Registered Charity no. 1171951
SPRINGS CHURCH (GORNAL) REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
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SPRINGS CHURCH (GORNAL) CONTENTS PAGE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Reference and Administrative Details | 3 |
| Report of the Trustees | 4 to 7 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 8 |
| Receipts and Payments Account | 9 |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 10 |
| Notes to the Receipts and Payments Accounts | 11 - 13 |
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SPRINGS CHURCH (GORNAL) REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered charity number 1171951
Principal address
Springs Church Zoar Chapel Abbey Road Dudley DY3 2PG
Trustees
Matthew Wildsmith (Chair) Jonathan Rowe Phil Wade Samuel Owen
Independent examiner
S A Reeves FCCA
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SPRINGS CHURCH (GORNAL) REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
The Trustees present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2025.
Organisational structure
Springs Church (Gornal) is a charitable incorporated organisation registered with Charity Commission on 8th March 2017, registered no 1171951.
Governance and Management
Appointment of trustees:
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There must be at least 3 trustees. Apart from the first trustee, every trustee must be appointed (for a term of 3 years) by a resolution of the trustees passed at a special meeting called under clause 15 of the charity trust document.
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In selecting individuals for appointement as trustees, the trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the charity.
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The trustees must keep a record of the name and address and the dates of appointment, reappointment and retirement of each trustee.
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The trustees must make available to each new trustee, on his or her first appointment: a. a copy of this deed and any amendments to it;
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b. a copy of the charity's latest report and statement of accounts
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The trustees shall hold office for the following periods respectively: Matthew Wildsmith - three years (reappointed 29/01/23) Jonathan Rowe - three years (reappointed 29/01/23) Phil Wade - three years (reappointed 02/09/24) Samuel Owen - three years (reappointed 02/09/24)
The board of trustees currently comprises four members who meet quaterly as a minimum.
Objectives and activities
The principle objectives of the charity are:
The advancement of religion for the public benefit in Gornal and the surrounding area, including assistance in the development of the Christian faith, emotional and spiritual support. In achieving its purpose, the charity will engage in a range of activities, either on its own or with others, including (but not restricted to):
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the celebration of public worship;
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the teaching of the Christian faith;
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mission and evangelism;
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pastoral work, including visiting the sick and the bereaved; the provision of facilities with a Christian ethos for the local community, including (but not restricted to) the elderly, the young and other groups with special needs: and
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the support of other charities in the UK and overseas.
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SPRINGS CHURCH (GORNAL) REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
Achievements and Performance
- Springs Church Gornal exists to advance the Christian faith, relieve hardship, and promote holistic wellbeing across our community. This year has been marked by spiritual growth, deepened outreach, and tangible impact—reflecting our commitment to these charitable aims in every area of ministry and service.
Advancing the Christian Faith
• Sunday Worship: Over 120 regular attendees gather weekly at Zoar Chapel to worship, learn, and grow in faith.
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Online Ministry: Weekly recordings of services and teaching messages are shared via social media, extending the Gospel beyond our walls.
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Children’s Discipleship: Our thriving Kids Church and newly launched Toddler Church (ages 1–3) nurture faith in young hearts, engaging both church families and the wider community.
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Youth Engagement: Our Youth Group supports around 30 young people weekly, with additional outreach through Grace Foundation events reaching 75 more. Participation in the Limitless Conference enabled spiritual growth and connection with other Christian youth.
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School Partnerships: We hosted faith-based assemblies and seasonal services for Ellowes Hall and Red Hall schools, including carol concerts and harvest celebrations. Plans are underway to establish a Christian Union at Ellowes Hall to further support students in exploring faith.
Relieving Hardship and Supporting Families
• Practical Support: In collaboration with local schools, we provided essential services including a Grocery Store, School Uniform Shop, and Free Debt Advice—reaching families referred by Family Liaison Officers.
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Debt Relief: Our confidential debt advice service offered both practical and spiritual guidance to those facing financial challenges.
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Christmas Appeal: Every child referred from a low-income household received a gift, ensuring no one was left out during the festive season.
Promoting Community Wellbeing
• Community Café: Welcoming around 60 people weekly, our café offered craft sessions, wellbeing activities, and seasonal events that foster connection and joy.
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Mini Springs Stay & Play: Around 30 adults and their toddlers attended weekly, building relationships and early faith foundations.
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Craft Group: Launched to combat loneliness, this group now has 16 regular attendees.
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Cooking Courses: Delivered in partnership with local agencies, these sessions promote healthy living and life skills.
• Civic Engagement: We actively participated in local events including Remembrance Day commemorations and the Gornal Christmas Lights switch-on, reflecting our role as a faith-based community anchor.
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SPRINGS CHURCH (GORNAL) REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
Infrastructure and Growth
• We continue to explore long-term building solutions to secure a permanent, accessible space for worship and outreach.
• Plans are underway to renovate the church balcony to accommodate growing attendance and ensure inclusive access.
Future Developments
In alignment with our charitable objectives, Springs Church Gornal will:
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Expand our physical space to welcome more worshippers and community members.
