## **Shepherd Drive Baptist Church Ipswich**
## **Charity No 1183504**
**Annual Report Year Ending March 31[st] 2025**
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## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period**
**From 1[st] April 2024 to 31[st] March 2025**
**Charity name: Shepherd Drive Baptist Church**
**Charity registration number: 1183504**
## **Objectives and Activities**
||SORP
reference||
|---|---|---|
|Summary of the purposes
of the charity as set out in
its governing document|Para 1.17|The principal purpose of the charity is
the advancement of the Christian faith.
As a church we want to share both the
word and love of God locally in the
community we serve and also
worldwide.|
|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|Please see accompanying report|
|Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the
guidance issued by the
Charity Commission on
public benefit|Para 1.18|All trustees are aware and adhere to
the guidance issued by the Charity
Commission on public benefit|
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|**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:|
|---|---|---|
||SORP
reference||
|Policy on grant making|Para 1.38|SDBC does not make grants but does
make regular gifts from its charitable
“compassion fund”.|
|Policy on social
investment including
program related
investment|Para 1.38|n/a|
|Contribution made by
volunteers|Para 1.38|Please see accompanying report|
|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|During the year, the membership of the
church grew and, as at 31stMarch
2025, there were 106 people in
membership (compared to 98 as at 31st
March 2024).
Our average attendance at worship
services and Bible study groups has
also increased during this period.
Our children’s work, Toddler Group and
other community events have also
remained popular, which has been
confirmed by the continual flow of new
children and parents/grandparents etc.
coming along each week.
A number of church members give their
time supporting the Oasis English
Language School based in Ipswich.|
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We also look to the needs of the community and seek to help as we are able / have opportunity with compassionate / practical assistance.
## **Additional information (optional)**
|You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:|You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:|You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:|
|---|---|---|
|Achievements against
objectives set|Para 1.41|Please see accompanying report.
We believe that the primary objectives
(_to share both the word and love of God_
_locally in the community we serve and_
_also worldwide_) have been met this
year to the best of our ability.|
|Performance of
fundraising activities
against objectives set|Para 1.41|Please see accompanying report.
Our overall financial position has
remained in a healthy state and we
have been greatly encouraged that our
building project has been completed|
|Investment performance
against objectives|Para 1.41|n/a|
|Other|||
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## **Financial Review**
|**Financial Review**|||
|---|---|---|
|Review of the charity’s
financial position at the
end of the period|Para 1.21|Please see accompanying report.
Our overall financial position has
remained stable this year as a result of
increased income from congregational
giving and the careful control of usual
costs.
However, it was necessary for the
church to purchase a significant level of
new equipment (replacement projector,
new lighting, CCTV and additional
storage facilities). As a result, total
expenditure for the financial year
(£134,369) exceeded the total income
we received (£127,808) and resulted in
a year-end deficit of £6,561. However,
our general fund remains in a healthy
position with a surplus of £21,841.|
|Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held|Para 1.22|In line with guidelines from the
Charities Commission, the Trustees
maintain reserves to enable the Church
to function effectively and protect its
ability to meet its obligations in the
event of a decline in our income or a
major cost.
The Trustees have determined that the
appropriate level of reserves to be set
aside is in the range of £20,000, which
represents approximately 3 months of
expenditure. This reserve is covered by
funds in our Future Ministries Fund.
Additional reserves are currently held to
meet the remaining costs of our church
building extension project and future
ministries.|
|Amount of reserves held|Para 1.22|Circa £20,000, see above. Current
balance of Future Ministries fund is
£25,560.|
|Reasons for holding zero
reserves|Para 1.22|n/a|
|Details of fund materially
in deficit|Para 1.24|None|
|Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a|Para 1.23|n/a|
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## going concern
**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|
Please see accompanying report.
Congregational giving provides the
majority of income for the day-to-day
running costs of the church. This is
augmented by donations received from
the public towards the costs of running
our programme of activities.|
|---|---|---|
|Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted|Para 1.46|n/a|
|A description of the
principal risks facing the
charity|Para 1.46|Restrictions imposed which would
prevent us actively pursuing our charity
objectives. A major reduction in church
members resulting in significantly lower
levels of income. Major unexpected
costs.|
|Other|||
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## **Structure, Governance and Management**
|Description of charity’s
trusts:|||
|---|---|---|
|Type of governing
document
(trust deed, royal charter)|Para 1.25|Trust deed|
|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|The trustees are appointed by the
church members and hold office under
the constitution and rules 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||
|The charity’s
organisational structure
and any wider network
with which the charity
works|Para 1.51|Please see accompanying report.
The church is served by its Trustees
which include two elders who are
appointed by the church to lead the
fellowship. Elders are accountable to
the fellowship and appointed by the
members of the church.
