Trustees Annual Report for Lighthouse Loudwater – charity number 1197215
Lighthouse Loudwater is a Christian charity that aims to support children of all backgrounds, faiths and cultures by delivering a free to access fun-packed Summer holiday club week with activities such as organised sports, team games, craft sessions and sessions designed to help children understand and explore the Christian faith.
Lighthouse Loudwater was set up and registered with the Charity Commission in December 2021 and ran its first summer activity week in August 2022.
It was a very successful week. On average 170 children attended on each of the days, with many children attending every day. With careful planning, places were able to be offered to almost every child that applied. Feedback from children and their parents/carers was overwhelmingly positive.
The Trustees are particularly passionate about vulnerable children. The Summer week included many such children. Lunches were provided every day for many of them.
The Charity benefits from a strong Board of Trustees.
The following Trustees joined when the Charity was formed and continue as Trustees:
Tim Andrews (Chair)
Rebecca Dodds
Mark Humphries
Alison Rodgers
The Board was further strengthened by the appointment on 12[th] January 2023 of the Revd James Dwyer.
During the year, the Trustees met regularly to review the 2022 Holiday Week and the Light Party and to plan for 2023 and beyond.
Lighthouse Loudwater benefits from the hard work and kind contributions of many volunteers. The Trustees are particularly appreciative of the work of the Treasurer, Emily Humphries.
The Trustees recognize that children attended Lighthouse Loudwater for a variety of reasons. Some have attended another Lighthouse in the past. Some need fun safe and secure Summer childcare. Most of the children have a link with a local school or church.
Trustees were particularly pleased to welcome some children who were new to the Lighthouse experience and also children of parents who themselves attended a Lighthouse when young.
Lighthouse relies on volunteers to help with looking after the children in our care and a significant amount of the volunteers are 12-18 year olds. They are called lamplighters. They are given a chance to take some appropriate responsibility for the younger children (4 to 11 year olds), under the watchful eye of older and more experienced Lighthouse Keepers and Age Group leaders. The Lamplighters become role models for the younger children and benefit from this one week opportunity to serve others. We appreciate every one of them.
Trustees would also like to recognize that some volunteers take annual leave to be involved. We recognise that time off work is precious and appreciate this investment in Lighthouse Loudwater.
In October 2022, a “Light Disco” was organised by the Trustees. It was very well attended and appreciated. Such events will be repeated periodically as they enable ongoing appropriate links with the children and their families.
Trustees are very excited about being able to hold another Lighthouse week in 2023 and indeed follow up events when appropriate.
Financial Review:
Lighthouse Loudwater was well funded in the year. Recognizing the costs involved in setting up this new local Lighthouse, Churches and Councils donated a total of £7200.
Importantly, the week is free to access. However, we do invite contributions. We were delighted to receive almost £1,600 from parents and volunteers. The Trustees are encouraged by and appreciate all of these donations. We are humbled by the fact that some volunteers served and donated despite not having children attending the Lighthouse. Total income in the year was £10,411 and expenditure was £7,612 resulting in a surplus of £2,799. As it was our first year of operation, £2,799 is therefore our closing reserves balance.
Trustees are aware that many contributions were given to ensure Lighthouse Loudwater could launch successfully and deliver well in its first year. Accordingly, Trustees are expecting income to be much lower in 2023 and are therefore currently preparing some grant applications.
Trustees would like to record particular appreciation of the members and leaders of St Peters Church Loudwater. Their excellent links in the community and their commitment to the establishment and success of Lighthouse Loudwater was a significant reason for the charity’s successful first year and exciting outlook.
Tim Andrews
Chair, Lighthouse Loudwater
Lighthouse Loudwater Accounts for Period to September 2022
| Summary | |
|---|---|
| Income | |
| Church Donations | 5800.00 |
| Council Donations | 1400.00 |
| Receipts (Sumup) | 269.29 |
| Parent & Helper Donations | 1575.00 |
| Shop, Refresh etc | 1326.94 |
| Other | 40.00 |
| 10411.23 |
| Expenditure | ||
|---|---|---|
| Shop, Tuck & Refreshments | 756.19 | |
| T Shirts & Lanyards | 578.40 | |
| Sports | 548.83 | |
| Craft | 430.18 | |
| Lighthouse Central Services & Admin | 1226.00 | |
| Other Admin | 954.21 | |
| Mainstage | 669.18 | |
| Additional Needs | 304.33 | |
| Lunches | 192.08 | |
| Activities (inc bouncy) | 414.85 | |
| Premises Donation | 570.80 | |
| Database Development | 400.00 | |
| Mid Year Events | 385.90 | |
| Insurance | 167.74 | |
| Other | 13.50 | |
| 7612.19 | ||
| surplus | 2799.04 | |
| Reconciliation | ||
| Bank Balance 30/09/2022 | 4513.39 | |
| Accrued Expenditure | -2114.35 | |
| Accrued Income | 400.00 | |
| 2799.04 |