Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Stow Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2024 Contents Legal and Administrative Information Report of the Trustees Report of the Independent Examiner Statement of Financial Activities io Balance Sheet li Notes forming part of the Financial Statements 14 Resources Expended 15 Analysis of NetAssets- Current year 16 Analysis of NetAssets- Prioryear 17 Movement in Funds- Currentyear 18 Movement in Fund5- Prior Year 19 Comparative Statement of Financial Activities Twsiees Report&Unaudlted Financial Statements St¢wG05pel Hall Tnjst 18 Dec2024 Page2of19 Legal and Administrative Information Stow Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2024 Charity Name: stow Gospel Hall Trust Reglstered Charity Number: 1159122 Trustees: MrA J Dijnham Ichairl MrD Lwheatcroft MrG H Griffiths Mrm G Kcooper Mr C A Griffiths TreJsurer: MrD L Wheatcroft PrlnclpleAddréss: Pinewood st Edward's Drive Stow-on-the-wold Gloucestershire United Kingdom GL54 IAW Independent Examlner: Laverne Eames Oldfield Advisory LLP 1120 Elliot Court Coventry CV5 6UB Accountant: Oldfield Advisory LLP 1120 Elliot Court Coventry CV56UB Bankers: Barclays Bank PIC cheltenham Area Branches cheltenham Gloucestershire GL50 IEL Trustees Report&Unaudiied Flnanclal stsiements Stow Gospel Hall Trijst 18 Dec2024 Page 3 of 19 Report of the Trustees Stow Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2024 The trustees present their report along with the financial statements of the Charity forthe year ended 5 April 2024. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on page 11 and comply with the Trust Deed and applicable law. structure, Governance and Management Governing Document The charity is an unincorporated trust constituted by a Deed of Trust dated 22 July 1982. most recently amended by Deed of Variation dated 12 August 2014. The trust was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 07 November 2014 under charity Registration Number.. 1159122 Recruitment and appointment of new Trustees The Trustees who have served during the year and since the year end are set out on page 3. None of the Trustees, nor any person connected with them, received any remuneration or expenses from the Charity in the year ended 5 April 2024. The Trust operate5 one Gospel hall and Trustees are chosen from among the regular congregation ofthe halls. New Trustees are nominated bythe existing Trustees or by the congregation and must be appointed by unanimous resolution ofthe congregation. They are selected according to their skills and experience and are expected to use both in furthering the object5 of the Charity. checks are made to ensure the Trustees, eligibility to act and incomingTrustees are made aware of their responsibilities by the existing Trustees, who ensure that new Trustees read the Trust Deed and relevant Charity Commission guidance. Wider Network The Trustees maintain informal links with similar charities with a view to pooling experience considered useful in pursuing the objects of the charity. The charity also maintains particular links with oddington Gospel Hall Trust with which it shares members of its congregation. Risk Management The Trustees have identified and reviewed the major risks to which the charity is exposed and confirm that they have established systems to manage and mitigate those risks. Objectives and Activities Objectives and Aims The charitable purposes of the Charity are the advancement of the Christian religion For the public benefit, including by the carrying on ofthe service of God in accordance with the old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible as followed by those Christians forming part oFthe world-wide fellowship known as the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church Ithe"Brethren"l and any otherch3ritable purposes connected with Brethren. The core doctrine of the Brethren and proper practices in furtherance of certain aspects of doctrine are summarised in two schedules to the Trust Deed. Public Benefit The Trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty under section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the charity Commission's general guidance to charities on public benefit. Details of public benefit activities carried out by Stow Gospel Hall Trust can be found in the separate appendix to this report. Trustee5 Report&Un3udited Financial Statements Stow Gospel HallTrust Ill Dec2024 Page4of19 Report oftheTru5tees Main activities and achievements The Trust provides and maintains one Gospel hall where