# **ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
# **RIVER CHURCH IPSWICH**
**CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1194553**
Independent Examiners Ltd The Grain Store, Hills Barns Appledram Lane South Chichester, West Sussex PO20 7EG
## **RIVER CHURCH IPSWICH**
**CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Page
Legal and Administrative Information 3
Trustees' Report 4 to 6
Independent Examiner's Report on the Accounts 7
Statement of Financial Activities 8
Balance Sheet 9
Notes to the Accounts 10 to 17
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **RIVER CHURCH IPSWICH**
## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
## **CHARITY NUMBER**
1194553
## **START OF FINANCIAL YEAR**
## **END OF FINANCIAL YEAR**
01 January 2025
31 December 2025
**TRUSTEES AT 31 DECEMBER 2025**
Revd Amy Key (Chair) (ex officio) Appointed 20 May 2021 Revd Matthew Key (Vice-Chair (ex officio) Appointed 20 May 2021 Mr Ian Sturgess Appointed 20 May 2021 Mr Robin Elsdon-Dew Resigned on 2 April 2025 Dr Amy Mills Resigned on 3 May 2026 Kerry Addo-Hill Appointed 16 Sep 2024 Mark Sheard Resigned on 4 April 2026 Sharnai Reddi Appointed 26 Feb 2024 Lauren Allen Resigned on 3 April 2025 Chris Lawson Jones Appointed 03 May 2026 Dr Oweikumo Eradiri Appointed 03 May 2026 Rev Samantha Brazier-Gibbs Appointed 05 August 2025
New trustees are appointed in accordance with the provisions of the constitution.
## **GOVERNING INSTRUMENT**
CIO-FOUNDATION adopted 20th May 2021
## **REGISTRATION DATE**
20 May 2021
## **OBJECTS**
The advancement of the Christian Religion by the setting up and running of new Christian Churches in accordance with the principles and established teaching of the Church of England in the town of Ipswich and the County of Suffolk.
## **CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS**
River Church Ipswich St Mary-at-the-Quay Key Street Ipswich Suffolk IP4 1BZ
## **PRIMARY BANKERS**
Lloyds Bank PLC Oldham PO Box 1000 BX1 1LT
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER**
G W Schulz (FCMA) Independent Examiners Ltd The Grain Store, Hills Barns Appledram Lane South Chichester, West Sussex PO20 7EG
3
## **RIVER CHURCH IPSWICH**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
The board of trustees present their reports and accounts for River Church Ipswich for the period ending 31st December 2025.
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
River Church Ipswich is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered in the UK with the Charity Commission of England and Wales (registered number 1194553). River Church Ipswich is governed by a constitution, adopted upon the charity’s registration on 20th May 2021, and according to which trustees are appointed.
## **Decision Making**
All financial and strategic decisions over £5,000 are taken by the trustees. The organisational implementation of the strategy is carried out by the Senior Pastors and their staff team, in accordance with the trustees’ Scheme of Delegation.
## **Trustee Training**
All staff, volunteers, and trustees undergo a formal selection process, followed by an induction period which includes any training necessary to effectively perform their role. Senior leadership of the church consists of clergy, whose stipendiary remuneration is set by the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich.
## **Volunteers**
River Church benefits from the dedicated work of a great number of volunteers. In accordance with FRS 102 and the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the economic contribution of general volunteers is not recognised in these accounts.
## **Objects and Activities**
Our objects are set out in our governing document, which was adopted by the trustees upon the charity’s registration on 20th May 2021.
## **Our objects are:**
The advancement of the Christian religion by the setting up and running of new Christian churches in accordance with the principles and established teaching of the Church of England in the town of Ipswich and the county of Suffolk.
## **Dream, Purpose, and Goals**
The board of trustees is committed to our dream, purpose, and goals. Our dream is to see Ipswich overflowing with life. Our purpose is to love God, love Ipswich, and love life.
Our goals are to be Spirit-filled, people-empowering, fun-loving, and abundantly-living.
