Registered Charity Number: 1150290—Registered in England Number: 08235510
Coventry Irish Society
Annual Report 2022
12th December 2022 — Registered Charity No: 1150290—Registered in England No: 08235510
Registered Charity Number: 1150290—Registered in England Number: 08235510
Rory Ryan Chair
I
Dár gcairde agus ár gcomhaltaí go léir
To all our dear friends and members,
2022 - 2023 has been a bit of a hectic time for Coventry Irish Society. The last 18 months has really tested the charities agility and resilience in facing up to change, new challenges and priorities. What has become clear within these last months is the amount of talent and work which will be required in the coming years to set the Charity up for success in the future. I am happy with the challenges that we as a charity have overcome recently:
Office move
Office renovation and new set up
Recruitment
Funding Audit
Survivors project
These are just a few which have been guided by the board of Trustees and the Management Team.
Financially we are in a better place than we have been for a long time however we are still not able to meet the requirements of match funding , this is something we need our members and supporters to help us with. Fundraising will be a pivotal focus for the society over the next few years.
This year we will embark on understanding what our vision means to our members and the community we wish to support, we are passionately dedicated to ensuring our community and indeed the city we serve is fully aware of the services that we offer and our identity.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our staff for the hard work and dedication they have shown in the past 18 months but above all the passion and care they support our members on a daily basis.
As always we are grateful for all our supporters and donors, in particular the Emigrant Support Programme and all our associate members.
Sincerely
Rory Ryan
Pag
12th December 2022 — Registered Charity No: 1150290—Registered in England No: 08235510
Registered Charity Number: 1150290—Registered in England Number: 08235510
Managers Report
The Charity continues to focus its attention on supporting the vulnerable members of the Irish community. Over 100 vulnerable Irish people have received significant support from the charity since our last AGM. Our day to day enquiries, Irish Passports, Utility bills, Welfare and Health enquiries has provided a service to more than 1200 people in the last 12 months. Irish Citizenship enquiries are still hugely popular and account for around 50% of all day to day enquiries.
Our Irish Survivors support service continues to help 50 Survivors across the West Midlands. On March 20th 2024, the new payments scheme for Mother and Baby Home Survivors will be opened. Our service will then be in much higher demand. We are delighted to have funding from the Irish government’s ‘Emigrant Support Programme’ for a full time officer for this project. We are also delighted to announce that the ‘Big Lottery’ has kindly funded 4 Lunch Clubs per year for Irish Survivors for the next 2 years as well as some outreach work covering the Midlands.
We were delighted to relaunch our ‘Betty Hunter Dementia Support Group’ in tribute to the late Betty Hunter, who was so brilliant at proving Dementia support services in Coventry. Betty’s company ‘Care Associates’ are helping us organise the group and have become a main supporter of the Charity, which is fantastic news!. Thank you to Gez and Helen Hunter for your support!
The Claddagh Group relocated to CIS, Eaton House in March 2023, The group is going strong! They are a fantastic group with around 50 members that meet every Tuesday 12pm-2pm, new members are always welcome.
In addition, the ‘Irish Friendship Group’ is another longstanding fantastic group that is now meeting at Eaton House 12-2pm every Friday and again are always welcoming to new members.
Thank you to both of these groups for their fantastic support of the Charity!.
Our Lunch Clubs are still well attended and we look forward to our St Patrick’s Day week event at Christ the King on the 15th March.
Another great development this year was our partnership with ‘Message to Margaret’ and it is the Charity’s privilege to rename our Irish language school after the late Margaret Keane. Thanks to the Message to Margaret team for your all your help this year! Caroline Brogan deserves a special mention for organising the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement that the Charity was delighted to host.
Our new spacious premises has given the Charity a new dimension, including our social befriending projects and our Oral History exhibition ‘Irish Heart, Coventry Home’. now on permanent display at the Charity, there are wonderful photographs and quotes that are part of the exhibition.
We now have a monthly E-Newsletter which is building subscribers and is a facility for the whole Irish community to communicate with Coventry Irish. We encourage new members through our campaign for direct debit contributors of £2 per-month. We are sincerely hoping that this increases the number of Second and Third Generation Irish people joining the charity.
Our 30th Anniversary Summer Ball at Christ the King was a great success! Thank you to all our friends and stakeholders that supported the event!
I would like to thank our main funder the ‘Emigrant Support Programme’ for all their fantastic support of the charity and the Irish community in Coventry and Warwickshire. Also, to our other funders the ‘Big Lottery and the ‘Ireland Fund of Great Britain’ and the City Council. I would like to thank our Trustees that diligently support the charity as volunteers and our honorary president David Cairns, who continues to support the charity and raises awareness of the Irish community’s needs. David was 90 years old in June 2023 and still campaigns on social justice matters!
Mostly to thank our members, volunteers, and clients for their contribution to the charity. Our whole purpose depends on you, and we are grateful for the opportunity to support you and work with you. Simon McCarthy—Have a Great St. Patrick’s Day!
12th December 2022 — Registered Charity No: 1150290—Registered in England No: 08235510 Page 3
Registered Charity Number: 1150290—Registered in England Number: 08235510
Simon Hayes Health Outreach Worker
I am delighted to be part of the Irish Society team since November 2023. In my role as Health Outreach Worker, I support the Irish community with a wide range of enquires including a large number of Irish Passport and Irish Citizenship enquires (around 50% of the total of our day to day enquires). So many our Second and Third Generation Irish are interested in getting their citizenship, that was given a great impetus by the Brexit vote in 2016.
