## StoryHouse Project
Report and Accounts Year ended 31st March 2025
1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk
## **STORYHOUSE PROJECT**
## **COMPANY INFORMATION**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
## **Trustees**
HELEN CONDRAN ANDREW M HEDLEY GERALDINE FOSTER ELEANOR SMYLLIE MICHAEL HOWARD (resigned 11/08/2025) ANYA SWIFT (resigned 09/09/2024)
## **Key Staff**
## DAVID LOWRIE
## **Governing Document**
Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 22 October 2015
**Company Registration Number**
09838070
**Charity Registration Number**
1165340
## **Registered Office**
32 Liverpool Road Crosby Liverpool L23 5SF
## **Independent Examiner**
Lisa Darby FCA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage London EC1Y 8AB
|**Contents**|**Page**|
|---|---|
|Company Information|1|
|Trustees' Annual Report|2-6|
|Independent Examiner's Report|7|
|Statement of Financial Activities|8|
|Balance Sheet|9|
|Notes to the Accounts|10 - 15|
|Detailed Statement of Financial Activities with Comparatives|16|
Page 1
## **StoryHouse Project Trustees' Annual Report**
For the Year Ending 31st March 2025
The trustees, who are also the Directors of the charity for the purpose of the Companies Act 2006, present the report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statements of Recommended Practice, preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015).
StoryHouse, a charitable company governed by its memorandum and articles of association, also operates as a licensed church under a Bishop's Mission Order (BMO) within the Diocese of Liverpool.
## **Objects and Purposes of the Charity**
StoryHouse's purpose, as defined by our memorandum and articles of association, is two-fold:
- **To advance the Christian faith** : We aim to make the Christian faith more accessible to those not reached by traditional church expressions. We also nurture the spiritual growth of new believers within the community of StoryHouse Church.
- **To benefit the people of Crosby** : We are committed to contributing to the regeneration of Crosby Village and serving its residents in various charitable ways.
This vision is brought to life through our vibrant coffee shop, a space where staff engage in faith discussions and provide a hub for local community organizations and Christian events. This work is furthered by the continued growth of StoryHouse Church, a community where people can explore and be nurtured in their faith.
## **Activities of the Charity**
To fulfil our purposes for the public's benefit, we have undertaken the following activities this year:
## **Coffee Shop**
The StoryHouse coffee shop is a community hub where staff, known as **Barista Evangelists** , provide individualized care and support, including free food and drinks for those in need. They foster strong relationships with regulars and share their faith with customers. The shop has become a beacon of hope and hospitality in the community.
This year, thanks to a generous grant from The Jerusalem Trust and donations from our community, we completed a refurbishment of the coffee shop. The project added more comfortable seating, improved the toilets, and introduced new Christian artwork and literature. The result is a more welcoming and peaceful space that has not only enhanced the visitor experience but also become a catalyst for deeper conversations about faith. We've seen a noticeable increase in positive engagement around issues of faith and a rise in the coffee shop's income, both helping to strengthen the coffee shop as our central ministry hub.
Page 2
## **StoryHouse Staff**
All our staff are Christians exploring how to use their faith in the world. We aim to be a place where they can discover and grow into their unique calling. The staff gain experience in barista evangelism and take this experience into their churches and lives. We have weekly spiritual formation, Bible study, and prayer time with the staff, along with away days and team nights.
## **Sunday Gatherings**
StoryHouse Church offers a welcoming and inclusive environment for all ages. Weekly Sunday services are held in person at St Michael’s High School (now Eshe Road URC as of July 2025) and livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube. This year we have seen continued growth in our congregation.
## **Children's Work**
Our children's ministry at StoryHouse Church now serves over 40 children and is divided into three age-appropriate groups led by a dedicated team of volunteers. This significant growth places StoryHouse Church in the top 5% of churches for children's attendance.
## **Midweek Groups**
We currently have 3 midweek house groups meeting across Crosby, Waterloo, and Maghull, where we gather in homes for fellowship and deeper study into the Bible and Christian formation.
