The Greenhouse Church Registered Charity Number: 1201399
Accounts for the Year ended 31 March 2025
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLANO AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Seclion A kndependent Examiners Rep¢xt Report to the trustee&, members of The GrehOUSe Church On accounts for the year ended 31 Marth 2025 Charity no lil any) 1201399 Set out on paues I rerKxt lo the trustees on my examinalion of the accounts olthe above charityllhe Trust-l lor Ihe year ended 31103 12025. Responsibilities and basis of report As the chanvs trustees. you are resSIb for the preparathm of the accounts in accordance wrth the requirements of the Charth'es Act 2011 Ilhe Act'i. I reKxt in respect of my examinab.on of the Trusys acCjnts Car (t under sectM)n 145 01 the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examinati(, I have folk)wed all the applicable Direclic¥)s gtven by the Chanty Commisslon uThJer sectK)n 14515Xbl ofthe Act. Ind•p•nd•nt I have c(pted my examinat. I confimi that no rnalerial matters have examiners ststent come to my attenthon In Connect wrth the exarnination which gNes rne cause to believe that In, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with seCIn 130 of the Charrties Act, 01 the accounts did not accord wth the accolmb'ng CO[d5- or the accounts did not compty with the applicable requirernents (CeIng the form and content of accounts set out In the Charrt IA¢tounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the acciMJnts give a'ltue and fair, view which Is rK)l a malteT t(s1dered as part ol an independent examinabon. I have no concems and have c(me across w olher matters in connect wrfh Ihe eXaminalK to which attention should drawn in thi% rerx)rt In order to enable a p(oper undeistanding of the accoijnts to be reache<J. Signed: Date: 1410112025 Name: SANDY LILFORD RelÈvani prole$sional qualfficationlsl OT body Irf any).. ICB Address: 2 ST NICHOLAS COTTAGE POPLAR LANE RG10 ODL IER Oet 2018
Section B Disclosuie Only con)plere If the ex.Ini Iner needs to highlight niaterial matters of coi)cem (see CC32, Independent exan}Inati ol chafity accounts". direcuons and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the exafflinei wishes io disclose. NO MATTERS OF CONCERN IER Oct 2018
The Greenhouse Church
Accounts for the Year ended 31 March 2025 Income & Expenditure Account
| Income Tithes / Offerings Other Income Interest Received TOTAL INCOME Expenditure Salaries Employers NI Employers Pension Advertising & Marketing Audit & Accountancy Bank Fees Camp Fees Charitable and Political Donations Cleaning Consulting Courses/ Books General Expenses Insurance IT Software and Consumables Light, Power, Heating Printing & Stationery Rent Repairs & Maintenance Staff Training Subscriptions Surplus / (Deficit) |
2025 2024 £ £ 81,964 50,780 2,409 9,881 84,373 60,660 25,000 16,667 - - 563 235 562 22 819 1,647 107 210 3,071 3,150 1,876 9,249 - 248 2,000 2,050 644 786 10,297 5,043 168 168 2,400 124 - 800 997 69 10,004 748 7,310 3,370 2,271 965 289 69,055 44,875 15,318 15,785 |
|---|---|
The Greenhouse Church
Accounts for the Year ended 31 March 2025 Balance Sheet
| ASSETS Fixed Assets Current Assets Bank Account Prepayments Debtors Other debtors TOTAL ASSETS LIABILITIES Trade creditors Advance Payments Accruals PAYE due to HMRC NI due to HMRC Pension contributions due TOTAL LIABILITIES Net Current Assets Net Assets Capital Account Balance at start of period Net (Deficit)/Surplus |
2025 2024 £ £ 8,078 5,159 31,548 16,808 - 2,341 - - |
|---|---|
| 39,626 24,308 |
|
| - - - - 250 250 47 47 |
|
| 297 297 |
|
| 39,329 24,011 |
|
| 39,329 24,011 |
|
| 24,011 8,227 15,318 15,785 |
|
| 39,329 24,011 |
The Greenhouse Church
Trustees’ Report
For the year ended 31 March 2025
Charity Objectives and Activities
The advancement of the Christian faith in particular (but without limitation) by providing worship, prayer and Christian teaching.
In addition to weekly Sunday services, the Church also advances religion, in particular but not exclusively, by holding:
a ladies’ Bible study on Friday mornings;
a men’s discipleship group on Saturday mornings;
youth group for 13–18 year old girls and boys; participation in WyldLife, a youth group for 11–14 year olds on Monday nights; short courses such as Alpha, the HTB Marriage Course and Parenting Courses; discipleship and formation groups including book studies and leadership workshops.
Trustees’ Statement with regards to Public Benefit
The trustees confirm that they have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit when exercising their duties and making decisions. In accordance with this guidance, our church advances the Christian faith through regular worship services, Christian teaching and various other religious activities. These activities, including Bible studies, youth groups, Alpha, the HTB Marriage Course, Parenting courses and other discipleship groups, are accessible to the wider community and aim to foster a deeper understanding of Christian values. The trustees are committed to ensuring that these activities benefit the public by promoting spiritual growth, providing support and fostering community engagement in line with our charitable objectives.
Achievements and Performance
Ministry Growth and Highlights
Over the past year, the charity has continued to grow in depth and reach. Our move to Forest School has now been established for a full year and has brought increased visibility, with a number of new families finding the church through online searches and personal invitations. Teaching series such as “Practicing the Way” have helped to lay foundations for spiritual formation, particularly for new believers and a month of focused prayer in September, followed by a January devotional broadcast on the “Fear of the Lord”, has strengthened the prayer life of the church. Alongside Sunday gatherings, the church has run a number of mid‑week discipleship opportunities. These include the “Uninvited” book study facilitated with input from a Christian therapist, Parenting Courses that have helped families within the church and from the wider community and Alpha courses in multiple locations. Together these ministries have deepened discipleship, strengthened relationships and created accessible spaces for people exploring faith.
