Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme is split into three parts:

• Individual Redress Payment Scheme
• Community Adverse Experience Scheme
• Other Claims Scheme

You will need to apply for each or any of the Redress Schemes separately. This is because each type requires different information.

Capital Refund requests are available under Community Adverse Experience Scheme.

Receiving a payment from the Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme may affect your benefits.

We are unable to advise on benefits due to the individual nature of each person’s circumstances. 

For advice and/or support please contact the Department for Work and Pensions support helpline on 0800 169 0310.

For information on reporting historic abuse to the police, please visit the Reporting to the Police page.

For information on Closure & Redress, please visit the About JFCT page.

The Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme is being delivered as part of the JFCT closure. 

You can find information on the background to the scope of the Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme here.

Following the Redress Scheme, the Listed Beneficiaries (those still Trust Members at the time of closure) of the Jesus Fellowship Community Trust will consider and vote on discretionary items relating to the future closure of the Trust.

This may include:

• Historic ‘Relief of Need’ Requests
• ‘Under-21 Contribution’ Refund Requests
• Inclusion in Apportionment of Residual Trust Fund

Please note that the following items, previously within Phase 3 and 4, are now included within the scope of the current Redress Scheme (Phase 2): 

• Historic Capital Refunds 
• National Insurance Claims
• Pension Claims
• Employment Claims

For information on Phases of Closure and to register your interest in future closure activity, please see here.

You can find full details of who can apply on our Individual Redress Payment Scheme page.

For a full list of definitions of the terms used please see the Individual Redress Payment definitions found on our Helpful Documents page.

Sexual Abuse: Any act that involves forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activity for the sexual gratification of another person.  Non-consensual sexual activity between adults.

Physical Abuse: Any act which caused physical injury to a child or adult.

Emotional Abuse: Abusive conduct resulting in psychiatric injury.

Recognised Psychiatric Injury: A psychiatric condition that is medically recognised and defined in the ICD 11 (International Classification of Diseases) or the DSM V (Diagnostic Statistic Manual of Diseases).

We are not in a position to be able to recommend a Solicitor for you to use. However the following organisations may be able to help signpost you to find a suitable solicitor;

The Law Society
Website: solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk
Telephone: 020 7320 5650 (Monday to Friday from 9am-5pm)

Yes, the scheme will pay up to £2,500 + VAT of legal fees to eligible applicants, whose Individual Redress Payment applications are agreed. These costs are directly to the eligible applicant’s solicitor following settlement and payment of the Individual Redress Payment.

You should check your chosen Solicitor will work for the fees available. Your Solicitor should request payment directly from the Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme.

The application window for Redress will close at 5pm 31st December 2023. Applications received after this time will be rejected. This includes any application received by post after the deadline date.

We will still be working to process the remaining applications received before the date of 31st December 2023 after the application deadline.

If you have chosen not to engaged a solicitor, you can be supported by either a Nominated Representative, a Litigation Friend or an Attorney. 

Nominated Representative: a family member, friend or individual that can assist the eligible applicant with their application form. The Eligible Applicant must provide a signed written authority, identifying the individual who will be acting as their Nominated Representative. Please download the form here.

A Nominated Representative will need to provide Certified ID. The ID, along with the Representative Nomination Form can be uploaded to the online application form, or sent in the post with the completed paper application.

Litigation Friend: an individual who offers support to an eligible applicant who lacks capacity and who can fairly and competently conduct an application on behalf of that eligible applicant and who has completed a N235 form to be lodged with the court. You can find a copy of the form here.

If you are under the age of 18 at the time of applying, you will need a Litigation Friend to support you through the process.

A Litigation Friend will need to provide certified ID. The ID, along with the completed Certificate of Suitability (N235 form) can be uploaded to the online application form, or sent in the post with the completed paper application.

Attorney (LPA): a person who has a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) as registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG).

An Attorney will need to provide Certified ID. The ID, along with the proof of Lasting/Limited Power of Attorney can be uploaded to the online application form, or sent in the post with the completed paper application.

All Individual Redress Payment applications will be handled by Clyde & Co (the Scheme Solicitors) alongside the Trustees, responsible for the closure of the JFCT.

Your information will be seen by the Redress Office team members, who are overseen by independent Professional Trustees, for the purpose of administration.

