**Independent Examiner’s Report to the Thetford Vineyard Church (Charity No. 1188794) on the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st March 2024** ## **Respective Responsibilites of Trustees & Examiner** The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Charities Act") and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: - examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, - follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission - (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and - to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. ## **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** In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention which would affect the figures below. 1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements: - to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and - to prepare accounts, which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Kieran Kenny Emerald Accountants Limited Keystone Innovation Centre Croxton Road Thetford Norfolk IP24 1JD 27 September 2024 ## **Thetford Vineyard Church** ## **Annual Report and Statement of Accounts** **For the Year Ended 31[st] March 2024** Charity Registration Number: 1188794 1 Thetford Vineyard Church Annual Report and Statement of Accounts For the Year Ended 31st March 2024 |**Contents**|| |---|---| |Page 3|Legal and Administrative Information| |Page 4|Trustees’ Report| |Page 6|Financial Review| |Page 7|Statement of Financial Activities| |Page 8|Trial Balance| |Page 10|Balance Sheet| |Page 11|Notes to the Accounts| 2 ## **Thetford Vineyard Church** ## **Legal and Administrative Information** Charity Registration Number 1188794 Date of Registration 30[th] March 2020 Start of Financial Year 1[st] April 2023 End of Financial Year 31[st] March 2024 Trustees as of 31[st] March 2022 Lorraine Burke Matthew Bush - Julie Allsopp Governing Document - Constitution, last amended 30[th] March 2020. - Additional Information Thetford Vineyard Church is part of Vineyard Churches UK and Ireland (VCUKI). Charitable Objects To advance the Christian religion for the public benefit in accordance with the statement of faith found in the governing document in such parts of the United Kingdom and the world through: - The organisation and provision of Christian worship - The provision of such facilities and services as are appropriate for the church, to enable it to fulfil its mission to the members of the church, visitors to the church and the local community and the wider community - The provision of facilities for Christian training and service - The support and provision of Christian evangelism and outreach - The provision of assistance to the wider Christian church in its ministries. Registered Address 29 Magdalen Street Thetford Norfolk IP24 2BP Primary Bankers Lloyds Bank 35 King Street Thetford IP24 2AX 3 ## **Thetford Vineyard Church** ## **Trustees’ Report** ## Activities and Performance - **Growkids Thetford –** We have now been at the Growkids Family Lounge (53 York Way) for 2 years and have seen the service mature and stabilize. We still offer a walk-in session every Tuesday and Friday morning; where families can come and browse the free clothes we have to offer, their children can play and we can offer them hot drinks, a chat and often prayer. We have continued to give out hundreds of bags of clothing free of charge to the community and are still well-supported through donations. The Growkids Grotto was a great success again this year, providing a free experience to see Santa, have a family photo and receive a small gift to around 100 children. Grants continue to come in from various funding bodies to support the work of Growkids - these include £3,000 from the Paul Bassham Charitable Trust, £5,000 from the Norfolk Community Foundation, £1,000 from the Shadwell Stud and £2,000 from Cynthia Della Hoy’s Croxton Charity. We have also been made Roy's charity of the year for 2024 which will provide approximately £1,000. - **Sunday Gatherings -** In November 2023, we came to an agreement with Norwich Road Primary Academy allowing us to host all of our Sunday gatherings from this location. This central, consistent location significantly increases our visibility as a Church, allowing those who wish to join us on Sunday easily find us. This agreement also means we have access to storage space and a separate venue for kids work (Vineyard Kids). We meet every 2 weeks to worship, listen to a talk from the bible and receive prayer. - **Baptisms -** On Easter Sunday 31st March, we celebrated our first baptisms as a Church. 4 people took the significant step to publicly profess their faith in Jesus Christ and be baptised. For most of the candidates, the Alpha course was instrumental. This was a joyful and important milestone for us as a Church. - **Brunch Church -** Once a month on a Sunday we meet at Norwich Road Primary Academy to share a brunch meal together. There are activities for children to participate in and for families to enjoy. This is our best attended event and serves as a good opportunity to welcome those who would otherwise be tentative to walk into a Church service. - **Serve Schools** – Through our monthly Serve Schools Sunday project, we continue to build relationships with head teachers and staff from a range of schools. Since our move to Norwich Road Primary Academy, we have chosen to focus on the various projects available at this location. This has allowed us to strengthen our ties with Norwich Road Primary Academy and means that we meet in the same venue each week - providing clarity to those who want to visit the Church. 