religious meetings are held by the local Brethren community. Details of the origins, teachings and way of life ofthe Brethren can be found on the website- www.plymouthbrethrenchristianchurch.org and in the schedules to the Trust Deed. The trust also managed to keep the electricity bill low, which reduced expenditure on energy and saved the trust money. Plans for future periods Despite the increased cost oFenergy. the trustees feel that these increased costs are not significantly impacting on the ability OF the charity to continue as a going concern. There are plans for improvements to the car parking area atthe gospel hall, the trust is seeking planning permission for this. Meeting5 Meetings held at the Gospel halls include the Lord's Supper (Communion), Gospel preachings, Bible readings and Bible addresses. There is a structured weekly schedule of meetings and, depending on the particular meeting, between 40 and 400 people normally attend these occasions. The meetings are attended by the regular congregation and most are open to other properly disposed visitors. The notice board outside the Hall welcomes visitors and displays the times of Gospel preachings, along with a telephone number for those seeking further information or help. Gospel tracts, which are distributed by street preachers, also display this information. Bibles and an extensive range of other Christian reading material are on display at the halls and visitors are free to help themselves. Twstees Report &Un8udlted FSnan£lal Statement5 StowG05PEI HallTrust 19 Dec2024 Pège 5 of19 Report of theTru5tees Spreading the Gospel message and the life of a Christian The Gospel h811 is a base from which the regular congregation and others who attend the meetings are encouraged to spread the Christian Gospel, in word and deed. Members of the congregation participate in a programme of street preaching and Gospel tracts are provided free oFcharge by the Charity to such preachers to be handed out to interested members of the public. In carrying outthis work. the congregation considers itself to be living out its faith in practice, as particularly exemplified in the following extract from the schedule to the Trust Deed on living a Christian life- We seek and are encouraged to live exemplary lives in all our relationships with others in the wider community (including former Brethrenl, in accordance with the teachings of Holy Scripture11 Tim 2'.21. We regularly go out from our homes to preach on the streets, to distribute Christian literature and engage with the wider community lincluding former Brethren) in orderto present eternal salvation. available to all men by faith in Jesus Christ. 12 Tim 4'.21. We seek as members ofthe public to lead Christian lives as husbands and wives. parents, children, employers, employees and neighbours. (Col 3.22-25, Col 4.11. The prese￿atIon and protection of the family unit is fundamental and children are prized as a blessing from God. (Psalm 127.3-51. The elderly are valued members ofthe eommunitytr forwhom both their family and the wider community are expected to care. Holy Scripture commands US to be good neighbours to others, and deal with all other people (including former Brethren) openly, honestly and fairly and consistent with these principle5, we should give ourtime, talents and money to assist those in need in the wider community, in so far as reasonable given our abilities and our available resovrces. (Matt 7.12, Matt 22-39, Eph 4.281. Funding Funding is sought through gifts from the congregation and Gift Aid is claimed on eligible donations. Funding 15 sometimes received from other charitable trusts with complementary objectives. Financial Review In the yearended 5 April 2024 the Trust had a deficit of incoming resources over resources expended. This is mostly due to non-monetary items such as depreciation. Total voluntary income received this year was £48,973 compared to £41,902 in the previous year. All funds held were unrestricted fund5. Reserves Policy The Trustees have considered the level of reserves they wish to retain, appropriate to the charity's needs, based on the charity's size and the level of its financial commitments. The Trustees aim for the Charity to hold approximately £25,000 in a current account to meet the day to day expenses> plus an allowance for any urgent repairs and capital expenses and currently the Trust is building up funds for future investments. Free reserves accumulated in excess of the minimum will be used atthe discretion of the Trustees forthe strategic development of Stow Gospel Hall Trust. The