2025-03-31-accounts - Sticklepath Community Church

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1[st] April 2024 Period start date To 31[st] March 2025 Period end date Charity name: Sticklepath Community Church (C.I.O.)

Charity registration number: 1180318

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	We are pleased to report that the 'purposes' of the church have remained faithful to, both, the unchanged governing document and more importantly to the unchanging Word of God. During the period relevant to this report, the object of the CIO has continued to be to advance the Christian faith for the public benefit, for the glory of God in worship, preaching the gospel and ministry of the Word, and to further such other charitable purposes as shall, in the opinion of the trustees, nurture the work of the church, in accordance with the statement of beliefs, in the Schedule, in Devon and in such other parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the charity trustees may from time to time 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	Our main purpose remains to provide an open and accessible place of Christian worship within the village of Sticklepath, allowing opportunity for those seeking Christian fellowship and/or teaching to be helped and encouraged. We also meet the needs of some of the visitors/holidaymakers to the area, some of which find their way to us after picking up info from social media or word of mouth. The bulk of our meetings are held within the village hall and this assists in keeping the building in use, and open, and therefore available for wider community use. We have also supported (mainly financially) various organisations, both locally and further

		afield, which either provide practical and/or spiritual help to individuals or communities at their point of greatest need. The church has maintained our regular and ongoing support for various organisations. Part of the ongoing support has been a Child sponsorship, through the organisation Embrace, of a child in the Middle East. This assists with the practical and educational needs of children in an area of the world where parents may be unable to support their family, or children may not have parents to provide for them. Chinese Church Support Ministries is another organisation we have maintained our support for. Through CCSM we are able to meet some of the practical and spiritual needs of those who find it very difficult to enjoy the freedoms which many of us take for granted. Closer to home, we have provided funding to Christians Against Poverty (CAP). They work across the country providing help and support to anyone who finds themselves in financial difficulties. They now have a proven record in this field, and are known and appreciated by many, but can only continue to operate, this free service, with the support of people such as ourselves. Following on from last year's setting up of a monthly 'Soup & Roll' event, we have been able to continue this, using the village hall facilities. It has proved to be a valued social gathering for many of the, mainly (but not exclusively) senior, people of the local villages and surrounding area. The varied and sometimes novel recipes involved cause great interest. The amount of chatter and laughter at these gatherings confirms the value of the occasions. The profit, after any expenses, from the freewill donations have been given to the village playing field fund and a further donation given to St. Mary's Church heating/lighting appeal. This past twelve months have given us the opportunity to provide financial support, by means of regular and one-off donations, bringing practical help to places and peoples who we ourselves will never meet.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance	Para 1.18	The trustees can confirm that the work of the charity does aim to provide ‘public benefit’ in the majority of its actions.

issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	Grant making will be directed by compliance with the agreed policy. The main points being :- advancement of the Christian faith, relief of poverty and poor health, and support of such charitable purposes which can use specialist abilities to achieve that which we are unable to fulfil. All of this being tested soundly to prevent the immoral or illegal use of funds.
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	Currently the charity has no paid staff/workers, consequently all the work and administration is carried out on a voluntary basis. Only legitimate necessary expenses are met by the charity.
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 has provided a safe and open place for anyone in the community to attend our meetings to express their social and spiritual needs. We have continued our support of St. Mary’s, C of E, Church, within the village. We have continued in our collaboration of holding joint monthly meetings, in their building, to bring help and encouragement to the existing members and, in the ‘Village Praise’ meetings, bring a more open and accessible form of meeting to the wider community. This joint project continues to prove a blessing and an encouragement to those endeavouring to make the C of E building more widely used and appreciated. It also continues to be a strengthening challenge to both congregations. Another local project, started last year,

has been successfully continued throughout this year - 'Let's meet for soup and roll'. A monthly Friday gathering in the village hall aimed at providing a warm, safe,open and friendly space for anyone in the local community to have a free meal and have interaction with others in the community and the church. It has developed well, with a core group of regulars and a variety of others who have attended occasionally. There has been a wide age range of attendees, but mainly more senior members of the community. We have also seen some of those, for whom it is meant to serve, contributing to the running of the event. As a bonus, the amount of freewill donations received in the pot exceeds the expenses incurred in providing the meal, so we have taken the decision to use all monies remaining, after major expenses,to support local/ village needs. More has been given to the 'Heating Project Fund', for St Mary's C. of E., and a donation has been given to the playing field fund. We have again been able to keep up our 'Regular Support'(Grant Making) to five varied organisations and also added another organisation to our support. Our support of Christians Against Poverty helps to provide assistance to anyone in financial difficulty. CAP is a nationally recognised charity achieving great results. Mission Aviation Fellowship, brings real benefit to those it serves in truly remote areas and these type of organisations can only exist with support from others, such as ourselves. Our continued support of MAF allows us to contribute to the needs of people who live in difficult environments and from the written testimonies published, by MAF, this help is greatly appreciated. It can be seen that the bulk of the funds generated are not being used by the charity itself, but are being passed on to appropriate organisations and individuals, who are able to meet the specific ‘needs’ in various locations, both locally, nationally and internationally – in accordance with the desired aims of the charity.