## **Youth**
Our youth work, now run entirely by volunteers, has grown into a lively and growing Thursday night group meeting in the coffee shop with occasional trips to larger local gatherings. This work is supported by Youth for Christ Liverpool.
## **Storytime**
Storytime, our weekly group for pre-schoolers and their parents/carers, has been running for eight years. It's very popular, with a regular attendance of around 30 each week. We offer a snack, a different story each week, and a time of singing. A WhatsApp group provides ongoing community support.
## **Other Community Activities**
Throughout the year, we have hosted various activities to build community and make the Christian faith more accessible, including quiz nights, a ceilidh, and music events. Our annual community carol service outside the coffee shop, with a brass band and a creative retelling of the Christmas story, was particularly well-attended.
We continue to support local organizations by hosting them in the upper room of the coffee shop, including home workers, after-school activities, and art clubs.
Page 3
## **Alpha and 321**
We host regular Alpha and 321 courses to help people explore the Christian faith. Over the past eight years, over 100 people in the community have attended an Alpha or 321 course hosted by StoryHouse with several people coming to faith and most of those joining StoryHouse Church.
## **Structure, Governance, and Management**
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. The trustees meet approximately bi-monthly and have been instrumental in updating policies and reviewing safeguarding and health and safety policies as well as providing line management to the charity’s senior staff. A sub-finance group monitors the charity's financial position closely. None of the trustees receive remuneration.
All staff working with children, trustees, and other key personnel have attended safeguarding training and have had a DBS check.
## **Financial Review**
During the year the income decreased by £46,779, to £277,368, and expenditure decreased by £100,128 to £267,183. As a result, there was a surplus for the period of £10,185 (2023 deficit £43,164) and the charity's net assets increased by the same amount, to £14,503. Net current assets increased by £12,135, to £14,235.
## **Reserves Policy**
The trustees have previously determined that the charity would aim to hold unrestricted cash of no less than £47,750. In the previous financial year 2023-24 we experienced operating and repair costs significantly higher than forecast, depleting our reserves. We have made steady progress in managing this situation during 2024-25, improving the efficiency of the coffee shop and increasing regular giving. There is now a savings strategy for gradually increasing the reserves and efficiency savings continue to be made. At 31st March 2025, there was £8,541 held in unrestricted cash reserves and the trustees are aiming to continue increasing the level of reserves held during 202526.
## **Risk Management and Uncertainties**
The trustees regularly review the charity’s activities to identify and mitigate operational, financial, and reputational risks. This report is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of submission to the auditor.
## **Events Since the Year End**
The Trustees have reached the difficult but necessary decision to close coffee shop operations in December 2025. This decision follows years of increasing financial pressure. Despite efforts to enhance the coffee shop's appeal and profitability through a refurbishment and menu change and consistent expense reduction measures, costs have consistently risen above general inflation. This
Page 4
sustained increase has led to a level of subsidy required from general donations that is no longer financially sustainable or justifiable. The Trustees determined that continuing to allocate a significant and rising proportion of donor funds to cover the coffee shop's operational deficit would not only stifle our other charitable activities but could have led to the closure of the charity altogether. Closing the coffee shop will allow StoryHouse to continue and grow into new areas in our new location and partnership with Eshe Road URC which began in July 2025. Every effort is being made to minimise the costs of closure whilst closing well, giving the staff opportunity to find new employment and to find a partnering organisation to pass the coffee shop onto.
We have determined that the costs of closure will be between £9,000 and £17,000 dependent on our being able to pass the lease and contents onto a third party. The highest cost scenario is running the lease until the end and paying for dilapidations. We are hopeful that we will be able to pass the business onto another organisation but we do have the cash flow available if we cannot.
## **RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES UNDER COMPANY LAW**
The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charitable company as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the financial year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
1. select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
2. observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
3. make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
4. state whether the applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
5. prepare the financial statements on a 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 that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Page 5
## **Approval**
This report, which has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies, was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
## Helen Condran
Helen Condran (Dec 15, 2025 13:20:58 GMT)
_____________________________________ Helen Condran
Dec 15, 2025 Date: _________________________
Page 6
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT**
## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF**
## **STORYHOUSE PROJECT**
## **('the Company')**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ending 31 March 2025 on pages 8 to 16 following, which have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out on pages 10 to 11.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity’s trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
Since the Company’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 Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or
4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].
