Charity Number: 1183350
Sacred Spaces
Report and financial statements
For the year ended 31 August 2025
Charity number 1183350 Registered office and operational address
The Old White Lion Church St Kington HR5 3BE
Trustees Trustees who served during the year and up to the date of this report were as follows: Matthew Hawthorne Chair Alan Taylor Rachel Wangrangsimakul Secretary Rick Ashton Treasurer Key management personnel Alan Taylor Team Leader
Bankers
The Co-operative Bank p.l.c. P.O. Box 101 1 Balloon Street Manchester M60 4EP
Independent Examiner
Joel Williams 1 Montrose Avenue Stretford Manchester M32 9LN
Trustees’ Annual Report
Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations
The trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2025 .
Reference and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the charity’s constitution, and the Statement of Recommended Practice – Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102.
Objectives and Activities
The objectives of the CIO are, for the public benefit, to advance the Christian faith in such places and in such ways as the Charity Trustees from time to time think fit.
In April 2025, the trustees agreed to a change of name and an updated scope for the charity, reflected through amendments to the constitution. This decision was made in response to positive developments in the life of the charity, including the growth of groups, networks, and partnerships beyond Manchester that were engaging in similar creative and relational expressions of Christian community and mission to those established through The Journey Church Manchester.
During this period, the founder of the charity, Alan Taylor, discerned a calling to relocate from Manchester to the Highlands of Scotland after 23 years of ministry in the city. This move was motivated by a sense of vocation to further develop outdoor expressions of church and pioneering work within a new rural context.
Following a period of prayerful discernment, the trustees recognised an opportunity to expand the geographical scope of the charity beyond Manchester and to adopt the name Sacred Spaces . While the scope of activity has developed, the core objectives of
the charity remain unchanged. The trustees continue to refine the charity’s distinctive contribution to the public benefit through advancing the Christian faith.
The charity’s vision is articulated as “Cultivating Sacred Spaces in Everyday Places.” This expresses a commitment to bringing people together through hospitality, forming communities, and sharing the reality of God’s love, leading to the emergence of Christ ‑ centred, contextual Christian communities.
In pursuit of this vision, Sacred Spaces works with practitioners exploring how “sacred spaces” can be developed in both rural and urban settings. This includes practices of hospitality, outdoor worship, shared community life, and connection with nature as integral elements of Christian discipleship and mission.
Review of Activities
The trustees review the aims, objectives, and activities of the charity each year. This report outlines what the charity has achieved and the outcomes of its work during the reporting period. The trustees report on the success of key activities and the benefits the charity has brought to the groups it exists to support.
In carrying out this review, the trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and have considered how the charity’s activities contribute to its stated charitable purposes, both in the reporting period and in planning future work.
Achievements and Performance
The charity’s main activities and the people it seeks to support are described below. All charitable activities are carried out in furtherance of Sacred Spaces’ charitable purposes and for the public benefit.
During the year, Alan Taylor served as Team Leader, employed for 2.5 days per week from September to December 2024 , reducing to 2 days per week from January
2025 . Paul Eaton was employed 1 day per week as Table UK leader between September - December 2024. The charity’s work was funded through gifts from supporters of Sacred Spaces, alongside grant income.
From September to December 2024, The Journey Manchester community entered a period of discernment to consider how it might evolve following the planned relocation of Alan Taylor and his family. This process concluded with a decision to leave space for those remaining in the Journey community to find new ways of connecting and continuing fellowship together.
Between March and August 2025, the charity continued to resource and support its core projects and networks, including Reframing Fruitfulness , Table UK , and the Outdoor Church group . The Table UK project continued to operate using grant funding that was awarded in January 2024.
In March 2025, Alan Taylor and his family relocated to Scotland. During this period, the charity launched a new website to communicate the name and vision of Sacred Spaces more clearly. Work also began on recruiting new trustees, developing a fundraising strategy, and holding team planning days to discern priorities and direction for the year ahead.
Public Benefit and Beneficiaries
Our beneficiaries include those who participate in gatherings in homes and outdoor spaces, where people experience relational connection and encouragement in their faith. Through these settings, individuals who might not otherwise engage with church have found belonging, hospitality, and opportunities to explore Christian faith.
The ministry of Alan Taylor as Team Leader supported neighbourhood and city ‑ wide initiatives in Manchester for the common good, with a focus on hospitality, exploration of faith, and leadership development. Dozens of guests with little or no prior church involvement were welcomed through the Table ministry in Manchester and invited to engage with Scripture and explore faith in Christ.
Since March 2025, beneficiaries have also included practitioners leading creative expressions of mission and community through the charity’s networks and training groups. This included approximately 12 participants in Reframing Fruitfulness with over 50 people connected with the Outdoor Church group .
Table UK was working in 9 cities - Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Newcastle, Bristol, Belfast, London, Cardiff and Dublin representing 20 Churches and 50 volunteers. On an average month across all teams, 10 events are hosted gathering 100-200 20s/30s. Across 9 meetup app groups, there are 5,500 20s/30s who are members. Table teams have hosted 165 events with 1236 attendees in homes, restaurants and outdoors. 4 teams have hosted events in homes.
By supporting these practitioners to cultivate Christ ‑ centred communities characterised by love and care, the charity’s work extended to benefit people across more than 60 local communities throughout the United Kingdom .
Financial Review
Income for the year ended 31 August 2025 was £18,473 (2024: £85,703). Expenditure for the year was £46,430 (2024: £47,218). Regular monthly giving averaged approximately £1,700 throughout the year.
