Charity number: 1200501
READING STREET PASTORS
(A Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
Trustees Report and Financial Statements
For the period 1[st] January 2024 to 31[st] December 2024
Reading Street Pastors - Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2024
Contents
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION ........................................................................................... 3 TRUSTEES REPORT ............................................................................................................................................. 4 Objectives ...................................................................................................................................................... 4 Public benefit ................................................................................................................................................ 4 Activities ........................................................................................................................................................ 4 Financial Review ............................................................................................................................................ 5 Principal risks and uncertainties ................................................................................................................... 6 Reserves Policy .............................................................................................................................................. 6 Structure, Governance and Management ..................................................................................................... 6 INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT .................................................................................................................. 7 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ................................................................................................................................... 8 Statement of Financial Activities ................................................................................................................... 8 Balance Sheet ................................................................................................................................................ 9 Notes to the Financial Statements .............................................................................................................. 10
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Reading Street Pastors - Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2024
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
For the Period 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024
Charity Number: 1200501
License Number: 010301CC
Trustees during the period:
Audrey Payne Anita Prince Melissa Walker David Elliott Mitchell Jones
Principal Address:
Reading Safe Space, St Marys Gate, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2HX
Bankers:
Metro Bank, 201 Broad Street, Reading RG1 7QA
Independent Examiner:
Michael Homer AFA MIPA MCH Accountants Ltd 68 Charlton Road, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 3JN
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Reading Street Pastors - Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2024
TRUSTEES REPORT
For the Period 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024
The Trustees are pleased to present their annual report and accounts for the period ended 31 December 2024. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 2 to the accounts and comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Statement of Recommended Practice, Charities SORP (FRS102).
Objectives
The objects of the Reading Street Pastors Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) are for the public benefit in the geographic area of Reading and beyond, as follows:
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To advance the Christian Faith, in accordance with the Ascension Trust Street Pastor Licence Agreement through:
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i. The provision of public pastoral care services to help people on the streets and other public places, giving guidance, support and signposting which assist in preserving public order, avoiding anti-social behaviour, relieving sickness and preserving health, and by
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ii. Enlightening others about Christianity through raising awareness and understanding of ecclesiastical relevance to the community and public life, mobilising the Church ecumenically to unity of worship and to advance the Christian Faith by carrying out the mission and outreach work of the Gospel for the benefit of the public.
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To develop the capacity and skills of socially disadvantaged groups in our community in such a way that they are better able to identify, and help meet, their needs and to participate more fully in society; in particular but not exclusively through raising awareness, promoting, sustaining and increasing individual and collective knowledge, skills and expertise, through the practical development of individual capabilities, competences, skills and understanding through formal training, informal talks and capacity building in voluntary services, according to Christian principles and the Street Pastor Urban Trinity principle of church, police and local government working together for the benefit of the community.
Public benefit
The Trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission in exercising their powers and duties. Examples of this public benefit can be found in the other parts of this Report.
The Charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
Activities
During the period to December 2024 Reading Street Pastors have continued their core work of caring, listening and providing help for the people we meet in the nighttime economy. We have provided practical support to improve the safety, health and condition of the people we meet by providing items such as water, flip-flops, space blankets & lolly pops. We also help people who may need support due to intoxication etc. helping them safely get back home, or to friends. The work of the charity includes the First Stop volunteers
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Reading Street Pastors - Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2024
who provide a safe space and facilitate the work of an NHS paramedic team for anyone who needs medical support during the hours of our weekend nighttime patrols. During 2024 there were 112 Street Pastor nighttime Patrols with 270 daytime patrols.
Reading Safe Space is the base for Reading Street Pastors, including the work of the First Stop volunteers, during 2024 180 people were taken to the First Stop based at Reading Safe Space. Out of this number of people seen, only a small percentage had to be taken to A & E. It is also used from time to time by the Reading Borough Council (RBC) ‘Business Improvement District’ (BID) team, and other organisations. Reading Street Pastors continue to work closely with Thames Valley Police, South Central Ambulance Service, RBC, and the BID to help provide support and help where needed.