congregation is kept regularly inFormed as to particular needs for funds, and other relevant matters and the Trustees aim to ensurethatthe Charity will be able to continue to fulfil its charitable objectives even if there is a temporary shortfall in income or unexpected expenditure, by raising a Funds appeal to the congregation. Free ReseNes at the year end were £84.59912023: £85.0471 Tru5teesReport& Unaudlted FlnancSalStatement5 StowGospel Hall Trust 18 Dec 2024 Page6of 19 Report of theTrustees statement of Trustees Responsibilities The trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trtjstees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdorn GenerallyAccepted Accounting Practice). The law applicable to charities in England and Wales, the Charities Act 2011, Charity IAccounts and Reports) Regulations and the provisions of the Trust Deed require the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each linancial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the Charity forthat period. In preparing those financial statements. the Trustees are required to.. select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently,. obseNe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP IFRS 1021. make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements. prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity IAccounts and Reports) Regulations and the provisions of the Trust Deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps forthe prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. All transactions have been reviewed and approved by two trustees. On Behalf of the board. Mr D L Wheatcroft (Trusteel . Ic)L.£ Date Trustees Report&Unaudlted Flnanclalstatements stowGospel Hall TNSt 18 Dec2024 Page 7of19 Report of the Independent Examiner Stow Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2024 I report to the trustees on my examination ofthe accounts ofthe Stow Gospel Hall Trust forthe year ended 5 April 2024. Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111'the Act'l. I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 ofthe 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission undersection 14515llbl of the Act. Basis of Independent Examiner's Report My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given bythe Charity Commission. An examination includes a review ofthe accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison ol the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusL¢al item5 OT disclosures in the accounts, and seeking of 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 fairview, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statements below. 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.. Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act. or The accounts do not accord with those records. or The accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirementthat the accounts give a'true and fairview, 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 orderto enable a proper understanding ofthe accounts to be reached. Laverne Eames Oldfield Advisory LLP 1120 Elliot Court Coventry CV5 6UB 18 December2024 TTU5tees Report &Vnaudlted Flnanclal Statements slow Gospel Hall Trust 18 Dec2024 Page8 of 19 Statement of Financial Activities Stow Gospel Hall Trust Forthe year ended 5 April 2024 VNRESTRICTED FUNDS DESIGNATED FUNDS RESTRICTED FUNDS TOTAI FVNDS 2024 TOTALFUNDS 2023 Income and endowments: Dtsnatlons and Le Collectlon5 acles.. 25,305 25,305 25,169 GiftAid Donations 9,910 9,910 9,548 IncomeTax refunds 2,478 2,478 7,Y80 234 otherdonatlons 7,780 3,500 6,951 Otherlncome 3,500 Total Income and endowments.. 48,973 48,973 41,902 Expenditure: Runrsing Meeting Rooms (note 81 Congregatlon support Inote 61 Cost of donated services (note 41 Total Expendlture: 69,815 69,815 68,142 11,5751 9,680 11501 14,811 I￿0) 14,811 84,476 84,476 76,247 Net IncomellExpenditurel 135,5031 135,5031 134,3451 Net Movement In Funds 135,5031 135,5031 134,3451 UNRESTRICTED FUNDS DESIGNATED FUNDS RESTRICTED FLINDS TOTALFUNDS 2024 TOTALFUNDS 1023 Reconciliation of funds (note 101 Total Funds bouEhtforward Net movement in funds 1,568,237 135,5031 1,532,734 1.568,237 135,5031 1,532,734 1,602,582 134,3451 1,568,237 Total Funds car¥led fornard The notes on page 11- 18 form part of these financial statements. Trustees Report&Unaudlted FlnandalStatement5 StowGospel HallTmst 18 Dec2024 Page 9 of19 Balance Sheet Stow Gospel Hall Trust As at 5 April 2024 2024 2023 Fixed Assets Tangible assets Inote 51 Total Fixed Assets 1,448,135 1,483,190 1,448,135 