Registered Charity no. 1209339 Village Church Wirral Trustees Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 31 August 2025 Village Church WIRRAL WYATT & CO Chartered Accountants 125 Main Street Garforth Leeds LS25 1AF Village Church Wirral Year Ended 31 August 2025 Contents Page Page Legal and Administrative Info￿ation Trustees. Annual Report Independent Examiners Report Statement of Receipts and Payments 10 Statement of Assets and Liabilities 11 Noles to the Financial Statements 12 Village Church Wirral Year Ended 31 August 2025 Legal and Administrative Infomiation Reference The Charity is called'village Church Wirral. The Church is registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation ICIOI with the Charity Commission for England and Wales and was registered on 30 July 2024. Registernd Charity Number 1209339 Registerod Office 21 Thingwall Road Wirr81 CH61 3UA W•b$tt• VhWI.villagechurchw'rral.org Trustoe8 during the year Joshua Walsh David Heyboum Avril Dykes App￿￿ted July 2024 Appointed July 2024 App￿￿ted July 2024 Prlmary 8*nk•rn Virgin Money UK pk Jubilee House Gosforth Newcasue upon Tyne NE3 4PL Ind•pfrndent Examln•r Nigel Wyatt BSC FCA Wyatt & Co Chartered Accountsnts 125 Main Street Garforth Leeds LS25 1AF Village Church Wirral Year Ended 31st August 2025 Trustees, Annual Report The trustees present their annual report for Village Church ￿rTaI for the year ended 31 August 2025. This report has been prepared to provide an overview of the charty's activth'es, govemance, public benefit, financial position, and fvlure diwtion. 1. Overview Village Church Wrral exists to know Christ more and make Christ knovm. We are a local independent evangelical church seeking to serve the communth'es of Wrral through worship, discipleship, pastoral care, community life. evangelism, mercy. and mission. During the year, the church continued to establish itself as a gO$pe￿Centred community of faith, shaped by the conviction that the good news of Jesus Christ is for all people. Our desire has been to plant a healthy local church that gathers for worship, grows as disciples. cares for one another, and scatters into everyday life as a witness lo Jesus. The trustees are thankfvl for the continued generosty, service, prayer, and commitment of the church family. The year has inVo￿ed both con$olidation and gro￿, Vdith contsnued development of Sunday Gatherings, missional communitses, children's and family ministry. pastoral Stn￿lure6, leadership, governance. and local mission. The trustees have had regard to Ihe Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit and are satisfied that the charrty's activrtie$ continue to further its charilable purposes for the benefit of the public. 2. Background vil￿ge Church Wrral was fornied with the vision of seeing people across Wrral come lo know Jesus Christ and grow as his disciples. The church has developed out of a desire lo see a local, accessible, biblically failhlul. and missionalty active Christian communty established for the spiriiual and social good of the local area. The church's idents'ty may be summarised as.. 'Village Church Wirral Is a family of dI￿lpleS on a mission to see Wirral Iransfomed through knowng Christ and making Christ knovm." Throughout the year, Village Church Wrral has conlinued lo build on its foundations a$ a church community. Regular Sunday gatherings have provided opportunty lor public worship, Bible teaching, prayer. communitsn. fellowship, pastoral care, and welcome lo newcomers. Alongside this, midweek community life has continued to develop through missional communits'es, prayer gatherin9S. discipleship. hospitality, and local outreath. The church has a150 contsnued to strengthen its organisalional life, including the developrnenl of trustee oversight, safeguarding practice, finanaal processes. charitable govemance, and plans for sustainable ministry. 3. Charitable Objectives and Public Benefit The chanlable object5 of Village Church Wrral are.. °The Object of the CIO is the advancement of the christs.an faith in Wrral and such other parts of the United Kingdom as the trustees may from time to time decide in particular {but without limrtationl by providing worship, prayer and chrisb.an tea¢hing.° In practice, the charity seeks to advance the Christian farfh for the public beneff( through.. the holding of public worship services. the leaching and preaching of the Bible", Village Church Wirral Year Ended 31st August 2025 Trustees, Annual Report prayer, communion, pastoral care, and discipleship., evangelism and the sharing of the Christian faith" the development of Christian community and fellowship., the support and care of Children. families. aduhs. and those in need., the provision of ¢omTnunity-based aclivilies". partnership other churches. chariti'es. and organisations where this fvrthers the charity's objects., the encouragement and training of ￿aderS and volunleets". acts of mercy, hospitality, and service wrthin the local communty. The Iru51ees believe these activities fulfil the charity's purpose5 by providing spiritual, pastoral, relational, educational, and community benefrt to those attend the church and to the wder public. 