REGISTERED CHARrrY NUMBER.. 1177154 for rEn Page Ito14 Report of the Trustees Independent Examiner's Report statement of ￿nanCIaL Activities 15 16 Balance Sheet 17 Notes to the Flnanclal Statements 18to20 Detailed Statement of Financlal Activlties 21 Report of the Trustee5 for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charlty for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) 'Accountlng and Reporting by Charities issued in March 2005. Reference and Admlnistrative Details Registered Charity number 1177154 Prlnclpal address station Road Tewkesbury Gloucestershire GL20 5DR Trustees Mrs T Ash Mrs J Goodchlld Chlldren & Youth Worker P Haddrell (Reslgned in June 2024) D Hobbs Elder P Ireland Elder S Napper Independent examiner Holberton and Co Nortonbury House 37 High Street Tewkesbury Gloucestershire GL20 5BB Pa8e I Report of the Trustees for the Yea-. Ended 31 March 2025 structure, Governance and Management Governing document The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes an unincorporated charity. Organisational strncture The Church Leader (until August 2024) and Elders oversee the spirituallpastoral side of the church Ilfe, whilst the trustees are responsible for facilitating the work of the church, overseeing maintenance, and ensuring the buildings are flt for purpose. The Key Team Leaders, who make up the Wlder Leadership team, are responsible for their areas of church life but work collettively as a team, with the Church leader as head (the Elders since August 2024). There are 41 church members, and 3 Associate members. We have gained five new members, and lost 4 (one passed away, two moved away and two moved to the associate list) In the last year. Rlsk management The Trustees have a duty to Identify and review the risks to whlch the charlty Is exposed, and to ensure that approprlate controls are In place to provlde reasonable assurance agalnst fraud and error. Objectlves and Actlvltles ObJectlves and alms. The Elders and Wider Leadershlp team, under the lead of Shane Roche (until August 2024), have the responsibility of promoting within Tewkesbury and Its environs the whole mission of the church - pastoral, evangelistic and soclal. The Trustees are responsible for the structure and fabric of the Church building located in Station Road, Tewkesbury, and the church manse, 31 Bart.)n Road, Tewkesbury. Page 2 Report of the Trustees ft)rthe Year Ended 31 March 2025 The Purpose of the Church Is- Tc advance the Christian Faith In accordance with the Basi5 of Faith primarily, but not exclusively within Tewkesbury, the surroundlng neighbourhood, the United Kingdom and the Wodd. Such other charitable purposes as shall, In the opinion of the members at a Church Meeting, further the work of the Church. The Wider Leadership Team and Trustees are committed to enabllno as many people as possible to worship at our Church. The Eldership maintalns an overvlew of servlces and other activities withln the church. Our servlces and worship put falth Into practice through prayer, scripture, and muslc. Our Church Leader was a full-tlme employee until leavlng In August 2025. Our Chlldren and Youth Coordlnator (and Safeguardlng Officer) Is employed on a part time basls. One of our young people was appointed as a cleaner for 6 hours per weekt glvlng her some work experlence as well as a small income. When plannlng our activltles for the year, the Church Leader (untll August 2024), Elder5hip and Wlder Leadershlp Team have considered the CommlssSon's guidance on public benefit, Including the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of rellglon. We try to enable ordinary people to live out thelr faith as part of our community outreach through prayer, scripture, and muslc. Values Everythlng we do to meet the above obJectives and alrns Is underplnned by the followSng seven values, which were adopted in March 2011. Encounterlng God We seek to encounter God through HIS word, worship, and prayer. We read, study, and teach God's word, the Bible and listen to what he is saying to US through His Spirit. We bring glory to God by worshipping Him, as we respond to his chararter, works and presence among us. We pray to honour God for who he is and to thank him for all He has done, to see hls plans happen on earth, for the needs of others and ourselves, to give and receive forgiveness, for help in difficult times and to resist evil. Pa8e 3 Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Belonging We offer frlendship, support, and a place to belong, where we experience life together, through the good ts'mes and the bad, helping and caring for each other. We believe that together with God, we can achieve great things. Bellevlng We share the good news of God's love and the rescue plan for