Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01.01.24 Period start date To 31.12.24 Period end date
Charity name: Sherford Church of England Community Church
Charity registration number: 1175545
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | To advance the Christian faith for the benefit of the public in Sherford and the surrounding areas in accordance with the statements of belief appearing in the schedule. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
During the year, our weekly Sunday church services were a central part of our presence in Sherford. We held two gatherings each Sunday in the Sherford Community Hub, the first was more reflective and the second was more family orientated with crafts and activities. In this way, residents of Sherford of all ages were encouraged to practise their Christian faith and meet together to explore the tenets of Christianity. In addition to the two services, there were two small groups of around 10 people who met alternate weeks for Bible Study and a wider discussion of Christian matters. A third, more pastorally focused group met every Tuesday for prayer and members visited and encouraged those in Sherford who were going through difficult times. In October over 30 church members and children enjoyed a ‘Church Day Out’ at Buckfast Abbey to grow together in fellowship and reflect ‘where we have come from’ and future strategy. Services in the Community Hub were usually attended by between 15 to 25 adults and around five children. Slightly more residents attended our Sunday services on major calendar events, including Mothering Sunday, Easter Sunday, Father’s Day, Remembrance Sunday and Christmas. On Good Friday we held a ‘Muddy Church’ in the Sherford Country Park for children. Despite the heavy rain and mud, there were various activities including a camp fire as they heard the Easter Story. The Act of |
Remembrance was well-received, especially by the many military families in the community. The wreath was laid by a Sherford resident who is serving member of the Royal Marines. At Christmas there was a service of lessons and carols around the Christmas Tree outside the school to coincide with the Sherford Christmas Fayre. Around 100 residents participated in the singing including around 25 in the Sherford Community Choir. Our Christingle Service was well attended and the money raised was donated to the Children’s Society. Our church’s Mothers and Toddler group met in the Community Hub every week during the school year and was very successful. Around 20 or more mothers and carers attended regularly with their children. Mothers commented that there was a ‘really welcoming and friendly atmosphere.’ While the parents and carers had the opportunity to chat over cups of coffee and cake the children enjoyed playing with various toys including sand and water as well as climbing apparatus and slides. Each week, the children engaged in craft activities. Sessions ended with a time of singing and parachute games. There is a strong relationship between the church and Sherford Vale School. Members of the church visited the school each week to hear children read and help in lessons. Church members were also invited to take school assemblies and join in with school events. For Mothers’ Day, the church arranged a successful ‘Have a Coffee on Us’ event at the local House of Brews where mothers of children at the school could enjoy a free cup of coffee with friends. The Head Teacher of the school joined church members distributing vouchers for a free coffee to mothers and carers before school commenced. Church members worked very closely with the community in a range of activities and took a leading role in several enterprises to benefit the residents. These included being part of the ‘Sherford Panel’ which will become the Sherford Parish Council. Members also led and ran a food hub, led the ‘Over 50s Coffee Club’ as well as coordinated and led the conservation work in Sherford Country Park. The leader of this group also inaugurated a Sherford Garden Day in June in which local gardens were open to residents. The Sherford Community Choir, set up by the church, still
| flourishes and gave several performances during the summer. Following the resignation of the previous incumbent in November 2023, a husband and wife team were appointed in a job share in December 2024 as Pioneer Ministers to lead Sherford Community Church: they are expected to take up their duties after Easter 2025. The new incumbents will be residents of Sherford – the Diocese of Exeter has purchased a house in Sycamore Way as the new vicarage. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | All Trustees are fully aware of the CIO’s role in providing public benefit across the whole geographical area of Sherford and beyond. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | A further note alongside the points raised above in relation to our goal of growing and strengthening the Sherford community: One of our members set up the Sherford Mutual Aid Group, for the benefit of those members of the community who were struggling to provide food for their families. This has been especially well received by refugee families in the area. Members also led the ‘Over 50s Coffee Club’ which is attended by around 25 people each week; as well as having a different speaker some weeks, trips were arranged to visit the local area. The conservation work in Sherford Country Park which involves hedge laying, wetland creation etc. is co-ordinated and led by a church member. |