4. Review of the Year 4.1 Sunday Worship and Teachlng Sunday gatherings have remained centr81 to the life of Village Church Wrral. These gatherings have provided a regular rhythm of worship, Bible teaching, prayer, communion, singing, fellowship, and welcome. During the year. the church has sought lo preach anil leach the Bible faithftjlly. with a focus on helping people see the beauty, grace. aLthorrty. and Suff￿lenCY of Jesus Christ. Sermon series and services have been designed to strengthen believers. encourage seekers, comfort the weary, challenge complacency, and equip the church for every¢Jay discipleship and mission. The Iruslees are thankful for the number ol people who have attende(I services during the year, including new people and those exploring Christian faith. Particular encouragement has been seen in the way people have engaged wth the worshipping lrfe of the Ch￿￿h and tsken slep$ towards deeper involvement in the communty. 4.2 Discipleship and Missional Communltles A signrficanl area ol development has been the continL￿d strengthening of missional communits'es. These groups are intended to be more than weekly Bible studies. They are places of community, care, discipleship, prayer, mission, and shared lrfe. The church has continued lo develop rhythms that help people follow Jesus together in everyday life. This includes time in Scnpture, prayer for one another. encouragement in obedience. hospitality, mission, and practical care. During the year. church leadership have also been expl1￿n9 the mulb'plication of missional c¢mmunilies In order tts create more space for growth. care. leadership developrnenl, and local mission. Vvhile muf(iplicats'on can bring feelings of sadness. change, and uncertainty, the church has sought to lead this process pastorally and prayerfully. wth a conviction that smaller communities Can help more people be known. cared for, disuple(I, and mobilised. 4.3 Children, Families. and Village Tots The ITUStees are thankful for the development of ministy among children and families. The church recognises the importance of supporting parents. carers, and children, and of creating safe, welcoming, and joyful environments where families can connect the church community. One particular encouragement during the year has been the launch and development of Village Tols. This has provided a valuable point of connection wth families in the local community and ha5 CTeated opportunities for friendship, welcome, service, and fijture gospel conversations. Village Church Wirral Year Ended 31st August 2025 Trustees, Annual Report The trustees are grateful for the volunteers who serve faithfully in Ihis area and for the relationships that are being formed through this ministy. 4.4 Pastoral Care and Church Community Pastoral care has contsnued to be an important part of the church's lrfe. Through fomial and infomial relationships, Sunday gathering5, missKJnal communrties. prayer, h05pitslity. and leadership support, the church has sought lo care for people in dsfferent seasons of lrfe. The trustees are particularfy thankful to the leadership of the Elders who continue to lead through word, prayer, leadership and example. The church ha5 walked wth people through encouragements. difficulties, grief, pre55ure, family challenges, quests'ons of faith, and spiritual grovth. The trustees recognise that much of this ministry is quiet and unseen. but il remains central to the charity's Christsan purpose and public benefit. The church has also welcomed new people into the ￿mmunty during the year, including some who are exploring the Christian farth. This has been a source of significant el￿Oul3gÈrnenl 8nd thanksgiving. 4.5 Local Mission and Community Engagement VilLgge Church Wrral continues lo seek ways lo serve and engage the local community. The church's mission is not limrted lo formal programmes. but includes the everyday witness of members in homes. workplaces, schools, friendships, clubs, neighbourhoods, and communty spaces. The church has encourage¢J members lo identify their own miSs￿n fields and lo consider how they might live as faithful witnesses lo Jesus in ordinary life. The trustees are thankful for developing opptsrtunits"e$ for local engagement, including community- based activities, relabonal outreach, and ¢onversati¢)n$ wth other chur¢he$ regarding pg$$ibk support, revrtalisabon. and partnership. 4.6 Prayer and Worship Prayer has remained a vital part of the life of the church. The church has sought to cultivate dependence on God through gathered prayer, prayer wthin missional communities, pastoral prayer. and prayerful leadership. Prayer and praise gatherings have provided space for the church to seek God together. give thanks, confess need, pray for mission, and respond to his grace. The trustees believe that this writual foundabon is essentsal to the ongoing health, miSS￿n, and fruiffulness of the church. 