The Church is a member of the
Association of Grace Baptist Churches
(East
Anglia)
Ltd,
and
a
participating/supporting church of
Grace Baptist Mission. The church
also actively supports “Caring for life”
(A Leeds-based charity working with
vulnerable adults) and the Oasis
English language school, based in
Ipswich.|
|Relationship with any
related parties|Para 1.51||
|Other|||
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## **Reference and Administrative details**
|Charity name|Shepherd Drive Baptist Church|
|---|---|
|Other name the charity
uses||
|Registered charity number|1183504|
|Charity’s principal address|Laburnum Close, Pinewood, Ipswich IP8 3SL|
|||
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## **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)**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||Simon Robinson|Minister and elder||Church members|
||Peter Newton|Co-minister and
elder||Church members|
||Christine
Robinson|Youth / Ladies
worker and
Deacon||Church members|
||Sheryl Brett|Deacon||Church members|
||Alan Durrant|Treasurer and
Deacon||Church members|
||Debbie Cook|Deacon||Church members|
||William Cates|Deacon||Church members|
||GaryHaseman|Deacon||Church members|
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## – Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
**Director name**
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Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
|**Trustee name**|**Dates acted if not for**
**whole year**||
|---|---|---|
|**None**|||
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## **Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others**
Description of the assets None 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
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## **Additional information (optional)**
## **Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)**
|**Type of**
**adviser**|**Name**
**Address**|**Name**
**Address**|
|---|---|---|
|Independent
examiner|Mr S J Whayman|51 Cowper Street, Ipswich, IP4 5JA|
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|**Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)**|||
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## **Exemptions from disclosure**
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
## **Other optional information**
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## Contents
**Page** Legal and Administrative Information 13 Trustees Annual Report 14-18 Independent Examiner’s Report 19-23
## **Shepherd Drive Baptist Church**
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## **Legal and Administrative Information**
**Registered Address** Laburnum Close Pinewood Ipswich IP8 3SL **Trustees** Mr. Simon Robinson (Minister) Mr. Peter Newton (Co-Minister) Mrs. Sheryl Brett Mrs. Debbie Cook Mrs. Christine Robinson Mr. Will Cates Mr. Alan Durrant (Treasurer) Mr. Gary Haseman
**Property Trustees** The Association of Grace Baptist Churches (East Anglia) Ltd
**Bankers** CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ
## **Independent Examiner** Mr S J Whayman
51 Cowper Street Ipswich IP4 5JA
## **Report of the Trustees of Shepherd Drive Baptist Church for the year end to 31 March 2025**
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The Trustees of Shepherd Drive Baptist Church Ipswich, have pleasure in presenting their Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2025. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” as they apply to smaller charities.
## **Trustees**
The Church is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. The trustees named on page 15 have served throughout the year and were appointed as trustees on registration of the church as a CIO. They are appointed by the members and hold office under the constitution and rules of the CIO.
The trustees are the elders and deacons of the Church. During the past year Simon Robinson, Christine Robinson and Peter Newton are the only trustees who have been paid as full or part-time workers for the church. The trustees are responsible for the control and management of the Church and are appointed by the members of the Church.
Jackamans Solicitors hold the title deeds of the church property on behalf of the Association of Grace Baptist Churches (East Anglia) Ltd.
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
The Charity is governed by an approved governing document. Members of the Church are accepted in accordance with the constitution which requires them to have been publicly baptised on the profession of faith in Jesus Christ.
Our Members’ Meetings normally take place at least four times per year and have responsibility for the operation and overall policy of the church. In accordance with the constitution, there are eight Trustees, two of which are the Elders of the church (who have also been appointed by the Members) and are responsible for the day-to-day running of the church’s work and witness, and the financial and legal aspects of the charity.
All members are encouraged to play an appropriate part in the spiritual and practical tasks involved in the furtherance of the charitable objective. Relevant matters may be submitted to the Church Meeting by the Trustees for guidance or may be raised by members in Church Meetings for further consideration by the Trustees. Although the constitution permits decisions to be made at Church meetings by appropriate majorities, the Church seeks to work by consensus wherever possible.
## **Afliations**
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The Church is a member of the Association of Grace Baptist Churches (East Anglia) Ltd, and a participating church of Grace Baptist Mission.
## **Objectives and Activities**
The principal purpose of the charity is the advancement of the Christian faith. As a church we want to share both the word and love of God locally in the community we serve and also worldwide. In order to achieve the principal objective as set out above, the Church provides a variety of activities both for its membership and the wider community. The aim is to show the love of Jesus Christ in both word and deed and to encourage people into a closer relationship with Him as living Lord.
Central to the work and witness of the Church is the provision of regular public services of Christian worship. This service usually takes place each Sunday at 11.00 am and will include singing, prayer and a Bible talk. During this service there is also a children’s programme of activities which run in parallel. At the end of our Sunday service there is time to chat over tea/coffee, giving us the opportunity to further encourage each other and to get to know each other better.
