Hillside Church Annual Report 2023-24 This report covers the period 1[st] September 2023 to 31[st] August 2024[1]
Charity Name Hillside Church Charity Ref 1183957 Charity Address 37 Worple Road Wimbledon London SW19 4JZ Charity Trustees Philip Cockerill Nigel Eager 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 2023 to 31[st] August 2024.
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 are open to all.
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● A wellbeing space that is open every Tuesday. ● 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
Worship, Teaching, Prayer and Community
Meeting together to worship and learn is of core importance to our church community. During 2023-24 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. Key themes are around healing and wholeness and how the Christian Faith can make a valuable contribution to holistic health. In addition to this we celebrate and welcome all people of good will.
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.
We have extended the time that we dedicate to building community through informal meetings together. Before and after Sunday services we spend time socialising over coffee, tea and refreshments. Here friendships are formed. We
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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] has been running since 2021. 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, Faith in Action homelessness support 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’s organisation is affirmed by Churches together England. It also provides opportunities for fellowship and support from other church ministers.
Events
Our main event in 2023/24 was a Christmas Celebration with the Singology Choir. This was a high energy event which saw attendance levels…..
Pastoral support
Hillside’s pastor provides pastoral care to the church community. He also has strong connections with local hospitals.
2 Registered charity 1173963
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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’ gro
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Academic examinations
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Fundraising Exercise Groups
5. Financial Review
Overview
Total income in unrestricted funds for the period 1[st] September 2023 to 31[st] August 2024 was £54,554. The main source of income was rental income (£51,354) from groups renting rooms. Over the year (to August 2024) we were able to maintain income levels 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 £4,500. Our reserves of £3,700 (31[st] August 2024) fell short of this target by 18%. 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 and maintenance 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, 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 2024
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
| 2022-23 | 2023-24 | |
| Giving | ||
| Gift aided giving (unrestricted) | £1,640 | £3,200 |
| Non-Gift aided giving (unrestricted) | - | - |
| Non-Gift aided giving (restricted) | - | - |
| Events giving (non-gift aid) | £600 | - |
| Gift Aid Tax refund (HMRC) | £4,582 | - |
| Rental | ||
| Room Rental | £49,786 | £51,354 |
| Other | ||
| Refunds | £250 | - |
| Loan | £1,000 | - |
| TOTAL | £57,858 | £54,554 |
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Expenditure
| 2022-23 | 2023-24 | |
| People | ||
| Payroll | £29,163 | £29,176 |
| Pension | £1,796 | £1,796 |
| Caretaker | £3,054 | £1,796 |
| Building Manager | £2,360 | - |
| Expenses | £2,641 | £3,740 |
| Property | ||
| Council Tax | £2,237 | £2,366 |
| Electricity | £384 | £5,779 |
| Gas | £4,611 | £884 |
| Ground Rent | £300 | £300 |
| Water Rate | £924 | £1,053 |
| Carpet Cleaning | £600 | £600 |
| Insurance | £1,493 | £1,660 |
| Deposit refund | £275 | £0 |
| Subscriptions/CIC Membership | £672 | £542 |
| Broadband & Phone | £557 | £584 |
| Mortgage | £1,683 | £0 |
| Repairs & Maintenance | £3,533 | £625 |
| Refuse | £481 | £391 |
| New Assets | £118 | £722 |
| Events | ||
| Events | £193 | £0 |
| Other | ||
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| Loan repayment | £5,000 | £1,000 |
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| Total | £62,219 | £53,159 |
| Income minus expenditure | -£4,361 | £1,395 |
Statement of Assets
| 31 Aug 2023 |
31 Aug 2024 |
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| Current Assets | ||
| Current Account | £2,198 | £3,593 |
| Deposit Account | £57 | £57 |
| Cash in Hand | £48 | £48 |
| Total | £2,303 | £3,698 |
| Change in Balance | £1,395 | |
| Income minus Expenditure | £1,395 | |
| Discrepancy | £0 |
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Statement of Fixed Assets
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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 ⅓ is owned by the Church Growth Trust Ltd, charity ref 1138119)
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Hillside Church owns 63% share (at Aug 2024) in the manse house property at 18 Sandbourne Avenue, London, SW19 3EN.The total (100%) value of the property is approximately £900,000.
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Hillside Church share in the manse house property was adjusted in 2023-24 because one of the private owners paid approximately £7,000 to cover essential maintenance.
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 2024, 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
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Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ members of
Charity Name Hillside Church
On accounts for the year 31st August 2024 Charity no 1183957 ended (if any)
Set out on pages
(remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended DD / MM / YYYY 31 / 08 / 2024 .
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Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act
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of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have _________ examiner's statement come to my attention (other than that disclosed below *) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
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the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
- Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.
Signed:
Date: 27th June 2025
Name: Sally Anscomb Relevant professional CIMA qualification(s) or body (if any):
Address: 63 Gladstone Road Wimbledon London, SW19 1QR
October 2018
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IER
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
October 2018
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IER