Charity registration number: 1205814
THE WAY MINISTRY READING TRUSTEES' REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Doc ID: 09b39430918b312b2aed51993bf3c6092d71d898
The Way Ministry Reading Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees' Report | 1—4 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 5 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 |
| Statement of Financial Position | 7 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 8—9 |
| The following pages do not form part of the statutory accounts: | |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 10 |
Doc ID: 09b39430918b312b2aed51993bf3c6092d71d898
The Way Ministry Reading Trustees' Report For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
The trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Objectives and Activities
Aims and Objectives
The objects of the CIO are the prevention and relief of poverty and financial hardship of persons in Reading and the Greater Berkshire area who are in need due to social or economic reasons, regardless of their religion or belief. This includes (but is not limited to) providing clothing, food, essential items, temporary accommodation, sign-posting to other support services and assistance with independent living.
The charity promotes social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing people in Reading from becoming socially excluded and relieving the needs of those people who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society.
Significant Activities
The Way Ministry Reading provides a range of community support services to improve the lives of vulnerable individuals and families in the Reading area. We offer Community Fridge & Food Support
A community fridge offering free surplus food to anyone in need (open Sundays). Distribution of free clothing and shoes alongside food donations.
A Sunday dinner service where people can receive a hot meal and a drink, and enjoy fellowship and support.
These services help fight hunger and reduce food insecurity in the community.
Public Benefit
The trustees of The Way Ministry Reading have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit when exercising their powers and duties.
In accordance with this guidance, the trustees have considered how the charity’s aims are carried out for the public benefit and how its activities further those aims. The trustees are satisfied that the charity’s activities provide a clear benefit to the public, particularly to people experiencing homelessness, poverty, financial hardship and social exclusion within the local community.
The charity delivers this public benefit through the provision of practical support services, including food provision, community support initiatives, and assistance aimed at relieving need and hardship. Access to the charity’s services is open to all who need them, without discrimination, and any private benefit arising is incidental and necessary to the delivery of the charity’s purposes.
The trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty under section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
Achievements and Performance
Main Achievements
During the reporting period, The Way Ministry Reading made a significant positive difference to the lives of people experiencing homelessness, poverty, food insecurity and social exclusion within the Reading area.
The charity’s core achievement has been the consistent provision of practical, immediate support for up to 75 individuals and families in need each week.
Through its community food initiatives, including the community fridge and free hot meal provision, beneficiaries were able to access nutritious food in a safe and welcoming environment. This support helped to reduce hunger, relieve financial pressure, and improve physical wellbeing for those facing hardship.
In addition to meeting basic needs, the charity has provided emotional support, dignity, and social connection. Many beneficiaries’ experience isolation and marginalisation; the charity’s services created opportunities for people to feel welcomed, valued, and supported within their local community. This has contributed to improved mental wellbeing and a greater sense of inclusion.
Where appropriate, beneficiaries were also signposted to other local services and support networks, helping them take steps toward longer-term stability and resilience. For some individuals, this assistance helped prevent further crisis or escalation of need.
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Doc ID: 09b39430918b312b2aed51993bf3c6092d71d898
The Way Ministry Reading Trustees' Report (continued) For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
Main Achievements - continued
Difference Made to Beneficiaries’ Circumstances
Reduced food insecurity and immediate hardship
Improved wellbeing through regular access to meals, clothing, and supportive interaction Increased social inclusion and reduced isolation
Greater awareness of and access to wider support services
Wider Benefits to Society
The charity’s work has also delivered wider public benefit by:
Reducing pressure on emergency and statutory services Preventing waste through redistribution of surplus food
Strengthening community cohesion through volunteering and inclusive support Encouraging compassion, civic engagement, and shared responsibility within the local area
Overall, The Way Ministry Reading has continued to play an important role in supporting vulnerable members of the community, improving quality of life for its beneficiaries while contributing positively to the wellbeing and resilience of society as a whole.
Financial Review
Reserves Policy
The trustees of The Way Ministry Reading recognise the importance of holding an appropriate level of financial reserves. As a relatively new and small charity, the organisation currently holds minimal reserves, reflecting its limited income and the trustees’ intention to apply available funds directly to charitable activities. The charity holds reserves to:
Manage short-term cash flow requirements Provide limited financial protection against unexpected costs or temporary income shortfalls Support the continued delivery of essential services where possible
At present, the trustees do not consider it appropriate to hold a significant level of reserves, as doing so would restrict the charity’s ability to respond to immediate needs within the community. The trustees therefore aim to balance financial resilience with the effective use of funds for public benefit.
The level of reserves is reviewed regularly as part of the charity’s financial oversight. As the charity develops and its income becomes more stable, the trustees will consider whether it is appropriate to build reserves sufficient to cover a short period of operating costs, in line with Charity Commission guidance.
All reserves held are unrestricted and are used solely in furtherance of the charity’s objects.
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document
The Way Ministry Reading is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and is registered with the Charity Commission. It is governed by its Constitution.
Trustee Selection Methods
The charity is governed by its board of trustees, who are responsible for the strategic direction and oversight of The Way Ministry Reading.
Trustees are appointed in accordance with the provisions set out in the charity’s governing document. New trustees may be appointed by the existing trustees, following consideration of the skills, experience and commitment required to support the effective governance and development of the charity.
Where a vacancy arises, the trustees may seek to recruit individuals with particular skills or experience that will strengthen the board and support the charity’s charitable purposes. All appointments are subject to the eligibility and disqualification provisions of charity law.
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The Way Ministry Reading Trustees' Report (continued) For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
Trustee Selection Methods - continued
Trustees are appointed for a term as specified in the governing document and may be eligible for reappointment in accordance with its provisions. The trustees may also remove a trustee in line with the procedures set out in the governing document and relevant legislation.