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.
## Lisa Darby
Lisa Darby (Dec 15, 2025 13:31:02 GMT)
Lisa Darby FCA Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage London EC1Y 8AB
Date: Dec 15, 2025
Page 7
## **STORYHOUSE PROJECT**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
|Note
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:**
Donations and Grants
3
Charitable activities
4
Other income
**Total income and endowments**
**EXPENDITURE ON:**
Charitable activities
5
Other
**Total expenditure**
**Net income/(expenditure)**
**Transfers between funds**
13
**Reconciliation of funds:**
Total funds brought forward
**Total funds carried forward**
13|Unrestricted
Funds
£
134,416
130,899
883
266,198
249,135
-
249,135
17,063
(5,873)
11,190
1,258
12,448|Restricted
Funds
£
11,170
-
-
11,170
18,048
-
18,048
(6,878)
5,873
(1,005)
3,060
2,055|12 Months
Total
Funds
2025
£
145,586
130,899
883
277,368
267,183
-
267,183
10,185
-
10,185
4,318
14,503|17 Months
Total
Funds
2024
£
144,155
179,993
-|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||324,148|
|||||367,312
-|
|||||367,312|
||||||
|||||(43,164)
-|
|||||(43,164)
47,482|
|||||4,318|
_Rounding differences of £1 may appear in these accounts_
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the period.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing operations.
The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account required by the Companies Act 2006.
The notes on page 10-15 form part of these accounts.
Page 8
## **STORYHOUSE PROJECT**
## **BALANCE SHEET**
## **AS AT 31 MARCH 2025**
|Note
**FIXED ASSETS**
Tangible assets
7
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Stock
8
Debtors
9
Cash at bank and in hand
10
**CREDITORS: Amounts falling**
**due within one year**
11
**Net current assets / (liabilities)**
**Net assets / (liabilities) excluding**
**pension asset / (liability)**
**TOTAL NET ASSETS**
**FUND BALANCES**
13
Unrestricted Funds
General funds
Designated funds
Restricted Funds|Unrestricted
Funds
£
268
4,456
11,556
6,486
22,498
(10,318)
12,180
12,448
12,448
11,198
1,250
12,448
-
12,448|Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
2,055
2,055
-
2,055
2,055
2,055
-
-
-
2,055
2,055|Total
Funds
2025
£
268
4,456
11,556
8,541|Total
Funds
2024
£
2,218
2,323
9,534
5,072|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||24,552
(10,318)|16,928
(14,828)|
||||14,235|2,100|
||||14,503
14,503
11,198
1,250|4,318|
|||||4,318|
|||||8
1,250|
||||12,448
2,055|1,258
3,060|
||||14,503|4,318|
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the period ended ended 31 March 2025.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the period ended 31 March 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006 however, in accordance with Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011, the accounts have been examined by an independent examiner and their report has been included in these financial statements.
- The directors (who are the charitable company's trustees for the purposes of charity law) acknowledge their responsibilities
- (a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records which comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and
- (b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial period and of its net income or expenditure for each financial period in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and were signed on its behalf by:
## Helen Condran
Helen Condran (Dec 15, 2025 13:20:58 GMT) Helen Condran
---------------------------------------
## Dec 15, 2025
Date: ___________________
Company number: 09838070
Charity number: 1165340
The notes on page 10-15 form part of these accounts.
Page 9
## **STORYHOUSE PROJECT**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
## **1 Statutory Information**
The charity is a charitable company limited by guarantee and is incorporated in the United Kingdom. The company's registered number and registered office address can be found on the Company Information page.
## **2 Accounting Policies**
These financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, under the historical cost convention.
