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2025-12-31-accounts

Hope Community Church Aintree

Charity No. 1198709

Company No. CE028852

Trustees' Report and Unaudited Accounts

31 December 2025

Hope Community Church Aintree Contents

Pages
Trustees' Annual Report 2 to 6
Independent Examiner's Report 7
Statement of Financial Activities 8
Summary Income and Expenditure Account 9
Balance Sheet 10
Notes to the Accounts 11 to 19

Page 1

Hope Community Church Aintree Trustees Annual Report

The trustees herein present their report with the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2025.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in Note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard 102 applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Overall Summary:

The church continued to offer Sunday worship with a rich range of Biblical teaching, sung worship and sacraments. Midweek activities to help people know Jesus more continued and grew, including in our youth and children’s groups. Community focussed work continued through 2025 to serve the local community of Aintree Village, both as church outreach and to serve the needs of those locally.

The post of Minister has been vacant throughout 2025, consequently church and charity leadership has rested with the Trustees/Elders. In order to ensure pastoral care and support all regular attendees have been allocated to a small group for prayer and support even if they are unable or choose not to attend that group. A Pastor has been appointed, Rev. Glyn Thomas, commencing 1st January 2026.

An Advisory group for the Elders/Trustees gives support and advice where needed.

SECTION A - Reference and administrative details

Hope Community Church Aintree

Company No. CE028852

CIO Registered Charity Number 1198709

Principal Office

Hope Community Church Aintree 11 Aintree Lane Aintree Liverpool L10 2JJ

Registered Office

Hope Community Church 11 Aintree Lane Aintree Liverpool L10 2JJ

Page 2

Hope Community Church Aintree Trustees Annual Report

Trustees

The Leadership Team, who are the Elders of the church and charity trustees, are named as follows:

Sue Cropper Myra Doddridge - Chair

Howard Turpin Chris Wells Kev Ainscough - appointed 19/05/2025 Rev. Glyn Thomas - Chair from 26/01/2026

Non Trustee Officers

Non Trustee Officers
Treasurer Brian Cole
Secretary Ruth Nuttall

SECTION B – Structure, governance and management

Hope Community Church Aintree is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, governed by constitution. Trustees are appointed by the church membership.

The church employs: Minister (f.t.), Centre Manager (p.t.) and Children’s worker (p.t.). The majority of activities that take place within the church are led by volunteers.

The primary focus of the charity is the running of a local church congregation. Hope Community Church Aintree is part of the Baptist Union of Great Britain (‘Baptists Together’) in the North Western Baptist Association. The church is additionally a member of the Evangelical Alliance.

SECTION C – Objectives and activities

The objects of the charity are:

a) To advance the Christian faith in accordance with the statement of beliefs in the constitution.

b) Such charitable purposes for the public benefit as are exclusively charitable according to the laws of England and Wales as the trustees may from time to time determine.

The charity aims to achieve its objects through the following activities:

a) Activity to promote/improve the physical, emotional and spiritual health of the community.

b) Children's/young people's activities to enable moral and spiritual development.

c) Offer the community a focal point/meeting place, specifically elderly/disadvantaged.

d) To enhance local services by acting as a base for other providers.

e) To ensure sustainability of the centre by attracting financial support.

In setting our objectives and planning our activities the trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit.

Summary of the main activities undertaken:

Sunday Worship:

Our regular Church attendance is between 80-100 people with a congregation of various nationalities including English, Indian, South Sudanese, Hungarian and Polish.

Page 3

Hope Community Church Aintree Trustees Annual Report

Our services continue to run on Zoom on Sunday mornings allowing those who live further afield, are ill or unable to attend to be part of our worship services.

Pastoral Care and Discipleship:

Six midweek ‘small groups’ offer space for congregation members to study the Bible, and support one another in prayer.

Activities for men and women are organised respectively, including breakfasts, walks, and visits to conferences.

Pastoral care takes place through small groups, by individuals visiting or telephoning others, weekly newsletters being posted, and the Elders spending time with those facing difficult circumstances when needed.

In 2025 we presented the Alpha course because of local enquiries. During the year there were 10 adult baptisms, some of whom had attended the Alpha course.

Outreach:

The church continued to organise a range of community focussed activities to both serve the local community and/or to offer a place for the Christian faith to be shared in word or deed.