us, as explained in the Blble, so that people may: Flnd belief in God the Father Recelve forglveness through Jesus, His Son Experlence the renr>wing presence of His Holy Spirft Continue in a personal relationship with God Growlng We encourage everyone to grow In thelr knowledge and experience of God. We provide opportunltles to help us apply our Chrlstlan faith to all parts of our lives. Engagin9 We recognise that God has given each person a variety of gifts and abllltles which need discoverlngt developing, and engaging In the Llfe of the Church. We believe In putting faith Into action, so we encourage each other to find a place where our gifts and ablllties can be used. Servlng We seNe vslng the gifts and abilities God has glven, so that everyone is encouraged and built up, as God works through each of us. We partner with other Christian groups and organisations as we alm to serK.-e God In unlty. Sendlng We want to bring change to a world in need and to share the good news of God's love and his rescue plan for us. We engage in God's work locally and worldwide, sending out our people and supporting them through our prayers, financial givlng, and encourdgement. Saleguardlng Page 4 Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Safeguarding can be an unpleasant but very necessary part of our church family life. As a church reaching out into our community to welcome the lost, the lonely and the broken as Jesus taught us to, we come across vulnerable people who have mental health problems or are dealing with the worst the world has to throw at them. We aim to be a place of refuge and safety, but thls takes wlsdom, care and often suitable training. We all have a part to play In ensuring that we are that safe space, and we hold each other accountable. Safeguarding concerns are kept confidential, and we are member5 of Thirtyone'.eight who provide support, guidance and tralnlng. We have a safeguarding pollcy. Accesslblllty. We are seeklng as a church to be accessible to all. Thls applies to those wlth physical disabilltles as well as those wlth mental health Issues. We have growing number of our family in wheelchalrs or with walkers for which we have an easy level access, and automatic front door. We have In place a qualified volunteer as our accessibillty lead. We have developed an accessibility board and resources area In the church lounge with accesslble bibles, fldget toys, visual timetables and general InformatSon. We are registered on the Addltlonal Needs Alllance Accesslble Churches Reglster. We hosted an event for families (children and teenagers) when we had a great team of volunteers. and It was well attended (20). Activities The church typically conducts a wide range of activities in pursuit of its charitable objectives. The Trustees consider that these activities provide beneflt both to those who worshlp at our church and the wider communlty of Tewkesbury. We have also been able to rnake our building available to other community groups and have seen a significant rise in community groups utili5ing the Page 5 Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 building regularly (24 individual groups, an increase of 5 on the prevlous year). This has included Rainbows and Brownies, Bridge club, Strength and Balance classes, Pilates, Sing2remember, Monday Writers, counselling sessions, care in the commLSnlty groups, and table tennis. We are also host to the monthly U3A group, Insight Gloucestershire (for the partially sighted) and the Tewkesbury Repair Café. To facilitate th15 work, we must maintaln the Church bulldlng. This has included ongolng redecoration and a phased replacement of lights with more energy-efficient LEDS. The major improvement has been the installatlon of solar panels on the roof, enabling us to generate clean electricity and resulting in a reductlon In our bills. We are thankful for a REPF grant, whlch enabled this work to be done Servlces and Teachlng. Servlces have continued to be a vlbrant, welcoming tlme of the week where people are able to connect with God and one another. We have seen a slight Increase In attendance from an average of 81 to 83, wlth several new people Jolnlng. With Our Church Leader leavlng at the end of August, God hasn't put us into 'holdlng pattern, or in limbo as we await his provision of a new Church leader; rather, he has led u5 On into new and excltlng things. The Elders stepped up to fill the gap. The vision in September was to use the Practising the Way course as not only a basis for the talks on Sunday mornings, but also to get the current Ilfe groups to run the course In thelr groups and set up a Practising the Way course for those not already In Ilfe groups to attend. After surveylng those not in life groups, It was decided to