Princes Risborough Lighthouse 2022 Chair’s Report
Lighthouse aims to provide an opportunity for children, young people and adults to learn more about God’s amazing love for us and understand the difference Jesus can make in our lives. Year on year we aim to grow to reach out to more children, young people and adults and invite them to join us in a lifelong journey with Jesus.
Key roles for this year:
Chair David Williams Vice-Chair Eleyna Kibble Secretary Eleyna Kibble / various Treasurer Linda Belsham Safeguarding Officer N/A
Overview
Princes Risborough Lighthouse has been on a journey over the past few years. Before the pandemic, the event had been growing in numbers, with Little Lighthouse and the 4-5s age groups increasing by the largest margin each year. In 2019, we had 492 children register and 167 volunteers. The following year we could not run Princes Risborough Lighthouse due to the COVID19 pandemic.
After only being able to run a day event in 2021 alongside hosting a Virtual Lighthouse week with Lighthouse Central, all efforts were made to start the week again in 2022. We had committee changes, including the stepping down of our Database/Admin Coordinator, Secretary and Chair. Gracious people took on these roles, while the Secretary role was shared amongst individuals for the year. With a Chair also secured for the following years, we started preparation in the February of 2022, with our key fundraising quiz commencing in June.
During the week in July 2022, we welcomed 318 children and 137 volunteers on the site to enjoy being “Together Again”, which was our theme for the week. They enjoyed teaching, craft, mainstage and sport sessions as implemented previously. We also held fun evening sessions for our young volunteers of which around 30 attended. The week ended with a celebration service at the end of the week for parents to attend and see what we had been doing across the week. Great feedback was received from individuals, children and volunteers, ready to join next year after they had lots of fun and formed strong relationships.
Following the week, we planned for both our first Lighthouse 2023 meeting and the AGM in October, in which we identify improvements and discuss maintaining financial sustainability moving forward. We are positive however about making the necessary changes to remain a healthy charity. Over the next few years, we aim to look at our income during a cost living crisis and how we can best facilitate the community.
Finance
After a difficult couple of years, we were aware that going into Lighthouse 2022 we would have a financial deficit for the year. This proved to be more than expected, however, Lighthouse Princes Risborough had reserves that enabled us to remain solvent. As previously mentioned the Trustees are aware of the need to reduce expenditure for 2023 and an alternative format is being considered for a few years to enable us to maintain our reserves. Please see attached financial report for 2022.
Overall
Although the pandemic created challenges for Lighthouse Princes Risborough, we came back in my opinion thriving this year. An incredible number of children and volunteers were reached in the week, beyond what we expected after such social restrictions. Many new people also had the opportunity to experience Lighthouse for the first time and became part of our community. There is an immense positivity amongst the supporters and committee for the years to come and I am hopeful that we will see a growth in the event as we go through a transitional time. Thank you to every volunteer and supporter, past or present, for their faithful dedication. I personally am overjoyed to see the joy in people that came to Lighthouse this year and am excited to see what the power and provision of God does in 2023.
Eleyna Kibble Vice-chair 2022 Chair 2023
(Financial review by Linda Belsham, Treasurer)
Lighthous• Prine•s Rlsborough Final A¢¢ount 30.09.2022 2021 2022 Balance from Previous Year Support from churches Parent Donations Other Donations Gift Aid Quiz Sheets 1,202.32 1,323.01 ¢ 1.750.(KJ 5.200.00 6.508.10 4.684.121 4(.70 55.00 861.50 193.86 rii Quii Night Xmas Fayre Church Collections Granls Sales (net) Olhei Income Café Income Basket Collection Total Income 1,095.oof 0.00 285.oor 595.39r 1.000.00 24.00 100.001 6,031.68 23.012.91 Exponditur•: Tents & Toilets Electrics, PA. Music Other Sile Costs Insurance Shop First Aid Admin A¢tlvStl•s: Craft Mainstage Sport Café Little Ltghlhouse MalerialslPrinting Evgnings Conl. Fund Total Exp•ndlture 180.rx) 2.255.98 265.20 254.98 20.141.051 8,708.oot 2,2.02/ 770.93J 560.261 114.33 1.913.. 675.99 340.04 271.88t 0.00 224.392 0.00 109.77/' 0.00 203.31r 0.00 0.00 3.708.67 36,319.44 15.000.001 1,323.01 1.693.47r 76.52 Flnal Balanco at Annual Income less Expenditure 240.16 -14.629.fA ¢onting•n¢y IR•s•rv• A¢count Balance at Interest 1.10.21 32.480.98 106.53 -15.CNJO.00 17 587.51 o current account Batar at 30.9.22 Assets 30.9.2022 1,693.47 17,587.51 19.280.98 Tot41 Assets 30.9.2022 I have tested the accounts With the record5 kept. with the bank statements and the vouchers for the year and find them, and the balances. to be in accordance with these accounts. Signed.. Dale.. sl*la3