New Wings Charity – Annual Report
Reporting Period: 1 January 2024 – 31 December 2024
Registered Charity Number: 1205932
Charity Name: New Wings
Registered address : The Message Trust, Lancaster House, Harper Road, Sharston Industrial Area, Manchester, M22 4RG
Founder : Mr Nicholas Shahlavi
Charity Trustees : Mr Christopher Lucas, Mr John Stephen Johnson, Mrs Danielle Campsall
Website: www.newwings.org.uk
Objectives and Activities
The charitable purpose of New Wings is:
To advance the Christian faith in accordance with the Statement of Faith appearing in Appendix 1 in England and Wales for the benefit of the public through teaching about the Christian faith and using creative arts to enlighten offenders, ex-offenders, and those at risk of offending or re-offending about the Christian faith.
All activities delivered in 2024 were focused on this purpose. Through mentoring, music, testimony, and gospel-focused outreach, New Wings brought spiritual, emotional, and practical support to people affected by crime, exclusion, trauma, and incarceration.
Activities and Achievements
Faith-Based Work in Prisons
New Wings delivered outreach in six prisons: HMP Altcourse, HMP Forest Bank, HMP Hewell, HMP Lancaster Farms (two visits), and HMP Strangeways. Activities included:
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Gospel-centred music workshops and small group sessions
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Chapel services with Christian teaching, testimony, and prayer
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One-to-one pastoral conversations and mentoring support
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End-of-course performances that shared faith through music
Impact:
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More than 100 individuals participated in our sessions
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Over 60 people made or renewed commitments to Christian faith
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Music created within sessions reflected themes of redemption, forgiveness, trauma, and identity
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Relationships were built with prison chaplaincy teams for ongoing discipleship support
Illustrative Case Studies:
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At HMP Altcourse, a creative outreach programme culminated in a chapel performance attended by over 60 prisoners, with approximately 45 responding to the message of Jesus Christ.
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In HMP Hewell, workshops were delivered on a complex needs wing. One participant, a former soldier, later wrote: “Nick got us to reflect on our lives... Since then, I have renewed my faith and attend church when I can.”
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A presentation at HMP Lancaster Farms included ministry on the segregation wing. A spontaneous outdoor gospel sharing led to deep emotional response and salvations. A subsequent chapel service saw six men respond publicly to the gospel.
Mentoring Young Offenders in the Community
New Wings provided structured mentoring and outreach to young people affected by crime, trauma, and exclusion. Sessions involved:
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One-to-one mentoring incorporating faith-based discussion, creative writing, and music
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Sharing of personal Christian testimony and prayer
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Emotional support during critical life events (e.g. bereavement, court cases, release from custody)
Impact:
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12 young people engaged in weekly one-to-one sessions over 8-week periods
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Three made personal decisions to follow Jesus Christ
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Many reported increased confidence, reduced reoffending behaviours, and stronger moral awareness
Illustrative Stories:
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A young man referred following his father’s death was introduced to the gospel through mentoring. He went on to co-write and perform songs reflecting his healing journey and faith.
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One mentee, previously disengaged from all services and involved in serious youth violence, performed a self-written gospel-themed song at a national Christian event to an audience of over 200 people.
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Another young man, originally sceptical and mistrusting, made a decision to follow Jesus after eight sessions. His lifestyle, attitude, and appearance changed dramatically. He continues to be supported today.
Creative Arts as a Tool for Ministry
Music was used as a consistent and powerful tool to support evangelism, discipleship, and selfexpression. It enabled individuals to explore identity, emotions, and faith in a culturally relevant and healing way.
Outcomes:
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Over 10 original songs written and recorded across mentoring and prison settings
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Content focused on themes of hope, repentance, healing, and purpose
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Music was shared at live events and online with spiritual impact beyond the sessions
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Young people and adults developed communication skills, confidence, and emotional insight through music creation
Financial Review
Income included seed funding from the Just Sow initiative, along with support from in-kind volunteers and donations. Expenditure included:
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Travel to and from prisons and mentoring sites
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Equipment for mobile music production
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Delivery time for mentoring, facilitation, and outreach events
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Continued development of resources for creative faith-based engagement
Full accounts have been submitted in accordance with Charity Commission requirements.
Public Benefit Statement
In line with section 17 of the Charities Act 2011, the trustees confirm that the charity’s work provides clear and measurable benefit to the public. In 2024, this included:
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Providing gospel-based teaching and support to people in custody and the community
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Encouraging young people at risk of offending to turn from harmful behaviours
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Supporting emotional, spiritual, and moral growth through mentoring and testimony
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Creating original, values-led music that promoted peace, restoration, and faith
All of this work supports New Wings’ commitment to making the Christian message accessible to those often forgotten by society.
Governance and Management
New Wings is governed by a charitable constitution. The work is overseen by a trustee board who meet regularly to provide governance, accountability, and spiritual support.
The founder leads project delivery and holds:
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Enhanced DBS clearance
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Relevant safeguarding training
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Experience of working across faith, prison, and youth support settings
Policies are in place for safeguarding, risk management, and ethical content production. All activities are delivered in line with the charity’s values and purpose.
Future Plans
Plans for 2025 include:
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Expanding prison-based outreach and partnerships with chaplaincy teams
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Recruiting and training additional mentors to support young offenders
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Developing accredited pathways for creative discipleship through music
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Recording and releasing a compilation of songs produced by beneficiaries
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Strengthening follow-up support for those who make faith commitments
Trustee Declaration
The trustees confirm that:
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This report accurately reflects the activities and impact of New Wings for the year ending 31 December 2024
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All charitable activity was conducted in accordance with the charity’s stated purpose
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The charity continues to meet the public benefit requirement under the Charities Act
Signed – Sjohnson
Name – John Stephen Johnson
Position – Chair of trustees
Date – 30/10/2025
New Wings Annual Accounts 2023/24
| Income | £ |
|---|---|
| Donatons Other Income Total Income |
£ 10,000 £ 54 |
| £ 10,054 | |
| Expenditure | £ |
| Cost of raising charitable funds Freelance music support Mileage and travel Promo costs Printng and statonery Telephone costs Subsistence Travel - accomodaton Equipment / uniform tthing / gif Music equipment Entertaining / hostng Total Expenditure |
£ 2,000 £ 780 £ 694 £ 88 £ 16 £ 1,186 £ 832 £ 140 £ 1,075 £ 500 £ 1,053 £ 1,686 £ 10,050 |
| Total surplus / (defcit) | £ 4 |