No external individual or organisation is entitled to appoint trustees. There are no constitutional provisions for trustees to be elected by members or appointed by a third party.
On appointment, trustees receive appropriate information and guidance to enable them to understand their duties and responsibilities, including the charity’s objects, governing document, and relevant Charity Commission guidance.
Reference and Administrative Details
Trustees
Grace Gomez - Chair Kellie Relf - Secretary Elvira Robinson Andrea Medford John Edwards
Charity Number
1205814
Principal Address
47A Gosbrook Road Caversham Reading RG4 8BT
Independent Examiner
Mr Umber Khan, AFA MIPA Taxwise Accountancy 16 Titan Court, Laporte Way Luton Bedfordshire LU4 8EF
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The Way Ministry Reading Trustees' Report (continued) For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales 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 the financial statements the trustees are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;
make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at anytime the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. 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.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charity's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
The trustees' report was approved by the board of trustees and signed on its behalf by:
Grace Gomez Trustee 26/01/2026
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The Way Ministry Reading Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Way Ministry Reading For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Way Ministry Reading (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Responsibilities and Basis of Report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the 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 the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent Examiner's Statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and contents 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 Umber Khan, AFA MIPA 26/01/2026 Taxwise Accountancy 16 Titan Court, Laporte Way Luton Bedfordshire LU4 8EF
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The Way Ministry Reading Statement of Financial Activities For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
| Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Donations and legacies 4 EXPENDITURE ON: Charitable activities: 5 Charitable activities NET INCOME NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS: Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 9 |
2025 Unrestricted funds £ 63,222 |
|---|---|
| (16,974) | |
| 46,248 | |
| 46,248 - |
|
| 46,248 |
The notes on pages 8 to 9 form part of these financial statements.
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The Way Ministry Reading Statement of Financial Position As At 31 March 2025
| Notes CURRENT ASSETS Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year 8 NET CURRENT ASSETS (LIABILITIES) TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES NET ASSETS FUNDS OF THE CHARITY Unrestricted Funds TOTAL FUNDS 9 |
2025 Unrestricted funds £ 46,848 |
|---|---|
| 46,848 (600) |
|
| 46,248 | |
| 46,248 | |
| 46,248 | |
| 46,248 | |
| 46,248 |
The financial statements were approved by the board of trustees on 26 January 2026 and were signed on its behalf by: Grace Gomez Trustee
The notes on pages 8 to 9 form part of these financial statements.
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Doc ID: 09b39430918b312b2aed51993bf3c6092d71d898
The Way Ministry Reading Notes to the Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
1. General Information
The Way Ministry Reading is a charitable incorporated organisation registered with the Charity Commission, registered charity number 1205814. The principal address is 47A Gosbrook Road, Caversham, Reading, RG4 8BT.
2. Statement of Compliance
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)", Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities Act 2011.
3. Accounting Policies
3.1. Basis of Preparation of Financial Statements
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
3.2. Going Concern Disclosure
The trustees have not identified any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
3.3. Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets and include cash in hand and deposits held at call with banks, other short-term highly liquid investments that mature in no more than three months from the date of acquisition and are readily convertible to a known amount of cash with insignificant risk of change in value, and bank overdrafts.
4. Income from Donations and Legacies
| Donations and gifts Grants Other |
2025 Unrestricted funds £ 28,268 20,500 14,454 |
|---|---|
| 63,222 |
5. Analysis of Expenditure
| . Analysis of Expenditure |
|
|---|---|
| 2025 | |
| Support | |
| costs | |
| (see note 6) | |
| £ | |
| Charitable activities | 16,974 |
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The Way Ministry Reading Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
6. Support Costs
| Employee costs Premises expenses General administration Governance costs . Average Number of Employees verage number of employees during the year was: NIL . Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year Accruals and deferred income . Movement in Funds Unrestricted funds General: General unrestricted fund Total funds |
As at 1 April 2024 £ - |
Income £ 63,222 |
Expenditure £ (16,974) |
2025 Charitable activities £ 1,941 7,628 6,805 600 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16,974 | ||||
| 2025 £ 600 |
||||
| As at 31 March 2025 £ 46,248 |
||||
| - | 63,222 | (16,974) | 46,248 |
7. Average Number of Employees
Average number of employees during the year was: NIL
- Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year
9. Movement in Funds
10. Transactions with Trustees
None of the trustees received any remuneration or any other benefits from an employment with the charity or a related entity during the current year.
11. Related Party Disclosures
There have been no related party transactions in the reporting period that require disclosure.
12. Exceptional Items
Prior to registration with the Charity Commission, The Way Ministry Reading operated as a community group. On 01/04/2024, the bank balance of the community group, totalling £14,453.83, was transferred to The Way Ministry Reading and treated as a one off donation to the charity. This amount has been included within income from donations and legacies in the Statement of Financial Activities and has been presented as other and exceptional donations.
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The Way Ministry Reading Detailed Statement of Financial Activities For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Donations and legacies Donations and gifts Grants Exceptional items EXPENDITURE ON: Charitable Activities: Charitable activities Staff training Travel expenses Rent Rates Cleaning Equipment expenses Insurance Advertising and marketing costs Website costs Bank charges Charitable donations Sundry expenses Accountancy fees NET INCOME |
2025 Total funds £ 28,268 20,500 14,454 |
|---|---|
| 63,222 | |
| 63,222 (58) (1,883) (6,466) (884) (278) (29) (394) (153) (280) (65) (5,225) (659) (600) |
|
| (16,974) | |
| (16,974) | |
| 46,248 |
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Doc ID: 09b39430918b312b2aed51993bf3c6092d71d898