Charity registration number: 1161926
FREEDOM CHURCH HEREFORD STRATEGIC REPORT, TRUSTEES' REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Freedom Church Hereford Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees' Report | 1—6 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 7 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 8 |
| Comparative Statement of Financial Activities | 9 |
| Statement of Financial Position | 10 |
| Statement of Cash Flows | 11 |
| Notes to the Statement of Cash Flows | 12 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 13—25 |
Freedom Church Hereford
Trustees' Report For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
The trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Objectives and Activities
Aims and Objectives
The core charitable objectives of Freedom Church Hereford CIO (“Freedom Church”), as set out in its governing document, are:
● The advancement of the Christian religion mainly, but not exclusively, by means of broadcasting Christian messages of an evangelistic and teaching nature, holding meetings, and producing or distributing literature about Christianity.
● The prevention or relief of poverty or financial hardship anywhere in the world by providing or assisting through necessary support to help individuals become selfsufficient.
-
To advance in life and help young people through activities, training, and support.
-
The relief of persons who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress, or who are aged or sick.
The charity’s mission statement, which reflects and supports these objectives, is “connecting anyone anywhere to a life-changing relationship with Jesus.”
Public Benefit
In pursuing its charitable objectives, Freedom Church seeks to deliver public benefit through local church activities, leadership development, discipleship, pastoral care, and community engagement. The charity operates primarily as a local church serving the city of Hereford, while maintaining relational connections with churches and partners in the UK and internationally.
The trustees’ long-term aims include strengthening the sustainability and effectiveness of the local church, supporting leadership and volunteer development, and enabling ministries that engage children, young people, and adults at different stages of life. The charity also seeks to make appropriate use of digital platforms and media resources to broaden access to teaching and engagement.
Freedom Church values collaboration and mutual support within the wider Christian community. During the year, the charity maintained relationships with churches and partners in Europe, North America, Africa, India, and South-East Asia, sharing resources, experience, and encouragement where beneficial and appropriate.
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
Volunteers
Freedom Church relies significantly on the contribution of volunteers, who are involved in many aspects of the delivery of its activities and programmes. The trustees are grateful for the commitment, skills, and time given by volunteers, which play an important role in enabling the charity to pursue its objectives effectively.
The trustees confirm that they have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and are satisfied that the charity’s activities during the year have been carried out in furtherance of its charitable purposes and for the public benefit.
Fundraising and trading activities
The charity complies with the Code of Fundraising Practice. It does not engage professional fundraisers or commercial participants and did not receive any fundraising complaints during the year.
Freedom Church operates a wholly owned trading subsidiary, Wildfire (Hereford) Limited, which undertakes the majority of the charity’s non-donation incomegenerating activities. Profits generated by the subsidiary are donated to the charity and applied in furtherance of its charitable objectives.
Achievements and Performance
Main Achievements
Strategic Developments and Organisational Restructuring During 2024–25
The 2024–25 financial year marked a period of significant transition for Freedom Church, following the move to a decentralised model of church governance implemented in the prior year. As previously reported, the separation of the UK church locations in Cardiff, Worcester, and Cheltenham into independent charities became effective on 1 April 2024. As a result, Freedom Church entered the 2024–25 year operating primarily as a local church serving the city of Hereford, rather than as a central church providing operational and financial support to multiple UK locations.
While the church’s charitable objectives remained unchanged, the trustees recognised that the vision and strategy for how those objectives are pursued locally required reassessment in light of this new organisational reality. During the 2024–25 year, the trustees therefore commenced a process of restructuring the church’s strategy, financial systems, operational processes, policies and charitable activities to ensure they are appropriately aligned with its role as a local church. This work began during the year under review and has continued into the 2025–26 financial year, as the trustees sought to embed sustainable and effective structures that support both good governance and long-term mission delivery.
...CONTINUED
Page 1
Freedom Church Hereford Trustees' Report (continued) For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
Main Achievements - continued
The church’s approach to Firestarters, our grass-roots discipleship movement, evolved during the year. Whereas Firestarter groups were previously managed and supported centrally, pastoral care and oversight have now transitioned to the closest regional Freedom Church. This change reflects the wider decentralised model and enables more effective local pastoral support, while continuing to encourage discipleship and small-group community in areas where it would not be appropriate to establish larger church congregations.
Alongside its local church activities, Freedom Church has continued to maintain a global-facing arm that supports the wider Freedom Nation movement where needed, primarily through the provision of media and branding resources. During the year, the trustees began to refine the strategic focus of this global arm, increasingly orientating its activities towards supporting church planting rather than broader operational support. This shift reflects the church’s ongoing commitment to contributing to the planting and strengthening of new churches, while remaining appropriately focused on its local responsibilities.
During the 2024–25 year, several couples entered preparation processes with a view to planting new churches. By the end of the financial year, a number of new church plants had been confirmed and were expected to launch within the next 12 to 18 months. These developments form part of the wider Freedom Church vision and are supported through relational leadership, training, and resourcing rather than direct operational control.
More broadly, during the year under review, Freedom Church locations globally continued to experience healthy growth in attendance and engagement. This growth has been accompanied by ongoing evidence of public benefit through lives changed, including salvations, baptisms, and participation in discipleship pathways. The trustees give thanks for these outcomes and remain encouraged that the decentralised model is enabling local churches to respond effectively to their communities while remaining connected through shared vision and values.
Public Benefit and Delivery of Charitable Objectives
During the 2024–25 financial year, the trustees have continued to ensure that the charity’s activities further its charitable objectives and provide clear public benefit.
The advancement of the Christian religion remained central to the church’s work. This was achieved through regular worship services, teaching, discipleship programmes, and evangelistic activities, including the church’s annual gatherings such as The Cave, The Horde, Dauntless, and Kids’ Cave. These events, alongside weekly meetings and small groups, provided opportunities for public worship, biblical teaching, and community engagement. Outreach activities such as the Alpha Course, delivered using resources developed by Alpha UK, continued to offer an accessible introduction to the Christian faith for those exploring belief.
The charity also pursued its objective to advance young people in life through a range of age-specific ministries. Freedom Kids supported children from infancy to 11 years through safe, structured, and age-appropriate teaching. Zeal YTH provided discipleship, mentoring, and pastoral support for young people aged 11 to 16, while Tribe, the church’s young adults ministry, focused on community, leadership development, and personal growth for those aged 17 to 24.
In addition, the church successfully relaunched its Leadership Academy in September 2024, enrolling 14 students in its first cohort following the relaunch. The Academy is designed to equip participants through biblical teaching, leadership training, character development, and practical ministry experience. Sessions during the year covered topics including pastoral care, church planting, leadership development, personal discipline, and spiritual formation. The trustees view the relaunch of the Academy as a significant contribution to leadership development and the long-term sustainability of the church’s ministry.