These 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 (FRS 102) ("the Charities SORP"), with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland ("FRS 102"), with the Companies Act 2006 and with the Charities Act 2011. The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity as set out in FRS 102.
The principles adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below.
a) Going concern The trustees (who are the charitable company's directors for the purposes of company law) have assessed whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate and have considered possible events or conditions that might cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees have made this assessment for a period of at least one year from the date of approval of the financial statements. In particular the trustees have considered the charity's forecasts and projections and the possible implications should projected income and / or expenditure vary unexpectedly. The trustees have concluded that whilst there are lower than desired funds held at 31st March 2025, there is a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue to operate for the foreseeable future. The charity therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.
## b) Income
Income including investment income is recognised in the period in which the charity becomes entitled to receipt, the amount receivable can be measured with reasonable certainty, and receipt is probable. For the most part, income is generally recognised when it is received. 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 period.
Income from donations includes:
- i) Recoverable gift aid. This is recognised when the related donation is received. Gift aid that has not been recovered by the balance sheet date is included as a debtor.
The charity relies on volunteers to carry out many of its activities, particularly church activities including children and youth work and outreach initiatives. However, in accordance with the SORP, the value of these services has not been included in these financial statements as they cannot be reliably measured.
Income from charitable activities represents income receivable from goods, services and facilities supplied in furtherance of the charity's charitable objects.
c) Expenditure Expenditure, including irrecoverable VAT, is recognised when it is incurred or, if earlier, when a legal or constructive obligation for a payment arises provided that it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
The charity makes grants to other institutions and individuals to further its charitable objectives. Grants payable are recognised as constructive obligations arise, which is generally when the charity expresses a commitment to the recipient that can be measured reliably and then only to the extent that any conditions associated with the grant are outside of the control of the charity.
Governance costs, which are included in expenditure on charitable activities but are identified separately in the notes to the accounts, includes costs associated with the independent examination of the financial statements, compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements and any other expenditure incurred on the strategic management of the charity.
## d) Fund accounting
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.
Page 10
## **STORYHOUSE PROJECT**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
## e) Tangible fixed assets
- Items purchased or donated for the charity's own use are capitalised when the cost of purchased items, or the fair value of donated items, and the item is expected to benefit the charity over more than one accounting period. Depreciation is charged on a straight line basis over 5 years so as to write down the value of each asset to its estimated residual value (if any) over its expected useful economic life.
The carrying values of tangible fixed assets are reviewed for impairment in periods when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.
## f) Pension scheme arrangements
The charity operates defined contribution pension schemes for its employees. Obligations for contributions to these schemes are recognised as an expense when the liability arises. The assets of these schemes are held separately from those of the charity in independently administered funds.
g) Taxation The company is a registered charity; it has taken advantage of the various reliefs from taxation available to charities and no income tax is payable on the charity's income.
The company is registered for VAT. Income and expenditure are recorded net of VAT unless the VAT is irrecoverable. Any VAT balances due/from the HMRC at the year end are recorded as liabilities/assets in the balance sheet.
## h) Exemption from preparing a cashflow statement
The charity has taken advantage of an exemption conferred by the Charities SORP and has not prepared a cash flow statement.
i) Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement The trustees do not consider that there are any material sources of estimation or uncertainty at the balance sheet date that could result in a material adjustment to the carrying values of assets and liabilities in the next reporting period.
