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← The Girls' Brigade Northern Ireland

2025-05-31-annual-report

Charity Registration number NIC 100405 (Northern Ireland) Company registration number NI058531

GIRLS' BRIGADE NORTHERN IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

GIRLS' BRIGADE NORTHERN IRELAND

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees I McKane
H Lindsay
T Davies
L Murtagh
I Orr
L Cull
J Budd
A Bingham
T Erskine
B Preston
K Orr
T Weir (Appointed 21 August 2024)
National Secretary G Clarke
Charity number NIC100405
Company number NI058531
Registered office C2 Kilbegs Business Park
Fergusons Way
Antrim
BT41 4LZ
Auditor Corrigan CA Limited
24 Greystone Road
Antrim
N Ireland
BT41 2QN
Bankers Ulster Bank
8 Market Square
Antrim
BT41 4AT
Danske Bank
PO Box 183
Donegall Square West
Belfast
BT1 6JS
Solicitors Hewitt & Gilpin
14-16 James Street South
Belfast
BT2 7GA

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CONTENTS

Page
Trustees' report 1 - 17
Statement of Trustees' responsibilities 18
Independent auditor's report 19 - 20
Statement of financial activities 21
Balance sheet 22
Statement of cash flows 23
Notes to the financial statements 24 - 37

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TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

Introduction

About Us

The Girls’ Brigade NI Ltd is a Christian, international and interdenominational uniformed organisation. There are 264 GB companies in Northern Ireland with a total of 18,556 members, made up of 15,212 girls, 2,129 Officers, 390 SubOfficers and 825 Associate Leaders.

GBNI employs 14 staff based at GB Headquarters (GBHQ) in Antrim. Work carried out at GBHQ includes:

Our Aim

The Aim of Girls’ Brigade, being a Christian organisation, international and interdenominational, shall be: To help girls to become followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, and through self-control, reverence and a sense of responsibility, to find true enrichment of life.

Our Vision

Girls’ Brigade Northern Ireland will be recognised as a dynamic, relevant, Christ-centred organisation effectively reaching out to all girls to value, nurture and equip them for life.

Our Motto

‘Seek, Serve and Follow Christ’.

The Trustees have the pleasure of presenting their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2025.

Introduction

GBNI is a Christian, international, interdenominational, uniformed organisation. The Vision for Girls’ Brigade Northern Ireland is that it will be recognised as a dynamic, relevant, Christ-centred organisation, effectively reaching out to all girls to value, nurture and equip them for life.

Legal Status

GBNI is registered as a company limited by guarantee in Northern Ireland Number NI058531, registered with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC100405 and as a charity for tax purposes by HMRC Reference No. NI00689 and VAT Registration No 254684143.

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TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

Members of the Board of Trustees

Members of the Board, who are Directors for the purpose of company law and Trustees for the purpose of charity law, who served during the year, and up to the date of this report, are set out on page 17.

In accordance with company law, as the charity’s Directors, we certify that:

Trustees’ Responsibilities

Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which provide a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity at the end of the year and of the incoming and outgoing resources for the year, then ended.

In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently, making judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. The Trustees must also prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy, at any time, the financial position of the charity, to enable it to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence taking all reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's Articles of Association, 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)" (effective 1 January 2019).

Aim and Objectives of GBNI

Purpose and Aim

Our charity’s purpose, as set out in the GB Regulations, is to help girls to become followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, and through self-control, reverence and a sense of responsibility, to find true enrichment of life.

The Objects contained in the charity’s Memorandum of Association are to promote, extend and maintain Christian belief and behaviour primarily in girls. This is done through the formation and development of local groups for the purposes of training and encouraging such members to follow the standard set by the Lord Jesus Christ for the whole of life and to provide positive Christian teaching regarding the social issues facing them in their growing and adult lives.

Our Aim fully reflects the purpose for which the charity was set up to further.

