Antrim Coast Vineyard Church (A company limited by guarantee, not having a share capital) DIRECTORS' ANNUAL REPORT for the financial year ended 31 August 2025
The directors present their Directors' Annual Report, combining the Directors' Report and Trustees' Report, and the unaudited financial statements for the financial year ended 31 August 2025.
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 Directors' Report contains the information required to be provided in the Directors’ Annual Report under the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) guidelines. The directors 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 directors of Antrim Coast Vineyard Church present a summary of its purpose, governance, activities, achievements and finances for the financial year 31 August 2025.
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
Objectives and aims
The objectives of Antrim Coast Vineyard Church are to seek and advance the Kingdom of God in Larne Town, Antrim Coast, and the surrounding area by furthering the gospel of Jesus Christ, building up the faith of Christian believers, sharing in the training of Christian workers, promoting Christian education and bring relief to the poor, the needy and the sick.
During the year, the church has fulfilled these objectives as set out below.
Connected Charities
During this period, we supported the work of four charities listed below by way of Financial or Giving support. The following represent our commitment and support to Charities at a Local, National, and international level.
- Larne Food Bank (Trussell Trust) (Local)
Below is a brief outline of their mission: -
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To end hunger and Poverty in the UK
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- Bringing communities together to end hunger and poverty in the UK by providing compassionate, practical help with dignity whilst challenging injustice.
2. Stand by Me (International)
Below is a brief outline of their Vision: -
Through our children’s homes, schools, and care centres, we aim to meet the individual needs of children who are orphaned, abandoned, abused and victims of war or disease or are living in extreme poverty. We aim to make lasting ; improvements to children’s lives, caring for them as Jesus would, by restoring their dignity and giving them a sense of self-worth. We want every child entrusted to us to feel loved and to reach their full potential. 3. DEC (Disaster Emergency Committee) Middle East Humanitarian appeal Below is a brief outline of their vision:-
The DEC brings together 15 leading UK aid charities to raise funds quickly and efficiently at times of humanitarian crisis overseas. In these times of crisis, people in life-and-death situations need our help and our mission is to save, protect and rebuild lives by working with the communities affected. Pooling our resources to work as one, we are pivotal in co-ordinating the UK public's response to overseas disasters. In collaboration with our Rapid Response Network of national media and corporate partners, we raise the alarm to the UK public and set up easy ways to donate. And we have immediate impact, getting aid to people who need it, fast.
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Antrim Coast Vineyard Church (A company limited by guarantee, not having a share capital) DIRECTORS’ ANNUAL REPORT for the financial year ended 31 August 2025 4. Vineyard Churches UK & Ireland (“VCUKI”) (National)
VCUKI exists to connect churches that hold common values and practices. It gives spiritual oversight to the senor pastors of Vineyard Churches and facilitates church planting such as Antrim Coast Vineyard. Vineyard use the name” Vineyard” by agreement.
Review of Achievements and Performance Performance against objectives.
The level of performance against objectives is, in the main, a reflection of the activity of the Church members of Antrim Coast Vineyard Church who volunteer their time, energy and money freely because of faith. The leadership and organisation of this activity is the primary responsibility of the senior pastors and a leadership team in support of the senior pastors.
Furthering the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Advancing the Kingdom of God.
Antrim Coast Vineyard Church aims to advance the Kingdom of God throughout the town of Larne, Antrim coast and surrounding areas, across the whole country and the island of Ireland. Our Church has actively worked in our local communities to be a blessing in practical and relational ways.
The Church welcomes those of all or no faiths and from every background and community who wish to visit during our Church gatherings.
Sunday gatherings we're held at the YMCA building 34 Pound St, Larne BT40 1SD.
To promote community engagement and bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Advance the Kingdom of God we have run the following numerous events in addition to regular Sunday gatherings.
