STRATHFOYLE WOMEN'S ACTIVITY GROUP LTD TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024. The financial slatements have been prepared in accordance wf(h the accounting policies set out in note 1 to Ihe financial statements and comply with the chanty's goveming document, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordan wilh Ihe Financial Reporting Stsndard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 102} {effeclive 1 January 2019)" Objectives and activities The objects of the charty as staled in the Memorandum of Association are to relieve povety, to advance education and the preservation and protection of health specificalty, but not exdusivety, among women residing in the Strathfoyle and rural Derry areas and their environs by and in particular- associating the statutory authorities. community and voluntary organisations and Ihe inhabilants in a common effort to advance education, and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure lime occupation with Ihe object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants,. the advancement of education, training or retraining, particularly among unemployed people. and providing unemployed people with work experience.. Ihe maintenance, improvement or provision of public amentlies- the provision of assistan in the provision of recreational facilities for the public at large andlor those who, by reasons of their youlh, age, infirmty or disablement, poveity or social and economic Circumstan$, have need of such facilities., the provision of public health facilf(ies and childcare. Our mission is to provide high quality individual. famity and communty support for people living in the Strathfoyle area. Central lo this is Ihe provision of a range of education and training opportunilies, tailored in response lo need and supported with high quality childcare. We also seek to Influen and encourage other agencies to address social and economic needs and olher specific issues facing the community. We prioritise worf(ing in partnership with others to achieve our stralegic aims. We review our aims, objectives and activilies each year to ensure thal they remain focused on their stated purposes. We provide a wide and varied program of activities and events to enable women to access opportunities for learning and development in a flexible and supportive environmenl. We provide childcare focused on Ihe needs of the child, taking account of the needs of women from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. We work in partnership with women's organisations and other agencies in the North West. at a regional level and beyond, to influence positive change in the field of women's equality, leaming and development. Al Strathfoyle Women's Activity Group we aim to.. Educate Working with local organisations and indiwduals. we provide educational facilities so that all our stakeholders have an equal opportunity to develop their fijll potential. Support We provide individual, family and community support to our stskeholders, offering the opportunity lo make a brighter fulure for themselves and their children. Develop Partnerships We work together with a wide range of groups to maximise our abilty to realise our mission. Deliver Quality We aim to deliver services that are of the highest quality. that are well planned and managed. We aim to be effective, effiuent and accountable in all OurVrk. The Iruslees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what aclivities Ihe charity should undertake.
STRATHFOYLE WOMEN'S ACTIVITY GROUP LTD TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Achievements and perfonnance During 2023124 we delivered 50 capacity building education & training programmes to 449 participants and provided 63 childcare places each week. We also= Delivered a series of training program5 irnplemented for staff, volunteers & board of directors. (Child Protection, FirstAid. GDPR, Health & Safety, Facilitaled Creative Crafls Facilitated an Anxiety Management wth CBT Programme Facilitaled 2 Positive Ageing Programmes to women aged 55+ one on a Monday and one on a Tuesday, offering Social Interaction Craft5. Amichair Aerobics and Holistic Therapies. Facilitated Recreational Art for aged 55+ Facilitaled Nurturing Parenting Programme Facilitated Baby Massage Facilitaled Baby Yoga Facilitated Baby Swim and Toddler swim Facilitated the MAS Programme Provided a Drop-in Respite Program for Families with additional needs Provided a weekly Jo Jingles Music & Movement program for young children & their parentslcarers. Provided weekly Sessions of Slay and Play (18monlhs +) Provided Weekty Sessions of Play Programme {birth - 18 months) Facilitated Glowing Sensory Light session Facilitaled Solid Weaning Facilitated Messy Play Session Facilitaled Trauma & Personal Development programme Facilitated Cook it Facilitated TherapeuticArt Facilitaled Cooking with Airfryer Facilitated Mindfulness Facilitaled Crochet Facilitated Boxercise Facilitated Creative Crafts Facilitaled Vegan Cooking {wth spices) Facilitated Anxiety Management Facilitaled Level 1 & Level 2 Community Development Facilitated One to One Counselling Facilitated One to One Managing Challenging Behaviour Facilitaled One to One Parenting Worked strategicalty with other women's centres and groups to develop a Regional Infrastructure. Contributed to consultations, external bodies and agencies on social economic and community development issues. Worked with other agencies to foster social and economic development. Worked in Partnership with Local Community Groups. Liased with Health Visitors who provided WeeY Drop In Baby Clinic Health Visilors provided workshops on Weaning, Safe Sleeping, Toilet Training and Baby Massage. We have also offered Creche for Courses and a Drop-in Respite Creche. We also offer a Parenl and Child Togelher Programme which incorporates.. 