Ensuring our Work Delivers our Aim and Objectives

We carry out a strategic review of our Aim, Objectives and activities every three years. The review looks at what we achieved and the outcomes of our work in the previous three years. The review looks at the success of each key activity and the benefits they have brought to those groups of girls and women we are set up to help. The review also helps us ensure our Aim, Objectives and activities remain focused on our stated purpose. We refer to the guidance contained in The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit when reviewing our Aim and Objectives and in planning future activities. In particular, the Trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the Aim and Objectives they have set.

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TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

The Focus of Our Work

Our main strategic priorities for the year were:

How our Activities Deliver Public Benefit

The direct benefits which flow from the purpose of GBNI are the spiritual, personal and social development of girls who participate in GB activities, events and programmes. This includes enhanced self-confidence, self-esteem and leadership skills and the adoption of a moral framework, which encourages our girls to be good citizens. The wider benefit to the ‘community at large’ is enhanced social education and responsible citizenship that flows from the purpose. These benefits are demonstrated through the feedback provided by the girls and the voluntary leaders in GB companies; through feedback from local churches and statutory youth services; regular assessment by the Education and Training Inspectorate and independent evaluations of training, programmes and events.

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TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

Who Used and Benefitted from our Services

The charity’s beneficiaries are girls. There is no private benefit flowing from the purpose of the charity. GBNI offers a programme of fun activities for girls, designed to educate, challenge and inspire, together with Christian teaching that is relevant and meaningful to girls today. GB companies are run in local churches/missions. Companies meet once a week, from September to April/May each year. Girls are grouped into sections according to age:

GB is a safe, caring, nurturing place where girls can:

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TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

President's Report 2025

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17

As we look back over the past year, our hearts are filled with thankfulness, and our eyes remain fixed on the One in whom we place our trust. Our Scripture theme, ‘We Believe’ has been more than a motto—it has been a powerful affirmation of faith, a cry for continued assurance in our work, and a source of strength for our Girls' Brigade family. In a world of uncertainty and shifting values, we have stability in the unchanging truth of God's Word and the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

This report is a celebration of God's faithfulness and the vibrant response of our girls this past year in GB. Every story, statistic, and snapshot reflects His hand at work among us. May these reports not only inform but also inspire you to keep believing and serving in the Girls' Brigade, for we trust that greater things are yet to come.

A Year of Growth and Activity

September 2024 marked the beginning of another exciting year. Familiar routines resumed, with PE Demonstrations once again drawing strong attendance. Our Teams once again embraced a blended approach to meetings, combining in-person and online formats to encourage regional participation. The valuable contributions of District Representatives helped shape our programmes, training, and events, again supported by our dedicated Staff.

Blended Teams' meetings continue to be a regular way for members to connect for planning, engagement and equipping our leaders.

While several Church of Ireland parishes in Belfast amalgamated, resulting in the closure of St Columba's, New Life City Church warmly welcomed their members. Their Affiliation Service in December was an absolute joy. We wish them every blessing as they continue to establish and witness within their new church family.

Celebrating Achievements

In November, we gathered at Templepatrick Presbyterian Church Hall for our Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Presentation. It was deeply encouraging to witness the growth in popularity of the Scheme, with many girls achieving Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards. A big thank you to our Guest Speaker, Ruth Dalzell, GB Officer and Youth Coordinator of Second Comber Presbyterian, for her encouraging message. In May 2025, GBNI members received their Gold Awards at a ceremony in London, while others were presented with their Awards at Hillsborough. We commend the commitment and perseverance of all participants and leaders—congratulations to each one!

Our sports competitions this year included Dodgeball for Brigaders and Unihoc for Seniors, while Explorers and Juniors enjoyed Choral Speaking. The art competitions also saw enthusiastic participation and creativity. These competitions, once again, attracted healthy entries.

We held two Explorer Fun Days: one at the end of April at the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh, and the other in May at the Ulster Folk Museum in Cultra, Belfast; with buses full of excited Explorers and leaders, thoroughly enjoying their day. The support of the Ulster Scots Agency, including workshops, also enhanced the overall experience. Thank you to all our Staff and volunteers for their efforts in making these days such a huge success.