1 September 2024 -31 August 2025
:
- ¢ Weekly Sunday Gatherings from Sunday 1st September — Sunday 15th December ¢ Light Kids Program meeting weekly on Sundays from 1st September * Refresh Hygiene Store open 2x per week from week beginning Monday 2nd September — week beginning Monday 16th December * Search Lights Youth Program meeting at least 2 x Sundays per month from 15th September * Leadership Essentials Course running 1x per month from week beginning Monday 23rd September * 5 different Coast Groups (small groups) ran weekly from week beginning 30th September — week beginning 25th November * ACV Birthday Celebration Gathering Sunday 13th October * Half- Term Family Brunch Sunday 3rd November * Coast Women Autumn Retreat in Glenarm Saturday 19th October ¢ Community Inter-Denominational Healing Service Sunday 20th October * Baby Dedication Family Service Sunday 10th November * Coast Men and Kids Christmas outing Saturday 30th November * Sparrow Centre Christmas Hygiene Hampers with Larne Foodbank 9th-11th December * Coast Women Christmas Gather & Graze Thursday 12th December * Sparrow Centre Christmas Community & Craft Village Friday 13th December * Carols Cookies and Crafts with Santa Sunday 15th December 2025 ¢ Weekly Sunday Gatherings from Sunday 5thth January -Sunday 29th June ¢ Light Kids Program meeting weekly on Sundays from 5th January -Sunday 29th June * The Table — Worship and Communion Service one Sunday per month from 5th January * Refresh Hygiene Store open 2x per week from week beginning 6th January— week beginning 23rd June * Search Lights Youth Program 2 x Sundays per month from 14th January — 29th June * Coast Women Connect Mornings — 1x Saturday per month from 18th January — August * Leadership Essentials Course running 1x per month from week beginning Monday 20th January -June ¢ Sparrow Centre Volunteer Team Thank you Dinner Saturday 25th January * Coast Women Study Group — 1x per week for 6 weeks from Wednesday 19th February * Coast Men Study Group -1x per week for 6 weeks from Thursday 20th February ¢ Church Family Walk — Sunday 16th February * ACV Leadership Team Retreat and Thank You Dinner Saturday 8th March ¢ Sparrow Centre Community Partnership Brunch Friday 28th March * Mothers of all Kinds Celebration Service Sunday 30th March * Giving Sunday Gathering Sunday 13th April
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Antrim Coast Vineyard Church (A company limited by guarantee, not having a share capital) DIRECTORS' ANNUAL REPORT
for the financial year ended 31 August 2025
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||Easter|Sunday|Dawn|Service|at|Olderfleet|Sunday|20th|April|
||CAP|Money|Coaching|Workshop|running|Fridays|2nd|16th|and|23rd|May|
||Coast Women|Walk|&|Talk|group|-|1x|per week|for 6|weeks|from|Wednesday|7th|May|
||Coast|Men|small|group —|1x|per week|for|6|weeks|from|Thursday|8h|May|
||PRAY|Larne|community|day|of|prayer|Saturday|17th|May|
|¢|Baby|Dedication|Family|Service|Sunday|25th|May|
||Coast Women|Gather &|Graze|Craft|Night|Friday|6th|June|
||Baptism|Service|at|Olderfleet|Sunday|8th|June|
||Fathers|of|All|Kinds|Celebration|Sunday|15th|June|
||Coast|Men|Noodle|Night|Wednesday|18th|June|
|¢|Refresh|Hygiene|Store|open|3rd|7th|10th|21st|24th|28th|31st|July|
|¢|Summer|in|Colossians|Study|Group|Thursday|3rd|and|10th|July|
|¢|Summer|Sunday|in|Jubilee|Farm|Sunday|6th|July|
||Summer|Sunday|in|Whitehead|Sunday|13th|July|
|¢|Summer|Sunday|in|the|Barn|at|Glenarm|Sunday|20th|July|
||Coast|Men|Wild|Walk|&|Fish|Supper Thursday|24th|July|
||Church|Family|Picnic|on|the|Beach|at|Ballygally|Sunday|27th|July|
||The|Summer Slowdown|Small|Group|1x|per week|for|5 weeks|from|Wednesday|30th|July|
||Church|Family|BBQ|on|the|Beach|at|Drains|Bay|Sunday|3rd|August|
||Refresh|Hygiene|Store|open|4th|14th|18th|28th|August|
|¢|Summer|Sunday|in|the|Barn|at|Glenarm|Sunday|10th|August|
||Coast Women|Summer|Read|Friday|15th|August|
|¢|Summer|Sunday|at|the|Farm|in|Larne|Sunday|17th|August|
|¢|Church|Family|Picnic|in|the|Park|Sunday 24th|August|
|*|Special ACV|Celebration|Gathering|Sunday|31st August|
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An overview of our community activities and special events can be found on
https://antrimcoastvineyard.org
https://www.facebook.com/antrimcoastvineyard https://www.instagram.com/antrimcoastvineyard
Building up the Faith of Christian Believers, Training, and education. Attendance at Church gatherings and life groups remained steady throughout this period.