Confidentiality is of utmost importance and your details will be treated in accordance with the Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme Privacy Policy.

Find out more information about what happens to your personal data on the What happens to your personal data? page.

You may cancel your application at any time before a decision is made about the payment you may be offered. This will mean that all records of your application will be destroyed and you will not be contacted again. To cancel you must confirm in writing and send to;

JF Redress Scheme
Clyde & Co
2 New Bailey Square
Stanley Street
Salford
M3 5GS

Each application will be assessed by Clyde & Co (the Scheme Solicitors), and eligible applicants will be offered compensation in line with Common Law Compensation Awards.

The amount of the Individual Redress Payment should fairly reflect the severity of the Abuse suffered as well as the psychiatric consequences so that the awards are aligned with Common Law Compensation Awards for similar abuse/harm suffered.

The assessment of each Individual Redress Payment will take into consideration the following:

• The severity and duration of the Abuse;
• The extent of any physical or psychiatric injury caused by the Abuse; and
• The extent/cost of any treatment or therapy to address the consequence of the Abuse.

Awards made under the Individual Redress Payment Scheme will fairly reflect the extent to which the Abuse occurring in Community caused the Eligible Applicant’s psychiatric injury but will not compensate the Eligible Applicant for any harms/difficulties/psychiatric injury which cannot be attributed to Abuse occurring in Community.

Further details on compensation, including specific tariff amounts, can be in our Individual Redress Payment Scheme Guide

You will receive updates from Clyde & Co through each stage of the Claims process. If you have engaged a Solicitor, your Solicitor will get regular updates.

If you have not engaged a Solicitor, you will need to provide Certified ID as part of your application.

Your application will require one of the follow types of ID, that has been certified:

• A certified photocopy of a passport or EU identity card
• A certified photocopy of a driver’s licence
• A certified photocopy of a bank card/post office account card (both sides of card with account details blanked out)
• A passport sized photograph, signed and witnessed by an appropriate professional (solicitor, General practitioner or teacher)

If you are unable to provide any of the above types of ID, then two forms of the following ID, that have been certified(link), must be provided:

The first type of ID must be either:

• A bank or building society statement or post office account dated within the last 12months
• Correspondence from a Job Centre
• Freedom pass
• Disability badge

The second type of ID can be one of:

• Official government correspondence for example, a copy of a P45, P60
• Correspondence from the NHS (letter from your GP, or hospital)
• Current benefit book, or card or original notification letter from the Department of
• Work and Pensions (DWP), confirming your legal right to benefit.
• Original birth certificate
• Current full driving licence (old version)
• Adoption Certificate
• Marriage/Civil partnership certificate

Certified ID is a way of confirming that the document provided is a true copy of the original. ID documents can be certified by a Solicitor or at your local Post Office. Please note that there may be a fee to certify any documents.

To do this, you will need to:

1. Make a clear and legible copy of the document(s) you want certified
2. Take both the original document and the copy to the person certifying the document. The person certifying your document will need to:
   1. Review the copy and the original
   2. Write on the copy “Certified to be a true copy of the original seen by me”
   3. Sign and date the copy and print their name under the signature
   4. Write their occupation, address and telephone number on the copy.

If you use the Post Office to certify your document, you will need to:

1. Make a clear and legible copy of the document(s) you want certified
2. Download and complete the ID checking service form from the Post Office website

Take your original document, copies and the completed ID checking service form to the post office.

Apology letters will be from the current Jesus Fellowship Community Trust (JFCT) Trustees, on behalf of the JFCT community.

Yes. You can download the application form here.

All paper forms must be sent to the scheme solicitors at the following address;

JF Redress
Clyde & Co
2 New Bailey Square
Stanley Street
Salford
M3 5GS

If you wish to send your application via post, please do not send original copies of ID as we cannot guarantee the return of any documents sent.

You can find full details of who can apply on our Community Adverse Experience Scheme page.

For a full list of definitions of the terms used please see the Community Adverse Experience Definitions found on our Helpful Documents page.

All decisions about your application will be made by the Jesus Fellowship Community Trust Trustees in conjunction with the Scheme Solicitors. This includes eligibility, outcome and Capital Refund decisions.

Your information will be seen by the Redress Office team members, who are overseen by independent Professional Trustees, for the purpose of administration.

