Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme Final Report

The Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme was available to those who have suffered harm, abuse and/or adverse experiences within the Jesus Fellowship community. It also provided a clear process for employment, pension, national insurance and retirement claims.

This final report has been compiled first and foremost for the victims and survivors of abuse in the Jesus Fellowship. It is the means of ensuring that the findings concerning the 890 applications submitted by 601 individuals to the Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme are made known.

The Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme closed for applications at 5pm on 31st December 2023. Applications received up to this date will continue to be processed in 2024. All figures presented in the report are calculated as of 31st August 2024.

Please be advised that this update may contain information which members and previous members of the Jesus Fellowship Church may find distressing. This report contains information relating to physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.

Note to Editors
Since December 2020, the Jesus Fellowship Community Trust has existed solely as a residuary body with one purpose – winding up the administrative affairs of the Jesus Fellowship Church. New Trustees were brought in to oversee this work, which includes implementing the redress scheme, supporting survivors and former members, and ultimately closing the Trust.

Closure Update – Application to Court

As the end of the Redress Scheme approaches, the trustees wish to consider further and final distributions of the assets of the Jesus Fellowship Community Trust (“the Trust”) in accordance with the current version of the Trust deed – Phase 3 (Historic Requests) and Phase 4 (Apportionment).

However, during the delivery of the Redress Scheme and in reviewing registrations of interest in Phases 3 and 4, the trustees have become aware of further complaints and grievances in relation to people’s time in community.

These have alluded to possible claims falling outside the scope of the Redress Scheme, e.g. whether people who are not currently considered to be Listed Beneficiaries of JFCT should be so considered, or have some other entitlement to benefit from the winding up of the Trust (other than those who may benefit from their registered interest in Phase 3 or Phase 4).

Whilst the trustees can complete the Redress Scheme, they are unable to proceed further with distribution of surplus Trust funds within Phases 3 and 4 until this uncertainty regarding potential further civil claims under Phase 2 is resolved.

The trustees have taken legal advice (privilege in which is not waived) on the best way to remove  this uncertainty.  As a result, they intend to make an application to court, to request the assistance of a judge to order that any further civil claims to the Trust assets, beyond the Redress Scheme, are made known, and for the trustees to then proceed without uncertainty with distributions in Phases 3 and 4.

This process will take time. The trustees expect no votes or further distributions of Trust assets (other than in relation to the Redress Scheme) to be made until the court process reaches its conclusion in 2025.

All Listed Beneficiaries and those who have registered their interest in Phases 3 and 4 will receive a monthly progress report as of August 2024.

The trustees acknowledge that the extended closure timescale will be frustrating to many and wish to thank all those involved for their continued patience as we work to complete the Redress Scheme, before turning our attention to final distributions from the Trust, in the last stages of this complex closure process.

Note: Since December 2020, The Jesus Fellowship Community Trust has existed solely as a residuary body with one purpose – winding up the administrative affairs of the Jesus Fellowship Church. New trustees and a CEO were brought in to oversee this work, which includes implementing the redress scheme, supporting survivors and former members, and ultimately closing the Trust

Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme Update Report

The Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme (the Redress Scheme) is available to those who have suffered harm, abuse and/or adverse experiences within the Jesus Fellowship community. It also provides a clear process for employment, pension, national insurance and retirement claims.

This report is an update on the Redress Scheme as at 31 January 2024. All figures presented in the report are calculated as at this date.

Please be advised that this update  may contain information which members and previous members of the Jesus Fellowship Church may find distressing.

Note to Editors
Since December 2020, the Jesus Fellowship Community Trust has existed solely as a residuary body with one purpose – winding up the administrative affairs of the Jesus Fellowship Church. New Trustees were brought in to oversee this work, which includes implementing the redress scheme, supporting survivors and former members, and ultimately closing the Trust.

Community Adverse Experience – Compensation Update

The Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme had previously stated that financial compensation for ‘Community Adverse Experiences’ will be considered by the Jesus Fellowship Community Trust (Trust) at the closure of the Redress Scheme. 

This was due to legal priorities relating to the closure of the Trust, and if sufficient Trust funds remain available.

This has been reviewed by the Trust, and we are now pleased to now offer financial compensation for ‘Community Adverse Experiences.’ This applies to:

• Those who have previously received a successful outcome from the Community Adverse Experience Scheme.
  
• Those who have received an unsuccessful outcome from the Community Adverse Experience Scheme when applying for Capital Refunds only, who otherwise would be eligible for a successful outcome.
  
• Those who have received a successful outcome from the Individual Redress Payment Scheme, and are confirmed as having lived in community, who do not have a Community Adverse Experience Scheme application.
  
• Those who have received an unsuccessful outcome from the Individual Redress Payment Scheme, and are confirmed as having lived in community, who do not have a Community Adverse Experience Scheme application.

This will also be considered for all applications which currently remain in progress.

