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Unity Methodist Church
Registered Charity 1173520
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
STRucfuRE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Unity Methodist Church {UMCI is based in Sandbach, Cheshire. It formally came into being in
September 2020 and was formed with the merging of three Methodist Churches, Sandbach,
Wheelock and Sandbach Heath Methodist Churches.
UMC is part of Cheshire South Methodist Circuit and is an active member of Churches Together in
Sandbach.
UMC has responsibility for two sites- the chapel and Wesley Centre in Sandbach and the New
Horizons chapel building and the Hancock Hall in Wheelock. A number of our older church members
have died In the past year but we also have had new people join us, so membership continues to be
around 110. At the beginnin8 of August 2025, we have begun the project to refurbish and
redevelop the Hancock Hal5 In the rear-half of the New Horizons site, by having a new heating
system installed. This will eventually provide a modern and welcoming space for church and
community attivities in Wheelock, but particularly to be the centre for UMC'S work with children,
young people and their families.
All our buildings at Wesley Avenue and at New Horizons are used by the church or hired out for a
wide range of community activities and organisations throughout the week.
Trustees 2024/25:
Jayne Bunn
Karen Foster
Cynthia Kelly
Alan Pimlott
Elizabeth Trinder
Ellen Cieka
Robert Glassonbury
Carolyn Lawrance
Pauline Sherwin
Timothy Cooke
Brian Hanna
Katy Lowe
Pamela Smith
Nllda Eyre
Ann Horsfield
Stephen Parker-Aiken
Norma Stolworthy
OBJEcfivES AND AcfiviTIES
Our weekly prayer group continues to meet both in person and on Zoom and we had a Lent group,
on the theme of "Prayer" which met in person and on Zoom. In June, all members were encouraged
to participate in the Methodist Church's Bible Month, reading the Gospel of John, and the small
fellowship group has been meeting to continue the study of this Gospel.
Unlty Methodffst Church
Annuol Report undAccounts 2025

We continue to worship weekly at the Wesley Avenue site in Sandbach, with a monthly"Breakfast
Church" for young families at our New Horizons site in Wheelock and an All-Age service four times a
year at New Horizons, where we welcome children and families from Scouting and Guiding groups
who meet on the premises. We also continue to hold a monthly Contemporary Worship Service.
Our Saturday Coffee Mornings continue to be appreciated by those living alone and by members
from the local Dementia Friendly Sandbach group. In addition, Unity provides 3 monthly
community hot lunch meal at its Wheelock site, which is well received with a variety of other social
events provided during the year. From September 2025, we will be receiving some support from a
Lay Mission Pastor, newly employed by the Methodist Circuit, to work with older and isolated adults
in the Alsager and Sandbach area.
Our two toddler group sessions, Stepping Stones, continue to thrive, under the supervision of our
Circuit Children and Family Workers. In the autumn term of 2024, we welcomed the local primary
school to New Horizons for their Harvest celebration and their Christmas carol services, while their
school hall was being refurbished. At Christmas and Easter, we also hosted "Hope Journeys" for
children from the same local Primary School, explalning the Christmas and Easter stories through
drama/role play. We ran a Holiday Club for primary-age children over four days in August 2025, on
the theme of Rescuers. This also included a visit from the local RSPCA.
Unity continues to serve the local community through its the partnership with other churches in
Churches Together in Sandbach. Together we have held an outdoor carol service in the centre of
town, provided a Christmas Day lunch for those who would otherwise be on their own, and had a
"Christians togetherf, presence at the Sandbach Pride Festival in September.
The Foodbank, based in the Wesley Centre Sandbach, contlnues to operate and provldes vital
support for local families in need of emer8ency help. It remains an internal organization of Unity but
with support from members of other local churches. The Community Food Pantry is also based in
The Wesley Centre, and is continuing to support local households to cope with the cost of living by
offering food and toiletries at substantially reduced rates. This is an internal organisation of Unitv
Methodist Church and is run by volunteers from Churches Together and from the local community. It
has been a vital source of support to many in the area includin8 a warm space for a chat over a cup
of coffee and prayer support when requested. In 2024-2025 the Pantry has also been building links
with other agencies who can offer support to pantry members, including Mentell, a mental-health
charity for men, Motherwell, charity supporting women and Birls, and Citizens, Advice.
Unity also aims to be informed about the needs of the wider world, encouraging its members to pray
and work for peace and justice and continuing to support the work of Christian Aid and the
Methodist development and aid agency, "All We Can"
FINANCIAL REVIEW
FINANCE REPORT
The method of accounting used is that of Receipts and Payments and the Methodist Standard Form
of Accounts, which is attached to this report, summarises the Receipts and Payments for the year
ending 31 August 2025.
Church Receipts were £171,435 and Payments amounted to £167,235, leaving a surplus of £4,200.
which is much better than the original forecast of a shortfall in excess of £7K. This is because we
have received a generous donation of £10,000 from a member and £1,610 of the Circuit grant has
not yet been spent.
Unity Methtsdist Church
Annual Report GndAccounts 2025