The relief of persons in need, hardship, or distress was delivered primarily through pastoral care, mentoring relationships, and practical support provided within the church community. This included ongoing support for individuals and families experiencing emotional, relational, or financial challenges, with signposting and assistance provided where appropriate.
The trustees recognise that the prevention or relief of poverty and financial hardship remains an important charitable objective. During the year, the church strengthened its capacity to support individuals experiencing financial difficulty by investing in training through Christians Against Poverty. Three leaders completed CAP training in order to equip them to provide practical support within the church community. As a result, church members facing financial challenges were supported through budgeting courses and training designed to improve financial literacy, address debt, and promote long-term financial resilience. Alongside this practical support, pastoral care and mentoring continued to provide relational and emotional support for individuals and families in need.
During the year, the trustees also began exploring the long-term development potential of the church’s owned property, known as The Forge. While Sunday services are currently held in a rented cinema venue in Hereford, The Forge houses the church’s offices, chapel, and classroom spaces used for teaching and midweek activities. Initial research and pre-planning considerations commenced in relation to redeveloping an unused area of the site with a view to constructing a larger auditorium in the future. This work remains at an early, exploratory stage and is intended to support the church’s long-term mission and capacity to serve the local community.
The trustees are satisfied that the charity’s activities during the year were carried out in furtherance of its charitable objectives and provided demonstrable public benefit.
Page 2
Freedom Church Hereford Trustees' Report (continued) For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
Financial Review
Financial Position
The financial results for the year reflect the first full year of operation following the decentralisation of UK church activities, which took effect from 1 April 2024.
Total income for the year was £862,460 (prior year: £1,100,171). Donation income amounted to £552,345 (prior year: £738,840), representing a decrease compared to the previous year. This reduction is primarily attributable to the separation of the UK church locations into independent charities, resulting in congregational giving being directed to those entities rather than to Freedom Church Hereford.
Following the decentralisation of UK church activities, Freedom Church Hereford operates independently as a local charity, with no obligation to provide ongoing financial support to other Freedom Church entities.
The charity continues to operate a wholly owned trading subsidiary, Wildfire (Hereford) Ltd (“Wildfire”), which undertakes the majority of its non-donation incomegenerating activities. This subsidiary provides an additional and valuable source of unrestricted income to support the charity’s activities. Donations remain the charity’s principal source of funding.
During the year, the charity received dividends of £58,399 from Wildfire, providing an additional source of unrestricted income to support the charity’s activities.
Total expenditure for the year was £879,736 (prior year: £1,053,979). The charity reported a net deficit of £17,246 (prior year: surplus of £36,192). The deficit arose in the context of organisational transition and reflects, in part, strategic and non-recurring expenditure incurred during the year. This included the provision of £43,448 in grants, primarily to newly established UK church charities to support their initial set-up following decentralisation.
During the year, the charity also invested in key operational infrastructure, including the purchase of a new public address system at a cost of £44,000. This expenditure was capitalised and therefore did not impact the deficit reported for the year.
At the balance sheet date, the charity maintained a strong cash position and held free reserves in excess of its target level, as outlined in the reserves policy. The trustees consider the charity’s financial position to be sound and consistent with the assessment that the charity remains a going concern.
The trustees will continue to monitor income trends and expenditure closely as the charity embeds its revised operating model.
Reserves Policy
The trustees of Freedom Church Hereford recognise the importance of maintaining an appropriate level of reserves as part of their responsibility for good stewardship and prudent financial management.
The purpose of holding reserves is to ensure that the charity is able to meet its financial commitments as they fall due, manage short-term fluctuations in income and expenditure, respond to unforeseen financial challenges, and support the continued delivery of its charitable objectives. The trustees also seek to ensure that funds are not held unnecessarily without a clear operational or strategic purpose.
In light of the charity’s operating model as a local church and having regard to its cost base and risk profile, the trustees consider that holding reserves equivalent to approximately three months of operating expenditure represents an appropriate target level. This target is reviewed periodically and may be adjusted as the charity’s activities, financial position, or risk environment changes.
At the balance sheet date, the charity held free reserves of £326,228 (prior year: £358,509). This represents reserves above the trustees’ target level. The trustees note that the financial year included a period of organisational transition following the decentralisation of UK church operations, as well as certain one-off expenditures. The level of reserves held provides the trustees with confidence that the charity remains financially resilient and able to meet its obligations.
The trustees will continue to monitor reserve levels alongside cash flow forecasts and budgets and will apply reserves in furtherance of the charity’s objectives where appropriate.
Going Concern
Following the decentralisation of the charity’s UK operations, which took effect on 1 April 2024, the 2024–25 financial year represents the first full year of operation as a standalone charity.
The charity reported a deficit for the year and a reduction in donation income compared to prior periods, primarily as a consequence of the separation of the UK church entities. The deficit largely reflects non-recurring expenditure incurred during the year, including investment in operational equipment and the provision of grants to newly established UK church charities to support their initial establishment.
The trustees have reviewed the charity’s current financial position, including cash reserves and cash flow forecasts, and are satisfied that the charity has sufficient resources to meet its liabilities as they fall due for at least twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements. The charity continues to hold adequate cash reserves and has maintained positive cash flow throughout the year.
In reaching their conclusion, the trustees have considered the potential impact of wider economic conditions on future income and have committed to managing expenditure in line with available resources. The trustees therefore consider it appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis.
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Freedom Church Hereford Trustees' Report (continued) For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
Principal Risk and Uncertainties
The trustees have assessed the principal risks facing Freedom Church Hereford and have established systems and processes to manage and mitigate those risks. The trustees review risks regularly and continue to develop the charity’s risk management framework.
Income and financial sustainability
The charity’s primary source of income is voluntary donations, which can be subject to fluctuation due to changes in attendance, economic conditions, or wider cost-ofliving pressures. To mitigate this risk, the trustees maintain a prudent reserves policy, regularly review budgets and cash flow forecasts, and exercise careful control over expenditure. The charity also benefits from diversified income streams, including income generated through its wholly owned trading subsidiary.
Organisational change and leadership capacity
The charity has experienced a period of organisational transition following the decentralisation of UK church operations and changes to its leadership approach. There is a risk that such transitions could impact operational effectiveness or continuity. The trustees mitigate this risk through clear governance arrangements, ongoing oversight of senior leadership, and a focus on embedding sustainable structures and processes.
