REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1192400 ## REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR FROM 1[st] January 2024 TO 31[ST] DECEMBER 2024 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) (Resigned July’ 24) - Dilys Linsell - Judith Andrews (from February ‘24) - Maureen Armstrong (from July ‘24) 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 2 | P a g e ## _Contents_ |•|Reference and Administrative Details|Page 2| |---|---|---| |•|Trustees’ Annual Report|Page 4| |•|Review of Financial Situation|Page 9| |•|Statement of Financial Activities|Page 10| 3 | P a g e _Report of the Trustees of ACTS (Active Christianity in Thanet Schools)_ ## _Introduction from the Chair_ From its conception, ACTS has aimed 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 encourage children to ask the big questions of life. Who am I? What am I here for? How did the world begin? Is there a meaning to life? We do this through exploring the Christian faith, and we offer opportunities for schools and churches to relate together. Life is rarely straight forward and simple. There are many bumps and meanders that we have to navigate through. 2024 has, in some ways, been a bumpy and meandering one for ACTS but now with the benefit of hindsight it has proved to have been a significant year in our development. The year began with the sad news that our much-loved Schoolsworker felt that it was time to move on. ACTS will always be indebted to Maggie and the incredible input that she invested which enabled ACTS to move from just an idea to a thriving partnership with churches, schools, and supporters. Sometimes an unexpected event can thrust you into the future quicker than you could imagine, and as you’ll see below, in the review of 2024, this certainly has been the case for ACTS. ## _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 - Year 6 Transition Workshop – ‘It’s Your Move’ - Christmas Unwrapped – Y6 Christmas Workshop in local churches - Easter Cracked – Y6 Easter Workshops in local churches 4 | P a g e - Lunchtime Clubs - Staff Training/Resources/Support From February to the end of August the work was ‘staffed’ by an interim ‘project manager’. Beginning in September, our work now has three workers: - “Primary schools-work facilitator” who is employed part-time for 20 hours a week. - “Volunteer Co-ordinator” who is employed part-time for 15 hours a week. - “Project Manager” who is seconded to us for a day a week. From November, our Project Manager began our exploration into what a Secondary Schools work project could look like. Together, the team link in with church leaders and volunteers that assist in enabling the programmes to run. 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. ACTS relies on volunteers – these include members of churches from all around Thanet. ACTS is a Local Mission Partner of Scripture Union, which provides governance support as well as resources for work with children and young people. ACTS became a registered charity in November 2020 and this is our 4[th] annual report of the Trustees. The following update continues the story of how the work has developed: ## **2024** The year began with the unexpected news that after working in Thanet schools for the best part of twenty years, and for the past six years with ACTS, Maggie, our Primary Schools Worker was moving on to spend more time with her growing family of Grandchildren. For the next few months, a ‘steadying the ship’ ensued as the Trustees worked on exploring what the future looked like. In essence, the ACTS strategy document that had been written in November 2023 began to be enacted sooner than expected, enabling us to build upon our good reputation amongst Thanet’s schools and churches. Our key priorities through to September were: - Recruitment - Volunteers to ensure our key areas of work continued - Communication with supporters - More Trustees It was encouraging to welcome Judith Andrews as a Trustee in February. 5 | P a g e Whilst we were keen on beginning our exploration of a Secondary School’s project, we recognised that we needed to be realistic, we were already stretched and essentially Rhodri had become an emergency Project Manager. With help from a variety of churches and volunteers we were able to provide Easter Cracked for 12 schools using around 33 leaders and helpers. We really are grateful for the support, input and expertise from all our partners, volunteers and friends. By the beginning of June, we were ready to advertise for a Primary School Work Facilitator and following interviews in July we appointed not one but two workers. Abi Jameson became our Primary Schools-work facilitator, whilst Charlotte Bannar-Martin became our Volunteer Co-ordinator. We also recognised that the Project Manager role would need to continue as we build the team and then begin to explore the Secondary School Project, so we agreed to second Rhodri for a day a week. Whilst this was going on we also: - Made progress with ‘Open the Book’ which will involve groups of trained volunteers acting out Bible Stories during School assemblies. - Partnered with our local YWAM team on a Prayer Day to pray for schools & children. - Provided the ‘It’s Your Move’ Transition book & sessions for 350 Year 6 children. - Continued the search for Trustees and we were delighted to welcome Maureen Armstrong, another ex-teacher, on board. The end of the 2023-4 academic year was full of hope and excitement as we anticipated what God had in store for this new team as we looked toward September. Although it was tinged with sadness as we said goodbye to Simon Kemp, our Treasurer, and one of ACTS’ founding Trustees. The Autumn terms involved the new team getting used to each other and getting known amongst the school community, local churches and volunteers. Assemblies, RE Workshops, Prayer Space opportunities and Christmas Unwrapped were all explored and delivered, with the tweaks that are inevitable with new characters involved. It