Worksop Christian Centre Trustees' Annual Report – for the period 1 October 2021 30 September 2022
Administrative Information
Worksop Christian Centre, which is also known as ‘WCC’ and ‘WCC Life’, is situated on Vicar's Walk, Worksop S80 2HJ. The registered Charity number is 1169816.
Trustees: Tracey Bladen, Chair Andrew Greenfield Susan Chalmers (to 14th January, 2022)
The Trustees met formally as trustees and also on additional occasions as a leadership team (along with the elders) in the period 1[st] October 2021 to 30[th] September 2022 (dates of meetings: 29.10.21, 10.1.22, 2,5,22, 30.5.22, 31.9.22 .
Section B - Structure, governance, and management
Description of the charity's trusts
Worksop Christian Centre is a Christian church which became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 23[rd] September 2016, and which is governed by its Constitution, whose only voting members are its Charity Trustees.
Each Charity Trustee must be appointed for a term of five years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the Charity Trustees.
In selecting individuals for appointment as Charity Trustees, the Charity Trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO.
All Charity Trustees must subscribe and adhere to, in belief and lifestyle, the Statement of Faith.
The pastor and elders are responsible for (and are recognised by the Church Fellowship as being responsible for) the spiritual leadership of the Church Fellowship in accordance with its Statement of Faith (Schedule to Constitution).
The spiritual government and leadership of the Church Fellowship for the purposes of which the CIO has been established shall remain with the Spiritual Leadership and to the extent to which the Charity Trustees are not synonymous with the Spiritual Leadership their powers shall be confined to the proper management and administration of the CIO in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution and in furtherance of the Objects and in so doing they shall have full and proper regard to the Spiritual Leadership provided always that they shall not act outside their powers as conferred by this Constitution and by general law.
Additional governance issues (Optional)
The Charity Trustees will make available to each new Charity Trustee, on or before his or her first appointment: 1) a copy of this constitution and any amendments made to it; and 2) a copy of the CIO’s latest Trustees’ Annual Report and statement of accounts; and 3) any other relevant documents for training and induction purposes.
Worksop Christian Centre is a member of the Evangelical Alliance.
Regarding the consideration of risks, and management procedures to manage them, Worksop Christian Centre has in place a Safeguarding policy and holds a risk register, both of which are maintained and implemented by a safeguarding manager.
Section C - Objectives and activities
The Objects of the CIO are, for the public benefit, the advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the Statement of Faith; and the provisions of facilities for recreation and other leisure-time occupation for the inhabitants of Worksop and the surrounding area in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants.
As a church, we encourage and equip people to serve in the community in Jesus' name through worship and prayer; studying the Bible; developing knowledge and trust in Jesus; providing pastoral care for people living in Worksop and the surrounding area; outreach work and practical assistance for all who need it.
Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year
From October 2021 to September 2022 we gradually increased in numbers as people’s confidence increased in meeting in face to face settings after the effects of Covid, lockdowns and all of the Covid rules. Social isolation and social anxieties were signifiant barriers, which have gradually been reduced. In January 2022, we introduced ‘Social Sundays’ once a month, to build back and develop relationships over coffee and cake in a relaxed atmosphere.
After another successful collection of shoeboxes in November, Worksop Christian Centre was asked to advance from being a drop off centre for shoeboxes for Samaritan's Purse to a Collection Centre for next year’s collections (November 2022).
Our community Christmas celebrations included a Shadow Puppet Nativity with 22 children taking part and a Carol Service. At Easter, we held a free art workshop on Good Friday for the community, in which 70 people (ages 1-80) attended, painting the cross on canvas as a step by step activity, whilst hearing the Easter story. During the summer months, our Sunday programme was also focused on building relationships
through a coach trip to the seaside (with a baptism in the sea), family walks, a litter pick and also a picnic in the park.
The prayer group continued to meet on Wednesday evenings, to pray for the knowledge of Jesus to extend in Worksop and the surrounding area; for healing; for the issues affecting each town and city in the UK; for each other; for the church throughout the world; for world disasters and events. This group is open to all those who are interested in praying for their world, and for those who wish to meditate on God's power in action, and all are made welcome.
In March 2022 we were awarded a grant of just under £12,000 from Children In Need Youth Investment Fund, which enabled us to fully renovate the youth room - from new ceiling, lighting and flooring to a new pool / air hockey table, arcade machine, gaming set up and more. A lot of work has gone into encouraging local youth to join and numbers have significantly increased and exceeded our pre-Covid numbers. Our youth worker completed his degree in June, a BA in Practical Theology at CYM (the Institute for Children, Youth and Mission, which is affiliated with Newman University) and continues to be employed part time, now as a qualified Youth Pastor.
A youth Alpha course ran for 6 weeks on a separate evening to the youth club, where 11-18 year olds could come along for free food and ask questions about faith, with a focus on who Jesus is. The course was such a success that ‘Food and Faith’ nights became a regular weekly addition to the youth programme.
Lifeline continues to run three times a week during school term time as a community project. It is a means of supporting families that have Free School Meals in Worksop and surrounding villages by providing free pre-packed sandwiches to take home (supplied by local sandwich factory, Samworth Brothers), and a cafe style environment for free snacks and drinks and an opportunity to socialise. We continue to build relationships with the parents and children on a regular basis and
providing emotional support and advice where appropriate. We have a great team of volunteers, who are generous in their offering of time, skills, and commitment.
Additional details of objectives and activities
All activities are run by volunteers to whom we are grateful for their dedication and skills. We would also like to thank all those who carry out the administration, maintenance and operational tasks which are essential to the smooth running of the church.
In October 2021, the pastor’s contract was terminated following a thorough investigation led by an independent party. The church leadership team of elders and trustees successfully led the church throughout the rest of this financial year.
Financial Review
Total income for the year amounted to £47,119 which was gratefully received as giving from generous members (£18,342 gift aided, £16,792 non gift aided) and from a grant (£11,938).
The financial impact due to Covid and the reduction of people attending church and therefore giving has been significant. Total donations from our members (gift aided and non gift aided) were significantly reduced from £82,840 in year ending September 2020 to £53,675 in year ending September 2021 and £35,134 at the end of this financial year, September 2022.
The expenditure amounted to £52,357, with an overspend of just over £5,000. Part of this overspend was the completion of building work from the previous year’s Local Improvement Scheme grant. A reduction in employment costs limited overspending, as a decision was made not to employ a full time pastor in this financial year after the previous pastor’s dismissal.
As the building at Vicars Walk is an old primary school built in 1890, it needs regular planned maintenance. Each year, the maintenance budget is set at a level to include planned maintenance, and to provide for repair costs, which arise in such an old building.
It is WCC policy to maintain a balance on funds which equates to 3 months' expenditure, that is £22,500, to cover emergency situations that may arise. The funds are retained for - emergency repairs caused by extreme weather conditions, such as flood damage (as seen in Worksop in November 2019), for H&S upgrades, and unplanned emergencies.
Further fnancial review details
WCC is dependent upon gifts of money from regular donations and weekly offerings. Planned giving is made through bank transfers and gift aid envelopes.
Gift aid has not yet been claimed yet for April 2020-2021 or April 2021-2022 from HMRC.
In March 2022 we received £11, 938 from Children In Need Youth Investment Fund.
- Section F Other optional information
Over the period 2021-2022, WCC supported Christian charities at home and overseas to a total of £1252 in regular gifts which include Compassion, Fusion and Christians Against Poverty.
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