run two courses, one on a Sunday evening and one on a Wednesday. These two courses were run successfully and have now become new life groups. The worship team has continued to grow both as a team (three acoustlc gultarlsts, two keyboardist5, three vocalists, one electric guitarist, one bass1St and two drummers - many of whom are multi-talented) Page 6 Report of the Trustees forthe Year Ended 31 March 2025 Worship support to Sycamore chapel continues to be a great ministry, where we have been able to bless them by committing to send over worship leaders once a month to facllltate sorne live worship. We have also been able to ble55 Priors Park Chapel by supporting them in leading live worship regularly. The welcome team have been instrumental in ensurlng people continue to come back after their first visit and in creating and increasing the 'buzz' that has been evldent in Sunday morning services. Similarly, the hospitality team have been key In ensuring people feel valijed and a huge thank you to all those who have helped serve this year, the breakfasts and coffees are always very welcomel Every ftrst Thursday, we have our prayer meetings. These sesslons allow us to Set aslde an hour from our routlne to participate in worship, teaching, and prayer. These are always a blesslng to all who have attended them. Flnallyi a special mentlon must go to the Children and Youth team who do an amazing job each Sunday morning with our young people, with a stable regular attendance, although a slight drop to an average of 15 from 18, mainly due to other activities clashlng. Support We have continued to seek to support and encourage our church family who are unable to attend regularly. Contact has been maintained through calls, texts, Zoom, Messenger, WhatsApp ap.d appropriate vislts any real successes in this area do not belong to the leadershlp. It belongs to everyone who has made an effort to look after each other. We've been able to offer some practlcal support to many in our church famlly and community. We've been able to provide: financial support to individuals and families struggling to get by wlth food and meals. support for the local food bank prayer support visits to those who have been particularly struggling. Page 7 Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 a warm space from December through to March on Sunday, Tuesdayi Wednesdayi Thursday and Friday mornings. Many came in to enjoy an activity, have a drlnk and a biscuit and have social contact. A grant from Tewke5bury Borough Council enabled these sessions. Outreach. Like 50me of the other areas, outreach interweaves into much of what we do. Outreach in a wider sense is how we"reach out. into the communlty in which we Ilve. In thls context, our youth and children s work, our missions, our Sundays, welcome, hospitality. dlverslty a'1d even some of our pastoral work all play vital roles in our outreach. Thls Is because outreach is really at the heart of all we do in serving and helping those on the outside of our church. Our coffee momings have been a wonderful success. Numbers are growing, and wlth an average of 25 people dropping Sn through the mornlng. Last May, we once agaln took part In Tewkesbury's Big Weekend. The theme was the Circus, so we set up some activities In the American Gardens as well as Popcorn & Candy floss, and crafts. We also took part Sn the parade, dressing as varlous circus entertainers. LUKES café has now establlshed a closer link Flt for ￿fe class and the Rock Cholr. Our own fun day, whlch Included some of our communlty groups, was well attended, and thls winter we were again able to have Family Movie Nights as part of our Wami Spaces. It was amazing to bless so many famllles wlth food, fun and fellowshlp. We also held two community lunches assoclated with a musical concert, attractlng approximately 50 people on each occasion. It was fantastlc to be able to invite 4Front theatre back to the church thls Chrlstmasl Thi5 year's 'Pantivity' was a little Fawlty Towers style called 'Not Gettlng Inn,. The evening performance was well attended and was thoroughly enjoyed by all who carne along. Chlldren and youth During term time, we have 3 regular groups In addition to our Sunday morning classes. Little Stars is our Wednesday morning parenvgrandparent and toddler session for those under 5 years. Thursday afternoon, we have Fuse for children Page 8 Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 in school years reception to year S, and on Friday evenings we have two Solar session5 for those in years 6-8 and 9+. Llttle Stars We've seen a bit of a drop in the numbers this last year, This may be because of addltional funding for places at pre-school and children attending those settings, or recent weather that