Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From April 2024 Period start date To March 2025 Period end date
Charity name: Alive UK
Charity registration number: 1192806 Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | Church activities Emergency Aid |
| 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 | Community church Community Cafe & Foodbank Partnering with local schools Christmas Toy Appeal Compassion Project |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The trustees understanding the importance of providing public benefit. This is demonstrated in 3 above. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment
| SORP reference | ||
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Alive UK exists on the committed team of trustees and volunteers. All volunteers receive adequate training and where necessary are DBS checked. Application forms are used and where appropriate references are requested. The church activities and the charitable activities of the charity are all carried out by a group of volunteers who give their time and their skills to work in a range of areas to serve and love people. This is putting God’s love into action. There are more than 50 volunteers serving in different roles within the charity. The trustees express their sincere gratitude for their commitment. |
| Other |
Achievements and Performance
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SORP reference
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| 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 | Alive UK is foundationally a church. The church is led by Jo and Phil Thorne who have been Senior Pastors over the course of City Church Norwich and now Alive UK (Alive Church), carrying the responsibility of the running of the church. Assisting them is a team of leaders supporting the vision and the outworking of it. All of the work delivered is run purely by a team of approximately 50 dedicated volunteers. SUNDAY SERVICES Throughout the year, Alive UK held weekly Christian worship services open to the public. In addition, weekly youth services and weekly children’s Christian activities were delivered, providing spiritual development, safe community spaces, and pastoral support for children and young people. |
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SORP reference KIDS CHURCH Kids Church is weekly on Sunday mornings as part of the Sunday service. It is for those in primary school and has a theme each week where videos, stories, games and crafts are all used to help children learn more about God. ALIVE YOUTH In this time a weekly youth group has been re-established to provide a positive safe place and social space for young people in both the church and the local community as well as their friends. Working directly with the young people helps prevent them getting involved with dangerous activities. Alongside social activities such as having food, games, Playstation, basketball there is time focus on God and faith and what it means to them. Approximately 20 young people attend each week. CONNECT GROUPS Connect Groups provide an opportunity for people to be in touch for support and relationship building. This has included games evenings, prayer times, trips to the beach and other social activities such as Bring and Share lunches after a Sunday service and screening of the Women’s Euros Final. LADIES & MENS MEETS We place importance on relationships and in addition to the connect group we run we hold occasional men’s and ladies events. These events will be different and are great occasions to get together and invite friends too. Examples include food evenings, café trips and snooker nights. OTHER GROUPS In this time The Bible Course was delivered over an 8 week period with a number of people engaging both in person and online.
SORP reference CHURCH APP A new church app was launched for members which provides information about the church, key dates of events and groups and teams that people can be involved in. CHRISTMAS Christmas is a key time for the church to be connecting with the community and sharing about the birth of Jesus. A nativity scene along with a Christmas tree forest decorated the exterior space as well as Santa’s grotto. The outside space was available through December for people in the community to come along and enjoy and take photos. The Christmas event one afternoon and evening hosted Father Christmas in the grotto where families were able to queue up and see him. A live band, crafts and food were also part of the event. Over 400 families attended. At Christmas this year we partnered with Shelter to make up 300 stockings with presents to be hung up outside City Hall, Norwich. 300 represents the number of homeless children in Norwich and they received these stockings. The annual Toy Appeal, where new toys are collected and distributed to families in need across Norfolk. These families are referred in from schools and professionals in a range of agencies. Across the entire Christmas period and different events 4000 gifts were given. EMERGENCY AID ACTIVITIES - FOODBANK & COMMUNITY CAFE During the year, Alive UK provided 757,463 meals through Foodbank, café, with hampers, and social projects. For many, this help and regular contact was a lifeline, not only because of food provided, but also easing mental health and loneliness. Alive UK continues this much needed lifeline. The charity is registered with various supermarkets and food outlets for
SORP reference collections of food which are given out to those through the different activities of the charity. REVIVE HUT In March 2025, the Revive Coffee Hut was launched. This is an outdoor hut serving freshly made coffees where we partnered with a local coffee roaster to receive training and coffee beans. Alongside this is a range of savoury and sweet snacks. A lovely outside space has been created with benches and flower pots making it a welcoming and inclusive community space. WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP We are grateful for the continued partnership working with Chantry Place to help provide to those in need in the city of Norwich. In particular the Christmas Toy Appeal where new boxes of toys were donated from members of the public through a donation box placed within Chantry Place. Alongside this Alive UK has partnered with Norwich Foodbank, ARC, Shelter, British Red Cross, Citizens Advice, Norwich Health Partnership, Loads for Less and other agencies. Small funding grants have been received from Norwich City Council. LOCAL SCHOOLS Alive UK worked closely with local schools and parents to help tackle poverty affecting children and families. This included the provision of food relief, practical support, and partnership working to ensure children had access to meals and essential resources.
