Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01/04/2024 To 31/03/2025 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 church continued to meet for Sunday services at Ormiston Sir Stanley Matthews Academy twice a month, moving to three times a month in January 2025, meaning that a gathering of some sort was provided every Sunday from this point. The provision for children at Sunday gathering was developed by increasing the team so that parents and carers no longer needed to attend with their children. The church’s monthly outreaches - a Lego Club (Brick Club) and an Arts and Craft club (True Colours) continued to meet on the first Sunday of the month in local community venues. Weekly life groups continued in homes. The church partnered with local |
| charities to gather donations of food, chocolates, and pampering gifts throughout the year, which were passed on to local people supported by the charities (Affordable Food Stoke, and Whispers of Hope). The church also began a partnership with Kids Matter and St Paul’s CE Primary School, with volunteers from the church providing a parenting programme to parents from the school community. |
||
|---|---|---|
| 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:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | All activities have been organised and delivered by volunteers. For most this has involved a regular commitment of volunteer time once or more per month and volunteers have used a wide range of skills including hospitality, music, catering, artistic, public speaking, welcome and more. The church began to employ one part-time staff member (11 hours per week) from January 2025, and all other activities are run and delivered by volunteers. |
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 | This year the church has continued to gather a growing number of people, with around 30 people being part of the church community in March 2024, increasing to around 40 people by March 2025. Across monthly, seasonal and one-off outreach events the church connected with over 700 local people. The church’s worship and discipleship activities have provided opportunities for people to explore and grow in spirituality, with 2 people being baptised in February 2024. The church has served the wider community by donating items and gathering to fill ‘Bags of Kindness’ at Christmas 2024. These were donated to women who had experienced domestic abuse, via another local charity, ‘Whispers of Hope’. The church was also given a donation of 396 advent calendars and 396 Easter eggs, which were then given out to local children through schools, other charities, and community groups. In December 2024 the church organised an outreach event hosted at a local pub which included times of |
singing, food and drink, and the opportunity to think about faith at Christmas. This was very well received by those attending and the team at the pub. All outreach activities have been offered free of charge to the local community and offered opportunities to have fun, build social connections, and explore spirituality and faith. The church also ran regular teaching and preaching workshops, and a ‘Leadership Essentials’ course, offering volunteers the chance to learn and develop their skills and leadership.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives Para 1.41 set
The church has been successful in raising funds through donation and income has exceeded expenditure, allowing for the purchase of equipment and renting of venues needed for activities and services. The end of year reflects a surplus, which will allow for the building up of reserves and investment in future projects and growth.
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The charity’s income exceeded it’s expenditure, with a total surplus of £6741.74 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. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The charity intends to hold an amount equal to the average expenditure for 3 calendar months in reserve, so that any planned payments can still be made in event of a reduction in income. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | At the end of this financial year, the charity currently has £21,108.00 held in reserve. The trustees will continue to ensure that the charity holds reserves equivalent to 3 months expenditure for the coming financial year, monitoring income and expenditure as the charity continues to grow and develop it’s work. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 |
The charity’s principal source of funds is donation from private persons who consider themselves members of the church, and some outside supporters. |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | The Potteries Vineyard Church |
|---|---|
Other name the charity uses |
|
| 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
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth James | ||
| Jonathan James | 01/04/2024 - 01/11/2025 | |
| Ruth Jeffery | Chair, Treasurer | |
| Claire Bankole |
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 23/01/25
Profit and Loss
The Potteries Vineyard Church
April 1, 2024-March 31, 2025
| DISTRIBUTION ACCOUNT | TOTAL |
|---|---|
| Income | |
| Gift Aid received from HMRC | 3,714.61 |
| One off gift | 15,221.00 |
| Regular Giving | 34,735.00 |
| Total for Income | £53,670.61 |
| Gross Profit | £53,670.61 |
| Expenses | |
| Bank Service Charges | 4.95 |
| Charitable Donations | £250.00 |
| Charities giving | 100.00 |
| VCUKI Giving | 3,153.70 |
| Total for Charitable Donations | £3,503.70 |
| EMPLOYMENT | |
| Employers NI | 0.00 |
| Staff Costs | 1,280.88 |
| STAFF - Elizabeth James | 2,607.69 |
| Training | 188.50 |
| Total for EMPLOYMENT | £4,077.07 |
| Equipment and Storage | 816.55 |
| Events | 2,017.07 |
| Licences and Insurance | 1,751.66 |
| Marketing and Publicity | 39.45 |
| Ministries | 2,100.54 |
| Office and Admin | £3,906.67 |
| Software and Subscriptions | 257.98 |
| Total for Office and Admin | £4,164.65 |
| Outreach | 2,435.79 |
| Sundays | 25,715.96 |
| Travel | 84.60 |
| WorshipExpenses | 216.88 |
| Total for Expenses | £46,928.87 |
| Net Operating Income | £6,741.74 |
| Net Other Income | |
| Net Income | £6,741.74 |
1/1
Accrual Basis Wednesday, January 14, 2026 08:31 PM GMTZ
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees Charity Name THE POTTERIES VINEYARD CHURCH On accounts for the year 31[ST] MARCH 2025 Charity no 1200283 ended (if any) Set out on pages N/A I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31[st ] March 2025.
Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect 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(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
the accounting records were not kept in accordance 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 form 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 accounts to be reached.
Date: 16/01/26 Signed: Name: Steve Mitchell Relevant professional CIMA cert BA qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: 8 Harcourt Drive Earley, Reading, RG6 5TJ
Oct 2018
1
IER