THE MCF CHARITABLE TRUST
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Trustees William Robinson Arthur Williamson Paul Martin Dodie Graves Peter Howe Dolway Johnston Charity number NIC100118 NI37132 Company number 6 Knocklynn Registered office Road, Coleraine, County Londonderry, BT52 1WT Lloyd Hunter Independent examiner C/o The Sandel Centre, 6 Knocklynn Road, BT52 1WT
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THE MCF CHARITABLE TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT {INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2023
The trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 January 2023.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016)
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The purposes of MCF Charitable Trust are:
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to advance the Christian faith in Ireland and in such parts of Great Britain or the world as the directors of the Charity may from time to time think fit;
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to relieve persons who are in conditions of need or hardship or who are aged or sick and to relieve the distress caused thereby in Ireland and in such parts of Great Britain or the world as the directors of the Charity may, from time to time, think fit;
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to advance education in accordance with Christian principles by such means as the trustees may consider appropriate including by means of establishing and operating any education establishment or establishments in Ireland and in such parts of Great Britain or the world as the directors of the Charity may, from time to time, think fit;
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to promote or fulfil such other charitable purposes beneficial to the community in Ireland and in such parts of Great Britain or the world as the directors of the Charity may from time to time think fit.
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The current strategy of The MCF Charitable Trust is to deliver these purposes through the following:
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The provision and maintenance of the ‘Sandel Centre’ Coleraine, a purpose built and fully equipped building which serves the community as a neutral venue/safe space. These assets are managed according to the principles of good governance using appropriate procedures and personnel management arrangements to promote effective and efficient programmes of activities.
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The Trust employs three staff as follows. A full time staff worker whose role includes weekly Bible teaching, mentoring, pastoral care and management of volunteers. We also employ a Mission Co-ordinator whose role involves helping MCF to be more effective in impacting the local neighbourhood and wider world with the love and message of Jesus. A Youth Worker who coordinates volunteer teams and organises a wide variety of youth activities.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
- SUNDAY MORNING SERVICES Numbers attending on Sunday mornings have continued to grow, with about 200 adults now attending either regularly or semi-regularly. There are also a number of people who regularly watch the services online because they are unable to attend in person due to ill health. Sunday morning services are provided by MCF who create a warm and welcoming environment where people can connect together, and includes musical worship, communion, prayer, an open sharing time, and teaching about the Bible and its relevance to everyday life.
Three separate programmes (pre-school, primary, secondary) are provided for 70—80 children and young people, looked after by teams of volunteers.
- YOUTH ACTIVITIES Jenny Bruce continued in the role of Youth Worker, coordinating volunteer teams and organising a wide variety of youth activities. The following activities currently happen regularly:
ANIMATE: This is a creative Sunday evening youth group which has now developed a strong identity, and attracts about 30 young people from both church and neighbourhood. The group helps young people develop personally, socially and spiritually, and also find ways to serve the local community in practical ways.
EXPLORE: A discussion group on Tuesday afternoons for young people (aged 12-14) who want to explore Christian faith and ask questions in a safe environment.
YOUTH HOME GROUP: This is a small group for older teenagers (aged 15-18) which meets weekly. They explore different aspects of Christian faith and also seek to support and encourage each other.
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COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES The Sandel Centre hosts a wide variety of activities provide vital connection and community for different groups within our local community. These include a table tennis club, an Art Club, “Young at Heart” and “Wednesday Get-Together” (for older people), Jolly Tots (for babies and toddlers and their parents/carers), and Friday Fun Club (for Primary age children). This year we also ran seasonal community events at Christmas and Easter, as well as a special community festival week (Sandelfest) in August.
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MISSION CO-ORDINATOR Ricky Linton has continued in the role of Mission Coordinator. This role involves helping the church to be more effective in impacting the local neighbourhood and wider world with the love and message of Jesus. Ricky works closely with the Sandel Centre manager on ways of connecting the church to the local community and those who use the building every day. He also organised and led an Alpha Course in the autumn for people interested in exploring the basics of the Christian faith, as well as a week of events focused on mental health in January.
PUBLIC BENEFIT: In setting our objectives and planning our activities for the year the trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's guidance on public benefit. In this way they seek to ensure that the activities have helped to achieve the charity's purposes and provide a benefit to the beneficiaries.
REVIEWS OF RISK: The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Our financial support was drawn exclusively from Mountsandel Christian Fellowship, charity no 100058. In return Mountsandel Christian Fellowship benefitted from use of the building and the services of staff. Causeway Voluntary Trust managed the letting of building facilities to community and other user groups and in return took responsibility for the maintenance and other running costs of the building.
Overall expenditure increased by £14,621 (23%) this year due to higher staff costs and expenses. Income rose by £6,786 compared to the previous year and subsequently cash reserves fell to £16,382.
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STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The MCF Charitable Trust is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Northern Ireland on 14th October 1999 and a charity registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland on 8th April 2014. Its governing documents are its Memorandum and Articles of Association.
The Directors of the Company are also the Charity’s Trustees and consist of the persons who are from time-to-time members of the Company. A Director must have confirmed their acceptance of the objects and ethos of the Company and their personal acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord and belief in the Doctrines set out in the schedule of the Memorandum of Association.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, who served during the year were:
William Robinson*
Arthur Williamson*
Paul Martin*
Dodie Graves (appointed 22 Nov 2022)
Peter Howe (appointed 22 Nov 2022)
None of the trustees have any beneficial interest in the company. Three trustees* were also trustees of Mountsandel Christian Fellowship for at least part of the year.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees on
1[st] October 2023
Signed on behalf of the Trustees
Trustee: Dr Christopher Paul Martin
Dated: 1[st] October 2023
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