Grace Church Stoke on Trent
Report and Accounts Year ended 31st May 2022
GRACE CHURCH STOKE ON TRENT
LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2022
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE Grace Church Stoke on Trent Unit B, Metro Business Park Clough Street, Hanley. Stoke on Trent ST1 4AF GOVERNING DOCUMENT CIO Constitution Dated - 23rd August 2021 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1195662 TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING THE CHARITY Laura Pickering - Chairperson Rachel Ainscough - Treasurer Victoria Terry - resigned 1 July 2022 Nathan Ainscough Robert Mundy David Keeping INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Archie McDowall Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
Page 1 Legal & Administrative Details Pages 2-5 Trustees' Report Page 6 Independent Examiner's Report Page 7 Receipts and Payments Account Page 8 Statement of Assets & Liabilities Pages 9-10 Notes to the Accounts
Page 1
GRACE CHURCH STOKE ON TRENT
TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MAY 2022
The trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year.
Objects of the charity
The charity has been a Charitable Incorporated Organisation since 23rd August 2021 (Charity Number 1195662) and previous to that a Charitable Trust (Charity Number 1110459) both were registered with the Charity Commission in England & Wales. The charitable trust was removed from the Central Register of Charities in March 2022.
The objects of the charity, as set out in the governing document are:
a) the advancement of the Christian religion in accordance with our statement of faith appearing in the schedule hereto in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire or other parts of the United Kingdom and/or the world as the trustees of the charity may from time to time see fit.
b) the relief of those in need by reason of hardship, distress and/or sickness, in particular (but not limited to) the provision of loans, gifts, accommodation or shelter.
The trustees note that the Church is not a building, but a gathering of ordinary people of different ages and backgrounds, whose lives have been changed by Jesus Christ. The New Testament reveals the Church as a community of people, properly taught and cared for, who by loving and serving Jesus Christ, were also committed to love and care for each other and to bring a blessing to the area in which they lived. Grace Church Stoke on Trent, its trustees, elders and members are committed to the restoration of those New Testament principles. It is not alone in this, it is one of many Churches in the area, country and all over the world that is re-discovering the excitement of knowing Jesus Christ. The vision is to see the people of Stoke on Trent come into this experience of knowing Jesus as their Lord, Saviour and friend and become a part of their local church. In Summary to 'Build Church the City can't do without'
Grace Church Stoke on Trent is one of many ChristCentral Churches (Registered Charity No. 1151447) working together under the apostolic leadership of Jeremy Simpkins and his team. ChristCentral is part of the worldwide New frontiers family of churches (Registered Charity No. 1060001), providing opportunities for us to impact not just our UK region but also into other nations. During this financial year we gave regularly towards the work of ChristCentral throughout the world.
Summary of the charity's main activities and achievements
To further the above objects and vision, the charity's main activities and achievements were as follows: ►Holding regular Sunday services available to all. Throughout this financial year we held in person meetings alongside a live stream of the service in line with the Covid19 restrictions in place at the time. Mid week Community groups met in person when allowed with other members joining online through zoom throughout this accounting year gathering small groups of members for fellowship, worship, prayer and bible study.
►Meeting together publicly to worship God, hear preaching of His word, corporate prayer, run children's activities and enjoy fellowship.
►The training and teaching of both staff and church members
►Utilisation of church facilities and provision of support for the local community, e.g. running a Foodbank Distribution centre and debt advice centre
►Utilisation of church facilities to support church members e.g. Training events, worship nights, prayer meetings, hot meals provided to our students
►Running online Alpha courses using materials provided by Alpha International (No. 1086179) to explore the Christian faith with the older children and young people of the church using the youth alpha series and also a course for non-Christians.
►The resourcing and equipping of other churches and Christian ministries within the City, UK and overseas.
►Organising a wide range of evangelistic activities for both church members and for non believers. Events such as a Comedy Night and Carol Service have been hosted within this year.
