Hillside Church Annual Report 2022-23
This report covers the period 1[st] September 2022 to 31[st] August 2023[1]
Charity Name Hillside Church Charity Ref 1183957 Charity Address 37 Worple Road Wimbledon London SW19 4JZ Charity Trustees Philip Cockerill Nigel Eager Martin Green Fiona Ng Susanna Thomas Governance Hillside Church is a CIO Foundation, registered with the Charity Commission since 18[th] June 2019.
This report covers the activities of Hillside Church over the period 1[st] September 2022 to 31[st] August 2023.
1 Hillside Church uses the reporting period 'September to August'. This is based on historic precedent. Prior to formal registration with the Charity Commission in June 2019, Hillside Church had operated for many years using this financial period.
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1. Objectives
The objects of Hillside Church are set out in the charity’s trust deed and are summarised as follows.
To advance the Christian faith for the public benefit in accordance with the statement of beliefs and practices in Wimbledon, the United Kingdom and the world.
2. Strategy
Our approach to meeting the objectives is as follows:
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Church services are held every Sunday morning. These include provision for adults and children.
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A wellbeing space open every Tuesday.
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We communicate with our church community through regular email messages which provide news, prayer points, teaching and series meditating on the Bible.
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We maintain a website and use social media including Facebook and Instagram.
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We have special events throughout the year, in particular at key dates in the Christian calendar.
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We work with other local churches and charities on social responsibility projects.
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We hire the church building for use by a broad range of local charities, arts and sports clubs and small businesses.
3. Achievements and Performance
For the 2022-23 period, the leadership team reviewing the needs of the church community reflecting on the changing needs post epidemic. The approach to Sunday services was adapted accordingly. During 2022-23 the approach on Sunday mornings was to provide a relaxed and safe setting for people to share their life and faith experiences.
Worship, Teaching, Prayer and Community
Meeting together to worship and learn is of core importance to our church community. During 2022-23 our approach on Sunday mornings was to provide a relaxed and safe setting for people to share their life and faith experiences. People are actively encouraged to share their views and raise questions, promoting an atmosphere of mutual support. A key theme throughout the year has been ‘healing’.
Our Sunday services maintain a strong focus on inclusion for all. All ages meet to worship through music, reflect on Bible teachings from our pastor and pray for one another, the local community and the world.
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We have extended the time that we dedicate to building community through informal meeting together. In response to the cost of living crisis, we provide a simple breakfast for all attendees before Sunday services and spend time socialising over coffee, tea and refreshments. Here friendships are formed. We create a safe space where achievements are celebrated, and struggles are acknowledged and shared. We provide prayer support to those who want it.
Wellbeing Space
Hillside’s weekly Wellbeing Café, in partnership with national charity Renew Wellbeing[2] is now well established. The café space is a quiet, safe and inclusive place. Our aim is to improve mental and emotional wellbeing. We use the Renew approach of “being prayerful, being present and being in partnership”.
The café is run in partnership with the local community including awareness from the local council. On Tuesdays, people gather to play games and socialise. Attached to the café is a prayer space where spiritual habits of wellbeing are shared.
The cafe is attended by regulars along with one off drop ins. This has opened the church to a range of people including those not seeking a ‘church service’. Through the café we’ve identified needs in the community and have been able to assist people in crisis.
Local Networks
We’ve maintained strong links with other local churches and charities. We work at times with the Wimbledon YMCA, Merton Foodbank, Street Pastors, Grow Baby, Love All Serve All and Christians Against Poverty. This is important for us as a small, independent church. It enables people to get involved with community activities which Hillside is not directly responsible for delivering.
Accreditation
In 2022/23 Hillside Church accredited to ‘Churches in Communities International’. This provides Hillside Church (as an independent church) with representation to government, media, academia, inter-faith and inter-church forums. Furthermore, it provides our pastor with a recognised identity card and opportunities for fellowship and support from other church ministers.
Events
Our main event in 2022/23 was a Christmas Celebration with the Singology Choir. This was a high energy event which saw attendance levels similar to pre-pandemic levels.
2 Registered charity 1173963
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Pastoral support
Hillside’s pastor provides pastoral care to the church community. He also has strong connections with local hospitals.
4. Community Activities
Our building consists of two halls and several smaller rooms which are a valuable resource to the local community. A range of activities regularly take place including:
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A number of Christian churches meet in the chapel on a weekly basis
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● Therapy and addiction support groups including Alcoholics Anonymous, Obsessive-compulsive disorder support.
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Dementia support group
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Ukrainian refugee support group
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Private psychotherapy
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Sports clubs for children and adults
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Choirs, music and dance groups
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An artists’ group
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Academic examinations
5. Financial Review
Overview
Total income in unrestricted funds for the period 1[st] September 2022 to 31[st] August 2023 was £57,858. The main source of income was rental income (£49,786) from groups renting rooms. Over the year (to August 2023) we were able to build the church’s income streams but they remain lower than pre-pandemic levels.
Reserves Policy
Our reserves policy is to hold the equivalent of three months’ income in our account. This would currently equate to approximately £14,500. Our reserves at 31[st] August 2023 were less than £3,000. We recognise the ongoing need to strengthen our reserves.
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Staff
We employ one pastor on a full time, permanent contract. Self-employed staff provide cleaning, maintenance and administrative services on an as needed basis.