Safeguarding and wellbeing
The trustees recognise that safeguarding is a significant risk area, given the charity’s work with children, young people, and vulnerable adults. To mitigate this risk, the charity maintains up-to-date safeguarding policies and procedures, provides regular training for staff and volunteers, and works with external professional advisers to review and strengthen safeguarding practices. Safeguarding remains a standing agenda item for trustee oversight.
Property and infrastructure
The charity owns and operates from The Forge, which presents risks relating to property maintenance, compliance, and future development. The trustees manage these risks through planned maintenance, appropriate insurance cover, and by ensuring that any future development proposals are subject to feasibility assessment, financial appraisal, and appropriate approvals. No commitments have been entered into in relation to future development at this stage.
Regulatory and compliance risk
The charity operates within a regulated environment and must comply with charity law, safeguarding requirements, employment legislation, and data protection obligations. The trustees mitigate this risk through regular policy review, access to professional advice where required, and ongoing trustee training.
The trustees consider that the level of risk faced by the charity is appropriate given its activities and that existing controls are effective.
Future Developments
Looking ahead, the trustees remain focused on embedding the strategic and operational changes initiated during the 2024–25 financial year. Work to align the church’s structures, processes, and activities with its role as a local church in Hereford is continuing into the 2025–26 year, with an emphasis on sustainability, good governance, and effective delivery of the charity’s objectives.
During the 2025–26 financial year, subsequent to the balance sheet date, there has been a change in leadership approach, with the church’s senior pastors taking on a more direct role in leading and pastoring the local church. The trustees believe this renewed hands-on leadership provides clarity, continuity, and strengthened pastoral oversight as the church continues through its next phase of development.
The church intends to continue investing in discipleship, leadership development, and age-specific ministries, including the ongoing development of the Leadership Academy and preparation for future church planting initiatives. In parallel, the trustees will continue to explore the long-term development potential of The Forge property, including the feasibility of redeveloping the site to support the church’s future activities, subject to appropriate planning permissions and financial considerations. Any future development of The Forge will be undertaken in a phased and financially prudent manner, ensuring that the charity’s ongoing activities and financial stability are not dependent on the success of the project.
The trustees confirm that, other than the leadership developments noted above, there have been no significant events affecting the charity since the balance sheet date.
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document
Freedom Church Hereford, a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), is the registered vehicle for the movement of churches known as Freedom Church. On 1 July 2015, Freedom Church transferred its operations from the Freedom Church Hereford Charitable Trust (1008459) to the Freedom Church Hereford CIO (1161926). The CIO has adopted a foundation model constitution. This is the eighth annual report of the CIO. Trustees of Freedom Church Hereford are recruited and appointed from within the organisation's membership.
The board of trustees is focussed on ensuring that Freedom Church meets its aims in an appropriate, legal and accountable manner, and to this end the trustees provide governance oversight to the church's directional leadership team and directors, who in turn work with leaders across our locations and departments to meet our objectives. Trustees are recruited from the church's membership for an initial term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. In selecting individuals for appointment, the trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO. All new trustees are provided with the Charity Commission's guidance on the duties of a trustee, and the CIO has recently adopted the trustee recruitment process set out in the Trustee Recruitment Cycle from Reach Volunteering.
A large number of the decisions relating to the CIO are made by the directional leadership team and directors, but are subject to the accountability, approval and oversight of the board of trustees. The trustees reviewed staff remuneration during the year to ensure alignment with industry benchmarks.
...CONTINUED
Page 4
Freedom Church Hereford Trustees' Report (continued) For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
Governing Document - continued
While many risks are carefully managed, the trustees recognise the need for a comprehensive risk management strategy. Based on the Charity Commission’s guidance as well as resources from Stewardship, the trustees have agreed that the CIO's risk management policy should be updated, and a detailed risk register should be prepared for annual review. This risk register is intended to summarise current known and managed risks, and reveal areas that require additional attention. The project is still ongoing, and the trustees anticipate that the full risk register, recording residual risk, actions, owners and timeframes, will be ready in 2026.
The safety and wellbeing of our church members and staff remain a key priority for us and therefore we have undertaken a comprehensive review of safeguarding practice within the Church, prioritising both its visibility and operational effectiveness. As part of this commitment, we have implemented enhanced preventative measures and strengthened existing protocols. Central to this initiative is the introduction of the Safe Hub platform, which provides a dedicated portal for volunteer and staff training across key areas including child protection, adult safeguarding, domestic abuse, and sexual violence. The platform also serves as a repository for essential briefings, policies, and procedures designed to support and elevate safeguarding standards across all Church activities.
To ensure our approach remains both resilient and fit for purpose, we have partnered with an external specialist organisation to support the development of new safeguarding content and resources. This collaboration reflects our commitment to continuous improvement and our determination to build a robust safeguarding culture that fosters trust and confidence among those within our community and beyond.
Trustee Selection Methods
Trustees are recruited from the church's membership, with consideration being made of their relevant professional experience.
Induction and Training of Trustees
All new trustees are provided with the Charity Commission's guidance on the duties of a trustee.
Key Management Remuneration
The board of trustees makes all decisions relating to remuneration of our staff team and have benchmarked salaries against equivalent roles in other sectors.
Reference and Administrative Details
Trustees
Mr Joshua Cooke - Chair Mr James Dyson - Trustee Mr Gift Sibanda - Trustee Mr Ryan Sallis - Trustee (resigned 27/05/2024)
Charity Number 1161926
Independent Examiner
Thompson & Co Thompson & Co SME House Holme Lacy Industrial Estate Hereford HR2 6DR
Page 5
Freedom Church Hereford Trustees' Report (continued) For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
The trustees' report was approved by the board of trustees and signed on its behalf by:
J.A.Cooke
J.A.Cooke (Jan 31, 2026 13:24:35 GMT+2) Mr Joshua Cooke Trustee 30/01/2026
Gift Sibanda (Jan 30, 2026 22:04:15 GMT) Mr Gift Sibanda Trustee
Page 6
Freedom Church Hereford Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Freedom Church Hereford For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Freedom Church Hereford (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Responsibilities and Basis of Report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent Examiner's Statement
Since the Trust’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of The Association of Accounting Technicians, which is one of the listed bodies.