Offer of Compensation

The Trustees of the Jesus Fellowship Community Trust are deeply sorry for and appalled by the abuse that occurred in the Jesus Fellowship Church and the residential New Creation Christian Community. 

We offer an unreserved apology to all those affected.

The value of compensation being offered has been decided by considering the harm/s experienced and impact of these, legal advice, and comparison with other Redress Schemes.

The value of compensation being offered is the highest of the following (a single award per person):

Category of Applicant	Amount of Compensation
Children in Community	£10,000
Women in Community, who selected as part of their application:  ‘Harmful treatment of Women as subordinates and/or Women suffering detriment and harm through being placed in positions of servitude.’	£8,000
Adults in Community Only	£6,000

This is in addition to any previous Redress Scheme outcome/s that an applicant may have been offered or received.

Applicants who have previously received an offer or outcome from the Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme, where eligible according to the criteria above, will be contacted directly by email and post.

For applicants whose application remains in progress, this additional compensation will form part of your application offer in due course, where eligible according to the criteria above.

Note to Editors
Since December 2020, The Jesus Fellowship Community Trust has existed solely as a residuary body with one purpose – winding up the administrative affairs of the Jesus Fellowship Church. New trustees were brought in to oversee this work, which includes implementing the redress scheme, supporting survivors and former members, and ultimately closing the Trust

Application Deadlines

Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme
The Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme closed for new applications as of 5pm on 31^st December 2023.

Applications which have not yet received an outcome will continue to be processed in 2024. We are currently experiencing larger volumes of applications to the Redress Scheme, and we appreciate your patience whilst we work through these in 2024. Applicants can continue to receive support by visiting https://jesus.org.uk/support/

An interim report on the progress of the Redress Scheme will be published soon, including an update on the potential of compensation for those who had applied for ‘Community Adverse Experiences’.

Further Phases of Closure
Registrations of interest for Phase 3 (Historic Items) and Phase 4 (Apportionment) closed for new registrations as of 31^st December 2023.

Following the Redress Scheme and subject to the closure progress of the Jesus Fellowship Community Trust (JFCT), the current Listed Beneficiaries of JFCT will consider and vote on discretionary payments relating to the closure of JFCT.

Please note that the timing of these votes will also be dependent on the closure progress of JFCT.

Those who have registered  their interest will be notified at the time of voting, explaining final eligibility criteria and when to expect an update on the outcome of the vote. 

To find out more about future phases of closure, please visit https://jesus.org.uk/about-jfct/phases-of-closure/

Note to Editors
Since December 2020, The Jesus Fellowship Community Trust has existed solely as a residuary body with one purpose – winding up the administrative affairs of the Jesus Fellowship Church. New trustees were brought in to oversee this work, which includes implementing the redress scheme, supporting survivors and former members, and ultimately closing the Trust

Register Interest in Further Phases of Closure

This is an update regarding phase 3 (Historic Items) and phase 4 (Apportionment) of the Jesus Fellowship Community Trust (JFCT) Closure.

New information on these phases of closure and how to register your interest can now be found here: https://jesus.org.uk/about-jfct/register-interest-for-closure-phases/

To be considered for any potential payments relating to phase 3 and/or phase 4 of the JFCT closure (not including Redress), you must register your interest and provide related information ahead of the deadline of 31st December 2023.

Note to Editors
Since December 2020, The Jesus Fellowship Community Trust has existed solely as a residuary body with one purpose – winding up the administrative affairs of the Jesus Fellowship Church. New trustees were brought in to oversee this work, which includes implementing the redress scheme, supporting survivors and former members, and ultimately closing the Trust.

Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme Update Report

The Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme (the Redress Scheme) is available to those who have suffered harm, abuse and/or adverse experiences within the Jesus Fellowship community. It also provides a clear process for employment, pension, national insurance and retirement claims.

This report is an update on the Redress Scheme as at 31 May 2023. All figures presented in the report are calculated as at this date.

Please be advised that this update  may contain information which members and previous members of the Jesus Fellowship Church may find distressing.

We understand that applying for redress is a difficult process and we are grateful to all those who have come forward and submitted applications to the Redress Scheme so far.

The Redress Scheme opened on 26 September 2022 and will continue to accept new applications submitted online or received by post until 31 December 2023.

We encourage all those who wish to apply to the Individual Redress Payment Scheme to engage a solicitor for support. Please note that putting together an application with a solicitor can take time and applicants will need to be mindful of this when considering the Redress Scheme application deadline.

Note to Editors
Since December 2020, the Jesus Fellowship Community Trust has existed solely as a residuary body with one purpose – winding up the administrative affairs of the Jesus Fellowship Church. New Trustees were brought in to oversee this work, which includes implementing the redress scheme, supporting survivors and former members, and ultimately closing the Trust.