The on-going “Say One for Me” project encourages anyone who needs prayer to fill in a card and pop it in a post box specially designed for them, then the church undertakes to pray for those who’ve requested it. We currently have cards and post boxes outside church and in two local pubs.

The church has continued to run a weekly parents and toddler group ‘Hope Tots’. The group has been in high demand, with a large waiting list.

Knit and Natter ran fortnightly throughout the year, giving space mainly for the retired to knit or to talk and listen; numbers have been consistently good for this group.

Café Hope has been well utilised by members of the local community. 50% of the volunteer staff team for Café Hope during 2025 were members of the local community with no prior connection to the church. This has proved a good initiative for helping with people’s mental health and having an activity to be part of. The number of customers and volunteers has increased during 2025.

Family Friendly Café operated throughout 2025, meeting monthly, for families with children who have complex additional needs. This offers a safe space for families to share challenges and triumphs, and relax while their children play, in a well-equipped environment with experienced volunteer staff.

The church continues to host and run the Aintree Village Food Share, a local, independent food bank, on behalf of the Churches Together in Aintree Village. As well as offering a drop-in collection service, food is distributed in partnership with “Safe Families”. Requests for supplies via email or telephone are always responded to.

Wider Ministry:

The church has continued to actively support chaplaincy in local prisons and has a number of people who volunteer with Prison Fellowship.

The church has supported the following projects by collecting items of food, clothing or toys: Angel Tree (Prison Fellowship), Shoeboxes (Samaritans Purse).

Page 4

Hope Community Church Aintree Trustees Annual Report

The church has a good relationship with the Chaplaincy department at the local hospital, where one of the church members is employed as a chaplain.

The church has continued the ongoing relationship and financial support of overseas mission in Romania and via the Baptist Missionary Society.

Youth and Children’s Work:

The church Impact group (Secondary school age children) attend Sunday morning meetings, involving studying specific topics within the Bible, participating in quizzes, games, question and discussions pertinent to their age group. A youth café is open fortnightly on Friday evenings.

Hope Kids (Primary age Sunday school group) has continued to thrive, and has been split into two age groups this year to more effectively engage with the children. These sessions involve bible stories, videos, songs and crafts.

Additionally, also for primary age children, we have run a LEGO club event once a month where the children take part in building LEGO models, based on a Bible story, and share a meal together. This is well attended by church members and families from the local community.

We have continued to run a ‘Light Party’ event once a year as an alternative to Halloween, the aim of which is for local children to be able to attend a free, fun event with their friends.

Community Activities:

Church Community Relations:

Good relationships with the local community continued, with both informal relationships, jointly organised activities, the church serving the community and the church taking part in activities organised by the community.

Along with K&K Butchers, the church hosted three afternoon tea events at Christmas for the retired.

In July 2025 we held a “Community Fun Day” attended by over 450 local residents.

The church is part of the active, Aintree Village Churches Together; the gathering of local ministers for prayer and discussion. A joint event took place in the summer: “holiday at home” including an afternoon tea, crafts, sing-alongs and film screenings for the elderly.

External Groups:

A good relationship has been maintained through the year with existing room hire tenants who are serving the local community; this includes Slimming World, Stroke Association, Alzheimer’s Society, Spanish Tots and Bebes, a Kidney Cancer Support Group and Local Solutions Carer’s drop-in, as well as occasional one off or irregular hirers of the building. All building hirers are those serving the community in some way, such as groups supporting local carers or those with dementia. A Baby Sensory group has commenced weekly sessions during 2025.

Building and Grounds Maintenance

Once again, regular maintenance and ‘one off’ larger jobs have been undertaken by our team of volunteers, who each give (at least) half a day per week to work on the presentation of the grounds and building, to whom we express our thanks.

Page 5

Hope Community Church Aintree Trustees Annual Report

Finance Review

We operate a current account with The Co-operative Bank together with both an Instant Access and a 95-day notice Deposit Account.

The total income received during the year was £158,435 which includes Restricted donations of £7,739. Details of the Restricted donations are detailed in the Financial Statements.

Gift Aided giving remained the same as the previous year, and Donations (excluding Restricted donations) reduced by 2.3% whilst Room Hire increased by 32%.