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GRACE CHURCH STOKE ON TRENT
TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MAY 2022
The church recognises the need to impact our local community and wider city. These are some of the activities undertaken to achieve this:
► Kidzplay @ Grace Church - Free stay and play group for parents and carers and children under 5. We open once a week during term time and offer free play, story time, singing, movement and sensory activities with free refreshments for adults and children. On average we see 15 children and 10 adults attend the group regularly. In May 2021 we were able to run some in person meet ups in a local park and in June 2021 we re-opened Kidzplay indoors which has continued throughout this financial year. This group is led by our Community Worker and supported by volunteers.
► Foodbank Distribution Centre - Working in partnership with Trussell Trust Stoke on Trent Foodbank (Registered charity No. 1132208) we open every Wednesday evening as a foodbank distribution centre. Teams of volunteers provide emergency food parcel to individuals and families in crisis on receipt of a Foodbank voucher. As a church we also collect food as one of the foodbank's food collection points.
► Soup Kitchen - Alongside our foodbank distribution Centre on a Wednesday evening, we run a soup kitchen. Both foodbank guests and non-foodbank guests who are experiencing homelessness, low income and/or loneliness can attend. We provide soup, bread, biscuits, hot and cold drinks, and essential items, such as sleeping bags, gats, gloves, socks, rucksacks, roll mats, toiletries, cutlery, crockery, and tin openers for anyone attending the foodbank and/or the soup kitchen.
We have continued to run our foodbank distribution centre and Soup Kitchen throughout the pandemic in a Covid secure manner, In June 2022 we re-opened the foodbank distribution centre fully on Thursday mornings instead of Wednesday evenings. The Soup Kitchen will then run independently on a Wednesday evening as of June 2022. Both the foodbank DC and Soup Kitchen are led by our Community Worker and supported by volunteers.
► CMA Grace Money - A debt advice service affiliated with Community Money Advice (CMA - Charity No. 1111436) is run from the church premises by trained volunteers for those in the city struggling with debt. Providing accredited advice, support and undertaking negotiations with creditors. Community Money Advice (CMA) have provided expert training and support for our team and a level of governance for good practice.
► Sanctus (St Marks) (CIC 09269649)- We support a local charity who support asylum seekers and refugees in the local area by providing baby and children's clothing and equipment. We wash and sort baby clothes into age-appropriate parcels ready for Sanctus to give to those in need. This provision is led by our Community Worker and supported by volunteers.
► Craft & Chat - During this financial year we started a new community project as a response to the impact of the pandemic. Craft and Chat was launched in May 2022, the group offers therapeutic craft and community for anyone experiencing low level mental ill-health, isolation, and loneliness. The group is a referral only group with both self-referral and professional referral available. This group runs once a week during term time and is led by a volunteer and supported by our Community Worker and other volunteers.
► Families grown by Adoption - Another new community project launched during this financial year is our Families grown by Adoption Group. Beginning in May 2021, we now run a support group that provides whole family activities and support for local families who are growing, or who have grown their family through adoption. This group runs 6 times a year, with activities and refreshments for families to enjoy together, whilst also offering a space and welcoming place for families to meet others with similar situations and experiences, giving them the opportunity to draw on peer support and advice and make local connections and relationships with others in the local area. This group is led by a volunteer and supported by our Community Worker and other volunteers.
A significant number of Church members volunteer their time to lead, sustain and develop the ministries and activities of the church. Their contribution is vital to the success of the charity and cannot be quantified. Our total membership at the end of May 2022 was 80 adults.
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GRACE CHURCH STOKE ON TRENT
TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MAY 2022
In planning the activities the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.
Structure, Governance and Management
Responsibility for setting policy and for making operating decisions rests with the trustees who meet regularly to monitor the activities of the charity. Responsibility for the spiritual governance and leadership of the Church Fellowship has been delegated to the Eldership team. These teams work alongside each other closely. The annual budget is set by the joint working and agreement of both parties. New trustees are recruited and appointed from the church membership by the existing trustees, by a majority vote.
Financial review
Unrestricted income for the year ending 2022 was £81,207 which was a decrease from the previous year (£91,178 - Year End May 2021) The year ended May 2021 included a grant for £10,000 which boosted our income for that year. Unrestricted expenditure totalled £93,789 which was greater than the previous year (£82,235).