New Redress Scheme Support

Following a review of the support available to help people when applying for Redress, we have made a number of changes and improvements. We hope that these will enhance our support for applicants and those who are interested in applying for Redress.

New Email Support

In addition to using our Support form, you can now email support requests to redress@jesus.org.uk

You will also be able to reply directly to support answers, providing an easier way to communicate with the Redress Scheme support team.

Please note: If your email relates to a submitted application please provide your reference number in your email plus you will be asked to answer a security question form before a response can be provided. This is to protect applications from the risk of fraud.

Video Calls

If required, you will be offered a Zoom video call to help answer your support question. Video calls are also available for those who are unable to obtain Certified ID due to cost or additional support needs.

All video calls will be with Jesus Fellowship Redress team administrators who have not been involved previously with the Jesus Fellowship Church.

Community Adverse Experience Guide and Video

We have created a new Community Adverse Experience Scheme video, along with a new guide, which outlines some of the frequently asked questions. This guide covers how to apply, who sees an application and who can apply.

You can find the video by following this link https://jesus.org.uk/apply/community-adverse-experience/

The new FAQ guide can be found following this link https://jesus.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Community-Adverse-Experience-FAQs.pdf

Community Adverse Experience Status Emails

We are improving the application status update emails, which all applicants will receive every four weeks, to provide clearer assurance that their application is in progress.

Clarity on Application Outcomes

All applicants to the Community Adverse Experience Scheme will receive one outcome letter once their entire application has been processed.

Please note: Applications including a Capital Refund request take longer to process than applications with only a Support Grant request, as applicants receive a copy of their Capital as per the Trust records and then given an opportunity to provide further information.

Note to Editors
Since December 2020, The Jesus Fellowship Community Trust has existed solely as a residuary body with one purpose – winding up the administrative affairs of the Jesus Fellowship Church. New trustees were brought in to oversee this work, which includes implementing the redress scheme, supporting survivors and former members, and ultimately closing the Trust.

Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme Launch

This is an update from the Trustees of the Jesus Fellowship Community Trust.

The Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme is open for applications between 26^th September 2022 and  31^st December 2023.

The Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme offers fair redress to those who have suffered harm, abuse and/or adverse experiences within the Jesus Fellowship community. It also provides a clear process for employment, pension, national insurance and retirement claims.

The Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme has been specifically designed to give survivors and applicants an effective means for swift and compassionate settlement, without having to go through the courts. It ensures the compensation available goes to survivors and applicants, rather than being eroded by legal fees. It also means no survivor or applicant, who claims through the Scheme, will have to re-state their experience in court.

The Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme is being delivered in conjunction with our solicitors, Clyde & Co. All claims will be reviewed by them, and outcomes decided in conjunction with the Jesus Fellowship Community Trust Trustees overseeing the closure of the Trust.

Please visit https://jesus.org.uk for information on what is covered by the Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme, who can apply, how to apply, and the types of redress available.

Please note that the website covers subjects which people may find distressing. You can find help and support with your application by visiting https://jesus.org.uk/support

The Jesus Fellowship Community Trust will report on the progress and outcomes of the Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme, with updates published on the website.

The Scheme is part of Phase 2 of the Jesus Fellowship Community Trust closure process.

Information regarding requests relating to future phases of closure, and that are not covered by the Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme, including the inclusion of former Trust members in the apportionment of any residual Trust funds, can be found here: https://jesus.org.uk/phases-of-closure

Published 26th September 2022

Note to Editors
Since December 2020, The Jesus Fellowship Community Trust has existed solely as a residuary body with one purpose – winding up the administrative affairs of the Jesus Fellowship Church. New trustees were brought in to oversee this work, which includes implementing the redress scheme, supporting survivors and former members, and ultimately closing the Trust.

Jesus Fellowship Burial Ground

The Jesus Fellowship Burial Ground, at Cornhill in Northamptonshire, is currently owned, managed and upkept by ‘JFC’. JFC is a separate entity to the Jesus Fellowship Community Trust.

Any enquiries regarding the Burial Ground can be addressed to JFC at jfctrustees.aga@gmail.com

Future ownership of the Burial Ground is being explored by JFC, who will communicate ongoing arrangements in due course.

Access to Cornhill

The Jesus Fellowship Community Trust currently own the adjacent Cornhill Manor, including car parking for the Burial Ground.

Visitors for the Burial Ground are able to access car parking on any day between the hours of 10.00 and 20:00.

There is a gate to the entrance of the car parking. If this gate is locked, then please call the number on the gate for the access code.

Please note that Cornhill Manor itself is not open to visitors.

Published 14th July 2022

Note to Editors
Since December 2020, The Jesus Fellowship Community Trust has existed solely as a residuary body with one purpose – winding up the administrative affairs of the Jesus Fellowship Church. New Trustees and a CEO were brought in to oversee this work, which includes implementing the redress scheme, supporting survivors and former members, and ultimately closing the Trust

Next Page »