It is always the Irish Society’s intention to encourage people to get their Irish Citizenship to acknowledge and celebrate their heritage. However, since the implementation of ‘Brexit’ practicalities such as queuing and restrictions on length of stays in other European countries has given people the incentive to apply .
My main focus as the Health Outreach Worker is to ensure that the vulnerable Irish community are receiving the correct entitlements and that they are assisted to access health and welfare services that they may otherwise not receive without the support of a culturally sensitive service such as the Coventry Irish Society.
It has been great to be here to talk to and meet so many great people that are part of that wonderful Irish community that came to Coventry after the war to rebuild the city and contribute in so many ways. It is a great pleasure to be here with the Irish Heart Coventry Home exhibition on permanent display. I had the pleasure of building the Irish bar in the original exhibition at the Herbert where 700 people came to the opening night!.
If anyone needs assistance with their passports or health and welfare I am here Monday to Friday 10am -1pm and 2pm-4pm for advice and information.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Simon Hayes
Gráinne Fellowes (Digital Officer)
Since March 2022, I have been working remotely with Coventry Irish as a Digital Officer. This role ensures the charity’s voice is amplified across digital and social media channels including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Web and E-marketing. My background is in digital marketing for the cultural sector across the U.K, utilising the latest technologies to develop strong digital identities.
In the previous year, I have helped Coventry Irish to improve their digital presence across social and web channels, including auditing and re-developing key areas including mailing lists, a new website and networking across social channels to share news of upcoming events and charity updates within Coventry Irish and their wider network.
Our E-Newsletter is now published on a monthly basis, with some great volunteers helping create interesting content, Thank you in particular to Kate O’Mahony who has written some great articles in 2024.
Thank you also to our new specialist volunteer, Liam McGurk who is helping me analyse our website and social media traffic that we are using to inform the success of post types and successful engagement rates, which informs how social channels are used to disseminate information types. This includes employment and job offers from the charity and associated organisations, charity and affiliated group events and updates regarding Emigrant Support Programme and National Lottery Funding.
Looking forward to 2024, I will continue to work on helping to populate the exciting new website, aiming to increase membership and donation rates by building a strong digital network.
Warmest Wishes Grainne Fellowes
12th December 2022 — Registered Charity No: 1150290—Registered in England No: 08235510 Page 4
Registered Charity Number: 1150290—Registered in England Number: 08235510
Nikita Smith
Irish Survivors Outreach Worker
Dear all ,
I would like to start by thanking everyone I have already had the pleasure of meeting for being so warm and welcoming.
From March 2022 until November 2023 I was delighted to be the Charity’s Health Outreach Worker. In that role, I was responsible for welfare advice, such as; benefits, housing, energy and counselling referrals. I also assisted with all aspects of Irish citizenship, the majority of which being Passport Renewals but also includes first time applications and foreign birth registrations.
I am so thankful to be able to spend so much time amongst the Irish community here in Coventry and it is an honor to be able to support you.
I was delighted to be redeployed in the Irish Survivors role in November 2023. I am aware of the needs of Irish Survivors and I will do my very best to ensure they have an exemplary service and receive the correct support.
The forthcoming ‘ Mother and Baby Home’ payments scheme that opens on the 20th March 2024 will dramatically increase the amount of Irish Survivors requesting support from the service.. An estimated 13000 Irish Survivors in the UK are eligible to apply, therefore, with only 3 specialist services nationally (Coventry, London and the Northwest) there could be a huge demand on the service.
I work closely with the Immigrant Counselling and Support Service that has specialist knowledge to provide counselling to Irish Survivors. The service is free to Irish Survivors and their children.
There is also a key role to play in applying for and requesting records for Irish Survivors. This can be very traumatic for Irish Survivors revisiting their past and they will need a considerable amount of support to do so.
I am so happy to be a part of CIS and look forward to continue supporting its members and helping to contribute towards bringing the Coventry Irish Community together.