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Deepen partnerships with other Christian charities to amplify our impact on disadvantaged groups.
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Launch a new adult Alpha course in collaboration with local churches.
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Establish a Christian Union at Ellowes Hall School to support students in faith exploration.
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Increase financial contributions to Christian charitable work locally, nationally, and internationally
Financial review
The net outgoing unrestricted resources including designated funds before transfers for the year amounted to (£5,979) (2024 net outgoing resources £7,859). The net incoming restricted resources before transfers for the year amounted to £20,128 (2024 net incoming restricted resources totalled £703). Transfers between funds are detailed in note 2 of the accounts. At 31st March 2025 unrestricted funds amounted to £34,346 (2024 £31,560), designated funds amounted to £6,496 (2024 £11,454) and restricted funds amounted to £17,182 (2024 £861)
Reserves and reserves policy
The policy agreed by the trustees is to aim to hold in unrestricted reserves sufficient to cover the general overhead expenses and salary costs not specifically funded by external agencies for a period of six months. As of 31st March 2025, we feel that the reserves available of £34,346 would meet this objective.
Risk policy and review
The trustees have examined the major strategic, business and operational risks that the charity faces and consider that they are adequately mitigated through insurance, strategic planning, policies, systems and procedures.
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SPRINGS CHURCH (GORNAL) REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
Trustees
The trustees holding office during the whole year unless otherwise stated were as follows: Matthew Wildsmith (Chair) Jonathan Rowe Phil Wade Samuel Owen
In accordance with the trust deed, trustees hold office for three years.
Trustees' responsibilities in relation to the financial statements
Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charity's financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have
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been followed subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by the trustees on and signed on their behalf by:
Matthew Wildsmith Trustee (Chair)
Jonathan Rowe Trustee
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SPRINGS CHURCH (GORNAL) INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts for the above charity ("the Trust") for the year ended 31st March 2025 set out on pages 9-11.
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
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Sally-Ann Reeves FCCA Independent examiner
28th November 2025
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SPRINGS CHURCH (GORNAL)
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
| Notes RECEIPTS Gifts 5a Donations 5b Gift Aid tax recovered 5c Receipts from charitable activities 5d Interest and dividends 5e TOTAL RECEIPTS PAYMENTS Direct charitable activity 6a Donations and gifts 6b Costs of generating funds 6c TOTAL PAYMENTS NET OF RECEIPTS/PAYMENTS Transfers between funds CASH FUNDS AS AT 31/03/24 CASH FUNDS AS AT 31/03/25 4 |
Unrestricted Funds 2025 £ 1,443 94,074 25,670 6,664 246 128,097 110,551 7,477 - 118,028 10,069 (7,283) 31,560 34,346 |
Designated funds 2025 £ 1,217 8 - 10,716 - 11,941 27,989 - - 27,989 (16,048) 11,090 11,454 6,496 |
Restricted Funds 2025 £ - - - 20,500 - 20,500 372 - - 372 20,128 (3,807) 861 17,182 |
Total Funds 2025 £ 2,660 94,082 25,670 37,880 246 160,538 138,912 7,477 - 146,389 14,149 - 43,875 58,024 |
Total Funds 2024 £ 4,657 91,169 18,027 83,753 - 197,606 195,859 8,903 - 204,762 (7,156) - 51,031 43,875 |
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SPRINGS CHURCH (GORNAL) STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31ST MARCH 2025
| Notes Cash funds Current account Deposit accounts Petty cash 4 Other monetary assets Gift aid recoverable Assets for charitable use Fixed Assets |
Unrestricted Funds 2025 £ 34,346 - - 34,346 - 1,236 - |
Designated funds 2025 £ 6,496 - - 6,496 - - |
Restricted Funds 2025 £ 17,182 - - 17,182 - - |
Total Funds 2025 £ 58,024 - - 58,024 1,236 - |
Total Funds 2024 £ 36,627 - 92 36,719 1,183 - |
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NOTES TO THE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS
Trustees' Remuneration and benefits
- 1 There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31st March 2025 nor for the year ended 31st March 2024.
Staff Costs
- 2 The average monthly number of employees during the year was 5 (2024: 5) No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000
Related party transactions
- 3 There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31st March 2025 nor for the year ended 31st March 2024.
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SPRINGS CHURCH (GORNAL) NOTES TO THE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
4 Movement in funds
The movements in unrestricted, designated and restricted funds during the year were:
| General (unrestricted) Designated Community Fund Youth Fund Debt Advice Grocery Store Mercian Trust Spring Tithe Sewing Grant - Asda Restricted Tesco Kids Fun day Poverty Action Awards for All - Grocery Store Total funds |
Balance b/fwd Receipts Payments Transfers Balance c/fwd 01/04/2024 31/03/2025 £ £ £ £ £ 31,560 128,097 118,028 (7,283) 34,346 1,202 1,212 5,064 3,797 1,147 3,868 2,135 8,753 2,632 (118) 2,548 - 2,251 251 548 3,658 8,094 11,368 1,548 1,932 - 500 500 - - - - - 2,987 2,987 178 - 53 (125) - 11,454 11,941 27,989 11,090 6,496 - 500 - (500) - 760 - - (760) - 101 20,000 372 (2,547) 17,182 861 20,500 372 (3,807) 17,182 43,875 160,538 146,389 - 58,024 |
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Unrestricted funds are available for general purposes in accordance with the charity's purposes.
