CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of The Rock Church Slratford-upon-Avon On accounts for the year ended 30 April 2024 Charity no {if any) 1195784 Set out on pages I report lo the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity {"the Trust.) for the year ended 30 April 2024. Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordan with Ihe requirements of the Charities Act 2011 1"the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5}Ib) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention n connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounls do not accord wilh Ihe accounling records Independent examiner's statement I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination lo which altention should be drawn in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delele the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Date: 25 Name: Mark Skellum Relevant professional qualificationls) or body lif any}: FCA Address: Ballards LLP Oakmoore Court, Kingswood Road, Hampton Droitwich, Worcestershire, WR9 OQH IER October 2018
THE ROCK CHURCH STRATFORD UPON AVON CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1195784 TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE PERIOD 1st April 2023 . 31ST MARCH 2024. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) Accounting and Reporting by Charities" {FRS102) in preparing Ihe annual report and financial statements of the charity. Objectives and activities The Charity's Objects are for the public benefit, to advance the Christian faith, but not exclusively, by providing worship, prayer and Christian teaching in Stratford-upon-Avon and such other parts of the United Kingdom,. and the relief of persons who are in need. The charity was incorporated as a CIO with the Charities Commission on the 10th of September 2021, Charity registration number 1195784. Its website www.therockchurchslratford.or The Rock Church Trustees have served the vision of the church since its inception and at the time of writing this report are.. Anne Lowe from 191 January 2021 Claire Banner from 22nd February 2022 Rachel Franklin from 22nd August 2022 The Elders are: Arvel Lowe - Lead Pastor. Angus Eagles Paul Davies The Elders were formally appointed on tho 27th of March 2022. Public benefit The Trustees have complied with Iheir duly to have due regard lo the guidance on public benefit as published by the Charity Commission and consider all Ihe activities undertaken to further the charity's purposes to be of public benefit. Use of volunteers We have expanded the number ofvolunlary supporters during the reporting period lo 33. They are a diverse group of people serving the vision of the Rock Church and who bring a wide range of valuable skills and knowledge. All have been managed within the 'safer recruitment, remit. Achievements and performance The past year has been one of growth and community impact. As we continue to expand our outreach and serve bolh our congregation and the wider community, we are encouraged by the increase in participation and the addition of new ministries, the key highlights of our programs, initiatives, and services are detailed below.
THE ROCK CHURCH STRATFORD UPON AVON CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1195784 TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE PERIOD 1st April 2023 - 31ST MARCH 2024. Worship and Bible Studies: Rock Solid Bible Studies: Held bi-weekly on Tuesdays, excluding August and December. Atlendance has grown significantly, with over 50010 of the congregation joining on Zoom. Home Group Meetings: Taking place every other Wednesday, we have seen an increase in group numbers from 6 to 8 groups, with a polential ninth group by October 2024, supporting the community practically and spiritually. Monthly Prayer Meeting: These are held on the third Thursday of each month where the church gathers for collective prayer, fostering unity and intercession for the community's needs. Outreach and Community Involvement: Food Bank Contributions: Our support for the Fred Winter Centre's food bank has grown, wilh 2,703 items delivered this year. Youth Outreach Evenls: We hosted an outreach event in February at Compton Verney, Warwickshire, drawing in youth for a memorable evening of faith and fun. Another youth meeting slruclure launched in April, meeling bi-weekly on Sundays. Community Partnerships: Rock Church joined Stratford Churches Together in March, allowing for collaborative efforts and shared outreach initiatives. Prayerwalk and Leafleting: Outreach was conducted at Etlinglon Communily Cenlre, where volunteers prayed for the community and distributed information leaflets to explain how we wanled to serve and help the community. 3. Ministry Expansion and Special Events: Men's and Women's Ministries: Both ministries were launched this year with events al Henley Baptist Hall and Wroxall Abbey, respectively. New Groups and Special Ministries: The Companions Group and the Rock Blossom Group {for widows and widowers) were introduced, holding regular meetings with attendan increasing. Youth Leadership Transition: We have appointed 2 new Youth Leaders. Children can meet for Rock kids, age 3-8. Rock Squad for ages 9- 13 years. There is also Youth for 14 + 4. Significant Church Services and Celebrations: Good Friday and Easter Services: Held on Zoom and in person at Henley Baptist Church, with a special baptismal service attended by over 100 people, 12 people were baplised. Annual Carol Service, Remembrance Service, and Toy Offerings: These anticipated events provide both solemn remembrance and celebration. The Toy Offering is scheduled for November 17th where gifts are bought by the church and members of the congregation and presented to Social Services to give lo children who are in care and needy families. Our Carol servi is scheduled for December 22nd.
