Trustees’ Annual Report: 1[st] January to 31[st] December 2024 Charity name: Dorchester Community Church: Registration Number : 1163128
| Objectives & Activities | SORP | |
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 |
The Objects of the Church are charitable & for the public benefit. They are: 1. to advance the Christian faith in accordance with the Statement of Beliefs in such ways and in such parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the Charity Trustees from time to time may think fit. 2. to relieve sickness & financial hardship; to promote & preserve good health by the provision of funds, goods or services of any kind, including through the provision of pastoral care & support in such parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the Charity Trustees from time to time may fit. 3. to advance education in such ways and in such parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the Charity Trustees from time to time think fit. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Church meetings In 2024 our Theme was “The Old has Gone, The New has Come” and our verse for the year: 2 Corinthians Chapter 5 Verse 17 “Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten and everything is new.” In response to this, we provided two different services: one weekly, one monthly as well as our weekly prayer meeting. We continue to live stream our Sunday morning services enabling those unable to join us in person, whether due to their health, or for any other reason, to connect with our worship. Our meetings take the following format: • Saturday morning Café Church:An informal, relaxed time of worship, teaching, prayer and discussion held in our café area. Led by Charlane, one of our Deacons, this is an enjoyable and accessible service, focussing on the word of God, with the aim to equip and inspire those who attend. Participation and discussion are encouraged and cake and refreshments included. • Sunday morning Contemporary Celebration: Our main weekly service, which is also live streamed, toenabling us to reach out to the community. We additionally relay the serviceto our café area, so that it is accessible to as many people as possible. We include Communion, generally on the first Sunday of each month. Some Sunday mornings were styled as “Family Services” and particularly child friendly. For example, during thesummer, we celebrated the 2024 Olympics with 3 “Olympic” themed family services. • Sunday evening Prayer Meeting. We continued our weekly Prayer meeting, alongside encouragement from the leadership to commit to prayer and fasting. |
Reaching the next generation :
Throughout 2024, Community Kids met weekly during our Sunday morning service and we continued to run our lively Friday Night Youth: for 12-18 year-olds. Our Toddler group continues to thrive and reach young families in our community. They meet on Tuesday mornings; all babies and tots are welcome, accompanied by their parents and carers.
On Good Friday morning, the Children enjoyed Messy Church. In the afternoon we had a reflective meditation; Easter Day was celebrated with a family service including our Puppet Ministry.
We held a “Light Party” on the 31[st] of October and over 50 children and young people enjoyed a silent disco, games, facepainting, sweets, fun and games on the theme of “Light being found in Darkness”.
Messy Church took place again in December along with a Christingle; both occasions enabled the children attending to enjoy a Church service including singing, craft activities and the true meaning of the Christmas Christian message.
We ran an Alpha Course, starting in May, which was well attended by both those wishing to explore the Christian faith and those already Christians, wanting to learn more.
The Bible course followed, which was also very well attend and led to some joining our regular Life Groups.
Other events and activities included a Women’s breakfast; where our ladies were invited to join together for a healthy meal to start the day, with companionship and conversation. A Men’s breakfast: This was extremely popular and included “bacon butties” and a life story. We also ran a successful MacMillan coffee morning. An Olympic Podcast was recorded on each day of the Olympics, based on Mark’s gospel, it was made available via our website and YouTube.
We continue to develop our Website and Facebook page, using social media to help advertise events and activities.
Life Groups:
It is important that we come together as a Church family to meet and pray; the number of our small groups continues to grow in number and variety of venue. These included two daytime groups meeting at the Church, a Woman’s Life group and additional groups meeting in members’ homes. The Groups are held at a variety of places and on different days and at various times to enable more people to attend.
Pastoral Staff :
Glynn Barrow continued his role as our part time Pastor, overseeing the Church Leadership and running one of our Life Groups.
Jack Curtis, our Associate Pastor, took over responsibility for Pastoral Care and expanded the Pastoral Support Team; whilst also developing a monthly newsletter.
