## **DIVINE ASSEMBLY MINISTRIES**
**TRUSTEES REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024**
**Charity Reg. No: 1175463**
## **DIVINE ASSEMBLY MINISTRIES**
|**CONTENTS**||
|---|---|
|Charity Information|1|
|Trustees Annual Report|2-4|
|Independent Examiner Report|5|
|Statement of Financial Activities|6|
|Balance Sheet|7|
|Notes to Accounts|8-10|
## **DIVINE ASSEMBLY MINISTRIES**
## **Charity Information**
## **Directors/Trustees**
Mrs Adefunke A Adeoye Mr Abayomi Abolarin Mr Emmanuel Adeyemi Akinyemi
**Charity Registration No:** 1175463
## **Principal Location**
45 Acacia Avenue Colchester CO4 3JT
## **Bankers**
Barclays Bank UK PLC
## **Accountants**
Enodel UK Limited t/a iSolve Accountancy & HR 29 Main Road Romford Essex United Kingdom RM1 3DD
Page 1
## **DIVINE ASSEMBLY MINISTRIES**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024**
The Trustees submit their annual report and the financial statements of Divine Assembly Ministries (the church) for the year ended 30 April 2024. The Trustees confirm that the annual report and financial statements of the church comply with the requirements of the church's governing documents, Charities Act 2011 and the “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)”.
## **Structure, governance, and management**
## **a. CONSTITUTION**
The church was registered on 30 October 2017 as a CIO - Foundation in England and Wales with charity number 1175463.
## **b. METHOD OF APPOINTMENT OR ELECTION OF DIRECTORS/TRUSTEES**
Trustees are elected and co-opted under the terms of the charities governing document.
## **c. POLICIES ADOPTED FOR THE INDUCTION AND TRAINING OF TRUSTEES**
The induction process for a newly appointed member of the Trustees comprises an initial meeting with other Trustees, followed by a series of short meetings with the Chair on the powers and responsibilities of the Trustees.
## **d. ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE AND DECISION MAKING**
The church is organized so that the directors/ trustees meet regularly to manage its affairs. The trustees manage the day-to-day administration of the church.
## **RISK MANAGEMENT**
The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the church is exposed, in particular, those related to the operations and finances of the church and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate our exposure to the major risks.
## **Objectives and Activities**
## **a. CHARITABLE OBJECTS**
A Christian organisation with the main objective of benefiting the public. A mission organisation, which is social, non-denominational, non-political, and non-governmental.
The object of the CIO is for the benefit of the public: in order to advance the Christian faith in accordance with the statement of beliefs in such ways as the trustees from time to time may think fit.
## **b. STRATEGIES FOR ACHIEVING OBJECTIVES**
The church has adopted the following strategies for achieving the above objectives:
Frequent Christian gathering that caters for spiritual needs.
Community outreach and welfare initiatives that provides support for everyone in need, regardless of race, gender beliefs and any other factors.
Page 2
## **c. ACTIVITIES FOR ACHIEVING OBJECTIVES**
- Community Outreach Events
- Conferences and events
- Welfare support to members and general public, and
* Various missionary activities
## **The Charity was involved in the following public benefit efforts:**
In the period, the work of Boaz Project/Outreach has continued towards reducing food waste and hunger in our community, we have continued to collect and redistribute unsold edible food from local supermarkets. These food items are regularly distributed to individuals and families in need. Some are made into meals and served to vulnerable individuals, some of whom are homeless with no access to cooking equipment and or facilities, this contributes to our work, focused on reducing dietary poverty.
In the year 2023/2024 we collected and allocated 17,102kilograms of food from stores and 9,001 kg from Fareshare weekly allocations, these are supplemented with regular food procurements, which has been kindly funded by the National Lottery and Essex Association Local Councils EALC. This has enables us to provide adequate food support in the form of versatile food parcels and meals to individuals and families in need and in crisis.
The Boaz Project has reduced hunger by providing over 59,001 meals to individuals and families in need in the past 12 months. These include families classed as vulnerable with children. On average, the Boaz project currently provides food support to 35 individuals, some from the international student community on a weekly basis and some have dependent children. (8 meals per parcel).
Currently also, the project provides food support to 75 families all around Colchester weekly, numbers of people in families ranging from 3 to 9 and parcels make up to 8 meals for each member of the household. In the past year, we provided 6 cooking education sessions to 22 families, providing each attendee with durable cooking equipment at the end, with weekly recipe and ingredients provisions. This was well attended, and reviews were great. With thanks to Active Essex who funded the project. One-to-one cooking support was also provided to 9 individuals and 6 families.
