Trustees Annual Report
1st April 2024 – 31st March 2025
New Life Community Church Milnrow registered as Charitable Incorporated Organisation in England & Wales. Principal Office: 3 Edmund Street Milnrow OL16 4HR. Registered Charity No: 1198289
Governance is through a Board of Trustees which have met 11 times in this reporting period. Richard Cowling were voted in as Elder and was added as Trustee on 16th June 2024. Paul Bedford resigned as Trustee in June 2024.
The Charity Objectives: New Life Community Church Milnrow aims to
Enthrone the Lord – New Life are a people that live a life of worship.
Equip the Saints – we are a Bible believing and teaching church. We want to invest ‘Gods best’ in people so they have the opportunity to grow in faith and purpose.
Enlarge the Kingdom – we constantly look for opportunities to influence people for Christ and demonstrate the power of the gospel.
New Life Community Church Milnrow is a non-denominational church with a mission to demonstrate the gospel of Jesus Christ.The church has an active community focussed timetable of activities to give each person who comes the opportunity to grow in faith and purpose.
The Trustees are satisfied that these objectives are consistent with the Charity Commission’s general guidance on Public Benefit. The following summary of the main activities undertaken by the charity in 2024/25 demonstrates our commitment to this.
Charitable Incorporated Organisation The accounting year returned to 12 months from 1st April 2024 end after a shortened period in the previous year. This allowed us to return the financial year end to 31st March
New Life Community Church Milnrow registered as Charitable Incorporated Organisation in England & Wales. Principal Office: 3 Edmund Street Milnrow OL16 4HR. Registered Charity No: 1198289
Leadership
The newly appointed elder, Richard Cowling has taken up leadership within the church, particularly with a pastoral and preaching role. After discussion with the Elders and Trustees, Ian Lowe announced his decision to step back as Pastoral Lead of New Life. He made the announcement in November 2024 for the changes to take place from April 2025. At the end of the period, there were 71 members.
Throughout the reporting period our staff included:
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An unpaid Community Lead
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A paid Sessional Co-ordinator,
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A paid Administrator and
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A paid Book-keeper
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A Volunteer Fundraiser
All staff work various part time hours. We are blessed with a large, willing volunteer base of people with a range of skills and talents.
Community activities under the umbrella of Family Central continue to grow in numbers and strength with local community stakeholders aware of our offerings and choosing to direct people in need towards us. Our busy weekday timetable offers group activities, counselling and therapies aimed at reducing effects and root causes of poverty, social isolation, loneliness, illness, unemployment, bereavement and negative life experiences. We are a registered Warm Space and provide an ever-popular weekly drop in Coffee Lounge. Major building refurbishment during this time meant some reallocation of space. Careful management meant all activities were able to continue throughout the work.
Elders Report
2024 / 2025 was an exciting time for New Life, seeing healthy growth in the congregation, gifts in action, and the development of the building.
Through a combination of the generosity of the congregation during the Heart for the House collection and grant funding, the work downstairs was able to get started, which was the final phase of the scheduled major refurbishments to the building.
3 members of the congregation have attended the Mission 24 training and stepped out in evangelism. There have been those that have gone on mission to Mexico, and other areas around the world and UK. It’s encouraging to see individuals stepping out in their gift of evangelism, something that the Elders want to see grow over the next 12 months.
Many have enjoyed weekends away to both Bassenfell and Awaken. We have also been able to continue to develop our relationship and links with the Ground Level Network.
New Life Community Church Milnrow registered as Charitable Incorporated Organisation in England & Wales. Principal Office: 3 Edmund Street Milnrow OL16 4HR. Registered Charity No: 1198289
Over the last 12 months we have seen many come to salvation and seen many be baptised. Our prayer is that as we continue to Enthrone the Lord and Equip the Saints, we will continue to Enlarge the Kingdom in the community of Milnrow, and all glory goes to God.
We continue to give thanks to all in the congregation who continue to serve faithfully, with a heart to help and love others.
Finances
The financial report for 2024/25 shows an income of £127,201 the increase mainly due to grant funding ringfenced for building work and Family Central activities. Grant funding for building work included in the income figure was £37,054. Funding for running costs for Family Central totalled £10,552. Gift aid reclaim included in the income figure was £9254. Expenditure totals £157,614, as the cost of building work also required some use of general funds. Building work has to date has totalled £62,897. Work is set to complete in May. The congregation continue to support with increased generosity, both in weekly offertory and the annual Heart for the House renovation collection which raised £11,000. The work of the church continues to grow as we demonstrate God’s love to each other and our community.
