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2025-08-31-accounts

Bright Hope Trustees Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements Period ended 31 August 2025

Charity registration - 1185851

Bright Hope Annual report and financial statements

Period ended 31 August 2025

Contents

Contents
Legal and administrative information 3
Trustees annual report 4
Objectives and activities 4
Achievements and performance 4
Financial review 6
Structure, governance & management 6
Statement of Board of Trustees’ responsibilities 6
Independent examiner’s report 8
Statement of fnancial activities 10
Balance sheet 11
Notes to the fnancial statements 12

Charity number 1185851

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Period ended 31 August 2025

Bright Hope Annual report and financial statements

Legal and administrative information

Charity name

Bright Hope

Charity registration no.

1185851

Company registration no.

CE019222

Registered office and contact details

71 Fullbrook Avenue Spencers Wood Reading RG7 1FE

Trustees

Oliver Lamping Barnaby Cowan Paul Garratt Gemma Hauxwell

Chair appointed 30 January 2026 resigned 23 February 2026

Bank

Lloyds Bank plc 25 Gresham Street London EC2V 7HN

Independent examiner

Enaid Accountancy Ltd Platform 10 Engine Room Hood Road Barry CF62 5QL

Charity number 1185851

3

Bright Hope Annual report and financial statements

Period ended 31 August 2025

Trustees annual report

The Board of Trustees submit their annual report and the financial statements of Bright Hope for the period ended 31 August 2025.

The Board of Trustees confirms that the annual report and financial statements of the Charity comply with current statutory requirements, including the Charity Act 2011, as well as the requirements of the Charity’s governing document and the provisions of the ‘Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) second edition (effective 1 January 2019)’, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

Objectives and activities

Objects

The objects of the charity is the advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the statement of faith and in such ways as the charity trustees from time to time think fit.

Public beneft

Throughout the process of determining the activities outlined in this report, the Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission in determining the activities undertaken by the Charity.

Achievements and performance

The main activities undertaken for the public benefit for the advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the Statement of Faith are:

Church services

• Winter Fun Day – Event open to the public, completely free of charge including activities and refreshments. This event is fully funded by the church and planned for the beginning of the year to bring cheer during a month in which families traditional struggle financially (January 2025)

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Bright Hope Annual report and financial statements

Beacon Project

Restored Beacon which provides support for victims and survivors of domestic abuse in the area and within churches.

• DA support Drop-in sessions partnering with Shinfield Parish Council until December 2024

Leadership training

Partnerships

• Christmas gift bags for Pupil Premium children in Grazeley Primary School Dec 2024 and new winter coats for a family in need

• Volunteering at the local youth club set up by Shinfield Parish Council. This youth club serves around 60 young people every week

Above and beyond our continued focus on blessing the wider community and walking alongside our church members through prayer, friendship, and teaching, there were two key objectives for the charity during the year: to promote increased fundraising among our members and to strengthen our leadership team .

The appointment of Annie Lamping as a paid member of staff has had a significant impact on our finances and reserves, highlighting the need to focus on increasing income. At the same time, we identified the importance of strengthening our Leadership Team by encouraging deeper commitment to day-to-day responsibilities and pastoral care. This was intended to provide a stronger foundation for the work within the congregation and the wider community, which in turn supports greater financial sustainability.

Increasing our involvement in the local community has been a very positive journey. During the summer, Bright Hope hosted its Summer Fun Day for the second and third consecutive year, and it has now become a well-established annual event. We were encouraged to see families returning, demonstrating the value of this initiative. The event took the form of a community fair, including bouncy castles, face painting,

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Bright Hope

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Annual report and financial statements

games, crafts, a barbecue, and refreshments. The whole community was invited through local schools and newsletters, and the event was completely free of charge, including all activities, food, and drinks. There was an excellent response from both church volunteers and members of the wider community, who enjoyed the day together in a welcoming environment.

Our Winter Fun Day ran for the second time in January 2025. This event offered free indoor activities such as a silent disco, karaoke, crafts, and face painting. We deliberately moved the event from December to January, recognising that January can be a particularly challenging month financially for families following Christmas expenses.

The Beacon Project , which supports victims and survivors of domestic abuse, has continued throughout the year. Group sessions were maintained for a period until the group naturally came to an end. Since then, support has primarily been provided on a one-to-one basis, ensuring that individuals continue to receive appropriate care. Individuals have been referred through different channels, such as the Social Prescriber at the local GP Practice, Restored website and word of mouth.

We have also continued to strengthen our relationships and partnerships with other local churches, organisations, and schools in order to serve the community more effectively. We maintain strong links with the parish churches and have also developed a connection with Transform Reading , supporting the organisation of a Reading church leaders one day conference in June 2025.

