BETHESDA COMMUNITY CHARITABLE TRUST CHARITY NUMBER 1158979
REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
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BETHESDA COMMUNITY CHARITABLE TRUST
CHARITY INFORMATION
TRUSTEES S. Andrews [Chairman] C R Clarke P Miller D Sheppard A Allberry TREASURER G L Lawrence SECRETARY C R Clarke CHARITY NUMBER 1158979 CHARITY OFFICE 15, St Margarets Plain Ipswich IP4 2BB CHARITY CORRESPONDENCE 36, Fraser Road Bramford Ipswich IP8 4HS
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BETHESDA COMMUNITY CHARITABLE TRUST
CONTENTS
| TRUSTEES REPORT Pages |
|---|
| INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT Page |
| RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT Page |
| STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES Page |
| NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS **Page ** |
TRUSTEE’S REPORT FOR 2024
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The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2025
These financial statements are prepared in accordance with the Trust Deed and the recommendations of the Statement of Recommended Practice – Accounting and Reporting by Charities issued in October 2000 and comply with applicable law.
Structure, governance and management.
The charity was registered with the Charity Commission on 17 October 2014. The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and is registered charity number 1158979.
Charity trustees are appointed by members of Bethesda Baptist Church.
Objectives and activities.
The objects of the charity are (1) the advancement of the Christian religion and Christian faith (2) relief of poverty, suffering and distress in the community (3) the advancement of education and (4) other purposes beneficial to the community.
The Trustees have paid due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit and have strived to ensure that the charity’s reflect this.
The main activity to achieve these objectives is the operation of the Key Café, which serves meals and drinks to the general public regardless of their religion or beliefs. This is done within a Christian setting in which Christian literature is available and on display.
The charity’s premises hold events on a regular basis promoting the Christian faith
The cafe offers a free listening service to all members of the public who are distressed or have problems that they wish to discuss in confidence.
In order to promote Christianity and other charitable purposes, the charity offers reduced room hire rates for Christian groups and Not for Profit organisations.
Trustees’ responsibilities for the financial statements .
The Charities Act requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity at the end of the year and of the surplus or deficit for the year then ended.
In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to select suitable accounting policies and then apply them on a consistent basis, making judgements and estimates that are prudent and reasonable.
The Trustees must also prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.
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The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Achievements and performance .
It has been very encouraging to see a steady increase in the number of people visiting our centre called The Key Cafe. It is open three days a week and proving to be very popular.
Income has been encouraging, gradually increasing throughout the year. We have held an Easter egg hunt for the children, coffee mornings for Macmillan and Children in Need, four Christmas lunches which included a guest speaker and carol singing, a meal for the town pastors, two men’s breakfasts, four buffets for funerals and a buffet for an Ormiston conference. These events were a great success and provided an opportunity to present the Christian faith. We have also continued funding the provision of Bibles to two local primary schools for any pupil who wished to have one.
As ever we are grateful for the commitment and work of our staff and team of volunteers. Our ability to provide good quality food and service is thanks to them. There have been personnel changes during the course of the year and we appreciate the flexibility of the team to cover this.
Financial review.
It is the policy of the charity to maintain unrestricted free reserves at such a level as the Trustees consider necessary to maintain the fabric of The Key Cafe and to provide reasonable funds against any unforeseen costs that may arise.
The statement of financial activities show a net income of £143,375 (£133,383 in 2024) with an expenditure of £144,379 (£126,223 in 2024). This shows a deficit of £1,004 compared to a profit of £7,126 in 2024.
At the end of 2025 the reserve funds are £23,894 compared to £25,081 in 2024. The charity’s target level of funds is £20,000.
Independent examiner .
It will be suggested at the next Trustees meeting to re-appoint Larking Gowen as independent examiners of the charity’s accounts for the coming year. This report was approved by the Trustees on 2026 and signed on their behalf by
Steven Andrews Chairman of the Managing Trustees
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Independent examiner'5 report to the trustees of Bethesda Community Charitable Trust repc>rt lo the charity tii]5tee5 on tny exarnination of the accounts of Bethesda Coinmuniiy Charitable Trusi (the Trnstl lor the year ended 31 Dccember 9025. Rcspon5ibilitics and b4515 of rcport As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation tsf the acLounts in aLCOJ.dance with the requircments of the Charilics Act 2011 I'ihe Act'}. I report in respect of my examination of the TTUSt's accnunts carri¢d out ullder sectian 145 01. Ihe 201 l Act. In earrying out my examination I liave tollowed all applicable Directions g]en by th¢ Charity Cornmission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent examiner's statement I have completed niv exainination. I confimi that no material matters have come to my attLniion in connection with the examination giving me LLlUSC to bclicvc that in any material re8p¢¢i: accounting records were noi kcpt in r¢spcct of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act. or thc accounts do not accord with thosc rccords. hgi L no conccms and hai"c comc across no other ma11ers in connection with the examinarion to which attention should be drawn in this report in orderto ¢nabl¢ a proper understanding of the accounts to be reaehed. Gile5 Kerkham FCA DChA Liiikints Goivcn LLP ChaTtered Accoiintants I Claydon Bu%inc%% Park Ip4wiLh IP6 ONL Date.. 30 April 2026