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 contents of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view' 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 order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Thompson & Co 30/01/2026 SME House Holme Lacy Industrial Estate Hereford HR2 6DR
Page 7
Freedom Church Hereford Statement of Financial Activities For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
| Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities 4 Other trading activities 5 Investments 6 Other 7 EXPENDITURE ON: Raising funds 9 Charitable activities 9 NET (EXPENDITURE)/INCOME BEFORE INVESTMENT (LOSSES)/GAINS Net gains/(losses) on investments NET (EXPENDITURE)/INCOME Transfers between funds 22 NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS: Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 22 |
Unrestricted funds £ 648,249 80,793 5,081 108,500 19,256 |
Restricted funds £ 581 - - - - |
2025 Total funds £ 648,830 80,793 5,081 108,500 19,256 |
2024 Total funds £ 859,359 63,012 4,285 128,940 44,575 1,100,171 (426) (1,053,553) (1,053,979) 46,192 (10,000) 36,192 - 36,192 1,177,047 1,213,239 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 861,879 | 581 |
862,460 |
||
| - (877,872) |
- (1,864) |
- (879,736) |
||
| (877,872) | (1,864) |
(879,736) |
||
| (15,993) 30 |
(1,283) - |
(17,276) 30 |
||
| (15,963) - |
(1,283) 416 |
(17,246) 416 |
||
| (15,963) 1,184,900 |
(867) 28,339 |
(16,830) 1,213,239 |
||
| 1,168,937 | 27,472 |
1,196,409 |
The notes on pages 12 to 25 form part of these financial statements.
Page 8
Freedom Church Hereford Comparative Statement of Financial Activities For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
| Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities 4 Other trading activities 5 Investments 6 Other 7 EXPENDITURE ON: Raising funds 9 Charitable activities 9 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) BEFORE INVESTMENT GAINS/(LOSSES) Net losses on investments NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) Transfers between funds 22 NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS: Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 22 |
Unrestricted funds £ 856,678 63,012 4,285 128,940 44,575 |
Restricted funds £ 2,681 - - - - |
2024 Total funds £ 859,359 63,012 4,285 128,940 44,575 1,100,171 (426) (1,053,553) (1,053,979) 46,192 (10,000) 36,192 - 36,192 1,177,047 1,213,239 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,097,490 | 2,681 |
||
| (426) (1,044,371) |
- (9,182) |
||
| (1,044,797) | (9,182) |
||
| 52,693 (10,000) |
(6,501) - |
||
| 42,693 (1,505) |
(6,501) 1,505 |
||
| 41,188 1,143,711 |
(4,996) 33,336 |
||
| 1,184,899 | 28,340 |
The notes on pages 12 to 25 form part of these financial statements.
Page 9
Freedom Church Hereford Statement of Financial Position As At 31 March 2025
| Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible Assets 15 Investments 16 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 17 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year 18 NET CURRENT ASSETS (LIABILITIES) TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditors: Amounts Falling Due After More Than One Year 19 NET ASSETS FUNDS OF THE CHARITY Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds: Unrestricted Funds Revaluation Reserve TOTAL FUNDS 22 |
Unrestricted funds £ 1,521,287 933 |
Restricted funds £ - - |
2025 Total funds £ 1,521,287 933 |
2024 Total funds £ 1,502,540 903 1,503,443 70,654 345,403 416,057 (108,964 ) 307,093 1,810,536 (597,297 ) 1,213,239 28,340 1,044,238 140,661 1,184,899 1,213,239 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,522,220 102,126 194,403 |
- 25 27,446 |
1,522,220 102,151 221,849 |
||
| 296,529 (72,050) |
27,471 1 |
324,000 (72,049 ) |
||
| 224,479 | 27,472 |
251,951 |
||
| 1,746,699 | 27,472 |
1,774,171 |
||
| (577,762) | - |
(577,762 ) |
||
| 1,168,937 | 27,472 |
1,196,409 |
||
| 27,472 1,028,276 140,661 |
||||
| 1,168,937 | ||||
| 1,196,409 |
The financial statements were approved by the board of trustees on 30 January 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:
J.A.Cooke
J.A.Cooke (Jan 31, 2026 13:24:35 GMT+2) Gift Sibanda (Jan 30, 2026 22:04:15 GMT) Mr Joshua Cooke Mr Gift Sibanda Trustee Trustee
The notes on pages 12 to 25 form part of these financial statements.
Page 10
Freedom Church Hereford Statement of Cash Flows For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
| Notes Cash flows from operating activities Net cash used in operations 1 Interest paid Net cash used in operating activities Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of tangible assets Interest received Dividends received Rents received from investment properties Net cash generated from investing activities Cash flows from financing activities Repayment of bank borrowings (Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 2 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 2 |
2025 £ (105,837) (52,183) (158,020) (57,715) 1,714 58,399 48,387 50,785 (16,319) (123,554) 345,403 221,849 |
2024 £ 3,807 (53,096) (49,297) (17,421) 1,615 98,994 28,331 111,519 (15,601 ) 46,629 298,774 345,403 |
|---|---|---|
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Freedom Church Hereford Notes to the Statement of Cash Flows For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
1. Reconciliation of (expenditure)/income to cash used in operations
| Net (expenditure)/income Adjustments for: Interest expense Interest income Income from shares in group undertakings Income from investments Depreciation of tangible assets Loss on disposal of donated assets Movements in working capital: Increase in trade and other debtors (Decrease)/increase in trade and other creditors Net cash used in operations . Cash and cash equivalents ash and cash equivalents, as stated in the Statement of Cash Flows, relates to the following items in the Cash at bank and in hand . Analysis of changes in net debt Cash at bank and in hand Debts falling due within one year Debts falling due after more than one year |
Balance Sheet: As at 1 April 2024 £ 345,403 (16,313 ) (597,297) |
2025 £ (17,246) 52,183 (1,714) (58,399) (48,387) 22,240 17,114 (31,497) (40,131) (105,837) 2025 £ 221,849 Cash flows £ (123,554) (3,216) 19,535 |
2024 £ 46,192 53,104 (1,615 ) (98,994) (28,331) 30,446 (7,582 ) 10,587 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,807 | ||||
| 2024 £ 345,403 |
||||
| As at 31 March 2025 £ 221,849 (19,529 ) (577,762) |
||||
| (268,207) | (107,235) |
(375,442) |
2. Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents, as stated in the Statement of Cash Flows, relates to the following items in the Balance Sheet:
3. Analysis of changes in net debt
Page 12
Freedom Church Hereford Notes to the Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
1. General Information
Freedom Church Hereford is a charitable incorporated organisation registered with the Charity Commission, registered charity number 1161926. The principal address is .
2. Accounting Policies
2.1. Basis of Preparation of Financial Statements
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)", Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities Act 2011.
The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
2.2. Fund Accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor.
2.3. Incoming Resources
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the Charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probably that the income will be received and the amount can be reliably measured.
2.4. Resources Expended
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probably that the transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end date are noted as a commitment but not accrued as expenditure.