Key activities included:
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Patrolling Reading Town Centre and the Oxford Road area every Friday and Saturday night between 10 pm and 3 am
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Patrolling Reading Town Centre Monday - Friday between 10.00am and 2pm.
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Supporting the Windsor Street Angels at Royal Ascot.
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Patrolling at Henley Royal Regatta, Reading University Ball, Freshers Week and other significant dates such as A level result night Halloween and New Year’s Eve.
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At the Reading Festival, we patrolled the site in the afternoon and evenings during the festival weekend. We also ran two cafes/safe spaces 24/7 for the duration of the festival, with extra volunteers.
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Rail Pastors visit stations in the area at least once a week, looking out for anyone in need of support.
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Street Pastors visit Reading College weekly & engage with the students and Street Pastors support other areas outside of the town centre.
In December 2024 there were 83 Reading Street & Prayer Pastors and 12 First Stop volunteers.
Financial Review
Income during the period was £78,863k, there was no restricted income. Expenditure was £89,318. This resulted in an overall deficit of £10,455 for the period. Of this deficit, £1,932k relates to the General Fund and £8,523 to the Restricted Fund. Total Fund balances at the end of the year are £103,189.
The principal sources of funding are donations from individuals and churches, revenue from the work at the Reading Festival, and various other grants received during the period.
Expenditure is targeted at achieving the key objectives of Reading Street Pastors, with supporting overheads kept to a reasonable minimum.
At each Trustees meeting, the Treasurer presents the financial results of the charity for the relevant period.
There are no significant items of expenditure planned for the future other than the ongoing operating costs of the charity.
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Reading Street Pastors - Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2024
Principal risks and uncertainties
Reading Street Pastors is exposed to risks associated with finance, safeguarding, legislative compliance, buildings and infrastructure. Each area has been reviewed by the Trustees during the year and plans put in place to manage the risks.
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The annual budget for the 2024 year was approved by the Trustees on 6[th] February 2024. Performance against budget is reviewed at each meeting of the Trustees, and between meetings by the Treasurer.
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Reading Street Pastors has a Safeguarding Policy, and the Trustees appoint a Safeguarding Officer, who acts as the focal point for concerns. All key staff and volunteers working with children and vulnerable adults are recruited using Safer Recruitment principles and are checked with the Disclosure Barring Service.
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Our building is insured and maintained regularly to ensure that it is safe and fit for purpose.
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Volunteers are carefully selected, and training is provided for these volunteers, and they are supported and accountable to team leaders.
Reserves Policy
It is the policy of the Trustees to keep 3 months of reserves in the Unrestricted Funds to cover the costs of running the charity. In the opinion of the Trustees, the charity has adequate cover for the Reserves Policy and enables these accounts to be prepared on a going-concern basis.
Structure, Governance and Management
Reading Street Pastors is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation using the “Foundation" model dated 1st June 2023 under the Ascension Trust license number 010301CC. The governance of Reading Street Pastors is conducted by the Trustees and is supported by an employed full-time coordinator, part-time administrator and volunteer treasurer.
There were no Trustee resignations or appointments during the year.
In selecting individuals for appointment as Trustees, the current Trustees had regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the charity.
Approved by order of the members of the Board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
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Name: David Elliott
Date:
13/08/2025
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Reading Street Pastors - Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2024
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT
To the Trustees of Reading Street Pastors
I report to the charity Trustees on our examination of the accounts of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation for the period ended 31 December 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the Trustees of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act').
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts 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
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act: or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do 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.