1,483,190 Current assets Prepayments and accrued income Cash at bankand in hand 7,519 3,646 78,834 86,642 Total Current assets 86R52 90,288 Creditors: amounts fallin due within one ear Accruals and deferred income 1,753 5,242 Total Creditors: amounts falllngduewlthln oneyear I,Y53 5,242 Net current assetsllliabilities) 84,599 85,047 Total assets less current liabilities 1,532,734 1,568,237 Net Assets 1,532,734 1.568.237 Funds (note 91 Unrestrlcted funds 1,532,734 1,532,734 1,568,237 Total Fund5 1,568,237 The unaudited financial statementswere approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees of Stow Gospel Hall Trust on .and were signed on its behalf by: Mr D L Wheatcroft (Trusteel The notes on pages 11- 18 form part of these financlal statements. Trustees Report&Unaudlted Flnanclal Statements stowGospel HallTrust 18 Oec2024 Page IOof19 Notes forming part of the Financial Statements Stow Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2024 I. ACCOUNTING POLICIES 1.1 Basis of financial statements The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 issued on 16 July 2014, and incorporating update bulletins l and 2, and the Financial Reporting standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. The functional currency of the charity is sterling 1£). The Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical Cost or transaction value unless othenNise stated irk the relevant accounting policy notelsl. 1.2 Income Donations are recognised in the year in which there is entitlement and probability of receipt and the amount can be measured with reasonable certainty. Income is only deferred when the charity has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it or where the donor has specified that the income is to be expended in a future year. Gift aid is added to the value ofthe donation to which it relates. Donated seNices are recognised as income and expenditure in the financial statements when organisations or individuals offer theirservices and support pro bono. The value of these donated services to Stow Gospel Hall Trust is considered to be equal to market value which would be paid were the service formally procured. This includes services paid for by othertrusts. Investment income is accounted for on a receivable basis. 1.3 Expenditure Expenditure is included on an accruals basis. Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal orconstructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources. charitable activities comprise those costs directly attributable to the fuifilment of the charitable objects. 1.4 Governance and support costs Support costs have been allocated between governance costs and other support costs. Governance costs comprise all costs involving the public accountability of the charity and costs related to statutory requirements. Governance and support costs are allocated to charitable activities on the basis of capacity used. 1.5 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation Tangible fixed assets (costing more than £IOOI are stated at cost less depreciation. Freehold land is not depreciated. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost, less estimated residual value. of each asset over its expected useful life as follows.. Property improvements 1 2% straight line Fixtures and Fittings Iooh reducing balance 1.6 Taxation Trustees Report& Unavdlied Flnanclal Staternent5 Sto¥vG05pel Hall TN5t 18 Det 2024 Page iiof19 Notesforming partofthe Fin3ncialStatement5 The Trust is a registered charity and is not liable to United Kingdom income or corporation tax on charitable activities, provided income falls within the charitable exemption5 and is spent on charitable purposes. 1.7 Fund5 The general unrestricted fund is free forthe Trustees to use for any purposes in furtherance of the trust's charitable objects. Restricted funds arise from donations to the trust, which are made for a specific purpose. Restricted funds can only be used for the purpose forwhich lunds were given. 1.8 Preparation of consolidated financial statements The charity does not have a trading subsidiary. 1.9 Going Concern The Trustees considerthat there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. 1.10 Significant estimates and judgements The trustees do not consider that there are any source5 of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period. 