Relieving the Poor, those in need and the sick.
Antrim Coast Vineyard Church actively seeks ways to bless and practically serve our community, especially the poor, those in need, young and old, including those who are outside our church community. Examples of this are as follows:-
Sparrow Centre (Antrim Coast Vineyard)
We have provided a hygiene store where the community can visit to avail of free personal care and hygiene items Since early October 2022.
Refresh our hygiene store in The Sparrow Centre is stocked with a wide selection of basic toiletries and laundry products. We believe everyone within our local community has the right to feel clean, safe and well, and with an emphasis on dignity, Refresh also provides other items (such as haircare, skincare, and makeup products). As the project became established, we also secured funding which has been vital in keeping the service open and operating. Refresh is stocked by local toiletry donations, from community, friends, and supporters — people who are passionate about working together to provide accessible spaces of dignity and hope.
Affording dignity means our service is on a non-referral basis, though referrals from community partners are welcome. Individuals & families are invited to pick up whatever items they need, free of charge. We work closely with Larne Foodbank, Home Start, Sure Start, Larne Community Fridge and other local organisations. Currently we open a minimum of 2 times per week. Between September 2024 and August 2025, we gave away 7,777 toiletry items which helped 1,774 individuals with poverty hygiene, including 658 children.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Community Engagement and Support
Sparrow Centre (Antrim Coast Vineyard)
As above, the Church has identified a need for providing free essential hygiene items to the local community to help alleviate hygiene poverty and opened a premises to do so since October 2022.
Foodbank
In partnership, Antrim Coast Vineyard Church have supported the Larne Food Bank (Trussell Trust) by providing financial donations or/and essential foodstuffs and other necessary items.
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Antrim Coast Vineyard Church (A company limited by guarantee, not having a share capital) DIRECTORS’ ANNUAL REPORT
for the financial year ended 31 August 2025
Baby Bank
A new Larne Baby Bank was set up by Home Start to help families who are pregnant or who have babies or toddlers. We have worked closely with this organisation and following consultation, we decided to no longer stock baby products in The Sparrow Centre and instead refer families to the Baby Bank as a collaborative partnership.
Larne Community Cluster Group
Antrim Coast Vineyard through The Sparrow Centre is a member of The Larne Community Cluster Group. This is MEA Council's Community Development initiative, which promotes collaboration across community groups to deliver benefits, not only for the participating groups, but also for the wider community. The overarching aim of Council’s strategic approach to community development is that The MEA Council area is recognised as a place where the community and partner organisations work together cohesively and effectively to improve the quality of life of residents.
Through The partnership collaboration of the group, the Sparrow Centre is part of a network of organisations that seek to improve the quality of life for the local Larne and Antrim Coast area.
Summary
It should be noted the above is not a complete list of activities. However, they demonstrate Antrim Coast Vineyard Church is continuing to fulfil its obligations and achieve its objectives.
Financial Review
The results for the financial year are set out on page 12 and additional notes are provided showing income and expenditure in greater detail.
Employment
The Charity has employed one Senior Pastor, Andrea Howard, on a part time basis since 1st January 2022. During the current reporting period, and due to the growing and urgent operational need within the Church, after a financial review by the Board of Directors, it was agreed to increase Andrea Howard's hours from 15 to 30 hours with effect from 1st September 2025.
