# **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 FOR LIGHTHOUSE SHELSWELL**
Registered charity in England & Wales with registration no: 1187651
Registered charity in England & Wales. No: 1187651 Bridge House, Great Missenden Buckinghamshire, HP16 9AZ
## **Contents:**
Section 1: Structure, Governance & Management Section 2: Objectives & Activities Section 3: Achievements & Performance Section 5: Declaration
## **Registered address:**
Bridge House, Station Approach Great Missenden Bucks HP16 9AZ
## **Trustees:**
Rev Alice Goodall - Chair Veronica Barnes Flora Skinner Helen Willis
The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023
## **Section 1: Structure, Governance & Management**
## **Governing document**
Lighthouse Shelswell was registered as a foundation CIO on 29 January 2020, charity number 1159079.The members of the charity are its trustees and membership cannot be transferred to anyone else. Therefore, only the trustees are able to vote on any matter relating to the charity.
## **Appointment of trustees**
As set out in the CIO Foundation Document, trustees are appointed by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. The chair of trustees is nominated by the trustees and may at any point revoke such appointment. When considering the appointment of trustees, the board has regard to the requirement for any specialist skills needed for the effective administration of the charity.
## **Trustee induction**
As a small charity new trustees are well aware of our objectives and the work we undertake. As such, the induction of new trustees is minimal. New trustees receive a copy of the current version of the Foundation Document, a copy of the most recent Trustees’ Annual Report and statement of accounts, and the Charity Commission’s ‘Charity Trustee Welcome Pack’ and ‘The essential trustee: what you need to know, what you need to do (CC3)’ guide.
## **Organisation**
The board of trustees, which can have up to eight members, administers the charity, with responsibilities for different areas. The board meets at least three times a year, in accordance with the Foundation Document.
A management committee, members of which are approved by the trustees at an annual meeting, is appointed by the trustees to manage the organisation of the Lighthouse Shelswell event.
All trustees, and members of committees, give their time voluntarily and received no benefits from the charity.
## **Section 2: Objective & Activities**
Lighthouse Shelswell has been set up to:
- promote the Christian faith primarily in children and young people by initiating and supporting the organisation of non-residential Christian holiday clubs, which are free of charge with all costs met from voluntary donations, fundraising events, grants and sponsorship.
- To do this in conjunction with Christian churches in their locality through the work of all denominations wishing to participate.
In shaping our objectives for the year and planning our activities, the trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, including the guidance ‘Public benefit: running a charity (PB2)’.
Lighthouse Shelswell provides a free children’s holiday club which is open to all irrespective of beliefs. It provides a great week of fun activities and teaching and strengthens relationships in the community with several churches working together.
## **Public benefit to children and young people**
Our activities benefit children and young people by telling them about mainstream Christianity ecumenically, not from the perspective of a single denomination; and providing them with a safe, fun environment for activities such as craft, sport, drama and games. It also gives them an experience of being in a Christian environment.
## **Public benefit to their parents**
Our activities provide safe, well run Christian events, which are open to children of all faiths and none. These facilities are provided free of charge.
## **Public benefit to teenagers**
Our activities allow teenagers to develop their caring skills for younger children under the supervision of adults, allowing them to gain experience, and through helping to facilitate Christian teaching, they are able to further their understanding of Christianity.
## **Section 3: Achievements & Performance**
## **Chairman’s Report for 2023**
1. The Lighthouse Trustees met four times via Zoom, together with others involved in the management committee, in the months leading up to the holiday week. In addition everyone attended a volunteers training session held on Sunday 9[th] July 2023, or watched a recording of this, and two representatives met with the head of Finmere school for an orientation session on 13th July.
2. Lighthouse Shelswell was held from Monday 24[th] July – Friday 28[th] July 2023 at Finmere Church of England Primary School.
3. The event was attended by 48 children in all: seventeen 4 – 6 year olds, seventeen 7 – 9 year olds and fourteen 10 plus year olds.
4. The week was planned and facilitated by an excellent team of volunteers, 13 adults and 6 teenagers. We were pleased to welcome some new volunteers onto the team.
5. Everyone met together for Main Stage at the start and finish of the day. Otherwise activities were offered within the three age groups.
6. We largely follow the structure offered by Lighthouse Central, which seemed to work well. The material provided by Lighthouse Central for ‘Big God Little me’ was agreed to be excellent.
7. Informal feedback from the week was very positive, most children and volunteers saying that they would want to come again the following year.
8. This year we introduced ‘fire fly’ roles for the children who had just finished year 6. Fire flies helped out with some of the younger children. The role proved popular. Three of the fire flies were given invitations to act as Lamp Lighters in 2024, and all three were enthusiastic about this.
9. Next year’s Lighthouse will run from Monday 29[th ] July – Friday 2[nd] August 2024.
## **Section 4: Financial Review**
Lighthouse Shelwell secured internet banking through our Lloyds bank account.
External donations from companies and organisations were not requested for this year, as the balance was deemed healthy enough not to require any injection of further funds at this time.
Parental contributions and associated Gift Aid for 2023 year totalled £1045.40
A total of £724.36 was spent on resources.
Insurance and Lighthouse Central Services, the new Lighthouse subscription and cost of using the school was £796.13
Branded clothing cost £158.92
Opening balance at 1 October 2022 £4032.33
**Total payments £1679.41 Total receipts £1045.40 Adjustment £0000.20 Current balance £3398.52**
## **Principal Funding Sources**
The principal funding source for the Trust are donations from the beneficiaries of the Trust. Donations from individuals, trusts and the local deanery will also be sources of funding
## **Section 5: Declaration**
The trustees declare that they have approved this trustees’ report.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:
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Full name: Alice Goodall
Position: Chair____
Date:
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**Alice Goodall 8.11.2023**