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
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| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Providing emergency aid to families, refugees through Foodbank. |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Most fundraising is through the generous donations of Alive UK members. Norwich City Council awarded grants of £2,650 for warm spaces and £2,500 for the roof project. |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | N/A |
| Other |
| Financial Review Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | A big expenditure and project in this time was the replacement of the roof. There have been leaks over the years which had gradually have become worse. The decision was made to therefore replace the whole roof which is over 30 years old. A special offering, through ‘Loving the House’ weekend was taken up in this time from the members of the church and by faith we saw the roof paid for. Alive House, which is owned by City Church, and is solely used by Alive UK, has an agreement with the City Church trustees to ‘rent ’the facility purely on a maintenance package - reflected in the Building Maintenance expense. This is also the case with City Gates Centre, Cowgate, Norwich, NR3 1SZ. This is also used by Alive UK on a purely maintenance package as agreed with the Wensum Trust while also renting it out to another local charity (Norwich Youth For Christ), providing them space to carry out their work. This keeps the rental costs very low and enables budgets to be spent in line with the main objectives of Alive UK. Alive UK continues to support Compassion. We support children’s basic needs and education in a church project in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, continuing what City Church established. As with City Church, Alive UK remains a part of the Ground Level Network, a network of 80 churches in the UK and abroad, providing support, training, accountability and best practice. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | As a new CIO, we are currently in the process of developing reserves, initially to cover a 3 month period, working up to a 6 month period. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | NIL |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | We are working towards this goal. Currently we have use of a building (belonging to City Church) and only have to maintain the property. There is no usage contract. Our liabilities are with the utilities bills. |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | N/A |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
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| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | Funds come mainly through the generous giving of its trustees and members. |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | N/A |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: | ||
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Trust Deed |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | CIO |
| 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 | Trustees are selected and elected on their standing, experience and qualification to enhance the management of the CIO by the trustees in post. |
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 | |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Alive UK |
| Other name the charity uses | Alive Church |
| Registered charity number | 1192806 |
| Charity’s principal address | Alive House Nelson Street Norwich NR2 4DR |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
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| 1 | Johanna Thorne |
Chair | 16/12/2020 to date | |
| 2 | Matthew Whiffin |
16/12/2020 to date | ||
| 3 | Jonathan Thorne |
16/12/2020 to date | ||
| 4 | Jonathan Plastow |
28/04/2024 to date | ||
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– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
| N/A | ||
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
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N/A
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Description of the assets held N/A in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for 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) Jon Plastow Full name(s) Johanna Thorne Position (eg Chair Trustee Secretary, Chair, etc) Date 28 January 2026
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees For the Year Ended 31 March 2025
Alive UK
Independent examiners report to the Trustees of Alive UK
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts for Alive UK (“the charity”) for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the 2011 Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 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 2011 Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
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the accounts do not comply with these records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
………………………………..