4.7 Leadership, Govemance, and Trustee Development During the year. the trustees have continued to develop the govemance and organisalional structures of the charity. This has included oversight of finances, safeguarding, risk, policies, legal responsibilities, ministry priorities, and future planning. The trustees recognise the importance of good govemance as an expression of faithfvl stewardship. The church's charitable work depends not onty on ministry acb"vity, bul also on wse Structu￿$, clear accountability, appropriate policies, and responsible financial management The trustees have also sought to support the ongoing development of eklers, leaders, ministry teams, and volunteers, recognising that healthy leadership is essential for the long-tem) health of the ch￿￿h. Village Church Wirral Year Ended 31st August 2025 Trustees, Annual Report 4.8 Partnerships and Wider Gospel Work VilLige Church Wrral remains committed to partnership where appropriate. The church values relationships wth other churches, gospel organisations, and Ic￿1 partners where such relationships further the charity's objects and support the arfvan¢emenl of the Christsan fath. During the year. there have been conversation5 and developing opportunities around local church revitalisation, mission, and collaboration. The trustees remain prayerful and discerning about these opportunities, seeking to act wsely and in line with the charity's purposes. The trustees ￿maIn CoMm￿ed lo SuppO￿.ng other Miss￿n$ work both through local churches and mission organisalion5 including Greater Europe Mission and progress has been made lo formali5e those partnerships. We continue to actively partner and participate with Wiffal Gospel Partnership and the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches. 5. Safeguarding The trustees recognise their responsibilty to provide a safe environment for ¢hiklren, young people, vulnerable adults, volunteers, and all those who engage with the church. During the year. the ¢hur¢h has continued lo maintain and develop safeguarding arrangements, including appropriate policies, safer recruitment practices, training, reporting procedures, and Iruytee oversight. The Iruslees are committed to reviwng safeguarding pra¢ts¢e regularly and ensuring that con¢ern$ are responded to appropriately, carefully, and in line wth relevant guicjance and legal responsibilits'es. 6. Volunteers VilLa9e Church Wrral depends significantly on the faithful service of volunteers. The trustees are deeply thankful for those who give their lime, energy, gifts, and ￿[e to support the life and mission of the church. Volunteers have served in areas including SurKlay gatherings, hospitality, music, children's ministry, prayer, mi$$ional communitie$, pastoral ￿re, administration, setup, ¢ommunty activities, and local mission. The trustees wigh lo record their sincere thanks to all vtho have seThed during the year. 7. Structure, Governance and Management 7.1 Legal Status and Constitution The Charity is called "Village Church Wrral". The Church is registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisalion ICIOI wth the Charity Commission for England and Wales and was registered on 30 July 2024. The charity is governed by its CIO constrtuiion dated 26 Juty 2024. Under the Constitulion, the only voting members of the CIO a￿ the Chanty trustees. The charitable object of the CIO 15 the advancement of the Christian faith in Wlrral and such other parts of the United Kingdom as the truslees may from time to time decide, in particular by providing worship, prayer and Christian teaching. 7.2 Trustees and Appointment The trustees who served during the period and up to the dale of approval of thi$ report are sel out in the reference and administrative detsi15 above. The first trustees of the CIO were Joshua Walsh, Avril Dykes and David Heyboum, all of whom served throughoLrt the financial period. Village Church Wirral Year Ended 31st August 2025 Trustees, Annual Report Trustees are appointed in accordance with the conslitubon. In considerin9 fijture trustee appointments, the trustees have regard to the skills, experience and spirrtual maturity needed to provide effective oversight of the ¢harty. together the requirement that trustees support the purposes and Christian ethos of the church. New trustees are expected to become familiar with the charity's constitution, charitable objects, safeguarding arrangements. ffinan¢ial ¢ontrols. policies and tnjslee responsibilities. The trustees also seek to maintsin appropriate awareness of Charity Commisson guida￿ relevant lo their role. 7.3 Governance and DeCision￿akIng The Iru5tees are responsible for the overall governance. adminislralion and strategic oversight of the charity. This includes oversight of finances, safeguarding, risk, policies, legal responsibilities, charitable compliance and f￿Ure planning. The church's spintual leadership arrangements are dists.nct from the legal trusteeship of the CIO. The Iruslees retain legal responsibility for the govemance and 8dmini5tralion of the charity. while ministry leadership may also be supported by elders, leaders, ministy teams and volunteers. Trustee decisions a￿ made collecbvely and are recorded in meeting minutes. The Iruslees seek to distinguish between governance, fflinistry leadership and daY-l￿daY operational matters, while ensuring that significant decisions remain subjecl lo appropriate trustee oversight. The constitution includes provisions for managing Conflicts of interest and trustee benefit. Trustees are expected to declare any direct or indirect interest in matters uncjer ¢onsiderali¢n and to withdraw from decisionwmaking where required. 