Confidentiality is of utmost importance and your details will be treated in accordance with the Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme Privacy Policy. 

Find out more information about what happens to your personal data on the What happens to your personal data? page.

The application window for Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme will close at 5pm on 31st December 2023. Applications received after this time will be rejected. 

We will still be working to process the remaining applications received before the date of 31st December 2023 at 5pm after the application deadline.

You may cancel your Community Adverse Experience Scheme application at any time. This will mean that all records of your application will be destroyed and you will not be contacted again. 

To cancel your application, please use this form found here.

We expect there to be a large number of Community Adverse Experience Scheme applications and we will be working through these on a first applied, first processed basis.

Whilst we will endeavour to respond to applications in a timely manner, you may expect the process to take weeks or months, depending on the volume of applications received at any given time.

You will receive email updates regarding your application at key stages during the process. This will be the email address that is provided on the application form.

A Capital Contribution is a contribution made in cash to the Trust and received by the trustees of the Trust from Trust Members.

Capital does not include Capital Assets such as vehicles, musical instruments, furniture or any other items contributed to the Trust.

We define the non-return of previous Capital Contributions to the Jesus Fellowship Community Trust as a ‘Community Adverse Experience’.

You will not need to identify under any other Community Adverse Experience definitions to request a Capital Refund.

A Support Grant is a cash grant available for Eligible Applicants, towards the costs of counselling, training or any other support.

This will be paid directly to applicants, for them to use as they see fit.

We are only able to accept applications directly from individuals they concern OR from an Attorney with a Lasting Power of Attorney as registered with the Office of Public Guardian, who is supporting an applicant in applying. 

A family member, friend or individual who will assist the applicant with their Application and who has provided a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) as registered with the Office of Public Guardian.

If an applicant is being supported by an Attorney (LPA), they will need to provide proof of Lasting Power of Attorney when applying as well as ID for both the applicant and Attonery.

As part of your application, we will need to verify your identity. 

Your application will require one of the follow types of ID, that has been certified:

• A certified photocopy of a passport or EU identity card
• A certified photocopy of a driver’s licence
• A certified photocopy of a bank card/post office account card (both sides of card with account details blanked out)
• A passport sized photograph, signed and witnessed by an appropriate professional (solicitor, General practitioner or teacher)

If you are unable to provide any of the above types of ID, then two forms of the following ID, that have been certified, must be provided:

The first type of ID must be either:

• A bank or building society statement or post office account dated within the last 12months
• Correspondence from a Job Centre
• Freedom pass
• Disability badge

The second type of ID can be one of:

• Official government correspondence for example, a copy of a P45, P60
• Correspondence from the NHS (letter from your GP, or hospital)
• Current benefit book, or card or original notification letter from the Department of
• Work and Pensions (DWP), confirming your legal right to benefit.
• Original birth certificate
• Current full driving licence (old version)
• Adoption Certificate
• Marriage/Civil partnership certificate

Certified ID is a way of confirming that the document provided is a true copy of the original. ID documents can be certified by a Solicitor or at your local Post Office. Please note that there may be a fee to certify any documents.

To do this, you will need to:

1. Make a clear and legible copy of the document(s) you want certified
2. Take both the original document and the copy to the person certifying the document. The person certifying your document will need to:
   1. Review the copy and the original
   2. Write on the copy “Certified to be a true copy of the original seen by me”
   3. Sign and date the copy and print their name under the signature
   4. Write their occupation, address and telephone number on the copy.

If you use the Post Office to certify your document, you will need to:

1. Make a clear and legible copy of the document(s) you want certified
2. Download and complete the ID checking service form from the Post Office website

Take your original document, copies and the completed ID checking service form to the post office.

Apology letters will be from the current Jesus Fellowship Community Trust Trustees, on behalf of the Jesus Fellowship Community Trust community.

Financial compensation for Community Adverse Experiences will be considered by
the Trust at the closure of the Redress Scheme.

This is due to the legal priorities relating to the closure of the Trust, and if sufficient
Trust funds remain available at that time.

Every Community Adverse Experience applicant will be contacted directly in January
2024 with information on availability, and if so, the amount and process to be paid.

Whilst applicants will not have to submit a new application, we may need to re-verify
certified ID and bank details at the time.