| Church Lunches: Held regularly, these lunches are a wonderful opportunity to get to know each other better over a meal. The Christmas lunch was particularly well attended and on Christmas Day, a further lunch welcomed those who would have otherwise been on their own. Wednesday Welcome: Every Wednesday afternoon everyone is welcome in Community Café for tea, coffee, cake and a friendly chat. Additionally, board games were available for those who wish to join in with free Wi-Fi available. Friendship Group: Known as “Discover and Connect” this group meets twice a month on the 2ndand 4thFriday afternoons. Numbers have increased and a wide variety of activities were enjoyed including craft, talks, speakers and refreshments. Ministry of Puppets: On Easter Sunday, our service included a performance by our Puppet Team, who also performed at a variety of events, such as our Light Party, Messy Church and at local school assemblies. Samaritans Purse Shoebox Initiative We continued to be a local collection “hub” for Samaritans Purse UK and over 200 shoeboxes containing toys, stationary, healthcare and wellbeing items were collected. These were distributed to children in countries affected by conflict and poverty in time for Christmas, where they brought a message of hope to the children and young people receiving them. Food Share: Our "Food Share" Food Bank received a high level of referrals from Citizen’s Advice, Social Workers, Health care professionals, school liaison officers and charities working with families, vulnerable adults and refugees. We assisted families and individuals finding it difficult to afford food, delivering up to 125 parcels each week in the DT1 and DT2 postcode area. Recipients also have the option to collect their weekly parcel from our Community Café. In the week leading up to Christmas, each household received a fruit hamper; we also partnered with the Dorset Arts Society, enabling every child and teenager to receive a bag of art supplies at the beginning of the school Christmas break. We can deliver a weekly food parcel consisting mostly of fresh fruit, vegetables, bakery and eggs for up to 12 weeks; have links with local community allotments, who donate freshly grown produce and do all we can to add to the nutritional value of our parcels. Deliveries take place 3 days each week and our parcels are packed and delivered by a team of around 35 volunteers. On occasions, we are able to identify a family’s specific need and signpost or refer to other agencies that can assist. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Have Trustees had regard to Charity Commission guidance on public benefit |
Para 1.18 |
The Trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. |
| Achievements & Performance | ||
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 |
Church meetings, Life Groups, Prayer Meetings, Youth & Community Kidsenable Christians and any other members of the local community who wish to join in, to come together in worship, to support one another and grow in the Christian Faith. Pastoral Staff.Our Pastor, Associate Pastor and Elders continue to support the spiritual and pastoral needs of Church members, Young people and Visitors. Food Share: Feedback from those receiving our Food Share parcels confirms the parcels are well received and make a real difference to those finding it difficult to afford food, especially fresh produce. Additionally, we are often able to build trust over our 12-week delivery period which leads to opportunities to refer and sign-post families to other local services, grants and practical help. Community Café, Toddler Group. Friendship Group & Wednesday Welcome: These are open to everyone. They facilitate friendship and companionship, which is especially important for anyone feeling cut off or isolated in our community. They provide a free, warm and safe place to meet in a welcoming environment, where everyone is invited to enjoy the activities and light refreshments. Samaritans Purse Shoebox Initiative.Our support of this charity provided a “drop off point” for shoe boxes from individuals and groups in our local area. These boxes, along with those the Church have filled bring hope and joy to children in countries where conflict or poverty make the receipt of a shoe box very special. Other Activities:We provided a variety of additional opportunities for members, friends and visitors to meet and interact, including our Church lunches, Men’s & Women’s Breakfasts, Live Performances, Messy Church events and joint meetings with other local Churches. We reached out into the community with our Associate Pastor helping at the Hardyes School Christian Union, St Osmond’s year 8 retreat and other local school assemblies. These occasions give opportunities as listed in the 5 key biblical principles below, as well as enabling those not connected with a Church to explore the Christian faith. Reflections on 2024 and what is next for DCC: What are we about? We have a Mission Statement: ‘To Celebrate and Share the Love of God.’ We seek to do that through focusing on 5 key biblical principles:- • Belonging • Worshipping • Serving • Growing • Sharing |
Belonging : every new Testament believer, with the exception of the dying thief, was ‘attached to’ a specific group of believers, Rome, Corinth etc. We call this Membership. Our belonging is cemented through ‘Believer’s Baptism’, which we do by total immersion and encouraging members to meet and spend time together. Worshipping: Corporately we are able to do this when we meet together and this should be a priority. We should also seek to worship God through the way we live. Serving: What gifts has God given us to use? We should seek to serve the Church in some capacity; using our gifts, and following Jesus’ example of serving. Growing – We should not stand still spiritually, but look to grow in our knowledge and understanding of Him. We grow from hearing and putting into practise God’s Word. This can be on our own or in a small group or when we meet together. Sharing: We have the best news in the world and ought to share that in both word and deed. Ministries like Food Share and “Discover & Connect” are practical expressions of us ‘sharing’ our faith. Members are encouraged to maintain links and relationships with each other and those we come into contact with.
