STORYHOUSE PROJECT

Registered charity 1165340 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register

Operates as a cafe church with activities including the offer of pastoral listening; an accessible Christian presence; regular public worship, prayer, bible study, preaching and teaching; the teaching, encouragement, welcome and inclusion of young people; nurture and growth of Christian disciples; education and training for Christian community service; supporting social action in Sefton.

Causes: Religious Activities · website · Get email alerts

Latest income
£277k
Latest spending
£267k
Registered
2016
Accounts read
FY2025

Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts

The accounts state that the charity reported a surplus of £10,185 for the year ended 31 March 2025, with total net assets increasing to £14,503. However, the trustees note that unrestricted cash reserves were significantly below their stated policy target of £47,750, standing at only £8,541. Additionally, the trustees disclosed a decision to close the coffee shop operations in December 2025 due to unsustainable costs, which will incur closure costs between £9,000 and £17,000.

Automated summary of the FY2025 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.

What the accounts disclose

Highest-paid employee band: Under £60,000 — in the top quarter for charities its size (median £60k)
No staff received salaries at a rate of more than £60,000 per annum. — page 13
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Reserves policy: no less than £47,750 (held: £9k)
The trustees have previously determined that the charity would aim to hold unrestricted cash of no less than £47,750. — page 5
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Elizabeth Lowrie, closely related to key management member David Lowrie, received employment benefits totalling £10,827 for providing services as Co-Lead Pastor.
Elizabeth Lowrie, who is closely related to David Lowrie, who is a member of key management, received employment benefits totalling £10,827 (2024: £10,827) for providing services as the Co-Lead Pastor to the charity. — page 16
Jemima Swift, who is closely related to Anya Swift, who is a trustee, received employment benefits totalling £1,177 (2024: £1,117) for providing barista services to the charity. — page 16
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Jemima Swift, closely related to trustee Anya Swift, received employment benefits totalling £1,177 for providing barista services.
Elizabeth Lowrie, who is closely related to David Lowrie, who is a member of key management, received employment benefits totalling £10,827 (2024: £10,827) for providing services as the Co-Lead Pastor to the charity. — page 16
Jemima Swift, who is closely related to Anya Swift, who is a trustee, received employment benefits totalling £1,177 (2024: £1,117) for providing barista services to the charity. — page 16
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: The charity received donations totalling £36,404 from related parties, including trustees and key management.
Elizabeth Lowrie, who is closely related to David Lowrie, who is a member of key management, received employment benefits totalling £10,827 (2024: £10,827) for providing services as the Co-Lead Pastor to the charity. — page 16
Jemima Swift, who is closely related to Anya Swift, who is a trustee, received employment benefits totalling £1,177 (2024: £1,117) for providing barista services to the charity. — page 16
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Accounts independently examined (not a full audit). Discloses 6 of 6 completeness components.

Property (HM Land Registry)

1 registered title in England and Wales held by the charity’s company or corporate body (0 freehold). All charity-held property. Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.

Public profiles (found on the charity’s own website): facebook · instagram

Trustees · trustee networks

Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).

Operates in: Sefton

Income and spending

Financial year endIncomeSpending
31/03/2025£277k£267k
31/03/2024£324k£367k
31/10/2022£214k£229k
31/10/2021£217k£198k
31/10/2020£198k£170k

Common questions

Is STORYHOUSE PROJECT financially healthy?

Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a surplus of £10,185 for the year ended 31 March 2025, with total net assets increasing to £14,503. However, the trustees note that unrestricted cash reserves were significantly below their stated policy target of £47,750, standing at only £8,541. Additionally, the trustees disclosed a decision to close the coffee shop operations in December 2025 due to unsustainable costs, which will incur closure costs between £9,000 and £17,000. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.

What does the highest-paid employee of STORYHOUSE PROJECT earn?

Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the Under £60,000 band.