The Journey Church TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT
for the financial year ended 31 March 2024
The trustees present their Trustees' Annual Report, combining the Directors' Report and Trustees' Report, and the unaudited financial statements for the financial year ended 31 March 2024.
The financial statements are prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
The Trustees' Report contains the information required to be provided in the Trustees' Annual Report under the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) guidelines. The trustees of the charity are also charity trustees for the purpose of charity law and under the charity's constitution are known as members of the board of trustees.
In this report the trustees of The Journey Church present a summary of its purpose, governance, activities, achievements and finances for the financial year 31 March 2024.
The charity is a registered charity and hence the report and results are presented in a form which complies with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and, although not obliged to comply with the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland FRS 102, the organisation has implemented its recommendations where relevant in these financial statements.
Mission, Objectives and Strategy
Mission Statement
The charity aims to teach the values outlined within the Bible to better improve people’s lives and give them an opportunity to put their trust in God. The charity aims to provide a regular place of worship with a sense of community and belonging for its people. It also provides activities for children and young children.
Objectives
The charity aims to work locally with all sections of the community, building relationships, sharing, and demonstrating the love of God. The charity is currently partnering with Lisburn Foodbank which is an organisation founded by local churches and community groups, working together towards stopping hunger in our local area. The Journey Church have been supporting the foodbank now over several years, through seasonal collections and now has a daily drop off point in the café entrance.
All these activities are run by volunteers, apart from the church teaching and pastoral care, The church employed Aaron Molesky as a part time temporary pastor within the organisation with employment ending on 31st March 2024. The charity also has a part-time worship and music coordinator, training, and equipping others in leading worship and playing instruments. The charity also employs a part time administrator to assist with the administration of the church and to provide support to the leadership team in coordination and communication of the activities happening within church and through the other community services.
Strategy
Our Happy Days soft play venture has been operating for 2 years and has been an amazing way to connect with the local community. This year the café underwent some renovations to improve the facilities we offer and increase the capacity available for customers.
Multiple spaces in the church building are used for groups to gather. A craft group runs one morning a week which has been a regular opportunity for women of all ages to gather and enjoy company over their crafts. There are also multiple exercise classes running in the church building during the week both free and private hire bookings, which is seeing many new people engage with the church services and other activities.
The charity also supports missionaries in Spain, Serbia, Italy and Republic of Ireland. The charity aimed to have over one hundred regular attendees in worship services each week. Attendance has increased in the past year and the charity continues to improve its excellent facilities.
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The Journey Church TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT
for the financial year ended 31 March 2024
Structure, Governance and Management
Structure
The trustees also act as directors for the charity. The charity has a joint leadership team made up of the three directors. They each have equal responsibility, authority, and power in decision-making. When a unanimous decision cannot be achieved, a majority decision is reached. Within the context of the journey church these three directors serve as leaders and are responsible for all decision-making along with the wider church leadership team.
The Journey Church has a memorandum and articles of association, the charity is constituted as a limited company by guarantee.
Governance
All trustees must pass strict criteria, they must be above reproach, have a good reputation and be responsible with money. Outgoing Trustees must unanimously agree when appointing new trustees.
All risks posed to the charity are covered by professional indemnity insurance. All appropriate procedures and systems are in place to ensure that the criteria are always met to comply with insurance policies. The charity has a safeguarding policy in place for working with children and vulnerable adults. All volunteers within the charity are appropriately vetted.
Financial Review
The results for the financial year are set out on page 8 and additional notes are provided showing income and expenditure in greater detail on page 16.
The charity has a healthy cash flow and has no outstanding debts. The majority of the charity’s income comes through donations from church members. A sizable amount of the charity's money is set aside for local compassion work and overseas mission work.
Results and Dividends
At the end of the financial year the charity has assets of £653,781 (2023 - £665,556) and liabilities of £2,022 (2023 - £497). The net assets of the charity have decreased by £(13,300).
The charity is keen to expand its work in the heart of the local community. A major part of this work will include increasing awareness of the services offered at the church through links counselling service and continuing to build and grow partnership with local community groups such as the Resurgam centre in one of the neighbouring estates. We also plan to continue expanding the services we are able to offer the local community through Happy Days that respond to the needs required.
Trustees
The current trustees are as set out on page 3
Holly Cairns (Appointed 1 September 2024) Samuel Joseph Bittle (Resigned 1 September 2024) Matthew John Kennedy Colin Patterson (Appointed 1 September 2024)
In accordance with the Constitution, the trustees retire by rotation and, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election.
Compliance with Sector-Wide Legislation and Standards
The charity engages pro-actively with legislation, standards and codes which are developed for the sector. The Journey Church subscribes to and is compliant with the following:
The Companies Act 2006
The Charities SORP (FRS 102)
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The Journey Church TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT
for the financial year ended 31 March 2024
Approved by the Board of Trustees on 18 December 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
________Matthew John Kennedy Trustee
________Holly Cairns Trustee
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