## Annual Report and Accounts
Year Ending 31[st] January 2025
People’s Mission,
Fort Street,
South Shields
NE33 2AZ
## Charity Reg. No 229259
## Contents
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Contents .................................................................................................................................... 2
Pastor’s Report Submitted at the 2025 Annual General Meeting.......................................... 3
1. Reference and Administrative Details .............................................................................. 5
2. Structure, Governance and Management ....................................................................... 5
3. Objectives and Activities ................................................................................................... 5
4. Public Benefit Statement .................................................................................................. 5
5. Achievements and Performance ...................................................................................... 5
6. Financial Review ................................................................................................................ 6
7. Reserves Policy .................................................................................................................. 6
8. Risk Management ............................................................................................................. 6
9. Plans for the Future .......................................................................................................... 6
10. Declaration .................................................................................................................... 6
Accounts .................................................................................................................................... 7
Income ....................................................................................................................................... 8
Expenditure ............................................................................................................................... 9
Budget ...................................................................................................................................... 11
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_Romans 12:4-5_
_For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others._
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## Pastor’s Report Submitted at the 2025 Annual General Meeting
Last year was an exciting season of growth and a deepening of roots in the fellowship and community as we faithfully served, worshipped, and proclaimed the Good News of God’s never-failing love in Jesus Christ.
You would think that being over 130 years old, there would be very little that is new in the People’s Mission. But 2024 proved that wrong, with the year ending in the Christmas Family Carol Service Shadow play Nativity. This was an entirely new and creative production that required the Junior Church and all participants to step outside their comfort zones, work together, and proclaim the true importance of Christmas to the community—and, with the help of social media, to the wider world.
The People’s Mission continues to be a place that is open to new ways of connecting more deeply with God and with our community on the Lawe Top.
Below is just a small slice of what the Mission did and was able to accomplish in 2024:
- Strengthened our relationship with other local churches through the joint Remembrance Sunday service, which, for the first time, saw St. Stephen’s Church, Grace Church South Shields, Living Waters, Bethesda Free Church, and the People’s Mission work together as a united testimony to the community.
- Developed the IMPACT Youth Ministry , which has built positive connections with 26 young people in the community—most of whom are non-Christians or belong to other faiths.
- Collaborated with the community and Hadrian Primary School to create a Prayer Garden with various plants and bird boxes, benefitting children and local wildlife. This little green space is intended as a place for children, teachers, and support workers to reflect, talk, find solace, and be reminded of the ebb and flow of the seasons. Work and involvement continue.
- Established relationships and mentorships with other churches and organizations, both local and global, including the North East Gospel Partnership (NEGP), Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC), North Shields Evangelical Church, Hebron Bible Church (Nebraska, USA), and Edinburgh Bible College.
- Laid the groundwork for a new Men’s Fellowship , designed to connect and draw in men from our church, other churches, and the wider community into positive relationships with others seeking to know Jesus.
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- Enhanced the Summer Holiday Club , which hosted 29 children over the week. Many of the children were returning from the 2023 club and are non-Christians. New community members also volunteered and participated.
- Launched a new monthly discussion group focused on the topic of ‘comprehensive spirituality,’ aimed at fostering social connection and deepening participants' understanding of the Lordship of Christ over all areas of life.
- Celebrated growth in faith , with two people becoming church members and three people being baptized.
This doesn’t even scratch the surface of all the exciting things that happened last year. Please read the ministry reports with prayer and joy, as they testify to how truly alive and active the People’s Mission is across generations, both within our building and throughout our community.
On a personal note: I would like to inform the membership that my role as Governor at Hadrian Primary and as the link Governor for Religious Education (RE) continues to strengthen the connection between the Mission, the local community, and the primary school. Also, in February, I was notified by the UK Home Office that my application for Indefinite Leave to Remain was successful.
Lastly, I want to thank Alan Scot, who has served this fellowship faithfully and tirelessly over many years in the role of Elder. After prayerful consideration and consultation with his family and the eldership, Alan has decided that now is the right time to step down from his duties. Alan and Dorothy will remain active, worshipping members of the People’s Mission. Enjoy your retirement, Alan, and thank you for your encouragement and ongoing support.
