and %octal events lor those who con%ider MarkLJt Place their
community. In 2024 the Market place provided the equivalent of 8616 meals to local people. There were 3 social events
plus a summer barbecue and a harvest supper all of which provided Meals as part of the gatherings resulting another 110
meals. We consider this a massive achievement by the team of volunteers.
We were hugLly proud to celebrate Maureen's award as East Su%sex Woman of the Year in recognition of all her work in
May. The team w¢re also nominated this year for BBC Radio Sussex and BBC Radio Surrey's Make a Difference
Aw￿.d. Also, at the Rother Voluntary Action (RVA) group's AGM in October, two of the team, Chris Miles and Tony
Purfield received awards recognising their work and commi¢ment as volunteers at the Market place.
Christians Against Poverty (CAP)
The church is the lead church for Bexhill and Hastinas for CAP providing office accommodation for the CAP team
within the church building. The church also asgists with fjnancial and PTaclica] support iowards the much-needed work
Ihal ihe leam provide io Iliose slruggling with debl.
+v Giiy PArtridge. a memher of Ihe chllrch. coniinued as thc ccnirc manager, ovci%e¢ing growth in the team with
additional and voluntr¢¥$. This work sees many hclpea to Èscape overwhelrnjng debt aq well as inlrodueing Ihem
where possible to Jesus.
Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults
The Church operates sygrems to ensure thllt all people working wilh children and vulnei-able adults are appropriately
vetted in line with the Disclosure and Barring Service. The policy is reviewed aniiually. Acce5S to suitable and
appropriaie traininLV is provided to all those in roles which require it.
Gi-ateful thanks are expressed to Helen Goldsmiih who was appointed as Designated Person for Safeguarding with Luci
Partridge as her. deputy in June 2024. Paula Mullens beLame our Safeguarding Trustee. Helen led the team and worked
closely with the minister and organisational teiims lo upddte church practices where needed and to raise the aW￿￿eneSS of
safeguarding within thc church.
Achievements and Performance
The Church doe5 not measure the success of its programmes only in numbers. including financkal numbers, but also in
le%% Idngible diL(Ib like fcllow%hip dnd encouragement. 2024 wa% a time of chantre in the Icadership of the church. The
previous minis￿r in training had left a pastoral vacancy in June 2023 and this was fflled by the calling of Rev Sally Sago
lo full time ministry in February 20?4. An induction service was held in March led by Rev Joth Hunt, SEBA Regional
Minister Team Leader and the speaker was Rev Beih Powney. This was attended by many representatives of local
churches as well as members and friend5 from Sally s previous church in Norlolk.
Barry Cha5eley ended his 3-year term of office in May and the then treasurer, Phil Asselin fulfilled his extended term of
office and siood down in June. The church recognised their contributions with gifis and thanks as they stepped dowF].
Liz Daniels resigned as a trustee also in June, after resigning her role as church administrator and finishing in May. We
are gratetul for all her help in overseeing and handing over the work of the otfice to lempurary volunteers as she worked
her notice and prepared to move away from the area, and again (he churLh expressed their thanks Wlth a gift as she
relinquished her roles of administrator and truslee.

Freedom Church Bexhill
Year Ended 31 December 2024
Report of the Trustee (Cont)
Trustee elections were held at the members meetiDg in June and 5 new trustees weie elected. Heidi Belton, Sharon
Britton. Isobel Costley, Paula Mullens and Tony Purfield.
Mike Scarlett was appoinied as Treasurer.
Along with Peter Goldsmith, Church Secretary and Rev Sally Sago this resulted in a team of 8 Trustees. A Core Leaders
Training session was held in November led by Paul Kerley Regional Minister for SEBA.
During JulylAugusi the church provided a placement to Yuki Kim a student ordinand with Westminster College
Cambridge. Tbis was a positive experience for both the church and Yuki.
Paid staff
The churLh continues to employ a cleaner 6 hrs pei. week, Deborah Brown who does a fantastic job.
A new church administrator, Jo Marder was appointed in August to oversee the work of the church office four mornings
a week.
In tesponse io advertising for a Children and Families Worker lo replace the vacancy left in June 20?3, no applicants
crc inicrvicwca. anu li wa5 Ccciacd by Ilic IrublCCS 10 illcicdSC ihc b(lI(￿Y b¢ing oifcred. This rcsulicd in a bUCCC55ful
Cdndida(e being appoin￿d who will siari in Janu£lry 2025 working 15hr% pcr wcck.
Membership
A mernbership and baptism inforn]ation evening was held in July and was attended by 7 people.
On I l December 2024 the membership stood al 50 compared to 52 a ye￿. earlier.
3 people were received into chureh membership.
I member died
4 members resigned
Attendance is between 50-65 per week on Sunday mornings. {averatse -57)
Other Activities
The church coniinued to welcome local ortsanisations into the building and to hire the premise5 for functions and charity
evenis as mentioned aEx)ve as wèll ds being used as a Polling .Siation foi. election purpi)ses. These dclivities are reliant on
our volunteer caretakers who lock and UDlo¢k the building, and we appreciate all the hard work of John Knight, Fred
Ginbey and Simon Green throughout the year.
The cburch joined with Churches Together in Bcxhill at Easier and in the summer for ecumenicdl gdtherings.
Links were also rnaintained with Hopes, a house of prayer and The Pelham a local community hub and coffee lounge.
Speaker5 were welcomed from International Mi55ion to Jewish People, Beachy Head Chaplaincy Team and Geoff
Thompkins {Jesus Loves Bexhill).