4 - **Coaching -** In the previous financial year (2022-2023), Julie Allsopp, a Church member and professional coach offered 1:1 coaching sessions for school leaders, subsidised by the Church. In the financial year ended (2023-2024), TVC did not support any coaching of leaders in schools. However, Julie has continued to build on the foundations established last year with Raleigh & Admirals Academies and has continued to provide coaching services to a further 5 senior leaders in those schools, delivered in her professional capacity. This has extended the effects of the coaching overall, further improving the work/life balance for more members of staff, helping more of them understand and appreciate their own strengths in the workplace, and the strengths of their colleagues too - leading to more functional and successful teams. The original partnerships with Thetford Vineyard Church set this process in motion and have produced great results further down the line - this being a great example of how the church has sought to bless the town of Thetford in creative and impactful ways. - **Prayer -** We hold a weekly 30–40-minute prayer meeting called “The Lamp Room’ over zoom in which we pray for the town and listen for prophetic leading. - **The Allotment -** The community allotment remains a place to meet and spend time together outside. As a Church planted during the pandemic, this was a valuable resource. Since the ease of restrictions and our move to using Norwich Road Primary Academy as a Sunday venue, this space is no longer used frequently. During the summer months however, it may provide an alternative venue for people to meet socially or in smaller groups. - **Mid-week Life Groups and other Groups –** Life groups have continued to be place sin which we spend time with each other and with God. We currently meet in three locations across Thetford in this way. Once a month we meet as groups of men and women where the focus is to build networks of deep, authentic relationship. - **Mid-week Community meals** – At Thetford Vineyard Church, we believe that gathering around a table is one of the best ways to grow authentic relationship with each other. Once a month we gather across homes in Thetford for a bring-and-share meal. This has proved to be an effective way to welcome friends, family, neighbours and colleagues. 5 ## Financial Review - Total income during the financial year ending 31st March 2024 was £44,541.44 - (£30,940.16 General - Unrestricted and £13,601.28 Growkids - Restricted) - £5,934.68 Gift-Aid was claimed during the reporting period - During the reporting period, several grants were awarded to fund the work of Growkids Thetford - £3,000 was awarded by the Paul Bassham Charitable Trust - £5,000 was awarded by the Norfolk Community Foundation - £1,000.00 was awarded by the Shadwell Stud - £500 was awarded by the People’s Postcode Lottery - £100 was awarded by KFC - £500 was awarded by Growbaby International - £500 was awarded by TESCO - £2000 was awarded by Cynthia Della Hoy’s Croxton Charity - £70 was awarded by the Thomas Paine Hotel, Thetford, following a Charity event. - A total of £31.28 was awarded from the Amazon Smile Programme. - Total expenditure during the financial year ending 31st March 2024 was £37,440.26 represented by £21,381.07 (General - Unrestricted) and 16,059.19 (Growkids - Restricted) - Thetford Vineyard Church employs three members of staff. Throughout the reporting period, two staff members (Kate Jones - Growkids Manager and Sarah Leggett - Growkids Assistant Manager) were paid from the Growkids - Restricted fund. Up until May 2024, one staff member (Victoria Bush - Growkids Coordinator) was also paid from the Growkids - Restricted fund. In the reporting period, Growkids staff costs from the Restricted fund were £8,214.16 - From June 2023, Victoria Bush was paid from the General - Unrestricted fund as a Senior Pastor. In the reporting period, Thetford Vineyard Church staff costs from the General fund were £6,202.40 - The deficits of £3,008.69 and £445 in the Growkids (Restricted) and Hardship funds respectively, are met by the surplus in the General (Unrestricted) fund. - Thetford Vineyard Church finished the year ending 31[st] March 2024 with Net Current Assets of £62,492.36 (£62,756.23 cash) 6 ## **Statement of Financial Activities** ## **For the Year Ended 31st March 2024** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Unrestricted £ Restricted £ Total £ Prior Year £
Incoming Resources
Donations & Legacies 30640.16 900 31540.16 26293.72
Charitable Activities 300 12701.28 13001.28 13770.75
Total incoming resources 30940.16 13601.28 44541.44 40064.47
Resources Used
Charitable Activities 21381.07 16059.19 37440.26 31233.96
Total resources used 21381.07 16059.19 37440.26 31233.96
Net Incoming / Outgoing Resources
(before transfers) 9559.09 -2457.91 7101.18 8830.51
Fund Transfers In 0 0 0 0
Fund Transfers Out 0 0 0 0
Net Incoming / Outgoing Resources
(before gains/losses) 9559.09 -2457.91 7101.18 8830.51
Investment Gains (or Losses) 0 0 0 0
Net Incoming / Outgoing Resources
(before Asset Revaluation) 9559.09 -2457.91 7101.18 8830.51
Asset Revaluation 0 0 0 0
Net Movement of Funds 9559.09 -2457.91 7101.18 8830.51
