**Registered Charity no. 1171951**
**SPRINGS CHURCH (GORNAL) REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025**
Page 1
## **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|
Page 2
## **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
page 3
## **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:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. The trustees must keep a record of the name and address and the dates of appointment, reappointment and retirement of each trustee.
4. 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;
- b. a copy of the charity's latest report and statement of accounts
5. 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):
- the celebration of public worship;
- the teaching of the Christian faith;
- mission and evangelism;
- 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
- the support of other charities in the UK and overseas.
Page 4
## **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.
- Online Ministry: Weekly recordings of services and teaching messages are shared via social media, extending the Gospel beyond our walls.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Debt Relief: Our confidential debt advice service offered both practical and spiritual guidance to those facing financial challenges.
- 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.
- Mini Springs Stay & Play: Around 30 adults and their toddlers attended weekly, building relationships and early faith foundations.
- Craft Group: Launched to combat loneliness, this group now has 16 regular attendees.
- 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.
Page 5
## **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:
- Expand our physical space to welcome more worshippers and community members.
- Deepen partnerships with other Christian charities to amplify our impact on disadvantaged groups.
- Launch a new adult Alpha course in collaboration with local churches.
- Establish a Christian Union at Ellowes Hall School to support students in faith exploration.
- 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.
Page 6
## **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:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have
- been followed subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- 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
Page 7
## **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:
- accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
- 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
Page 8
## **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**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Page 9
## **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
-|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
## **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.
Page 10
**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|
|---|---|
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|
|---|---|
Page 11
**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|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Page 12
**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|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|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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