Respectfully Submitted,
Pastor Daniel Butt
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## 1. Reference and Administrative Details
Charity Name: The People’s Mission
Address: Fort Street, South Shields, NE33 2BP
Charity Number: 229259
Report Author: Gwen Smith (Secretary)
Trustees serving during the year:
- Alexander Brydon
- Carol Stephenson
- Colin Beechey
- Gwen Smith
- Margaret Davison
- Rachel Scott
## 2. Structure, Governance and Management
The People’s Mission is an unincorporated charity governed by a Trust Deed and Constitution. Trustees are appointed in accordance with the governing documents. No new governing documents were introduced in the reporting year..
## 3. Objectives and Activities
The objects of the charity are to advance the Christian faith in accordance with the statement of beliefs of The People’s Mission. The church carries out its purposes through public worship services, biblical teaching, pastoral care, outreach, and community support ministries. Activities include Sunday worship, children’s groups, pastoral visits, fellowship events, Bible studies, and various mission initiatives.
## 4. Public Benefit Statement
The trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in exercising their duties. The People’s Mission exists to promote the Christian faith and its practical expression through pastoral care, community service, and personal transformation. All activities are open to the public and seek to express Christian love and truth in action, providing spiritual, emotional, and practical support to individuals and families in need.
## 5. Achievements and Performance
During 2024/25, the church continued its core ministry activities including Sunday worship, youth ministry, fellowship groups, and pastoral support. Special outreach events were held throughout the year, and regular prayer and discipleship meetings strengthened church unity. The AGM Minutes detail improvements in volunteer engagement, service coordination, and member care.
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## 6. Financial Review
As of the financial year ending 31 January 2025, the church operated at a planned deficit, funded from designated reserves.
The People's Mission holds no restricted funds. All funds are either unrestricted or have been designated by Trustees for specific internal purposes, such as building refurbishment or operational deficit coverage.
For the financial year ending 31 January 2025, The People's Mission reported total income of £50,277.59 and total expenditure of £62,543.94, resulting in a deficit of £12,266.35 for the year. This was funded in part from previously accumulated reserves. As of the financial year-end, the charity held total funds of approximately £156,314.97, comprising £13,660.14 in current accounts and £142,654.83 in fixed-term investments.
The trustees confirm that all spending was in line with the charitable objectives.
## 7. Reserves Policy
As of 31 January 2025, The People’s Mission held unrestricted reserves of approximately £142,654.83.
A draft reserves policy is being developed for member ratification.
## 8. Risk Management
No new risk assessments were formally recorded during 2024/25. However, in early 2025, the trustees initiated a significant review of operational, safeguarding, and health-related risks. Draft policies have been developed covering areas such as data protection, fire safety, food hygiene, safeguarding, and dignity at work. These are currently under review by the trustees.