Funding
External funding has enabled us to continue a busy weekday timetable with the following groups being welcomed through the door: These activities bring church and community together.
Mini Marvels - 430 parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles Men’s Hub – 414 bacon butties Ladies Lounge – 540 crafts Discipleship Lunch – 736 Messy Church – 667
We thank the following external funders for their financial contribution towards Family Central activities:
Action Together Prevention Fund Manchester Guardian Society Rochdale Festive Food Fund
We thank the following external funders for their support towards the building work:
Suez Grant Scape Rochdale Borough Council Bernard Sunley Benefact Trust Ground Level Network
New Life Community Church Milnrow registered as Charitable Incorporated Organisation in England & Wales. Principal Office: 3 Edmund Street Milnrow OL16 4HR. Registered Charity No: 1198289
Main areas of church activity
Prayer – The church prayer meeting meets weekly as well as every Sunday morning before the service. Prayer is also supported by an Intercession WhatsApp facility. This group continues to be administered by 2 members on behalf of the all the contributors. There are over 20 members in the group who willingly and faithfully respond to the many and wide ranging requests for prayer for family and friends. This is a body ministry that offers comfort, hope and support at times of trouble and rejoicing when prayers are answered. God’s A&E was a vision of the main room representing God’s A&E waiting room. New Life hosts the monthly townwide prayer gathering and has been represented at other strategic prayer networks across the town over the year.
Worship - There are 18 members of this strong team. They are dedicated and united in their ministry sacrificing above and beyond their time and talents to serve the church community at New Life. The Worship Leaders organise and administer this team just like a life group in essence. Our young people have been getting involved in manning the sound desk and singing. Successful worship evenings have been held with other churches across the town.
Sound and Lighting - Dan reported there are problems facing this team include a lack of volunteers with these skills. The equipment, now 15 years old, is deteriorating. Funding applications so far have not been successful, but various plans are being considered to improve the sound system for the congregation.
Life Groups – Life Group Leaders are committed to their leadership positions and their dedication to the pastoral care of their members through prayer, teaching and support. Life Groups have grown and expanded suggesting the need for new groups to be formed. Each group has developed its own character due to people sharing, supporting and developing healthy relationships. Joint life groups have gathered for teaching, particularly to address prophetic messages including The Blacksmith’s Forge.
Housekeeping – The housekeeping team undertakes to maintain the general cleaning and upkeep of the building, the weekly catering requirements for Sunday services and other catering events when required.
A permanent cleaning team of 7 ladies meet regularly on Tuesdays to clean the main room upstairs and the toilets, classroom and office downstairs.
Hospitality – Housekeepers plus a wider team serve refreshments after the service on Sunday. Some of this team support Messy Church by preparing and serving the refreshments.
Church events such as Harvest, Christmas and Leaders Lunch have required catering usually through the Life Groups making contributions of food stuff.
New Life Community Church Milnrow registered as Charitable Incorporated Organisation in England & Wales. Principal Office: 3 Edmund Street Milnrow OL16 4HR. Registered Charity No: 1198289
Hospitality Continued...
There are 18 people who serve on the Welcome Rota for the Sunday service. We consider this role to be of great importance as a welcomer may well be the first contact a visitor meets at New Life.
Junior Church – We have a dedicated team of 24 volunteers who are on rota to deliver 4 age-related sessions to children on Sunday mornings.
There are regularly 15 – 22 children in these groups. Each session has a biblical context. Our 0 – 6 year old children are now in 2 groups and include children with Special Educational Needs. We work with families as to best integrate all children into our groups. The 7 – 10 age group enjoy crafts, reading and discussions together. The 11+ enjoy debate, playing instruments and singing and exploring world issues. They have met with other youth groups across the town. Volunteers are DBS checked. There are two new Junior Church Leads.
Kids Lounge – 8 – 10 children meet once a month for breakfast together, including hot chocolate, craft activities involving biblical themes and linking with church events such as Harvest and Christmas.
Building and facilities - This season has been busy with the downstairs refurbishment involving architects, builders and planners. This project was hindered by the major problem of the leaking roof. The council helped with this the cost issue and the work started. Unfortunately, the contactor was taken ill causing further delay.
When the work got underway the other side of the roof showed signs of leakage and had to be repaired involving further unexpected costs.
Heating issues have meant that some new radiators have needed to be installed and the inverter for the solar panel became redundant and needed to be replaced increasing the cost of electricity at that time. The problem is solved and we have a complete new roof.
