Grace Valley Church (formerly known as Heathfield Community Church) ## Report and Accounts For the period 26 February 2025 to 31 January 2026 1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk Grace Valley Church CIO (formerly Heathfield Community Church) ## **Trustees’ Annual Report** Reporting period: 26th February 2025 to 31st January 2026 ## **Reference and administrative details** **Charity name:** Grace Valley Church CIO (formerly Heathfield Community Church CIO) **Charity registration number:** [1212318] **Principal office:** 1 Divett Drive, Liverton, Devon TQ12 6UN **Governing document:** Constitution adopted 11 December 2024 (Foundation model CIO — the trustees are the only voting members). Approved and registered with the Charity Commission on 26[th] February 2025. ## **Trustees:** - Dr. Michael Andrew Hutchinson (Chair), appointed 26 February 2025 - Dr. Arron Peter Dominic Phillips, appointed 26 February 2025 - Mrs. Carol Christophers, resigned 20 April 2026 - Mrs. Fiona Harvey, appointed 11 April 2026 - Mr. David Francis Cann, appointed 24 April 2026 **Independent examiner:** Nicola Harrison CA, Stewardship Services (UKET) Ltd, 1 Lamb’s Passage, London, EC1Y 8AB ## **Structure, governance and management** Grace Valley Church CIO is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) whose only voting members are its charity trustees. The trustees meet to oversee the charity’s governance, compliance, finances, and strategic direction, and they ensure that the charity operates in line with its governing document and the requirements of charity law. 1 During this first reporting year as a registered charity, the trustees established clear internal responsibilities. One trustee has oversight of safeguarding, one trustee has oversight of governance, and the Chair of Trustees is also an elder within the church, providing a clear spiritual link between trusteeship and church leadership. The church appointed an additional elder during the year, alongside a planning team to support the operational running of the church. A new treasurer was also appointed to strengthen financial administration and reporting. The church has also recently changed its name from Heathfield Community Church to Grace Valley Church and the trustees are working through making all the legal changes required associated with this change. Trustees are appointed in accordance with the constitution. The trustees confirm that they have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in carrying out the charity’s purposes. ## **Objectives and activities** The object of the CIO is to advance the Christian faith for the benefit of the public in accordance with the Statement of Faith set out in the constitution. The charity seeks to deliver this purpose through public worship, teaching of the Bible, discipleship, pastoral care, and community outreach that demonstrates Christian love in practical ways. ## **Public benefit** The trustees believe the charity provides public benefit by making Christian worship, teaching, and pastoral care available to the local community; by providing inclusive community activities that build relationships and reduce social isolation; and by offering practical support to individuals and families in need. ## **Key activities during the year** - Weekly Sunday worship services, with growing attendance over the year. - Fortnightly prayer meetings - Three mid-week Life Groups supporting discipleship, prayer, and mutual care. - A weekly “Spud Club” on the Heathfield estate, providing a free lunch and meaningful engagement with local families.* - A weekly coffee morning on the Heathfield estate, offering hospitality, conversation, and signposting where appropriate.* - A developing weekly outreach in Bovey, “Fellowship in Faith”, including a monthly Bible study and a weekly social gathering for women. - Weekly assemblies facilitated at St Catherine’s School, Heathfield. - Mercy ministry support, including love gifts of food and practical help for people in the local community. - *These activities occurred for part of the year. When demand for these reduced, the charity brought them to an end and is currently looking for new opportunities to offer support and hospitality in our communities. 2 ## **Achievements and performance** The trustees are thankful for a year of clear progress in both governance and ministry. The church has continued to establish healthy patterns of worship, discipleship, and outreach, while strengthening charity compliance and operational processes. ## **Governance and policies** The church has clearly communicated its codes of doctrine and practice. Key policies were reviewed and updated during the year, including safeguarding procedures and risk and health and safety processes. The safeguarding team has trained volunteers to support safe ministry across church activities. ## **Community engagement and mission** Regular community activities on the Heathfield estate have created consistent points of contact with local residents, supporting relationship-building and gospel witness. The trustees are also encouraged by the early development of the Bovey outreach, which combines Bible study with relational, accessible social gatherings. Work with St Catherine’s School, Heathfield through weekly assemblies has provided an additional, valued avenue of service to the community. ## **Risk management** The trustees actively manage risk and review it as part of their oversight. Key areas of risk include safeguarding, health and safety, finance, governance/compliance, and reputational risk. Mitigations during the year have included: updated safeguarding procedures and volunteer training; the use of risk assessments for activities; clear financial controls supported by the treasurer; and regular trustee oversight of policies and compliance. ## **Financial review** The income for the period 26/2/25 to 31/1/26 was, £25,891. Expenditure was £17,810. The closing balances were £8,081 of which £8,051 was unrestricted and can be used for any charitable purpose. Gift Aid recovery will be counted as income in the accounting year in which it is received as we are doing ‘receipts and payments’ accounts. The charity’s income for the year was primarily derived from regular giving and donations. No Gift Aid was received during this period. Expenditure supported core ministry activities, community outreach, training, and the operational costs required to deliver the charity’s purposes. As Chair of the trustees, I