UNION CHURCH, SHEFFIELD
The purposes of Union Church Sheffield are the advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith primarily but not exclusively within Sheffield and the surrounding neighbourhood.
Objects
THE PURPOSES OF THE CHURCH ARE:3.1.1 1 THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BASIS OF FAITH PRIMARILY BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY WITHIN SHEFFIELD AND THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBOURHOOD; AND3.1.2 SUCH OTHER CHARITABLE PURPOSES AS SHALL, IN THE OPINION OF THE CHARITY TRUSTEES, PUT INTO PRACTICE THE CHRISTIAN FAITH IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BASIS OF FAITH, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:THE PREVENTION AND RELIEF OF NEED, HARDSHIP AND SICKNESS; THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION;AND THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES IN THE INTERESTS OF SOCIAL WELFARE FOR RECREATION OR OTHER LEISURE TIME OCCUPATION OF INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE NEED OF SUCH FACILITIES BY REASON OF THEIR YOUTH, AGE INFIRMITY OR DISABILITY, FINANCIAL HARDSHIP OR SOCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES WITH THE OBJECT OF IMPROVING THEIR CONDITIONS OF LIFE;PROVIDED THAT THE ADVANCEMENT OF SUCH PURPOSES MUST BE UNDERTAKEN IN A MANNER THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE DOCTRINAL DISTINCTIVES AND ETHICAL STATEMENTS AS MAY BE ADOPTED AND AMENDED BY THE CHURCH FROM TIME TO TIME IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE CHURCH HANDBOOK.
Financial health, per its FY2026 accounts
The charity reported a deficit of £3,980 on unrestricted funds and £570 on restricted funds for the year ended 31 March 2026. Despite the deficit, unrestricted cash held at year-end was £45,868, which is above the trustees' stated reserves policy target of no less than £17,491. The accounts were subject to an independent examination with no material matters identified.
What the accounts disclose
“The trustees have determined that the charity should aim to hold unrestricted cash of no less than £17,491 (which equates to three months payroll and mission partner expenditure) so that the charity could continue to operate should income and / or expenditure vary adversely.” — page 5
“Staff costs include employment benefits of £46,787 paid to trustee Samuel McWhirter for serving as a church leader, not as a trustee.” — page 10
“Restricted Mission Fund - The charity trustees were keen to identify the total support Union Church was able to give to the Rohlmeier family as they moved to the Middle East with UFM. Ross Rohlmeier resigned as a trustee in June 2024.” — page 10
“Staff costs include employment benefits of £46,787 paid to trustee Samuel McWhirter for serving as a church leader, not as a trustee.” — page 10
“Restricted Mission Fund - The charity trustees were keen to identify the total support Union Church was able to give to the Rohlmeier family as they moved to the Middle East with UFM. Ross Rohlmeier resigned as a trustee in June 2024.” — page 10
Policies the charity declares
- Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
- Complaints handling
- Conflicting interests
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Paying staff
- Safeguarding policy and procedures
- Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
- Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
- Social media policy and procedures
- Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
- Trustee expenses policy and procedures
- Volunteer management
From the charity’s annual return (Part A, self-declared)
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/03/2026
- Volunteers: 30
- Trustee benefits, answered Yes to: any trustee benefit; other trustee benefit
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/03/2025
- Volunteers: 32
- Trustee benefits, answered Yes to: any trustee benefit; other trustee benefit
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/03/2024
- Volunteers: 30
- Trustee benefits, answered Yes to: any trustee benefit; other trustee benefit
Trustees
- Sarah Joanne Goodwinchair
- Alan Lee Knox
- Christopher Mark Richardson
- Dr Brian David Noble
- Samuel James McWhirter
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2026 | £75k | £80k |
| 31/03/2025 | £101k | £102k |
| 31/03/2024 | £99k | £115k |
| 31/03/2023 | £104k | £102k |
| 31/03/2022 | £159k | £93k |
Common questions
Is UNION CHURCH, SHEFFIELD financially healthy?
Per its FY2026 accounts: The charity reported a deficit of £3,980 on unrestricted funds and £570 on restricted funds for the year ended 31 March 2026. Despite the deficit, unrestricted cash held at year-end was £45,868, which is above the trustees' stated reserves policy target of no less than £17,491. The accounts were subject to an independent examination with no material matters identified. Its FY2026 accounts were independently examined.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE ARCHBISHOPS' COUNCIL | 1 | £15.5m |
| THE FOOTBALL FOUNDATION | 1 | £525k |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN, SPROTBROUGH WITH ST EDMUND, ANCHORAGE LANE | 1 | £45k |
| CHRIST CHURCH ENDCLIFFE CIO | 1 | £6k |
| EMMANUEL CHURCH OXFORD | 1 | £5k |
Charities like this
- CITY CHURCH SHEFFIELD
- UNITED CHURCH, WINCHESTER
- UNITED CHURCH (BAPTIST AND URC) FERNDOWN
- ST ANDREW'S CHEAM UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY
- SHEFFIELD DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE
- CHURCH BURGESSES TRUST
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNION CHURCH, SHEFFIELD | £75k | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| CITY CHURCH SHEFFIELD | £424k | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| UNITED CHURCH, WINCHESTER | £211k | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| UNITED CHURCH (BAPTIST AND URC) FERNDOWN | £89k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| ST ANDREW'S CHEAM UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY | £293k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| SHEFFIELD DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE | £12.1m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |