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2025-03-31-accounts

Charity registration number: 1207241

Presence Church

Annual Report and Financial Statements

for the period from 28 February 2024 to 31 March 2025

Presence Church

Contents (continued)

Reference and Administrative Details 1
Trustees' Report 2 to 6
Independent Examiner's Report 7
Statement of Financial Activities 8
Balance Sheet 9
Notes to the Financial Statements 10 to 18

Presence Church

Reference and Administrative Details

Trustees Roger Fairhead Lauren Baldwin Lindsey Gilbert Trevor Baker Luke Baldwin Charity Registration Number 1207241 Principal Office The Old Telephone Exchange Trinity Street Hanley ST1 5NA Independent Examiner Daryl Denson ACMA VAST The Dudson Centre Hope Street Hanley ST1 5DD

Page 1

Presence Church

Trustees' Report

The trustees present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the period ended 31 March 2025.

Objectives and activities

Objects and aims

To advance the Christian religion for the benefit of the public in Stoke-on-Trent through the provision of a public place of worship, educating people about Christianity, carrying out outreach work and pastoral care in the community.

Public benefit

Weekly Sunday services - in person and online

Weekly Sunday Children’s Church

Monthly worship and prayer services - in person and online

●Serves those who attend Presence Church and others who a) are part of other church groups, and b) those who are exploring Christianity

Weekly prayer service

●Serves those who attend Presence Church and others who are part of other church groups

Monthly Academies

●Most serve those who attend Presence Church and members of other church groups (except for internal Leadership development - Presence Church members only)

Weekly Music band development

●Team and skill development for leadership and practical music abilities.

●Provide all live music for Sunday worship and any other event as required.

Fortnightly Discipleship groups

Page 2

Presence Church

Trustees' Report (continued)

Fortnightly Friday night youth group - 11-17 years

Fortnightly Friday night Young Adults - 18+ years

Monthly single 25+ nights

Weekly Home-Learning Hub

●Coffee space becomes a connection hub for families that are from across Staffordshire area to connect with other Home Learning families

Safeguarding Children - Level 1 Training

●Training given by Presence Designated Safeguard Lead who has extensive safeguarding experience with police, social services, probation and schools. Currently DSL for a secondary school in the city.

Social Events throughout the year

Host Productions

Conferences

●For the purpose of training and inspiring people to live the Chirstian message in everyday life.

●Attended by people across the region.

Weekly Coffee Shop

Page 3

Presence Church

Trustees' Report (continued)

Supporting families/individuals in need

●As part of pastoral work, emotional, practical and financial support has been given to families and individuals.

●This includes support in relocation, purchasing essentials such as food and clothes, equipping homes with basic appliances.

Supporting Missionaries sent oversees

●In the last year we have supported 3 missionaries financially.

●They have reached Uganda, USA, Scandinavia and Western Europe through the spreading of the Christian message via music, teaching and resourcing. In Uganda, financial support enabled prisoners in Kampala to receive basic toiletries for men and women as well as Christian materials for their spiritual growth.

Resource Production

○Free digital copies made available via Apple and Google store for attendees of Presence. Hard copies purchasable via Amazon and in-house store

●Merchandise store (through drop shipping) with branded items such as hoodies, bottles, notebooks, bags, hats with Chrisian symbols and phrases. These become gifts and talking points for people to discuss their faith. All proceeds come to the charity.

The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

Use of volunteers

The majority of teams that facilitate the activities outlined are run by volunteers. This is an intentional engagement of their skills and experiences to practically model their Christian faith.

Volunteers' functions vary from team leaders and builders to support roles.

On average, Presence Church sees over 50 volunteers contributing in any given week. This is made up of ages ranging from 15 to over 65 years.

Areas of volunteering opportunities include media, music, coffee bar, cleaning, welcome teams, small group leaders, events organizers, caterers, car park staff, pastoral teams, home learning teams.

All of these areas include opportunities for training and upskilling, enabling newcomers/novices to learn new skills and more experienced to develop current abilities.