Freedom Church Bexhill
Year Ended 31 December 2024
Report of the Trustee (Cont)
New initiatives
Towards the end of the year the church was delighted to celebrate with 'Jesus Loves Bexhill, a litter pickinu coimmunity
group as they launched a new 'Jesus Love% Sidley, ttam. Thc church sUPPOrt them with use of the prerni,4es for praycr
cover and refreshments as well as joining in with letier picking in our local area.
The church also began a monthly prayer walking initiaiive, walking the streets praying and meeting local people out and
about in December.
Building and Maintenance
On behalf of the trusiees Pecer Goldsmith led the oversighi and implemeniation of various butlding and maintenance
tasks during the year. This included the replacement and installation of a new seri'ery in the cafe area of the sanctuary.
This was financed by grant% in support of Market place.
A qUiTtquennial Survey report wn% also undertaken for the first time in 2024 this will provide a plan of actton for
necessary work to the building going forward.
The work is ongoing. constant and den]anding and moving forward the hope is that a teatn may be developed to help with
the work needed ill 2025. Thank% to Barry Chdseley and Tony willi￿ who a%%i.%ted in variou5 la5L% during the ye{￿.
Fin2nei21 RoviÈw
Miko se￿Ie[[ Jppoinied Treagurer in June and our Ihdnk% offered lo him to¥ (Ill hi% h￿d work week by week
the production of the yearly accouiits below.
The Church continues to raise the funds which it needs to carry on its activilies from within its own membership and
Longregatton together with grants from a number of sympathetic charities in support of the Mllrket Place
Financial systems are in placc. as are policies for accountability and management, which ate reviewed regularly.
The Church is heavily dependent on its membership working as volunteers in all aspects of the ¢hurch's activities, many
of which run with little or no impaet on the church's expenditure. but nevertheless coiitribute substanrially to the
achievement of the church's objectives.
Reserves Policy
The Trustees have established a Reserves Policy to enable the church to fuT]Ction effectively and meet its obligations in
the event of a decline in our income or a major cost.
Statement from policy
Freedom Church Reserves Policy is as follows..
"To hold thi'ee month.Y nlall expendilure plus afvrther three moiEths staff costs to adai?t to any changes in the income
or expeiidiliir¢ (if the church. The pnlic), Hyill be reitriewed aiiniiull3'.
This Report was accepted by the Trustees Date..
Signed: Church Secretary
Treasurer

Freedom Church Bexhill
Year Ended 31 December 2024
Independent examiner's report to the trustees
L report on the accounts of the Trust for the period ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 7 to
10.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that
an audit is not required for this year under seciion 144(2) of the Charities Aci 2011 (the 2011 Acl) and that an
independeTIt eAar5]ination is needed.
It is my responsibilÉty to:
examine the account.s under section 145 of the ?0 I l Act;
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity CommissÉon under section
145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act" and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
My exarnination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Comn)ission.
An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the
accountb pr¢b¢nt¢d with thobe records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in
the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as 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 'true and fair view, and the report is limited to those matters set out
in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
( l) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 201 l Act" and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the
accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
have not been met. or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the
accounts to be reached.
Name: Leslie John Tasker FCCA
Relevant professional qualification or body.. Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
Address: Ryefields Ltd. Unit 139 Airport House, Purley Way, Croydon. Surrey CRO OXZ.
Date: 19 Septsmber 2025

Freedom Church Bexhill
Receipts and Payments Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024
Unrestrticted Restricted
funds
funds
Designated
I'unds
Total fun(ts
2024
2024
2024
2024
2023
otes
Incoming resources
Charitable giving..
Giving to the church
Other income..
72,550
16,100
10,651
-59,171
28,865
19,491
5,331
16,IIK>
27,130
5,329
Grants received
27,136
Bank interest
5,329
Total incoming resources
9_3,979
37,787
131,766
112.858
Resourees expended
Charitable activities
102,144
30,086
132,230
113,532
Total r￿Qur(C5 cxpendcd
102.144
30.086
132,230
113,532
Net Incomin￿ (outgoing)
resources for the year
(8,165)
7,701
(464)
(674)
Transfers between funds
150,238
{150,238)
Reconciliation of funds
Totdl fund% brought forward
48.762
182,6?8
231,390
232.064
Total funds carried forward
190,835
40,091
230.926
231,390
Represented by:
Petty cash
Bat
18?
182
178
190.653
40.091
230,744
231,212
190.835
40,091
230,926
231,390
Approved by the Trustees on .
The notes on pages 9 and l O form part of these accounts.

