2024-12-30-accounts

Trustee Annual Report for Lifewaters Ministries Charity Number: 1201277

The trustees of Lifewaters Ministries present their annual report for the year ending 31/12/23- 30/12/24 . This year has been one of growth, renewed vision and strengthening of our core ministries despite ongoing financial challenges. As a Christian organisation we remain committed to serving our community through education, worship, youth development, practical outreach and emotional support services.

Objectives and Activities

Our charity’s objectives, as set out in our constitution, remain unchanged:

• The advancement of the Christian religion and education.

• The holding of Christian worship and evangelistic meetings and events.

• Planting churches and engaging in mission work locally and abroad, sharing the love of God and the gospel of hope.

These objectives are reflected in the activities we continue to offer, including:

• Weekly youth programmes for ages 4–18

• A monthly soup kitchen

• Men’s and women’s mental health support groups

• Regular Christian worship, conferences, and study programmes

All activities aim to support our community spiritually, emotionally, educationally and practically.

Achievements and Performance

Christian Education & Worship

This year, we strengthened our Christian education and discipleship work:

• Weekly Bible Study for adults, led by our Senior Pastor, has supported individuals wishing to deepen their understanding of Scripture beyond Sunday services. Many attendees have expressed spiritual growth, improved confidence in sharing their faith and a deeper sense of fellowship.

• Fortnightly Friday Prayer Meetings have continued to nurture intercession and community unity.

• We hosted a Worship Night , which brought together members for praise, reflection and spiritual renewal.

• The Women’s Conference – “Victorious Living” successfully equipped and empowered women with biblical teachings, encouragement and tools for spiritual resilience.

We aim to expand this ministry by introducing short teaching courses, leadership development workshops, and more frequent worship gatherings to support the growing interest in Christian learning.

Youth Group

Our youth ministry continues to be a vital part of the charity’s mission. Each week, we offer a dedicated youth evening where children learn about Jesus Christ in a fun and engaging environment. Sessions include:

• Bible teaching

• Group discussions

• Faith-based activities

• Games and team-building exercises

Due to limited financial resources, we were unable to run the holiday club or hold the annual seaside trip this year. However, these remain key goals for the future, as we recognise the tremendous value they provide for families—offering safe, supportive and affordable opportunities for children during school breaks.

Next year, with adequate funding, we hope to reintroduce:

• A half term holiday club

• Youth day trips and educational outings

• An after-school club programme to support working parents and provide additional learning and social opportunities for children and young people

Our long-term vision is to grow the youth programme into a wider network of faith-based educational and recreational opportunities for young people in the area.

Soup Kitchen

Our soup kitchen continues to make a meaningful difference in the community. We currently operate once per month, providing free, nutritious meals to those facing hardship. This year:

• We served individuals and families struggling with food insecurity.

• We received generous food donations from the community.

• A committed volunteer helped to organise and run the service smoothly.

• Feedback has shown that the soup kitchen brings comfort, connection, and hope to those who attend.

We are also in the process of setting up a pop-up charity shop, where we will provide pre-loved clothing for individuals in need.

With sufficient resources, we aim to:

• Increase the soup kitchen to a weekly service

• Partner with organisations such as FareShare to secure consistent food supplies

• Establish a community food pantry offering low-cost or free essential item

• Integrate the service into our planned Community Hub

Men’s and Women’s Mental Health Groups

Attendance in our mental health support groups has grown this year, with:

• 8 men and

• 6 women

• participating regularly.

Both groups provide safe, confidential spaces where individuals feel heard, valued and supported. Participants are able to share openly about their struggles, receive encouragement and connect with others facing similar experiences.

Looking ahead, we hope to:

• Introduce monthly workshops on wellbeing, resilience and emotional health

• Partner with local mental health organisations to expand the support available

• Train volunteers to facilitate small-group sessions

• Offer joint men’s and women’s community events focused on wellbeing, unity and support

This work remains essential in breaking the stigma around mental health while promoting compassion and healing.

Expansion: Securing a Larger Space

A significant development this year has been the acquisition of the premises downstairs from our main church hall. This new space is pivotal in our long-term vision.

We plan to develop it into a fully functioning Community Hub, providing:

• Extended soup kitchen opening hours

• A computer room (for CV help, job searches, digital skills training)IT classes for adults and children

• Space for an after-school club

• Larger youth facilities

• A pop-up charity shop

• A small café area and food pantry

We have begun to generate income from hiring out the space for events, with two successful bookings so far. While still in the early stages, this initiative has great potential for sustainable future income.

Our greatest challenge this year has been the increased financial pressure resulting from securing the new premises. The cost of rent has significantly increased and the majority of our income is now required to cover property-related expenses. This has restricted our ability to run activities at full capacity, particularly the youth holiday club and community trips.

