2024-03-31-accounts

Oakham Evangelical Church

Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements For the period 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024

____________

1. Information

Trustees

Stephen Parkes (Pastor & Chair) Andrew Hayward Benjamin Knight Diane Parkes Peter Hayward Jonathan Timbrell Aimee Cains Andrew Parkes Leonard Timbrell

All the above trustees acted for the whole period.

Charity registration number

1186709

Address

Oakham Evangelical Church

City Rd, Tividale, Oldbury, West Midlands, B69 1QZ.

2. Background

The Church was established in 1872 and has a long history of service to our community as a source for teaching the Christian Faith, a place of prayer and worship and a platform of activity and support for the community. The Church's work extends well beyond Sundays, providing regular Bible Studies, prayer and worship events and a programme of community activities for young people, children, families, senior citizens and the wider community. The Church provides a place to learn and express the Christian faith, a place for people to connect with one another, an opportunity for volunteering and a source of pastoral care and support.

The Church works well with a range of partners, in particular; Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, West Midlands Police Service, Grace Mary Primary School and the Grace Mary to Lion Farm Big Local.

The Church is led by our Pastor, who is both a paid employee and trustee together with the other trustees who meet on a monthly basis. They are also supported by over 30 volunteers in the work of the Church.

3. Public Benefit

The Trustees confirm that we have given due consideration to and complied with the Commission’s guidelines on Public Benefit. We bear this in mind when planning and delivering activities. We have addressed identifiable needs to individuals, specific groups and the wider community.

Much of the church's work involves social contact, providing many opportunities for people to meet one another, enjoy activities, build skills and engage in volunteering. Our activities within the church's services and our community work provides an opportunity to meet a wide variety of people from various ages and backgrounds. Isolation is reduced and a range of support given.As a church a range of worship, teaching, prayer and fellowship events encourage people to grow in faith. Pastoral care, mentoring and support are available for church attendees and the wider community.

A number of members of the church and its leadership are involved in supporting local organisations. Working closely with the Local Authority and Schools. The church provides not only a facility and resources. It also provides a pool of local knowledge, expertise, skills and connections for the local community and the organisations within it.

4. Activities undertaken to achieve objectives

The Church's objects and purposes are detailed in our constitution. Concisely they are to advance the Christian faith through teaching and experience, and to address need in order to improve the conditions of life. Our varied, flexible and often developing programme addresses both of these objects. The church is ideally located as a hub for the local community and platform of activity. Our premises are well resourced, flexible, spacious and suitable for a range of activities. The churches programme is flexible, a core of regular activities is often supplemented with one off and short term activities and projects.

Weekly activities

Sunday Worship

Each Sunday the church met together for worship, prayer, teaching and fellowship from 10.00 AM each Sunday. This session includes an informal time, refreshments are served prior to the Family Service, giving people time and space to connect, socialise and mix. Our Family Service follows, worship, prayer, sermons, communion, participation from a wide range of the congregation is a key feature that is encouraged. Running alongside this is our Kids church, a popular activity for children from toddler up to 11 years of age. Stories, songs, fun and craft activities make this very popular.

In addition occasional extra activities such as Sunday countryside walks and communal meals have been added from time to time.

Bible Study

A Bible based informal discussion is held each week giving an opportunity to explore the Christian faith, enhance understanding and share thoughts and insights. Most studies are based around Bible passages and have explored a variety of topics

Carer and Toddler group

A popular session each week giving children a chance to interact with each other, play with new toys and for Carers to meet, chat and connect. A large area gives plenty of space to play and move around. Our range of toys and educational materials provide a useful opportunity for children to explore new and often larger toys. All find it a useful break in their daily routine to meet other carers and chat over coffee and biscuits. This group runs at full capacity and has a waiting list

Kids Club

This group provides a range of games and activities for kids in school years 2-4. Children enjoy the activities, the chance to meet school friends, make new ones and engage in different activities and games. Again this group runs at full capacity and has a waiting list

Worship Team

A weekly practice session for musicians to develop their skills, arrange music and blend as a team. New musicians are welcomed and support given. We have a long history of training, supporting and encouraging musicians to develop their skills

TLC

This senior citizens group meets together for a weekly two hour session, where refreshments are served and there is opportunity to socialise and chat, and take part in a variety of activities and games.