## **3 Donations and Grants**
|Donations of cash and similar
Income tax recoverable
Other grants receivable
**4**
**Income from charitable activities**
Café Income
**5**
**Charitable expenditure**
**a**
**Costs incurred directly on specific activities**
Church and Mission
Salaries, training, travel and expenses
Telephone and utilities
Advertising
Café Purchases
Repairs, maintenance and renewals
Rent
Miscellaneous expenses|2025
£
112,892
26,694
6,000|2024
£
108,199
21,456
14,500|
|---|---|---|
||145,586|144,155|
||2025
£
130,899
130,899
2025
£
21,166
139,797
11,042
-
52,463
7,787
19,000
200
251,456|2024
£
179,993|
|||179,993|
|||2024
£
25,719
190,453
14,857
-
85,760
7,784
25,019
100|
|||349,693|
Page 11
## **STORYHOUSE PROJECT**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
## **b Costs incurred on support & administration**
|Governance costs
Independent examiner's fee
Other
Printing, postage and stationery
Software licences and consumables
Bank loan interest payable
Legal fees
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
General expenses
Insurance
**Total expenditure**|3,000
3,345
6,345
524
2,029
876
510
2,939
44
2,462
15,728
267,183|3,600
4,406|
|---|---|---|
|||8,006
168
2,108
1,155
925
2,741
13
2,503|
|||17,619|
|||367,313|
The fee payable to the independent examiner for preparing and examining the accounts was £3,000 (2024: £3,600).
## **6 Analysis of staff costs, the cost of key management personnel and trustee remuneration**
|**lysis of staff costs, the cost of key management personnel and trustee remuneration**|||
|---|---|---|
||2025|2024|
||£|£|
|Gross wages and salaries
Social security
Pension costs
Other employment benefits|135,096
2,619
2,082
-
139,797|183,421
3,984
2,974
-|
|||190,379|
The average monthly number of employees during the year was 11 (2024:11). Most of the charity's activities are carried out by volunteers.
No staff received salaries at a rate of more than £60,000 per annum.
During the year key management received employment benefits totalling £33,370 (2024: £44,033, 17 months).
## **7 Tangible fixed assets**
|Cost
At 31 March 2024
Additions
Disposals
At 31 March 2025
Accumulated depreciation
At 31 March 2024
Charge for the year
Eliminated on disposal
At 31 March 2025
Net book value
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024|Fixtures
and Fittings
£|Plant and
Machinery
£|Office
Equipment
£|Total
2025
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||50,017|15,008|1,064|66,089|
||-|990|-|990|
||-|-|-|-|
||50,017|15,998|1,064|67,078|
||||||
||||||
||48,663|14,330|878|63,871|
||1,282|1,490|167|2,939|
||-|-|-|-|
||49,944|15,820|1,046|66,810|
||||||
||||||
||73|178|18|268|
||1,354|678|185|2,218|
- **8 Stock**
Purchased for re-sale, at cost Purchased for own use
|2025
£
3,256
1,200
4,456|2024
£
1,123
1,200|
|---|---|
||2,323|
|||
Page 12
## **STORYHOUSE PROJECT**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
## **9 Debtors**
|**ors**|||
|---|---|---|
|**Falling due within one year:**
Trade debtors
Gift Aid Reclaim
Rent Deposit
Prepayments
Other Debtor
**Total debtors**|2025
£
100
3,489
1,667
6,299
1
11,556|2024
£
-
1,629
1,667
6,237
1|
|||9,534|
## **10 Cash at Bank and in Hand**
|**h at Bank and in Hand**|||
|---|---|---|
|Cash at bank with immediate access
Petty cash
**itors: liabilities falling due within one year**
Trade creditors
Taxation and social security
VAT
Accruals
Other Creditors|2025
£
8,141
400
8,541
2025
£
2,278
1,526
3,055
3,000
459
10,318|2024
£
4,672
400|
|||5,072|
|||2024
£
2,346
5,304
3,501
3,155
522|
|||14,828|
## **11 Creditors: liabilities falling due within one year**
## **12 Pension commitments**
During the year employer’s pension contributions totalling £2,082 (2024: £2,974) were payable to defined contribution personal pension schemes. Pension contributions of £139 were owing at the balance sheet date (2024: £258).