During the summer break, work was started on Phase l of the refurbishment and redevelopment of
the Hancock Hall. We received a grant of £39,158 from the Circuit's Sandbach Heath sale proceeds
and so far £37,548 of this has been paid out.
Regular giving is slightly down this year although the total of voluntary giving is higher because of
one-off donations. Even with these, the Total Offerings and Tax Recovered is £9K less than the
Circuit Assessment figure of £62,215.
Apart from the Assessment and the Hancock Hall costs, the biggest payments this year have been
£3K on a lift repair, over £3K on legal costs incurred in renewing the lease for the Pre-school and £4K
on architect and quantity sunieyor costs for New Horizons, development plans. Over the past two
years LED lights have been fitted throughout the Wesley Centre. In both years we have received two
gift-aided donations of £2K to cover the total cost of £4K.
The good news is that our electricity costs have fallen by £4K.
Volunteers work hard to look after the premises and to organise fundraising events and it is thanks
to their efforts that income from Lettings rose to £54K and Fundraising Events raised £18K.
RESERVES
A draft Budget for 2025126 has been prepared and the forecasted figure for expenditure is
£123,000. It is our policy to hold 50% of anticipated expenditure in our reserves, which we are able
to do this year. At 31 August 2025 the General Fund was £76.266.
THE FUTURE
In 2025-26 Clrcuit Assessment is not expected to rlse but some utility costs are likely to continue at
high level. The forecast shows that there could be a surplus of around £6,500 at the end of the
financial year.
DECLARATIONS
The trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees, report above. Signed on behalf of the
charity's trustees:
Si8nature
Full name
Carolyn Lawrance
Position
Chair
Date
Unity Methodlst Church
Annual ReportondAccount5 2025

CHURCH
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS
ACCOUNTS
THE METHODIST CHURCH
STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS
UNITY METHODIST CHURCH
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 August 2025
Cheshire South Methodist Circuit
Circuit no.
1118
Reglstered Charity - Charlty Reglstratlon number
If not a registered charity His Majesty's Revenue and
Customs Gift Aid number
(The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered charity number in terms of evidence of charitable
status and may be used to give to donors or grant funders wishing to see evidence of the organisation's
charitable status. Methodist charities in England and Wales that are not registered charities are
excepted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242)
1173520
MINISTER.
Rev Carolyn Lawrance
CHURCH STEWARDS:
Nilda Eyre
Cynthia Kelly
Ann Horsfield
Pauline Sherwin
TREASURER..
Ann Horsfield
UMC RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS 2025
1 of5

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
UNITY METHODIST CHURCH
SECTION A
Unrastricted Restrleto
Funds
d Funds
Totals th18
year
Totals la8t
yoar
a1
RECEIPTS
Not8
a2
Offerings and Tax recovered
Bank and CFB interest and
Investment income
Lettings
Other receipts
Grants
52,287.01
52,287.01
43,848
a3
2,865.07
2,865.07
2,977
a4
53,878.51
21,583.68
39,158.00 ,
53,878.51
23,026.51
39,158.00
220.00
45,489
a5
1,443
38,239
Wesley Guild
TOTAL RECEIPTS
220
353
a6
169,772.27
1,663
171,435.10
130,905
SECTION B
b1
PAYMENTS
b2
Circuit Assessment or Share
61,215.00
3,240.00
61,215.00
4,990.00
56,681
3,825
b3
Donations
1,750
b4
Repairs and Maintenance
Utilities (Insurances, water
char
es, heatin
htin
Wesley Guild, Foodbank
New Horizons, Project Phase 1
Other payments
TOTAL PAYMENTS
22,719.17
22,719.17
27,616
b5
29,160.65 .
29,160.65
34,179
b6
200
200.00
20
37,548.00
11,402.19
165,285.01
37,548.00
11,402.19
167,235.01
b7
10,296
132,617
b8
1,950
(b9)
SECTION C
NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS
FOR THE YEAR
c1
(a6-b8)
4,487.26 .
(287}
4,200.09
(1,712)
Total funds brought foward from
last year
71,645.76 .
3,464
75,109.56
'Ic6)
76,822
c3
Sub total
Ic1+c2)
76,133.02
3,177
79,309.65
75,110
¢4
Transfers and adjustments
145.00
(145)
(c7)
TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR
IG3+c4)
76,278.02
3,032
79,309.65
(c8)
75,110
Ic6)
SECTION D
FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS
(these amounts are not to be Included in total recelptsipa
Balance brought forward from last year
ments fi
ures
d1
d2
OfferingslGifts - received for external organisations
2,436.93
3,297
d3
OfferingslGifts - passed to external organisations
2,436.93
3,297
d4
BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID
(d1+d243)
UMC RECEI]Yrs AND PAYMENIS 2025