Page 4

Presence Church

Trustees' Report (continued)

Achievements and performance

Sunday Church Attendance

●In person attendance has increased consistently. Over the last year, we have seen attendance go from an average of 90 people attending in person weekly. This included up to 15 children engaged in Kids Church. As of today, we are averaging 150 in person attendees with up to 30 children engaged in Kids Church.

●Online reach has also seen a steady increase throughout the year. One year ago, the Youtube subscription number was 250 subscribers. We have now reached over 660 subscribers.

○5.7% 18-24 years, 38.5% 25-34 years, 30% 35-44 years, 17.6% 45-54 years, 5.4% 55-64 years and 2.9% 65+ years

○New people with new Christian commitment (salvations) - 70-80 new people - several placed in other churches for discipleship

Fortnightly Discipleship groups

●Over 110 people are actively engaged in mid-week fortnightly discipleship groups in addition to their Sunday attendance.

●This equates to two thirds of overall average Sunday attendance being engaged in small group connection, pastoral and discipleship opportunities.

●The impact has been higher engagement in volunteering and contributing their skills and learning to the aims of the charity

Monthly Academies

●These have come from across the region as far as 30 miles away and are attendees of other churches

●The impact has been higher engagement in volunteering and contributing their skills and learning to the aims of the charity

Use of the building midweek for the variety of activities on offer

●Up to 200 people across Home Learning, youth and young adults groups, discipleship groups, music teams, welcome nights, leadership development and academies

Conference - 2025 impact

●Full capacity conference of 150 people. This reached those within the region and saw people travel in from Wales, Manchester/Liverpool.

●The success of the conference has set us up for further conferences this year, partnering with other Chirstian ministries. The next conference in February 2026 is already at full capacity and has reached 6 other European nations outside of the U.K. Other day events to be held on Saturdays in March, April, May and June. We have another conference scheduled for October 2026 too.

●The impact has seen a rejuvenation of people’s faith and has seen a significant upturn in engagement in prayer, midweek groups and new attendees to Presence week-by-week. Since the 2025 conference, 22 new people joined Presence Church as committed attendees and contributors to the charity aims.

Page 5

Presence Church

Trustees' Report (continued)

Financial review

Policy on reserves

The trustees review the charity’s reserves annually. The charity seeks to maintain a modest level of unrestricted reserves to ensure continuity of ministry, meet short-term obligations, and manage unforeseen costs, while ensuring that the majority of funds are applied directly to its charitable activities. As we are a newly formed and growing charity, most months see income being used for day-to-day running of the provision we supply. At the period end free reserves stood at -£3,046

Principal funding sources

The majority of our funds are sourced through voluntary donations by those who come to Presence Church. We also Gift Aid on tax payers donations.

We have had one sizable grant for £7500 to facilitate bathroom and children's room refurb.

Structure, governance and management

Nature of governing document

The charity is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), as registered on 28th February 2024. It is an incorporated charity registered with and regulated by the Charity Commission and governed by its Constitution.

Recruitment and appointment of trustees

Elected by current serving trustees

Jan 30, 2026 The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on .................... and signed on its behalf by:

.. ~~................................~~ Lauren Baldwin (Jan 30, 2026 13:46:54 GMT) ....... Lauren Baldwin Trustee

Page 6

Presence Church

Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Presence Church

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Presence Church for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of Presence Church 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 Presence Church's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all 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:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of Presence Church as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements concerning the form and content 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.

......................................

VAST

The Dudson Centre Hope Street Hanley ST1 5DD

Date:.............................Jan 30, 2026

Page 7

Presence Church

Statement of Financial Activities for the Period from 28 February 2024 to 31 March 2025

Note
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies
Other trading activities
Other income
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
Net income
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds carried forward
15		 Unrestricted
funds
£
101,227
4,219
(6,027)
99,419
(3,952)
(91,210)
(95,162)
4,257
4,257
4,257		 Restricted
funds
£
8,000
-
-
8,000
-
(8,000)
(8,000)
-
-
-		 Total
2025
£
109,227
4,219
(6,027)
107,419
(3,952)
(99,210)
(103,162)
4,257
4,257
4,257

All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above period.

The notes on pages 10 to 18 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 8

Presence Church

(Registration number: 1207241) Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
11
Current assets
Debtors
12
Cash at bank and in hand
13
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
14
Net current liabilities
Net assets
Funds of the charity:
Unrestricted income funds
Unrestricted funds
Total funds
15		 2025
£
7,303
500
12,663
13,163
(16,209)
(3,046)
4,257
4,257
4,257

The financial statements on pages 8 to 18 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on .................... and signed on their behalf by:Jan 30, 2026

. ~~................................~~ Lauren Baldwin (Jan 30, 2026 13:46:54 GMT) ........ Lauren Baldwin Trustee

The notes on pages 10 to 18 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 9

Presence Church

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Period from 28 February 2024 to 31 March 2025

1 Accounting policies

Statement of compliance

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the second edition of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

Basis of preparation

Presence Church meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.

Going concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

Income and endowments

Voluntary income including donations, gifts, legacies and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Donations and legacies

Donations and legacies are recognised on a receivable basis when receipt is probable and the amount can be reliably measured.

Grants receivable

Grants are recognised when the charity has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released.

Expenditure

All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.

Raising funds

These are costs incurred in attracting voluntary income, the management of investments and those incurred in trading activities that raise funds.

Page 10

Presence Church

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Period from 28 February 2024 to 31 March 2025 (continued)

Charitable activities

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Governance costs

These include the costs attributable to the charity’s compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including audit, strategic management and trustees meetings and reimbursed expenses.

Taxation

The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

Tangible fixed assets

Individual fixed assets costing £500.00 or more are initially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

Depreciation and amortisation

Depreciation is charged at the following rates

Asset class Depreciation method and rate Office Equipment 25% straight line General Equipment 25% straight line

Trade debtors

Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business.

Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

Page 11

Presence Church

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Period from 28 February 2024 to 31 March 2025 (continued)

Trade creditors

are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities.

are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Fund structure

Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.

Pensions and other post retirement obligations

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme which is a pension plan under which fixed contributions are paid into a pension fund and the charity has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further contributions even if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods.

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when they are due. If contribution payments exceed the contribution due for service, the excess is recognised as a prepayment.

2 Income from donations and legacies

Donations and legacies;
Donations from individuals
Gift aid reclaimed
Grants, including capital grants;
Grants from companies
Total for period ended 31 March 2025		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
100,776
451
-
101,227		 Restricted
funds
£
-
-
8,000
8,000		 Total
funds
£
100,776
451
8,000
109,227

Page 12

Presence Church

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Period from 28 February 2024 to 31 March 2025 (continued)

3 Income from other trading activities

Trading income;
Sales of goods and services
Other income from other trading activities
Total for period ended 31 March 2025		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
2,378
1,841
4,219		 Total
funds
£
2,378
1,841
4,219

4 Other income

Income from trading subsidiary
Total for period ended 31 March 2025		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
(6,027)
(6,027)		 Total
funds
£
(6,027)
(6,027)

On the 28th February 2024 a net liability of £6,027 made up of assets and liabilities as detailed below were transferred from the unregistered organisation converting to become the CIO. Fixed Assets - £941 Current Assets - £3,632 Liabilities - (£10,600)

5 Expenditure on raising funds

a) Costs of trading activities

Note
Costs of goods sold
Total for period ended 31 March 2025		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
3,952
3,952		 Total
funds
£
3,952
3,952

Page 13

Presence Church

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Period from 28 February 2024 to 31 March 2025 (continued)