For the coming year the Trustees and Eldership team have set a balanced budget with expenditure scaled down. If income is received above the predicted level then we will expand our expenditure to areas which have been cut back from.
Within this financial year our employees were; David Keeping, Church Leader ( 22.5 hours per week) and Rebekah Chalmers, a Community Worker (13 hours per week), and Cleaning & Building Maintenance Co-ordinator (3 hours per week). Staffing needs are kept under review by the Elders and Trustees who are continually assessing the needs of the church. The Staff, Trustees and Elders are all committed members of the Church.
Reserves policy
It is the aim of the Trustees to maintain unrestricted funds, not committed or invested in fixed assets, at a level which covers between 2 and 3 months of committed expenditure. This policy is in place to ensure that the charity could continue to operate should income and/or expenditure vary adversely. At year end the church's reserves totalled £14,651 which is above 2 months of committed expenditure and the charity is complying with its reserves policy.
Key risks and uncertainties
The charity is exposed to various risks - be they operational, financial or reputational. The trustees review the charity's activities regularly to identify significant risks and, where possible, they take appropriate measures to mitigate those risks.
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GRACE CHURCH STOKE ON TRENT
TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MAY 2022
Responsibilities of trustees under charity law
The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charity as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the financial year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether the applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material
departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume
that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. 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.
Approval
This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Rachel Ainscough
RACHEL AINSCOUGH
Date: 15 January 2023
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF
GRACE CHURCH STOKE ON TRENT
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Grace Church Stoke on Trent ('the charity') for the year ended 31st May 2022 on pages 7 to 10 following.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the 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: 1. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Archie McDowall
Archie McDowall BA CA
Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
Date: 16 January 2023
Page 6
GRACE CHURCH STOKE ON TRENT
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2022
| Notes Donations Job Retention Scheme Payments Stoke-on-Trent Council Social Action Grant Stoke-on-Trent Covid Grant Stoke-on-Trent Craft & Chat Grant Other Grants - Tesco Groundworks Special Offering Restricted Gift aid receipts Interest Received Hire of venue Church Events Other Capital and similar receipts Total receipts Payments 2 3 Total payments Net movement in funds Cash funds as at last year end Cash funds at this year end A Loan repayments Net of receipts / (payments) before Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly |
General Funds £ 64,218 274 - - - - - 13,633 - 345 318 2,418 81,207 - - 81,207 84,058 9,731 93,789 (12,582) (12,582) 27,233 14,651 |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - 500 1,000 2,170 468 - - - - 4,138 - - 4,138 5,585 2,638 8,222 (4,085) (4,085) 5,779 1,694 |
2022 £ 64,218 274 - - 500 1,000 2,170 14,101 - 345 318 2,418 85,344 - - 85,344 89,643 12,369 102,011 (16,667) (16,667) 33,012 16,345 |
2021 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70,866 4,064 2,550 1,500 - - - 14,219 4 40 0 1,085 |
||||
| 94,328 | ||||
| 500 | ||||
| 500 | ||||
| 94,828 | ||||
| 73,884 9,730 |
||||
| 83,614 | ||||
| 11,214 11,214 21,798 |
||||
| 33,012 |
The notes on pages 8-9 form part of these accounts.