UNITY METHODIST CHURCH
THE CH
MARY OF C
RCH ACC
NTS AND IN
ERNAL
ANISATION
PORTIN
COUNCIL
SECTION E
Pleasè f Ilow the Gul
nce Notes to
lete thls
Summary of the Chuich accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 and Inlemal Organisalions reporting to the Church Councillchurch Meeting. Note that
the lunds of an Intemal Organisation would normalty be Restricted funds tsnless it could be clearly shown that they could be used for any Methodist purpose.
This section musl be completed to arrive al the gross income and expenditure totals of the Church. If gross income exceeds the Accrltrals threshold, then the
Accruals melhod of ac£ounlino AMD A DIFFERENT FORM must be used to report the accounts Iso¢ Methodist website). Plea8e refei lo the gu￿anCe notes
regardin9 transfers belween the Distrfcl and connecied District Oiganisations.
INTERNAL
ORGANISATIONS
Net R￿Ipts/
Pa
ments
Recei
Opening
balances
Closlng
balances
ents
uslrnents
S•ndbach Foodb•nk
13.872
9,781
4,111
9,488
13,598
Llfelln• D•bt Advlc•
2,868
2.974
13061
313
e3
The Pantry @ S8ndbach Hub
53,696
41,061
12,635
5.587
18,222
Sub total of Intem81
nisallons funds
70,236
53.796
18,439
15,388
11
31,828
Chur¢h &¢counts (total¥
brought fomard from pag•
2- totah column)
TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD
BY CHURCH
¢9
171,430
la71
167,236
Ib91
4.200
Ic71
75,110
c61
79,310 . {c81
elo
241.671
221,031
20.640
90,498
111.137
(yl
Continue on a seporate 8heel
11 neces8ary and brlng the
tot818 fO￿ard
TOTAL RECEIPTS
TOTAL
PAYMENTS
SECTION F
EMEN
Ll
CHURCH. CASH FUNDS HELD at 31 Augu•t 2020
OPENING
BALANCES
CL081NG
8ALANCES
Cash In hand
Bank Current Account
4,592
8,888
Bank Depo811 Account
f4
Central Flnance Board
70,424
Tru8lee8 for Methodi81 Church PurwJs&s
Other fund8
SUB TOTAL- ChU￿h aeeount•
75,110
Ic61
79.310 , Ic81
Total funds held by Internal Organlsalions Ilhe closing
b818nce total from 8bovel le121
15,388
je111
31.828
le121
TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CHURCH
90,498
111,137
lyl
SECTION G
Al
OTHER ASSETS ond LIABILITIES
1 September 2024
31 Augu812025
gl
InveBlmenis Iln¢fude Endowmentsl
82
Land & Buildings Isee notes re Insurance value)
9,323,232
9,677,590
g3
Other A8sets- Insurance
Value of Contents
207,434
215,318
g4
Loanlsl- show amount outstanding al year end
g5
Other Llabililies
f4 InduLle only Funds held al the Central Fina$7ce Board
f5 Indude onty Funds held al Trustses for Methodist Church Purwses
g1 Indude any othèr inveslments (not the c8$h element of TMCP trusts accounts this is includeil in line f5
UMC RECEIiryS AND PAy￿ENTS2O25

Name of Church UNITY METHODIST, SANDBACH No 1118
Declarations and Scrutiny
I confirm that these Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2025 have been
prepared from the records of the Church and that they include all funds under the control of the Church
trustees.
Signature of treasurer
Name and address of treasurer.. ANN HORSFIELD
31 Flèlds Drlve, Sandbach, Ch88hire, CW111YB
Presentation to the Church trustees
I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 202541￿e/WI11 be" presented
to the meeting of the Church trustees held on ..aa., LQ..Is-
Signature of the Chair of the meeting
Name of the Chair of the meeting.. REV CAROLYN LAWRANCE Date ...2.¢,: 10,.2i-. .
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the
UNITY METHODIST CHURCH
Charlty Number: 1118
Responslbillties and basis of report
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the UNI￿ METHODIST CHURCH for the
year ended 31 August 2025 set out on pages 2 to 3 As the Church's trustees, 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 Church's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act
and, in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity
Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
delete or circle as appropriate
UMC RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS 2025
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Name of Church: UNITY METHODIST CHURCH, SANDBACH No.. 1118
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 (other than that disclosed below.) which give me cause to believe
that in, any material respect..
the accounting records were not kept in accordan￿ with section 130 of the 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 this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the
accounts to be reached.
I havelk4avtrnot' obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist
Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of
the Methodist Church which are individually in excess of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the
balance sheet date.
Signature of independent examiner
Name of independent examiner: PETER FRANK HITCHINSON
Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner
Name of firm (where appropriate)
Address . 11 Cooksmere Lane, Sandbach, Cheshire, CW111BQ
Date
delete or circle as appropriate
UMC RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS 2025
5of5