Total Funds Brought Forward 56386.96 -995.78 55391.18 46560.67
Total Funds Carried Forward 65946.05 -3453.69 62492.36 55391.18
Represented By
General (Unrestricted) 65946.05 0 65946.05 56386.96
Hardship Fund (Restricted) 0 -445 -445 -445
Growkids (Restricted) 0 -3008.69 -3008.69 -550.78
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7 ## **Trial Balance** ## **For the Year Ended 31st March 2024** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Account Debit £ Credit £
Assets
Thetford Vineyard Church 62,756.23
Accounts Receivable 0
Prepayments 0
Fixed Assets 339.43
Liabilities
Accounts Payable 603.3
Deferred Income 0
Loans 0
Income
General (Unrestricted): Donations: One Off Gifts 2,000.00
General (Unrestricted): Donations: Regular Donations 22,705.48
General (Unrestricted): Gift Aid: Gift Aid 5,934.68
General (Unrestricted): Other Income: Other 300
Growkids (Restricted): Dontations: One Off Gifts 900
Growkids (Restricted): Other Income: Other 12,701.28
Expenditure
General (Unrestricted): Admin: Accounting 182.25
General (Unrestricted): Admin: Equipment & Consumables 4,058.90
General (Unrestricted): Admin: IT 78.96
General (Unrestricted): Admin: Insurance 412.41
General (Unrestricted): Admin: Licences 1,079.13
General (Unrestricted): Admin: Safeguarding 149.45
General (Unrestricted): Building: Rent 1,887.10
General (Unrestricted): Comms: Design & Print 908.59
General (Unrestricted): Comms: Website 144
General (Unrestricted): Community and Outreach: Allotment 7.99
General (Unrestricted): Community and Outreach: Schools 39.29
General (Unrestricted): Community and Outreach: Youth 124.08
General (Unrestricted): Compassion: Other 2,097.73
General (Unrestricted): Gift: Other 65
General (Unrestricted): Gift: Tithe 1,432.63
General (Unrestricted): Staffing: Salary 6,202.40
General (Unrestricted): Staffing: Training 2,511.16
Growkids (Restricted): Compassion: Growkids - staff 8,214.16
Growkids (Restricted): Compassion: Growkids- Other 1,129.29
Growkids (Restricted): Compassion: Growkids- Rent 6,490.74
Growkids (Restricted): Compassion: Other 225
Net Gains (or Losses)
Investments 0
Reserves
Cumulative Total of Reserves up until end of last financial year 55,391.18
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8 |Cumulative Asset Revaluation||0| |---|---|---| |**TOTAL**|**100,535.9**
**2**|**100,535.92**| 9 ## **Balance Sheet** ## **For the Year Ended 31st March 2024** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Unrestricted £ Restricted £ Total £ Prior Year £
Current Assets
62756.2
Cash 65709.92 -2953.69 3 53264.18
Accounts Receivable 0 0 0 0
Prepayments 0 0 0 0
Non-Current Assets
Fixed Assets 339.43 0 339.43 339.43
Investments 0 0 0 0
Current Liabilities
Accounts Payable 103.3 500 603.3 -1787.57
Non-Current Liabilities 0 0 0 0
62492.3
Total Net Assets (Assets Minus Liabilities) 65946.05 -3453.69 6 55391.18
Represented By
65946.0
General (Unrestricted) 65946.05 5 56386.96
Hardship Fund (Restricted) -445 -445 -445
Growkids (Restricted) -3008.69 -3008.69 -550.78
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10 ## **Notes to the Accounts** **GIFT-AID** As a registered charity, Thetford Vineyard Church is eligible to claim Gift-Aid. In the financial year ending 31[st] March 2024, £5,934.68 Gift-Aid was claimed from HMRC. **PAYMENTS TO SENIOR PASTORS AND TRUSTEES** Up until May 2024, Victoria Bush, a senior pastor of Thetford Vineyard Church, was paid as the Coordinator of Growkids Thetford for 8 hours per week at a rate of £11 per hour. From June 2024, she has been paid as a Senior Pastor for 10 hours per week at a rate of £7800 per annum. Trustees are currently unpaid. No other payments were made to trustees or any persons connected with them during this financial period. No other material transaction took place between the organisation and a trustee or any person connected with them. **RISK ASSESSMENT** The trustees actively review the major risks which the charity faces on a regular basis and believe that maintaining the free reserves stated, combined with the annual review of the controls over key financial systems carried out on an annual basis will provide sufficient resources in the event of adverse conditions. The Trustees have also examined other operational and business risks which they face and confirm that they have established systems to mitigate the significant risks. **RESERVES POLICY** The trustees have considered the level of reserves they wish to retain, appropriate to the charity's needs. This is based on the charity's size and the level of financial commitments held. The trustees aim to ensure the charity will be able to continue to fulfil its’ charitable objectives even if there is a temporary shortfall in income or unexpected expenditure. The trustees will endeavour not to set aside funds unnecessarily. **PUBLIC BENEFIT** The charity acknowledges its’ requirement to demonstrate clearly that It must have charitable purposes or 'aims' that are for the public benefit. Details of how the charity has achieved this are provided in the Trustees report. The trustees confirm that they have paid due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit before deciding what activities the charity should undertake. 11 The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on were signed on tts behalf by.. and Lorraine Burke (Chair of Trustee51 Matthew Bush ITrusteel Julie Allsopp ITrusteel 12