The total expenditure during the year was £143,825 which included Mission gifts of £12,830 as we seek adhere to the scriptural injunction to ‘tithe’ our general income. These Mission gifts are used to support missional activities in this country and to support church Pastors in both India and Romania.

The net result for the year was an overall surplus of £14,610 which, when compared with a budgeted loss of £31,022, shows a positive difference of £45,632.

The main reason for this difference is a saving of budgeted employee costs due to unfilled vacancies.

Reserves Policy

HCCA currently maintains a Reserve Fund which is held in a 95-day deposit account with The Co-operative Bank together with other surplus funds. The trustees receive a monthly financial update which clearly identifies the Reserve Fund balance.

The trustees have agreed to maintain a sum of money in the Reserve Fund approximately equivalent to three months of the budgeted establishment salary costs.

The potential financial risks to the organisation could be (a) inability to secure the projected Grant Income, (b) reduction in church family donations potentially resulting in staff redundancy payments and (c) the costs associated with providing a new flat roof.

The trustees have considered these risks and are confident that the size of the Reserve Fund will financially protect the organisation and allow it successfully to achieve its aims for the current year.

This Reserve Policy is reviewed annually in May.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The above report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Charities SORP (FRS 102).

Signed on behalf of the trustees

Glyn Thomas Chair of Trustees 13 August 2026

Page 6

Hope Community Church Aintree Independent Examiners Report

Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Hope Community Church Aintree

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Hope Community Church Aintree for the year ended 31 December 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Summary Income and Expenditure Account, the Balance Sheet and the related notes.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act).

I report in respect of my examination of your charity's financial statements as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the 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 can confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that:

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 financial statements to be reached.

Ian Wright Community Accountant Sefton Council for Voluntary Service Burlington House Crosby Road North Waterloo Liverpool L22 0LG 13 August 2026

Page 7

Hope Community Church Aintree Statement of Financial Activities

for the year ended 31 December 2025

Notes
Income and endowments
from:
Donations and legacies
4
Charitable activities
5
Investments
6
Total
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
7
Total
Net gains on investments
Net income
8
Transfers between funds
Net income before other
gains/(losses)
Other gains and losses
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
107,141
41,450
2,105		 Restricted
funds
2025
£
7,739
-
-		 Total funds
2025
£
114,880
41,450
2,105		 Total funds
2024
£
119,514
36,601
1,943
150,696
134,471		 7,739
9,354		 158,435
143,825		 158,058
130,767
134,471
-		 9,354
-		 143,825
-		 130,767
-
16,225
-		 (1,615)
-		 14,610
-		 27,291
-
16,225 (1,615) 14,610 27,291
16,225
416,519		 (1,615)
4,659		 14,610
421,178		 27,291
393,887
432,744 3,044 435,788 421,178

Page 8

Hope Community Church Aintree Summary Income and Expenditure Account

for the year ended 31 December 2025

Income
Interest and investment income
Gross income for the year
Expenditure
Depreciation and charges for
impairment of fixed assets
Total expenditure for the year
Net income before tax for the year
Net income for the year		 2025
£
156,330
2,105
158,435
122,670
21,155
143,825
14,610
14,610		 2024
£
156,115
1,943
158,058
107,564
23,203
130,767
27,291
27,291

Page 9

Hope Community Church Aintree Balance Sheet

at 31 December 2025

Company No.
CE028852
Notes
2025
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
10
383,112
383,112
Current assets
Debtors
11
25
Cash at bank and in hand
127,995
128,020
Creditors:Amount falling due within one year
12
(5,344)
Net current assets
122,676
Total assets less current liabilities
505,788
Creditors:Amounts falling due after more than one year
13
(70,000)
Net assets excluding pension asset or liability
435,788
Total net assets
435,788
The funds of the charity
Restricted funds
14
Restricted income funds
3,044
3,044
Unrestricted funds
14
General funds
20,433
Designated funds
412,311
432,744
Total funds
435,788		 2024
£
404,267
404,267
141
97,114
97,255
(5,344)
91,911
496,178
(75,000)
421,178
421,178
4,659
4,659
(532)
417,051
416,519
421,178

Approved by the trustees on 06 August 2026

And signed on their behalf by:

M. Doddridge Trustee 13 August 2026

Page 10

Hope Community Church Aintree Notes to the Accounts

for the year ended 31 December 2025

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" ("FRS 102") and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019). The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note. The functional currency used is the £ Sterling.

Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis

At the time of approving the accounts, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the forseeable future. As such these accounts have been prepared under the going concern basis.

Change in basis of accounting or to previous accounts

There has been no change to the accounting policies (valuation rules and method of accounting) since last year and no changes have been made to accounts for previous years.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds These are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objects of the charity. Designated funds These are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular purposes. Revaluation funds These are unrestricted funds which include a revaluation reserve representing the restatement of investment assets at their market values. Restricted funds These are available for use subject to restrictions imposed by the donor or through terms of an appeal.

Page 11

Hope Community Church Aintree Notes to the Accounts

Income

Expenditure

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Page 12

Hope Community Church Aintree Notes to the Accounts

Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life:

useful life:
Freehold property 2% straight line
Equipment 20% straight line
Fixtures and fittings 25% straight line

Trade and other debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and on hand, demand deposits with banks and other short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less and bank overdrafts. In the statement of financial position, bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings or current liabilities. In the Statement of Cash Flows, cash and cash equivalents are shown net of bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand and form an integral part of the company's cash management.

Trade and other creditors

Short term creditors are measured at the transaction price. Other creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

Pension costs

The charity operates a defined contribution plan for its employees. A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the company pays fixed contributions into a separate entity. Once the contributions have been paid the company has no further payments obligations. The contributions are recognised as expenses when they fall due. Amounts not paid are shown in accruals in the balance sheet. The assets of the plan are held separately from the company in independently administered funds.

2 Company status

The church is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.

Page 13

Hope Community Church Aintree Notes to the Accounts

3 Statement of Financial Activities - prior year

3
Statement of Financial Activities - prior year
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
Investments
Total
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
Total
Net income
Net income before other
gains/(losses)
Other gains and losses:
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
4
Income from donations and legacies
Offerings
Gift Aid recovered
Grants and Donations
5
Income from charitable activities
Cafe Hope
Room hire
Other		 Unrestricted
£
70,606
18,039
18,496
107,141		 Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
108,657
36,601
1,943
147,201
119,295
119,295
27,906
27,906
27,906
388,613
416,519
Restricted
£
-
-
7,739
7,739
Unrestricted
£
23,701
14,411
3,338
41,450		 Restricted
funds
2024
£
10,857
-
-
10,857
11,472
11,472
(615)
(615)
(615)
5,274
4,659
Total
2025
£
70,606
18,039
26,235
114,880
Total
2025
£
23,701
14,411
3,338
41,450		 Total funds
2024
£
119,514
36,601
1,943
158,058
130,767
130,767
27,291
27,291
27,291
393,887
421,178
Total
2024
£
71,782
19,032
28,700
119,514
Total
2024
£
22,985
10,905
2,711
36,601

Page 14

Hope Community Church Aintree Notes to the Accounts

6 Income from investments

6 Income from investments
Unrestricted Total Total
2025 2024
£ £ £
Interest receivable 2,105 2,105 1,943
2,105 2,105 1,943
7 Expenditure on charitable activities
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Expenditure on charitable
activities
Church activities 64,004 9,354 73,358 67,756
Cafe Hope 12,738 - 12,738 14,679
Admin costs
Employee costs 34,691 - 34,691 22,824
Amortisation, depreciation,
impairment, profit/loss on 21,155 - 21,155 23,203
disposal of fixed assets
Support costs
Office costs 1,539 - 1,539 1,535
Independent Examination 344 - 344 344
Legal - - - 426
134,471 9,354 143,825 130,767
8 Net income before transfers
2025 2024
This is stated after charging: £ £
Depreciation of owned fixed assets 21,155 23,203
9 Staff costs
2025 2024
Salaries and wages 34,044 22,343
Pension costs 647 481
34,691 22,824
No employee received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
The average monthly number of full time equivalent employees during the year was as follows:
2025 2024
Number Number
Ministry - -
Administration 1 1
Children's Work 1 1
2 2