In accordance with these statements, the church aims to meet its objects through a diverse range of activities including the provision of: Christian worship, evangelism, and discipleship; social transformation activities; and church planting. Given the diversity of the church’s activities, performance is measured on a case-by-case basis.
## **Public Benefit**
In accordance with our duties stated in section 17(5) of the Charities Act, we have considered the guidance provided by the Charity Commission in relation to public benefit. This public benefit has been demonstrated by the activities undertaken since the inception of the charity outlined in this document.
## **Achievements and Performance**
River Church is an HTB Network church plant in the centre of Ipswich. As part of the Church of England Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich’s Inspiring Ipswich project, River Church has a remit to reach out to students at the University of Suffolk, young adults, young families, and those on the margins of society in Ipswich, and to grow into a thriving resource church for Suffolk.
## **Love God: Worship and Prayer**
River Church runs a number of worship services and events. **THE TEN** is an informal, contemporary service with groups for children. **THE SIX** is an informal, contemporary service, aimed at students, young people, and young adults in particular. **7am Prayer** on Tuesday mornings continues to grow and flourish; it is the engine room of the church, and we have seen many answered prayers, healings, breakthroughs, and prophetic words there. **Overflow** is a monthly event featuring an evening of uninterrupted, informal prayer, worship, and ministry in the Holy Spirit.
By the end of 2025, average weekly **attendance** across these services was 264 people (up from 240 in 2024). In excess of 443 people tried a Sunday service for the first time in 2025, in response to over 1,000 people being personally invited to church through our ‘Year of Invitation’.
The total **mission initiative roll** (Church of England measure of total congregation size) has grown to 406 adults (up from 369 in 2024), plus 154 children and youth on our database.
4
## **RIVER CHURCH IPSWICH**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
## **Love Ipswich: Social Transformation**
We packed and delivered hundreds of bags of kindness to vulnerable and isolated people across Ipswich as part of our **Love Christmas** and **Love Easter** campaigns.
We acquired a local coffee shop, **Applaud Coffee,** on 1st July 2025 to serve as an outpost in the local community to help fund our charitable work and serve vulnerable people in the local community.
**Baby Love** , which is a free, weekly space for babies and toddlers, and their parents and carers continued to grow in 2025. Baby Love provides soft play and toys, opportunities for children and carers to meet and interact, and refreshments. Baby Love took a pause from Autumn 2025 onwards due to staffing shortages.
We ran our first **Money Course** in partnership with Crosslight Advice in 2025, providing vulnerable adults with financial skills to help them avoid or get out of debt.
**River Store** , our social supermarket provides food and household essentials to those in financial hardship, as well as a free hot drinks. River Store served over 400 households in 2025.
**River Active** was established in 2025 to reach out to our local community through sport, and promote health and fitness. So far it comprises River Runners who have organised two weekly runs for all abilities, Bridge the Gap Football provides weekly football sessions for young men, including those at risk of criminal or anti-social behaviour, and builds community among them, and the running of the University of Suffolk’s student-only gym, MOVE. More than 400 people have taken part in a River Active session in 2025.
## **Love Life: Evangelism and Discipleship**
We have run 4 **Alpha** courses this year (including our first **Alpha Youth** ), with a total of 93 people (2024: 99) attending (66 guests and 27 team).
This year, we have seen 60 people decide to follow Jesus at River Church (32 in 2024), and a total of 184 **new Christians** since the church launched.
We have run 7 **Hangouts** in 2025. These are our small groups providing discipleship, pastoral care, and community, meeting in homes across Ipswich, with around 100 people having been part of one.
## We have celebrated 27 **baptisms** in 2025 (9 in 2024).
## 80 people from River Church attended our annual HTB Network festival, **Focus** , over the summer.
As part of our remit as a **Resource Church** , supporting other churches across Suffolk we have run and hosted a number of deanery and diocesan events, including Diocesan Evangelical Network meetings to support other local churches and leaders in their work, and The Gathering, which is a Suffolk-wide youth event. We have also provided preachers and worship leaders for other churches in Suffolk who are less well resourced. We are the Alpha Hub Church and Love Your Neighbour Hub Church for Suffolk.