4 single individuals were supported to address their benefit issues, 8 families were supported and or referred for income/ benefit related issues. Some were able to sustain themselves without needing the food parcels any longer. Local families and individuals drift in and out of our support and express the relief of knowing that they can always approach us for support when things are tough for them.
We made 24 referrals for other services such as, general legal, immigration, employment and housing support and advice.
A Child in Need referral was made to the social services, which has led to the family receiving adequate support.
In the last year we provided support to 43 international students, some with dependent children, who were struggling to keep up with the demand of their studies, and were at risk of been withdrawn, due to unforeseen changes. We were able to bridge the communication gaps between them and their university and provided advocacy, which has led to a better working arrangement that brought some relief to both sides. In the last year we had 21 students on successful placements at our projects, some of whom have now gone into gainful employments.
37 welfare/support home visits carried out. This would not have been possible without the funding from the National Lottery, Reaching Communities, who have kindly funded a worker to provide such support. DAM Boaz Project in collaboration with Greenstead with St Ann’s Church of England and Royal City Mission still has the Neighborhood Chaplaincy Project ongoing, a project aimed at reducing social isolations and establishing and maintaining positive presence in the community. A massive thank you to Essex Community Foundation for Funding this project. DAM Boaz Project and Royal City Mission’s women fitness group is still going strong, the project provided a total of 368 fitness support sessions in the last year. Some of the
Page 3
beneficiaries have expressed their gratitude at such provision that has greatly increased their fitness and given them a new lease of life. Appreciation to Public Health Accelerator Bids for supporting the project.
We continue to build and developed strong working relationships and partnerships with other local groups and organizations, including the University of Essex, one of our pastors have remained a chaplain of the university, which enables a clear pathway for support for some of the international students. giving us access and the opportunity to reach some of the people considered hard to reach.
DAM remains a member of Citizens Essex and UK, an alliance of organizations who engage in community organizing, finding pragmatic solutions to issues that affect people in our community, this has given us the opportunity as an organization to build relationship and engage with power holders to influence decisions that affect daily lives of those we support.
Our upcycling activities are going strong, with items such as bikes, clothes, white goods, and other items being collected and re-distributed to relief the burden of poverty and inequalities, we gave out 5 bikes, 3 freezer and 13 IT equipment in the year 2023/2024.
In past year we began a period well-being project in conjunction with Greenstead with St Ann’s Church of England and Greenstead Community centre. The aim of the project has been to make period items available to local women who are struggling at our venue and the two other venues mentioned. This project has been very popular and beneficial in our local community.
We are very pleased to have won the bid to work with Essex County Council in bringing a Community Supermarket to Colchester, this is part of the Levelling Up agenda of the government, which aims to reduce inequality by increasing access cheaper food and essential items in sustainable way. This project has been supported by: Essex County Council, Colchester City Council, Latimer by Clarion Housing Group, Local Councilors, Greenstead with St Ann’s Church of England, Colchester Food Bank, Greenstead Community Centre, STEP UK, Colchester Life in the UK, Community 360 and various community Stake Holders. This project though new, has been a huge community investment, producing amazing feedback.
We were very delighted to have been nominated for the Kings Award, for the works that DAM does in providing needed support to people in our local community and await outcome.
Our dedicated team of volunteers have remained the backbone of our various projects, their contributions, including financial support have kept us going.
## **d. GRANT MAKING POLICIES**
As a registered charity, the organisation can only make grants to support activity, which is charitable in law. Organisations do not have to be registered charities to apply
## Grant-making processes
Trustees aim for the organisation's grant-making processes to be transparent and to address the interests of applicants and the wishes of donors and funding partners:
- Allocation to available funds according to their availability and criteria. Requests that cannot be allocated to live funds are rejected.
- Assessment to determine whether the request should be shortlisted for support. Requests not shortlisted are rejected unless a donor/partner wishes to review them.
- Review of the assessment and recommendation by a fund advisor, panel, the Board, or by a person acting with the delegated authority of the Board
## **e. VOLUNTEERS**
All services provided by the Charity have been carried out by volunteers. The church is grateful for the efforts of its volunteers who are involved in service provision.
Page 4
## **Achievements and performance**
## **a. FINANCIAL REVIEW**
During the year reserves increase by 65% to £121,046 from the opening position of (2023: 86,939). The charity continues to benefit from successful fundraising initiatives throughout the year. Grant Income was more than double the previous year total at £177,102 (2023: £80,763). Donations from members also produced a similar improvement on the previous year total at £32,491 (2023: £80,763).
The growth in income was the basis for increased welfare and outreach projects producing an overall 55% increase in charitable activities spend of £93,132, (2023: £60,071).
The healthy reserves position allows the church to be able to deliver on its future ambitions.
