THE SHEPHERDSMEAD TRUST
The Trust provides and maintains gospel halls for the religious activities of Christians
Objects
(A) THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT INCLUDING BY THE CARRYING ON OF THE SERVICE OF GOD IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS OF THE HOLY BIBLE AS FOLLOWED BY THOSE CHRISTIANS FORMING PART OF A WORLDWIDE FELLOWSHIP KNOWN AS THE "PLYMOUTH BRETHREN CHRISTIAN CHURCH" (THE "BRETHREN") WHOSE CORE DOCTRINE IS SUMMARISED IN SCHEDULE 1 TO THIS DEED AND WHOSE PROPER PRACTICES IN FURTHERANCE OF SOME ASPECTS OF THAT CORE DOCTRINE ARE SUMMARISED IN SCHEDULE 2 TO THIS DEED("FAITH IN PRACTICE"); AND (B) ANY OTHER CHARITABLE PURPOSES CONNECTED WITH BRETHREN.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity held unrestricted free reserves of £1,433,553 at the year end, a decrease from the previous year's £1,849,210. The trustees report a policy of maintaining no significant reserves, noting that funds from property sales are retained for future hall needs. The charity reported a net deficit in incoming resources over expenditure for the year, primarily due to grants to affiliated trusts and depreciation.
What the accounts disclose
“Contributions from the congregation 131,386” — page 9
“Accordingly, the Trustees have decided to adopt a policy of maintaining no significant reserves”
Policies the charity declares
- Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
- Complaints handling
- Complaints policy and procedures
- Conflicting interests
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Internal risk management policy and procedures
- Investing charity funds policy and procedures
- Investment
- Risk management
- Safeguarding policy and procedures
- Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
- Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
- Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
- Volunteer management
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 05/04/2024)
Trustees
- ADRIAN RYALL
- Adrian James
- DANIEL JAMES
- PAUL WHITE
- STEVE KNIGHT
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 05/04/2025 | £179k | £453k |
| 05/04/2024 | £619k | £1.4m |
| 05/04/2023 | £102k | £428k |
| 05/04/2022 | £111k | £293k |
| 05/04/2021 | £77k | £197k |
Common questions
Is THE SHEPHERDSMEAD TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity held unrestricted free reserves of £1,433,553 at the year end, a decrease from the previous year's £1,849,210. The trustees report a policy of maintaining no significant reserves, noting that funds from property sales are retained for future hall needs. The charity reported a net deficit in incoming resources over expenditure for the year, primarily due to grants to affiliated trusts and depreciation. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.