Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 05/09/2022 To 31/03/2023 Charity name: The Potteries Vineyard Church
Charity registration number: 1200283
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The objects of the CIO are: To advance the Christian religion for the public benefit in accordance with the Statement of Faith in the Schedule hereto attached in such parts of the United Kingdom and the world through: ● The organisation and provision of Christian worship; ● The provision of such facilities and services as are appropriate for the Church, to enable it to fulfil its mission to the members of the Church, visitors to the Church and the local community and the wider community; ● The provision of facilities for Christian training and service; ● The support and provision of Christian evangelism and outreach; ● The provision of assistance to the wider Christian church in its ministries. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
The Potteries Vineyard was planted out of Network Vineyard Church (Reading, Berkshire) when Jonny & Libby James were released to relocate to Stoke-on-Trent and begin gathering a team to launch a new church in June 2022. Prior to the launch of The Potteries Vineyard as a CIO Jonny & Libby had already started to meet with people individually and gather a team which at the point of the founding of the CIO (05/09/2022) consisted of 11 individuals. The plan was for Jonny & Libby to host any activities of the church in their home initially, while continuing to gather those called to help see this new church become established. |
| Our start-up phase continued through the remainder of 2022 and early 2023 where Jonny & Libby hosted regular informal gatherings, sharing our story and vision for the church, and inviting others to join us. The church was officially commissioned by Vineyard Churches UK & Ireland on 12th February 2023 and locally this was celebrated with a launch party that was made open to members of the public, with around 60 people attending. Following the public launch a number of other individuals began to inquire about the church and attend gatherings. Weekly life groups, and monthly Sunday services continue to be hosted in Jonny & Libby’s home, and the church’s first monthly outreach, a Lego Club (Brick Club) met for the first time on 5th March 2023 in a local cafe. The intention is to continue with outreach and invitation, and to move Sunday services to a public venue once the numbers gathering exceed capacity in a home setting. |
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| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | In planning the activities the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | During the initial phase of gathering all activities have been organised and delivered by volunteers, initially taking roles such as offering hospitality, inviting people to and sharing information about the church’s activities. At the launch party activities were organised and supervised by volunteers and included a range of games, creative activities and food and drink. Volunteers have begun to commit to volunteering on a monthly basis to support the new Brick Club, as well as to lead sung worship in gatherings. |
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Achievements and Performance
SORP reference
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | In its first few months the church has successfully gathered an initial group of people, with 15-18 people regularly attending gatherings for worship, discipleship and Christian community as of March 2023. The launch party and Brick Club have created opportunities for evangelism and outreach, with a number of those attending being from outside the church community. The church has also provided opportunities to serve the wider community by collecting donated items and gathering to fill ‘Bags of Kindness’ at Christmas 2022. These were donated to women who had experienced domestic abuse, via local charities that were supporting them. |
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Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | During this phase the trustees have also been seeking to set up the charity’s bank account and this process has been frustrated by administrative mistakes on the part of two banks. This has meant that the charity has not been able to fundraise, and has had no income during this period. As most activities have taken place in Jonny & Libby’s home during this phase there have not been costs to the charity. For the launch party and Brick Club costs have been covered primarily by Jonny & Libby, with use of funds they would choose to give to the CIO once the bank account was available, and by donations of items (such as Lego) from people wishing to support the church’s activity. |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | At the end of the period the charity is still in the process of opening a bank account and therefore has no income or expenditure to report. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The trustees intend to hold reserves and establish a policy for doing so once the charity has a bank account and is able to receive income. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | The charity does not currently hold any reserves. |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | Reserves are not held because of the delay in establishing a bank account. |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | The financial status of the charity is neutral as there has been neither income nor expenditure in this period. |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | A number of those who have joined the church have stated their intention to give funds regularly once the bank account is established. Therefore, after making appropriate enquiries, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity will have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and they expect to adopt the going concern basis in the next financial period. |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
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|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | The charity’s governing document is a trust deed, prepared with support from Trust Advice. |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | The Potteries Vineyard Church is a CIO. |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | A new trustee may be appointed by a resolution of the Trustees passed at a meeting of Trustees at which there is a majority of the Trustees present and such resolution shall be recorded in the minutes and signed by the new Trustee and by the chairman of the meeting and such records shall be conclusive evidence of his / her appointment. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | The day-to-day management of the church and activities are delegated to our Senior Pastors, Jonny & Libby James, who are also trustees. The Potteries Vineyard Church is a member of Vineyard Churches UK & Ireland, (Charity No. 1099748) which functions as a resource for similar churches. In particular, they provide significant resources, training and pastoral oversight. Membership also allows Jonny & Libby to be licensed accredited pastors who have a right to use the trademarked “Vineyard” name. The association provides pastoral care for the Senior Pastors and family, and an external reference concerning church affairs and doctrine. The Potteries Vineyard Church will grant 5% of its annual unrestricted income to Vineyard Churches UK & Ireland each year. |
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Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | The Potteries Vineyard Church |
|---|---|
Other name the charity uses |
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| Registered charity number | 1200283 |
Charity’s principal address |
8 Spratslade Drive, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 4DZ |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth James | Chair | |||
| Jonathan James | ||||
| Ruth Jeffery | ||||
| Claire Bankole |
Other optional information
There are no financial accounts available for this period as the charity has not been able to open a bank account, due to several administrative errors on the part of two banks during the accounts application process. The Potteries Vineyard Church therefore reports no income and no expenditure for this period.
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature E A James
Full Name Elizabeth Amy James
Position Chair
Date 03/05/2024