## **b. INVESTMENT POLICY AND PERFORMANCE**
The Trustees have decided that at present, funds should be retained in Banks and Building Societies. The board should agree any change in such banking arrangements. As far as possible, funds will be retained in interest bearing accounts.
## **c. RESERVES POLICY**
The trustees would like to work towards a situation whereby the charity could maintain unrestricted funds at a level, which equates to approximately three months of unrestricted expenditure.
## **d. PRINCIPAL FUNDING**
This is provided mainly through voluntary giving of tithes and offerings by the church members and through grant income, which funds the specific project works of the church.
## **d. FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS**
We aim to continue to provide the very much needed support that we currently provide, by continuing to apply for funding that we meet the criteria for.
Our current venue is significantly smaller than what we need for our operations, with only approximately one year tenancy. We would actively be searching for a new and larger space to enable us to continue our activities comfortably.
We would also be working hard towards ensuring that the Colchester Community Supermarket remains sustainable, even beyond the life of the initial funding, so that the over 400 families we serve continues to have access to subsidised food and essential items.
Page 5
## **Trustees' Responsibilities in Relation to the Financial Statements**
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
The Charities Act requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the surplus or deficit of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
a) Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
b) Make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
c) State whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements. d) Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to 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 any reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
## **Approval**
This report was approved by the Board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Signature: _Akinyemi_
Name: Emmanuel Adeyemi Akinyemi
Date: 16 December 2024
Page 4
## **DIVINE ASSEMBLY MINISTRIES**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF DIVINE ASSEMBLY MINISTRIES**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 30 April 2024, which are set out on pages 11 to 15.
## **RESPONSIBILITIES AND BASIS OF REPORT**
As the charity’s trustees of the Company (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law), you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited for this year under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the 2011 Act”). In carrying out my examination, I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT**
I have completed my examination and can confirm that no material matters have come to my attention, which gives me cause to believe that:
- accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; or
- the accounts do not accord with such records; or
- the accounts do not comply with relevant accounting requirements under section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination: or
- the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS102).
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.
Olusiji Odeleye Director
Enodel UK Ltd t/a i-solve Accounting & HR 29 Main Road Romford Essex RM1 3DD
Date: 16 December 2024
Page 10
## **DIVINE ASSEMBLY MINISTRIES**
## **Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 30 April 2024**
|||||**2024**|_2023_|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Notes**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Total**|_Total_|
|||**£**|**£**|**£**|_£_|
|**Incoming Resources**||||||
|Incoming resources from generated funds:||||||
|Voluntary income: donations|**2**|117,327|98,405|**215,732**|_95,823_|
|**Total Incoming Resources**||**117,327**
|**98,405**|**215,732**|_95,823_|
|**Resources Expended**||||||
|Charitable activities|**3**|19,308|73,824|**93,132**|_60,071_|
|Governance costs:|**4**|1,554|-|**1,554**|_1,450_|
|**Total Resources Expended**|**5**|**20,862**
|**73,824**|**94,686**|_61,521_|
|**Net Incoming/(Outgoing) Resources for the year**||**96,465**
|**24,581**|**121,046**|_34,302_|
|_Total funds at 1 May 2023_||_67,020_|19,919|**_86,939_**|_52,637_|
|_Transfer between funds_||-|-|**_-_**|_-_|
|**Total Funds as at 30 April 2024**||**163,485**
|**44,500**|**207,985**|_86,939_|
Page 11
## **DIVINE ASSEMBLY MINISTRIES**
**Balanace Sheet as at 30 April 2024**
|**Notes**
**FIXED ASSETS**
Tangible Fixed Assets
**6**
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Cash in Hand/ Bank
199,071
199,071
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES**
**NET ASSETS**
**ACCUMULATED FUNDS**
Restricted
**7**
Unrestricted
**7**
**TOTAL FUNDS**
**8**|**Notes**
**FIXED ASSETS**
Tangible Fixed Assets
**6**
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Cash in Hand/ Bank
199,071
199,071
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES**
**NET ASSETS**
**ACCUMULATED FUNDS**
Restricted
**7**
Unrestricted
**7**
**TOTAL FUNDS**
**8**|**2024**
**£**
8,914
**8,914**
199,071
207,985
**207,985**
44,500
163,485
**207,985**|_82,519_|_2023_
_£_
_4,420_|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||_4,420_|
|||||_82,519_|
||199,071||_82,519_||
|||||_86,939_
_86,939_|
|||||_19,919_
_67,020_|
|||||_86,939_|
a) For the year ending 30 April 2024 the company was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
b) The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
c) The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
Approved by the Trustees and Signed on their behalf by:
Signature:
## Akinyemi
Name: Emmanuel Adeyemi Akinyemi
Date: 16 December 2024
Page 12
**DIVINE ASSEMBLY MINISTRIES**
## **Notes to the financial statements for the period ended 30 April 2024**
## **ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
## **1.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements**
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102 (FRS 102), The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP), for charities issued in July 2019 and applicable accounting standards.