Mr Michael Homer AFA MIPA
Independent Examiner for and on behalf of MCH Accountants Ltd 68 Charlton Road Andover Hampshire SP10 3JN
Dated: 19/08/2025
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Reading Street Pastors - Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2024
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Statement of Financial Activities
For the Period 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024
| Notes Income from: Donations and Grants 3a Charitable Activities 3b Investment Income 3c Other Income 3d Total Income Expenditure on: Charitable Activities 4 Total Expenditure Net Income / (Expenditure) before transfers Gross transfers between funds Net incoming/(outgoing) resources for the year Total Funds brought forward at 31 Dec 2023 Total Funds carried forward at 31 Dec 2024 |
Unrestricted Funds £ 58,366 17,691 2,806 - 78,863 80,795 80,795 (1,932) - (1,932) 69,524 67,592 |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - 0 8,523 8,523 (8,523) - (8,523) 44,120 35,597 |
Total Funds £ 58,366 17,691 2,806 - 78,863 89,318 89,318 (10,455) - (10,455) 113,644 103,189 |
2023 Total £ 112,542 23,936 313 74,697 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 211,488 | ||||
| 97,844 | ||||
| 97,844 | ||||
| 113,644 - |
||||
| 113,644 | ||||
The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
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Reading Street Pastors - Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2024
Balance Sheet
For the Period 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024
| Notes Non-Current Assets: Other Assets 8 Current Assets: Cash at bank and in hand Debtors and Prepayments 9 Total Current Assets Current Liabilities: Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 10 Net Current Assets Total Net Assets Income Funds General Fund Restricted Funds 11 Total Funds |
2024 £ 8,700 103,385 1,775 105,160 (10,671) 94,489 103,189 67,592 35,597 103,189 |
2023 £ 8,700 106,816 8,502 |
|---|---|---|
| 115,318 | ||
| (10,374) | ||
| 104,944 | ||
| 113,644 | ||
| 69,524 44,120 |
||
| 113,644 |
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Approved by the Trustees on the: 5th August 2025
Signed on their behalf by:
The notes on pages 10 to 16 form part of these financial statements.
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Reading Street Pastors - Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2024
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Period 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024
1. General information
Reading Street Pastors is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (Charity number: 1200501).
2. Accounting Policies
Basis of Preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (Charities SORP (FRS 102) issued in October 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011
The financial statements have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair' view.
Reading Street Pastors meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s). There are no material uncertainties about Reading Street Pastor's ability to continue as a going concern.
Income
Income is recorded on the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when it becomes probable the charity will receive the income, the charity becomes entitled to the income and the amount of income due to be received can be measured reliably.
Investment income is accounted for when due.
Grants are included in the Statement of Financial Activities on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the Balance Sheet.
Expenditure
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs relating to that category. They include irrecoverable VAT. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings, they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of the resources. Governance costs are those incurred in connection with administration of the charity and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.
Liability and Provisions
Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the Charity to discharge them.
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Reading Street Pastors - Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2024
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 at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments. The Trustees seek to use short and medium-term deposits where possible to maximise the return on monies held at the bank and to manage cash flow.
Pensions
The charity offers a defined contribution pension to all eligible staff and, at the Trustees' discretion, to other paid staff. At the year-end there were no contributions outstanding.
Fund Accounting
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for any other purpose.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for a particular purpose. The cost of raising and administering such funds is charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Cash Flow
Under section 7 of FRS102 in relation to the Cash Flow statement, the exemption has been claimed on the basis that Reading Street Pastors is a small charity.
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Reading Street Pastors - Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2024
| 3. Income a) Voluntary Income Donations Grants b) Charitable Activities Reading Festival Room Rental c) Investment Income Bank Interest d) Other Income Transform Reading Total Income |
Unrestricted Funds £ 30,570 27,796 58,366 17,621 70 17,691 2,806 - 78,863 |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - - - |
Total Funds £ 30,570 27,796 58,366 17,621 70 17,691 2,806 - 78,863 |
2023 Total Funds £ 20,127 92,414 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 112,542 | ||||
| 23,936 - |
||||
| 23,936 | ||||
| 313 | ||||
| 74,697 | ||||
| 211,488 |
Reading Street Pastors had previously been operating under the Transform Reading charitable trust. Other Income in 2023 represents the transfer of its assets from Transform Reading to the newly created Reading Street Pastors charitable entity.