I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Warmest wishes
Nikita Smith
12th December 2022 — Registered Charity No: 1150290—Registered in England No: 08235510 Page 5
Registered Charity Number: 1150290—Registered in England Number: 08235510
Statement of Financial Activities
OVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Incorporating the Income and Expenditure Account For Years Ended December 31[st] 2022
| OVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Incorporating the Income and Expenditure Account For Years Ended December 31st 2022 |
OVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Incorporating the Income and Expenditure Account For Years Ended December 31st 2022 |
OVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Incorporating the Income and Expenditure Account For Years Ended December 31st 2022 |
OVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Incorporating the Income and Expenditure Account For Years Ended December 31st 2022 |
OVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Incorporating the Income and Expenditure Account For Years Ended December 31st 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted Funds |
2022 | 2021 | |
| INCOMING RESOURCES | ||||
| Donations and Fundraising | 6,289 | 6,289 | 3,586 | |
| Membership & Sales | 1,345 | 1,345 | 940 | |
| Emigrant Support Programme Less Clawback (see Note 2) |
83,663 | 83,663 | 57,483 | |
| UK Lottery/Covid Grant | 215 | 215 | Nil | |
| Other Grants | 1,050 | 1,050 | 3,000 | |
| Total incoming resources | 8,684 | 83,878 | 92,562 | 65,009 |
| RESOURCES EXPENDED | ||||
| Staff costs (including NI) Covid Costs |
52,767 | 52,767 | 47,253 | |
| Survivors' Project | 1,391 | 1,391 | ||
| Other Projects & Charitable Activities | 5,856 | 5,856 | ||
| Other expenses and support costs | 11,295 | 11,295 | 8,393 | |
| Office Rent | 6,000 | 6,000 | 9,000 | |
| Total resources expended | 17,151 | 60,158 | 77,309 | 64,646 |
| Surplus/(Deficit) Net outgoing resources | (8,467) | 23,720 | 15,253 | 363 |
12th December 2022 — Registered Charity No: 1150290—Registered in England No: 08235510
Registered Charity Number: 1150290—Registered in England Number: 08235510
Balance Sheet 2022
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY - BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31st DECEMBER 2022
| COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY - BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31st DECEMBER 2022 |
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY - BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31st DECEMBER 2022 |
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY - BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31st DECEMBER 2022 |
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY - BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31st DECEMBER 2022 |
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY - BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31st DECEMBER 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||
| FIXED ASSETS (Net Book Value) See Note3 below |
35 | 52 | ||
| CURRENT ASSETS | ||||
| Bank and cash | 61,687 | 64,831 | ||
| Total Current Assets | 61,687 | 64,831 | ||
| CURRENT LIABILITIES | ||||
| Deferred income (ESP Grant) (see Note 2) |
(36,438) | (56,225) | ||
| Other Creditors | (150) | |||
| Accruals (Credit Card) | (551) | (393) | ||
| PAYE & NI | (592) | (327) | ||
| Total Current Liabilities | (38,481) | (56,945) | ||
| Net Current Assets (WorkingCapital) |
23,156 | 23,156 | 7,886 | 7,886 |
| TOTAL NET ASSETS | 23,191 | 7,938 | ||
| Surplus/(Deficit) for the Year | 15,253 | 363 | ||
| Fund Balances Brought Forward | 7,938 | 7,575 | ||
| Fund Balances Carried Forward | 23,191 | 7,938 | ||
| FUNDS | ||||
| Unrestricted funds | (56,754) | (48,287) | ||
| Restricted funds | 89,878 | 56,225 | ||
| TOTAL | 23,191 | 7,938 |
The Society decided in 2021 to change the way it treats restricted funds to something more transparent. Restricted Funds are to be those funds which have been allocated to specific purposes and which, remaining unspent, therefore represent liabilities to be satisfied in the future. At 31[st] December 2022 these funds amounted to £37,581 (see Note 2). The balance, a negative balance of £7,490 (2021 £48,287 has been taken to Unrestricted Funds.
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12th December 2022 — Registered Charity No: 1150290—Registered in England No: 08235510
Registered Charity Number: 1150290—Registered in England Number: 08235510
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The Claddagh Irish Friendship
Group Group
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12th December 2022 — Registered Charity No: 1150290—Registered in England No: 08235510
COVEFfrRY IRISH SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee) rNDEPENDENT ACCOUNfANfs REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENrs FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31STDECEMBER 2023 Clwity No: 1150290 Company No: 08235510 CONTEFrrs PAGE Cbairperson's Report & Report of ttrle Ttte$ Report of th¢ Independent Accountants Stsiernent of Financial Activiti Balance Sheet Notes to the Financial Statements io Atw4zti
265
COMPANIES HOUSE
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIErY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 3 ISTDECEMBER 2023 COMPANY INFORMATION: TRUSTEES.. Rory Ryan Josephine.Addleton Elizabeth Flannelly Kathleen Mccarthy Kay Forrest Michael Fitzgerald REGISTERED OFFICE: 2. Floor Eaton House Eaton Road Coventy CVI 2FJ REGISTERED NUMBER: 08235510 ffngland and Wales) REGISTERED CHAIUTY NUMBER: 1150290 INDEPENDENf AccouwfANf.' Sirnon Horsman
COVENTRY IIUSH SOCIETY CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT & REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES ST FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Dear Members Coventry Irish Society is an organisation which works predominantly with older frish people with a specific target to support the wlnerable Irish. Our overall aim is to alleviate poverty, improve health and address social isolation in our local Irish community. CIS is made up of Trustees, Efftployees & Volunteers. but the beating heart of our Charity is our members and their passion to continuously keep alive our Erish heTitage in the City that we call home. The Charity will continue to prioritise the needs of the VLJlnerable Irish by targeting resources to ensure that our vulnerable communitys health arml welfare needs are being met. In addition to day to dav advice and outreach services the Charity will conduct a half day per week Oementia Support Service to ensure this objective is beine met. The Charity continues to priorit15e Irish Survivors ir) the Midlands having secured funding for Irish Survivors specialist services in the previous 2 years. Currently, this project has 70 clients with IS applications to the Mother and Baby Home in proce5S. General advice will continue to provide support for people seeking Irish citizenship, Irish Passports, and general welfare enquiries such as help with utility bills. Council Tax etc. The Charity's new rent free premises on the 2 Floor of E2ton House, Faton Ro& Coventry has allowed us to host all our day io day serviccs as well as ¢xhibit our Oral History project 'Itish Hearu Coventry Home.. The preroises create a great space for social befriending al ev¢nts as well as new opportunities for volunteers and visitors. We were delighted to add the 'lrish Friendskn'p Group. to our.tK)rtfolio of services. The group now meets at the CEwity ¢v¢ry Friday 12pm-2pm. There is now a cafe atmosphere along with the lll"Story exhibition. We are extremely grateful to 'Avir¢' the Charity that organised this move for and to 'Friargate Projects. Ltd