permits outlngs. However, we do have our regulars, and on a busy week, we see around 20. Fuse We currently have 21 children registered, coming from 4 of the local primary schools. Several of the parents do stay, and we provide a space to sit and chat with tea & coffee. We have been using Scripture Unlon's 'Supa Club, material recently, which, although a bit dated, has been enjoyed by the group. Solar. There are 54 young people reglstered for Frlday evenings, 40 of whom fall into the younger session, and several of the 14 older one5 help out for that younger sesslon before having their own time once the younger ones have gone home. With only 4 regular leaders in the younger session, we are at our absolute limlt. We continue to bulld the younger session around the YFC resources for each term, looking at various themes from 'Who Is God?, to 'Bullying'. Thls usually involves some games or silly activities and a few thought-provoking challenges. The younger session is always Ilvely, with some big characters attendlng. The older session has been worklng through the new Youth Alpha series, which has had a mlxed rL'5ponse, but on occasion has prompted good dlscussion. Great Wood Camp has become our annual residential for our own youth. A wonderful site of log cabins set In the woodland on the Quantock hills. 20 members of the group Jolned us this year. Hollday Club. It was great to join forces with Holy Trinity this summer and h05t the Deep-sea Divers hollday club. We had three days of underwater fun, exploring the gospel storles, Singing and of course lots of silly gamesl We have a great Youth For Christ (YFCj team in Gloucestershire, and it's been great getting to know them over the last few years. We join wlth YFC for regular prayer times for the young people of our county and share what we're dolng in churche5 and schools. We have been able to take 17 young people along to the Page 9 Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 'Big Bash. event, which happens termly, hosted by YFC at different churches around the county. Satellites is a summer youth festival run by Youthscape. We were able to take eight of our older girls, who had an amazing week. Mission This has been another exciting year for mission. We have continued to develop our partnershlps with Hope Ministries In Indla. Hope Min5stries works primarily with chlldren In a resettled slum. We support them in prayer and give them a flnancial gift each month. One of our members visited them on a visit to Indla. We also helped towards the cost of surgery for a young pastor In western Indla. We also partner with the Pentecostal Church in Kibakwe (Thnzania). The church has a focus for growing the klngdom by holding mission meetlngs In local vlllages and plantlng new churches in these villages. Kibakwe church has also been a great supporter of the Vlllage of Hope and Grace ministry to orphans. Thls year, we have been able to contlnue to support Emanuel In his final year at blble college. We have also given a glft of nearly £8,100 to provlde a new roof on their new church bulldlng. We have continued our support of a young pastor, Rlchard, In Slovakla Via the Slavic Gospel Association (SGA). Rlchard Is leadlng a church plant that Is primarily working wlth young people. The team had a very successful summer camp with over 100 young people attending. The church is growing, but has nowhere to meet that Is large enough to accommodate its growing numbers. We continue to support Village of Hope and Grace and its work with orphan children in Tanzania. This year. Hope and Grace Dispensary opened In the town of Kibakwe. The clinic with serve a population of 60,000 who have no local access to medlcal diagn05tic facilities. We provided financlal support for Jaslin's mission trip to the vlllages last summer, durlng vihlch he was able to encourage the orphan children VHG supports. We continue to support LAMA Ministries in the Phllippines, whose work is now focused on leading children, young people and families to experience God through worship. We had the privilege of a visit fmm Lesley Gomaz and her son, Mlchael, in June. Page 10 Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 The team were also very pleased to facilitate the opportunity for the fellowship to write Christmas and Easter cards to church leaders who were subject to persecution in their countries. The Mission team provide oversight to the work of the Tewkesbury Supports Refugees group. Our long-term Syrian family were eventually rehoused In Coombe Hlll. However, our newer family were unfortunately flooded due to heavy rain last September and Is stlll in temporary accommodation. We are vi51ting the family and helpin9 Out where possible. We have contlnued to facilitate the distribution