2.5. Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation
Tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of the fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following bases:
| Freehold | Held at fair value |
|---|---|
| Leasehold Improvements | n/a |
| Plant & Machinery | 25% reducing balance method |
| Motor Vehicles | 25% reducing balance method |
| Fixtures & Fittings | 20% reducing balance method |
| Computer Equipment | 33% straight line method |
Individual fixed assets costing £500 or more are initially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses. Freehold property is recorded at fair value with gains and losses recorded through the statement of financial activities.
2.6. Investment Properties
All investment properties are carried at fair value determined annually and derived from the current market rents and investment property yields for comparable real estate, adjusted if necessary for any difference in the nature, location or condition of the specific asset. No depreciation is provided for. Changes in fair value are recognised in the statement of financial activities.
2.7. Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets and include cash in hand and deposits held at call with banks, other short-term highly liquid investments that mature in no more than three months from the date of acquisition and are readily convertible to a known amount of cash with insignificant risk of change in value, and bank overdrafts.
Page 13
Freedom Church Hereford Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
2.8. Financial Instruments Classification
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the charity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the charity after deducting all of its liabilities.
Recognition and measurement
All financial assets and liabilities are initially measured at transaction price (including transaction costs), except for those financial assets classified as at fair value through profit or loss, which are initially measured at fair value (which is normally the transaction price excluding transaction costs), unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction. If an arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, the financial asset or financial liability is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are only offset in the statement of financial position when, and only when there exists a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and the charity intends either to settle on a net basis, or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Financial assets are derecognised when and only when a) the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire or are settled, b) the charity transfers to another party substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset, or c) the charity, despite having retained some, but not all, significant risks and rewards of ownership, has transferred control of the asset to another party.
Financial liabilities are derecognised only when the obligation specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled or expires.
Debt instruments
Debt instruments which meet the following conditions are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method:
(a) The contractual return to the holder is (i) a fixed amount; (ii) a positive fixed rate or a positive variable rate; or (iii) a combination of a positive or a negative fixed rate and a positive variable rate.
(b) The contract may provide for repayments of the principal or the return to the holder (but not both) to be linked to a single relevant observable index of general price inflation of the currency in which the debt instrument is denominated, provided such links are not leveraged.
(c) The contract may provide for a determinable variation of the return to the holder during the life of the instrument, provided that (i) the new rate satisfies condition (a) and the variation is not contingent on future events other than (1) a change of a contractual variable rate; (2) to protect the holder against credit deterioration of the issuer; (3) changes in levies applied by a central bank or arising from changes in relevant taxation or law; or (ii) the new rate is a market rate of interest and satisfies condition (a).
(d) There is no contractual provision that could, by its terms, result in the holder losing the principal amount or any interest attributable to the current period or prior periods.
(e) Contractual provisions that permit the issuer to prepay a debt instrument or permit the holder to put it back to the issuer before maturity are not contingent on future events, other than to protect the holder against the credit deterioration of the issuer or a change in control of the issuer, or to protect the holder or issuer against changes in levies applied by a central bank or arising from changes in relevant taxation or law.
(f) Contractual provisions may permit the extension of the term of the debt instrument, provided that the return to the holder and any other contractual provisions applicable during the extended term satisfy the conditions of paragraphs (a) to (c).
Debt instruments that are classified as payable or receivable within one year on initial recognition and which meet the above conditions are measured at the undiscounted amount of the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received, net of impairment.
With the exception of some hedging instruments, other debt instruments not meeting these conditions are measured at fair value through profit or loss.
Commitments to make and receive loans which meet the conditions mentioned above are measured at cost (which may be nil) less impairment.
Investments
Investments in non-convertible preference shares and non-puttable ordinary or preference shares (where shares are publicly traded or their fair value is reliably measurable) are measured at fair value through profit or loss. Where fair value cannot be measured reliably, investments are measured at cost less impairment.
Investments in subsidiaries and associates are measured at cost less impairment. For investments in subsidiaries acquired for consideration including the issue of shares qualifying for merger relief, cost is measured by reference to the nominal value of the shares issued plus fair value of other consideration. Any premium is ignored.
2.9. Foreign Currencies
Monetary assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the statement of financial position date. Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rate ruling on the date of the transaction. Exchange differences are taken into account in arriving at the operating surplus.
2.10. Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax as all its income is charitable and applied for charitable purposes.
3. Income from Donations and Legacies
Page 14
Freedom Church Hereford
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
| Donations and gifts Gift aid Donations and gifts Gift aid 4. Income from Charitable Activities Leadership Academy Zeal She Leadership Night School Community Outreach and Missions Church Conferences and Events Other UK Campuses 5. Income from Other Trading Activities Cafe income Media and merchandise sales 6. Investment Income Bank interest receivable Dividends from investments Rents received from investment properties |
Unrestricted funds £ 551,882 96,367 |
Unrestricted funds £ 551,882 96,367 |
Restricted funds £ 463 118 |
Restricted funds £ 463 118 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 648,249 | 581 |
|||
| Unrestricted funds £ 736,325 120,353 |
Restricted funds £ 2,515 166 |
|||
| 856,678 | 2,681 |
|||
| 5,081 | ||||
| 108,500 |
Page 15
Freedom Church Hereford Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
7. Other Income
| . Other Income | ||
|---|---|---|
| Reimbursements of costs Other income |
2025 Unrestricted funds £ 18,827 429 |
2024 Unrestricted funds £ 9,538 35,037 |
| 19,256 | 44,575 |
In 2024, all other income was included within the same code; however, to make the comparatives more meaningful, this has now been split out in line with the 2025 presentation.
