2024-12-31-accounts - St. Gabriel Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church Portsmouth

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 01-01-2024 Period start date To 31-12-2024 Period end date

Charity name: ST. GABRIEL ERITREAN ORTHODOX TEWAHEDO CHURCH PORTSMOUTH

Charity registration number: 1190851

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The purpose of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation is, for the public benefit, to advance the Christian faith in accordance with our Statement of Faith. We do this by providing regular worship services, sacraments (such as baptisms, weddings, Eucrest and more), and pastoral support. We also nurture children and young people through Sunday teaching, welcome and integrate new members into our community, and offer practical help and guidance where needed.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	• Held regular worship services and sacraments, including Sunday liturgies, baptisms, weddings, and other pastoral ceremonies. • Provided weekly hymen lessons for children and young people, supporting their Christian education and cultural heritage. • Welcomed new families and individuals into our community, offering guidance, translation support, and fellowship to help them settle. • Organised celebrations of major Christian festivals, and pastoral visits to those in need.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	The trustees confirm that they have had due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission when exercising their duties and in planning the charity’s activities throughout the year.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	The charity does not operate as a grant-making body. All funds received are applied directly to the delivery of our charitable activities and services.
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38
Other

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	During the year, the charity has strengthened its role as a place of worship, learning and support for the Eritrean and Ethiopian community in Portsmouth. Through weekly services and Sunday School, children and young people have grown in their understanding of the Christian faith and their cultural heritage. New families and individuals, including recent arrivals and refugees, have been welcomed and supported, helping them to integrate into both the church community and wider society. Our celebrations of major Christian festivals have provided opportunities for cultural expression and community cohesion, bringing people together in faith and friendship. The charity has also provided pastoral care and practical assistance to members experiencing hardship, improving their wellbeing and reducing isolation. These achievements have contributed to the spiritual growth of our members, the preservation of cultural traditions, and the strengthening of social bonds, delivering wider benefits to both our congregation and the local community.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41	Growth of Congregants – The number of congregants and followers grew steadily during the year, with new families and individuals joining the church community. This increase has strengthened the fellowship of the church and expanded the base of volunteers and supporters available to the charity.
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41
Other

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	The charity’s cash funds at the end of the year is 27,042.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	Reserves are held as Savings towards a goal of buying a new church building. unforeseen payments, equipment, facilities, and bills to be paid.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	£27,042
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	None

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements	Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements	where relevant about:
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	The charity’s income is derived primarily from the membership fees of its members, voluntary contributions and donations of its members and supporters. Additional funds are raised through offerings made during worship services. The charity also receives occasional one-off gifts and donations from well-wishers and friends of the community.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46	The charity does not hold any investments. Funds are retained in the charity’s bank account and applied directly towards its charitable purposes as and when required. The trustees therefore have not adopted a formal investment policy.
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	The trustees have considered the main risks facing the charity during the year. These include: • Financial sustainability – reliance on voluntary donations and fundraising may affect the charity’s ability to meet ongoing costs and future plans. • Access to suitable premises – as the charity does not yet own a permanent place of worship, there is a risk that hired venues may become unavailable or unaffordable. • Volunteer capacity – the charity depends heavily on trustees and volunteers; illness, relocation or reduced availability could impact activities. • Governance and compliance – as a small charity run largely by volunteers, there is a risk of administrative or regulatory requirements being overlooked without careful attention. • Safeguarding – activities with children and vulnerable adults require appropriate safeguarding measures and vigilance at alltimes.


Other		Looking ahead, the trustees are actively pursuing opportunities to secure a permanent place of worship and community centre for St. Gabriel Eritrean Orthodox Church. This would provide long-term stability, reduce reliance on hired premises, and enable the expansion of our activities, particularly for children, young people and families. The trustees are also exploring new fundraising initiatives, online giving platforms, and partnerships with local and national organisations to support this goal.

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Type of governing document (Para 1.25): The charity is governed by a constitution in the form prescribed for Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs) and approved by the Charity Commission for England and Wales. In addition, the charity has adopted bylaws to support effective communication and efficient operation among its members and governing bodies.
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	The charity is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. It is governed by its Constitution, which sets out the charity’s objects, powers, and the arrangements for the appointment of trustees and conduct of meetings.
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	New trustees are normally appointed by the existing trustees at a properly convened meeting of the board, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution. The board may also appoint additional trustees during the year to fill vacancies or to bring in individuals with specific skills or experience required by the charity. All trustees are subject to retirement and re- appointment at intervals specified in the governing document In addition, the spiritual leadership of the church plays an important role in guiding the process of trustee selection, ensuring that those appointed are committed to the faith, values, and community life of the church. The trustees work closely with the spiritual leaders to ensure that governance decisions are consistent with the charity’s Christian ethos and pastoral responsibilities.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements		where relevant about:
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	Para 1.51
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51	The charity is governed by its trustees, who have legal responsibility for the management and administration of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation. The trustees meet regularly to make decisions on strategy, finance, safeguarding, and the delivery of charitable activities. Day-to-day activities are carried out by volunteers under the oversight of the trustees and