1 weekty session of Stay and Play {0-1yr) including messy play and sensory play sessions - ran for 30 weeks 1 weekly session of Slay and Play IToddler group 14yr old) - ran for 30 weeks Trips - 3 trips to Playshed. 1 trip to Tropical World. 1 trip to Tropical Wodd, 1 trip to Portrush and 1 trip to Belfast Zoo We also held a Children's Christmas Paty at Brunswick MoviebO and a Positive Ageing Programme Christma5 Paty at The Belfray Country Inn. We provided transport for a Christmas Shopping Trip to Belfast. We had 92 children participating in childcare activities.
STRATHFOYLE WOMEN'S ACTIVITY GROUP LTD TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Financial review The charity retained the continued support of its fijnders during 2023124. Total income for the year was £207,367 of which £167,276 was generaled from grant funding bodies and £40,091 from donalions, course conlributions and GP counselling services. Total expenditure by the charity was £223,917 all of which was spent on direct charitable activities. The balance on total funds at the year-end was £107.523, of which £13,916 were restricted and £21,436 were general unrestricted funds. Within unrestricted funds. £72.171 has been set aside as designated funds relating to expenditure incurred on tangible fixed assets. Reserrfes policy The Trustees consider il prudenl lo hold monies in reserve in Ihe event that unforeseen circumstances should lead to financial drfficulties which might put the future of its employment capaaty. users, welkbeing and general charitable work in jeopardy. The Trustees have examined the charivs requirements for reserves in light of the main risks to the organisation and established a formal policy which stipulales Ihal free reserves be maintained al a level which ensures Ihat Ihe charity's core activity could continue during a period of unforeseen drfficulty. Free reserves are defined by the Trustees a5 unrestricted income funds freely available for use as the charity so determines and thereby excludes any funds committed, invested in langible fixed assets held by Ihe charity and restricted or designated funds. The Truslees, policy is that Ihe amounl of free reseNes should reflect three months, of operating cosls. The Trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that in the event in a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity's current activities whilst consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. The Trustees, assess that three month's of operating costs amounls to approximately £55,000. Free reserves as at 31 st March 2024 are £14,966. The Trustees continue to strive to build a general level of reserves in accordance with their policy so Ihal they will be able to continue the current activities of the charity. In the short term, the Truslees have also considered the extent to which existing activities and expenditure should be curtailed, should circumstances arise. Risk Management The Trustees are aware of the major risks to which the charity is exposed. Where appropriate, systems or procedures have been established to mitigate the risks the charity faces. Intemal control risks are minimised through the procedures for authorisation of all transactions and projects. Procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure Ihat they continue to meet the needs ofthe charity. Procedures are also in Pla to ensure Complian with health and safety of staff, volunteers and clients. The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied Ihat syslems are in place to mttigate exposure to the major risks. Plans for the future Strathfoyle Women's Activity Group Ltd. was established in Juty 1986, aims tto relieve poverty. to advance educational opportunities and lo provide better health and welfare through the provision the provision of facilrties and activities for women, lone parenls and pre-school children of Stralhfoyle and Maydown." Our project is designed to empower individuals while building their capacity to enable them to participate in training events and development activities and heallh events. The long-temi outcome being that their self*sleem, self awareness and confidence is raised equipping them to become reinlegrated into the labour market, also in doing this we aim to break down the barriers to participation, i.e. Crèche facilities being available for all day-time activities to enable women to participate. We offer accredited and non-accredited programmes and offer serViS such as personal and professional development leading to a rise in self-esteem, self awareness and confidence which often is the first step to empowerment. Structure, governance and management Governing document Strathfoyle Women's Activity Group is a company limited by guarantee and accepted as charitable by HMRC under reference XR1520211. The company was incorporated on 14th March 2002. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the company. and is govemed by ils Articles of Association. The liabilty of members is limited in that every member of the company undertakes to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 in the evenl oflhe company being wound up.