The charity continued to utilise the remaining £39,104 grant from JustSow awarded in January 2024, contributing £23,589 toward staffing costs and expenses associated with expanding the Table project to three new cities. The grant funded Table City Leaders in Leeds, London and Newcastle. There was £15,515 to carry forward into the next year. As a result of utilising previously received restricted funds, the overall bank balance reduced to £22,859 at the year end.
Reserves Policy
The trustees continued the policy of holding unrestricted reserves equivalent to approximately three months of the Team Leader’s salary . From September 2025 this equates to around £3,600 . This compares to unrestricted reserves of £10,044 at the year end (2024: £11,709).
Future Plans
The trustees’ priorities for the coming year include strengthening governance through the appointment of additional trustees, developing a sustainable fundraising strategy, and continuing to support practitioners engaged in cultivating sacred spaces in both rural and urban contexts. The charity will also focus on embedding its new identity and vision, building partnerships, and discerning priorities for the next phase of its mission.
Structure, Governance and Management
Sacred Spaces is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), governed by a constitution amended in June 2025 . Trustees are appointed by existing trustees and receive appropriate induction and training upon appointment.
Day ‑ to ‑ day management of the charity’s operations is delegated to the Team Leader, employed by the CIO. Sacred Spaces also relies on volunteers to host gatherings and work out the charity’s vision in local contexts.
The organisation is registered as a charity in England and Wales, having been established on 10 May 2019 . Trustees are members of the charity and are entitled only to voting rights.
Related Parties and Relationships
One trustee was reimbursed for travel and phone expenses during the year. Another trustee was reimbursed for travel expenses. Beyond these reimbursements, no trustee or related person had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity during the year.
Employment
Sacred Spaces employed Alan Taylor as Team Leader for 2.5 days per week from September to December 2024 , reducing to 2 days per week from January 2025 . He was paid a stipend of £17,737 , and employer pension contributions amounted to £1,191 .
Statement of Responsibilities of the Trustees
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charity’s financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the period.
In preparing financial statements giving a true and fair view, the trustees should follow best practice and:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards and Statements of Recommended Practice have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charity’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
Approval
The trustees’ annual report was approved by the trustees on 22nd May 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Matthew Hawthorne
Chair of Trustees
Receipts and payments accounts
| Receipts | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total funds | Total funds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Donations | 18,391 | - | 18,391 | 85,079 |
| Other Income | 82 | - | 82 | 623 |
| Total Receipts | 18,473 | - | 18,473 | 85,702 |
| Payments | ||||
| Pastoral | 522 | - | 522 | 651 |
| Hospitality | - | - | - | 358 |
| Staff | 17,737 | - | 17,737 | 25,377 |
| Table | - | 23,589 | 23,589 | 16,319 |
| Ministry | 2,539 | - | 2,539 | 1,501 |
| Admin | 599 | - | 599 | 663 |
| Shaws | 1,444 | - | 1,444 | 1,450 |
| Fusion | - | - | - | 900 |
| Total Payments | 22,841 | 23,589 | 46,430 | 47,218 |
| Surplus/(deficit) | (4,368) | (23,589) | (27,957) | 38,484 |
Cash Funds
| Cash Funds | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank and cash balances | ||||
| at start of year | 11,711 | 39,104 | 50,815 |
12,330 |
| - | ||||
| Bank and cash | ||||
| balances at end of year | 7,344 | 15,515 | 22,859 |
50,815 |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
| Cash Funds Bank Current Account Other Monetary Assets Other Investment Assets Investments Assets retained for charity’s use Assets for charity’s own use Liabilities Liabilities |
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment TOTAL TOTAL funds funds funds 2025 2024 £ £ £ £ £ 7,344 15,515 - 22,859 50,815 |
|---|---|
| - - - - - |
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| - - - - - |
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| - - - - - |
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| - - - - - |
Approved by the board on 22nd May 2026 and signed on behalf by:
Matthew Hawthorne
1 Basis of accounting
These accounts have been prepared on the Receipts & Payments basis.
2 Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of charity.
Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity’s work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.
3 Table Grant
JustSow allowed another year for the remaining £15,515 grant to be spent on Table expanding in three cities in 2025-26.
4 Trustee remuneration and expenses, and related party transactions
Alan Taylor as a trustee received remuneration during the year. Matty Hawthorne received £112.50 in travel and subsistence expenses during the year (2024: £406 ).
No trustee or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity, including guarantees, during the year.
5 Analysis of movement in unrestricted funds
| Balance at | Receipts | Payments | Transfers | As at | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Sept 2024 | £ | £ | £ | 31 Aug | |
| £ | 2025 | ||||
| £ | |||||
| General | 11,711 | 18,473 | (22,841) | - | 7,344 |
| fund | |||||
| 11,711 | 18,473 | (22,841) | - | 7,344 |
6 Analysis of movement in restricted funds
| Balance at | Receipts | Payments | Transfers | As at | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Sept 2024 | £ | £ | £ | 31 Aug | |
| £ | 2025 | ||||
| £ | |||||
| Table fund | 39,104 | - | (23,589) | - | 15,515 |
| 39,104 | - | (23,589) | - | 15,515 |
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Sacred Spaces Charitable Incorporated Organisation (‘the CIO’)
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the CIO for the year ended 31 August 2025.
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Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the CIO you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’). I report in respect of my examination of the CIO’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable 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:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the CIO as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.
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.
Joel Williams 1 Montrose Avenue Stretford Manchester M32 9LN