Freedom Church Bexhill
Notes forming part of the Finaneial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
l Accounting polieie5
The principal accounting policies are summarised below. The accounting polici&s have been applied
Lonsistenily tI￿OughoUt the year.
(a) The accounts have been prepared on (he receipLg L￿d payments basis.
Ibl • Unregtricted funds are available for u%e al the discretion of the tni.8tees in furtherance of the general
objective5 of the charity.
. Dcsignatcd funds are unrcgiricted fundg earmarked by the Tru8ieeq for particular purpo.%es.
. Restticted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by thc donor or through the
ternL% of un appeal.
(c) Voluntary incotne is received by ￿'aY of grants. donations and gifts.
(d) Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in ihe delivery of its activitics alld
8¢Tvice5 for its beneficiaries. It includ&s both ¢ogtg that C2n be allocated directly to such activities and
those costs ol an indlreci nalure necessary to support them.
Govcrnance cost5 include those cosLs asswiated with meeting ihe coJi.4ritutional and staiutory
requirements of the charity and include ¢0814 linked to the 8(raiegic management of the chariiy.
el Capital expenditure is written off on purchase.
2 Giving to the church
UnrestrfietÈd
Restrieted
Designated
2024
2023
Ttstal
Totsl
Gifts aT]d donations
Inier&st
65.945
5,329
1.fj.159
445
10.651
76.596
5.329
15,159
445
51827
5331
Property letting
Other Income
Income form Market Place
999
13054
BMS - Birthday Scheme
Little Seed8lMe5Sy
Gants - New Garden
50
495
495
429
9971
Garnt8 - Other
?7.136
27.136
6,606
131.766
95?0
Tax recovered
6.606
93,979
7344
112858
37.787

Freedom Church Bexhill
Notes forming part of the Finanelgl Statements for the )'ear ended 31 December 2024
3 Total resources expended
Unrestricted
Restrieted
Designtsted
2024
2023
Total
Totsl
C & FW costs
504
504
Ho.4pilality
Childrcn's work resources
Telephone. internet & Zoom
Insurance
1,048
1,575
I,U99
1,618
6,170
1.048
1.575
1.099
1.618
7.298
2991
877
910
1581
6888
10377
grants made
Charitabkle Irading
Worship and PA resources
Safcguarding
Trdvcl and bubsistctrce
1,128
11.536
966
966
818
331
331
87
87
2863
1467
882
1189
955
792
Sthiionery & printing
Equipment costs
Subscription5
I£L8ing co4ts
Advertisintr and m￿ketIng
Training and reiource4
Bank Chargeb
798
798
1.858
1,858
643
643
886
137
535
886
137
535
315
17?
172
£)nse costs
21,Y03
8,846
1,172
8,440
812
21.903
7128
6409
897
7705
Premi.8e LOSIS
8.846
Rates and Water
1.172
8.440
812
Lighi and Heat
Cledring and waste
Church ¥uite
5049
414
414
AV upgrade
Servery area refurbishtlleat
New Garden
3,290
13.628
-3,290
13.628
294
14873
Kitchen
3651
5740
Professional Fees
1,968
638
1.968
Administration CObtS
1222
Employment costs
40,028
102,IM
27659
113532
30.086
132.230
4 Movement of funds
Balance at
l Dec 2024
Incoming
re50urcos
Resources
expended
Transfers
Balance at
31 Dee 2024
Unrestricted funds
48.762
93.979
{102.144)
150,?18
190,835
Restricted funds
182.6?8
37.787
(311.0861
(150.238)
40,091
Designated funds
231,390
131.766
1132.2301
230.926
10

Freedom Church Bexhill
Notes forming part of the Fillancial Statell￿nts for the year ended 31 December 2D24
S A&qets
At 3 l Dcccmber 2024 the Charity had thc following assets=
Unrestrieted
18,124
22,653
150,238
182
Restricted
Designated
Current Account
18,124
51,989
160.993
182
Savings Accounts
Manse Trust fund
10,755
Cash held
PAYE Paid in January 2025
-362
190,835
-362
?30,9?6
40.091
6 Defined contribution pension ￿herneS
The charity utilises tlJe services of the Bapt15t Union Pension Scheme In respect of the Minister's pension and NEST for
thc Administrdtoi's pcn5ion.
7 Remuneration and payments to Tr￿￿teeS and perso￿5 connected with them
No Trubiees or perbons connected with them received dny remunerdrion from ihe chariry or any related eniity other than
as disclobed below.
Rev Sally Sago acts as one of the church's trustees and receives rernunerution and other benefits in respect of her services
%tb millibt¢r. Thlb in¢lud¢b rcnt p￿d by the church for the provibicpn of manse a¢¢ornmodation in the private residence of
the n)inistei' 2nd hei. husband.
Liz Daniels, one of the trustees, re¢eived remuneration in respect of her services a church Ad￿l￿1straIOr. until her
rcsignalion in Jtsnc 2024.