6 Expenditure on charitable activities

6
Expenditure on charitable activities
Total
Activity Costs funds
Note £ £
Youth & Children's Ministry 1,732 1,732
Men's Ministry 376 376
Women's Ministry 63 63
Worship Ministry Equipment 3,458 3,458
Worship Ministry Instruments 305 305
Refreshments 1,061 1,061
Furnishings 2,843 2,843
Renovation costs 5,947 5,947
Outreach/Mission 834 834
Other Ministries 113 113
Ministry Hospitality 117 117
Conference & Events 1,217 1,217
Hotel Accommodation 272 272
Gift 3,751 3,751
Resources 358 358
Over Payment 150 150
Sponsorship 1,644 1,644
Refund (544) (544)
Stock Purchased for Sale in Cafe 1,209 1,209
Advertising & Marketing 1,041 1,041
Audit & Accountancy fees 480 480
Bank Fees 467 467
Cleaning 3,551 3,551
Charitable and Political Donations 1,623 1,623
Postage, Freight & Courier 120 120
Insurance 1,939 1,939
Interest Paid 2 2
Legal Expenses 1,068 1,068
Printing & Stationery 705 705
IT Software and Consumables 1,644 1,644
Rent 20,440 20,440
Repairs & Maintenance 1,800 1,800
Employers National Insurance 2,890 2,890
Staff Training 419 419
Subscriptions 48 48
Telephone & Internet 4,036 4,036
Travel - International 732 732
Kitchen Equipment 464 464

Page 14

Presence Church

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Period from 28 February 2024 to 31 March 2025 (continued)

Note
Fittings & Fixtures
Depreciation, amortisation and other similar costs
Staff costs
Governance costs
Total for period ended 31 March 2025		 Activity Costs
£
570
2,974
26,541
750
99,210		 Total
funds
£
570
2,974
26,541
750
99,210

7 Analysis of governance and support costs

Governance costs

Independent examiner fees
Examination of the financial statements
Total for period ended 31 March 2025		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
750
750		 Total
funds
£
750
750

8 Trustees remuneration and expenses

During the period the charity made the following transactions with trustees:

Luke Baldwin

Luke Baldwin received remuneration of £26,250 during the period.

This was for his role as Church Leader

Apart from those listed above, no trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.

No trustees have received any reimbursed expenses or any other benefits from the charity during the year.

Page 15

Presence Church

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Period from 28 February 2024 to 31 March 2025 (continued)

9 Staff costs

The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:

Staff costs during the period were:
Wages and salaries
Pension costs		 2025
£
26,250
291
26,541

No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the period

10 Taxation

The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.

11 Tangible fixed assets

Cost
Additions
At 31 March 2025
Depreciation
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2025
Net book value
At 31 March 2025
12 Debtors
Accrued income
13 Cash and cash equivalents
Cash at bank		 Office
equipment
£
3,337
3,337
1,239
1,239
2,098		 General
equipment
£
6,940		 Total
£
10,277
10,277
2,974
2,974
7,303
2025
£
500
6,940
1,735
1,735
5,205
2025
£
12,663

Page 16

Presence Church

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Period from 28 February 2024 to 31 March 2025 (continued)

14 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors
Other loans
Other taxation and social security
Pension scheme creditor
Accruals		 2025
£
1,482
10,000
3,694
283
750
16,209

15 Funds

General
General Fund
Restricted funds
Norwood & Norwood
VAST
Total restricted funds
Total funds		 Incoming
resources
£
99,419
7,500
500
8,000
107,419		 Resources
expended
£
(95,162)
(7,500)
(500)
(8,000)
(103,162)		 Balance at 31
March 2025
£
4,257
-
-
-
4,257

The specific purposes for which the funds are to be applied are as follows:

Norwood & Norwood - to facilitate bathroom and children's room refurb.

VAST - Bursary towards Accounts Preparation and Independent Examination costs

16 Analysis of net assets between funds

Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
7,303
13,163
(16,209)
4,257		 Total funds at
31 March
2025
£
7,303
13,163
(16,209)
4,257

Page 17

Presence Church

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Period from 28 February 2024 to 31 March 2025 (continued)

17 Related party transactions

During the period the charity made the following related party transactions:

Josh Baldwin

(Josh Baldwin is the brother of Trustee Luke Baldwin)

Josh Baldwin received £700 in the period for Media Consultancy Services. At the balance sheet date the amount due to/from Josh Baldwin was £Nil.

Page 18