## **13 Funds**
During the year the movements in the charity's funds were as follows:
|_Designated Funds_
Generosity Fund
_General Unrestricted Funds_
Total Unrestricted Funds|Opening
balance
2025
£
1,250
1,250
8
1,258|Incoming
resources
2025
£
-
-
266,198
266,198|Outgoing
resources
2025
£
-
-
(249,135)
(249,135)|Transfers
in the year
2025
£
-
-
(5,873)
(5,873)|Gains and
losses
2025
£
-
-
-
-|Closing
balance
2025
£
1,250|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||1,250
11,198|
|||||||12,448|
Page 13
## **STORYHOUSE PROJECT**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
|_Restricted Funds_
Children's Work Fund
Church Leadership Salary Fund
Youth Worker
Café Refurbishment
Evangelism Fund
Audio Visual Fund
Aggregate of funds|15
-
1,306
-
-
1,739
3,060
4,318|-
1,650
-
3,407
6,000
113
11,170
277,368|(716)
(1,650)
(1,306)
(4,030)
(8,500)
(1,846)
(18,048)
(267,183)|2,750
-
-
623
2,500
-
5,873
-|-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|2,050
-
-
-
-
6|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||2,055|
|||||||14,503|
_Transfers during the year:_
_In 2024 the Children's Work Fund gave a short term loan of £2,750 to the General Fund to assist with liquidity during the prior year. This was repaid in 2025._
_Funds transfers were also made from General to clear Restricted Fund spending for the café and Evangelism Funds._
## **Analysis of net assets by fund**
The assets and liabilities of the various funds were as follows:
||||Unrestricted Funds|Unrestricted Funds|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||General|Designated|Restricted||
||||funds|funds|funds|2025|
||||£|£|£|£|
|Tangible fixed assets|||268|-|-|268|
|Stock|||4,456|-|-|4,456|
|Debtors|||11,556|-||11,556|
|Cash at bank and in hand|||5,236|1,250|2,055|8,541|
|Creditors falling due within one year|||(10,318)|-|-|(10,318)|
||||11,198|1,250|2,055|14,503|
|In the previous year the movements in the|charity's funds|were as follows:|||||
||Opening|Incoming|Outgoing|Transfers|Gains and|Closing|
||balance|resources|resources|in the year|losses|balance|
||01/04/2024|2024|2024|2024|2024|2024|
||£|£|£|£|£|£|
|_Designated Funds_|||||||
|Generosity Fund|-|||1,250||1,250|
||-|-|-|1,250|-|1,250|
|_General Unrestricted Funds_|32,903|308,784|(344,429)|2,750|-|8|
|Total Unrestricted Funds|32,903|308,784|(344,429)|4,000|-|1,258|
|_Restricted Funds_|||||||
|Children's Work Fund|3,378|-|(613)|(2,750)|-|15|
|Generosity Fund|1,250|-|-|(1,250)|-|-|
|Church Leadership Salary Fund|-|2,040|(2,040)|-|-|-|
|Youth Worker|9,951|-|(8,645)|-|-|1,306|
|Café Refurbishment|-|3,000|(3,000)|-|-|-|
|Evangelism Fund|-|8,500|(8,500)|-|-|-|
|Audio Visual Fund|-|1,824|(86)|-|-|1,739|
||14,579|15,364|(22,883)|(4,000)|-|3,060|
|Aggregate of funds|47,482|324,148|(367,312)|-|-|4,318|
_Transfers during the year:_
_The Generosity Fund was incorrectly identified as a restricted fund in the previous year, so the balance has been transferred to a Designated Fund of the same name._
_The Children's Work Fund gave a short term loan of £2,750 to the General Fund to assist with liquidity during the year. The loan will be repaid in 2024/2025._
Page 14
## **STORYHOUSE PROJECT**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
## **Analysis of net assets by fund**
In the previous year, the assets and liabilities of the various funds were as follows:
|Tangible fixed assets
Stock
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors falling due within one year||General
Designated
funds
funds
£
£
2,218
-
2,323
-
9,534
-
762
1,250
(14,828)
-
8
1,250
Unrestricted Funds|Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
3,060
-
3,060|2024
£
2,218
2,323
9,534
5,072
(14,828)|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||General
funds
£
2,218
2,323
9,534
762
(14,828)
8|||
|||||4,318|
## _**Designated Funds**_
_The Generosity Fund: the charity received a donation which the trustees have decided is to be used for the benefit of local people facing financial hardship._
## _**Restricted Funds**_
_The Children’s Work Fund was donated by Sefton North Deanery specifically for childrens work_