Fellowship and Connection

In October, I had the privilege of attending the European Fellowship weekend held at Glasgow Airport alongside our Vice-President, Heather Lindsay, Chairperson, Tracey Davies, and Youth Representative, Lauren Cull. Coordinated by our European Vice-President, Amelia Heaford, the weekend brought together representatives from GB, Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. It was a time of renewed friendships, shared experiences, and fruitful discussions, including initial discussions about our contributions to the next ICGB International Conference, scheduled to take place in the Cook Islands in March 2026.

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Celebrating Excellence

February saw the NI PE Finals at Parkhall Integrated College in Antrim, where I joined Heather, Tracey, and other Board Members in chairing competitions and witnessing outstanding performances from teams and soloists. The Associate competition in Lisburn the following week, was equally as impressive. We are so grateful for the passion and dedication of our PE Team and Worksetters, whose planning and commitment make these events possible. Congratulations to all involved!

Honouring Faith and Service

The Queen's Award, our highest honour, encourages girls to deepen their personal commitment to Jesus Christ, serve their communities, and contribute to the global Girls' Brigade movement. This year's Presentation at Drumreagh Presbyterian Church was a truly special evening, where 47 girls, accompanied by their families, GB companies, and the wider GB family, came together in a service of celebration. We were blessed by an uplifting message from our guest speaker, Ruth Bromley, Children's Development Officer, PCI. Our sincere thanks to Drumreagh for their warm hospitality and excellent facilities.

Rooted in Christ

Our Leaders' Conference, held in June at Newtownabbey Methodist Mission, was a spiritually enriching experience. The theme, ‘Rooted in Christ’, was brought to life through contributions from Made for More NI and Love for Life, alongside worship and fellowship. We are deeply thankful for the hard work of our Staff and Team Members who made this event so impactful.

Gratitude for Volunteers

We concluded the year with the first of three ‘Leaders’ Thank You’ events at Corick House Hotel, Clogher, with further gatherings planned for Coleraine and Belfast in September and October. These celebrations were made possible through a Development Fund Grant from the Education Authority, and we are so grateful for the opportunity to honour our volunteers.

Looking Ahead with Faith

It has been a full and fruitful year in the Girls' Brigade. We give thanks to God for His faithfulness, provision, protection, and grace. We celebrate all that has been accomplished and the seeds that have been sown. Let us continue to pray that, in His perfect timing, these seeds will bear much fruit for His glory and the growth of His Kingdom among our members.

While GBNI numbers remain strong and have grown slightly this year, we are mindful of the challenges faced by some companies and districts that need more leaders and helpers.

We also recognise the broader context of church denomination decisions across our Province, which may impact companies in the future, especially in smaller congregations. These decisions are not easy at so many levels, and we pray for God's guidance and strength for all involved. May the work of the Girls' Brigade continue to be sustained and strengthened, and may those impacted by change be equipped, enabled, and encouraged to keep serving their Saviour and their community in their companies and their faith journey.

Blessings,

Isobel McKane GBNI President

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TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

Chairperson's Report

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’” Jeremiah 29:11–13

“But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’ And God said, ‘I will be with you.’” Exodus 3:11–12a

From Reflection to Vision

As I sit down to write this year’s Chairperson’s report, I find myself reflecting once again on the journey that brought me here. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine taking on this role—but as we all know, God’s plans are often far greater than our own. The verses above are a timely reminder that when we seek God wholeheartedly, He not only hears us but leads us forward with purpose and strength, even when we feel unqualified or uncertain.

Girls’ Brigade continues to be a remarkable organisation—one that opens doors for countless girls and young women (and young-at-heart women!) to discover faith, friendship, confidence, and community. While individual companies across NI may differ in size, style, or structure, the heart of GB remains the same: a focus on the cross. At the centre of it all is our shared commitment to help girls Seek, Serve, and Follow Christ.