Family Central: Community Outreach
Mini Marvels – Meet on Monday morning during term time supporting parents, grandparents and carers with their childcare responsibilities in a structured safe environment for children to play and engage with other children. Staff and volunteers provide a listening ear, pastoral support and sign posting to other organisations. It is a safe welcoming space for young mothers to socialise while their children enjoy time relating to other children and making friends.
Mini Marvels allows families connect with Coffee Lounge, Christmas Nativity, Messy Church and Ladies Lounge.
New Life Community Church Milnrow registered as Charitable Incorporated Organisation in England & Wales. Principal Office: 3 Edmund Street Milnrow OL16 4HR. Registered Charity No: 1198289
Coffee Lounge – Coffee Lounge has become the first port of call to find help in the community and combats social isolation. 40+ people, including children can attend weekly to socialise, find company, seek support and information about current community affairs.
Visitors from organisations offering community support have been invited to give talks and provide practical services such as the Community Police, NHS services, Age Concern discussing benefits, scams and making wills.
Practically monthly BP’s can be taken at Coffee Lounge as some ladies have been trained to offer this service and referrals to GP are made if necessary. This good relationship with the GP surgery at Milnrow Health Centre has led to the offer of the use of rooms in the centre if required for counselling or meetings.
‘Home from Home’ and ‘A Life Saver’ are comments that define what Coffee Lounge means to some of the regular people in the local community.
Ladies Lounge - There was some upheaval during the refurbishment but the ladies were keen to carry on meeting and the group is currently full. Close friendships have been formed among the ladies and some ladies support church events when appropriate for them to do so.
Men’s Hub – Approx 8 – 10 men meet for breakfast butties, chat and games. Though some have been lost over this period some new faces have come as men are referred by NHS. Discovery Group – Discovery group continues with watching the Chosen, bible study and lunch together
Messy Church - This monthly gathering aims at strengthening families and attracts up to 60 guests. There are high quality crafts, games, stories and teatime that families are encouraged to partake in together. Over 25 volunteers cover Messy Church to provide food, crafts and technical assistance for each session. This includes a team of Junior Helpers who have grown in confidence and ability leading dances, supporting crafts on the tables and being great role models.
Take Home Sheets to consolidate the session have also been introduced for which prizes are awarded at the next session.
Families are always invited to events such as Carol Singing round the tree at Christmas and the Mexican Fun Night, a fundraising event for missionary work in Mexico, keeping them connected to the church community.
New Life Community Church Milnrow registered as Charitable Incorporated Organisation in England & Wales. Principal Office: 3 Edmund Street Milnrow OL16 4HR. Registered Charity No: 1198289
Reserves Policy
The Reserves Policy forms part of our annual report for the financial year 2024 / 25 and complies with the Charity Commission SORP. Our mission and fellowship initiatives consider future costs and as such we recognise the need to hold reserves which help meet our ongoing needs. We recognise that as charitable Trustees, we are accountable for the prudent use of resources and details of surplus funds held in reserves are as follows:
1. Wages
6 months wages for Family Central Lead £6480
3 months wages for Family Central Co-ordinator £2400
3 months wages for Admin and Communications Lead £216
3 months wages for Book-Keeper £618
2. Building Running Costs
12 months payments for Building Running Costs £10,361
3. Core Church Meeting & Event Costs
12 months payments for Core Church Meetings & Events: £2509
4. Community Outreach Costs
6 months payments for Community Outreach Costs: £5797.50
The Trustees of New Life Community Church Milnrow agree a reserve of £30,325
£16,262 in the Family Central account is ringfenced for Family Central activity as per grant funding criteria.
£5641 in the Building account is ringfenced for the building refurbishment taking place in the downstairs of the building as per grant funding criteria.
Summary
2024 was an exciting year of growth and development for New Life Community Church Milnrow. The Trustees are satisfied that the charity continues to meet its charitable objectives and has maintained financial integrity. We thank the Lord and give Him all the glory for all who have come to salvation and that lives have been changed as we do the work God has planned for us.
