Grace Church Sydenham
Report and Accounts Year ended 31 August 2025
1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk
Grace Church Sydenham
LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
| ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE | 18 Hillmore Grove |
|---|---|
| London | |
| SE26 5RW | |
| GOVERNING DOCUMENT | CIO - FOUNDATION Registered 30 Aug 2017 and |
| amended on 03 Jun 2025 | |
| CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER | 1174422 |
| TRUSTEES | Rev Timothy Iles |
| Dr Richard Proctor | |
| Miss Helena Talbot-Rice | |
| Mr Benjamin Cook (resigned February 2026) | |
| Mr Benedict Cooper (appointed June 2024) | |
| BANKERS | Charities Aid Foundation |
| 25 Kings Hill Avenue | |
| West Malling | |
| ME19 4JQ | |
| INDEPENDENT EXAMINER | Sarah Crispin ACA |
| Stewardship | |
| 1 Lamb's Passage | |
| LONDON | |
| EC1Y 8AB |
INDEX
| INDEX | |
|---|---|
| Page 1 | Legal & Administrative Details |
| Pages 2-3 | Trustees' Report |
| Page 4 | Independent Examiner's Report |
| Page 5 | Receipts and Payments Account |
| Page 6 | Statement of Assets & Liabilities |
| Page 7 | Notes to the Accounts |
Page 1
Grace Church Sydenham
Report of the Trustees
Year ended 31 August 2025
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year.
Objects of the charity
The objects of the charity are, for the public benefit, the advancement of the Christian faith in such ways as the Trustees may from time to time decide.
Government
The policy and operating decisions of the charity rest with the Trustees who meet regularly to monitor the activities of the charity.
Every Trustee must be appointed by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the 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 charity. All Charity Trustees must subscribe and adhere to, in belief and lifestyle, the Statement of Faith.
There only change to trustees is Mr Benjamin Cook resigning in February 2026.
Review of activities
The main activities undertaken for the public benefit are teaching from the Bible, the worship of God and the encouragement of the Church at regular Sunday services, weekday small group Bible studies and prayer meetings and other Christian ministry. The mission statement of the church is “Love Jesus, love each other, love the lost”.
We believe the good news of Jesus, as revealed in the Bible, transforms lives and we hold out this good news to all. The Friday evening youth group run in collaboration with other local churches (Grace Church Brockley, and Honor Oak Christian Fellowship) has continued meeting all year. Our other group for teenagers (Teens On A Sunday Time - TOAST) has likewise continued to meet throughout the year on a Sunday afternoon and also enjoyed a weekend camping trip over the summer. During the Sunday service, to which all are welcome, we run age appropriate activities for children up to 13 years old. Children gather in crèche or Sunday Club part way through the meeting while the teenagers and adults are hearing God speak through the Bible reading and teaching in the main meeting.
We again shared a weekend away with New Life Church Catford, one of our partner churches, in the spring. This was held at Ashburnham Place in Sussex, with teaching led by Ray Brown from East London Tabernacle Baptist Church. Children and adults were both looked after, with good teaching and fun activities in the Sussex countryside.
Adults have the opportunity for further Bible study and pastoral support in small groups that meet during the week in and around Sydenham. Many also take up the offer of meeting in pairs for mutual support and encouragement, Bible reading and prayer during the week. This provides, among other things, a knowledge of each other’s struggles and the opportunity for spiritual and practical support.
A new venture started this year on a Monday afternoon. “Discover Jesus” is an initiative involving street evangelism and inviting people to study an eye-witness account of Jesus’ life. This is hosted by Forest Hill Community Church who provide use of their building on the High Street. We also joined them in carol singing at Christmas, and members of both churches attended a men’s breakfast together.
In planning the activities the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.
Page 2
Safeguarding
An essential part of the way we fulfil our mission statement is our commitment to safeguarding, ensuring that we provide a healthy, safe and spiritually nurturing environment for everyone who engages with our church community. We have a Safeguarding Policy and Procedure which is reviewed annually.
Helena Talbot-Rice remains as the Safeguarding Trustee. Nicola Collett-White was the Designated Safeguarding Lead up to March 2025, after which long-standing church member Heather Dingle took on the role.
In the year under review:
-
All volunteers who work with children or adults with care and concern needs were trained (or their training was updated) in Essential Awareness of Safeguarding (provided by Christian Safeguarding Services).
-
We had no significant safeguarding concerns or near misses related to our activity which required reporting to regulators.
-
Short, regular safeguarding updates for the whole church community were given as part of the Sunday service.
Achievements
As detailed under review of activities, the church has maintained its regular meetings and developed and strengthened links with other local churches.
Financial Review and Reserves Policy
During the year income was £97,417 (2024: £144,125), expenditure was £112,511 (2024: £111,176) and the net cash outflow was £15,094 (2024: a net cash inflow of £32,949). Our cash balances decreased by £15,094 to £83,563 which was all unrestricted.