A Year Full of Life and Blessing

The 2024/25 session has been another full and fruitful one. I’ve had the privilege of attending many events and witnessing the vibrant life of GB in action. Whether it was the Volunteer Celebration Afternoon Teas in Antrim and Fermanagh; the worship night in First Holywood Presbyterian; or the excitement of Choral Speaking, PE Finals, DofE and Queen’s Award Presentations, girls taking part in the VE80 service in St Anne’s Cathedral or the Explorer Fun Days in Omagh and Cultra—each event offered special moments of joy, celebration, and spiritual encouragement.

The year also saw some movement within our Staff Team, with Ruth stepping-up to lead PE and Activities during Jillian’s maternity leave (welcome back, Jillian!) and Martha temporarily stepping into Youth Forum leadership— thank you all for your flexibility and commitment.

Some highlights of the year for me included:

Faith at the Centre, Reality All Around

Having God at the centre doesn’t promise us an easy road, and we are very aware of the challenges that face us. In an increasingly secular world, we must remain prayerful, adaptive, and visionary, ensuring that GB remains relevant and empowering for today’s girls and young women.

We face rising costs, tightening legislation, and the growing struggle of volunteer shortages—challenges that affect the day-to-day running of many GB companies. I’m grateful for the support we’ve received from the membership this year, particularly as we’ve had to make some tough decisions, such as increasing fees to ensure we steward the organisation’s resources wisely.

Looking Forward with Hope

None of this work is done in isolation. I want to extend heartfelt thanks to our Staff Team, Board, Brigade Council, and every leader and volunteer across the organisation. Your dedication, time, and service ensure that the Girls’ Brigade continues to thrive—not just as an organisation, but as a movement rooted in Christ and reaching forward into the future.

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TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

There are now lots of preparations for ICGB 2026, as our delegates look ahead to representing NI on a global stage. Please pray for them as they put together their plans for the first face-to-face conference in six years.

As we look ahead, I invite you to join me in prayer:

God is not finished with Girls’ Brigade. His plans are good, His presence is sure, and His future is full of hope.

With every blessing,

Tracey Davies GBNI Chairperson

Chaplain’s Report

As another Girls' Brigade year draws to a close, I find myself looking back with much gratitude to the Lord for His blessing in my company and at our Board. The rhythm of the GB calendar is a constant, yet each year brings its own unique challenges and moments of celebration. How reassuring it is to rest in the truth of Lamentations 3:22-23, that,

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

In a world of constant change, His faithfulness is our anchor.

This year, the Spiritual Team has been preparing the course ‘Meeting Jesus’. It has been our prayer that as you teach the new Scripture Course, each girl, in an age-appropriate way, would have a personal encounter with the living Saviour. We have prayed that through the stories, activities, and discussions, they would come to see the Jesus who heals, teaches, challenges, and loves them unconditionally. To know Jesus is to have one’s life transformed, and it is the greatest privilege we have to facilitate that introduction.

That sense of transformation and achievement was brought into sharp focus for me this May, as I had the privilege of attending the Queen's Award Presentation. To witness girls receiving the highest Award available in the organisation was a moment of pride and joy for all of us associated with GBNI. It was a visible reminder of what Girls' Brigade is all about: equipping young women to Seek, Serve, and Follow Christ.

Now, as you enjoy the summer break, I pray that you will find time for true rest and spiritual refreshment. May you be able to recharge and reconnect with the Lord, whose strength is made perfect in our weakness. Let us hold fast to the promise of Isaiah 40:31:

“but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

Yours in Christ,

Rev Ben Preston GBNI Chaplain

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TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

Review of Activities and Achievements

Some 15,212 girls were engaged in weekly programmes supported by 3,344 leaders in 264 GB companies. All the girls took part in age-appropriate programmes designed to challenge, educate and inspire them. The breakdown of members by age is as follows:

• Under 5s (3 - 4 yrs): 2,391
• Explorers (5 - 7 yrs): 4,542
• Juniors (8 - 10 yrs): 3,887
• Seniors (11 - 13 yrs): 2,428
• Brigaders (14 - 18 yrs): 1,850
• Associates (18 yrs+): 114
• Associate Leaders: 825
• Sub-Officers: 390
• Officers: 2,129

GB leaders were resourced with materials and ideas to create programmes that met the needs and interests of their girls. The programme is progressive and rewards girls for participation.