thai have given us the 3 year contract. We continue to SlTive to engage with 2 and 3 Generation Irish signing thetn up as Members and on our E-mailing list. would like io thank OUT main long-terni funder the 'Emigrant Support Progrdmme, for their commitmeni to the trish conMiuniiy and the Charily. as well as some of our other long term and recent funders. The treland FutLd of Great Britain. The National Lottery Community Fund and the Big Lottery for their fantastic support 10 the Irish community. Mostly I would like io thank all our members, clients. and volunteers for their 5UPPOrt of Ihe Chariiy. Report of the Trustees The Trustees who are also Dir¢dors of the Charity for the purposes of the Cornpanies Act submit their Report together with the reviewal Financial Ststements of the Charity for the year ended 31st December 2023. The Tnle¢S have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended PrdCti¢e (SORP)"Accounting and Reporting by CPrItieS, issu¢d in Mah2O05 in prarIng th¢ Annual Report and Financial Ststements. The Charity is a Charitable Company Limited by Guardntee and was set up on 1st October 2012 and commenced to trddc on 1st January 2013. It is governed by a Memorandum and AJticlG8 of Association. Objectives The Charity's objectives are." to promoie the benefit of the inhabitants of Coventry and suThounding areas with particular reference to those who are Irish or of Irish d¢s¢enL
to relieve sickness and old age. preserve and protect good health and advance education and to address issues of depnva1io social exclusion and isolation relat to poor health and old age. preserve and protect gocrfj mental and physical 1th and spiritual W-being. to promote culturally appropriale housing. health and social welfare services and recreational and other leisure time occupations witb the object of improving th¢ quaii¢y for the said inhabitants. Risks management TheTrnstees conduct their own review of majorrisks to whtch the Charity is exposed, these procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure that they still tneet the Deeds of the Charity and are as follows: an annual review of the risks which th¢ Charity may face" th¢ establishment of systems and procedures lo mitigate those risks identifi. the implemeniaiion of prrtedures de5igneAJ to minirnise any potential impact on th¢ Charity Should any of the risks materialise. Financial Review and Reserves Policy The company's "resulrs" and positlOD at 31st Dernber 2023 are set out in the accounts on pages 7 to I l. There were negative unrestri¢l¢d reserves at 3 1st December 2023, and the trustees are continuing to seek to address this and establish an appropriate rery£s liCY including a new 5 year plan. Trustees, Responsibilities Statement The Twstees (who are also Directors of Coventy Trish S(Kiety for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Annual Ryrt and the Financial Ststements in accordance. with applicabl¢ law and United Kingdom Accounting standar (United KAngdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law requires Trustees to prepar¢ fujancial stat¢m¢nts for each finatal year which give a true and fair vtew of the state of affairs of the Charitsble Company and of the incoming resour¢es and application of resources. including th¢ income and expenditure. of the Charitable Company for that p¢riod. In preparing these fuwKial statements. the Tru5ttts are required to: select suitable acCountll poh.cies and apply them consi5tentiy: observe the metho(Ls and principles in the Charities SORTr. make judgements and esiimaies that are reasonable and prudent. slate whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed subject to any material . departures disclosed and explained in the fuwicial statctnents" prepare the fitwicial statements on tbe going concern basis unjess it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in operdtion. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate ac¢ouniing records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the fmanciai position of the Charitable Company and enable theTn to ensure that the fit)ancial stat¢menis comply with the Cornpames Act 2006. The Tn1¢¢8 arc also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charitable Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention al dettion of fraud and other itr¢gularities. In so far as the Trustces are aware.. the is no relevant Audit infomution of wbich th¢ Charitable Company's Auditor is unaware. and . the Tntstees have taken all the steps that tbey ougbt to bave taken to make themselves aware of any relevant Audit information atKI to &8tablish that the Auditor is aware of that Infoml10n. Approved and Sign on behalf of the TnLStee5 by.. Print nam¢.' Chair- Rory Ryan Date 2f Sept¢rnb¢r 2024.
2023 - Independent Accountant's Report on the Accounts I have both prepared the fllwicial stsi¢ments of the Cov¢ntry Trish Society {CIS). The circun]sianc¢s whereby thi5 has come a¥M)ut are discussed in Section 4 of this report. The fllwicial reporting framework that has been applid in theirprepardtion is applicabl¢ law and Financial Reporting Siand8rd for Smaller EThtiti&8 (effective January 2015). This report is made wholly to the CIS T¢¢5 on the exaMItion of the ac¢ounts for the year endeA 31#December 2023. Respective responsibilities of trustees and rqx)rting acwuntant. As explained more Sjlly in the Trustees. Reswnsibility Statement. the trustees (who, for the pulposes of Company law. are also the dirtorS of the cljaritable Company) are responsible for the recor(ts from which th&se accounts have beeu prepared. Norn]ally. they would also be responsible lor prcwing the accounts. leaving the independent accountatlc merely the task of reviewing the accounls. but this year that was not possible and the indq)endent accountant has prepared the acc()unts and take reSnsibIlitY for them showing a true and fair view, subj¢¢t to Ihe note below. In doing so I have followed applicable directions given by the Charity Conunission undet Section 145{5)(b) of the Charities Aci 2011. Scope of the accounts The accounts concerned are in accordance with the underlying b)oks and rerdS of the organisation and hav¢ been verified with reference to external document5 (e.g. bank statements) where this is feasible. Bein8 acceptable to us, I bave not changed any accounting policies frorll pasi years. bave not received a trustees. rewrt for the year and so have no cornment to n)ake. Reservations Tegarding 'a true and fair view. and 'Going Concern.. The situation as at 315tDeLember 2023 w&s unchangal from earlier years so l am using the text from 2018 prepared by Hoimes and me. For clarity it is italicised. The figures we inberited from the years to December 2013 and 2014 were both subject audit quaIifi¢aiions. In thes¢ ¢1umSnecs w¢ are unable to Satisfy ourselves as to the appropriateness of the original figures and in particular the analysis of restricted and unrestricted fids. Thi5 itnpacts on later figures. eslailY the analysis of the capital fimds on 315IDec¢mber 2015 (th¢ first period for which we were a¢ling as independent accountants) as at the earlier year ends. On the other hand, reader5 may wish to note and take some comfort from the fact that funders have not responded to these qualified fi8ures in such a way as to indicate that they w¢r¢ unhappy with the position revealed. It is also nece55ary to state that in detemiining whether Coventry Irish Society I'CIS") is a going concern ihe accountant must be mindSJl that. like many ¢haritable bodies. CIS'S activities it) both ale and direction are driven by the grants tt is awarded. Changes in grants will impact CIS'S future activities. This is not to say that CIS would not be able to continue but that its scope will always have to be adjusted to its resources.