UNITY METHODIST CHURCH
Notes to the Standard Form of Accounts- 31 August 2025
Page 2
RECEIPTS
Note I
202￿25
2023-24
Offerings and Tax Recovered
Loose cash collections
Weekly envelopes
Standing orders
Regular donations
One-off donations
Tax refund on gift-aided donations
£4,078.76
£3,391.00
£24,327.00
£349.00
£12,317.78
£7,823.47
£4,714.61
£5,950.58
£21,472.00
£355.00
£3,561.50
£7,793.92
£52,287.01
£43.847.61
Note 2
Lettlngs
Hlre of UMC buildings
Lettings for birthday parties
Donations for use of premises
Lease of Hancock Hall for Pre-school Group
Pre-school additional fuel costs
£38,549.01
£2,655.50
£4,280.00
£7,500.00
£894.00
£53,878.51
Includes donationsfrom Uniformed Organisotions, rhe Pantry and Foodbank
Other Recelpts
Fundraising Events (gross proceeds)
Church Activities/Groups
Funeral fees etc
Refunds from Circuit and Connexion
Legacies {2)
Sunday refreshment donations (Charity Fund)
£32,255.18
N/A
£4,634.00
£7,000.00
£1,600.00
£45,489.18
Note 3
£18,244.29
£2,679.39
£660.00
£0.00
£0.00
£1,442.83
£23.026.51
£18,168.55
£3,739.64
£277.00
£14,834.44
£0.00
£1,219.09
£38.238.72
PAYMENTS
Note 4
Donatlons from Church Funds
Donations to Connexional Funds
Donations to Methodist Charities
Other donations
Donations to Methodist Charities {Restrictedfunds)
Other donations (Restrictedfundsj
£2,100.00
£600.00
£540.00
£1,600.00
£150.00
£4.990.00
£1,690.00
£1,270.00
£265.00
£150.00
£450.00
£3.825.00
Note 5
Repairs and Maintenance
Wages and associated costs
Premise5 repairs and maintenance
Lift, Fire equipment, PAT costs etc
Cleaning equipment and materials
£8,133.45
£8,451.85
£5,407.31
£726.56
£22,719.17
£7,474.80
£17,769.02
£1,552.87
£819.77
£27,616.46

2024-25
2023-24
Note 6
Utilities
Gas
Electricity
Water
Insurance
£12,906.98
£7,031.55
£2,314.49
£6,907.63
£29,160.65
£12,070.11
£11,013.14
£1,946.51
£9,149.19
£34,178.95
Note 7
Other Payments
Office costs, including Broadband
Premises licences
Copyright licences
Other licences
Young People and Family Work
Cost of Fundraising
Lease legal costs
New Horizons- Pre-development costs
Miscellaneous expenses
£659.43
£457.06
£742.69
£0.00
£189.30
£1,259.01
£3,443.40
£4,140.00
£511.30
£11.402.19
£690.35
£371.30
£1,115.33
£35.00
£364.03
£1,553.22
£5,848.00
£318,38
£10,295.61
Line c4
Transfer and adjustments- £145 from Wesley Guild to General Fund 2024/25
FUND BALANCES AT 31 AUGUST 2025
2024-25
£76,266.02
£12.00
£727.51
£55.12
£2,249.00
2023-24
£67,493.76
£4,152.00
£1,034.68
£180.12
£2,249.00
General Fund (Unrestricted)
New Horizons Development {Designoted)
Charity Fund (Restricted)
Wesley Guild (Restricted)
Wheelock Projects {from Yoxall Trust) (Restricted)
Poge 2 line c5,
Page 3 Ilnes e9
d17
Totsl UMC funds
£79,309.65
£75.109.56
Internal Orgoni5ations' Funds..
Sandbach Foodbank
Lifeline Debt Advice
The Pantry @ Sandbach Hub
£13,598.39
£6.91
£18,222.22
£31,827.52
£9,487.89
£312.72
£5,587.47
£15,388.08
Total10 funds
Poge 3 Line5 elo
andf9
Total Funds held by UMC at 31 August
£111,137.17
£90,497.64
INSURANCE VALUES at I SEPTEMBER 2025
Buildings
£3,028,838
£2,810,025
£2,948,377
£890,350
£9,677,590
Contents
£97,890
£57,582
£58,384
£1,462
£215.318
Wesley Avenue Church
Wesley Centre
Wheelock Church - New Horizons
Wheelock- Hancock Hall
Puge 3 Llnes q2 ond g3