To encourage girls to consider their attitudes and perceptions of people from other communities, we continued to work with five other uniformed organisations on community relations programmes to develop greater understanding and respect for different cultures and traditions in NI.

To resource leaders to deliver high-quality programmes, we delivered training for volunteers, encouraging girls into leadership and a programme of safeguarding training for leaders.

Numbers Trained:

• Officers: 150
• Sub-Officers: 205
• Queen's Award: 47
• The Duke of Edinburgh's Award – Gold: 36
• The Duke of Edinburgh's Award – Silver: 86
• The Duke of Edinburgh's Award – Bronze: 84

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TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

Activities Team

The 2024/25 session was another very exciting year for the GBNI Activities Team. It was brilliant to see so many girls taking part in the competitions, as well as the Explorers having lots of fun at our Fun Days.

In November, the Brigaders had their Dodgeball NI Final, which took place at the Lagan Valley LeisurePlex in Lisburn. We were delighted to have a total of 11 teams taking part. A great night of fun was had by all, and all participants played well. Our sincere thanks must go to Will Moses and his team for refereeing the NI Final, as well as the Activities Team and District 6 Stewards who helped at the competition too.

Then at the start of December, it was the Seniors' turn to travel to the Shankill Leisure Centre, Belfast, for their Senior Unihoc NI Final. A total of ten teams took part in the NI Final, and it was a great evening with all participants giving their best efforts. Our sincere thanks must go to Doris Coiley and her team for running the competition so well, and also to the stewards who helped on the night.

In March, the NI Final for Explorer and Junior Choral Speaking took place at Knocknamuckley Parish Church Hall. A total of six teams took part in the NI Final of Explorer Choral Speaking with the poem, ‘My Dog, Spot’ and five teams took part in the NI Final of Junior Choral Speaking with the poem, ‘Tony The Turtle’. All the teams were excellent—a great day was had by all. Many thanks go to our adjudicator, Dawn Wilson, 202nd NI Knocknamuckley Parish, for hosting the NI Final, and to the Stewards from District 7 who helped on the day.

It was great to partner with Habitat for Humanity to run our Art Competition this year for both the Explorer and Junior sections. For the competition, the Explorers had a colouring competition, and the Juniors had to design a poster encouraging people to shop/donate/volunteer at their nearest Habitat ReStore. The standard of entries for both competitions were extremely high, and a representative from Habitat for Humanity had the difficult job of adjudicating the entries.

In total, there were 1148 entries for the Explorer competition and 659 for the Junior competition, with five from each section being awarded a Top 5 place and 45 from each section also being awarded Highly Commended. The Top 5 entries for both competitions have been forwarded to Habitat for Humanity, and these will be displayed in their Lisburn ReStore.

This past session, we were able to celebrate our Explorers section by having two Explorer Fun Days. The first took place on Saturday 26 April at the Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, with 15 GB companies totalling 281 girls and 80 leaders in attendance. The second Fun Day took place on Saturday 24 May at the Ulster Folk Museum, Cultra, with 26 GB companies totalling 387 girls and 142 leaders attending.

At both Fun Days, each company was able to explore the venue and see how people lived years ago, as well as take part in a scavenger hunt to find the ‘GB girl’ at eight different locations around the parks. The girls also had the opportunity to attend an Ulster Scots session in partnership with the Ulster Scots Agency on both days. At this, the girls learnt some Ulster Scots words, sang ‘Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’ in Ulster Scots and made a small craft to take home.