The church seeks to be a friendly and welcoming community and anybody is free to attend our main worship service and any of the other meetings we hold. However, members’ meetings are limited to those who are in membership and participation in Communion is limited to baptised Christians who are in good standing with a local church.
On the first Sunday of each month, we meet for a time of prayer during the evening. In addition, on the third Sunday in most months, we hold a Communion service followed by a meal together. There are also occasional services at other times which are advertised on the Church Notice Board and the website (sdbc.org.uk).
The Church runs a series of Bible study/prayer groups during the week to encourage growth in faith and discipleship. These are held both at the church and in the homes of some members, and further details of these can be obtained from the Elders, or at the Sunday worship service.
The Church also runs a Parent and Toddler Group which meets in the Church premises on Wednesday mornings. This aims to support families in the community, demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ and providing a safe environment for young children to play and meet other children. From time to time the Church runs courses for people interested in discovering more about Christianity, entitled ‘Christianity Explored’ and also ‘Hope Explored’.
For the older generation, we provide a quarterly fellowship group known as “Connections”. We also run a coffee-morning group for men of all ages (“Coffee Connections”) and a thriving Ladies’ group which meets fortnightly.
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On a monthly basis, we have a “Coffee, Craft & Chat” group for women and a men’s book club. We also hold men’s and women’s social evenings and have a walking club that meets periodically during the year.
The Church runs two weekly events for young people on Wednesday and Friday evenings, as well as our ‘Messy Church’ family events, which are held three times a year on Saturday mornings.
The Church operates robust systems to ensure that all people working with children and vulnerable adults are appropriately vetted and DBS-checked. The church has read the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and is satisfied that the activities outlined above clearly demonstrate that the charity is providing a benefit to the public.
## **Achievements and Performance**
The Church does not measure the success of its programme by numbers only, (including financial numbers) but also in less tangible ways, such as strengthening fellowship and encouraging growth in people’s faith.
The Trustees recognise that these are difficult to measure, but believe that 2024/25 was a positive and encouraging year in the life of the Church.
During the year, eleven people joined the church, having publicly shared how they had come to faith in Jesus Christ. Two members moved to different areas and left the fellowship during the year. In addition, one member passed away. These changes resulted in 106 people being in membership as at 31[st] March 2025.
It has been encouraging to see average attendances at worship services increase and we have benefitted from the additional space created in our building by our now completed building project.
Our children’s work, Toddler Group and other community events have also been well attended and we have seen encouraging numbers at our Ladies group.
The Church has looked to support local, national and worldwide charities, both prayerfully and financially. We also have a number of church members who volunteer their services at the Oasis English Language School based in Ipswich.
We also look to the needs of the community and seek to help as we are able/have opportunity with compassionate/practical assistance.
## **Financial Review**
The Church continues to raise the funds necessary to carry on its activities from within its own Membership and congregation. No wider public appeal was made for funds during the year, but the church has benefitted from financial
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gifts and grants received. The Church is heavily dependent on its Membership working as volunteers in all aspects of the church’s activities.
Our overall financial position has remained stable this year as a result of increased income from congregational giving and the careful control of usual costs. However, it was necessary for the church to purchase a significant level of new equipment (replacement projector, new lighting, CCTV and additional storage facilities). As a result, total expenditure of unrestricted funds for the financial year (£148,218) exceeded the total unrestricted income we received (£141,946) and resulted in a year-end deficit of £6,272. However, our general fund remains in a healthy position with a surplus of £21,841.
At the year-end, Total Assets were £30,185. This figure reflects monies held in our General and Restricted funds and the outstanding loan amount to the Association of Grace Baptist Churches (East Anglia) Ltd.
A number of gifts have been made from our Compassion Fund this year and it has been encouraging to be used by God in this way to support a range of needs in our community.
## **Reserves Policy**
In line with guidelines from the Charities Commission, the Trustees maintain reserves to enable the Church to function effectively and protect its ability to meet its obligations in the event of a decline in our income or a major cost.
The Trustees have determined that the appropriate level of reserves to be set aside is in the range of £20,000, which represents approximately 3 months of expenditure. This reserve is covered by funds in our Future Ministries Fund.
Additional reserves are currently held to meet the remaining costs of our church building extension project and future ministries.
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## **Assets retained for the use of the Church**
Furniture, Kitchen Equipment, Audio Visual Equipment and Television.
## **Liabilities**
£37,500 — remaining loan payable to Association of Grace Baptist Churches (EA) Ltd. Repayable by May 2032 in half-yearly instalments of E2,500
## **The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees' report above.**
## **Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Full name(s) Alan Durrant
Simon David Robinson
Position (e.g.
Secretary, Chair, etc.) Chair Treasurer
Date
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Signature(s)**
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