Other
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | Our main achievements during 2024 have been listed above. A number of mothers and carers from Sherford have joined our Mothers and Toddler group – it has acted as somewhere for them to meet so that they are not isolated at home. We have been able to come alongside those who are lonely, grieving or generally finding that life is not going well. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | On 31.12.24 there was £47,315 in the bank accounts and £3,733 in capital assets. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The charity has no investment policy and all the church’s liquid assets are held in a current account. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £51,048 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | N/A |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | As noted above, the CIO’s principal sources of funding are from the members of the church. |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 |
Charitable Incorporated Organisation Constitution (Foundation Model) |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Charitable Incorporated Organisation Constitution (Foundation Model) |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | 1_ex-officio_by virtue of licence granted by the Lord Bishop of Exeter 1 appointment by the Lord Bishop of Exeter 2 elected by trustees |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | Our charity operates under the umbrella of the Church of England, in the Diocese of Exeter. We receive oversight and support through the Diocese including optional training for our Trustees relevant to their respective roles, safeguarding advice through the Diocesan Safeguarding Team and other support as needed (including, where necessary, support with media and PR, and legal assistance through the Diocesan Registrar). Our chief contact within the Diocese is the Bishop of Plymouth, the Rev. James Grier, who has been appointed to the office of Visitor, with roles as set out in our Constitution. As part of the Diocese of Exeter we are entitled to representation on the local Plymouth Deanery Synod. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | The charity works alongside other local organisations including Plymouth City Council, South Hams Council, Brixton Parish Council, the Sherford Consortium, the Sherford Community Land Trust, and Sherford Vale Primary School. All of these links are casual rather than formalised. |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Sherford Church of England Community Church |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | Sherford Community Church |
| Registered charity number | 1175545 |
| Charity’s principal address | Cannon Dell, Great Churchway, Plymouth PL9 8LB |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole **year ** |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rev Greg Bakker | Interim Mission Community Leader (ex officio) |
1stFebruary 2024 | Lord Bishop of Exeter | |
| Dr. Andrew Williams |
Licensed Reader (ex officio) |
Lord Bishop of Exeter | ||
| Beth Newbold | Appointed Trustee | Resigned 31.03.24 | ||
| JonnyBoustred | Appointed Trustee | Resigned 31.03.24 | ||
| Judith Roughton | Appointed Trustee | From 31.01.24 | ||
| Ros Wells | Appointed Trustee | From 18.06.24 | ||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of adviser Name Address |
||
| Visitor | Bishop James Grier | St. Mark’s Church, 1 Sanctuary Close, Plymouth, PL2 1EN |
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date
O)SHERFORD COMMUNITY CHURCH CHARrrY NO. 1175545 UNAUDrrED FINANCIAL sfATEMENrs 31 DECEMBER 2024 CONTE[5 Page (s) ststement of finanoal Bal shed Notes to the financial statenerrts Treasurerfs ststent IndepeThJent examin&s rwt
O)SHERFORD QMMUNITY CblU•CtrI srATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTivrrIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Fun Genernl TOTAL 2024 TOTAL 2023 Funds INCOMING RESOURCES Ir0mryj resour from gwatl fiA#ts: Voluntary ixne IL118 11,118 14,57S Grants 12,200 14,825 Other ir[rj reswr 1793 14999 1759 14,999 16,473 RESOURCES EXPENDED Costs of generatlrwj fu6 (hurch athwtles arttable actfvi 12,4 12,458 2,Cp)I L9,L53 3,111 14549 14,549 21,564 Net Ino)mlngl{outgolng) rexwrces (o) {5,tr31) Gross transfers betwwn fwmls 6&7 Net movement In fund• (o) (5,091) Totsl fund$ blf l January 2024 50,598 55,689 Total fund• clf 31 December 2024 5L048 Th• notes on pages 3 to 4 fomi part of thesa financlal st4tom
O)SHERFORD CQl4llAUNITY C4UlfC BALAP4CE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024 Furbds TOTAL 2024 TOTAL 2023 Funds TarKJlble assets CURRENT ASSErs 1,576 1,576 4f 739 2,969 Bank and cash balae$ 47,315 47,315 45,058 CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditots payale within one NEf CURRENT ASSErs TOTAL ASSEfs LESS CURREKf LTABILrriES 51,048 51,048 50,598 Credit5 payaiAe ats TOTAL NET ASSEfs i (LIABILrriES) 51,048 50,598 THE FUNDS OF THE CHURCH UnreslrKt&l inc(Jne furhts: 50,398 Tctsl 50,848 50,398 200 200 51,048 50,598 Approved ty the Truth. MeetlThJ hdd on (dale). and Igned on S tehall ty Rev G Bakker {(Jts*m) (swjre).