Overall, 2024–2025 has been a year focused on strengthening our foundations , both organisationally and within the community we serve.

Financial review

The Charity incurred a deficit of £29,789 (year ended 31 March 2024: deficit of £4,146) in the period resulting in total funds at the period-end of £34,576 (31 March 2024: £64,365). All funds held at period end were unrestricted in use and the Trustees are happy this level of reserves meets the reserves policy below.

Reserves policy

The charity has set a reserves target of three months running costs which currently equates to around £13,500, which the current reserves exceed at £34,576. This has been due to a deliberate plan to establish higher reserves before having taken one of the pastors onto payroll from May 2023 as well as commencing a number of other projects as outlined in the report above, and has been decreasing over the past couple of years as these project bed in.

Structure, governance & management

Bright Hope is a charitable incorporated organisation and registered as a charity on 17 October 2019. The Charity was established under a constitution that sets out the objects and powers of the charity.

Recruitment and appointment of Trustees

The constitution requires a minimum of three trustees.

Trustees are subject to re-election on a rolling three year basis at the Annual General Meeting, with a maximum of three consecutive terms. Only the current Trustees can appoint new Trustees.

Statement of Board of Trustees’ responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law they are required to prepare the financial statements in accordance with UK Accounting Standards and applicable law (UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Under charity law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that

Charity number 1185851

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Bright Hope

Annual report and financial statements

they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the excess of expenditure over income for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity’s transactions and 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 have general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the charity and to prevent and detect 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 UK governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. In addition, the trustees confirm that they are happy that the content of the annual review in pages 4 to 7 of this document as well as the legal and administrative details on page 3, meet the requirements of the trustees’ Annual Report under charity law.

They also confirm that the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the notes to the accounts and comply with the charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102, The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published on 16 July 2014.

This report was approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Trustees on 29 June 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

OLIVER LAMPING

CHAIR

Charity number 1185851

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Bright Hope Annual report and financial statements

Period ended 31 August 2025

Independent examiner’s report

I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of Bright Hope (charity number 1185851) for the period ended 31 August 2025 which are set out on pages 10 to 20.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The Charity’s Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act). The Charity’s Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this period under section 144 of the Charities Act and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

This report, including my statement, has been prepared for and only for the Charity’s Trustees as a body. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Charity’s Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an independent examiner’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Charity and the Charity’s Trustees as a body for my examination work, for this report, or for the statements I have made.

Basis of independent examiner’s statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the Trustees concerning any such matters.

The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

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

• 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.

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Bright Hope Annual report and financial statements

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.

ANDREW PHILIP NASH FCA

MEMBER OF THE INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS IN ENGLAND AND WALES – 2461833

DATED: 29 JUNE 2026

Enaid Accountancy Ltd Platform 10 Engine Room Hood Road Barry CF62 5QL

Charity number 1185851

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Bright Hope

Period ended 31 August 2025

Annual report and financial statements

Statement of financial activities

For the period ended 31 August 2025

Statement of fnancial activities
For the period ended 31 August 2025
Notes
Income from:
Donations
3
Charitable activities
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
4
Total expenditure
Net income/(expenditure)
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
9 & 10
Total funds carried forward
9 & 10		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
Period ended
Period ended
Period ended
Year ended
31 Aug 2025
31 Aug 2025
31 Aug 2025
31 Mar 2024
£
£
£
£
44,727
1,840
46,567
40,370
3,170
-
3,170
-
47,897
1,840
49,737
40,370
77,686
1,840
79,526
44,516
77,686
1,840
79,526
44,516
(29,789)
-
(29,789)
(4,146)
64,365
-
64,365
68,511
34,576
-
34,576
64,365

The notes on pages 12 to 20 form part of the financial statements.

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Bright Hope Annual report and financial statements

Balance sheet

As at 31 August 2025

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible fxed assets
6
Current assets
Debtors and prepayments
7
Cash at bank and in hand
Total current assets
Creditors:
Amounts falling due within
one year
8
Net current assets
Net assets
Funds of the charity:
Unrestricted funds
9 & 10
Total funds		 £
759
32,811		 Total
funds
31 Aug 2025
£
1,919



32,657		 £

197
63,769		 Total
funds
31 Mar 2024
£
2,202



62,163
33,570
(913)		 63,966
(1,803)



34,576 64,365
34,576 64,365
34,576 64,365

The notes on pages 12 to 20 form part of the financial statements.

These financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Trustees on 29 June 2026 and signed on their behalf by:

OLIVER LAMPING CHAIR

Charity number 1185851

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Bright Hope Annual report and financial statements

Period ended 31 August 2025

Notes to the financial statements

1. Accounting policies

Basis of preparation of the financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with ‘Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) second edition (effective 1 January 2019)’, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

The effect of any event relating to the period ended 31 August 2025, which occurred before the date of approval of the financial statements by the Board of Trustees has been included in the financial statements to the extent required to show a true and fair view of the state of affairs at 31 August 2025 and the results for the period ended on that date.

Using the exemption available to smaller charities, the Board of Trustees has chosen not to include a Statement of Cash Flows within the financial statements.

The functional currency of the Charity is sterling and amounts in the financial statements are rounded to the nearest pound.

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

Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis as the Board of Trustees is confident that future reserves and future income is more than sufficient to meet current commitments. There are no material uncertainties that impact this assessment, and the ongoing global economic uncertainty has had no material impact on this assessment.

Legal status

Bright Hope is a charitable incorporated organisation registered in England & Wales and meets the definition of a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The registered office is 71 Fullbrook Avenue, Spencers Wood, Reading, RG7 1FE.

Fund Accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Restricted funds are funds that are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or that have been raised by the Charity for particular purposes. The cost of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in note 9 of the financial statements.

Change in accounting period

During the current financial period the Trustees agreed to amend the accounting year end date from 31 March to 31 August, via a resolution on 27 January 2026, and to apply this to the period that commenced on 1 April 2024. This decision was made to ensure that the financial statements fitted more closely with the annual cycle of activities for the charity which tend to follow the academic year September to August.

As a result, the current period is seventeen months long compared to the prior year figures which represent a twelve-month period, resulting in some limitations with the comparative analysis.

Charity number 1185851

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Bright Hope Annual report and financial statements

1. Accounting policies (continued from previous page)

Income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance indicators attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably.

Donations are recognised in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when entitled, receipt is probable and when the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. Gift aid receivable is included when claimable.

Income from charitable activities relates to event income and is credited to the Statement of Financial Activities when received or receivable whichever is earlier, unless the event relates to a future period, in which case it is deferred.

Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

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, those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them and an allocation of governance costs.

Support costs are allocated between governance costs and other support costs. Governance costs comprise those costs involving the public accountability of the charity and its compliance with regulations and good practice. Other support costs relate to the administrative costs of running the charity and are allocated to charitable activities accordingly.

Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the category of expenditure for which it is incurred.

Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

All assets costing more than £1,000 are capitalised.

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of fixed assets, less their residual value, over their useful life, and are depreciated on the following basis:

Computer equipment 3 years

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash in hand, deposits with banks and funds that are readily convertible into cash at, or close to, their carrying values, but are not held for investment purposes.

Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount is applied. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

Creditors

Creditors are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party, and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably.

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Bright Hope Annual report and financial statements

Period ended 31 August 2025

1. Accounting policies (continued from previous page)

Critical estimates and judgements

In preparing financial statements it is necessary to make certain judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts recognised in the financial statements. In the view of the Trustees in applying the accounting policies adopted, no judgements were required that have a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements nor do any estimates or assumptions made carry a significant risk of material adjustment in the next financial year.

Financial instruments

Basic financial instruments are measured at amortised cost other than investments which are measured at fair value.

Pensions

The Charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme which is administered by an external independent pension provider. Contributions are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities as they fall due.

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Bright Hope Annual report and financial statements

2. Comparative statement of fnancial activities

3. Income from donations
Notes
Income from:
Donations
3
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
4
Total expenditure
Net income/(expenditure)
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
9 & 10
Total funds carried forward
9 & 10
Donations
Donations		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
Year ended
Year ended
Year ended
31 Mar 2024
31 Mar 2024
31 Mar 2024
£
£
£
40,370
-
40,370
40,370
-
40,370
44,516
-
44,516
44,516
-
44,516
(4,146)
-
(4,146)
68,511
-
68,511
64,365
-
64,365
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
Period ended
Period ended
Period ended
31 Aug 2025
31 Aug 2025
31 Aug 2025
£
£
£
44,727
1,840
46,567
44,727
1,840
46,567
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
Year ended
Year ended
Year ended
31 Mar 2024
31 Mar 2024
31 Mar 2024
£
£
£
40,370
-
40,370
40,370
-
40,370

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Bright Hope Annual report and financial statements