_The Leadership Salary Fund collects donations from a donor which have been given specifically to fund the salaries of the Church Leadership._
_The Youth Worker Fund: the charity received a grant from Sefton North Deanery towards the employment of a youth worker for local churches._
_The Café Refurbishment Fund holds donations to the charity for that purpose in the future._
_The Audio Visual Fund was created during the period to raise funds specifically for the AV needs of the charity._
_The Evangelism Fund receives donations which we used to pay staff members to focus on evangelism in the café._
- **14 Operating lease commitments**
The charity has an operating lease for the café premises which was renegotiated in October 2021. The minimum amount payable (until the next break clause and ignoring the potential effect of future rent reviews) in respect of this lease is as follows:
|||2025
£
19,000
11,083|2024
£
19,000
38,000|
|---|---|---|---|
|||||
||Payments falling due:|||
||Within one year|||
||Between one and five years|||
|||30,083|57,000|
|||||
||During the year the charity was charged £19,000 (2024: 12 months £19,020) for its operating lease.|||
|||||
## **15 Transactions with related parties**
During the year the charity:
- a) received donations totalling £36,404 (2024: £36,404) from related parties (which includes trustees, any other members of key management and anyone closely connected to them).
- b) No expenses (2024: £NIL) were paid to, or for, the trustees.
During the year the charity also made the following payments to, or for, related parties:
- a) Elizabeth Lowrie, who is closely related to David Lowrie, who is a member of key management, received employment benefits totalling £10,827 (2024: £10,827) for providing services as the Co-Lead Pastor to the charity.
- b) Jemima Swift, who is closely related to Anya Swift, who is a trustee, received employment benefits totalling £1,177 (2024: £1,117) for providing barista services to the charity.
## **16 Events since the year end**
The Trustees have determined that the increasing costs of the coffee shop can no longer be subsidised at our level of income and as those costs only continue to rise it presents a real threat to continued operations of the charity as a whole. Therefore December 24th will be the final trading day of the coffee shop.
We have determined that the costs of closure will be between £9,000 and £17,000 dependent on our being able to pass the lease and contents onto a third party. The highest cost is running the lease until the end and stripping out of the unit. We are hopeful that it will not be this scenario however we do have the cash flow available for both.
## **17 Members**
Each member of the company commits to contribute if the charity is wound up an amount of £1.
Page 15
## **STORYHOUSE PROJECT**
## **DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES WITH COMPARATIVES**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
|Note
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:**
Donations and Grants
3
Charitable activities
4
Investments
Other income
**Total income and endowments**
**EXPENDITURE ON:**
Charitable activities:
5
Other
**Total Expenditure**
**Net income/(expenditure)**
**Transfers between funds**
13
**Net movement in funds**
**Reconciliation of funds:**
Total funds brought forward
**Total funds carried forward**
13||General
Designated
2025
2025
£
£
134,416
-
130,899
-
-
-
883
-
266,198
-
249,135
-
-
249,135
-
17,063
-
(5,873)
-
11,190
-
8
1,250
11,198
1,250
Unrestricted funds|Restricted
2025
£
11,170
-
-
-
11,170
18,048
18,048
(6,878)
5,873
(1,005)
3,060
2,055|Total
2025
£
145,586
130,899
-
883
277,368
267,183
-
267,183
10,185
-
10,185
4,318
14,503|||General
Designated
2024
2024
£
£
128,791
-
179,993
-
-
-
-
-
308,784
-
344,429
-
-
344,429
-
(35,645)
-
2,750
1,250
(32,895)
1,250
32,903
-
8
1,250
Unrestricted funds|Restricted
2024
£
15,364
-
-
-
15,364
22,883
22,883
(7,519)
(4,000)
(11,519)
14,579
3,060|Total
2024
£
144,155
179,993
-
-
324,148
367,312
-
367,312
(43,164)
-
(43,164)
47,482
4,318|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
_Rounding differences of £1 may appear in these accounts_
Page 16