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Reading Street Pastors - Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2024
| 4. Expenditure Direct Costs Commissioning Meeting Festival Expenses General Expenses Total Direct Costs Support Costs Ascension Trust License Background Checks Bank Fees Governance Costs Insurance Printing & Stationary Professional Fees Safe Space Software Staff Storage Rental Telephone & Internet Training Travel Uniforms Total Support Costs Total Charitable Activities |
Unrestricted Funds £ 589 8,258 3,681 12,527 5,767 130 677 624 198 0 653 13,227 1,085 38,124 4,752 297 1,339 96 1,298 68,268 80,795 |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - - - - - 8,523 - - - - - - - 8,523 8,523 |
Total Funds £ 589 8,258 3,681 12,527 5,767 130 677 624 198 0 653 21,750 1,085 38,124 4,752 297 1,339 96 1,298 76,791 89,318 |
2023 Total Funds £ 1,424 14,202 3,496 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19,122 | ||||
| 4,014 752 235 600 487 11 652 24,058 715 39,984 4,003 463 1,680 101 967 |
||||
| 78,722 | ||||
| 97,844 |
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Reading Street Pastors - Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2024
5. Independent Examiner's Remuneration
| Fees payable to the independent examiner for the independent | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| examination of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation's annual | £ | £ |
| accounts | ||
| 624 | 600 |
6. Staff Costs and Emoluments
The Charity employed two members of staff during the year (2023: two). The costs were:
| were: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salaries & Expenses Employers NIC Employers Pension Contributions |
2024 £ 36,976 Nil 1,148 38,124 |
2023 £ 38,907 Nil 1,077 |
| 39,984 |
There are no employees with emoluments over £60,000
7. Trustees' remuneration and expenses
During the period, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits, no Trustee expenses have been incurred (2023: Nil)
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Reading Street Pastors - Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2024
| 8. Non-Current assets Security Deposit 9. Debtors and Prepayments Debtors Prepaid Rent 10. Creditors and Accruals: amounts due within one year Creditors Accruals |
2024 £ 8,700 2024 £ - 1,775 1,775 2024 £ 2,548 8,123 10,671 |
2023 £ 8,700 2023 £ 1,542 6,960 |
|---|---|---|
| 8,502 | ||
| 2023 £ 9,653 722 |
||
| 10,375 |
11. Restricted Funds
| Balance at | Balance at | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31-Dec-23 | Income | Expenditure | Transfer | 31-Dec-24 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Reading Safe Space |
44,120 | 8,523 | 35,597 | |||
| 44,120 | - | 8,523 | 35,597 | |||
| - |
Restricted Funds are held for the following purposes:
A Safer Streets Grant Fund was received in 2023 to create a safe hub in the Town Centre. These funds are restricted to use for the 1st year of refurbishment costs and payments under the lease of The Church House, Chain Street Reading. Minimum Lease payments are disclosed in Note 13.
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Reading Street Pastors - Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2024
12. Net Assets between Funds
| 12. Net Assets between Funds | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fund balances at 31 December 2024 are represented by: Non-Current Assets Current Assets Current Liabilities |
Unrestricte d funds £ 8,700 69,563 (10,671) 67,592 |
Restricted funds £ - 35,597 - 35,597 |
Total Funds £ 8,700 105,160 (10,671) 103,189 |
2023 Total Funds £ 8,700 115,318 (10,374) |
| 113,644 |
13. Financial Commitments
At 31 December 2024 the charity had total outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:
| Within One year | £8,700 |
|---|---|
| Between 2 and 5 years | £24,360 |
| Over 5 years | Nil |
| Total future minimum lease payments | £33,060 |
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