**River Collective** continued to provide monthly social events across the town to build supportive community among 20s and 30s in their journey with Jesus, as well as student nights for University of Suffolk students.
## **Staffing and Volunteering**
The River Church staff team consists of 7 people, comprising 2 full-time clergy, 1 ordinand, and 4 operational and ministry staff. We also have a number of outstanding staff vacancies, which have proven difficult to fill with strong candidates, and this has slowed progress to ensure workloads remain manageable for our current staff. We continue to work towards expanding the staff team to grow our capacity for mission, ministry, and church planting in the future. Two individuals from River Church are in the process of discernment for ordination training in the Church of England.
## 131 people have volunteered as part of our **Dream Team** in 2025. (2024: 115)
## **Future Plans**
The charity plans on continuing, expanding, and adding to its existing activities in forthcoming years, subject to satisfactory funding becoming available.
## **Safeguarding**
The trustees have adopted the Church of England’s safeguarding policy, relating to children, young people, and vulnerable adults. Katherine Sloper served alongside Matt Key as Safeguarding Officer, supported by the diocesan safeguarding officer. The trustees are committed to best practice in safeguarding, through the implementation of our policy, which includes provision for DBS checks, safeguarding training, safer recruitment, and practical measures to protect everybody involved in and served by River Church. Further details and the full policy are available at riverchurchipswich.org.
5
## **RIVER CHURCH IPSWICH**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
## **Reserves Policy**
River Church aims to accumulate and retain as unrestricted reserves three months’ essential running costs. At the end of 2025, unrestricted reserves totalled £24,276. Whilst this figure was below our target figure due to the purchase and investment in the trading subsidiary in the year, the Trustees worked quickly to restore cash reserves to our 3 months target in early 2026.
## **Financial Review**
In the period to the end of 31st December 2025, River Church raised a total income of £384,397 against a total expenditure of £365,958. Unrestricted funds at the end of the year totalled to £24,276. Restricted funds at the end of the year totalled £57,930. The balance in the bank at the end of the year totalled £43,493. For further details, please see the below financial statements.
## **Responsibilities of Trustees**
Charity law requires the Board of Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its incoming resources and resources expended for the period. In preparing those financial statements, the Board of Trustees should follow best practice and are required to;
- select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently
- make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
- comply with applicable accounting standards subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements ● prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation
The Board of Trustees is responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 1993. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities and to provide reasonable assurance that:-
- the charity is operating efficiently and effectively
- all assets are safeguarded against unauthorised use or disposition and are properly applied
- proper records are maintained and financial information used within the charity or for publication is reliable ● the charity complies with relevant laws and regulations
The systems of internal control are designed to provide reasonable but not absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss.
Approved by the Trustees on…..................................... 30th July 2026
Signed on their behalf by Trustee …..............................
> Printed Name: Amy Key
6
## **RIVER CHURCH IPSWICH**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2025 which are set out on pages 8 to 17.
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
As the charity’s trustees of River Church Ipswich you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2022 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of River Church Ipswich's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2022 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 Act.
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
Since River Church Ipswich’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2022 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies.
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:
- 1 accounting records were not kept in respect of River Church Ipswich as required by section 130 of the Act; or
- 2 the accounts do not accord with those records; or
- 3 the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
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.
…………………………
G W Schulz FCMA Independent Examiners Ltd The Grain Store, Hills Barns Appledram Lane South Chichester, West Sussex PO20 7EG
30 July 2026
7
## **RIVER CHURCH IPSWICH**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
|**Notes**
**INCOMING RESOURCES**
Donations & Legacies
**3a**
Investment Income
**3b**
Charitable Activities
**3c**
**TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES**
Costs of Charitable Activities
**4a**
Costs of Generating Funds
**4b**
**NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES**
**TOTAL FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD**
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**
**TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS**
**NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
**TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED**
**RESOURCES EXPENDED**|Unrestricted
Restricted
Designated
**Total**
**Total**
Funds
Funds
Funds
**2025**
**2024**
£
£
**£**
**£**
234,523
121,378
2,300
358,201
355,667
2,939
-
-
2,939
1,303
21,778
1,479
-
23,257
25,668
**259,240**
**122,857**
**2,300**
**384,397**
**382,637**
277,345
83,380
1,981
362,706
427,440
3,252
-
-
3,252
20,772
**280,597**
**83,380**
**1,981**
**365,958**
**448,212**
**(21,357)**
**39,477**
**319**
**18,439**
**(65,574)**
5,319
-
(5,319)
-
-
**(16,038)**
**39,477**
**(5,000)**
**18,439**
**(65,574)**
20,314
18,453
25,000
63,767
129,341
**4,276**
**57,930**
**20,000**
**82,206**
**63,767**|
|---|---|
All of the Charity's operations are classed as continuing operations.