O)SHERFORD COMI•UNITY CHUQC¥ NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR ThE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 ACC01114TING POUCIES BaslsolAo•uhtlng The financh71 ststenIS ha¥t teen uththt cost c£¥wIt, •$ I1ed ty the la erttkne5 leffecth January 20151, and thÈ re4uknemts of by thor.. ststemert repwtmg standard Iw leifedfvejaw 2015) ISORP 2015). Th• b88is 01•¢Vrty t4gn th• Mt bokw•r• aFpW coNsierfy. Unretr lurth rOlIbl&fr w••t lur80 ofll•(•rtsbk e lerm# 018 gr8nl. Thnglble FtAed Asts Fr¢S &11 IbKomlng R•wJY All vdunt8ty givirg k9 in ts frnTl tWY4YA l¥thè Intdth tt18 Resour¢es 8ro rwrA•J tolich ffKurred 8nd attrfbuthb VAT %thi¢h be m¢o¥nd Thoyrvt8lkt•ted 10 the to ¢Wf rd•to. As msiofth? arrf thtyofth• ¢hw¢h iscatsitd M81 18 Irtawablo. If TaxètA)n ordr4ty. it rd w*neXernpt from of CO1 r¥j to th•
•)SHERFORD coMMuNirY cMu•c 140TES TO THE FINANCIAL sfATEMEflts- continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 2 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSErs Fixtu$ & Fltllngs E4ulpment TOTAL 2024 TOTAL 2023 Brought forrd l January 2024 ALklitions In year DeF¥7t for yr Cathed fotward 31 Decernter 2024 1746 3733 3.IC6 General Rertrfrted TOTAL 2024 TOTAL 2023 3 DEBTORS Gift aid tsx recoknble A¢crd Incorr 4 CURRENf LIABZLrrIES Credltor5 Payab with1n05. Sundry and acaua S DEFERRED LIABILITIES Crediwrs payalseafter MorethJbo YW. 6 DESIGNATED FUND5 WA 7 REsfRicfED FUNDS The Sherfd Mutual Akl group ¥ anoryarbrkn cl wthnthe who to mkje (d to in thlfcuty. The trusteeSofsfwfd Ccrnuntyclwrth thatthe churth bank accounlgn t0 hobjthe fund5 znd to pay invoitt5 lup to wp's rwtsinry to th2 8 PAYMENTSTOTRUSTEES ANDThEIRSPOUSES In 2024 the fdlowing trustees reNed payments from tr dmwth: DrAG Williams Mrs R Wells £396S6 £150.25 Reimbursewt ofexper Reimbursement of expeTr5e5
•) SHERFORD FINAIICIAL SfATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 TREASURER'S sfATEMENT I have prepared rhe financial statements pages I to 4 forb eTrJgJ 31 Dert 2024. Dr AG Willrrs ITre&werl Dated INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT I port on the unaudlW stsrements cl Sherftrd Chwch fry year ended 31 ternber 2024, wNth a set wt ffi pages I to 4. The thanty15 responsble for ttE kyeparntkn ofthe finJrbJ stat• that fv aurfit rewrement of se£ti 144(21 of the tharitles &t 2011 (the Artl doe5 Trjt apr4y. It s my to srate, on the t4SkS cf W0UreS w'fied In 92reral direthS gwen by the tharity ctsmmLty¢Ms Sth 145 (Sxb) cf the thether parUcuLir matters have come to my atterrtth. 8¥ls of Ind¢petht •xaMIn•r r¢port My e¥amInati was tamed out In 4?1 thredbxs gw ty the tharfty (ommis. An examlnatlon Indudes a r&ew cl the &countsTrJ keo ty the Iharfty aTrl a comwi9Yt LY acCts Nesented with those record& It a0 Indudes cen%derabon •)Y rten tr digwres acct Srj anatsc¥ts from you as trustees concernlw [Tratte The mdLYes do wty¥Je all th be in an audlL and conseouentyy M otAniffi Ls as to 4hetherthe x(¢ts a'tyue aThJ falrt vew and ts rwt ts Ilrnited to those Jnd•pendert examlnee• rt•tém to keep accwnbng reojrds PAC s.130 cl 2011.. aThY to We?3 rs8Th1 comth the ))jnrj rIrements of the 2011 A¢ thjt teen met: or 13 He TIMO TA Y IJILLIA/Vts' <i¥Jg4 /0 gxi6 76q.
O)SHERFORD COA4MUt4lTY cHvirM APPENDIX I TO THE FINANaAL sfATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Funds General R¥tricted TOTAL Funds 2024 TOTAL 2023 VOLUNTARY INCOME Bank donatlons by DID'S & Slo's &425 8,425 11,510 235 2,830 Cash and donatbns Zncome tax refunds under grft aKI 11,118 11,118 14,575 INVESTME14T INCOME Interest INCOMING RESOURCES FROM CHARrrABLE ACllVITY Toddler group 1.992 Events tickets 730 Relmbursement re%wrces Mi5$1on Glving donatlons Tea & coffee contrlbutions Baptlsm 5 1,992 730 1,648 799 OTHER INCOMING RESOUR$ Grants {Exeter Dwxesan) 238 250 250
) SHERFORD O¥AUI44TY APPENDIX 2 TO THE FINANCIAL sfATeMEPITS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 0ecEM8ER 2024 TOTAL 2023 2024 cosrsoF GENERAnNG FUNDS Cost rffuThd ra&rKJ Sces.. Shtrford Ccfflmunty knth4. an¢J st& 51 142 162 51 142 162 164 CCU LerKe Tnn 181 672 177 1,109 L,586 4,H7 583 327 171 327 171 Ycthh I,100 9)0 1,254 2,300 879 1243 1,243 150 8,286 9Z5 13,947 T••chSn9 t• 1.171 255 1,171 25S iio mknbtry Iri V26 1,426 811 811 of fixtyre5 & fitti$ aThJ 1746 746 1746 746 3,106 3,106 12A58 19,264 CHARrrABLE ACTIV i(v)i 2,091 2,3 300 GOVERNANCE COSTS IepeTrYent eyarnr