2. TRUSTEES, REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES No Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits from an employment with the charity and no Trustees were reimbursed for expenses12023.' none) 3. WAGES AND SALARIES There are no employees12023'. nonel 4. Donated se￿ICe$ 2024 2023 Donated Services Donated To: Donated services to Oddington Gospel Hall Trust Total Donated Serylces: 14,811 14,811 9,680 9,680 Trustees Report&Unaudlted Flnanclal Statements Stow Gospel Hall Tnjst 18 Dec2024 Page 12 of 19 Notes formingpartof the Financial St3tement5 5. Tangible Fixed Assets Freehold Land & Buildings- South Hill, Fosse Way Fixtures, Fittings & Equipment At 6 April 2023 1,826,400 22,933 1,849,333 Additions 2,527 2,527 Disposals At 5 April 2024 1,826,400 25,460 1,851.860 At 6 April 2023 352,488 13.654 366,142 Currentyear Depreciation 36.528 1,055 37,583 Eliminated on disposals At 5 April 2024 389,016 14,710 403,726 At 5 April 2024 1,437,384 10,750 1.448,134 At 5 April 2023 1,473,912 9,278 1.483,190 Land registry titles ofthe above property held are GR380027. 6. TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES During the financial year, aggregated donations of £6,28812023'. £4,796) were received. No material reimbursements were made. 7. VOLUNTEERS Stow Gospel Hall Trust relies entirely on volunteers to carry out the management, administration and general maintenance work. The Trust has no paid staff or paid Trustees. Trustees RepDrt& Unaudited FlnanclalStateTnentS Stow Gospel HallTrust 18 Dec2024 Poge 13of19 Resources Expended Stow Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2024 8. Resources Expended OTHER CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES MEETING ROOMS TOTALCOSTS 2024 TOTALCOSTS 2023 Direct Costs Premlses costs- repairs and maintenance Premises costs- heat, lightand power Health and safety Congregatlon Support Depreciation Insurance 8,730 8,730 4,745 ,141 1,606 11501 37,583 8,141 7,034 1,606 11501 37,583 1,071 11,5751 37,497 3,059 3,059 1,801 1,395 12,516 Legal and professlonal Other Expenses Governance 9,598 9,598 1,098 1,098 2,082 Total Direct Costs 69.665 69,665 66,567 Governance costs include £180 Iprioryear: £1801 in respect of independent examiners fees. Trustees Report& Unavdlted Flnanclal statements Slow Gospel HallTru5t IB Dec 2024 Page 14of 19 Analysis of Net Assets- Current year Stow Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2024 9. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS 9.1 Currentyear UNRESTRICTED FUNDS DESIGNATED FLINDS RESTRICTED FLINDS TOTAL FUNDS 2024 Funds Tangible Fixed Assets Current Assets 1,448,135 86,352 11,7531 1,532,734 1,448,135 86,352 11,7531 1,532,734 Current Llabllltie5 Total Funds TrusteesReport&Unaudited Financlal Statenients StowG05pel HOIS Twst 16 Det2024 Page15of19 Analysis of Net Assets- Prior Year Stow Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2024 9.2 Prioryear UNRESTRICTED FiFNDS DESIGNATED FUNDS RESTRICTED FUNDS TOTAL FVNDS 2023 Funds Tanglble Flxed Assets CurrentAssets 1,483,190 1,483,190 90,288 15,2421 1,568,237 91.863 11.5751 1,575 Current Liabllities 16,8171 1,568,237 Total Funds Trustees RepDrt&Unaudlted Flnanclal Statements Slow Gospel HallTrJ5t 18 Dec2014 Page 16 of 19 Movement in Funds- Current Year Stow Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2024 10. Movement in Funds 10.1 Movement in funds- current year UNRESTRICTED FUNDS DESIGNATED FUNDS RESTRICTED FUNDS TOTAL FUNDS 2024 Movement in Funds Total furnds boughtfotward lTrcoming resource5 Resources expended Total funds carried forward 1,568,237 1,568,237 48,973 184,4761 1,532,734 48.973 184,4761 1,532,734 TTUStees RepDrt & Unaudiied Flnanclal Statements stowGospEI HallTrust J8 Dec2024 Page 17 of19 Movement in Funds- Prioryear Stow Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2024 10. Movement in Funds 10.2 Movement in funds- Prior year UNRESTRICTED FUNDS DESIGNATÉD FUMDS RESTRICTED FUNDS TOTAL FUNDS 2023 Movement in Funds Total funds bought forward Incoming resources Resources expended Totalfunds carrted fon￿ard 1,604,157 11.5751 1,602.582 41,902 177,8221 1,568,237 41,902 1,575 176,2471 1,568.237 Trustees RepOrt&Una￿dited Flnanclal Statements StowGospel HallTrust 18 Dec2024 Page 18of19 Comparative Statement of Financial Activities Stow Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2024 UNRESTRICTED FUNDS DESIGNATED FUNDS RESTRICTED FUNDS TOTALFUNDS 2023 Income and endowments: Donations and Le Collections acies: 25,169 25,169 GIftAld Donations 9,548 234 9,548 IncomeTax refunds 234 Other Donations 6,951 6,951 Total Income and endowments: 41,902 41,902 Expenditure: Runnlng Meetlng Rooms (note 81 Congregation Support (note81 Costof donated services (note 41 Total Expenditure: 68,142 58,142 11,5751 11,5751 9,680 9,680 77,822 