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	We do not ‘fundraise’ in the normally understood way. Nearly all income is given to the church by freewill offerings from the membership and congregation. Any fundraising activities would be for a special cause, of which there has only been one this year. This was an offering to raise funds for 'Tools with a Mission',who provide refurbished tools to under resourced communities in various African countries. All of the funding(including the associated gift aid) received in that appeal was passed to the corresponding organisation.
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	Receipts from the 'Freewill Offering', our main source of income, has fallen, very slightly, during the current period. But due to other income Receipts, particularly 'Gift Aid/GASDS', being above previous year's income – it can be seen that gross income was above that of the previous year. It can now be seen that income, although satisfactory, still does not match outgoings. With an ongoing commitment to continue with as much grant making as in previous years, it has left the overall reserves slightly down again. This is acceptable and will not cause any financial issues within the foreseeable future.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	The amount in reserve, plus other cash funds, is fractionally down on previous year's level. By having a reserve at this current level, it will allow any possible change of staffing, or commitment, to be enabled without unnecessary hindrance due to lack of immediate funding.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	Approx. £11,000
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 where relevant about:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	Freewill offerings from the congregation and members
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	There have been no principal risks to the charity during the current period. The reserves are lodged with a low risk provider account. There are no foreseeable risks or uncertainties facing the charity at this time, with no factors that are likely to

affect its osition oin forward. Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Constitution
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	CIO
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	A trustee must be able to subscribe to the statement of beliefs in the Schedule and will be elected by the members of the CIO

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	Trustees are required to access the Charity Commission website and familiarize themselves with the relevant rules and regulations required to fulfil the role of trustee. This will be confirmed periodically at appropriate meetings.
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	We are affiliated to the long established, 'Counties' organisation. This is a grouping of like-minded churches which has come together to provide support to churches including: recruitment/consultancy, on strategy/advice, on church governance and trust matters, and for the promotion of the Christian faith (- in accordance with the charity's aims)
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Sticklepath Community Church
Other name the charity uses	N/A
Registered charity number	1180318

Charity’s principal address 14, Hunters Gate, Okehampton, Devon EX20 1SU

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
	Mr. Derrick Andrew
	Mr. PhilipDennis	Deacon/Elder
	Mr. Glyn Williams	Treasurer

– 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	N/A
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 adviser Name

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) Glyn Williams Derrick Andrew Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Trustee / Treasurer Trustee Date 04/10/25 17/10/25

Charity Name No (if any) Sticklepath Community Church 1180318 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period Period start date Period end date To from 01/04/24 31/03/25

Section A Receipts and payments	Section A Receipts and payments
to the nearest £ A1 Receipts Unrestricted funds		to the nearest £ Restricted funds	to the nearest £ Endowment funds	Total funds to the nearest £	Last year to the nearest £
Freewill Offering	6,914	- - - - - - - -	- - - - - - - -	6,914 178 1,988 82 694 - - -	7,154 98 1,465 314 357 - - -
90 DayNotice Account – Interest	178
Gift Aid/GASDS Refund – 2023/24	1,988
Specific Appeals – Freewill Offering	82
Donations	694
	-
	-
	-
*Sub total*(Gross income for AR)	9,855	-	-	9,855	9,388

		- -	- -	- -	-
		-	-	-	-

		-	-	9,855	9,388

Insurance	373	- - - - - - - - -	- - - - - - - - -	373 263 704 7,206 340 30 1,296 - -	354 370 790 9,942 355 52 1,051 139 -
Cost of Activities	263
Licences/Subscriptions	704
Donations to other Organisations	7,206
Expenses for VisitingSpeakers	340
Social Gifts	30
BuildingHire	1,296
TrainingExpenses	-
	-
*Sub total*	10,211	-	-	10,211	13,053

		- -	- -	- -
		-	-	-	-

		-	-	10,211	13,053

	-356	-	-	-356	-3,665
	-	- -	- -	- 16,299	- 19,965
	16,299
	15,943	-	-	15,943	16,300

CCXX R1 accounts (SS)

17/10/2025

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

to nearest £ Unrestricted funds	to nearest £ Restricted funds	to nearest £ Endowment funds
4,695 11,248 -	-	-
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	-	-
15,943	-	-
		OK
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		Date of approval
Glyn Williams		04/10/25
Philip Dennis		17/10/25

CCXX R2 accounts (SS)

17/10/2025