Youth and Children’s Ministry
The youth and children’s work remains a core strength of the charity. WyldLife (11–14s) has moved to Rainbow Park, enabling contact with a wider and more diverse group of local young people. Attendance has remained strong, with regular involvement from Forest School students, and funds of around £3,000 were raised towards summer camp through creative fundraising efforts. A number of junior leaders have emerged and are being discipled into increased responsibility.
The older youth group (14–18s) has continued to mature, with a clear GROW rhythm (Gather, Read, Obey, Worship) shaping weekly meetings. A Youth Revival evening in October saw significant Holy Spirit ministry and encouragement for the wider youth community. On Sundays, Roots, Shoots and Seedlings continue to provide age‑appropriate teaching and worship for children and younger teens, helping the next generation to grow in their faith.
Community Engagement
Community engagement has also developed over the year. Regular “Looking In” dinners have given newcomers and interested visitors an opportunity to hear the story and vision of the church in a relaxed setting. Pastoral ministry has been strengthened through prayer ministry on Sundays, one‑to‑one support and courses addressing relationships and emotional health. An Operations Team has been formed to support Sunday coordination, creating a more welcoming and consistent environment for those attending.
Leadership and Governance Developments
During the year the trustees continued to invest in leadership and governance. A pay rise for the Ministry Lead, Sharon, was approved from April 2025 in recognition of the growth in scope and responsibility. Leadership formation has continued through the Sounding Board as well as monthly leadership workshops for leaders across ministries.
Recognising the increasing operational and administrative demands, the trustees agreed that the previously discussed operations support should be structured as two part‑time roles: an Operations and Governance Manager and a Communications and Events Manager. The Operations and Governance role will focus on administration, compliance, safeguarding, policies, risk management and supporting the trustees with governance processes. The Communications and Events role will focus on internal and external communications, social media, newsletters, website content and the coordination of church events. Approval was given to begin the recruitment process for these roles. In addition, a new bookkeeper, Jen Robinson, has been engaged to support the preparation of annual accounts and the independent examination process.
Venue and Operations
Operating from Forest School has provided a valuable missional base, with links to students, staff and families. At the same time, practical challenges remain, particularly around storage, set‑up and the limitations of hiring a school site. The trustees have therefore begun exploring longer‑term venue options, including the potential for grant funding towards a more permanent space. Temporary storage solutions have been put in place to ease the burden on the set‑up team while these options are considered.
Regular Giving
Regular monthly giving remained stable with approximately £8486 per month at the start of the period to around £8104 per month by year end, with the average number of regular giving households at approx 16. The church continues to demonstrate a strong spirit of generosity, with specified donations received towards items such as sound equipment, heating and other ministry needs.
Structure, Governance and Management
The Greenhouse Church is governed by its CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation). There are three trustees and meetings are held at least three times a year. The trustees remain committed to good governance, safeguarding and responsible stewardship of the church’s resources.
Financial Review
The Trustees are pleased to present their report together with the financial statements of The Greenhouse Church for the year ended 31 March 2025. These statements will be prepared in accordance with the charity’s governing documents and will comply with the relevant provisions of the Charities Act 2011, along with any applicable regulations for small charities and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (UK GAAP), as appropriate for a receipts and payments basis of reporting.
The financial statements will continue to be prepared on a receipts and payments basis, which provides a simplified reporting method appropriate for the charity’s size and structure. An independent examination will be carried out in accordance with Charity Commission requirements. The Trustees are satisfied with the charity’s financial health and will continue to manage resources prudently to fulfil the charity’s objectives.
The financial position of The Greenhouse Church as at 31 March 2025 remains healthy, reflecting responsible stewardship of the church’s resources and ongoing commitment to its charitable objectives.
Total revenue of approximately £84,373, driven primarily by tithes and offerings which contributed £81,964 ;
Administrative costs of around £65,173, including salaries of £25,569, repairs and maintenance of £7,310, general expenses of £4,564, youth and WyldLife support of £3,071 and charitable donations of £1,876;
An operating Income over Expenditure of approximately £15,318; Other Income: Specified giving of around £512; Net current assets at year end of approximately £39,329; Cash at bank and in hand of approximately £31,548;
Fixed assets, primarily office and technical equipment, with a carrying value of approximately £8,078. Capital and Reserves :
The Current Year Earnings were £15,318 demonstrating financial sustainability. Retained Earnings from previous periods amount to £24,011 Total Capital and reserves at year end were £39,329
Overall, the financial health of The Greenhouse Church is considered to be strong, with sufficient reserves and liquidity to support its ongoing activities and planned developments.
Review of Reserves
The Trustees aim to retain a minimum reserve of £15000, representing approximately three months’ worth of essential operational costs. This level of reserves is intended to enable the charity to continue its activities without disruption during unforeseen circumstances, such as a decline in income or unexpected expenses. At the year end, the charity held cash balances of approximately £31548, which comfortably satisfies the goal of maintaining reserves equivalent to three months of operating costs.
The reserves position will be reviewed annually by the Trustees to ensure that the level remains appropriate in relation to the charity’s operational needs, planned activities and financial environment.
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), as appropriate for a small charitable incorporated organisation preparing receipts and payments accounts.
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales, including the Charities Act 2011 and the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, together with the provisions of the CIO, requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which 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 Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the CIO. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
This report was approved by the trustees on _29th Jan_ 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
Trustee: ________