of baby care packages, not only to the refugee communlty In Gloucestershire but also to our local community. Communlty Build Project Thls continues to move forward according to the finances available. The last year has seen detalled plans drawn up to enable initlal drainage work to commence before our Planning Permlsslon deadline of 21 June 2024. Fundraising has continued with more folks being engaged in the process and greater Snterest also from those outslde the church. Churches Together The Church is a member of the Churches Together in Tewkesbury. Volunteers We would Ilke to thank the many volunteers who work so hard to make our church the Ilvely and vlbrant communlty It Is. Page 11 T wke5bu tist Church Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Financial Review Principal Funding Sources Money is raised by the Church throijgh donations, backed up with Gift A.Id applications, investment income and through utilising the Church building for the community. We also have one-off gift days for certain projects and seek to access grants when available. Reserves Pollcy. Reserves Policy for financial year 2025-26 (Approved by The Trustees on 18 February 2025) Purpose and Scope The Charity Commission requlre that the Trustees of every charity establish and record Reserves Pollcy for the charity. The tem 'reserves' means funds that could be avallable quickly to meet an emergency. The reserve policy must be included in the annual report accompanylng the accounts. The table below 5how5 the variou5 funds, their purpose and the balance held. General General Church Purposes IOO/o of Income for mlssion purposes. Ring Fenced for the Tewkesbury Refugee Group For the Building Projert Rlng Fenced for Specific Projetts Operation of Lukes Lunch For emergency purposes 12,594 Mission 1,739 Tewkesbury Supports Refugees Communlty Bulld Misc. Ring-Fenced Lukes House 299 30,245 2,872 1,000 Reserves 5,000 The table shows that some of our funds are for specific purposes and must be used for those purposes only. The balance needed for these funds will be dirtated by each fvnd's specific purpose. The Charity Reserves policy deals witn our Generdl Fund; the others are NOT required to be included in our reserves. Page 12 Tewkesbu Report of the Trustees forthe Year Ended 31 March 2025 There is, therefore, only a need for a reserves policy for the General Fund. The Trustees conslder that.. Money should only be kept in reserve for specific reasons. While the Bible indicates that we should not hoard, it is sensible to plan for known events, and our responsibility for others is important. In our budget for 2025-26, we have empSoyment costs amounting to £4,000 per month. The employment contracts include either a I month or three-month notice period. The trustees monitor the balances at their monthly meetingt therefore, it is anticipated that appropdate notice could be given to terminate employment without drawing on reserve funds. However, It would be pnjdent to keep one month's employment cost in reserve should it be necessary (£4,000). The monthly running and malntenance costs of the church, excluding employees, amount to approximately £3,500. The trustee5 monitor the levels of current and expected Income and expendlture and assess the level of cash reseNes required to meet any Shortfalls. However, It Is consldered prudent to keep one month's operating cost in reserve (£3,500). The trustee5 assess that the total reserve requlred is the sum of one month's operating costs (£3,500) plus one month's employment costs (£4,000). The treasurer Is authorlsed to accumulate £7,500 as a reserve. Procedure • At the tlrne that the budget Is set for the financial year, the Trustees will consider the level of the reserves to be held to cover any expected cash flow delays, as well as potentlal emergencies where significant expenditure may be required before addltional Income can be ralsed. The budget presented to the members for approval will include details of the level of reserves assessed by the Trustees to be required for the financlal year. If the amount of reserves held significantly exceed5 the level assessed as required, the Trustees will develop and present to members a plan for Lising these excess reserves to fulfll the church's charitable objectives. The amount of reserves held will be included in each financial report prepared for the Trustees, business meetings and presented in members, meetings. Approved by order of the board of trustees on 18 E8kw 2025 Page 13 Tewkes Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 and signed on its behalf by D Hobbs - Trustee Page 14 Tewkesbur tist Church Independent Examiner's Report IA I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity I'the Trust") for the year ended 31"Ma