Despite these difficulties, we remain committed to expanding our services and seeking new funding opportunities.

Future Plans

• Community Hub: Looking ahead, our primary focus is the development of the Community Hub. We aim to secure funding that will allow us to transform our newly acquired downstairs premises into a central resource for the area we serve. This space will house all current services and enable us to introduce additional provisions that are currently lacking within the community. As the hub grows, we hope it will attract more volunteers and eventually create opportunities for paid employment, while offering a pop-up charity shop, café and food pantry, computer room and dedicated areas for youth and family support.

• Soup Kitchen: we intend to expand from a monthly service to a more frequent and accessible provision. By establishing partnerships with organisations such as FareShare and other food distribution charities, we hope to secure a consistent supply of food so that we are not solely dependent on donations. This will help us maintain the soup kitchen on a reliable schedule and continue supporting vulnerable individuals in a practical and compassionate way.

• Youth Program Expansion: We are committed to reinstating the holiday club and working towards launching an after-school club for parents who require additional childcare and support. We hope to broaden the range of opportunities available to young people by introducing educational workshops, faith-based activities and community trips that promote learning, creativity and personal growth. Our long-term vision is to offer a comprehensive youth programme that provides continuity, stability and enrichment throughout the year. - Mental Health Group Partnerships: We also plan to further develop our men’s and women’s mental health groups. As participation continues to grow, we aim to offer a wider range of support, including structured wellbeing sessions, group workshops, and partnerships with local mental health organisations. By expanding these groups, we hope to create a stronger network of emotional support within the community, helping individuals build resilience and access the help they need.

• Christian Education & Worship: we intend to continue introducing new teaching opportunities and discipleship pathways to support the spiritual growth of our congregation. We hope to expand our Bible study programme, incorporate more worship and prayer gatherings and provide resources that encourage deeper engagement with Scripture. Our goal is to maintain steady growth while nurturing a spiritually enriching environment for all who attend.

Financial Review

• Income: The charity's main source of income has been donations,Tithes and offerings, Small income from renting out the new space which have covered the core expenses of the organisation, including rent and operational costs.

• Expenditure: Expenditure was primarily spent on:

• Rent for both properties (our largest expense)

• Church programmes and ministry activities

• Basic operational costs

The high rental cost remains the most significant financial challenge, limiting our capacity to offer all the programmes we hope to run.

We currently have three volunteers and we aim to increase this number as our services expand and as the Community Hub develops.

We are hopeful that with increased bookings from renting out the new space, more consistent giving, and future grant funding, we will be able to strengthen our services and allocate donations directly to programme development rather than covering property expenses.

All income received were used for the charity’s operational expenses and to further the work of the charity in reaching communities and expanding the Kingdom of God.

All trustees give their time voluntarily to support the management and development of Lifewaters Ministries, no benefits, gifts nor remuneration were paid to trustees this year from the charity neither for work carried out for and on behalf of the charity except for receipt of reimbursements/out of pocket expense for and on behalf of the charity.

Governance and Structure

There have been no changes in the composition of our trustee board this year. The charity continues to be governed by its existing trustees, who oversee all activities and ensure good governance. We have safeguarding policies in place, particularly to protect vulnerable adults and children involved in our programs. We are committed to adhering to the highest standards of ethical and responsible charity management.

Conclusion

Despite financial constraints, this year has been a year of growth, development and renewed hope. We have expanded our physical space, strengthened our core ministries and laid the foundation for a Community Hub that will transform our ability to serve the people of our community. The trustees remain confident in our vision and committed to advancing the Christian faith while meeting the physical, emotional and practical needs of those around us.

Approved by all trustees. Signed by: Nestfield Lopez

Signature: Date: 14th November 2025

Registered Address: 14A Woodsley Road, Leeds, LS3 1DT Charity No. 1201277

LIFEWATERS MINISTRIES - charity number 1201277 Statement of Income & Expenditure 31/12/2023 - 30/12/2024

			7/12/2022
Opening Balances
Llyods Bank			£40.03
Cash in Hand			£0.00
Total Opening Balances			£40.03

Opening Balances	Opening Balances	7/12/2022	7/12/2022	7/12/2022
Llyods Bank Cash in Hand		£40.03 £0.00
		£40.03
INCOME
Donations Grants Tithes & offerring Other Income (events & other)			£7,223.66 £0.00 £9,986.05 £771.00
Total Income			£17,980.71
EXPENDITURE
Programme Costs Ministry Expenses Food/Refreshments Volunteer Expenses			£823.00 £288.00 £415.00 £0.00
Premises Cost/Rent			£15,900.00
Equipment & Furniture			£300
Other Expense (events & other)			£225.00
Total Expenses			£17,951.00
Closing Balances
Llyods Bank Cash in Hand			£69.74 £0.00
Total Closing Balances			£69.74
NET Income			£29.71