Michelle Ferris BSC (Hons) FCA DChA
Albert Goodman LLP Chartered Accountants Goodwood House Blackbrook Park Avenue Taunton Somerset TA1 2PX
Date: 28 January 2026
Charity Name No (if any) Alive UK 1192806 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period Period start date Period end date To from 1/4/2024 31/3/2025
Section A Receipts and payments
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ - 32,930 4,987 10,779 2,650 7,200 334 440 - - 59,320 - - - 59,320 5,827 13,373 664 3,426 |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ - - - - 2,500 - 5,996 - 10,642 - 19,138 - - - 19,138 - - - - |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Total funds to the nearest £ - 32,930 4,987 10,779 5,150 7,200 6,330 440 10,642 - 78,458 - - - 78,458 5,827 13,373 664 3,426 |
Last year to the nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donations | - | - | |||
| Tithes | 32,930 | 33,653 | |||
| Offerings | 4,987 | 3,481 | |||
| CommunityCafé | 10,779 | 4,170 | |||
| Grants | 2,650 | 5,000 | |||
| Rent | 7,200 | 5,200 | |||
| Heart for the House | 334 | - | |||
| Sundries | 440 | - | |||
| Roof fund | - | - | |||
| Refunds | - | 33 | |||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
59,320 | 51,537 | |||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
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| - | |||||
| - | - | ||||
| Sub total | - | - | |||
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
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| 51,537 | |||||
| Buildings,Maintenance & Equipment | 5,827 | - | - | 5,827 | 1,452 |
| Gas/Electricity | 13,373 | - | - | 13,373 | 10,188 |
| Water Rates | 664 | - | - | 664 | 317 |
| Admin | 3,426 | - | - | 3,426 | 1,953 |
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
28/01/2026
1
| Ansvar Insurance | 4,839 | - | - | 4,839 | 4,498 | ||||
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| Pastors Expenses | 1,665 | - | - | 1,665 | 2,147 | ||||
| Virgin Media Internet | 1,206 | - | - | 1,206 | 2,300 | ||||
| Design,Advertising& Printing | 639 | - | - | 639 | 2,227 | ||||
| Compassion Project | 768 | - | - | 768 | 672 | ||||
| Re-roof | 24,776 | 19,138 | - | 43,914 | - | ||||
| Office Mobile | 654 | - | - | 654 | 252 | ||||
| CommunityProjects | 5,608 | - | - | 5,608 | - | ||||
| WorshipResources | 737 | - | - | 737 | 1,719 | ||||
| Children & Youth | 1,644 | - | - | 1,644 | 1,033 | ||||
| Catering | 4,282 | - | - | 4,282 | 558 | ||||
| Bank Fees | 63 | - | - | 63 | 94 | ||||
| Merchandise | 681 | - | - | 681 | - | ||||
| Christmas & Easter | - | - | - | 1,811 | |||||
| Training | 195 | - | - | 195 | 659 | ||||
| Camp | 280 | - | - | 280 | - | ||||
| CommunityCafé | 2,922 | - | - | 2,922 | 16 | ||||
| VisitingSpeakers | - | - | - | - | 381 | ||||
| Bank fees | 458 | - | - | 458 | - | ||||
| **Sub total ** | 74,707 | 19,138 | - | 93,845 | 32,277 |
| A4 Asset and investment | ||||||||||
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| purchases, (see table) | ||||||||||
| - | - | - | - | |||||||
| - | - | - | - | |||||||
| **Sub total ** | - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| Total payments | 74,707 | 19,138 | - | 93,845 | 32,277 | |||||
| Net of receipts/(payments) | - 15,387 | - | - | - 15,387 | 19,260 | |||||
| A5 Transfers between funds | - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| A6 Cash funds last year end | 22,556 | - | - | 22,556 | 3,296 | |||||
| Cash funds this year end | 7,169 | - | - | 7,169 | 22,556 |
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Categories Details
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment funds funds funds
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
28/01/2026
2
B1 Cash funds
B2 Other monetary assets
B3 Investment assets
B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use
| Bank Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Community Café cash float |
to nearest £ 7,149 20 - 7,169 OK Unrestricted funds to nearest £ - - - - - - |
to nearest £ - - - - OK Restricted funds to nearest £ - - - - - - |
to nearest £ |
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| OK | |||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ |
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| Details | Fund to which asset belongs |
Cost (optional) - - - - - |
Current value (optional) |
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Cost (optional) - - - - |
Current value (optional) |
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Details
CCXX R3 accounts (SS)
28/01/2026
3
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B5 Liabilities
Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees
Fund to which Amount due When due Details liability relates (optional) (optional) Independent examination fees Unrestricted 660 - - - -
| Signature | Johanna Thorne Jon Plastow Print Name |
Date of approval |
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| 28/01/2026 | ||
| 28/01/2026 | ||
CCXX R4 accounts (SS)
28/01/2026
4