11,5751 76,247 Net IncomellExpenditurel 135,9201 1,575 134,3451 Net Movement In Funds 135,9201 1,5Y5 134,3451 UNRESTRICTED FUNDS DESIGNATED FUNDS RESTRICTED FUNDS TOTAL FUNDS 2023 Reconciliation of funds (note 10) Total Funds boughtforward Net movement in funds 1,604,157 135,9201 1,568,237 11,5751 1,575 1,602,582 134,3451 Total Funds carried forward 1,568,237 TrusteesReport & Unaudlted Flnanclalstatements StowGospel HallTwst 18 Dec2024 Page 19of19 Public Benefit Report Stow Gospel Hall Trust ## **Stow Gospel Hall Trust Public Benefit** One of the Trust’s principal activities that furthers its objects is providing a facility for the coordination of “outreach” work into the wider community. Members of the congregation, acting under the directions of the trustees and with their full active encouragement, have continued with “outreach” work which they have carried out for many years. ## **April 23 – March 24 Summary** The trustees of the Stow Gospel Hall Trust confirm that they have complied with their duty under section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance to charities on public benefit. The trustees and regular congregation members have continued their public benefit works supporting people and communities around our places of worship. ## **Street Preaching and Tract Distribution** Since Covid hit (2020), the open air preaching in the town centre of Stow-on-the-Wold had to be halted, this has now partially resumed. Tracts and gospel cards were still available for collection from the main Gospel Hall. Any enquiries received by the trustees or made to central office have been followed up fully, and where applicable people have been directed to the following website where literature can be purchased or downloaded for reading in multiple languages. _https://christiandoctrineandgospelpublishing.org/_ Members of the congregation have continued to hand out tracts to neighbours and people in need when they have met them. Other church leaders and ministers from time-to-time request some of the early printed ministry by the leaders which is made available from the website listed. ## **Working with other charities** Members of the congregation donate to and are volunteers of Rapid Relief Team (RRT) which has enabled us to obtain the RRT Family Food Boxes and Baby Care Kits. These kits have been donated by the Trust to people/charities in need as displayed below: Public Benefit Report Stow Gospel Hall Trust As a Trust, we have distributed RRT Family Food Boxes & Smarrt bars (Breakfast bars) to the local schools. The RRT Food Boxes are designed to feed a family of 4 for up to 4 days and bring some relief and joy to households during their time of pressure and crisis. We have also distributed the RRT Early Bird Learning scheme to four schools in the local area (Bourton, Stow, Bledington & Moreton Primary) The RRT Early Bird Learning Box is gifted to provide immediate relief for teachers and children in order to help increase the child's quality of a bright future. The Trust see that the work carried out by its members as Volunteers of the Rapid Relief Team (RRT) is of the utmost importance in the community and has been pleased to allow its external facilities to be used as a meeting/gathering point for these volunteers prior to deployment or community support. Equipment and trailers are stored in the secure ground of the gospel halls where volunteers can freely access them as much of the work of RRT is done out of normal operating hours. ## **Case Study Example 1** Members of the congregation volunteered for RRT to pack the Baby Care Kits that were to be distributed around the country to the mothers and babies in need. These kits are prepared for organisations who support families and mothers dealing with challenging circumstances. The kits provide at least 10 days support which we know gives encouragement to mothers with young babies, in times of crisis. This packing was completed one evening in October 2023 where 500 kits were packed and prepared by the volunteers ready for distribution. ## **Case Study Example 2** Members of the congregation also volunteered to clean the metal railings in and around the town of Stow-on-the-Wold to support the council and local people and to improve the image of the area. ## **Case Study Example 3** Members of the congregation also volunteered for RRT with distributing chilled water bottles to the local community on one very hot day in September 2023. This event was called Re ee fy | ‘Operation Hydrate’ and 1000 water bottles Cas dae gt were distributed to many happy recipients.