Qualified Opinion on the financial statements. In my Opinio except forthe possible eff¢S of the maitets describ in the Reservations regarding "a ttv¢ and fair VIN" and "Going Concern" paragTaphs. th¢ financial statements.. • give a true and fair view of the ¢haritabl¢ company's affairs at 31° Decetnber 2023 . have been properly prwared in accordance with UK generdlly accepted aOUntIng Practice (applicable to smaller enlities). and • have been preparcd accordance with the rquIr¢Ma of the Companies Act 2006. Print name: SIMON HORSMAN Date.. 27, Septetnber 2024
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Incorporating the Income and Expenditure Account For Years Ended December 3 1st 2023 Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds 2023 2022 INCOMING RESOURCES Donations and Fundraisin Membershi & Sales Emigrant Support Programme Less Clawback see Note 2 UK Lotte Covid Grant Other Grants Total incomin 813 90 59,536 900 59,53 83,66 21 resources RESOURCES EXPENDED staff costs (including NI) Covid Costs Survivors. Project Other Projects & Charitable ctivities Other expenses and support costs Office Rent otal resources ex ended Surplus/(Deficit) Net outgoing resources 76,10 76,10 52,767 2,35 2,359 6,532 1,391 5,856 6,532 13,412 13,41 11,295 100 737 (26,033) 77,30 15,25 (10.907) (15.126
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY- BALANCE SHEEr AS AT 31st DECEMBER 2023 2023 2022 FIXED ASSEfs (Net Book Value) See Note 3 below 23 35 CURRENT AsSs Bank and cash Total Current Assets CURRENT LtABILrriES Deferred income (ESP Grant) see Note 2 other Creditors Accruals Credit Card PAYE & NI Total Current Liabilities Net Current Assets Workin Ca ital TOTAL NET ASSETS (46,500) (36,438) 150 551 592 845 2,020 (2,865) (2,865) 23,156 23,156 deficit Sur lus Deficit for the Year Fund Balances Brou ht Forward Fund Balances Carried Forward (2,842) 23,191 FUNDS Unrestritted funds Restricted funds TOTAL The Society decided in 2021 to change the way it treats Restricted Funds to something more transparent than previously. Restricted Funds are to be those funds which have been allocated to specific purposes and which, remaining unspent, therefore represent liabilities to be satisfied in the future. For the financial year in question th¢ wmpany was eDtitled to ¢x¢mption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. No members have required th¢ comparLy to obtain an audit of its accounts for tILe year iTh question in accordance with tIOn 476 of the Cowies Aci 2006. The Directors acknowledgetheir responsibility forcomplying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and for the prepardtion of accounts. These accounis havebeen prepared in accnrdance with theprovisions applicable subject lo the small companies, regime. On behalf of the board The financial statements were approvd by the ix)ard of tswstees on 2tr September 2023
The annexed notes form part of these financial statements. Company Number." 08235510 Charity Number: 1150290 Print Name: Rory Ryalk........ Date.. 27th September 2024......-
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIEr NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31sf DECEMBER 2023 NOTE l. Accounting policies (a) The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities. published in July 2014 and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standards for Smaller Entities (effective January 2015). (b}The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis notwithstanding an overdrawn unrestricted funds position at 315r December 2023. A reduction in funding from the principal funder from mid-2014 reduced the Society'5 income significantly but it has been stable for several years now. The trustees have taken widespread and substantial remedial actions to rectify the situation, and are confident that a positive position has been restored. The 2023- 24 grant awards from the principal funder, albeit at a lower level than pre-2014, have been confirmed at the date of approval of the financial statements. The trustees, being mindful of all relevant factors, consider the Going Concern basis to be appropriate. (c) Voluntary income is received by way of donations and gifts and is included in the full in the Statement of Financial Artivities when receivable. The value of the services provided by volunteers has been included. (d) Grants, including grants for the purchase of fixed assets, are recognised in full in the Statement of Financial Activities for the year in which they are receivable. (e) Incoming resources from investments are included when receivable. (O Resources expended are recognised in the period in which they are incurred. Resources expended include attributable VAT which cannot be recovered. (g) Resources expended are allocated to the particular activity where the cost relates directly to the activity. Ih) Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of each asset over its expected useful life, which is estimated at five years for furniture, four years for office equipment and three years for computers. (i) Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resources receivable or generated for the objects of the charity Wlthout further specified purpose and are available as general funds. (J") Designated fund5 are unrestricted funds earmarked by the management committee for particular purposes. (k) Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the fund, together with a fair allocation of management and support costs. (l) Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the income and expenditure account on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease. Note 2 Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) The Emigrant Support Programme funded by the Eireann Government makes up approximately 900/0 of the society's income so it is important that these monies are accounted for both corrertly and transparently. The grants work on a year from Isi July to 30th June so. in principle, given that the society works to the calendar year, half the grant will fall into the year it is received and half gets carried over to the following year. We say "in principle" because the timing of grants, especially if they are for specific purposes, can mean that simply halving the figure does not show a true and fair view. io
