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REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1192400

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR FROM 1[st] January 2022 TO 31[ST] DECEMBER 2022 FOR ACTS (ACTIVE CHRISTIANITY IN THANET SCHOOLS)

Reference and Administrative Details

Operating Name ACTS (Active Christianity in Thanet Schools)

Registered Charity Number

1192400

Address:

c/o ST. PETERS BAPTIST CHURCH VICARAGE STREET BROADSTAIRS CT10 2SG

Trustees

Rev Rhodri Walters (Chair)
Simon Kemp (Treasurer)
Dilys Linsell
Rev Peter Russell
Kim Stoner

As a Charitable Instituted Organisation (CIO) we are governed by a constitution. Trustees are appointed by existing trustees. New Trustees are approached depending on the skill base requirements of the charity and the experience of the individual. An informal process of interviews take place before any appointment is put to the current Trustees and ratified. New Trustees are expected to familiarise themselves with the charity and the context within which it operates. They are also required to read the Charity Commission publication 'The Essential Trustee: What you need to know'. All trustees are also required to complete safeguarding training. The Trustees are aware of the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

Bank

National Westminster Bank Plc 36 St Andrew Square Edinburgh United Kingdom EH2 2YB

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•	Reference and Administrative Details	Page 2
•	Trustees’ Annual Report	Page 4
•	Review of Financial Situation	Page 8
•	Statement of Financial Activities	Page 9

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Report of the Trustees of ACTS (Active Christianity in Thanet Schools)

Introduction from the Chair

ACTS exists to inspire a generation of children, young-people and their families to engage with the Christian Faith and to explore its values! ACTS does this by providing activities that educate children in the Christian faith, and offering opportunities for schools and churches to relate together. Currently, we offer this in the Thanet Primary Schools through our one Schools-worker but our hope is for the work to flourish, the team to grow, so we can increase what we offer to Primary Schools and begin to reach out to secondary schools as well.

Charitable Objectives

The purpose of ACTS is “To advance the Christian Faith through supporting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of children, young people, their families, and those working with them, in schools and groups, and in conjunction with the churches in the area of Thanet for the public benefit.”

What we do

ACTS aims to work with all Primary schools in Thanet, by offering activities that increase awareness and understanding of the Christian faith, explain how Christians practise their faith and help children, young people, their families and those working with them explore further links with schools and churches and the communities in which they are in. We do this through:

Assemblies/Collective Worship
R.E (Religious Education) Classroom Workshops
Prayer/Reflection Spaces
Prayer Space in a box
Year 6 Transition Workshop – ‘It’s Your Move’
Christmas Unwrapped – Y6 Christmas Workshop in local churches
Easter Cracked – Y6 Easter Workshops in local churches
Wellbeing in a box
Quest/Explore Lunchtime Club
Staff Training/Resources/Support

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The work is carried out by an employed part-time worker who works for 0.8 of the week, and who links in with church leaders and volunteers that assist in enabling the programmes to be effected. The work is overseen by a Board of Trustees who bring a variety of skills to support and encourage the work in schools and to assist it to operate efficiently and effectively.

Apart from our 1 member of staff, ACTS relies totally on volunteers – these include members of churches from all around Thanet.

ACTS is a Local Mission Partner of Scripture Union, and Our Schools Development Worker is a member of Kent SACRE (Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education).

ACTS became a registered charity in November 2020 and this is our 2[nd] annual report of the Trustees. The following update continues the story of how the work has developed in 2022:

2022

Throughout 2022 ACTS has continued to build on its relationships with local Primary schools and churches primarily through our schools-worker. The early part of 2022 was a time of reconnecting with schools as they were still re-establishing a ‘new-normal’ following the previous two years of being affected by the covid pandemic. Whilst the figures below show the overall picture of the work in schools, what it doesn’t do is give us an insight into the impact on each individual child who experiences the assembly, or workshop, or prayer space. From time-to-time we receive feedback from moments that have impacted a young life and for that we are grateful.

These are the programmes and activities carried out in-person:

Easter Cracked – 9 schools (600 children) and 6 churches.
a ‘hybrid’ approach this year as some schools weren’t able to visit their local church due to not having re-established ‘school trips’ yet. Some had ‘in-school’ activities, some visited their local church and others used the online video.
Transition Workshop for Year 6, ‘It’s Your Move’, with 5 schools (450 children).
Christmas Unwrapped – 7 schools (450 children) and 6 churches.
RE Workshops in 5 schools.
41 assemblies.
Prayer Space Boxes received by 3 schools.
Messy Church with St Andrews Church.
The links for all our on-line material has also been sent to 29 schools.
Annual Resources list for R.E. & Collective Worship/Assemblies sent to 32 schools.
2 Reflection and Well-Being Spaces for Staff Inset Days in school.

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We are a mission partner with Scripture Union which provides governance support as well as providing resources for work with children and young people.

Through 2022 we have been aware that our Guarantor will begin to reduce their financial input as we begin 2023. Our aim is for ACTS to become sustainable, and a part of the community in Thanet for years and years ahead, so there will need to be an increased focus on expanding our financial support base. We seek to eventually be in a position where we can increase the work of ACTS into Secondary schools and Special Educational Needs Schools.

Declaration:

The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ report.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:

Rhodri Walters Trustee (Chair)

Simon Kemp Trustee (Treasurer)

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REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1192400

ACTS (Active Christianity in Thanet Schools)

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Year End - 31 December 2022

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Review of Financial situation

Although the charity has secured regular donations and grants through the course of 2022 it is also being supported by an established charity, who have agreed to continue to support ACTS through 2022, albeit in a reducing capacity. Due to the reducing level of the support ACTS must prioritise fund raising during 2023 with the aim to be self-sufficient by the end of the year.

Reserves

As ACTS is being supported by an established charity it does not have a policy to hold reserves. This will change once ACTS becomes self-sufficient.

Going Concern

Due to support of the established charity, there are no immediate concerns about ACTS ability to continue.

Funding

Funds are generated through Mission Funding, Public Donations, Fund Raising, Sales and gift aid is claimed where applicable .

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the charity's purposes.

Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure declared by the donor or through the terms of a grant.

Investments

The charity has not made any investments and does not intend to during the next financial year.

Principal Risks

The charity’s main risk is that most of its income comes from one source. The charity is looking to reduce its exposure during the coming years by generating more of its income from public donations, fund raising and sales.

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