Volunteers
The work of Hillside Church would not be possible without the support of volunteers who organise events, manage finances, make music, clean the building, teach children, make refreshments and do many other things. We’re grateful to everyone who provides support to creating a wonderful church community.
6. Governance
The charity trustees are responsible for the general control and management of the charity. The trustees give their time freely and receive no remuneration or other financial benefits.
The trustees meet as a broader Leadership Team which includes the pastor and people appointed to positions of leadership in the church (e.g. worship leader). In addition to the Leadership Team meetings, the trustees also meet at least annually for a Trustees Meeting.
The existing trustees are responsible for the appointment of new trustees but in doing so they seek views and recommendations of the pastor and other leaders in the church. In selecting trustees, we seek to identify individuals with a Christian faith who agree with our statement of beliefs, who regularly attend church events and who are willing to volunteer to serve the local community.
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Hillside Church Statement of Financial Activities for year ending 31st August 2023
Financial Reporting Period
Hillside Church uses the financial reporting period 'September to August'. This is based on historic precedent. Prior to formal registration with the Charity Commission in June 2019, Hillside Church had operated for many years using this financial period. The period was maintained following our registration in order to maintain consistency and ensure that there was no gap in reporting periods.
Income
| 2021-22 | 2022-23 | |
|---|---|---|
| Giving | ||
| Gift aided giving (unrestricted) | £7,219 | £1,640 |
| Non-Gift aided giving (unrestricted) | £400 | - |
| Non-Gift aided giving (restricted) | - | - |
| Events giving (non gift aid) | - | £600 |
| Gift Aid Tax refund (HMRC) | - | £4,582 |
| Rental | ||
| Room Rental | £53,151 | £49,786 |
| Other | ||
| HMRC furlough grant | £1,291 | - |
| Refunds | - | £250 |
| Loan | - | £1,000 |
| TOTAL | £62,052 | £57,858 |
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Expenditure
| 2021-22 | 2022-23 | |
|---|---|---|
| People | ||
| Payroll | £31,184 | £29,163 |
| Pension | £1,796 | £1,796 |
| Caretaker | £2,235 | £3,054 |
| Building Manager | £3,216 | £2,360 |
| Expenses | £4,279 | £2,641 |
| Property | ||
| Council Tax | £2,126 | £2,237 |
| Electricity | £384 | £384 |
| Gas | £1,528 | £4,611 |
| Ground Rent | £300 | £300 |
| Water Rate | £855 | £924 |
| Carpet Cleaning | £600 | £600 |
| Insurance | £1,443 | £1,493 |
| Deposit refund | £300 | £275 |
| Subscriptions/CIC Membership | £492 | £672 |
| Broadband & Phone | £470 | £557 |
| Mortgage | £6,171 | £1,683 |
| Repairs & Maintenance | £404 | £3,533 |
| Refuse | £529 | £481 |
| New Assets | £360 | £118 |
| Events | ||
| Events | £330 | £193 |
| Other |
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| Bank charges - 0 DBS £178 - Repayment of Manse loan - £5000 Total £59,180 £62,219 Income minus expenditure £2,872 -£4,361 |
Bank charges - 0 DBS £178 - Repayment of Manse loan - £5000 Total £59,180 £62,219 Income minus expenditure £2,872 -£4,361 |
Bank charges - 0 DBS £178 - Repayment of Manse loan - £5000 Total £59,180 £62,219 Income minus expenditure £2,872 -£4,361 |
|---|---|---|
| Bank charges | - | 0 |
| DBS | £178 | - |
| Repayment of Manse loan | - | £5000 |
| Total | £59,180 | £62,219 |
| Income minus expenditure | £2,872 | -£4,361 |
Statement of Assets
| 31 Aug 2022 |
31 Aug 2023 |
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|---|---|---|
| Current Assets | ||
| Current Account | £6,559 | £2,198 |
| Deposit Account | £57 | £57 |
| Cash in Hand | £48 | £48 |
| Uncleared Cheques | - | - |
| Total | £6,664 | £2,303 |
| Change in Balance | -£4,361 | |
| Income minus Expenditure | -£4,361 | |
| Discrepancy | £0 |
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Statement of Fixed Assets[3]
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Hillside Church owns a 2/3rds share of the church building at 37 Worple Road, Wimbledon, London, SW19 4JZ Insured value of property = £1,530,000
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(The other ⅓is owned by the Church Growth Trust Ltd, charity ref 1138119)
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Hillside Church owns 64% share (at Aug 2023) in the manse house property at 18 Sandbourne Avenue, London, SW19 3EN.The total (100%) value of the property is approximately £900,000. Hillside Church’s share in the manse house property rose in 2022-23 because it bought back half of one of the private owner’s share at a cost of £5,000 which is equivalent to the investment made by the private owner in 2001. This represented excellent value to Hillside Church as it effectively became equivalent to paying back a £5,000 loan after 22 years at 0% interest. The property is shared ownership with five private owners. The share is calculated based on Hillside Church and other owners’ investments at purchase and subsequent investments in the improvement of the property.
Statement of Liabilities
As of 31st August 2023, Hillside Church had the following liabilities, totalling £26,434.56
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Outstanding legal fees = £23,334.56
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Outstanding maintenance costs = £3,100
3 31 Aug 2022
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