NOTE 3. Tangible fixed assets Computer Fumiture Equipment Total COST At 1st January 2023 Additions 5,490 5,196 1,978 12,664 Disposals At 31st December 2023 5,490 5,196 1,978 12,664 Less DEPRECIATION At 31st December 2022 5,472 5,196 1,961 12,629 Charge for the Year At 31st December 2023 12 5,478 5,196 1,967 12,641 BOOK VALUE 12 li 23 At 31st December 2023 NOTE 3. Taxation No liability to UK corporation tax arises for the year ended 31* December 2023 nor for any previous periods. NOTE 4. Funds Opening Balance Movement in resources In Out Closing Balance 31sr December 2023 January 2023 Unrestrirted funds 9,037 Restricted fiJnds Total Funds 100 737
COVEFfrRY IRISH SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee) rNDEPENDENT ACCOUNfANfs REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENrs FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31STDECEMBER 2023 Clwity No: 1150290 Company No: 08235510 CONTEFrrs PAGE Cbairperson's Report & Report of ttrle Ttte$ Report of th¢ Independent Accountants Stsiernent of Financial Activiti Balance Sheet Notes to the Financial Statements io Atw4zti
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COMPANIES HOUSE
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIErY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 3 ISTDECEMBER 2023 COMPANY INFORMATION: TRUSTEES.. Rory Ryan Josephine.Addleton Elizabeth Flannelly Kathleen Mccarthy Kay Forrest Michael Fitzgerald REGISTERED OFFICE: 2. Floor Eaton House Eaton Road Coventy CVI 2FJ REGISTERED NUMBER: 08235510 ffngland and Wales) REGISTERED CHAIUTY NUMBER: 1150290 INDEPENDENf AccouwfANf.' Sirnon Horsman
COVENTRY IIUSH SOCIETY CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT & REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES ST FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Dear Members Coventry Irish Society is an organisation which works predominantly with older frish people with a specific target to support the wlnerable Irish. Our overall aim is to alleviate poverty, improve health and address social isolation in our local Irish community. CIS is made up of Trustees, Efftployees & Volunteers. but the beating heart of our Charity is our members and their passion to continuously keep alive our Erish heTitage in the City that we call home. The Charity will continue to prioritise the needs of the VLJlnerable Irish by targeting resources to ensure that our vulnerable communitys health arml welfare needs are being met. In addition to day to dav advice and outreach services the Charity will conduct a half day per week Oementia Support Service to ensure this objective is beine met. The Charity continues to priorit15e Irish Survivors ir) the Midlands having secured funding for Irish Survivors specialist services in the previous 2 years. Currently, this project has 70 clients with IS applications to the Mother and Baby Home in proce5S. General advice will continue to provide support for people seeking Irish citizenship, Irish Passports, and general welfare enquiries such as help with utility bills. Council Tax etc. The Charity's new rent free premises on the 2 Floor of E2ton House, Faton Ro& Coventry has allowed us to host all our day io day serviccs as well as ¢xhibit our Oral History project 'Itish Hearu Coventry Home.. The preroises create a great space for social befriending al ev¢nts as well as new opportunities for volunteers and visitors. We were delighted to add the 'lrish Friendskn'p Group. to our.tK)rtfolio of services. The group now meets at the CEwity ¢v¢ry Friday 12pm-2pm. There is now a cafe atmosphere along with the lll"Story exhibition. We are extremely grateful to 'Avir¢' the Charity that organised this move for and to 'Friargate Projects. Ltd thai have given us the 3 year contract. We continue to SlTive to engage with 2 and 3 Generation Irish signing thetn up as Members and on our E-mailing list. would like io thank OUT main long-terni funder the 'Emigrant Support Progrdmme, for their commitmeni to the trish conMiuniiy and the Charily. as well as some of our other long term and recent funders. The treland FutLd of Great Britain. The National Lottery Community Fund and the Big Lottery for their fantastic support 10 the Irish community. Mostly I would like io thank all our members, clients. and volunteers for their 5UPPOrt of Ihe Chariiy. Report of the Trustees The Trustees who are also Dir¢dors of the Charity for the purposes of the Cornpanies Act submit their Report together with the reviewal Financial Ststements of the Charity for the year ended 31st December 2023. The Tnle¢S have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended PrdCti¢e (SORP)"Accounting and Reporting by CPrItieS, issu¢d in Mah2O05 in prarIng th¢ Annual Report and Financial Ststements. The Charity is a Charitable Company Limited by Guardntee and was set up on 1st October 2012 and commenced to trddc on 1st January 2013. It is governed by a Memorandum and AJticlG8 of Association. Objectives The Charity's objectives are." to promoie the benefit of the inhabitants of Coventry and suThounding areas with particular reference to those who are Irish or of Irish d¢s¢enL