The Trustees aim to hold unrestricted cash of no less than £22,500, which is an estimate of the amount that would be needed to wind down the charity should this ever become necessary. At the year end the charity held unrestricted cash of £83,568 and the Trustees anticipate that some of the excess will be used over the coming year.
Trustees' Responsibilities
Charity law requires Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.
We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.
We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.
Approval
This report was approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Helena Talbot Rice
Helena Talbot Rice (Feb 26, 2026 16:50:07 GMT)
Miss Helena Talbot-Rice – Trustee
Date: Feb 26, 2026
Page 3
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF
Grace Church Sydenham
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Grace Church Sydenham ('the charity') for the year ended 31 August 2025 on pages 5 to 7 following.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 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 2011 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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 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.
Sarah Crispin
Sarah Crispin (Feb 26, 2026 17:17:48 GMT)
Sarah Crispin ACA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
Date: Feb 26, 2026
Page 4
Grace Church Sydenham
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
| Notes Income receipts Donations and grants Gift aid receipts Charitable activities (church retreat) Interest Other income Total receipts Payments 2 3 Total payments Transfers between funds 5 Net movement in funds Cash funds as at last year end Cash funds at this year end A Net of receipts / (payments) before Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly |
Unrestricted Funds £ 75,678 15,913 4,875 951 - 97,417 108,011 4,500 112,511 (15,094) 425 (14,669) 98,232 83,563 |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - - - - - (425) (425) 425 - |
2025 £ 75,678 15,913 4,875 951 - 97,417 108,011 4,500 112,511 (15,094) - (15,094) 98,657 83,563 |
2024 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 108,128 29,147 5,735 956 159 |
||||
| 144,125 | ||||
| 109,676 1,500 |
||||
| 111,176 | ||||
| 32,949 - |
||||
| 32,949 65,708 |
||||
| 98,657 |
The notes on page 7 form part of these accounts.
Page 5
Grace Church Sydenham
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
AS AT THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2025
| Notes A Cash funds Cash at bank Petty cash B Other monetary assets Gift aid due to charity C Liabilities Falling due within one year Pension contributions Fee for Independent Examination Accrued expenses D Assets retained for charity's own use Computers and IT equipment (at cost) |
Unrestricted funds £ 83,485 78 83,563 3,462 3,462 103 1,200 3,053 4,355 |
Restricted funds £ - - - - - - - - - |
2025 £ 83,485 78 83,563 3,462 3,462 103 1,200 3,053 4,355 - |
2024 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98,579 78 |
||||
| 98,657 | ||||
| 1,561 | ||||
| 1,561 | ||||
| 130 1,050 - |
||||
| 1,180 | ||||
| 990 |
E Guarantees and secured debts
The charity has not given any guarantees and has not provided its assets as security for any liabilities.
The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Helena Talbot Rice
Helena Talbot Rice (Feb 26, 2026 16:50:07 GMT) _____ Miss Helena Talbot-Rice Trustee
Feb 26, 2026 Date:_____
The notes on page 7 form part of these accounts.
Page 6
Grace Church Sydenham
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
1 Accounting policies
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.
| Unr 2 Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly Employment costs (see note 4) Venue hire Christians Against Poverty Job Club Safeguarding Church events Ministry training Other ministry expenses including conference expenses Equipment Insurance Licences and subscriptions Accounts preparation and examination Payroll fees Other costs |
estricted Funds funds £ 78,150 10,325 - 562 4,493 4,650 1,563 4,145 336 704 1,320 662 1,101 108,011 |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
2025 £ 78,150 10,325 - 562 4,493 4,650 1,563 4,145 336 704 1,320 662 1,101 108,011 |
2024 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 79,033 10,288 560 572 4,845 4,350 2,625 432 336 4,766 960 662 248 |
||||
| 109,676 |
| 3 Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others Grants for: London City Mission Crosslinks LCM UFM |
- 1,500 1,500 1,500 4,500 |
- - - - - |
- 1,500 1,500 1,500 4,500 |
750 750 - - |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,500 |
4 Transactions with related parties
During the year the charity paid employment benefits totalling £57,405 (2024: £54,414) to Rev T Iles, who is a trustee. Rev Iles is paid for serving as church Minister and is not remunerated for serving as a trustee; this is permitted by the charity's governing document.
5 Movement in Restricted Funds of funds
| vement in Restricted Funds of funds | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted funds Ministry training fund |
Opening balance £ 425 425 |
Receipts £ - - |
Payments £ - |
Transfers £ (425) (425) |
Closing balance £ - |
| - |
A transfer was made in the year to offset salary costs paid from the General Fund.
6 Acting as agent
On occasion the charity receives money on behalf of other charities, which it banks and then pays out to these charities. This income is received as agent for these other charities and the income, and the related payments, are excluded from the Receipts and Payments account; any money that has not been distributed by the year end is recognised as a creditor.
During the year the charity acted as agent for UFM and, in that capacity: received £600 (2024: £0) and paid £600 (2024: £0)
Page 7