Page 15

Hope Community Church Aintree Notes to the Accounts

10 Tangible fixed assets

Land and
buildings
£
Cost or revaluation
At 1 January 2025
748,491
At 31 December 2025
748,491
Depreciation and
impairment
At 1 January 2025
361,638
Depreciation charge for the
year
14,969
At 31 December 2025
376,607
Net book values
At 31 December 2025
371,884
At 31 December 2024
386,853
11 Debtors
Trade debtors
12 Creditors:
amounts falling due within one year
Other loans
Accruals
13 Creditors:
amounts falling due after more than one year
Other loans
Liabilities repayable in more than five years
after the balance sheet date
Amount repayable by instalments		 Equipment
£
21,812
21,812
20,072
668
20,740
1,072
1,740
2025
£
25
25
2025
£
5,000
344
5,344
2025
£
70,000
70,000
50,000
50,000		 Fixtures and
fittings
£
85,000
85,000
69,326
5,518
74,844
10,156
15,674		 Total
£
855,303
855,303
451,036
21,155
472,191
383,112
404,267
2024
£
141
141
2024
£
5,000
344
5,344
2024
£
75,000
75,000
55,000
55,000

Page 16

Hope Community Church Aintree Notes to the Accounts

14 Movement in funds

14 Movement in funds
At 1 January
2025
-
471
-
-
575
-
1,879
719
500
-
133
-
-
382
4,659
(532)
21,699
390,352
5,000
417,051
421,178		 Incoming
resources
(including
other
gains/losses)
£
1,294
62
490
490
-
3,598
-
1,013
-
135
137
20
500
-
7,739
150,696
-
-
-
-
158,435		 Resources
expended
£		 Gross
transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
4,740
-
(7,240)
2,500
(4,740)
-		 At 31
December
2025
£
-
117
-
-
575
-
-
916
500
-
34
20
500
382
Restricted funds:
Restricted income funds:
Family
Angel Tree
Aintree Races parking
Aintree Races parking
St Christopher Home Trust
Romania
Anonymous
Cafe Hope tips
Foodshare
Romania
Women of Hope
Band of Brothers
Foodshare
Maxwell Hodge
Total
Unrestricted funds:
General funds
Designated funds:
Reserves
Fixed Asset Fund
Office printer and coffee
machine
Total
Total funds
(1,294)
(416)
(490)
(490)
-
(3,598)
(1,879)
(816)
-
(135)
(236)
-
-
-
(9,354)
(134,471)
-
-
-
-
(143,825)
3,044
20,433
21,699
383,112
7,500
412,311
435,788

Purposes and restrictions in relation to the funds: Restricted funds: Family Support church family Angel Tree Angel Tree Aintree Races parking Safe families Aintree Races parking Melling Community Hub St Christopher Home Trust Family Friendly Cafe Romania Romania Anonymous Youth Worker recruitment and expenses

Page 17

Hope Community Church Aintree Notes to the Accounts

e Community Church Aintree
es to the Accounts
Cafe Hope tips Cafe Hope staff
Foodshare Foodshare December 2024
Romania Romania
Women of Hope Women of Hope
Band of Brothers Band of Brothers
Foodshare Foodshare December 2025
Maxwell Hodge Foodshare
Designated funds:
Reserves Three months' payroll costs
Fixed Asset Fund Net book value of fixed assets
Office printer and coffee Replacement of the office printer and coffee machine
machine

15 Analysis of net assets between funds

Fixed assets
Net current assets
Creditors due in more than one year and
provisions
Reconciliation of net cash / (net debt)
Cash and cash equivalents
Borrowings
Net cash / (net debt)		 Unrestricted
funds
£
383,112
119,632
(70,000)
432,744
At 1 January
2025
£		 Restricted
funds
£
-
3,044
-
3,044
Cash flows
£		 Total
£
383,112
122,676
(70,000)
435,788
At 31
December
2025
£
97,114 30,881 127,995
97,114
(80,000)
(80,000)
17,114		 30,881
5,000
5,000
35,881		 127,995
(75,000)
(75,000)
52,995

16 Reconciliation of net cash / (net debt)

FRS 102 requires and entity to report changes in net debt in the accounting period. Hope Community Church Aintree has a positive net cash position

17 Commitments

Pension commitments

Pension commitments
2025 2024
£ £
The pension cost charge to the company
amounted to: 647 481

Page 18

Hope Community Church Aintree Notes to the Accounts

18 Related party disclosures

Related party disclosures
2025 2024
Transactions with related parties £ £
Donations received from trustees 9,894 10,085
Controlling party

The charity is managed by the trustees.

Page 19