## **1.2 Fund Accounting**
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Church and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds are funds, which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors, which have been raised by the Church for particular purposes. The cost of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
## **1.3 Incoming Resources**
These are recognised in full in the Statement of Financial Activities in the period in which they are received. Included are income from tithes, offerings, grants, gift aid and interest received during the year from investments and accounted for as restricted or unrestricted-funds.
## **1.4 Expenditure**
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:
## (i) Charitable activities
This comprises all costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries.
## (ii) Governance costs
This comprises all costs incurred by the charity in support of the service delivery.
## **Tangible fixed assets and depreciation**
Tangible fixed assets are stated at at deemed cost less depreciation, the capitalisation limit is £200.
Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:
Motor vehicles at 20% reducing balance
Project land acquired is not depreciated
## **1.5 Debtors**
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due.
## **1.6 Cash at Bank and in hand**
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
## **1.7 Creditors & Provisions**
"Creditors and provisions are recognised where the Charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due."
Page 13
## **DIVINE ASSEMBLY MINISTRIES**
## **Notes to the financial statements for the period ended 30 April 2024 Cont.**
## **2. VOLUNTARY INCOME: Donations and legacies**
|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**
Tithes & Offering
32,491
Grant Income
78,697
Gift Aid
6,139
**Total**
**117,327**
**3. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES - (Direct charitable expenditure)**
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**
Salaries & Wages
618
Light and heat
739
Rent & Rates
4,315
Repairs, Renewals and Maintenance
8,129
Advertising and Promotions
168
Depreciation
1,105
Project Delivery Cost
-
Insurance
2,451
Travelling & Hotel Expenses
-
Donation- Other Charities
950
Administrative and Office expenses
759
Volunteer Expenses
-
Welfare & Outreach
-
Sundry Expenses
74
**19,308**
**4. GOVERNACE COST**
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**
Accountancy Fees
1,554
Legal and Professional Fees
-
**Total**
**1,554**
**5. RESOURCES EXPENDED**
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**
Charitable Activities
19,308
Governance Cost
1,554
**20,862**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
98,405
-
**98,405**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
25,072
-
-
-
-
-
17,711
-
2,824
-
-
28,216
-
**73,824**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
-
**-**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
73,824
-
**73,824**|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
32,491
177,102
6,139
**215,732**
**Total**
**2024**
**£**
25,691
739
4,315
8,129
168
1,105
17,711
2,451
2,824
950
759
-
28,216
74
**93,132**
**Total**
**2024**
**£**
1,554
-
**1,554**
**Total**
**2024**
**£**
93,132
1,554
**94,686**|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
15,060
80,763
-|
|---|---|---|---|
||||**95,823**|
||||**Total**
**2023**
**£**
15,890
-
3,346
3560
-
1,105
20,780
1,403
845
-
2,051
2,092
8,123
876|
||||**60,071**
**Total**
**2023**
**£**
1,000
450|
||||**1,450**|
||||**Total**
**2023**
**£**
60,071
1,450|
||||**61,521**|
Page 14
## **DIVINE ASSEMBLY MINISTRIES**
## **Notes to the financial statements for the period ended 30 April 2024 Cont.**
## **6. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**
|**Cost**
At 1 May 2023
Additions
At 30 April 2024
**Depreciation**
At 1 May 2023
Charge for the year
At 30 April 2024
**Net book value**
At 1 May 2023
At 30 April 2024
**7. NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS FOR THE YEAR**
At 1 May 2023
Surplus/(Deficit) for the year
Transfer between funds
At 30 April 2024|**Motor**
**Vehicle**
**£**
4,420
-
**4,420**
-
1,105
**1,105**
3,315
**3,315**
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**
67,020
96,465
-
**163,485**|**Land and**
**Building**
**£**
-
5,599
**5,599**
-
-
**-**
5,599
**5,599**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
19,919
24,581
-
**44,500**|**Total**
4,420
5,599
**10,019**
-
1,105
**1,105**
8,914
**8,914**
**Total**
**2024**
**£**
86,939
121,046
-
**207,985**|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
52,637
34,302
-|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||**86,939**|
## **8. TOTAL FUNDS**
Restricted funds are grants and donations received or receivable for the objects of the charity without restrictions as to purpose but are available as general funds.
Unrestricted funds are used for the purpose as specified by the donor. Expenditure that meets these criteria is identified to the fund.
Page 15