New Life Community Church Milnrow registered as Charitable Incorporated Organisation in England & Wales. Principal Office: 3 Edmund Street Milnrow OL16 4HR. Registered Charity No: 1198289
Declaration
Signed on behalf of the New Life Community Church CIO Trustees
(Derek Hargreaves, Chair of the CIO Date: 25th September 2025
New Life Community Church Milnrow registered as Charitable Incorporated Organisation in England & Wales. Principal Office: 3 Edmund Street Milnrow OL16 4HR. Registered Charity No: 1198289
NEW LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH MILNROW
Registered Charity Number : 1198289 (previously 1042192) Ending 31st March 2025
| Income & Expenditure | 2025 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | ||||
| Note | Funds | Funds | Funds | Total | Funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Income | ||||||
| Offerings | 1 | 54,208.29 | 54,208.29 | 52,877.09 | ||
| Gift Aid | 2 | 9,253.78 | 9,253.78 | 22,955.71 | ||
| Building | 3 | 48,060.60 | 48,060.60 | 7,128.40 | ||
| Family Central | 4 | 15,668.99 | 15,668.99 | 5,821.12 | ||
| Other | 5 | - | 5,480.86 | |||
| Bank Interest | 9.70 | 9.70 | 283.57 | |||
| Total Income | 63,471.77 | 63,729.59 | 127,201.36 | 94,546.75 | ||
| Expenditure | ||||||
| Wages & NI | 22,300.00 | 22,300.00 | 16,660.00 | |||
| Depreciation | 6 | - | 9,982.00 | |||
| Utilities | 10,962.46 | 10,962.46 | 8,950.60 | |||
| Building & Facilities | 86,402.41 | 86,402.41 | ||||
| Insurance | 2,252.40 | 2,252.40 | 2,100.71 | |||
| Repairs & Maintenance | - | 1,945.00 | ||||
| Sound, Vision & Media | - | 72.96 | ||||
| Telephone & IT | - | 487.80 | ||||
| Administration | - | 843.58 | ||||
| Admin & Communications | 4,778.04 | 4,778.04 | ||||
| Subscriptions & Licences | - | 1,298.74 | ||||
| Ministry, Missions & Gifts Church Resources |
7 | 1,085.68 | - 1,085.68 |
3,653.34 | ||
| Events & Meetings Family Central Family Central Wages Gifts Hospitiality & Housekeeping Worship & Tech Bank Charges |
5,300.81 2,447.13 5,890.03 1,913.11 1,344.18 122.81 |
2,673.81 9,600.00 |
5,300.81 5,120.94 9,600.00 5,890.03 1,913.11 1,344.18 122.81 |
1,764.04 15,079.84 |
||
| Youth & Childrens Work | ||||||
| Training & Conferences Legal & Professional Fees General Premises Expenses Catering |
541.57 | - - 541.57 - - |
510.75 1,575.00 1,373.48 2,832.98 548.53 |
|||
| Total Expenses | 145,340.63 | 12,273.81 | 157,614.44 | 69,679.35 | ||
| Suplus/(Deficit) In Year | (81,868.86) | 51,455.78 | (30,413.08) | 24,867.40 | ||
| Assets & Liabilities | ||||||
| Fixed Assets | ||||||
| Tangible Assets | 6 | 254,299.76 | 254,300.21 | 254,300.21 | ||
| Current Assets/Liabilities | ||||||
| Current Account - Virgin | 39,480.76 | 39,480.76 | 56,596.29 | |||
| 966.00 | ||||||
| Building Fund Account - Virgin | 9,559.82 | 9,559.82 | 20,277.74 | |||
| 200.00 | ||||||
| Family Central Account - Virgin | 9,777.85 | 9,777.85 | 10,802.06 | |||
| Family Central Account - Co-op | ||||||
| Petty Cash | 44.18 | 44.18 | 30.40 | |||
| Sundry Debtors | - | |||||
| Sundry Creditors (Paye) | (403.20) | (403.20) | - | |||
| Total Net Current Assets / (Liabilities) | 58,459.41 | 88,872.49 | ||||
| Total Net Assets | 312,759.62 | 343,172.70 | ||||
| Represented by:- | ||||||
| Opening Reserves | 343,172.70 | 343,172.70 | ||||
| Surplus / (Deficit) In Year | (30,413.08) | |||||
| Closing Reserves | 312,759.62 | 343,172.70 |
New Life Community Church Milnrow
Notes to the Accounts for Ending 31st March 2025
| Non | ** Funds | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gift Aided | Gift Aided | Transfer | Total | ||
| 1. Offerings | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted Funds | - General Offertory | 45,949.51 | 8,258.78 | 54,208.29 | |
| 45,949.51 | 8,258.78 | - | 54,208.29 |
2. Gift Aid
Incometaxrecovered via the Gift Aid Scheme is recorded in the accounts when received from HMRC.
