Grindon Church Communlty Project: Trustees, Report This report on the activities and achievements of Grindon Church Community Project covers its operations during 2024. Introductlon In 2020 Grindon Church Communty Project was recognised and registered by the Charities Commission as a Charitable Incorporated Organisalion (CIO), operating in accordance with Christian prinaples at and from the former Grindon United Reformed Church in Sunderland, continuing the work of the Grindon Mission Project at this k)cation. Charity registralion enabled access to incOff streams and other forms of practical support which were unavailable to the previous operating model. Practlcal and emotlonal support for our community During 2024 discussions continued with the URC Northem Synod to consolidate the work of GCCP CIO with the needs and requirements of the community in west Sunderlarmd and surrounding areas, and our user groups at present and into the future and a favourable resolution is expected early in 2025. In partnership with United Reforrned Churth Northem Synod we have been supported by Alison Dalton. the Church Related Community Worker at Stockton Road URC, who provide spiritual leadership as in previous years. Rev Dr David Whiting, a retired minister and a trustee of GCCP provided spiritual oversight. Phil Gibbs, our voluntary mental heafth counsellor, continued to help and support people within GCCP and the wider communty. With the support of the Tom Cowie Foundatic>n we continued to run a Crisis Food Bank, which also provides non-food items induding domestic and personal hygiene products to those in acute need. Building and Facllltles Improvements Our premises are provided rent-free by the United Reformed Church Northem Synod Trust. Work to improve the building and grounds has continued during 2024. AII floor coverings and lighting systeff6 have been updated. and improverr*nts to other rooms continue. We have continued to increase our use of rr systems and have improved business efficiency. A newty-recruited volunteer runs train1r sessions for local people who do not have internet access arKVor expertise.
User Groups Our premises continue to be used by a wide range of groups, and 2024 saw our user and visitor numbers grow again to a level equal to those in years affected by the pandemic lockdown. We continue to developing partnerships arKI initiatives with arts and performance organisations throughout the region, and enjoy the creative opportunities provided for our users in the Sunderland community. Of particular note was a visiting exhibition and workshop provided by the National Gallery, with the support of Sunderland Cultural Spring. Arngst other groups based at GCCP the Grindon Painters Art Group has mounted exhibitions of Iheir work. the Pantastic Community Steel BarKJ perforff6 across the region, as does the Sunderland Jubilaie! Choir. We continue to support cornmunty groups such as these in any way we can, including preferential room rates, publicty and equipment storage space, and signposting them to potential funding. Our Parents & Toddlers Group continued to flourish, attracting families from well outside the Grindon area in addition to local people. The Craft & Natter Group and Men's Group started in 2023 with the aim of reducing social isolation meet weekty and have attracted members signposted by NHS Social Prescribing and mental health groups. Our gardens remain an attractive feature of GCCP, and we hope to enter Britain in Bloom again in the near future, a competition in which we were successful some years ago. Of some concern is the difficulty of attracting and retaining volunteers to work the gardens, although we have benefitted and enjoyed visits by employees of local businesses who have taken part in teamthilding events centred on the gardens. We have obtained grant furKling lo support the garden developments. Funding The greater part of (xjr funding is from grant applications, which continue to be made. We receive a three•year grant of £19.000 from the National Lottery Communty Fund, towards core costs. administrative costs. the provision of a caretaker arKI utility bills, and other activities are being developed. Much of the user group activty is funded by grants. and we help groups to apply for funding. SorrE of this irthme to the groups is transmitted to GCCP in Ihe fomi of room rental fees, which contribute to the costs of maintaining our services to the communty. We have managed to hold our room rental rates without increase for another year. which is an added attraction to new groups and the retention of existing ones.
Challenges Much of our work continues to be carried out by volunteers, largely trustees arKI their family members, with the support of our paid workers who also carry out voluntary work in their own time. The average age ol the trustees is over 60, and some are becoming less able to carry out practical jobs. The availabilty of volunteers from local employers is falling due to the current economic dimate. We are fortunaie to have grant funding for many of our core costs, but this is time- limited arKJ our field of potential grant providers offering core funding is limited. Trustee Dated g!l.loJL<
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WAIES GrOrKlon Church Commun Recei Pro No. 1189916 ents accounts ts and CC16a For th• wrlod from 01 Janua 2024 To 31 Decernr 2024 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted Restrlcted Endowment Total fu A1 R•c•l 31 A30 30J24 36A45 30524 2.618 5229 7193 NLCF Gfani 29.147 2A18 Fundr*YwJ HalH 3.832 62 AR) 61954 65297 SO• tab 207 61.954 82J71 65297 17A92 10J44 16J23 14J92 17.1199 10.197 24.915 15563 13.43J 18977 16JQl 1654 Sub total 67A50 68M74 Sub Ioeal $8551 67A50 68,674 15,421 JJ AS Transf•rs between funds A6 Cash funds last y•ar •nd Cash funds thls y•w 41, 37,66 CCXX R1 aLX)Xmts (SS)
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestrlcted Restrlcted funds Endowment Delails B1 Cash funds 44>50 3J11 $327 44550 funds lo M•r• £ Details Fund to ¥hthlch C4XT•rf valu• Details FWMI * ¥rtbkh Details (QFthn• B4 Assets retalned for the charlty's own u80 Fund ts thh Amount d Details B5 Uabllltles Dale ot boh41 d 1 the CCXX R2 acc4xKts (SS) 21(025
Independent examlnerfs report to the trustees of Grindon Church Community Projert Charity No. 1189916 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Grindon Church Community Project (the Charity) for the year ended 31 December 2024. ResP(X1b1lItles and basls of report As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the ACV). I report in respect of my exarnlnation of the CharItS accounts carried out under section 145 of the 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 examlnerfs statement I have completed my examlnation. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination 8iving me cause to believe that in any material respect: l. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records: or 3. the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concernlng 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 fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connectlon wlth the examinatlon to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Name: Jeff Ledger Quallficatlon: Chartered Certified Accountant 56 Belle Vue Park West, Sunderland. SR2 7SB Date: 30 ottober 2025