to relieve sickness and old age. preserve and protect good health and advance education and to address issues of depnva1io social exclusion and isolation relat to poor health and old age. preserve and protect gocrfj mental and physical 1th and spiritual W-being. to promote culturally appropriale housing. health and social welfare services and recreational and other leisure time occupations witb the object of improving th¢ quaii¢y for the said inhabitants. Risks management TheTrnstees conduct their own review of majorrisks to whtch the Charity is exposed, these procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure that they still tneet the Deeds of the Charity and are as follows: an annual review of the risks which th¢ Charity may face" th¢ establishment of systems and procedures lo mitigate those risks identifi. the implemeniaiion of prrtedures de5igneAJ to minirnise any potential impact on th¢ Charity Should any of the risks materialise. Financial Review and Reserves Policy The company's "resulrs" and positlOD at 31st Dernber 2023 are set out in the accounts on pages 7 to I l. There were negative unrestri¢l¢d reserves at 3 1st December 2023, and the trustees are continuing to seek to address this and establish an appropriate rery£s liCY including a new 5 year plan. Trustees, Responsibilities Statement The Twstees (who are also Directors of Coventy Trish S(Kiety for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Annual Ryrt and the Financial Ststements in accordance. with applicabl¢ law and United Kingdom Accounting standar (United KAngdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law requires Trustees to prepar¢ fujancial stat¢m¢nts for each finatal year which give a true and fair vtew of the state of affairs of the Charitsble Company and of the incoming resour¢es and application of resources. including th¢ income and expenditure. of the Charitable Company for that p¢riod. In preparing these fuwKial statements. the Tru5ttts are required to: select suitable acCountll poh.cies and apply them consi5tentiy: observe the metho(Ls and principles in the Charities SORTr. make judgements and esiimaies that are reasonable and prudent. slate whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed subject to any material . departures disclosed and explained in the fuwicial statctnents" prepare the fitwicial statements on tbe going concern basis unjess it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in operdtion. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate ac¢ouniing records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the fmanciai position of the Charitable Company and enable theTn to ensure that the fit)ancial stat¢menis comply with the Cornpames Act 2006. The Tn1¢¢8 arc also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charitable Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention al dettion of fraud and other itr¢gularities. In so far as the Trustces are aware.. the is no relevant Audit infomution of wbich th¢ Charitable Company's Auditor is unaware. and . the Tntstees have taken all the steps that tbey ougbt to bave taken to make themselves aware of any relevant Audit information atKI to &8tablish that the Auditor is aware of that Infoml10n. Approved and Sign on behalf of the TnLStee5 by.. Print nam¢.' Chair- Rory Ryan Date 2f Sept¢rnb¢r 2024.
2023 - Independent Accountant's Report on the Accounts I have both prepared the fllwicial stsi¢ments of the Cov¢ntry Trish Society {CIS). The circun]sianc¢s whereby thi5 has come a¥M)ut are discussed in Section 4 of this report. The fllwicial reporting framework that has been applid in theirprepardtion is applicabl¢ law and Financial Reporting Siand8rd for Smaller EThtiti&8 (effective January 2015). This report is made wholly to the CIS T¢¢5 on the exaMItion of the ac¢ounts for the year endeA 31#December 2023. Respective responsibilities of trustees and rqx)rting acwuntant. As explained more Sjlly in the Trustees. Reswnsibility Statement. the trustees (who, for the pulposes of Company law. are also the dirtorS of the cljaritable Company) are responsible for the recor(ts from which th&se accounts have beeu prepared. Norn]ally. they would also be responsible lor prcwing the accounts. leaving the independent accountatlc merely the task of reviewing the accounls. but this year that was not possible and the indq)endent accountant has prepared the acc()unts and take reSnsibIlitY for them showing a true and fair view, subj¢¢t to Ihe note below. In doing so I have followed applicable directions given by the Charity Conunission undet Section 145{5)(b) of the Charities Aci 2011. Scope of the accounts The accounts concerned are in accordance with the underlying b)oks and rerdS of the organisation and hav¢ been verified with reference to external document5 (e.g. bank statements) where this is feasible. Bein8 acceptable to us, I bave not changed any accounting policies frorll pasi years. bave not received a trustees. rewrt for the year and so have no cornment to n)ake. Reservations Tegarding 'a true and fair view. and 'Going Concern.. The situation as at 315tDeLember 2023 w&s unchangal from earlier years so l am using the text from 2018 prepared by Hoimes and me. For clarity it is italicised. The figures we inberited from the years to December 2013 and 2014 were both subject audit quaIifi¢aiions. In thes¢ ¢1umSnecs w¢ are unable to Satisfy ourselves as to the appropriateness of the original figures and in particular the analysis of restricted and unrestricted fids. Thi5 itnpacts on later figures. eslailY the analysis of the capital fimds on 315IDec¢mber 2015 (th¢ first period for which we were a¢ling as independent accountants) as at the earlier year ends. On the other hand, reader5 may wish to note and take some comfort from the fact that funders have not responded to these qualified fi8ures in such a way as to indicate that they w¢r¢ unhappy with the position revealed. It is also nece55ary to state that in detemiining whether Coventry Irish Society I'CIS") is a going concern ihe accountant must be mindSJl that. like many ¢haritable bodies. CIS'S activities it) both ale and direction are driven by the grants tt is awarded. Changes in grants will impact CIS'S future activities. This is not to say that CIS would not be able to continue but that its scope will always have to be adjusted to its resources.