8. Net Income/(Expenditure)
The net (expenditure)/income is stated after charging/(crediting):
| . Net Income/(Expenditure) he net (expenditure)/income is stated after charging/(crediting): |
||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Bad debts | 300 | 225 |
| Depreciation of tangible fixed assets - owned | 22,240 | 30,446 |
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets - owned
9. Analysis of Expenditure
| Firestarter Facilities Kids Leadership Academy Zeal Ark She Tribe Barbarian Saltwinds Media Leadership Night School Global Church Movement Provision of Church Services Community Outreach and Missions Church Conferences and Events Other UK Campuses Other Global Church Planting Marketing Pastoring & Leadership Operations |
Activities undertaken directly £ 2,424 3,822 2,553 492 1,622 - 565 437 46 - 488 942 1,153 8,029 1,401 28,129 - - - 181 1,491 1,208 |
Grant funding of activities £ - - - - - - - - - - - - 13,448 - - - - - 30,000 - - - |
Support costs (see note10) £ 46,987 268,861 7,766 24,270 2,275 996 409 872 - 1,584 10,580 5,611 116,080 44,708 3,092 35,348 11,782 11,152 - 233 139,794 48,905 |
2025 Total £ 49,411 272,683 10,319 24,762 3,897 996 974 1,309 46 1,584 11,068 6,553 130,681 52,737 4,493 63,477 11,782 11,152 30,000 414 141,285 50,113 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54,983 | 43,448 |
781,305 |
879,736 |
Page 16
Freedom Church Hereford
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
| Raising funds Firestarter Facilities Events Directional Leadership Team (DLT) Finance Human Resources IT Kids Location Leadership Academy Worship Office Production Zeal Momentum Ark She Tribe Barbarian Saltwinds Guest Services Next Steps Media Leadership Night School |
Activities undertaken directly £ 424 - 7,252 14,661 972 - 381 - 3,679 6,377 - 35 1,840 545 912 35 - 6,168 942 2,677 135 6,793 354 124 1,093 |
Grant funding of activities £ - 400 - - - 51,100 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Support costs (see note10) £ 2 17,219 331,409 38,397 74,979 108,615 1,180 16,042 30,561 182,923 594 6,875 1,803 23,378 8,197 911 2,799 14,064 213 9,976 2,669 9,891 251 57,814 6,318 |
2024 Total £ 426 17,619 338,661 53,058 75,951 159,715 1,561 16,042 34,240 189,300 594 6,910 3,643 23,923 9,109 946 2,799 20,232 1,155 12,653 2,804 16,684 605 57,938 7,411 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55,399 | 51,500 |
947,080 |
1,053,979 |
10. Support Costs
| 2025 Employee costs £ Firestarter 30,872 Facilities 32,894 Kids 2,661 Leadership Academy 19,210 Zeal 1,659 Ark - She - Tribe 832 Saltwinds - Media 10,029 Leadership Night School 5,206 Global Church Movement 102,318 Provision of Church Services 9,561 Community Outreach and Missions 1,467 Church Conferences and Events 7,948 Other UK Campuses (57) Other (723) Marketing - Pastoring & Leadership 138,839 Operations 17,112 Total 379,828 |
Premises expenses £ 14,119 174,403 112 1,462 - - - - - - - - 1,836 - 21,227 6,472 - - - - 219,631 |
General administration £ 1,996 30,913 4,993 3,598 593 996 409 40 868 - 405 13,680 25,860 1,625 6,156 5,367 857 233 955 5,610 105,154 |
Depreciation £ - 2,481 - - 23 - - - 716 551 - - 7,451 - - - 11,018 - - - 22,240 |
Interest payable £ - 28,170 - - - - - - - - - - - - 17 - - - - 23,996 52,183 |
Governance costs £ - - - - - - - - - - - 82 - - - - - - - 2,187 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,269 |
Page 17
Freedom Church Hereford Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
| 2024 Employee costs £ Raising funds - Firestarter 6,533 Facilities 24,105 Events 12,873 Directional Leadership Team (DLT) 74,079 Finance 33,538 Human Resources - IT 1,376 Kids 18,679 Location 160,124 Leadership Academy 441 Worship 1,244 Office 36 Production 810 Zeal 4,490 Momentum 644 Ark - She 2,495 Tribe - Barbarian 1,311 Saltwinds - Guest Services 104 Next Steps 251 Media 44,332 Leadership Night School 4,397 Total 391,862 |
Premises expenses £ - - 283,676 7,996 26 8 - 14 1,939 614 - 810 733 400 31 - - 8,305 32 7,380 - 1,751 - - 1,134 314,849 |
General administration £ 2 314 19,090 16,951 874 8,018 1,180 13,322 9,836 15,629 153 4,724 1,034 13,313 3,630 267 2,799 3,264 181 1,285 650 8,036 - 11,374 569 136,495 |
Depreciation £ - 10,372 4,538 577 - 101 - 1,330 107 78 - 97 - 8,855 46 - - - - - 2,019 - - 2,108 218 30,446 |
Interest payable £ - - - - - 53,096 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 53,096 |
Governance costs £ - - - - - 13,854 - - - 6,478 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20,332 |
11. Independent Examiner's Remuneration
| Independent examination of the financial statements Other assurance services Tax advisory services Other financial services |
2025 £ 1,575 - - 324 1,899 |
2024 £ - - - - |
|---|---|---|
| - |
In the year-ended 31st March 2024, Auditors' remuneration of £12,300 was disclosed in the Financial Statements. For the year-ended 31st March 2025, the Charity falls below the required threshold for audit and so no Auditors' remuneration has been paid.
12. Staff Costs
Staff costs were as follows:
| Wages and salaries Social security costs Other pension costs |
2025 £ 277,402 14,400 6,640 298,442 |
2024 £ 271,855 16,358 6,974 |
|---|---|---|
| 295,187 |
No employees received employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) for the reporting period of more than £60,000. Total remuneration paid to the key management personnel was £84,687 (2024: £67,121), including employers' NI and pension contributions.
No benefits in kind were paid to any employees.
In October 2024, £3,315.60 was paid out in redundancy pay.
Page 18
Freedom Church Hereford Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
13. Average Number of Employees
Average number of employees during the year was:
| Charitable Activity | Total |
|---|---|
| Facilities | 5 |
| Firestarter | 2 |
| Support to Global Church | 8 |
| Provision of Church Services | 2 |
| Kids | 1 |
| Leadership Academy | 2 |
| Leadership Night School | 1 |
| Media | 2 |
| Operations | 3 |
| Pastoring & Leadership | 6 |
| Tribe | 1 |
| Zeal | 1 |
Within the split for charitable activities, employees may be accounted for twice as their salaries are attributed to more than one charitable activity at a time. All numbers are rounded up to the nearest whole number. The aggregate average number of employees was 18 (2024: 23)
14. Analysis of Charitable Activity Restatement
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for the benefit of its beneficiaries. These include costs directly attributable to charitable activities together with an appropriate allocation of shared and support costs.
During the year, the trustees reviewed the analysis of charitable activities to better reflect the charity’s revised operating model following the decentralisation of UK church operations with effect from 1 April 2024. In prior years, charitable activities were analysed primarily by location and operational function, reflecting a centralised structure in which activities were delivered across multiple church locations. In the current year, charitable activities are analysed by function and purpose, reflecting the charity’s role as a local church and its refined strategic focus.
As part of this review, certain activities previously reported separately, including Events, Production, Worship, and Guest Services, have been combined and presented as a single charitable activity under “Provision of church services”, as these activities collectively support the delivery of public worship, teaching, and church services.
The charity continues to incur costs in relation to Firestarters, a grass-roots discipleship initiative, which is presented as a single charitable activity. During the year, some residual costs relating to other UK church locations were incurred as part of the transition to independent charities. These costs were tracked separately and recharged to the relevant entities. The trustees do not expect material costs of this nature to recur in future periods.
