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Trustees, Annual Report for the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 Charity Name: Life Church Beccl8S Charity RegTStration Number: 1198561 OBJECTIVES The purposes of the charity are.. The advancement of the Christian faith in Beccles and the surrounding are8 and such other parts of the United Kingdom and the rest of the world as delermiried by the Trusteès The relief Df need or hardship of persons in Beccles and the surrounding area and in the rest of the United Kingdom and the rest of the world as determined by the Trustees The fulfilmenl of such other charitable purposes beneficial lo the community in Beccles and the surrounding area, the rest of the United Kingdom and the world as determined by the Truglees with due regard lo the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Further lo the previous report of the Charitable Trust last year, the re-modelling of the building purchased by the Church began, though look longer and was more expensive than initially anticipated. An application for grant assistance towards the building project lo the Benefacl Trust was successful and a grant of £37,5000 was received in February 2024 just in lime lo cover a large bill from the building conlraclor, which would otherwise have led lo a serious depletion of our reserves. Considerable expense was required to furnish the property once Duncan &Son had completed their building work. Two weeks of prayer and fasting during the year and a Gift Day saw generous giving from church members lo enable this, with church reserve funds helping to meet bills. Thus the church was able lo begin meeting in the building from February 2024 Youth Work A weekly club for young people began in the sumrner of 2023 and a few attended the annual New Day camp in Norwich in August, and also a youth weekend away in November 2023. The move into the new church building has provided greater facilities and seen more young people from outside the church in allendance. Deacon A church member who has worked as a nurse within palliative and hospice care has been appointed to visit those who are sick and dying and regularly does so with grèat compassion Trainin Two men have been taking part in a training process as probable new church Elders, with oversight and help from leaders within the Relational Mission stream of churches with whom we are affiliated Lead Course.. 4 ladies have continued on the two year CDurse, contributing to the overall leadership within the church, developing gtfts and abilities Shepherd Course,. Our paid Elder, James Wilson, has continued attendance and again was part of the Team serving al New Day, the summer conference for young people, leading a youth Alpha Course Other conferences involving church members included a ladies. day in June, and an event in Ipswich called 'Abide', Some members allended The C811 conferenco in October 2023 and a missionary conference 'From Everywhere lo Everywhere, in January 2024. Safe uardin There have been changes in personnel within the Safeguarding team. Roger Yaxley continues as the Trustee with responsibility for Safeguarding bul the Coordinator is now Julian Fabian, There have been no serious incidents lo report during the year and those involved in children's and youth work have DBS checks in place. Communi and Social Events
The Church continues lo be represented on the local Community Engagement group, with represenlalives from a wide spectrum of local agenciès The Church look part in a community lunch in May 2023 on the occasion of the Coronation and the annual Christmas light switch on in the town, with invitations lo the Christmas services Church members continue lo be active in support of the local food bank The interdenominational Men's Prayer Breakfast 15 allended by several from within our Church. providing a building of relationships The Church continues lo regularly hold services in one of the town's residential homes Our EIderruStee, Rod Sexton, continues to support and visit Eastern European churches in Romania, Poland, Lithuania, sometimes accompanied by his wife Moving into our own building enabled the hosting of an Alpha Course, which began in February 2024, with half a dozen 'guesls' whose evening began with a two course meal, a talk and relaxed discussions Relief of Povert The Church continues lo support the national charity Tear Fund with annual fundmising events, as well as some members giving regularly. In April 2023 a tea was held, raising £497.37 and a quiz with refreshments in November 2023, raising £517.50 As a Church, members generously continue lo support 'Morning Star,, a charitable work providing education thin a school and two nurseries for the poorest within the local area of Nakuru in Kenya, as well as accepting those with special needs who are not well catered for in mainstream schools. Many people give on a regular basis. bul two fundraising events were held a cream lea in July 2023 raising £269 and a soup lunch in January 2024 raising £216 Money frorn a Gift Day las well as personal funding) enabled three church members lo visit the Morning Star nurseries in March, as well as a project in Uganda. FINANCIAL REVIEW The Church's finances have obvioLJsly been majorly impacted following the purchase and re-Thodelling of building. In excess of £250,000 has been spent this year on Ihe building, made possible by a mortgage provided by Methodist Chapel Aid, use of reserves, the grant from the Benefacl Trust and the overwhelming generosity of Church rnembers. Al the end of the financial year reserves stood 81 £73,000, an increase of £4,000 on the previous year-end total. Giving by Church members, btslh regular and in response to Gift Days, has enabled the charity lo complete the building project, whilst making a small surplus for the year of £1,591.07. The challenge for the Trustees is now lo meet the ongoing costs of owning a building whilst supporting the objectives of the charity. The Trustees are very grateful for the patience and for Ihe financial generosity of church members, which has enabled the successful corllpletion of the building project. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Our paid Elder, James Wilson, together with the other two men on the Eldership team, continue lo oversee various aspects of church life. primarily teaching and pastoral oversight. The addition of Cheryl Mann as a deacon to support the sick and dying has added greatly lo pastoral work with her specific skill sel and compassion. Having benef11ed greatly from his hard work in the purchase of our building and a change from Trust to CIO slalus, we were very sory that Peter Walker left us, bul were grateful lo be able lo appoint Debbie Plosky ID replace hirn as a Trustee responsible for Finance. She has worked closely with Janel Balls, our Treasurer, supporting her and providing important financial reporting lo the team of Trustees, who continue lo meet regu5arly in order lo oversee the financial and legal aspects of the Charity, whilst ensuring the spiritual leaders of the Church act in accordance with the Charity's wrillen conslilulion
DECLARATION Thg Trustees declare that they have approved the TNstee8' report above. Signed on behatf of the chadty's Tnjstees.. Hilary Clare Crackn811 Trustee Date: 11. 1. 25
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees Life Church Beccles On accounts for the period ended 31st March, 2024 Charity no Ilf any} 1198561 Set out on pagès I report to the trustees on my examination ofthe accounts ofthe above charity ('Ihe Trust") for the period ended 31. March, 2024. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {"the Act"). I report in respecl 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 all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(51{b} of the Act. Independent I have completed my examinalion. I confim that no material matters have examiner's ststement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause lo believe thal in, any material respect.. the accoLtnting records were not kept in accordan with section 130 of the Charities Act., or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records., or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the fom 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 a¢counts to be reached. Signed: Date: Namè: Benjamin Lynes Relevant professional qualificationls} or body {If any): FCA Address: Cunninghams, 61 Alexandra Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32 1PL.