		with the pastoral guidance of the priest and spiritual leadership of the church. The charity is independent but works in fellowship with other Eritrean and Ethiopian Orthodox congregations in the UK. Where appropriate, the trustees and members of the spiritual leadership also engage with local churches, community organisations, and statutory bodies to promote integration, support refugees, and strengthen community cohesion.
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51	The charity is independent and is not controlled by, nor does it control, any other organisation. It maintains a close spiritual relationship with the wider Eritrean Orthodox Church, but there are no formal legal or financial links. Some trustees and volunteers are also members of the congregation, as we are faith-based charity. The trustees ensure that any potential conflicts of interest are declared and managed in accordance with the charity’s Constitution and Charity Commissionguidance.
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	St. Gabriel Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church Portsmouth
Other name the charity uses
Registered charity number	1190851
Charity’s principal address	The Parish Church of the Ascension, Stubbington Avenue, PORTSMOUTH, PO2 0JG

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any)
	Rahwa Welday		21.03.2025
	Samrawit Tsegay		21.03.2025
	Solomun Ghebremeskel Tekle		21.03.2025
	Freweini Solomon sium		21.03.2025
	Tesfamariam Goitom		21.03.2025
	Kibrom Teclehaymanot		21.03.2025
	Dawit Ghebreigziabher		21.03.2025

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name
`DAWIT GHEBREIGZIAB`	`HER` `CHAIR`

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets Not applicable held in this capacity Name and objects of the Not applicable charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for Not applicable safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of	Name	Address
adviser

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date
	Dawit Ghebreigziabher	Kibrom Teclehaymanot
	Chair	Secretary
	15/10/2025
	15/10/2025

Charity Name Charity No (if any) ST. GABRIEL ERITREAN ORTHODOX TEWAHEDO CHURC1190851

Receipts and payments accounts

CC16a

For the period Period start date Period end date To from 01/01/2024 31/12/2024

Section A Receipts and payments

Unrestricted Restricted Endowment funds funds funds to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £

Total funds Last year

to the nearest £ to the nearest £

A1 Receipts

Fundraising	590	-	-	590	-
Sunday Small Donations	5,398	-	-	5,398	-
Membership fee	8,500	-	-	8,500	-
General Donations	950	-	-	950	-
Service fee	400	-	-	400	-
	-	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-	-
*Sub total*(Gross income for AR)	15,838	-	-	15,838	-

Fundraising	590	-	-	590	-
Sunday Small Donations	5,398	-	-	5,398	-
Membership fee	8,500	-	-	8,500	-
General Donations	950	-	-	950	-
Service fee	400	-	-	400	-
	-	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-	-
*Sub total*(Gross income for AR)	15,838	-	-	15,838	-
A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table).	- - - 15,838 4,280 2,208 5,100 - - - - - - 11,588 - - - 11,588 4,250 - 22,792 27,042	- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	- - - 15,838 4,280 2,208 5,100 - - - - - - 11,588 - - - 11,588 4,250
	-
	-				-
*Sub total*	-				-
*Total receipts* A3 Payments
					-

Property Rent	4,280				-
Church Materials and equipment	2,208				-
Priest and Deacon service fee	5,100				-
	-				-
	-				-
	-				-
	-				-
	-				-
	-				-
**Sub total **	11,588				-

A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table)
	-
	-
**Sub total **	-				-
*Total payments* *Net of receipts/(payments)* A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end *Cash funds this year end*
					-

	4,250	-	-	4,250	-
	-	-	-	-	-
	22,792	-	-	22,792	-
	27,042	-	-	27,042	-

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

Details Details Details Details *Total cash funds* (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details	Unrestricted funds to nearest £ - - - - Agreement Error Unrestricted funds to nearest £ - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which liability relates	Restricted funds to nearest £ - - - - OK Restricted funds to nearest £ - - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Amount due (optional) - - - - -	Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - - OK Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - - - - - When due (optional) Date of approval 21/10/2025 er 21/10/25	Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - - OK Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - - - - - When due (optional) Date of approval 21/10/2025 er 21/10/25
Signature	Print Name		Date of approval
	~~Freweini Sium~~		21/10/	2

	Dawit Ghebreigziab	h