Applicants will be contacted using their contact details provided in their original
Community Adverse Experience application.

Please note that compensation payments can only be considered for those who have made a Community Adverse Experience application by 5pm on 31st December 2023.

The Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme will not be investigating individual applicant’s Community Adverse Experiences, as the Trust believes these were systemic failings within Community, as per our Closure Statement.

It is up to you, as an applicant, to identify which of the Community Adverse Experiences may apply to you. The application form does allow space for you to share details of your experience, providing an optional opportunity to have your voice heard.

For the full list of adverse experiences please see here.

For the Community Adverse Experience Scheme, all applications must come through via the online form. We are not able to accept any postal applications.

You can apply here

If you have not been able to find the answer to your question in the FAQs, please fill out the form found here and we will respond to your query as soon as possible. 

As part of your application, we will need to verify your identity. 

Your application will require one of the follow types of ID, that has been certified:

• A certified photocopy of a passport or EU identity card
• A certified photocopy of a driver’s licence
• A certified photocopy of a bank card/post office account card (both sides of card with account details blanked out)
• A passport sized photograph, signed and witnessed by an appropriate professional (solicitor, General practitioner or teacher)

If you are unable to provide any of the above types of ID, then two forms of the following ID, that have been certified(link), must be provided:

The first type of ID must be either:

• A bank or building society statement or post office account dated within the last 12months
• Correspondence from a Job Centre
• Freedom pass
• Disability badge

The second type of ID can be one of:

• Official government correspondence for example, a copy of a P45, P60
• Correspondence from the NHS (letter from your GP, or hospital)
• Current benefit book, or card or original notification letter from the Department of
• Work and Pensions (DWP), confirming your legal right to benefit.
• Original birth certificate
• Current full driving licence (old version)
• Adoption Certificate
• Marriage/Civil partnership certificate

Certified ID is a way of confirming that the document provided is a true copy of the original. ID documents can be certified by a Solicitor or at your local Post Office. Please note that there may be a fee to certify any documents.

To do this, you will need to:

1. Make a clear and legible copy of the document(s) you want certified
2. Take both the original document and the copy to the person certifying the document. The person certifying your document will need to:
   1. Review the copy and the original
   2. Write on the copy “Certified to be a true copy of the original seen by me”
   3. Sign and date the copy and print their name under the signature
   4. Write their occupation, address and telephone number on the copy.

If you use the Post Office to certify your document, you will need to:

1. Make a clear and legible copy of the document(s) you want certified
2. Download and complete the ID checking service form from the Post Office website

Take your original document, copies and the completed ID checking service form to the post office.

For ‘Other Claims’, all applications must come through via the online form. We are not able to accept any postal applications.

Eligible applicants whose Other Claims Scheme applications are agreed, will be offered a contribution towards reasonable legal costs, on a case-by-case basis.

Following the submission of an application, the Scheme Solicitors will advise in writing an offer of payment towards legal fees, relating to the complexity of your situation. Please note that it may take up to 12 weeks to provide an initial response to your potential claim.

Legal costs will usually be settled directly with the Eligible Applicant’s Solicitor following settlement and payment of the claim.

Employment Claims

The following entities are covered by the Other Claims scheme regarding employment claims, for the period 1 January 2014 to 31st December 2020 (unless dated otherwise below):

• Skaino Atmos Limited (previously named Skaino Services Limited);
• TBS Building Supplies Limited;
• House of Goodness Limited;
• White & Bishop Limited;
• Jesus Fellowship Life Trust Limited;
• Jesus Fellowship Housing Association Limited (until 3 March 2020);
• Jesus Fellowship Life Trust; and
• Jesus Fellowship Church.

If an entity is not on this list, then you will need to make a claim directly against that entity, as they are not covered within the Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme.

Pensions, National Insurance and Retirement

The following entities are covered by the Other Claims scheme regarding individual, written representations (promises) regarding pensions, national insurance and retirement, which could have been made at any time;

• Jesus Fellowship Community Trust only.

Full details of the Other Claims scheme scope can be found in our Other Claims Scheme Guide.

The application window for Redress will close at 5pm on 31st December 2023. Applications received after this time will be rejected. This includes any application received by post after the deadline date.

We will still be working to process the remaining applications received before the date of 31st December 2023 after the application deadline.