STRATHFOYLE WOMEN'S ACTIVITY GROUP LTD TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 The trustees, who are also the d1ClOr$ for the purpose of company law. and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were= Patricia Anne Simpson {Chair) Bronagh McElhill (Vice Chair) Yvonne Mitchell (Treasurer) Rebecca Lovell Ivice Chair) Josh Willis (Treasurer) Rachael Ferguson (Secretary) Hester Clarke Elizabeth Dixon Carlanne Young Holli Collin5 Catherine Quinn Stephanie Meenan Trevor Curran Carla Linlon {Treasurer) Angela Bradley Jennifer Farranl Cathy Malcolm Lisa Taylor Declan Norris Samantha Mailey Michelle Coyle Shibeal Maguire {Resigned 10 Juty 2023) (Resigned 10 July 2023) (Resigned 27 June 2024) {Resigned 27 November 2024) {Resigned 27 November 2024) (Resigned 10 July 2023) {Resigned 10 Juty 2023) {Resigned 2 August 2023) {Resigned 10 Juty 2023) (Resigned 1 August 2023) {Appointed 12 October 2023) {Resigned 10 July 2023) {Appointed 2 January 2024) {Appointed 2 December 2024) {Appointed 2 December 20241 {Appointed 2 December 20241 {Appointed 2 December 20241 {Appointed 2 December 20241 {Appointed 2 December 2024) Recruitment and appointment of the Trustees All members of the board shall retire annually but shall be eligible for election or appointment again. Nominations from members of the group for membership of the board must be in writing and must be in the hands of the designated officer at least seven days before the AGM. Under the requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Association unless otherwise determined by the company in General Meeting the number of Trustees shall not be less than four. Trustees are elected to serve only until the next Annual General Meeting at which they shall then be eligible for re*lection. All members of the Board of Trustees give their lime voluntarily and received no benefits from the charity- Organisation Slructure The charity is administered by a Board of Trustees vtho are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the company. Board members are from a variety of professional backgrounds relevant to Ihe work of the charily. The board as a whole was approved by the AGM and continues to monitor its membership. The Board has appointed a management team to manage the day to day operations of the charity.
STRATHFOYLE WOMEN'S ACTIVITY GROUP LTD TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Statement of trustees. responsibilities The trustees, who are also the directors of Strathfoyle Women's Actrvty Group Ltd for the purpose of company law. are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Report and the financial stalements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United 'ngdoM Generally Accepted Accounting practi>. Company Law requires the trustees to prepa financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for thal year. In preparing these financial statements. the trustees are required to= select suitable accounting policies and then app them consistentty.. observe the methods and principle5 in the Charities SORP- make judgements and estimates thal are reasonable and prudent-, stale whelher applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subjecl to any malerial departures disclosed and explained in the financial staternents., and prepare the financial stalements on the going concem basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation. The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disdose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charty and enable them to ensure that the financial statements compty with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for laking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other iegUlar1ties. The trustees, report was approved by the Board of Trustees. Patricia Anne Simpson (Chair Truslee Dated.. 22 January 2025 Rachael Trustee Dated.'22 January 2025 erguson Isecretary)