THE ROCK CHURCH STRATFORD UPON AVON CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1195784 TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE PERIOD 1st April 2023 - 31ST MARCH 2024. 5. Facility and Location Updates: New Worship Venues: After nearly three years al Stralford Manor Hotel, we held our final service Ihere in July. We are now meeting al The Playhouse, Stralford-Upon-Avon, and have also initiated services at Ettington Community Centre and Charlecote Pheasant Hotel to accommodate growth. 6. Financlal Overview and Contributions: Building Fund and Financial Support.. Monthly contributions to our Building Fund have increased, refieoling the congregation's commitment to establishing a lasting church presence. Charitable Contributions: Rock Church supports Samarilan's Purse Ihrough Ihe Shoe Box Appeal, with congregants donating toys and essential items for children globally. 7. Leadership: Trustee Changes: AE, after four years of dedicated Servi as a trustee, has stepped down due to increased work commitments. We exlend our heartfelt gralitude for his contributions and service. Future Plans include (but are not limited to): We will conlinue to expand our networking activities, build relationships and partnerships so that we can workwith the community lo offer a wider range OfserviS and resources. We will continue to extend support to overseas missions, national and local charities. We will continually enhance our communications strategy and social media church profile so that we can extend our reach to those we seek to serve. We will further enhance our support to Ihe many complex issues people experience. We will explore the potential to grow a nelwork of further volunteers and 'friends' who are committed lo supporting in the local communities. We will continue to extend our bring and share (food) events where we can connecl with the community showing them love and compassion. We will continue to extend our local help to Stralford's Childrens Service each Christmas buying age-appropriale toys for families in need. We will pray on the streets of Slralford Upon Avon for those in need and for the leaders and community members of the town. We will ensure we give 100/0 of our income Ihrough tithes to international, national and local charilies. Reserves policy The Trustees consider Ihat general unreslricted funds should be targeted al a level equal lo six month's expected expenditure to ensure that the charity has sufficient reserves to meet costs as they fall due. Such reseNes as of 31st March 2024 meet this requirement. The Trustees will continue to monitor the level of resetves and ensure it is managed being mindful of the FSCS requirements.
THE ROCK CHURCH STRATFORD UPON AVON CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1195784 TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE PERIOD 1st April 2023 . 31ST MARCH 2024. Additional information The charity's principal source of funding is through donations from its congregation and visitors. Structure, Governance, Management The charity is governed by ils Constitution of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation whose only voting members are ils Charity Trustees dated 10th September 2021. Induction and training of new Trustees New Trustees are provided with information as to their duties and responsibilities, the terms of their engagement as a Trustee and details of the charity's key principles and aims for ils work. Each Trustee is also provided with a copy of the constitution. Organi5ational structure The Trustees are responsible for managing the charity. Responsibililies for some functions are delegated to individuals as they see fit. statement of Trustees. responsibilities The Law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each budgel year which give a true and fair view of Ihe situation of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charity for that year. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to.. select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently. observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP. make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. state whether applicable UK Accounting Slandards have been followed, subject lo any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements- and prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records Ihat disclose with reasonable accuracy at any lime the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial slalemenls comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevenlion and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The Trustees, report was approved by the Board of Trustees. Anne Lowe Mrs A Lowe. Chair of the Board of Trustees 6.1.25.
CHARIIY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALE5 CC16a Receipts and payments accounts Forlho perlod To Section A Recelpts and payments Endowment fund$ rund$ funds Totolfuntts tothllne4W51£ t¢th•nuM51 A1 Rgcelpts .(Mh¢ Sub lolal IGmssllKoine for 10&2Ya 14IG62 AR) A2 Ass•tand Inv8slrnentsal#y, Sub Tolalreceipts A3 Paymènts 101273 41,268 14I65Z 111.173 Evanl(051& kjl 20 2.02 RoDmHire 3.043 12 Cknslmaslurrth 82 021 Syb lotal A4 A55etaDd Invgstmunt 1.238 port9 leclurn Sub fOtl f.749 BIODI Net olre¢elptsl(payments} ASTransf9rs lundsA8 Cash fvDds18siyèArènd Cgsh lunds Ihis yerwJLI 26,f82 67.4Q6 61.050 142662 2M96¥ 1B6.744 43,224
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Eiiilowmiit lunds Caleyoil$s lo Bk-4873l£È B1 Cash funds Bk-541bf0968 154,695 Bk-s4702 k-55318F68 Tolal casli lunds 43,224 Un res RÈstilctsd Endowmvntthnds io ne4r05l£ 2.541 C¢MPtIC4IPrn•l FundtD¥thkh Co&ilDpUDnill ¢vrrtT B4 Assets retainpd forthe charlty'8 own uso Fundt4thkh Fundtowhkh AmoLdu* WndU SIgnedbyorbllSieQn behÉif¢l#lthètru61¢e¥ Datèol Prfnl Nornè nne owe