## 9. Plans for the Future
In the coming year, the trustees plan to focus on:
- Finalising and implementing the new suite of policies and procedures
- Securing grant funding for building refurbishment, decoration, and energy efficiency improvements
- Deepening church membership engagement and leadership development
- Continuing core ministries and expanding outreach where feasible
## 10. Declaration
This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by: Name: Gwen Smith
Position: Chair of Trustees
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## Accounts
For the year ending 31st January 2025
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Current Accounts:
Petty Cash £21.91
Current Account NatWest £13,638.23
Total £13,660.14
Investments:
Cambridge & Counties - 1Yr £64,000.00
Cambridge & Counties - 2Yr £78,654.83
Total £142,654.83
Total as at 31.01.2024. £175,971.66
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## Income
Accounts for the year ending 31[st] January 2025
|Category|31.01.2025|31.01.2024|
|---|---|---|
|Appeals|£0.00|£624.33|
|Donations|£845.00|£5,038.05|
|Gift Aid|£7,277.01|£13,204.32|
|Investments|£14,760.27|£66,723.51|
|Legacies|£0.00|£0.00|
|Macmillan Coffee Morning|£210.00|£0.00|
|Ministry Events|£251.80|£265.00|
|Miscellaneous|£0.00|£983.64|
|Other Offering|£338.05|£355.98|
|Pastor Expenses|£0.00|£0.00|
|Sunday Offering & Standing Order Offerings|£26,145.46|£23,228.42|
|Transfers|£0.00|£0.00|
|Weddings / Funerals / Christenings|£450.00|£0.00|
|Total|**£50,277.59**|**£110,423.25**|
||||
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## Expenditure
Accounts for the year ending 31st January 2025
|Category|31.01.2025|31.01.2024|
|---|---|---|
|Appeals|£0.00|£624.33|
|Capital Expenditure|£0.00|£189.00|
|Cleaning|£1,642.12|£1,088.57|
|Donations|£370.33|£653.48|
|Electric / Gas / Water|£4,920.28|£4,430.79|
|Fire Safety|£338.70|£207.60|
|Flowers|£0.00|£131.49|
|Harvest Items|£13.89|£44.34|
|Insurance & Licences|£4,900.15|£4,759.20|
|Investments|£0.00|£67,000.00|
|Kitchen Equipment|£128.66|£0.00|
|Macmillan|£210.00|£0.00|
|Ministry Events|£1,591.93|£3,209.31|
|Miscellaneous|£133.75|£883.60|
|Missionary Quota|£3,500.00|£2,500.00|
|Music / Books / CDs / DVDs|£551.03|£82.12|
|Pastor Expenses|£14,974.00|£13,331.31|
|Pastor Salary|£20,599.72|£20,199.74|
|Piano Tuning|£0.00|£47.00|
|Preacher's Expenses|£400.00|£1,000.00|
|Printing / Postage / Stationery|£0.00|£66.49|
|Refreshments|£129.16|£44.67|
|Repairs & Renewals(incl. boiler servicing)|£6,865.00|£1,532.30|
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|Safeguarding|£150.00|£194.00|
|---|---|---|
|Technical Equipment|£48.00|£128.97|
|Transfers|£456.82|£0.00|
|Website|£217.20|£164.00|
|Broadband|£403.20|£398.40|
|Total||**£122,910.71**|
||**£62,543.94**||
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## Budget
## For the year 2025/2026
|**Category**|**2025/2026**|**2024/2025**
**(Budget)**|**2024/2025**
**(Spend)**|
|---|---|---|---|
|Capital Expenditure|£3,000.00|£0.00|£1,500.00|
|Cleaning|£1,750.00|£1,642.12|£1,100.00|
|Decorating|£300.00|£0.00|£300.00|
|Donations|£400.00|£370.33|£400.00|
|Electric / Gas / Water|£7,500.00|£4,920.28|£4,500.00|
|Flowers|£300.00|£0.00|£300.00|
|Gift|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|
|Insurance & Licences|£5,000.00|£4,900.15|£5,000.00|
|Kitchen Equipment|£150.00|£128.66|£150.00|
|Maintenance|£10,000.00|£7,203.70|£15,000.00|
|Ministry Events|£3,000.00|£1,591.93|£3,000.00|
|Miscellaneous|£500.00|£133.75|£500.00|
|Missionary Quota|£3,500.00|£3,500.00|£3,500.00|
|Music Books / CDs / DVDs|£400.00|£551.03|£100.00|
|Pastor Expenses|£15,000.00|£14,974.00|£14,000.00|
|Pastor Salary|£20,500.00|£20,599.72|£20,500.00|
|Preacher's Expenses|£600.00|£400.00|£1,000.00|
|Printing / Postage / Stationery|£100.00|£0.00|£100.00|
|Refreshments|£150.00|£129.16|£150.00|
|Safeguarding|£200.00|£150.00|£200.00|
|Technical Equipment|£100.00|£48.00|£0.00|
|Website|£220.00|£217.20|£164.00|
|Broadband|£430.00|£403.20|£430.00|
|Total|**£73,100.00**|**£61,863.23**|**£71,894.00**|
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