Period ended 31 August 2025

4. Expenditure on charitable activities

Event costs
Sunday services
Youth
Project work
Giving
Equipment
Training
Rent
Staffng
Administration
Depreciation
Governance
Event costs
Sunday services
Youth
Project work
Giving
Equipment
Training
Rent
Staffng
Administration
Depreciation
Governance		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
Period ended
Period ended
Period ended
31 Aug 2025
31 Aug 2025
31 Aug 2025
£
£
£
12,212
1,840
14,052
3,962
-
3,962
1,446
-
1,446
203
-
203
600
-
600
923
-
923
1,470
-
1,470
8,125
-
8,125
36,214
-
36,214
9,051
-
9,051
1,463
-
1,463
2,017
-
2,017
77,686
1,840
79,526
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
Year ended
Year ended
Year ended
31 Mar 2024
31 Mar 2024
31 Mar 2024
£
£
£
3,065
-
3,065
1,581
-
1,581
1,244
-
1,244
126
-
126
477
-
477
508
-
508
1,147
-
1,147
5,805
-
5,805
23,361
-
23,361
4,736
-
4,736
891
-
891
1,575
-
1,575
44,516
-
44,516

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Bright Hope Annual report and financial statements

4. Expenditure on charitable activities (continued from previous page)

Governance costs consists of:

Staff costs
Independent examination
Insurance
Gross salaries
Employers pension		 Total
Total
funds
funds
Period ended
Year ended
31 Aug 2025
31 Mar 2024
£
£
804
792
1,213
783
2,017
1,575
Total
Total
funds
funds
Period ended
Year ended
31 Aug 2025
31 Mar 2024
£
£
35,417
22,876
797
485
36,214
23,361
  1. Staff costs

The average headcount during the period was 1 persons (year ended 31 March 2024: 1).

No employee received employee benefits above £60,000 (year ended 31 March 2024: nil).

The total employee benefits paid to key management personnel during the period was £36,214 (year ended 31 March 2024: £23,361).

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Bright Hope Annual report and financial statements

Period ended 31 August 2025

6. Tangible fxed assets

7. Debtors and prepayments
8. Creditors-amounts falling due within one year
Cost
As at 1 April 2024
Additions in year
As at 31 August 2025
Accumulated depreciation
As at 1 April 2024
Charge in year
As at 31 August 2025
Net book value
As at 1 April 2024
As at 31 August 2025
Prepayments
Accruals
Pension payable		 Computers
Total
£
£
3,100
3,100
1,180
1,180
4,280
4,280
898
898
1,463
1,463
2,361
2,361
2,202
2,202
1,919
1,919
Total
Total
funds
funds
31 Aug 2025
31 Mar 2024
£
£
759
197
759
197
Total
Total
funds
funds
31 Aug 2025
31 Mar 2024
£
£
804
1,694
109
109
913
1,803

Charity number 1185851

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Bright Hope Annual report and financial statements

9. Analysis of charity funds

Balance Income Expenditure Transfers Balance
brought for the in the between carried
forward period period funds forward
Period ended Period ended Period ended Period ended Period ended
31 Aug 2025 31 Aug 2025 31 Aug 2025 31 Aug 2025 31 Aug 2025
£ £ £ £ £
Restricted funds
Events - 1,840 (1,840) - -
Total restricted funds - 1,840 (1,840) - -
Unrestricted 64,365 47,897 (77,686) - 34,576
Total funds 64,365 49,737 (79,526) - 34,576
vents
hese are donations to support various events and projects including the Tranform Reading project.
Balance Income Expenditure Transfers Balance
brought for the in the between carried
forward period period funds forward
Year ended Year ended Year ended Year ended Year ended
31 Mar 2024 31 Mar 2024 31 Mar 2024 31 Mar 2024 31 Mar 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted 68,511 40,370 (44,516) - 64,365
Total funds 68,511 40,370 (44,516) - 64,365

Events

These are donations to support various events and projects including the Tranform Reading project.

Charity number 1185851

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Bright Hope Annual report and financial statements

Period ended 31 August 2025

10. Analysis of net assets

Fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
31 Aug 2025
31 Aug 2025
31 Aug 2025
£
£
£
1,919
-
1,919
33,570
-
33,570
(913)
-
(913)
34,576
-
34,576
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
31 Mar 2024
31 Mar 2024
31 Mar 2024
£
£
£
2,202
-
2,202
63,966
-
63,966
(1,803)
-
(1,803)
64,365
-
64,365

11. Trustee remuneration

During the period, no trustee received any remuneration (year ended 31 March 2024: £Nil). No members of the Board of Trustees received reimbursement of expenses for their role as a trustee (year ended 31 March 2024: £Nil).

12. Related party transactions

During the current financial period, the spouse of one of the trustees (Oliver Lamping) received remuneration as pastor totalling £36,214 (year ended 31 March 2024: £23,361). The relevant trustee was exempt from discusssions related to this remuneration.

Charity number 1185851

20