The notes form part of these financial statements, found on pages:-
10 to 17
8
## **RIVER CHURCH IPSWICH**
## **BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2025**
|**Fixed Assets**
Notes
Tangible Assets
**2**
Investment Assets
**12**
**Current Assets**
**9**
**8**
**Total Current Assets**
**10**
**11**
**5**
**6**
**TOTAL FUNDS**
Cash at bank and in hand
**Creditors:**due within one year
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
**NET ASSETS**
**FUNDS OF THE CHARITY**
Designated Funds
General Funds
Restricted funds
**Creditors:**due in more than one year
Debtors & Prepayments
**TOTAL ASSETS**less current liabilities|Unrestricted
Restricted
**Total**
**Total**
Fund
Funds
**31-Dec-25**
**31-Dec-24**
£
**£**
**£**
9,329
-
9,329
12,438
1
-
1
-
**9,330**
**-**
**9,330**
**12,438**
125,657
57,930
183,587
2,146
26,454
17,039
43,493
55,964
**152,111**
**74,969**
**227,080**
**58,110**
65,214
17,039
82,253
6,326
86,897
57,930
144,827
51,784
**96,227**
**57,930**
**154,157**
**64,222**
71,951
-
71,951
455
**24,276**
**57,930**
**82,206**
**63,767**
4,276
-
4,276
20,314
-
57,930
57,930
18,453
20,000
-
20,000
25,000
-
**24,276**
**57,930**
**82,206**
**63,767**|
|---|---|
Approved by the Trustees on the….............................................................................................................. 30th July 2026
Signed on their behalf by Trustee....................................................................................................................
Print Name:…............................................................ Amy Key
9
## **RIVER CHURCH IPSWICH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
The principal accounting policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year.
## **Basis of preparation:**
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP - FRS102) and the Charities Act 2022.
The Charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.
## **Assessment of Going Concern**
Preparation of the accounts is on a going concern basis. The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
## **Recognition of Incoming Resources**
These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when:
- the charity becomes entitled to the resources;
- the trustees are virtually certain they will receive the resources; and
- the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.
## **Incoming Resources with Related expenditure**
Where incoming resources have related expenditure (as with fundraising or contract income) the incoming resources and related expenditure are reported gross in the SOFA.
## **Grants and Donations**
Grants and donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.
## **Tax Reclaims on Donations and Gifts**
Incoming resources from tax reclaims are included in the SOFA at the same time as the gift to which they relate.
## **Contractual Income and Performance Related Grants**
This is only included in the SOFA once the related goods or services has been delivered.
## **Gifts in Kind**
Gifts in kind are accounted for at a reasonable estimate of their value to the charity or the amount actually realised. Gifts in kind for sale or distribution are included in the accounts as gifts only when sold or distributed by the charity. Gifts in kind for use by the charity are included in the SOFA as income receivable.
## **Volunteer Help**
The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts and is described in the Report of the Trustees.
## **Donated Services and Facilities**
These are only included in incoming resources (with an equivalent amount in resources expended) where the benefit to the charity is reasonably quantifiable, measurable and material. The value placed on these resources is the estimated value to the charity of the service or facility received.
## **Investment Income**
This is included in the accounts when receivable.
## **Investment Gains and Losses**
This included any gain or loss on the sale of investments and any gain or loss resulting from revaluing investments to market value at the end of the year.