The trustees have also identified a number of charitable activities which are either new in the current year or newly distinguished as separate activities, reflecting changes in programme delivery and strategic focus. These include Leadership Academy, Community Outreach and Missions, Global Church Planting, and Support for the Global Church Movement. While some related costs were incurred in prior periods as part of broader central activities, these activities are presented as distinct categories in the current year. Prior-year comparative figures have not been restated as the trustees consider that doing so would not provide a meaningful comparison.
Furthermore, the trustees also reviewed the classification of expenditure and identified additional costs that meet the definition of support costs under the Charities SORP. This resulted in an increase in support costs compared to the prior year.
As a result of these changes, the analysis of charitable expenditure and support costs in the current year is not directly comparable with the prior year.
The trustees believe that the revised presentation of charitable activities provides more relevant and useful information to users of the financial statements and more accurately reflects the charity’s current operations and strategic priorities.
Page 19
Freedom Church Hereford
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
15. Tangible Assets
Land & Property
| Cost or Valuation As at 1 April 2024 Additions Disposals As at 31 March 2025 Depreciation As at 1 April 2024 Provided during the period Disposals As at 31 March 2025 Net Book Value As at 31 March 2025 As at 1 April 2024 Cost or Valuation As at 1 April 2024 Additions Disposals As at 31 March 2025 Depreciation As at 1 April 2024 Provided during the period Disposals As at 31 March 2025 Net Book Value As at 31 March 2025 As at 1 April 2024 |
Freehold £ 562,144 - - |
Leasehold Improvements £ 156,810 - - |
Investment Properties £ 877,856 - - |
Plant & Machinery £ 5,081 3,846 (2,249 ) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 562,144 | 156,810 |
877,856 |
6,678 |
|
| - - - |
156,812 - - |
- - - |
3,131 336 (1,004 ) |
|
| - | 156,812 |
- |
2,463 |
|
| 562,144 | (2 ) |
877,856 |
4,215 |
|
| 562,144 | (2 ) |
877,856 |
1,950 |
|
| Motor Vehicles £ 2,564 - (2,564 ) |
Fixtures & Fittings £ 82,461 700 (9,861 ) |
Computer Equipment £ 244,582 53,169 (192,424 ) |
Total £ 1,931,498 57,715 (207,098 ) |
|
| - | 73,300 |
105,327 |
1,782,115 |
|
| 2,044 - (2,044 ) |
62,537 3,590 (7,888 ) |
204,434 18,312 (179,432 ) |
428,958 22,238 (190,368 ) |
|
| - | 58,239 |
43,314 |
260,828 |
|
| - | 15,061 |
62,013 |
1,521,287 |
|
| 520 | 19,924 |
40,148 |
1,502,540 |
Page 20
Freedom Church Hereford Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
16. Investments
| 6. Investments | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost or Valuation As at 1 April 2024 Revaluations As at 31 March 2025 Provision As at 1 April 2024 As at 31 March 2025 Net Book Value As at 31 March 2025 As at 1 April 2024 |
Subsidiaries £ 100 - |
Unlisted £ 803 30 |
Total £ 903 30 |
| 100 | 833 |
933 |
|
| - | - |
- |
|
| - | - |
- |
|
| 100 | 833 |
933 |
|
| 100 | 803 |
903 |
There were no investment assets outside the UK, the amount on the Statement of Financial Position represents liquid holdings in a Hargreaves Lansdown account.
In addition to this, the Charity owns 100% of the share capital in Wildfire (Hereford) Limited representing £100 investment.
Subsidiaries
Details of the charity's subsidiaries as at 31 March 2025 are as follows:
| Name of undertaking Registered Office Class of shares held Direct holding Wildfire (Hereford) Limited 161 Holme Lacy Road, HR2 6DG Ordinary 100.00% The aggregate capital and reserves and the result for the year of the subsidiaries listed above was as follows: Capital and Reserves £ Wildfire (Hereford) Limited 25,862 17. Debtors 2025 £ Due within one year Trade debtors 48,019 Prepayments and accrued income 22,537 Other debtors 31,595 102,151 |
Indirect holding - Profit/(loss) £ 66,198 2024 £ 53,612 16,146 896 |
|---|---|
| 70,654 |
Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business.
Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is estbalished when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.
Page 21
Freedom Church Hereford Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
18. Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year
| Trade creditors Bank loans and overdrafts Net wages Other creditors Credit card Pension payable Accruals and deferred income |
2025 £ 7,977 19,529 - - 6,800 1,475 36,268 72,049 |
2024 £ 10,948 16,313 22,893 76 11,714 1,374 45,646 108,964 |
|---|---|---|
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the charity does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities.
Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
19. Creditors: Amounts Falling Due After More Than One Year
| Bank loans 20. Loans An analysis of the maturity of loans is given below: Amounts falling due within one year or on demand: Bank loans Amounts falling due between one and five years: Bank loans |
2025 £ 577,762 2025 £ 19,529 2025 £ 577,762 |
2024 £ 597,297 2024 £ 16,313 2024 £ 597,297 |
|---|---|---|
21. Pension Commitments
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.
During the year the charge to the statement of financial activities in respect of defined contribution schemes was £6,640 (2024: £6,974).
At the statement of financial position date contributions of £1,475 were due to the fund and are included in other creditors.
Page 22
Freedom Church Hereford Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
22. Movement in Funds
| Unrestricted funds General: General unrestricted fund The Forge Revaluation Reserve Total unrestricted funds Restricted funds Ark Saltwinds Total restricted funds Total funds Unrestricted funds General: General unrestricted fund The Forge Revaluation Reserve Total unrestricted funds Restricted funds Restricted Ark Saltwinds Total restricted funds Total funds |
As at 1 April 2024 £ 358,510 685,729 140,661 |
Income £ 861,879 - - |
Expenditure £ (877,842) - - |
Transfers £ (16,319) 16,319 - |
As at 31 March 2025 £ 326,228 702,048 140,661 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,184,900 | 861,879 |
(877,842) |
- |
1,168,937 |
|
| - 28,339 |
581 - |
(997) (868) |
416 - |
- 27,471 |
|
| 28,339 | 581 |
(1,864) |
416 |
27,472 |
|
| 1,213,239 | 862,460 |
(879,706) |
416 |
1,196,409 |
|
| As at 1 April 2023 £ 322,922 670,128 150,661 |
Income £ 1,097,490 - - |
Expenditure £ (1,044,797) - (10,000) |
Transfers £ (17,106) 15,601 - |
As at 31 March 2024 £ 358,509 685,729 140,661 |
|
| 1,143,711 | 1,097,490 |
(1,054,797) |
(1,505) |
1,184,899 |
|
| 3,171 - 30,165 |
413 1,290 978 |
(3,584) (2,795) (2,804) |
- 1,505 - |
- - 28,339 |
|
| 33,336 | 2,681 |
(9,182) |
1,505 |
28,339 |
|
| 1,177,047 | 1,100,171 |
(1,063,980) |
- |
1,213,238 |
Page 23
Freedom Church Hereford Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
23. Related Party Disclosures
During the year, the charity made the following related party transactions:
Gary Snowzell
Key management personnel, member of the Directional Leadership Team.