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Our Income was comparative to our expenditure, enabling us to show sound financial management. Most income comes from Members regular giving and is not generated by fundraising activities. |
|---|---|
| Investment performance against objectives |
We have modest funds in a CAF Bank and Kingdom Bank interest bearing deposit account, but no other investments. |
| Financial Review: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 |
Please see the notes at the foot of the Church Financial Accounts submitted to the Charity Commission with this report. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 |
The Contingency Reserve is held for financial prudence to enable sufficient funds to be available to pay staffing costs during any time when expenditure exceeds income. This reserve is maintained at a sum not less than half the annual expenditure on Staff Salaries. The Missionary Reserve is representative of those funds set aside as a tithe from our income for the financial support of other Christian workers and Christian Charitable organisations, but not yet distributed. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 |
Contingency Reserve: £40,000: Missionary Reserve: £7,500: |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 |
N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 |
N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 |
N/A |
| Structure, Governance and Management | ||
| Descriptionofcharity’s trusts: | None | |
| Type of governing document | Para 1.25 |
Constitution Dated 13thAugust 2015 |
| How is the charity constituted? | Para 1.25 |
The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with a voting membership in addition to the Trustees |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions |
Para 1.25 |
New Trustees are selected and elected to office at the Church’s Members meeting in March and AGM in October of each year. Clause 17.4 of our Constitution requires one third of elected trustees to retire at the AGM,startingwith the longest serving. |
| Reference and Administrative details | Reference and Administrative details |
|---|---|
| Charity name | Dorchester Community Church |
| Other name the charity uses | None |
| Registered charity number | 1163128 |
| Charity’s principal address | Dorchester Community Church Liscombe Street Poundbury Dorchester Dorset DT1 3DF |
Names of the Charity Trustees who manage the Charity
| Names of the Charity Trustees who manage the Charity | Names of the Charity Trustees who manage the Charity | Names of the Charity Trustees who manage the Charity | Names of the Charity Trustees who manage the Charity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted (if not whole year) |
Name of body entitled to appoint trustee |
| Glynn Barrow | Trustee, Elder & Pastor | Membership | |
| Jack Samuel Cooke Curtis | Trustee &Elder | Membership | |
| David Herring | Trustee & Elder | Membership | |
| Lisa Knight | Trustee | Membership | |
| Kevin David Meech | Trustee & Treasurer | Membership | |
| Marion Lesley Power | Trustee | Until 15.10.24 | Membership |
| Christopher George Webb | Trustee | Membership | |
| Victoria Pauline Barrow | Trustee | Membership |
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name N/A Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year N/A
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
| Funds held as custodian trustees on behalfof others | Funds held as custodian trustees on behalfof others |
|---|---|
| Describe assets held in this capacity | N/A |
| Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects |
N/A |
| Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets |
N/A |
| Adviser | Name | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Solicitor | Blanchards Bailey LLP | Bunbury House, Stour Park, Blandford, Dorset. DT11 9LQ |
| Insurer | Congregational | Integra Insurance Solutions Ltd., Currer House, Currer Street, Bradford BD1 5BA |
| Accountant | Justin Merriott FCCA | ACM Accountants, 205 Littlemoor Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT3 6AF |
| Bank | CAF Bank Ltd | 25 Kings Hill, Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent. ME19 4JQ |
| Bank | Kingdom Bank Ltd | Ruddington Fields Business Park, Mere Way, Ruddington, Nottingham NG11 6JS |