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GRACE CHURCH STOKE ON TRENT
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2022
| Notes Cash funds Cash at bank with immediate access Total B Other monetary assets Gift aid due to charity Total C Liabilities Falling due within one year Fee for Independent Examination Total D Assets retained for charity's own use |
Notes Cash funds Cash at bank with immediate access Total B Other monetary assets Gift aid due to charity Total C Liabilities Falling due within one year Fee for Independent Examination Total D Assets retained for charity's own use |
General funds £ 14,651 14,651 1,307 1,307 840 840 |
Restricted funds £ 1,694 1,694 - - - - |
2022 £ 16,345 16,345 1,307 1,307 840 840 |
2021 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33,012 | |||||
| 33,012 | |||||
| 1,415 | |||||
| 1,415 | |||||
| 720 | |||||
| 720 | |||||
| Music and PA equipment Computers and IT Furniture Other |
Fund to which asset belongs General General General General |
Cost £ |
|||
| 3,548 2,419 3,428 2,991 |
|||||
| 12,386 |
| ets retained for charity's own use | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fund to | ||
| which asset | Cost | |
| belongs | £ | |
| Music and PA equipment | General | 3,548 |
| Computers and IT | General | 2,419 |
| Furniture | General | 3,428 |
| Other | General | 2,991 |
| 12,386 |
Trustees have used the original cost of these assets to assess the value; this is also the current insured value
The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Rachel Ainscough
PRINT NAME - RACHEL AINSCOUGH
Date: 15 January 2023
The notes on pages 9-10 form part of these accounts.
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GRACE CHURCH STOKE ON TRENT
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2022
Accounting policies
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.
| Unrestricted Funds General Restricted funds Funds 2 Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly Employment costs inc Travel Expenses 38,503 - Rent 27,250 - Light, heat & water 3,310 - Insurance 1,807 - Support services (ministry, training, hospitality) 3,751 - Outreach / Community action activities 2,291 1,218 Maintenance of buildings & equipment 2,633 3,768 Work among the young 654 599 Independent examination 744 - Administration & Communication 3,115 - 84,058 5,585 3 Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others Grants for: Overseas mission & Relief of Poverty in UK & Overseas 9,731 2,638 9,731 2,638 |
Total 2022 38,503 27,250 3,310 1,807 3,751 3,509 6,400 1,252 744 3,115 89,643 12,369 - - 12,369 |
Total 2021 35,222 20,438 3,804 1,620 5,283 1,861 2,768 210 720 1,958 |
|---|---|---|
| 73,884 | ||
| 9,730 - - |
||
| 9,730 |
Transactions with related parties
The above employment costs refer to 2 individuals who have been employed on a part time basis during the accounting year.
One of the employees was David Keeping, a Trustee, who served as church leader and was paid gross £24,558 [2021: £21,796] and pension contributions of £2,210 [2021: £1,962] for serving in that capacity and not as a Trustee. These payments are permitted by the charity's governing document
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GRACE CHURCH STOKE ON TRENT
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2022
5 Movement of funds
| vement of funds | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at | Balance at | |||||
| 1st June 2021 | Receipts | Payments | Transfers | 31st May 2022 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| General funds | 27,234 | 81,207 | 93,789 | - | 14,651 | |
| Restricted funds | ||||||
| Social Action | 2,011 | - | 1,099 | 912 | ||
| Special Offering (CC) Devoted | - | 1,363 | 1,363 | - | ||
| Special Offering (CC) Ukraine | - | 925 | 925 | - | - | |
| Building Fund | 3,768 | - | 3,768 | - | - | |
| Cambodia | - | 350 | 350 | - | - | |
| Craft & Chat | - | 500 | 119 | - | 381 | |
| Kidzplay | - | 1,000 | 599 | - | 401 | |
| Total funds | 33,013 | 85,344 | 100,943 | - | 17,414 |
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Social Action fund - Grant received through Stoke on Trent Council from DEFRA to support struggling local residents with essential supplies e.g. sleeping bags, mats, rucksacks, toiletries. This was received in Dec 2020
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Special Offering - These funds were used to collect donations given towards offerings Christ Central held in September 2021 and March 2022. These were then paid out in September 2021 and April 2022.
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Building Fund - This is the balance of the special offering taken in Oct 2019 for improvements to our building and future building needs. The balance has been spent within this financial year.
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Cambodia - This fund was set up to collect donations given towards supporting Sam & Abi Little who are setting up a Christ Central Church Plant in Cambodia. Money collected in June 2021 and paid out in July 2021.
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Craft & Chat - This fund is restricted for the work of the Craft & Chat project. A grant was received in December 2021 from Stoke on Trent City Council specifically for this project.
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Kidzplay - This fund is restricted for Kidzplay our parent and toddler group. A grant was received from Tesco Bags of help in
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July 2021 specifically for this project
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