was great. We hosted our first Supporters’ evening which was really encouraging and will be become an annual event. We also were so excited when, in November, we were able to begin the Secondary School Project: it starts with the task to ‘Develop a strategy to fulfil ACTS’ vision for secondary age children. Initially this will involve meeting local Head-Teachers/links, Trusts & Youth workers to get a handle on what shape a project aimed at Secondary school aged children should be. Wow! 2024 was quite a year and has seen the work leap forward quicker than imagined. The transformation in the team, the developing opportunities for schools-work and the provision within our finances for this. We are really encouraged that we have been able to set aside money for our ‘future projects’ with the aim of being able to employ our first ever Secondary 6 | P a g e School worker in the not-too-distant future. Although this also comes with a precautionary note that having stepped out in faith during this past year in increasing the team we need to continue to invest time in growing a sustainable model for our finances. Our financial support base needs continued widening, allowing us not just to sustain the current ACTS team but to further grow it in the future. We look forward to seeing how ACTS continues to develop over the coming years. _Declaration:_ The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ report. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees: Rhodri Walters Trustee (Chair) Judith Andrews Trustee 7 | P a g e REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1192400 ## **ACTS (Active Christianity in Thanet Schools)** ## **Financial Statements (Unaudited)** **Year End - 31 December 2024** 8 | P a g e _Review of Financial situation_ 2024 has seen changes in personnel at ACTS. As the charity moves through 2025 there needs to be a renewed focus on increasing its income by securing regular donations from individuals as well as regular or one-off donations from churches, schools or grant funds. Reserves ACTS’s reserves policy holds 3 months’ salaries and regular costs. Now that ACTS has three employees and increased quarterly outgoings, the Trustees will discuss the retention and allocation of reserves in 2025, consulting accountants on designating a reserves pot. ACTS has added £12000 to the 'Future Projects Designated fund'. The aim is to employ a Secondary School-work Facilitator by September 2026 and increasing our overall provision to various age groups. This designation is essential for progressing our charitable objective by expanding into Secondary Schools, an area currently lacking in ACTS’s work. Going Concern ACTS is in a strong position with a strong income stream and reserves. It is noted that expenditure has increased significantly from September with two new workers. 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 made no 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 donations and it needs to continually seek new donors to ensure it remains financially viable. 9 | P a g e **ACTS (Active Christianity in Thanet Schools) Statement of Financial Activities** ## **Year End 31 December 2024** ## **ACTS (Active Christianity in Thanet Schools) as at 31st December 2024** |Capital Assets
Depreciation
Net Book Value
Accrued Cost
Accrued Income
Bank Account: ACTS Current Account
Net Current Assets
Total Assets
Opening Balance
Retained Profit
Current Profit or Loss
Rounding
Total Equity
**Reconciled Breakdown of Funds:**
Restricted Funds - Grants
Unrestricted Funds
Designated Funds: Future Projects|-
-| |---|---| ||**-**| ||(1000)
-
31,155| ||**30,155**| ||**30,155**
-
21,881
8,273
1| ||**30,155**| ||483
12,632
17,040| 10 | P a g e ## **ACTS (Active Christianity in Thanet Schools) as at 31st December 2024** |Mission Funding
Fundraising
Sales Income
Public Donation
HMRC Gift Aid
**Total of Unrestricted Income**
Salaries
Employers NIC
Pension
Expenses
Insurances
Cost of Sales
**Total of Unrestricted Expenditure**
**Surplus of Unrestricted Funds**|1,250
-
579
23,124
2,864| |---|---| ||**27,817**| ||8,662
207
48
9,864
105
658| ||**19,544**| ||**8,273**| These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 24[th] October 2025, and are signed on behalf of the board by: D Linsell Trustee 11 | P a g e INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO ACTS (ACTIVE CHIUSnANTIY IN THANET SHCOOLS) CIIARLTY NUMBER 1192400 Independent examiller's report to the trustees I report to ihe clwtty trustees on examination of th¢ aceoullts of the charity for the year ended 31 Dec¢mbor2024. RespoD51bllltAes And basis of report The members of the dwity are iesponsible for the PTeparation of the ac¢ouDts in ￿e0rdance with tb¢ rwtrenlettts of the Charities Act 2011 Cthe Act?. I report in Iespect of ￿Y exvmin&tion of the aecouthts CaKried out ￿nder Sectiott 145 of the Act in carrying out my exalninatioll I have followed all applicable Directions given by tbe Charity Comrnission und¢r Section 145(s)(b) ofthe Aet. Indepetsdetit ¢X4wiDer's ststement I bav¢ completed my examiuation. I confirm that no material rnatters bav¢ come to rny ittention in CODn¢ctioll witb the examiJ)ation giving rnc cau5¢ b) bejieve that ID any nyat¢rial r¢sp¢ct'. accounting records w¢re notkq)t ill *ccordan¢¢ with Wtiort 130 of thc Act,. or the accounts do not acctsrd with those ￿cords. or thr acLounts do llot comply with tb¢ applicable ￿quIre[ne￿￿ concerning the forn aEkd content of ac¢ountS set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) licgulations 2008 other tban any requiren￿llt that th¢ ac¢ounES give 2 true and fair view which i5 not amatter Collskdered as patt of ao independent examiDation. I have no concerns attd have Come 8¢ross xo Ot1￿MatterS ill collnection with the eXamI￿tion to which attention sbould be dAWll in this report in order to ellable a proper und¢rstanding of th¢ ac¢ounts to b¢I¢&d￿d. Richard Pbillpott Spurling Canllo Chartered Certified Accountants 424 Matgate Road Westw¢)od Ra￿￿%at¢ Cf12 6SJ