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
10
## **RIVER CHURCH IPSWICH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) Expenditure and Liabilities**
## **Liability Recognition**
Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources.
## **Governance Costs**
Include costs of the preparation and examination of statutory accounts, the costs of the trustees meetings and cost of any legal advise to trustees on governance or constitutional matters.
## **Grants with Performance Conditions**
Where the charity gives a grant with conditions for its payment being a specific level of service or output to be provided, such grants are only recognised in the SOFA once the recipient of the grant has provided the specified service or output.
## **Grants Payable without Performance Conditions**
These are only recognised in the accounts when a commitment has been made and there are no conditions to be met relating to a grant which remain in control of the charity.
## **Investments**
Investments quoted on a recognised stock exchange are valued at market value at the year end. Other investment assets are included at trustees' best estimate of market value.
## **Pensions**
Pension contributions are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities as they become payable.
## **Fund Accounting**
Funds held by the charity are either:
- `・` **Unrestricted funds**
- These are funds which can be used in accordance with the charity's objectives, at the discretion of the trustees.
- `・` **Restricted funds**
These are funds that can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity.
- `・` **Designated funds**
- These funds are funds set aside by the trustees out of unrestricted general funds for specific purposes or projects.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
## **Fixed Assets**
Fixed Assets are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year and cost at least £1,500. They are valued at cost or, if gifted, at the value to the charity on receipt.
## **Depreciation Expense**
Depreciation is calculated at a rate to write off the cost of tangible fixed assets over their estimated useful lives. The rates applied are as follows:
Furniture & Fittings 25% Equipment 25%
There has been no change to the accounting polices (Variation rules and methods of accounting) since last year.
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
11
## **RIVER CHURCH IPSWICH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
## **2. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**
|Additions
At 31 December 2025
**Accumulated Depreciation**
At 1 January 2025
Charge for the Year
**Cost**
At 1 January 2025
At 31 December 2025
**Net Book Value**
At 31 December 2025
At 31 December 2024|Equipment
Furniture &
Fittings
**2025**
£
£
£
16,337
7,986
24,323
-
-
-
16,337
7,986
24,323
7,848
4,037
11,885
2,122
987
3,109
9,970
5,024
14,994
6,367
2,962
9,329
8,489
3,949
12,438|
|---|---|
The annual commitments under non-cancelling operating leases and capital commitments are as follows: 31st December 2024 : None
31st December 2025 : None
## **3. INCOMING RESOURCES**
|Note
Donations:Giving
Gift Aid
Grants
Other Income/reimburse expenses
Suffolk Community Foundation Fund (RF)
Love Christmas Fund (RF)