Qualified Opinion on the financial statements. In my Opinio except forthe possible eff¢S of the maitets describ in the Reservations regarding "a ttv¢ and fair VIN" and "Going Concern" paragTaphs. th¢ financial statements.. • give a true and fair view of the ¢haritabl¢ company's affairs at 31° Decetnber 2023 . have been properly prwared in accordance with UK generdlly accepted aOUntIng Practice (applicable to smaller enlities). and • have been preparcd accordance with the rquIr¢Ma of the Companies Act 2006. Print name: SIMON HORSMAN Date.. 27, Septetnber 2024
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Incorporating the Income and Expenditure Account For Years Ended December 3 1st 2023 Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds 2023 2022 INCOMING RESOURCES Donations and Fundraisin Membershi & Sales Emigrant Support Programme Less Clawback see Note 2 UK Lotte Covid Grant Other Grants Total incomin 813 90 59,536 900 59,53 83,66 21 resources RESOURCES EXPENDED staff costs (including NI) Covid Costs Survivors. Project Other Projects & Charitable ctivities Other expenses and support costs Office Rent otal resources ex ended Surplus/(Deficit) Net outgoing resources 76,10 76,10 52,767 2,35 2,359 6,532 1,391 5,856 6,532 13,412 13,41 11,295 100 737 (26,033) 77,30 15,25 (10.907) (15.126
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY- BALANCE SHEEr AS AT 31st DECEMBER 2023 2023 2022 FIXED ASSEfs (Net Book Value) See Note 3 below 23 35 CURRENT AsSs Bank and cash Total Current Assets CURRENT LtABILrriES Deferred income (ESP Grant) see Note 2 other Creditors Accruals Credit Card PAYE & NI Total Current Liabilities Net Current Assets Workin Ca ital TOTAL NET ASSETS (46,500) (36,438) 150 551 592 845 2,020 (2,865) (2,865) 23,156 23,156 deficit Sur lus Deficit for the Year Fund Balances Brou ht Forward Fund Balances Carried Forward (2,842) 23,191 FUNDS Unrestritted funds Restricted funds TOTAL The Society decided in 2021 to change the way it treats Restricted Funds to something more transparent than previously. Restricted Funds are to be those funds which have been allocated to specific purposes and which, remaining unspent, therefore represent liabilities to be satisfied in the future. For the financial year in question th¢ wmpany was eDtitled to ¢x¢mption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. No members have required th¢ comparLy to obtain an audit of its accounts for tILe year iTh question in accordance with tIOn 476 of the Cowies Aci 2006. The Directors acknowledgetheir responsibility forcomplying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and for the prepardtion of accounts. These accounis havebeen prepared in accnrdance with theprovisions applicable subject lo the small companies, regime. On behalf of the board The financial statements were approvd by the ix)ard of tswstees on 2tr September 2023
The annexed notes form part of these financial statements. Company Number." 08235510 Charity Number: 1150290 Print Name: Rory Ryalk........ Date.. 27th September 2024......-
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIEr NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31sf DECEMBER 2023 NOTE l. Accounting policies (a) The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities. published in July 2014 and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standards for Smaller Entities (effective January 2015). (b}The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis notwithstanding an overdrawn unrestricted funds position at 315r December 2023. A reduction in funding from the principal funder from mid-2014 reduced the Society'5 income significantly but it has been stable for several years now. The trustees have taken widespread and substantial remedial actions to rectify the situation, and are confident that a positive position has been restored. The 2023- 24 grant awards from the principal funder, albeit at a lower level than pre-2014, have been confirmed at the date of approval of the financial statements. The trustees, being mindful of all relevant factors, consider the Going Concern basis to be appropriate. (c) Voluntary income is received by way of donations and gifts and is included in the full in the Statement of Financial Artivities when receivable. The value of the services provided by volunteers has been included. (d) Grants, including grants for the purchase of fixed assets, are recognised in full in the Statement of Financial Activities for the year in which they are receivable. (e) Incoming resources from investments are included when receivable. (O Resources expended are recognised in the period in which they are incurred. Resources expended include attributable VAT which cannot be recovered. (g) Resources expended are allocated to the particular activity where the cost relates directly to the activity. Ih) Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of each asset over its expected useful life, which is estimated at five years for furniture, four years for office equipment and three years for computers. (i) Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resources receivable or generated for the objects of the charity Wlthout further specified purpose and are available as general funds. (J") Designated fund5 are unrestricted funds earmarked by the management committee for particular purposes. (k) Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the fund, together with a fair allocation of management and support costs. (l) Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the income and expenditure account on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease. Note 2 Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) The Emigrant Support Programme funded by the Eireann Government makes up approximately 900/0 of the society's income so it is important that these monies are accounted for both corrertly and transparently. The grants work on a year from Isi July to 30th June so. in principle, given that the society works to the calendar year, half the grant will fall into the year it is received and half gets carried over to the following year. We say "in principle" because the timing of grants, especially if they are for specific purposes, can mean that simply halving the figure does not show a true and fair view. io
NOTE 3. Tangible fixed assets Computer Fumiture Equipment Total COST At 1st January 2023 Additions 5,490 5,196 1,978 12,664 Disposals At 31st December 2023 5,490 5,196 1,978 12,664 Less DEPRECIATION At 31st December 2022 5,472 5,196 1,961 12,629 Charge for the Year At 31st December 2023 12 5,478 5,196 1,967 12,641 BOOK VALUE 12 li 23 At 31st December 2023 NOTE 3. Taxation No liability to UK corporation tax arises for the year ended 31* December 2023 nor for any previous periods. NOTE 4. Funds Opening Balance Movement in resources In Out Closing Balance 31sr December 2023 January 2023 Unrestrirted funds 9,037 Restricted fiJnds Total Funds 100 737