Names of Senior Staff members
Glynn Barrow: Pastor from 07.06.22 Jack Samuel Cooke Curtis: Associate Pastor from 01.07.22
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
N/A
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s)
Full name(s) Kevin David Meech
Position (e.g. Chair, etc) Treasurer and Trustee
Date 8th October 2025
| 2#?4 | 2$23 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BALANCE1$TJANUARY | I4$,fr*?.S4 | ISS*{}3fi.I4 | ||||
| RECEIPTS | ||||||
| GeneralFund |Offering |
100,973.13 | 108,518.48 | ||||
| t | SpecialGift | 0.00 | 18,677.92 | |||
| CafeDonations | 1.755;,93 | 102,729.06r. | l-.669.2$ | 128,966.38 | ||
| Tax Refunded fromGiftAid; | GeneralFund | 31,374.83 | 17,730.26 | |||
| FcodShare | .I.,157,50 | 32,532"33 | 769.50 | 18,498.76 | ||
| Donations:BuildingMaintenance | 13,278.47 | ll,211"09 | ||||
| Donations: FoodShare | 25.799.88 | 25,182.65 | ||||
| Interest: | 3,965.35 | 4.008"44 | ||||
| BuildinglSinkingFundReceipts: TOTALINCOME |
..,.-p.00 1781305.09 |
1.ppO"00 188,76732 |
||||
| PAYMEIIiTS | ||||||
| BankCharges | ,60.00 | 60.00 | ||||
| Booksand Resources | 466.37 | 1,056.58 | ||||
| Catering | 1,718.34 | I,988.13 | ||||
| , r+r' |
Cleaning,&"F{ousekeeping , ,.') |
630.34 | 801.03 | |||
| Equiprment | 3,520.15 | I,628.70 | ||||
| Fees,Subscriptionsand Licenses | 3,901.88 | 2,470.74 | ||||
| FoodShare | 23,283.76 | 2l,982.44 | ||||
| Ground Rent | 4,000.00 | 4,000.00 | ||||
| Insurance | 5,989.51 | 5,529.87 | ||||
| Missioftery Gifts | 6,809.00 | 10,0tr5.s0 | ||||
| Mortgage:MonthlyRepayments | 14"767.I4 | 27_43&.S? | ||||
| Capital RepaymentfromReseryes | 3?"Ii5,-45 | 47,122.59 | s$.sfi*.sft | 77,438.92 | ||
| OfflceSupplies,Printing&Postage | 1,083.31 | 2,041 .98 | ||||
| Outreach PastoratGifts ' |
255.08 I,607.13 |
1,787.I0 574.73 |
||||
| Repairs&Maintenance | 9,9[5.73 | 4,S34"02 | ||||
| Safeguardingrelated casts | 27fi.22 | 243.0S | ||||
| SpeakersGifts&Expenses | 70.00 | 140,00 | ||||
| StaffExpenses&RecruitmentCosts | 362.15 | 676,02 | ||||
| StaffSalaries andErnployersNIC | 76,894.62 | 67,503.40 | ||||
| Trainingand Canferencas | 1,309,60 | 1,038.31 | ||||
| uriliryBills | tr0,s03.57 | l&,422.87 | ||||
| Youth&Chitdren'sWork | 2.122.26 | 1.2q5.58. | ||||
| TOTALBXPENSES | 2fi11291.61 | |||||
| BALANCE3I$TDECEMBSR | E?S"l{}1.tr? | |||||
| NW |
| ."; | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2(}24 | 2*2s | ||||
| FR$THRTY | |||||
| Huindig€Lisrxbe Strcrt, Pxdhury"f]rl:est*r | 963,49 A.42 | 963,484.42 | |||
| SAHKACC{}{J}*{THALAFfffHS | |||||
| CashAccaunt | 0.ss | "* | |||
| CAFCurrentAccount | 2,683.28 | 3,533"1S | |||
| CAF"Gotrd" InstailtAccess | 34,000.00 | s,sils.* | |||
| KingdomBank 90.DayNotice TOTALASSETS I |
g94t7.8+ | r?6rf!It2 s;aJ?1Lra.i l$sp,#s3,#*'. |
$.$,$$*,+5 | 14qfi,q764 r r."/ llr.I J ._ 1-1.33,.5..$,fl.$S |
|
| MORTGAGEOUTSTANT}TNC | |||||
| KingdornBankLtd | ?$.$?8"t* | ?4$#13"JX. | |||
| T{}TALHfiYASSf,TS AS ATSTfi.I'T}gCEIT{BER | 9S4,S53"{}* | fi64,2i{.55 | |||
| FUND&RESERVEBALANCESASAT31STDECEMBER | |||||
| GeneralFund | 27,195.63 | 35,855.17 | |||
| ContingencyReserye | 40,000.00 | 39,000.00 | |||
| MissionaryResene | 7.500.00 | 27,500.00 | |||
| FoodShare | 26.659.79 | 22,986.16 | |||
| BuildinglSinkineFund | 892.697.59 | 739.892,f,Y1 | |||
| ACCOUNT BALANCES | 9941053.00 | 864,234.55 | |||
| .APFES{BTXT | |||||
| M*YSMENTTNBUTTBING/STI{KTT{GFUII{T} | |||||
| BalanceI'tJanuary | 739,892.62 | 685,085.83 | |||
| Receipts:AnonGift | 30"000.00 | 1,000.00 | |||
| GiftDays:Gifts TaxRefund onGift Aid |
72,35?.*5 tt?5t7Efi I. bt +tu\S f . s' LI |
87,&4.55 | 0.0s s.0$ 0.00 |
||
| TransferfromGeneralFund | 12,355.45 | 43$00.00 | |||
| TransferfrornMissionaryReserve | 20,000.00 | 7,000.00 | |||
| Capital ReductioninMortgage | - | 150,000.00 | -50,000.00 | ||
| Reduction in outstandingKingdomBank Mortgage | 152.804.97 | 53,906.79 | |||
| re ffi |
ffi- | ||||
| BALANCE3I*t December | 892,697"59 | 7391892.62 | |||
| ffi | |||||
| APPENDIX2 : |
|||||
| FOOT}SHARE | |||||
| BalanceI*t.Ianuary | 22.996.16 | 19.017 .45 | |||
| Receipts | 25,799.88 | 25,182.65 | |||
| Tax RefundedfromGift Aid | I.157.50 | 768.50 | |||
| Expenditure | -23,283.76 | -2I,982.41 | |||
| HAI,ANCf;3]re*emher | ?s-sss.7* | 1' OGA IA ljt.t' (rfr. ! t, |