The movements in unrestricted, designated and restricted funds for year ended 31st March 2024:
| General (unrestricted) Designated Community Fund Youth Fund Debt Advice Grocery Store Arnold Clarke Sewing Grant - Asda Restricted Awards for All - Grocery Store Household support Lottery CCL Poverty Action Total funds |
Balance b/fwd Receipts Payments Transfers Balance c/fwd 01/04/2023 31/03/2024 £ £ £ £ £ 49,707 119,935 124,204 (13,878) 31,560 511 3,986 5,034 1,739 1,202 813 865 4,106 6,296 3,868 - 1,187 2,326 3,687 2,548 - 9,006 5,378 30 3,658 - - 1,357 1,357 - - - 433 611 178 1,324 15,044 18,634 13,720 11,454 - 10,000 9,899 - 101 - 5,000 5,225 225 - - 42,739 42,672 (67) - - 4,888 4,128 - 760 - 62,627 61,924 158 861 51,031 197,606 204,762 - 43,875 |
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SPRINGS CHURCH (GORNAL) NOTES TO THE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
5 Further analysis of Receipts
| Receipts a) Gifts One off gifts b) Donations Regular giving Church offerings c) Gift Aid Gift Aid tax recovered d) Receipts from charitable activities Grants Events Alpha income Youth tuck Grocery store Hope House donations Mini Springs Room hire Other income e) Bank interest Bank interest TOTAL RECEIPTS |
Unrestricted Funds 2025 £ 1,443 1,443 85,974 8,100 94,074 25,670 - 2,268 - - - 1,239 2,187 970 - 6,664 246 246 128,097 |
Designated funds 2025 £ 1,217 1,217 - 8 8 - - 2,870 - 120 7,406 - - - 320 10,716 - - 11,941 |
Restricted Funds 2025 £ - - - - - - 20,500 - - - - - - - - 20,500 - - 20,500 |
Total 2025 £ 2,660 2,660 85,974 8,108 94,082 25,670 20,500 5,138 - 120 7,406 1,239 2,187 970 320 37,880 246 246 160,538 |
Total 2024 £ 4,657 4,657 84,584 6,585 91,169 18,027 68,794 1,089 163 - 8,976 1,533 2,291 385 522 83,753 - - 197,606 |
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SPRINGS CHURCH (GORNAL)
NOTES TO THE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
6 Further analysis of Payments
| Payments a) Direct charitable activity Salaries and NI Pension costs Staff benefits Rent Band resources and rent Insurance Repairs & renewals Heat & light Advertising and promotion Telephone & broadband Stationery, printing & postage Music & media Licences & subscriptions Website hosting Hire of equipment Furniture and equipment Online budget (equipment) Foodbank Community Café food Hospitality drinks and refreshments Breakfasts Pastoral care - refreshments Finance support Consultancy and professional services Mini Springs Grocery Store Ashbourne House Events Processing fees Bank charges Training & events Alpha Building related resources Consumables Youth resources Special Sundays & Christmas Springs Community resources Kids work resources Community resources Youth resources Independent examination |
Unrestricted Funds 2025 £ 67,545 2,377 712 11,833 2 1,092 166 6 - 565 484 371 30 2,158 227 - 906 946 - 4 1,241 96 1,038 1,544 - 1,877 2,400 - 1,458 - 110 690 - 5,237 - - 4,714 - 434 - - 300 110,551 |
Designated funds 2025 £ - - - - - 366 - - 259 195 19 - - - 20 313 - 6 730 - - - - - - 11,805 - 1,369 - 52 58 - - 30 5,447 419 579 - 4,365 1,957 - 27,989 |
Restricted Funds 2025 £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 372 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 372 |
Total 2025 £ 67,545 2,377 712 11,833 2 1,458 166 6 - 824 679 390 30 2,158 227 20 1,219 946 6 734 1,241 96 1,038 1,544 - 1,877 14,577 - 2,827 - 162 748 - 5,237 30 5,447 5,133 579 434 4,365 1,957 300 138,912 |
Total 2024 £ 69,266 1,528 234 13,750 1,020 1,124 1,590 5,393 543 686 229 30 1,677 146 398 3,163 - - 1,767 701 564 1,937 2,156 1,551 2,291 56,729 40 - 106 10 2,050 619 8,879 24 2,723 2,991 1,027 139 8,478 - 300 195,859 |
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| b) Donations and gifts Ministry gifts Springs Tithe c) Costs of generating funds Fundraising costs TOTAL PAYMENTS |
1,500 5,977 7,477 - - 118,028 |
- - - - - 27,989 |
- - - - - 372 |
1,500 5,977 7,477 - - 146,389 |
853 8,050 8,903 - - 204,762 |
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