Pastoral Fund (DF)
Loan interest received
**c) Activities for Generating Funds**
Merchandise
Venue Hire
Bridge the Gap Income
Applaud Coffee Shop
Focus Income
Hospitality
River Active
Occasional Offices
River Store
**Total Income**
**b) Investment Income**
Interest Received
**a) Donations & Legacies**|Unrestricted
Restricted
Designated
**Total**
**Total**
Funds
Funds
Funds
**2025**
**2024**
£
£
**£**
**£**
103,510
-
-
103,510
87,634
22,854
-
-
22,854
12,887
106,112
121,378
-
227,490
238,802
2,047
-
-
2,047
1,805
-
-
-
-
8,050
-
-
-
-
4,465
-
-
2,300
2,300
2,024
**234,523**
**121,378**
**2,300**
**358,201**
**355,667**
2,618
-
-
2,618
**-**
321
-
-
321
1,303
**2,939**
**-**
**-**
**2,939**
**1,303**
175
-
-
175
344
4,658
-
-
4,658
8,195
929
-
-
929
2,103
647
-
-
647
-
-
1,479
-
1,479
3,308
10
-
-
10
2,502
8,725
-
-
8,725
-
-
-
-
-
531
6,634
-
-
6,634
8,686
**21,778**
**1,479**
**-**
**23,257**
**25,668**
**259,240**
**122,857**
**2,300**
**384,397**
**382,637**|
|---|---|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
12
## **RIVER CHURCH IPSWICH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
|**4. RESOURCES EXPENDED**
Note
Admin: Insurance
Admin: Licences & Subscriptions
Admin: Office Equipment
Admin: Stationery, Consumables & postage
Communication-Branding & Website
Finance: Book keeping/Payroll fees
Finance: Bank charges
Finance: Loan Interest paid
Ministry
Premises: Broadband & Phone
Premises: CCT Rent
Premises: Maintenance
Premises: Utilities
Staffing: Expenses
River Coffee
Premises: Equipment
Grants for Mission (excluding payroll costs)
Grants for Social transformation
Focus
Applaud Coffee Shop
River Active
Love Christmas Fund
Household Support Fund
Inviting Ipswich
Pastoral Fund
A Williams Charity
Maurken Fund-Bridge the Gap
Suffolk Community Foundation Fund
Tudwick Foundation Fund
Staff Costs:
_Restricted amounts relate to Grants_
Salaries
HMRC
Pension Contributions
Direct costs:-
Depreciation expense
**Governance costs:-**
Independent Examiner Fee
Legal & Professional fees
**EXPENDITURE (CONTINUED)**
b) Cost of Generating Funds
Fundraising
**Total Expenditure**
**Charitable Activities:-**|Unrestricted
Restricted
Designated
**Total**
**Total**
Funds
Funds
Funds
**2025**
**2024**
£
£
**£**
**£**
4,401
-
-
4,401
3,780
3,622
-
-
3,622
3,231
229
-
-
229
475
203
-
-
203
490
2,554
-
-
2,554
3,238
863
-
-
863
640
401
-
-
401
566
2,618
-
-
2,618
-
38,507
-
-
38,507
48,171
713
-
-
713
541
11,000
-
-
11,000
6,296
4,698
648
-
5,346
5,486
20,360
-
-
20,360
17,598
3,078
-
-
3,078
6,926
-
-
-
-
3,189
832
-
-
832
2,901
-
9,692
-
9,692
16,250
-
-
-
-
106,386
-
1,479
-
1,479
-
5,404
-
-
5,404
-
523
523
-
-
-
-
4,470
-
9,025
-
9,025
-
-
-
-
-
2,567
-
-
1,981
1,981
650
-
-
-
-
2,000
-
-
-
-
1,000
-
-
-
-
8,050
-
-
-
-
3,000
-
152,028
53,972
-
206,000
153,204
11,405
6,318
-
17,723
13,547
6,394
2,246
-
8,640
7,144
-
3,110
-
-
3,110
4,186
-
1,350
-
-
1,350
852
3,052
-
-
3,052
605
**277,345**
**83,380**
**1,981**
**362,706**
**427,440**
3,252
-
-
3,252
20,772
**3,252**
**-**
**-**
**3,252**
**20,772**
**280,597**
**83,380**
**1,981**
**365,958**
**448,212**|
|---|---|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
13
## **RIVER CHURCH IPSWICH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
## **5. RESTRICTED FUNDS**
|**CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR**