8. Financial Review The charity's lolal receipts for the peri¢xl were £30.566. primarily from donations. Grfl Aid and Sunday offerings. Total payments were £9,270 and related lo charitsble aclivilies, including discipleship, equipment, gatherings, insurance. missH)n, set-up costs and subscriptions. Net receip15 for the period were £21,29S. Al 31 August 2025 the charrty held cash funds of £21,296. of which £17,242 was held as general unreslri¢led funds and £4,054 had been designated by the Iruslees for specific purposes. The designated funds comprise the Mission Fund of £2,054 and Building Fund of £2,000. The charity also disclosed tangible filed assets of £6.046 al purchase cost wlhin the Statement of Assets and Liabilrties. As the accounts are Prepared on the Receipts and Payment5 ba51s, these assets are disclosed for information purposes only and are not recognised wthin a fomial balance sheet. The chanty had no empkjyees during the period and therefore incurred no stsff costs. The church continued to rely significantly on the voluntary service of members and supporters. No reslri¢ted funds were received during the period and no material funds were in deficit at the year end. The trustees are not aware of any material uncertainty regarding the charity's ability lo continue operating for the foreseeable futu￿. The trustees have also noted ongoing discussions regarding the possible future transfer of a church building from the predecessor church entity. As ￿gaI ovrfnership had t)ot transferred at the year end, no building asset has been included in the accounts. The trustees ￿￿11 conbnue to keep this matter under review and will consider any accounting or disclosure Implicat￿n5 when further information becomes availab￿. Village Church Wirral Year Ended 31st August 2025 Trustees, Annual Report 9. Reserves Policy As a ne4￿Y registered charrty, the trustees are in the process of developing a formal reserves policy appropriate to the size, activibes and future plans of the church. The trustees reco9nise the importance of holdin9 sufficient free reseNes lo manage flu¢tualions in income and expenditure, meet routs.ne operating commrtments, an¢J suppxNt the sustsinable development of the charity's ministry and community activities. At the year end, the charity hdd unreslricted general funds of £17,242. The trustees consider this to be adequate for the Current stsge of the charity's development. laknng into account its relatively low rixed cost base and reliance on volunteer support. The trustees have also designated £2.054 to the Mission Fund and £2,000 to the Building Fund to support fvture mission activity and anticipated buildin*related costs. The Iruslees will conts'nue to review the reseNes posib.on as the charrty develops. particularly if ftjlure plans involve employing staff, expanding acbvrties. or takn'ng on responsibilty for premises. 10. Principal Risks and Uncertainties The Iruslees have considered the principal risks facirtg the ¢harity. As a nevty e$labli$hed church, key risks include maintaining sustainable income. ensuring appropriate safeguarding arrangements, developin9 govemance and financial controls, suppoth'ng volunteers and leaders, and managing future propety-related matters associated wih the possible transfer of the church building from the pred￿e$sor charity. The trustees geek lo miligale these risks through regular trustee oversight, use of ExpensePlus for rinancial record keeping, dual authorisalion and cash handling procedures, safeguarding policies and external safeguarding support, and carefvl discussion and minuling of significant governance matters. The trustees will conts'nue to review risks as the charrty devebps, particularly as the church grows, expands activities, Considers future staffing needs. and PTogre$¥es any discussions regarding premises or wider partnership Qpportunrt￿s. 11. Plans for Future Periods As we look lo the lulure. the trustees remain encouraged by the opportunities before Village Church Wirral and prayerful about the part the church may play In serving the people of w￿al and beyond. Our continuing vision is lo be a family ol disciples on mi$sion. knowng Christ more and making Christ known. We believe the church exists not simply lo g*her people into services. bul lo equip ordinary Christians lo live as failhlul wtnesses to Jesu5 In the place5. relationships, neighbourhood5, workplaces, schools, clubs, and communities where God has placed them. A key priority for the coming year wll be wntinued discipleship and equipping ol ¢hur¢h members for mission. We want lo help people grow in maturrty. Confidence. love. and obedience as followers of Jesus. This will involve ongoing Bible leaching, pastoral care. leadership development, prayer, training, and intentional opportunities to serve. Our desire is that members are not merely attendees, but active participants in the lrfe and mission of the church, using their gifts for the good of others and the advancement of the Christian faith. Alongside this, we anti￿pate the continued multiplication of missional communities. These smaller communities are an important part of our church life, providing spaces where people can be known, cared for, discipled, encouraged, and mobiljsed for mission. A5 the church grows, we believe multiplying these communrtie5 will allow more people to be meaningfully connected, while a150 creats'ng new opportunities for hospitalty. local