believe the charity is in a healthy financial position. The trustees receive regular financial updates and review the charity’s position to ensure the CIO can meet its commitments and remain sustainable. In addition, the Church has had the accounts independently assessed by Stewardship Services. ## **Reserves policy** The trustees have adopted a reserves policy to ensure the charity maintains sufficient unrestricted funds to meet short-term obligations and respond to unforeseen costs. This is currently set at 3 months' outgoings 3 (£4.8k). The reserves position is monitored by the treasurer and reviewed by the trustees as part of ongoing financial oversight and at the end of the period the reserves policy was met. ## **Fundraising** The charity does not actively fundraise. All sources of income come from regular giving and donations. The trustees are committed to ensuring all funds received are given voluntarily and in a way that is honest, respectful, and compliant with relevant guidance. ## **Plans for the coming year** - Continue to strengthen discipleship through Life Groups and Bible teaching. - Build on the momentum of weekly worship services and welcome new attendees well. - Develop and embed the Bovey outreach (“Fellowship in Faith”) with clear pastoral support and sustainable leadership and develop more missional groups. - Continue to support global mission work and to develop this. - Maintain strong safeguarding and health and safety culture across all ministries, including ongoing volunteer training. - Continue to improve operational systems and governance, including trustee development and recruitment as needed. - Add two new trustees focused on governance and finance. ## **Trustees’ responsibilities statement** The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards. They are required to keep proper accounting records, safeguard the assets of the charity, and take reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. ## **Approval** This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by: ## Michael Hutchinson Michael Hutchinson (Jun 16, 2026 09:28:14 GMT+1) Dr. Andy Hutchinson - Chair of Trustees Date: Jun 16, 2026 4 ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT** ## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF** ## **GRACE VALLEY CHURCH** I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Grace Valley Church (formerly known as Heathfield Community Church) ('the charity') for the period 26 February 2025 to 31 January 2026 on pages 6 to 8 following. ## **Responsibilities and basis of report** As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). I report in respect of my examination of the charity’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 2011 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 accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. ## Nicola Harrison Nicola Harrison (Jun 17, 2026 10:07:09 GMT+1) Nicola Harrison CA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB Date: Jun 17, 2026 5 ## **GRACE VALLEY CHURCH** ## **(Formerly known as Heathfield Community Church)** ## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT** ## **FOR THE PERIOD 26 FEBRUARY 2025 TO 31 JANUARY 2026** |Notes
**_Income receipts_**
Donations
Transfer of funds from pre-CIO charity
**_Total receipts_**
**_Payments_**
2
3
**_Total payments_**
Transfers between funds
4
**Net movement in funds**
Cash funds as at last year end
**Cash funds at this year end**
A
Net of receipts / (payments) before
Grants
paid
in
relation
to
charitable
activities undertaken by others
Payments
in
relation
to
charitable
activities undertaken directly|General
Funds
£
21,918
2,506
24,424
11,470
4,903
16,373
8,051
-
8,051
-
8,051|Restricted
Funds
£
1,467
-
1,467
300
1,137
1,437
30
-
30
-
30|2026
£| |---|---|---|---| ||||23,385
2,506| ||||25,891| ||||11,770
6,040| ||||17,810| ||||8,081
-| ||||8,081
-| ||||8,081| The notes on page 8 form part of these accounts. 6 ## **GRACE VALLEY CHURCH (Formerly known as Heathfield Community Church)** ## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES** ## **FOR THE PERIOD 26 FEBRUARY 2025 TO 31 JANUARY 2026** |Notes
**A Cash funds**
Cash at bank with immediate access
**B Liabilities**
**Falling due within one year**
Fee for Independent Examination|Unrestricted
General
funds
£
8,051
8,051
642
642|Restricted
funds
£
30
30
-
-|2026
£| |---|---|---|---| ||||8,081| ||||8,081| ||||642| ||||642| ## **C Guarantees and secured debts** The charity has not given any guarantees and has not provided its assets as security for any liabilities. The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by: ## Michael Hutchinson ___________________________________ Michael Hutchinson (Jun 16, 2026 09:28:14 GMT+1) Dr. Andy Hutchinson Jun 16, 2026 Date:_______________________ The notes on page 8 form part of these accounts. 7 ## **GRACE VALLEY CHURCH** ## **(Formerly known as Heathfield Community Church)** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** ## **FOR THE PERIOD 26 FEBRUARY 2025 TO 31 JANUARY 2026** ## **1 Accounting policies** The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs. General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects. |**2**
**Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly**
Ministry and Outreach
Insurance
Equipment
Administration
**3**
**Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others**
Grants to organisations
Grants to individuals
**4**
**Movement of funds**
Opening
balance
£
General funds
-
Restricted funds
Romania collection
-
Spud Club
-
Living Waters Village
-
Philippines Missionary
-
-
Total funds
-|Unrestricted
General
funds
£
9,800
303
529
838
11,470
2,703
2,200
4,903
Receipts
£
24,424
1,047
300
90
30
1,467
25,891|Restricted
Funds
£
300
-
-
-
300
1,137
-
1,137
Payments
£
(16,373)
(1,047)
(300)
(90)
-
(1,437)
(17,810)|2026
£
10,100
303
529
838
11,770
3,840
2,200
6,040
Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|Closing
balance
£
8,051
-
-
-
30| |---|---|---|---|---| |||||30| |||||8,081| Romania Collection - a special collection to give to a family in Romania experiencing hardship. Spud Club - funds given towards the cost of providing a free lunch to encourage community engagement with local families Living Waters Village - a collection to support a missionary working in Living Waters Village, Borneo. Philippines Missionary - funds given to the church to support a visiting missionary working in the Philippines. The balance on the fund was paid over after year-end. 8