Household Support Fund
Focus
Grant - Awards for All
CAF Loan
Grant - Million Hours Fund 2025
**PREVIOUS FINANCIAL YEAR**
Grant - Rank Foundation Pebble Grant
Grant - LD Rope Third Charitable
Settlement
Hobson Grant Charity (changed to
unrestricted general funds 2023)
Grant - St Lawrence Parish Hall Trust
Love Christmas Fund
Grant - Beatrice Laing Trust (Changed to
Unrestricted Funds 2023)
Grant - Suffolk Police & Crime
Grant - Community Organisation Cost of
Living Fund
A Williams Charity
Grant - Million Hours Fund
Maurken Fund
Suffolk Community Foundation Household
Grant - Resurgo Spear Programme
Grant - NCLF Social Supermarket
Grant - Mr Willats Charity
Grant - For Alpha
Grant - The Elizabeth Walter Charity
Grant - B&Q Foundation
Grant - Mr Willats Charity
Grant - Million Hours Fund 2023
Grant - Suffolk Police & Crime
Commissioners Fund|**Balance**
**Balance**
**01-Jan-25**
Income
Expenditure
Transfer
**31-Dec-25**
£
£
£
£
£
-
9,025
(9,025)
-
-
-
1,479
(1,479)
-
-
-
19,944
(19,944)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
750
-
(750)
-
-
-
57,930
-
-
57,930
-
5,000
(5,000)
-
-
17,703
29,479
(47,182)
-
-
**18,453**
**122,857**
**(83,380)**
**-**
**57,930**
**Balance**
**Balance**
**01-Jan-24**
Income
Expenditure
Transfer
**31-Dec-24**
£
£
£
£
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(6,499)
4,465
(4,470)
6,504
-
-
-
-
-
-
(6,194)
5,000
(4,250)
6,194
750
(2)
-
-
2
-
1,729
-
(1,729)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(1)
-
-
1
-
30,540
-
(30,540)
-
-
6,025
-
(6,025)
-
-
1,250
15,000
(16,250)
-
-
44,520
-
(44,520)
-
-
-
2,000
(2,000)
-
-
-
37,025
(19,322)
-
17,703
-
1,000
(1,000)
-
-
-
8,050
(8,050)
-
-
**71,369**
**72,540**
**(138,155)**
**12,700**
**18,453**|
|---|---|
The restricted funds at year end are all receivable as per note 9.
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
14
## **RIVER CHURCH IPSWICH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
## **6. DESIGNATED FUNDS**
|**CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR**
Reserves
Pastoral Discretionary Fund
**Total Unrestricted funds**
Total Designated Funds
General Funds|**Balance**
**Balance**
**01-Jan-25**
Income
Expenditure
Transfer
**31-Dec-25**
£
£
£
£
£
25,000
-
-
(5,000)
20,000
-
2,300
(1,981)
(319)
-
25,000
2,300
(1,981)
(5,319)
20,000
20,314
259,240
(280,597)
5,319
4,276
**45,314**
**261,540**
**(282,578)**
**-**
**24,276**|
|---|---|
|**PREVIOUS FINANCIAL YEAR**
Trustees Discretionary Fund (Designated)
Reserves (Designated)
Pastoral Fund (Designated)
Inviting Ipswich (Designated)
Tudwick Foundation (Designated)
Total Designated Funds
General Funds
**Total Unrestricted funds**|**Balance**
Balance
**01-Jan-24**
Income
Expenditure
Transfer
**31-Dec-24**
£
£
£
£
(253)
-
(105)
359
-
25,000
-
-
-
25,000
225
2,024
(544)
(1,705)
-
177
2,390
(2,567)
-
-
-
3,000
(3,000)
-
-
-
25,149
7,414
(6,217)
(1,346)
25,000
32,823
302,684
(303,840)
(11,354)
20,314
**57,972**
**310,098**
**(310,056)**
**(12,700)**
**45,314**|
|---|---|
15
## **RIVER CHURCH IPSWICH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
## **7. INVESTMENTS**
The Charity held no investment assets during this or the previous financial period.
