Report of the Activities of the charity 21-22
Introduction
During this year we were able to build on the strategy and vision that had that had been developed during the last two years to offer Christian based youth activities to the young people of Redditch and the surrounding area through a wide range of events. In January 2022 we appointed a well qualified Center Director on a 0.5 contract with the initial brief to establish the operational structure, build relationships with young people across the town, kick start youth meetings at churches and work to establish partnerships with churches and youth groups and raise the profile of RYFC across the town.
Work of the charity
Having been appointed the Director quickly established a relationship with the Salvation Army branch in Redditch and was given freedom to use their facilities as a base for meetings and activities. This was greatly appreciated and gave the charity a base on the edge of the town centre. Whilst supporting the Salvation Army in their ongoing social action work the Director established links with families that led to young people being welcomed and joining in the developing worship band and choir which now meet on a weekly basis.
Many of this group of young people have become regular members of the midweek Bible study where the young people read and discuss Scripture and seek to apply it to their lives.
Having developed a relationship with a group of young people on the Churchill community it was decided to hold a regular youth service at the small Methodist Church in the estate centre on a Sunday afternoon. This service is now the most well attended service - with up to 55 attending the church and supported by some young people from other churches in the town. Young people participate in leading all aspects of the service including giving the talk and playing in the worship band. This is followed by a time where the young people can get together with the Director and build relationships. The young people have also benefitted from the connections built with the Bethel organisation and Redditch YMCA, who hosted a music session with some of the young musicians.
There has been a particular emphasis on the poor, needy, homeless. Joe has developed partnerships with another charity, which has resulted in a recovery cafe for addicts set up on Friday afternoons.
The Director has been the catalyst for setting up weekly prayer walks around the Town Center and having weekly outreach meetings in Gregs Cafe in the Redditch Kingfisher Center. The RYFC work had been underpinned by prayer.
One of the areas of work that most challenging has been the relationship with the local schools. The Director has offered his services to support the RE curriculum and spiritual and social work of schools but in the first year has not succeeded in gaining regular access to our Middle or High Schools. Good links have been made with GSUS live who have a good history of working in Redditch schools.
The Director has made a considerable impact during the first 9 months in post
and a number of young people have grown in their faith, with some taking a leading role in the group. Many regular groups have become established, and solid structures are in place for the work to grow. We are indebted to the support shown by the local Salvation Army branch and St Andrew’s Methodist church for their willingness to host events and make their facilities available.
The work of the Trustees
The trustees have met on 5 occasions for full meetings during the year and subgroups were established to manage the recruitment process for the Centre Director and the successful - and very well attended - Commissioning Service. This included an inspirational service with a talk from the national director Neil Boyle, the chair of Trustees and the director of ministries for YFC. The trustees and Centre Director-were commissioned to carry the work of RYFC.
During the year the Chair of Trustees stepped down following a move away from the area and a new chair was appointed. All full meetings were well attended, minuted and records kept. At the end of the year our board consisted of 7 trustees, 2 of whom are women and a minuting secretary. The Trustees are indebted to the support received from the national team at Youth for Christ and were pleased to adopt their core policies. Public Liability Insurance was purchased as we moved to officially begin work with young people. Trustees spent some time discussing and agreeing on the mission statement and strategic aims of RYFC which align to the overarching sims of the Charity.
Mission Statement – To commit to pray without ceasing for the youth of this area so that Jesus’ name might be lifted high and our town’s motto be truly refreshed – ‘Redditch for God’
Strategic Aims -
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To bring the gospel and hope to the youth of Redditch
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To bring the gospel and hope to youth who are marginalised, have drug/dependency issues, are homeless or on the fringes of society.
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To engage with Redditch schools, take part in assemblies, RE lessons and Christian Unions in partnership with organisations such as Gsus Live, Birmingham City Mission, Betel and Youth for Christ nationally.
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To develop Christianity Explored (adults and youth course) with churches and groups across Redditch
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To develop the capacity through peer discipleship and evangelism to develop existing youth groups within Redditch churches.
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To work in partnership with Trustees and churches to develop a robust and sustainable funding strategy to fund the centre director post and expand the staffing of Redditch Youth for Christ. Redditch Youth for Christ Trustees MeetingMinutes.
. Trustees raised almost one year’s salary for the Director. The majority of donations were from individuals with contributions from some churches.
RYFC Trustees were the catalyst for setting up the first Christian football team which entered a team in the Christian World Cup in Guatemala 2022. We aim to build on the work with Christian Football in coming years through sports ministry,
in Redditch, with our links established with Portugal.
Areas to develop: 2023
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Develop a sustainable funding strategy.
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Improve social media use and website use/ design.
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To engage with local schools in partnership with GSUS live.
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Explore training and discipleship training to build capacity across the town.
CTrIARITI (NIM1551L FOR WJithDAND w[5 R•d&rt¢h Y•ulh for Christ Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For th• ponod To 01nomi SeGtion A Receipts and payments UnStriCted funds Re5tncted fvnds Endowment lunds Total fwKIs trjlh rw•l£ th¥th? k¥ IhE nurestf lolh¢ n¢•r¢st£ A1 Ro¢gi OonabonE &312 312 Sub tolal(Gmss income for AR) &312 &312 A2 A6501 and Inv•8trnent sales. Isee tsbkl. Sub lol•l 5,312 SJ12 A3 Payments Saarycostsc n6urance 356 356 Sub totsl •.214 g,Z14 A4 Asset and investrnent purcha5•41see table} Sub total 9.214 9,214 Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Trnnsf•rs b•t¥vo•n funds A6 Cash funds last year •rNI C&sh funds this y8arend 3.902 8,134 4232 8.134 4232 CCXX R1 ISS)
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period RÈstncted fund$ Endowmèrt fun¢ts C¥tegorie5 fvnds B1 Cash ld8 To1 cash funds 4332 sli funds lunds lunds Details ¥ nearest£ lonearnstt ID neorest£ Fund towhkh Curteni val )Tra Details Fund totiich CoJll¢>p Curmnl va Detaiis B4 Ass•ts rBtain•d for th• charitys ¢vm use Fund AmjIdUe When due Detai15 B6 Uabllltles $41n8d byon• ortwotJuslee3 bèhalf of #ll thotrLtstO S+gnalure ¥it Name Dale of roval 1/6 171 CCXX R2 actourts ISSI 23