Gary Snowzell was paid £2,397 (2024: £884) for the reimbursement of expenses and £nil (2024: £3,371) for royalties. At the balance sheet date, the amount of £nil (2024: £14) was owed to Gary Snowzell.
Denise Cox
Sister of key management personnel, Pastor Gary Snowzell. Denise Cox was paid £100 (2024: £nil) for the reimbursement of expenses.
Jordan Snowzell
Son of key management personnel, Pastor Gary Snowzell.
Jordan Snowzell was paid £46 (£nil) for the reimbursement of expenses.
Surch - Robert Snowzell
Father of key management personnel, Pastor Gary Snowzell.
Surch was paid £200 (2024: £2,400) for services provided during the financial year. At the balance sheet date, the amount of £nil (2024: £200) was owed to Surch
Charlotte Snowzell
Daughter of Trustee, James Dyson.
Charlotte Snowzell was paid £55 (2024: £nil) for the reimbursement of expenses.
Isaac Snowzell
Son of key management personnel, Gary Snowzell.
Isaac Snowzell was paid £238 (2024: £nil) for the reimbursement of expenses. Sales invoices totalling £85 (2024: £nil) were invoiced to Isaac Snowzell in the year; at the balance sheet date, £57 (2024: £nil) was owed to the company.
Wildfire (Hereford) Limited
Trading subsidiary.
At the balance sheet date, the amount of £30,543 (2024: £25,756) was owed by Wildfire (Hereford) Limited. Transactions of £58,398 (2024: £100,011) took place during the year.
Sian Vermaut
Sister of Trustee, Josh Cooke.
Sian Vermaut was paid £569 (2024: £448) for the reimbursement of expenses. At the balance sheet date, the amount of £140 (2024: £34) was owed to Sian Vermaut.
Geoffrey Vermaut
Brother-in-Law of Trustee, Josh Cooke.
Geoffrey Vermaut was paid £98 (2024: £128) for the reimbursement of expenses. At the balance sheet date, the amount of £nil (2024: £6) was owed to Geoffrey Vermaut.
Steel Saints Industrial Furniture
Business owned by Geoffrey Vermaut, brother-in-law of Trustee, Josh Cooke.
Steel Saints Industrial Furniture was paid £288 (2024: £3,180) for services provided during the financial year. At the balance sheet date, the amount £nil (2024: £nil) was owed by Steel Saints Industrial Furniture,
Karin Cooke
Mother of Trustee, John Cooke.
Karin Cooke £514 (£nil) for the reimbursement of expenses.
Josh Cooke
Trustee. Josh Cooke was paid £nil (2024: £251) for services provided during the financial year. At the balance sheet date, the amount owed to Josh Cooke was £nil (2024: £nil). Gift Sibanda Trustee. Sales invoices totalling £278 (2024: £nil) were invoiced to Gift Sibanda in the year; at the balance sheet date, £18 (2024: £nil) was owed to the company.
Ryan Sallis Former Trustee - resigned in November 2024. Ryan Sallis was paid £3,251 (2024: £nil) for the reimbursement of expenses.
James Dyson Trustee. James Dyson was paid £440 (2024: £nil) for the reimbursement of expenses.
...CONTINUED
Page 24
Freedom Church Hereford Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
23. Related Party Disclosures - continued
Dave Thomas
Key management personnel, member of the Directional Leadership Team. Dave Thomas was paid £500 (2024: £nil) for services provided during the financial year.
25. Grants Payable
----- Start of picture text -----
2025 2024
£ £
Global Church Movement 13,448
Global Church Planting 30,000 51,100
Firestarter 400
43,448 51,500
----- End of picture text -----
Grants are paid to churches that the Charity have helped to establish at the discretion of the trustees
The funds paid are used to further the charitable objectives of the Charity
Due to their nature, there are no criteria for repayment
Page 25
Freedom Church Hereford CIO - Charity Accounts 2025
Final Audit Report
2026-01-31
Created: 2026-01-30 By: Megan Symonds (megan@dtbc.co.uk) Status: Signed Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAAGkICu5PqtJQUTVS4HoYAoAkKJSyE7pJ-
"Freedom Church Hereford CIO - Charity Accounts 2025" Histor
y
Document created by Megan Symonds (megan@dtbc.co.uk)
2026-01-30 - 9:32:19 PM GMT- IP address: 84.18.238.232
Document emailed to gift.sibanda@freedomchurch.cc for signature
2026-01-30 - 9:35:54 PM GMT
- Document emailed to josh.cooke@freedomchurch.cc for signature
2026-01-30 - 9:35:54 PM GMT
Document emailed to Megan Symonds (megan@dtbc.co.uk) for signature
2026-01-30 - 9:35:54 PM GMT
- Email viewed by gift.sibanda@freedomchurch.cc
2026-01-30 - 10:03:11 PM GMT- IP address: 66.249.93.193
- Signer gift.sibanda@freedomchurch.cc entered name at signing as Gift Sibanda
2026-01-30 - 10:04:13 PM GMT- IP address: 83.105.172.100
Document e-signed by Gift Sibanda (gift.sibanda@freedomchurch.cc)
Signature Date: 2026-01-30 - 10:04:15 PM GMT - Time Source: server- IP address: 83.105.172.100
Document e-signed by Megan Symonds (megan@dtbc.co.uk)
Signature Date: 2026-01-31 - 10:24:36 AM GMT - Time Source: server- IP address: 84.18.238.232
Email viewed by josh.cooke@freedomchurch.cc
2026-01-31 - 11:23:04 AM GMT- IP address: 66.249.93.195
Signer josh.cooke@freedomchurch.cc entered name at signing as J.A.Cooke
2026-01-31 - 11:24:33 AM GMT- IP address: 41.133.102.231
Document e-signed by J.A.Cooke (josh.cooke@freedomchurch.cc) Signature Date: 2026-01-31 - 11:24:35 AM GMT - Time Source: server- IP address: 41.133.102.231
Agreement completed.
2026-01-31 - 11:24:35 AM GMT