Crafty Ladies

A monthly session providing contact, crafts, talks and refreshments for an intergenerational group of ladies. Sharing skills, working on individual and joint projects and connecting with one another.

Youth Club

Activities, mentoring and games for a large group of young people in school year 5 and above. This group is working at near capacity and continues to grow. The safe, friendly environment it provides continues to provide a popular weekly meeting point for young people.

Special Events and Community Activities

A range of special and community events provide an opportunity for people to meet with others, develop interests and enjoy engaging in activities .

GM2LF Community Party and AGM

This took place in November and was attended by residents in the Grace Mary to Lion Farm Big Local catchment area to celebrate recent achievements and consult on future plans.

Harvest Festival & Food Bank

Our Harvest Festival collected a large number of food donations which were then passed on to our local Food Bank. The Church continues to collect donations of food and toiletries each week which we then deliver to our local Food Bank.

Quiz Night

This community social activity also raised funds on behalf of the charity Tearfund.

The Big Feed

Working in partnership with the Grace Mary to Lion Farm Partnership our team of 20 volunteers assembled and distributed Christmas food hampers to local families who had registered a need.This marks the second time we have taken part in the project. It has proven to be a very popular and much needed help to local families

Charity Football Match

This year a Charity Football Match was organised by one of our young volunteers to raise funds for the Compton Care a local hospice This has been a great opportunity for community activity and building friendships.

Winter walks

An opportunity for people to meet, take some exercise and enjoy the countryside.

Winter Wonderland

This event involved a visit to Santa’s grotto and a present for the kids, craft activities for all and shopping at our craft village stalls for Christmas presents.

Coronation

This was a major community event funded by Grace Mary to Lion Farm Big Local to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III. A large number of local residents and members of the church came to enjoy an ‘indoor picnic’ with live music, games and activities.

Garden project

A small area of land around the rear and side of the church was not in use and was often untidy and overgrown. The new rear boundary fence enhanced privacy and security for the church and our neighbours. A paved area with seating and shade together with raised garden beds created a lovely garden space useful for a variety of activities. The garden opening ceremony on 25th June, was well attended and the space is now in regular use as a community garden and recreation space.

Reflection

In our 150th anniversary year as a church, we have successfully developed our core activities and are now all well supported. Our connections in the local community, with individuals, families and organisations continue to be strong and positive. The church is a vibrant place to volunteer, receive help, discover new things to do and get involved in .

We have continued to provide pastoral support, our trustees performed several funerals and maintain a social media presence. People regularly view our online services and listen to our podcasts. This online presence and service live streaming will continue to be developed to meet local needs.

Our programme of activity, community connections and soft presence in the community for many years has been a very real support to both individuals and the community. We have reached many people and given them the opportunity to find faith, grow and express their faith. To develop skills, connections, develop friendships, express themselves and try new things. The Church is often active in signposting people to any services, help or support they need. We also act as an advocate for local needs.

5. Governance and Management

Constitution

The Church's governing document is our CIO constitution.

Appointment of Trustees

Trustees are appointed in line with the specific guidelines given in our constitution

Structure and decision making

The Church employs a Pastor who contributes significantly to the churches teaching programme, provides pastoral care and shares with the trustees, the responsibility for the leadership and development of the Church and its work. The Trustees meet monthly to oversee the work, decision making and direction of the Church.

6. Plans for the future

Moving into the future we continue to assess the types of activity we need to be rolling out in the future. In doing so we are bearing in mind our objects, our resources and the needs of the church, community and individuals around us. We continue to listen to our community and service users and talk to our partners, in particular our local Authority, local schools, other churches and voluntary organisations. The front boundary fence and gates are now beyond economical repair and require replacement to provide adequate site security.

7. Financial Review

The main source of our income is from regular donations by bank standing orders and cash donations in the offerings box from those who attend and support the Church at our Sunday meetings. Our major project this year was construction and equipping a new garden area. This was funded from reserves plus grants of £5000 from Grace Mary to Lion Farm Big Local and £4798 Sandwell MBC CIL Fund. As part of our Christmas community activities we raised £341 for The Children's Society.

8. Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Peter Hayward 10th August 2024

Andrew Parkes 10th August 2024

	Charity Name Oakham Evangelical Church	Charity Name Oakham Evangelical Church	Charity Name Oakham Evangelical Church	Charity Name Oakham Evangelical Church	No (if any) 1186709	CC16a
	Receipts and payments accounts
	For the period from		Period start date 1 April 2023	To	Period end date 31 March 2024
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted funds A1 Receipts to the nearest £			Restricted funds to the nearest £	Endowment funds to the nearest £	Total funds to the nearest £	Last year to the nearest £
Regular Donations	20,980		- - - - - 1,448 - -	-	20,980	19,335
Offering Box	9,282			-	9,282	8,364
Community Activities	451			-	451	2,998
Tax Reclaim	-			-	-	-
Grants (Roof & Garden)	-			-	-	14,797
Coronation celebration grant	-			-	1,448	-
Other	207			-	207	1,614
	-			-	-	-
A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). 30,920 Sub total (Gross income for AR)	30,920		1,448	-	32,368	47,108
A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table).
	-		- -	-	-	-
	-			-	-	-
30,920 A3 Payments - Sub total Total receipts	-		-	-	-	-
	30,920		1,448	-	32,368	47,108
Payroll	24,960		- 370	-	24,960	23,022
Utilities & Internet	3,771			-	4,141	2,505
Consumables	135		1,448	-	1,583	22
Insurance & Admin	2,271		-	-	2,271	2,193
Garden Area	530		6,445 - 723 - -	-	6,975	3,360
Property Maintenance	2,654			-	2,654	42,617
Media Plus	-			-	723	943
Other	-			-	-	125
	-			-	-	-
A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) 34,321 Sub total	34,321		8,986	-	43,307	74,787
A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table)
	-		- -	-	-
	-			-	-
34,321 - 3,401 - 25,848 22,447 A6 Vested funds A5 Transfers between funds - Sub total Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) Cash funds this year end	-		-	-	-
	34,321		8,986	-	43,307	74,787
	- 3,401		- 7,538	-	- 10,939	- 27,679
	-		- 19,115	-	-	-
	25,848			-	44,963	72,642
	22,447		11,577	-	34,024	44,963
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Categories B1 Cash funds	CAF Bank Details			Unrestricted funds to nearest £	Restricted funds to nearest £	Endowment funds to nearest £
				22,447	11,577	-
				-	-	-
				-	-	-
B2 Other monetary assets	Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details			22,447	11,577	-
				OK	OK	OK
				Unrestricted funds to nearest £	Restricted funds to nearest £	Endowment funds to nearest £
				-	-	-
				-	-	-

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

					Unrestricted			Restricted funds			Endowment
	Categories	Details			funds						funds
					to nearest £			to nearest £			to nearest £
B1	Cash funds	CAF Bank			22,447			11,577			-
					-			-			-
					-			-			-
		Total cash funds			22,447			11,577			-
		(agree balances with receipts and payments
		account(s))			OK			OK			OK
					Unrestricted			Restricted funds			Endowment
					funds						funds
		Details			to nearest £			to nearest £			to nearest £
B2	Other monetary assets				-			-			-
					-			-			-

CCXX R accounts (SS)

				-		-		-
				-		-		-
				-		-		-
				-		-		-
	Details			Fund to which asset belongs		Cost (optional)		Current value (optional)
B3 Investment assets						-		-
						-		-
						-		-
						-		-
						-		-
	Details			Fund to which asset belongs		Cost (optional)		Current value (optional)
B4 Assets retained for the						-		-
charity’s own use						-		-
						-		-
						-		-
						-		-
						-		-
						-		-
						-		-
						-		-
				Fund to which		Amount due		When due
	Details			liability relates		(optional)		(optional)
B5 Liabilities						-
						-
						-
						-
						-
Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees		Signature		Print	Name			Date of approval
				Peter Hayward				10/08/2024
				Andrew Parkes				10/08/2024

CCXX R accounts (SS)

Dear Trustees,

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Oakham Church

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Oakham church for the period 1/4/2023 to 31/3/2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Church 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 Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

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:

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or

2. the accounts do not accord with those records.

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.

Signed: C. Povey Name: Claire Povey

Relevant professional qualification or membership of professional bodies (if any): N/A Address: 72 Tower Road, Oldbury, B69 1NA

Date: 28/08/2024