Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01 November 2024 Period start date To 31 October 2025 Period end date
Charity name: First Church of Christ, Scientist Richmond
Charity registration number: 1206582
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The purpose of the charity is to promote the understanding and demonstration of the Truth as set forth in the Bible and interpreted in ‘Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures’, by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
The charity holds worship services twice a week and provides Sunday School for children and young people up to the age of 20. It also maintains a Reading Room where individuals can pray, study, read the Bible, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy and other authorised materials. The charity also holds an annual public talk on Christian Science. All these activities are advertised and open to the public. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The trustees have had regard to this guidance. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference The charity does not make grants. Para 1.38
Policy on grant making Not applicable Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment All our activities are organised and implemented by volunteers. We are a lay congregation and roles are regularly rotated. Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers Other
Achievements and Performance
SORP reference
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | The worldwide Christian Science church was founded ... ‘ To organize a church designed to commemorate the word and works of our Master, which should reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing ’. (Manual of The Mother Church, Mary Baker Eddy) and the charity’s achievements are assessed by reference to the healing and spiritual regeneration experienced by all those who have attended its Church services, Sunday School, Reading Room or public talks |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Not applicable Achievements against objectives set Para 1.41 Not applicable Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set Para 1.41 Care is exercised by the charity’s Treasurer to ensure that our funds are managed and invested judiciously. Investment performance against objectives Para 1.41 Other
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The charity’s financial year ends on 31 October. As at 31 October 2025, the charity’s funds, including cash on hand, and investments totalled £84,377.00 |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The charity ensures that a suitable portion of its funds are held on deposit. The exact proportion fluctuates according to operational needs. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | Variable |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | Not applicable |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | Not applicable |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | Not applicable |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | Donations by the members of the charity and visitors to its services, investment income, legacies and grants from Church-related trusts. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | The members of the charity adopted a financial policy document on 13thJuly 2026. Prior to this date the charity had no formal policy document except our By Laws, which set out the duties and responsibilities of the Treasurer and Board Members (charity trustees). |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | None |
Other
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
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|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document | Para 1.25 | Constitution and By Laws, last amended 15th April 2024. |
| How is the charity constituted? |
Para 1.25 | It is an unincorporated association. |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Trustees (known as ‘board members’ in the church’s By Laws) are elected on an annual basis at the Annual Meeting of Members held in January. No trustee may serve for a continuous term of more than three years |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 |
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|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | The organisational structure and governance of the charity are set out in the charity’s By- Laws. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | The church is a branch of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America. |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | First Church of Christ, Scientist Richmond |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | None |
| Registered charity number | 1206582 |
| Charity’s principal address | 35 Sheen Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 1AD |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peter Forsyth | Trustee & Board Chairman |
Elected | ||
| 2 | Susan Slaughter | Trustee | Elected | ||
| 3 | Colin Howard | Trustee & Clerk | Elected | ||
| 4 | |||||
| 5 |
Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name N/A
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
|---|---|---|
| John Jackson | ||
| Peter Forsyth | ||
| Helen Smart | ||
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets Not applicable. held in this capacity
Name and objects of the Not applicable. charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects
Details of arrangements for Not applicable. safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Type of Name Address adviser
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s)
Full name(s) Peter Martin Forsyth
Position (eg Chairman of Board Secretary, Chair, etc)
Date
| FirstChurchof Chrlst,Sclentlst,Rlchmond | Accountsfortheyearto 31October2025 |
Accountsfortheyearto 31October2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Charitynumber1206582 | ||
| ReceiptsandPayments Note |
Account Unrestricted Funds yearto 31October 2025 |
Unrestricted Funds2024 Yearto 31October 2024 |
| Receipts Collections(Non-GiftAid) Collections(GiftAid)&StandingOrders Readingroomreceipts GiftAldreceipts Donations Miscellaneous |
1,815 17,828 173 4,656 17,218 |
804 17,001 358 14,203 1 225 |
| Insurancereceipt Interestondeposits TotalIncome |
55,514 1,178 98,382 |
1,399 33,991 |
| Payments Musiciansandreaders Cleaner Gas,electricityandwater Telephone Organmaintenance Post |
2,630 3,763 1,035 43 |
2,627 3,849 1,076 |
| Housekeeping CSPS/books Concord/)SH-Online Lecture Repairsandmaintenance Insurance Examinersfees CommitteeonPublication Fees |
56 1,859 292 2,204 17,403 3,686 420 468 13,964 |
2,205 424 2,080 3,571 3,716 420 468 20,991 |
| Donationspaid Miscellaneous Bankcharges Propertyrepairs TotalPayments |
156 58 60 46,107 94,204 |
1,786 60 7,947 51,220 |
| Surplus/(deficit)fortheyear Reservesb/fwd |
4,178 80,199 |
(17,229) 97,428 |
| Reservesc/fwd | 84,377 | 80,199 |
| Bankbalancesat31October2025 | ||
| BarclaysCurrentAccount | 26,582 | 23,523 |
| CAFCashAccount | 15 | 1S |
| CAFGoldAccount | 57,780 | 56,661 |
| 84,377 | 80,199 |
|
| Allactivitiesofthecharityareclassifiedascontinuing. | ||
| SignedasauthorisedbytheTrustees | ||
| Date | ||
| ..... Date |
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| FirstChurchof Chrlst,Sclentlst,Rlchmond | Accountsfortheyearto 31October2025 |
Accountsfortheyearto 31October2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Charitynumber1206582 | ||
| ReceiptsandPayments Note |
Account Unrestricted Funds yearto 31October 2025 |
Unrestricted Funds2024 Yearto 31October 2024 |
| Receipts Collections(Non-GiftAid) Collections(GiftAid)&StandingOrders Readingroomreceipts GiftAldreceipts Donations Miscellaneous |
1,815 17,828 173 4,656 17,218 |
804 17,001 358 14,203 1 225 |
| Insurancereceipt Interestondeposits TotalIncome |
55,514 1,178 98,382 |
1,399 33,991 |
| Payments Musiciansandreaders Cleaner Gas,electricityandwater Telephone Organmaintenance Post |
2,630 3,763 1,035 43 |
2,627 3,849 1,076 |
| Housekeeping CSPS/books Concord/)SH-Online Lecture Repairsandmaintenance Insurance Examinersfees CommitteeonPublication Fees |
56 1,859 292 2,204 17,403 3,686 420 468 13,964 |
2,205 424 2,080 3,571 3,716 420 468 20,991 |
| Donationspaid Miscellaneous Bankcharges Propertyrepairs TotalPayments |
156 58 60 46,107 94,204 |
1,786 60 7,947 51,220 |
| Surplus/(deficit)fortheyear Reservesb/fwd |
4,178 80,199 |
(17,229) 97,428 |
| Reservesc/fwd | 84,377 | 80,199 |
| Bankbalancesat31October2025 | ||
| BarclaysCurrentAccount | 26,582 | 23,523 |
| CAFCashAccount | 15 | 1S |
| CAFGoldAccount | 57,780 | 56,661 |
| 84,377 | 80,199 |
|
| Allactivitiesofthecharityareclassifiedascontinuing. | ||
| SignedasauthorisedbytheTrustees | ||
| Date | ||
| ..... Date |
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| Page3 |