Tunbridge Wells
YOUTH
FOR CHRIST
Tunbridge Wells Youth for Christ
Trustees Annual Report and Accounts
September 2022 - August 2023
Reglstered Charlty Numbers:
1193801
Registered Address:
54 Grosvenor Road
Tunbridge Wells
TNI 2AS
Trustees:
Lesley Clarke
Kay Dunlop
Anne Hinds
Pauline Joyce
Tony Joyce (Chair)
Stuart Lyell
Susanne Lyell
Tunbridge Wells
YOUTH
FOR CHRIST

Chair of Trustees, Re
ort
Tunbridge Wells Youth for Christ gives thanks to the Lord for His amazing
provision. We thank Him for our youth workers, our volunteers. our bakers, our
trustees, those who constantly hold us in prayer and for those who give so
generously, often sacrificially enabling us to continue the work of building His
kingdom.
Over the past year our ministry has grown from strength to strength notably
with so many more young people engaging with us at the Youth Centre in
Grosvenor Road. Young people visit the Youth Centre after school to just chill,
or spend time in the prayer space, enjoy craft activities or play games. There is
something for everyone. A number of young people value our 'safe' space where
they can confidentially unload their concerns on our experienced empathetic
youth workers.
We are under no illusion that the offer of buttered toast, drinks, cakes and
biscuits or the daily verse quiz is often the first thing that draws them into our
centre but so many who initially just popped in to get food are now staying
longer. Even better so many now attend our UNITE events and a number of
them have given their lives to Christ. Praise the Lord.
Over the past year our youth programmes have steadily grown especially with
the increasing popularity of our UNITE events attracting both churched and
unchurched young people. As a consequence, running costs have gone up. We
see this as a positive thing and we trust that the Lord will provide through more
or increased donations from individuals and churches.
Our finances are not as healthy as they were a year ago and we are planning a
few more fund-raising opportunities to help bridge the gap. Our annual 26-mile
sponsored walk helps to breach some of the gap between our income and our
expenditure, but we are aware that we need to do more. If you feel that you
would like to help in some way through volunteering say 3 hours a week, baking
cakes, or even helping serving in our kitchen we would be delighted to hear
from you.
May our Lord Jesus Christ keep you and bless you.
Tony Joyce
Chairman
January 2024
Tunbridge Wells
YOUTH
FOR CHRIST

Centre Director's re
ort
Our Vision: Tunbridge Wells Youth for Christ will take the Good News to young
people across the town by going out to make connections and build
relationships in places where the young people are. and by inviting them into
The Youth Centre to find out more.
The Youth Centre will provide a safe space to empower young people to
become all that God intended by accepting, caring and loving them for the
individuals they are. Through fun and friendship, we will demonstrate the love of
God, declare who Jesus is. encourage a decision to follow Him and disciple the
young people to live their lives to the full.
Staff, volunteers and trustees will develop, and grow deeper in, their love for
Jesus which will enable them to speak confidently about Jesus, draw the young
people into a relationship with Him and effectively disciple them as they grow.
It has been an amazing year, consolidating what we started last year and seeing
that work grow. God has also opened new doors as we have been invited into a
new school and linked with churches in new ways, such as by leading Ignite at St
Matthews.
Once again Temple Grove welcomed Berti back as Year 6 Mentor but his work
at North Kent College was stopped. However, this meant he was able to start
work at Skinners Grammar School which is a new opportunity for us.
Emma entered her final year at University which meant writing a dissertation
and taking part in an alternative placement in a prison! She continued to support
the drop-in and our schools, work throughout the year and led Unite Olympics in
the summer.
We ran'unite in the Wild, again this year for the local church youth groups to
attend. This was followed by 'Unite Games and Gaming,, and 'Unite Olympics,.
The Noise was hosted by Christ Church, Southborough at Easter and we ran the
first 'Unite Youth Camp, in the summer. We are blessed by churches hosting
these events for free - Thank youl
We have been really blessed this year to have new volunteers in the after school
drop-in and new cake bakersl Our amazing supporters have been faithful in their
giving, despite the increased cost of life this year. Thank you so much- we
literally couldn't do it without youl
Tunbridge Wells
YOUTH
FOR CHRIST

Those who pray for us are also a vital part of the team, so thank you too. God is
opening new doors and increasing our contact with the young people which is
really exciting. However, prayerful discernment is crucial in deciding which
opportunities to take.
Finally, a huge thank you to the staff, who have worked so hard, and trustees
who have been wonderfully supportive this year. The team have had lots of
energy and new ideas. and the Trustees have supported us through fundraising,
seeking grants, admin and bookkeeping which keeps us all in orderl
Karen Cox
Centre Director
January 2024
Financial Summary for 22/23
We have enjoyed another very busy year both in The Youth Centre and with
increasing activities taking place in local schools and churches. At all times we
seek to be as economical as possible with the funds donated to us so that
expenditure is balanced with income.
The financial position as at the year-end 31 August 2023 was as follows:
Whilst our faithful regular givers and local churches had increased their giving
this year. the pandemic and recent financial crisis does now seems to have had a
negative impact resulting in our overall annual income declining by over £9,000
to circa £70,000. The decline is principally due to a reduction in donations from
private individuals and from fundraising.
Nonetheless. our annual expenditure was less than the forecast annual budget
and has been contained at circa £75,000.
The overall cash position at the end of the year was lower at circa £32.000
compared to last year at circa £39,000. The movement is principally due to a
circa £5,500 deficit of expenditure over income and further expenditure from
designated funds of circa £1,500.
Our total reserves of unrestricted funds was circa £31,000, which equates to
approximately 5 months of average monthly operational costs. This is close to
our target reserves policy of 6 months and in line with guidance from the
Charity Commission to keep between 3 and 6 months of reserves.
Tunbridge Wells
YOUTH
FOR CHRIST

We also still have circa £1,500 in restricted funds, available to be spent on
qualifying events and costs.
As always, we are very grateful for the amazing financial support from our
individual donors, church partners, and those who award us grants, without
whom this ministry would not be able to function.
Annual Accounts
A copy of the annual accounts to 31 August 23 is included in the report below,
as independently examined by Stephen East. This includes a comparison of the
income and expenditure for the current year and previous financial year.
We are very grateful to Stephen for his time spent in independently examining
the accounts again for us this year.
Stuart Lyell
Treasurer and Trustee
January 2024
Tunbridge Wells
YOUTH
FOR CHRIST

Rewk•r*¥e
É 24.448.12
£ 15,843.
t 10,M 52
15.898 fi7
676 10
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3.174
e Th8BB
t 10,th8.40
£ 12654.01
£ 11.W.39
8.435 76
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1.e4287
£ eg.53781
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2.523.14
£ 65.8n 43
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1.465
3.59181
4.045 90
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£ 74,B22.
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£ 20.911.58
£ 35,181.76
tsfftAbJ dettr
3.4e6.
3.9092
R•prq•onted ty
£ W872.12
£ 30.16729
1923.72