outreach, leadership developrnent, and service. We pray that we would see more churches planted as a result of this multiplication. We recognise that Village Church Wirral Year Ended 31st August 2025 Trustees, Annual Report multiplication can brin9 change, but we believe it is a healthy and necessary part of creating capacity for growth and deepening our mission across different parts of Wirral. The trustees also look forward lo participating in the developing V•Drk connected to Irby Library anil the surrounding community. We see this as an opportunity to serve locally, build relationships, support community life, and explore ways in which the church can be a positive and faithful presence in the area. Our hope is that this work wll not simply provKle activity. bul will contribute to the wellbeing of the local communrty and open doors foi fn"endship. ca￿, conversation, and Christian tness. In addrtion, Village Church Wirral continues to have conversalions with local churches and leaders regarding potential partnership in revitslisalion work. We recognise that many churches tsce significant challenges, including declining numbers, ageing congregations, lirniled leadership capacity, and uncertainty about the future. Where appropriate, and where there is shared conviction and Irusl, we want to explore h¢)w Villa9e Church Wrral might serve. support, strengthen, or partner with other churches for the sake of gospel ministry and local communities. These conversations require wsdom, patience, humility, and careful governance, and the trustees will continue to approach them prayerfully and responsibly. Our expectation is that the coming years will invofve both consolidation and expansion. We want to strengthen what has already begun.. Sunday worship. pastoral care, discipleship. children's and family ministry. prayer. governance, safeguarding. financial stewardship, and missional communities. At the same time, we want to remain open to new opportunities for mission, community service, Church revilalisalion. and partnership. We want lo raise up more leaders lo serye across the various teams and roles in the lile of the church. The trustees believe that Vilage Church Wrral is well placed to make a meaningful contribution to the spirrtual and social good of Wrral. We are thankfvl for the c¢)mmilmenl of members. the generosity ol supporters, the lailhfulness of volunteers. and the eneouragemenls already seen. We move fornard dependent on God. asking him to provide all that is needed and to use the church for the good of our neighbours, the Strengthening of hi$ people, and Ihe making known of Je$u$ Christ. 12. Statement of Trustees, Responsibilities The Iru51ees are responsible for prepanng the Twslees. Annual Report and the a¢¢ounls in accordance with applicable charity law and the requirements of the Charities Act 2011. The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare accgunls for each financial period which show the charty's receipts and payments and provide details of the charity'5 assets and liabilrtie5 at the end of the period. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounts'ng records which disclose wrth reasonable accuracy the financial posits'on of the ¢harity and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply wth the relevant requirements. The Irusteeg are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the chanty and tsking reasonable steps for the prevention and deteth'on of fraud and other irregularib'es. 13. Approval This Trustees, Annual Report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by.. Trust00 Signed." Name.. David Heyboum Date.. 2610612026 Village Church Wirral Year Ended 31 August 2025 Independent Examinors Report I report to the trustees on my examination of the financAal statements of Village Church Wirral I'the charityl for the year ended 31 August 2025. Responsibilities and Basis of Report As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financAal statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {'the Adl. I report in respect of my examination of the charitls finanryal slatements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examinabon I have foll0v￿ all the applicable Direcb"on$ given by the Charity Commi$$ion under $eth"on 14515llb} of the Act. Ind•p•ndont Examln•e$ Stst¢m•nt I confirm that l am qualified lo undertake the examination beeause l am a member of the Institute of Chartered A¢¢ountsnls In England and Wales IICAEW). which 1$ one of the Iisled bodies. I have completed my examination. l that no m*8rial matters have come to my attention in connection wth the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect.. 1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act,. or 2. the finan¢i¥l slalemenls do not accord those recorfs., or 3. the financial statements do not comply wth the applicable requirements concerning the fomi and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulats'ons 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fairf view vthich is not a matter considered a5 part of an independent examination. I have no concems and have come across no other malters in connects'on with the examinab'on lo which attention Should be drawn in this report in order lo enable a proper under3tsnding of the a￿unt$ lo be reache