| Non | ** Funds | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gift Aided | Gift Aided | Transfer | Total | ||
| 3. Building Fund | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Restricted Funds | - General Income | 6,491.00 | 4,515.00 | 11,006.00 | |
| Restricted Funds | RMBC Grant | 8,412.00 | 8,412.00 | ||
| Restricted Funds | Valencia Grabt | 5,241.60 | 5,241.60 | ||
| Bernard Sunley Foundation Grant | 5,000.00 | 5,000.00 | |||
| Restricted Funds | Suez Grant | 18,401.00 | 18,401.00 | ||
| 6,491.00 | 41,569.60 | - | 48,060.60 |
- Grants are only included in the accounts when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.
| Non | ** Funds | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gift Aided | Gift Aided | Transfer | Total | ||
| 4. Family Central | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Restricted Funds | - General Income | 4,980.08 | 136.91 | 5,116.99 | |
| Restricted Funds | Manchester Guardian Society | 2,000.00 | 2,000.00 | ||
| Action Together Prevention Fund | 6,552.00 | 6,552.00 | |||
| Restricted Funds | Reusse Littleborough | 2,000.00 | 2,000.00 | ||
| 4,980.08 | 10,688.91 | - | 15,668.99 |
- Grants are only included in the accounts when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.
| Non | ** Funds | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gift Aided | Gift Aided | Transfer | Total | ||
| 5. Other Income | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted Funds | - Virgin Money Cashback on spending | 9.70 | 9.70 | ||
| - | 9.70 | - | 9.70 |
6. Fixed Assets: tangible assets
Assets are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year and cost at least £500. They are valued at cost or reasonable value on receipt. Fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. The property is valued at historic cost and is not depreciated as it is considered to have a useful life of greater than 50 years. Property valuations will be carried out periodically to ensure the market value of the property does not fall below the NBV. Depreciation is charged on a straight line basis at the following rates:
Freehold Property 2%, Additions & Improvements to Freehold Property 5%, Fixtures & Fittings 25%.
New Life Community Church Milnrow Notes to the Accounts Ending 31st March 2025
CLare Smit ACCOUNTANCY LTD D••r Tru•tg98. Independonl oxamlnorfs r•port to th• tru8ts08 of Now Llfe Communlty Church Mllnrow 1198289 I roport on the account8 of the CIO for the year ended 31 March 2025. Ro•pon•ibilIti •nd b••l• of rgport The charty'$ trust888 are r88ponsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144{21 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act,) and that an independent examination 18 needed. It is my responsibility to.. exarnin8 the aGcount8 under 8ectlon 145 of the 2011 Act., follow the procedures laid down in the General Direction8 given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5llbl of the Act: and State whether particular matters have come to my attention. Ba•1• of Ind•p•nd•nt oxamlnorf• •tal•m•nl My examinalion was carriod out in accordance with the General Dir•ctions gNen by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting r8cord6 kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do nol provide all the evidenGe that would be required in an audrt and consequently no opinK)n is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view. and the report is limited to tho8e matteri set out in tho statement below. Ind•pendont exarninerf• •tatom•nt In connection with my examinatlon, no matter has come to my attention.. 1. which gNes me reasonable couse to believe that. in any material respect, the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the 2011 Act., and 4 to prepare acet)bhtg with atcord witpi thè'accountin9 rgcords l *nd ¢thY wlth the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act OFFICE 14 www.clareJl'.i. TELEPHONE 01706 621 351 MOEILE 07773 696 745 IMalL.' clareOclaresn)Ilhaccounl¢tnlJ ro uk Accountanl SORI CODI 09-01-29 ACCOUNI. N(J QW31371 COMPANY REQ Na 6/4 L?.34 VAT REG No (1411103 49 DIRECTOR CL¥e Smith FMAAT
CLare Smitm ACCOUNTANCY LTD have not been met., or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention Should be drawn in order to enable a proper understandlng of the accounts lo b8 r8ach8d. Sned.. Clare Smrth On behalf of Clare Smith AoUnncY Ltd 22 October 2025 OFFICE 14 ARROW MILL OUEENSWAY. ROCHDALE OLII 2YW www.claier lnilliaccountant4.co uk AAT Licensed Accountai,. TELEPHONE 01706 621 351 M081LE 07773 696 745 IMAIL.. clare@claresmilhaccounlanls co.uk SORT L()DE ThI.01.29 ACCOUNT 140 (11171 COMP.IQqY REG No 674 1234 VAT REG No 941 1703 49 DIRECT Clwe SrThth FMAAT