## **Worksop Christian Centre Trustees' Annual Report 2023-2024** _For the period 1 October 2023 - 30 September 2024_ ## 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 Joel Hatfield Samantha King (nee Lee) (from June 2024) The Trustees met formally as trustees and also on additional occasions as a leadership team (along with the elders) in the period 1st October 2023 to 30th September 2024 (dates of meetings: 06/11/23, 11/12/23, 25/03/24, 27/05/24, 04/07/24, 05/08/24). ## **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 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 and has applied for membership of the Assemblies of God network (this is a two year process). 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 the safeguarding lead. ## **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 In October 2023 we celebrated our twenty year anniversary as a church, reflecting on the growth of the church, relationships developed, faith embraced and the community work taken place. We are so grateful of everyone that has played a part in this over the years, particularly Kevin Ward who planted the church. We celebrated after the service with a free lunch of pie and peas, followed by an abundance of cake and family games! There were a number of events throughout the year in which the local community is invited to participate. In October, we held a children’s party as an alternative to Halloween, to celebrate Jesus, the light and hope of the world. In November we collected shoeboxes for Samitaran’s Purse, as an official drop off centre, which was another great success with many individuals, families and schools contributing to this. In December we celebrated Christmas at our Carols and Cakes evening, which was well attended and enjoyed by all ages. In March we celebrated Easter with five baptisms, followed by food and an Easter egg hunt, which was loved by all. Throughout the year Lifeline continued to run as a successful community project supporting low income families in the surrounding area 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 provide emotional support and advice where appropriate. We have a great team of volunteers who are generous in offering their time, skills and commitment. In February we received a grant of £1000 from Warm Welcome Spaces Initiative which has supported Lifeline in providing a warm community space to meet, chat and offer support. During this year the trustees and elders investigated joining a church network for further support and advice for the leadership team. After considerable discussions it was agreed to join the Assemblies of God network. A two year application process has begun and the church members are fully supportive of this move. ## 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. The part time youth pastor stepped down due to other work commitments in January. We do not currently have any employed staff. The church leadership team of elders and trustees have successfully led the church through this financial year. ## Financial Review Total income for the year amounted to £34,158 which was gratefully received as giving from generous members (£18,157 gift aided, £6,421 non gift aided) and from grants (£1000). There is some consistency in giving as last year’s gift aid was £18,995. In comparison of previous years, gift aided donations are significantly reduced from £30,529 in year ending September 2020 to £23,728 in year ending September 2021, significantly affected by Covid lockdown and reduced church attendance. ## Expenditure The expenditure amounted to £26,707 with an excess of just £7,451. It is important to note that we have only employed a part time youth pastor during part of this year, and have not had funds to employ a senior pastor. 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 significant balance (of approximately £25,000) on funds to cover emergency situations that may arise. The funds are retained for emergency repairs caused by extreme weather conditions, such as roof repairs, 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. Donations are made through bank transfers, a cash offering box in church and more recently, a contactless card donation station was introduced in September 2023 to make giving more accessible. Gift aid has not yet been claimed yet for April 2021-2022, April 2022-23 or April 2023-2024 from HMRC. In February 2024 we received £1000 from Warm Welcome Energy Fund Grant. ## **Section F - Other optional information** Over the period 2023-2024, WCC supported Christian charity Compassion with monthly donations, to a total of £768. Worksop Christian Centr Charity number 1169816 Receipts and Payments Accounts For the year ended 30 September 2024 2024 2023 Receipts Donations Non Gift Aided Grants Other Income Gift Aid recovered Donations Gift Aided Cash Offerings 6421 1003 1062 6530 18157 985 5631 6000 395 18995 Total receipts 34158 31022 Payments Church Events Utilities Health & Safety Office Refreshments & Housekeeping Maintenance Sound & Electrical Worship Children & Youth Outreach & Mission IT & Copyright Copier & Printing Legal & Admin Adult Ministry Employment Costs Insurances Training 1191 5844 754 1800 390 5197 315 4497 1541 2443 453 5287 230 180 46 780 778 337 192 2335 1808 605 287 233 1000 2034 2735 495 9684 2609 402 Total payments 26707 29777 Excess of receipts over payments 7451 1245 Cash funds b/f 1 October Cash funds c/f 30 September 74683 82134 73438 74683 Statement of Assets and Liabilities 2024 2023 Cash funds Co-op Community Directplus Account Natwest Reserve Account Cash 44785 36363 986 82134 38496 35837 350 74683 Approved by the trustees on Jf/]/Zf.,,,,,,. ,, Worksop Christian Centre Charity number 1169816 Financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2024 Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Worksop Christain Centre Charity number 1169816 I report on the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2024, which are set out on page 2. Respective responslbillties of the trustees and the Independent Examlner As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements; you consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act; to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of Independent Examiner's Statement My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts with those records. It also includes considering any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. Independent examiner's statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or to prepare financial statements which accord with theses accounting records have not been met; or (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 28 July 2025 Tom Darby FCCA Darbys Limited 7 Spring Gardens Gainsborough Worksop Chrlstlan Centre Charlty number 1169816 Receipts and Payments Accounts For the year ended 30 September 2024 2024 2023 Recelpts Donations Non Gift Aided Grants Other Income Gift Aid recovered Donations Gift Aided Cash Offerings 6421 1003 1062 6530 18157 985 5631 6000 395 18995 Total receipts 34158 31022 Payments Church Events Utilities Health & Safety Office Refreshments & Housekeeping Maintenance Sound & Electrical Worship Children & Youth Outreach & Mission IT & Copyright Copier & Printing Legal & Admin Adult Ministry Employment Costs Insurances Training 1191 5844 754 1800 390 5197 315 4497 1541 2443 453 5287 230 180 46 780 778 337 192 2335 1808 605 287 233 1000 2034 2735 495 9684 2609 402 Total payments 26707 29777 Excess of receipts over payments 7451 1245 Cash funds b/f 1 October Cash funds clf 30 September 74683 82134 73438 74683 Statement of Assets and Llabllities 2024 2023 Cash funds Co-op Community Directplus Account Natwest Reserve Account Cash 44785 36363 986 82134 38496 35837 350 74683 Approved by the trustees on J(r and signed on their behalf by: