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2024-12-31-accounts

Trustees' Annual Report for the period

Period start date Period end date Day Month Year Day Month Year From 01 Jan 2024 To 31 December 2024

Section A Reference and administration details

Charity name Encounter Arena Other names charity is known by Registered charity number (if any) 1182247 Charity's principal address 11 Cochrane Drive Dartford, Kent Postcode DA1 2GE

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

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20		 Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole
**year **		 Name of person (or body) entitled
to appoint trustee (ifany)
Rebecca Kangau Chair
Joyce Stanley
Caroline Stanley
Stanley Ukrakpo

Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)

Name Dates acted if not for whole year

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Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of adviser Name Address

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Type of governing document

Constitution

How the charity is constituted

CIO

Trustee selection methods

By Appointment of the founder

Additional governance issues (Optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:

Encounter Arena trustees and the founder are responsible for making decisions on all matters we meet regularly through the year for planning and training and report back regularly with minutes of their decisions We are collectively responsible for spiritual affairs within the church. New members receive initial training into the workings of the Encounter Arena the areas which include worship, prayer and outreach. The trustees meet regularly in the year for planning and training and report back regularly with minutes of their decisions to the founder and discussed as necessary.

The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Church and must take reasonable steps for the prevention of other irregularities.

Section C Objectives and activities

During the year, Encounter Arena continued to pursue its mission of fostering spiritual growth, community connection, and compassionate outreach. As both a church and a registered charity, our objectives centered on creating spaces where people can encounter faith, hope, Summary of the objects of the and belonging. We hosted regular worship services that inspired and charity set out in its uplifted our congregation, alongside weekly Bible study groups that governing document deepened understanding of Scripture. Prayer meetings remained a cornerstone of our ministry, offering moments of reflection, unity, and encouragement. Our baptism services celebrated new beginnings in - faith, while community focused initiatives such as the summer BBQ,

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beach trips, and local projects strengthened fellowship and inclusion. Through our foodbank and wellbeing events, we provided practical and emotional support to those in need, embodying our commitment to care and compassion. Uplifting music events also played a vital role in bringing people together, nurturing joy, and expressing our shared devotion. Together, these activities reflect Encounter Arena’s ongoing dedication to spiritual enrichment and meaningful community impact.

Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)

During the year, Encounter Arena has remained dedicated to fulfilling its charitable objectives through the promotion of the Christian faith and the provision of public worship, teaching, and community support. The trustees confirm that they have had due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit when planning and carrying out the charity’s activities. Encounter Arena provides an open and welcoming place of worship where people of all backgrounds can experience fellowship, encounter God’s presence, and grow in faith. Regular worship services, Bible studies, and prayer meetings form the foundation of our ministry, offering spiritual nourishment, moral guidance, and opportunities for reflection. Through baptism services and evangelistic outreach, we actively promote the Christian message of hope, forgiveness, and transformation, encouraging individuals to explore and strengthen their personal faith. Our church also delivers pastoral care, counselling, and family support, helping those facing emotional, relational, or spiritual difficulties. We provide youth advice and mentoring, nurturing the next generation with values rooted in faith, integrity, and service. In addition, community wellbeing initiatives, including a foodbank, social events, and outreach programmes, bring comfort and relief to those in need, reflecting the compassion of Christ in practical ways. Through these combined activities—spiritual, educational, and humanitarian—Encounter Arena seeks to advance religion for the public benefit, foster unity within the community, and demonstrate the transforming power of Christian faith in everyday life.

Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)

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You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:

Section D Achievements and performance

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Section D Achievements and performance

Summary of the main achievements of the charity During the year, Encounter Arena experienced significant growth in both during the year participation and impact as it continued to advance its mission of promoting the Christian faith and serving the wider community. Attendance at weekly worship services increased notably, reflecting growing engagement and the continued relevance of our message of faith, hope, and community. Bible study groups expanded in number and attendance, offering deeper opportunities for learning and spiritual development, while prayer meetings continued to provide a vital space for encouragement, unity, and reflection. We celebrated an increased number of baptisms, marking new commitments to faith and demonstrating the transformative impact of our ministry. Our youth and family support programmes also reached more individuals this year, offering pastoral care, mentoring, and practical guidance that strengthened relationships and wellbeing across the community. The counselling service continued to provide confidential emotional and spiritual support, seeing a rise in referrals as more people sought help and encouragement through life’s challenges. Our foodbank operations expanded their reach, distributing more parcels and providing essential assistance to households facing financial hardship. Alongside this, Encounter Arena hosted a vibrant series of community and wellbeing events, including our summer BBQ, beach trips, and uplifting music gatherings, all of which fostered fellowship, inclusion, and joy. Overall, this year marked a period of encouraging growth and deepened impact for Encounter Arena. Through every aspect of its work—worship, teaching, outreach, and compassion—the charity has strengthened its presence in the community and advanced its purpose of sharing the Christian faith in both word and action.

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Section E Financial review

The trustees of Encounter Arena have considered the charity’s financial Brief statement of the position and established a prudent policy on reserves to ensure the charity’s policy on reserves organisation’s ongoing stability and sustainability. The policy aims to maintain sufficient unrestricted funds to cover the charity’s core operational costs and to provide a safeguard against unexpected reductions in income or unforeseen expenditure. The trustees consider that holding reserves equivalent to approximately three to six months of regular operating costs is an appropriate level to enable Encounter Arena to continue its key activities—such as worship services, community outreach, counselling, and foodbank operations— without interruption in the event of temporary financial difficulty. Reserves are reviewed on a regular basis as part of the charity’s financial management process. Any surplus funds beyond the agreed reserve level are reinvested to further the charity’s objectives, including the maintenance of facilities, development of new community projects, and expansion of ministry and outreach programmes. The trustees are satisfied that the current level of reserves is adequate to support the charity’s commitments and planned activities, and that funds are managed responsibly in accordance with Charity Commission guidance and best practice in charitable governance. The grants received for particular projects are restricted funds, donations and fundraising activity funds remain unrestricted.

Details of any funds materially in deficit

Further financial review details (Optional information)

The principal source of income is the weekly offering, paid by cash or You may choose to include bank transfer. additional information, where We applied for some grants in the year and awaited responses in the relevant about: following year.

We also received gift aid to maximise the donations received. We also generated more funds through charitable activities.

Section F Other optional information

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Section G Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Rebecca Kangau Position (eg Secretary, Chair, Chair Trustee etc) Date 17/10/2025

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Charity registration number: 1182247

ENCOUNTER ARENA

Annual Report and Financial Statements

for the Year Ended 31 Dec 2024

ENCOUNTER ARENA

Contents

Reference and Administrative Details 1 Strategic Report 2 3 Statement of Financial Activities Notes to the Financial Statements 4

ENCOUNTER ARENA

Reference and Administrative Details

Charity Registration Number: 1182247

Registered Office

Unit 5, First Floor, Lakeside Business Village RM16 6EW

The trustees present their strategic report for the year ended 31[St] December 2024

The trustees, present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charitable company for the year ended 31[st] Dec 2024.

Statement of trustees' responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements.

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

Overview: Encounter Arena provides spiritual guidance through worship, conferences, and events, while supporting the wellbeing of individuals and offering dedicated programs for the youth, men, and women. We complement this by meeting practical needs, promoting community care, and empowering lives through targeted outreach and support services.

Activities and Impact: Throughout the reporting period, ENCOUNTER ARENA has successfully held impactful services and well attended events and conferences, catering to the specific needs of our members. We are delighted to see more individuals we have supported have greatly benefited from our service in the last 12 months. Our service has supported them in their Spiritual, emotional and personal journey, providing them with the tools and support necessary to overcome personal challenges

Partnerships and Notability: We are proud to have established key partnerships during this period, including a notable collaboration with local mentorship and mental health organisations. This partnership has allowed us to expand our reach and better serve individuals in need. We have also engaged with other organisations and community groups to raise awareness about mental health issues.

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ENCOUNTER ARENA

Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31ST DECEMBER2024

Financial Review: ENCOUNTER ARENA would like to thank our donors for their generous giving, we experienced significant growth in income during the reporting period due to multiple events held in the year, which has enabled us to enhance our services and reach a wider audience. Through successful fundraising efforts and the generous support of donors, we have been able to build capacity, invest in training, and expand our services. During the year we applied for various grant funding which we received later in 2025.

Future Plans and Objectives: Looking ahead, we aim to build on its success and further expand its reach and impact. We plan to continue strengthening our partnerships, in the wider community.

Conclusion: In conclusion, Encounter Arena has had a transformative year, providing various support services. This allowed us to make a significant difference in the lives of those we serve. We are immensely grateful for the support of our dedicated team, donors, and funders who have contributed to our success.

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ENCOUNTER ARENA

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31[ST ] DECEMBER 2024 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)

Note
Income and Endowments from:
Tithes and offerings
Charitable activities donations
Gift aid (claims received for
previous years 2021-2024)
Total income
Expenditure on:
Rent
Charitable activities
Building maintenance
Bills/Other expenditure
Note
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
funds
£
42000
95000
123,966.64
260.966.64
24400
198513.64
9500
17182
249.595.64		 Restricted
funds
£
-		 Total
2024
£
42000
95000
123,966.64
260.966.64
24400
198513.64
9500
17182
249.595.64
Total
£
In bank 3696 +
(cash reserves)
7675=
Total 11.371

The financial statements on pages 6 to 14 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 30[TH] January 2025 and the notes on pages 4-5 form an integral part of these financial statements.

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ENCOUNTER ARENA

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31[ST ] DECMBER 2024

1 Accounting policies

Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Donations

Donations are recognised when the charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date.

Grants receivable

Grants are recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as restricted and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released.

Expenditure

All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required, and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category.

Raising funds

Raffles and merchandise sales T-shirts and hoodies. These are costs incurred in attracting voluntary income, the management of investments and those incurred in trading activities that raise funds.

Charitable activities

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Building costs

Including materials and professional fees and this year we embarked on upgrading electrical or plumbing systems.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are counted weekly as we hold 3 weekly services a week and countersigned and stored securely. These comprise of seed offerings/ tithes and donations to events. These donations are readily used to pay vendors for operational costs such as event/conference costs and volunteer costs and remaining if any banked as appropriate.

Trustees remuneration and expenses

No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the

year. No trustees have received any reimbursed expenses or any other benefits from the charity during the year.

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Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of ENCOUNTER ARENA

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year period ending 31/12/2023 and 31/12/2024.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner As the charity's trustees of (and also, its directors ENCOUNTER ARENA for the purposes of

company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

are not required to be audited Having satisfied myself that the accounts of ENCOUNTER

ARENA

under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, 1 report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of ENCOUNTER as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or ARENA

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

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  1. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ' true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

  2. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

____._____ Irene Gatheru ACCA

BC&A Chartered accountants

161-163, Elm Grove, Southsea, Portsmouth, Southsea PO5 1LU, United Kingdom

30/03/2025

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