Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1 April 22 Period start date To 31 March 2023 Period end date
Charity name: ACCESS CHURCH
Charity registration number: 1177661
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The objects of the Church are, for the benefit of the public :- (a) to advance the Christian faith in such ways and in such parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the Trustees from time to time may think fit; (b) to relieve sickness and financial hardship and to promote and preserve good health by the provision of funds, goods or services of any kind, including through the provision of counselling and support in such parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the Trustees from time to time may think fit; |
| 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 |
The charity's trustees have complied with the duty in section I 7 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to Public Benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission. The charity exists to proclaim the Christian faith and to develop the spiritual life of its congregants. This has happened primarily through Sunday services throughout the year. These services, held at the local community centre, are free and open to members of the public both young and old. During these meetings, there are activities for children to engage in under the supervision of their parents. We believe that the church also exists for the benefit of others. To this end, Access Church organises a monthly Sunday breakfast that is open to the public. |
| During the breakfasts, residents from the local area are invited to enjoy a cooked breakfast and participate in all age activities that are aimed to make the church as accessible as possible to the local community. The breakfast event is of particular benefit to the street homeless members of the community who feel that this event makes them feel included as part of society notwithstanding the challenges that they face as a result of homelessness. An important aspect of outreach is work with the community where Access Church organise weekly youth group on Mondays after school. This session is relaxed, informal and includes a meal, teaching about a relevant topic followed by a discussion. The young people attend consistently without and look forward to the session. Additionally, the church has also started a men’s support group that meets weekly virtually with a monthly group activity aimed at inviting new members. The weekly meetings are an opportunity for the men to discuss pertinent issues affecting men ranging from spiritual discipline, mental health, finances and parenting. This group is very active and has been attracting other men especially into the monthly group activity. Other activities include weekly music practice and training sessions. |
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|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | I can confirm the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers
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 | The charity's trustees have complied with the duty in section I 7 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to Public Benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission. The charity exists to proclaim the Christian faith and to develop the spiritual life of its congregants. This has happened primarily through Sunday services throughout the year. These services, held at the local community centre, are free and open to members of the public both young and old. During these meetings, there are activities for children to engage in under the supervision of their parents. We believe that the church also exists for the benefit of others. To this end, Access Church organises a regular breakfast that is open to the public. During the breakfasts, residents from the local area are invited to enjoy a cooked breakfast and participate in all age activities that are aimed to make the church as accessible as possible to the local community. The breakfast event is of particular benefit to the street homeless members of the community who feel that this event makes them feel included as part of society notwithstanding the challenges that they face as a result of homelessness. An important aspect of outreach is work with the community where Access Church organise weekly youth group on Mondays after school. This session is relaxed, informal and includes a meal, teaching about a relevant topic followed by a discussion. The young people attend consistently without and look forward to the session. Additionally, the church has also started a men’s support group that meets weekly virtually with a monthly group activity aimed at inviting new members. The weekly meetings are an opportunity for the men to discuss |
pertinent issues affecting men ranging from spiritual discipline, mental health, finances and parenting. This group is very active and has been attracting other men especially into the monthly group activity. This year, Access Church also organised marriage enrichment sessions that are held three times in the year. The aim of these sessions is to support and celebrate married couples by creating a safe space and forum for people to meet, discuss, receive peer training on relevant topics that affect today’s marriages. During the Easter weekend, the church organised a holiday trip to Wales for families so that children can have an opportunity to enjoy the rich diversity of the UK.
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 | |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | No current policy at the moment but it is anticipated that a policy will be developed in due course. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
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 | |
| 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 | CIO – Foundation registered 22 March 2018 |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | CIO – Foundation registered 22 March 2018 |
| 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 | All trustees are members of the charity and are appointed in accordance with Charity’s governing document. |
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 | |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Access Church |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1177661 |
| Charity’s principal address | 134 Kestrel Crescent Oxford OX4 6EB |
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gitau Gakuo | ||||
| Rachel Wainaina- Walton |
||||
| Janet Law | ||||
– 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)
Type of Name Address adviser
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) Gitau Gakuo Full name(s) Gitau Gakuo
Position (eg Secretary, Church Pastor Chair, etc)
Date
26 August 2024