The Church family having been appraised, also generously and kindly responded by pledging to increase Giving in support of the hourly increase.
Investment Policy
The constitution of Antrim Coast Vineyard Church authorises the Trustees to make and hold investments using its funds. Cash balances are currently held with the HSBC Bank.
Reserves Policy
The Trustees who served in this period have undertaken the work of the charity, identified the major risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that all appropriate policies are in place to mitigate these risks. Antrim Coast Vineyard maintains reserves in order to cover fluctuations in income and expenditure, and to allow for any major unexpected expenditure, or to mitigate any decline in the overall financial environment.
Community Grant
During March 2024, the National Lottery Community fund kindly donated £20,000 to Antrim Coast Vineyard Church in support of the running costs of the Compassion refresh project at the Sparrow Centre, Unit 2, LEDCOM Industrial estate, Larne.
These funds are restricted to the said project and are valid for a period of 2 years, ending April 2026.
The Crowe Evangelical Trust
During March 2025, the trust kindly donated £1,100 in support of the Sparrow centre, refresh project running costs. These funds were restricted to the Compassion activities of the Sparrow centre.
Larne Area Community Cluster Participatory Funding Scheme
During April 2025, Mid East and Antrim council kindly donated a grant of £1,000 in support of the Sparrow centre, refresh project running costs.
These funds were restricted to the Compassion activities of the Sparrow centre.
CARRYING ON OUR WORK
The Senior Pastors, volunteer team of Antrim Coast Vineyard Church will continue to build on the work that is already happening in the church in order to follow God, to form an authentic community of believers and fulfil the Kingdom ministries left to us. We desire to intentionally see lives transformed by Jesus starting with our own. We will continue to grow our outreach projects, working with the poor in Larne, Antrim coast and surrounding areas, both practically and relationally and we will continue to serve our community as a whole.
We will continue to support our connected charities locally, nationally, and internationally by way of ongoing financial and giving support.
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for the financial year ended 31 August 2025
Antrim Coast Vineyard Church (A company limited by guarantee, not having a share capital) DIRECTORS' ANNUAL REPORT
We will continue to operate as a “Come as You Are” church and always seek to make room for another.
Financial Results
At the end of the financial year the charity has assets of £84,425 (2024 - £75,483) and liabilities of £0.00 (2024 - £0.00). The net assets of the charity have increased by £8,942.
Governing Document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.
Antrim Coast Vineyard Church is a registered charity, charity number NI654056 duly constituted by means of its Memorandum and Articles of Association and operating as a church.
The Church is also registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, Charity number 107849.
Organisational Structure
Antrim Coast Vineyard Church is a company limited by guarantee (company number NI654056) in which the company directors also form the board of Trustees. The liability of each Trustee in the event of a winding up is limited to £1. The Church is associated to Vineyard Churches UK. The association provides pastoral care for the Senior Pastors and family and an external reference concerning church affairs and doctrine.
The day to day running of the church is by the Senior Pastors, Andrew Howard, and Andrea Howard, alongside a leadership team.
Induction and training of new trustees
New Trustees are appointed when appropriate. Suitable candidates are considered on basis of their skills, experience, and sympathy with the aims of the church. New Trustees have the opportunity of reviewing appropriate documents, including the accounts, as part of the induction process.
Directors
The directors who served throughout the financial year, except as noted, were as follows:
Mark Robert Brown Paul Richard Daniels Jonathan Michael McCabe Mark Surgenor (appointed 8 January 2026)
In accordance with the Constitution, the directors 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. Antrim Coast Vineyard Church subscribes to and is compliant with the following: a The Companies Act 2006 a The Charities SORP (FRS 102)
Risk Management
The systems of internal control are designated to provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance against material misstatement or loss. They include:
« An annual budget approved by the Trustees.
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Regular review by the Trustees of financial reports
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- Identification and management of risk
Approved by the Board of Directors on 11 March 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
Mark Robert Brown Trustee
onathan Michael McCabe Trustee
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