|Applaud Coffee Ipswich - Accounts receivable
Pension
Loan
Loan
**8. CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND**
Accounts Payable
HMRC
Rent
Independent Examiner's Fee
Lloyds Bank Account
Lloyds Bank Savings Account
Accounts receivable
Prepayment
Pensions
**9. DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS**
**10. CREDITORS AND ACCRUALS AMOUNTS FALLING**
**DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
**11. CREDITORS AND ACCRUALS AMOUNTS FALLING**
**DUE IN MORE THAN ONE YEAR**|Unrestricted
Restricted
Designated
**Total**
**Total**
Funds
Funds
Funds
**31-Dec-25**
**31-Dec-24**
£
£
**£**
**£**
(9,089)
17,039
-
7,950
15,741
15,543
-
20,000
35,543
40,223
**6,454**
**17,039**
**20,000**
**43,493**
**55,964**
Unrestricted
Restricted
Designated
**Total**
**Total**
Funds
Funds
Funds
**31-Dec-25**
**31-Dec-24**
£
£
**£**
**£**
6,722
57,930
-
64,652
24
115,191
-
-
115,191
-
3,744
-
-
3,744
2,000
-
-
-
-
122
**125,657**
**57,930**
**-**
**183,587**
**2,146**
Unrestricted
Restricted
Designated
**Total**
**Total**
Funds
Funds
Funds
**31-Dec-25**
**31-Dec-24**
£
£
**£**
**£**
41,081
17,039
-
58,120
2,724
-
-
-
-
-
1,889
-
-
1,889
-
2,750
-
-
2,750
2,750
1,350
-
-
1,350
852
18,144
-
-
18,144
-
**65,214**
**17,039**
**-**
**82,253**
**6,326**
Unrestricted
Restricted
Designated
**Total**
**Total**
Funds
Funds
Funds
**31-Dec-25**
**31-Dec-24**
£
£
**£**
**£**
71,951
-
-
71,951
455
**71,951**
**-**
**-**
**71,951**
**455**
|
|---|---|
The loan is from CAF for the purchase of a local coffee shop as a trading subsidiary. The loan commenced on 14th July 2025. It is unsecured and repayable over a five-year period at an interest rate of 5.5% per annum.
|**12. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENT**
Shares in Group undertakings and participating interest
**Undertaking**
**Holding**
England
Ordinary
**Country of**
**incorporation**
Applaud Coffee
Ipswich Ltd|**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
**1**
**-**
**2025**
**2024**
100%
N/A
**Proportion of voting**
**right and shares help**
**Principal**
**Activity**
Operating a
Coffee Shop|
|---|---|
The first financial period of Applaud Coffee Ipswich Ltd (company number 16419645) ends on 31.03.2026. The company is a trading subsidiary during the year. River Church is exempt from preparing consolidated financial statements due to: Section 383 Companies Act 2006 (small group exemption), and Section 138 Charities Act 2011 / Charity Accounts Regulations and the £1m group-income threshold reflected in the SORP.
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
16
## **RIVER CHURCH IPSWICH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
## **13. STAFF COSTS AND NUMBERS**
|**TOTAL**
**2025**
**£**
Gross Wages & Stipend
225,614
Employer's National Insurance Costs
11,736
Employer's National Insurance Allowance
(8,238)
Employer's Pension Contributions
3,251
**232,363**
Average number of employees who were engaged in each of the following activities:
**TOTAL**
**2025**
Charitable Activities
7
**7**|**TOTAL**
**2024**
**£**
153,204
13,547
-
7,144
**173,896**
**TOTAL**
**2024**
11
**11**|
|---|---|
The River Church staff team consists of 7 people, comprising 2 full-time clergy, 1 ordinand, and 4 operational and ministry staff.
The Charity operates a PAYE scheme to pay all employed members of staff and no employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000. (2024 - None)
## **14. TRUSTEES AND OTHER RELATED PARTIES**
No trustee remuneration, trustee expenses or other related-party transactions requiring disclosure occurred during the year. Payments made to certain trustees related solely to administrative and ministry activities undertaken outside their capacity as trustees. (2024 - None)
## **15. RISK ASSESSMENT**
The Trustees actively review the major risks which the charity faces on a regular basis and believe that maintaining the free reserves stated combined with the annual review of the controls over key financial systems carried out on an annual basis will provide sufficient resources in the event of adverse conditions. The Trustees have also examined other operational and business risks which they face and confirm that they have established systems to mitigate the significant risks.
## **16. RESERVES POLICY**
The Trustees have considered the level of reserves they wish to retain, appropriate to the charity's needs. This is based on the charity's size and the level of financial commitments held. The Trustees aim to ensure the charity will be able to continue to fulfil its charitable objectives even if there is a temporary shortfall in income or unexpected expenditure. The Trustees will endeavour not to set aside funds unnecessarily.
## **17. PUBLIC BENEFIT**
The Charity acknowledges its requirement to demonstrate clearly that it must have charitable purposes or ‘aims’ that are for the public benefit. Details of how the charity has achieved this are provided in the Trustees' report. The Trustees confirm that they have paid due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit before deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
17