Lots of fun was had at both Explorer Fun Days, and it was lovely to see so many GB companies in attendance. Our sincere thanks go to the Stewards who helped at both of the Fun Days.

The Activities Team would like to thank everyone who helped out with stewarding, refereeing, and organising all levels of competitions this year, from company and district level to NI Finals. Thank you also to the Officers and leaders in each company for training and coaching their girls, to enable them to take part in this year’s competitions. We really couldn’t have done it without you all.

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TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

DofE Team

The DofE Award continues to grow within GBNI. This year we had 84 Bronze Awards, 86 Silver Awards and 36 Gold Awards completed successfully. Gold Award participants from GBNI attended celebration events both at Buckingham Palace and Hillsborough Castle, and our own Bronze and Silver Celebration Evening took place in Templepatrick Presbyterian. Ruth Dalzell, GB Officer and Youth Coordinator of Second Comber Presbyterian, spoke inspiringly to the participants and recognised all the commitment and work that our GBNI participants, leaders and parents put into each Award. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the GBNI leaders who work so passionately to make the DofE Scheme a continuing success in our organisation.

PE Team

The 2024/25 session saw another successful year of PE competitions. Entry numbers were similar to the 2023/24 session, which was great to see. It was amazing to see so many girls taking part to such a high standard and having fun.

PE is very much a massive team effort, and the passion and dedication of our volunteers is very much appreciated. Together, they work so hard and with such enthusiasm and commitment to ensure that PE is a huge success. PE is a part of GB that never stops, and the calendar fills up very quickly, running from Demonstrations in September, Vetting days in November and March, Inter-District competitions in January, three NI Finals in February and PE Recording day in May.

Many thanks to the PE Team and Worksetters who continually work so hard to provide such exciting sets that challenge the girls, but that are also enjoyable to learn and perform.

The PE Team were disappointed to see some of the Inter-District PE competitions having to be cancelled due to low entry numbers and has decided in the 2025/26 session, to trial moving from three Inter-District groups to two groups. We hope that this will help to reduce the number of Inter-District competitions needing to be cancelled. The PE Team will continue to monitor entry numbers and adapt plans as and when needed.

The NI Finals gives everyone the opportunity to celebrate the talents and skills, not only of the girls performing, but of everyone involved in creating, teaching and developing each set. It was very encouraging to see so many competition entries in the last session, and we look forward to seeing more and more companies coming back to PE competitions, as we continue to develop and grow PE in GB.

Thanks must also go to Parkhall Integrated College and Trinity Methodist Lisburn, respectively, for hosting the NI Finals, and to the ICGB Delegates for organising and providing the charity tea and coffee at the events to raise funds for ICGB 2026. Thank you also to everyone who volunteered to help out at PE competitions, both at district and NI Level, and to the Officers and leaders in each company for training and coaching their girls, equipping and preparing them to take part in the PE competitions. All your hard work and dedication is really appreciated. We are indebted to you all for your effort and commitment throughout the year.

The end of this session sees two valued members of our PE Team step down from their position, namely Christine Keenan, our District 4 Representative and Pauline McClelland, our District 7 Representative. We would like to thank both of these ladies for their invaluable help, support and advice throughout their time on the PE Team and look forward to seeing them both at future PE events.

Thank you also to Ruth Leonard for stepping in to look after the PE Team while Jillian Hibbert was on maternity leave. Ruth did a fantastic job and ensured the smooth running of the competitions and events throughout the year.

Thank you all again and we look forward to seeing you all next year.

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TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

Programme Team

June 2025 saw the first Girls’ Brigade Conference, ‘Rooted in Christ’, held in Newtownabbey Methodist Mission. Over 100 leaders came together to examine our understanding of what it means to be ‘Rooted in Christ’ and enjoyed praise and fellowship together. Leaders had the opportunity to connect and network with a wide range of organisations to gather new ideas and resources, as well as taking part in a series of workshops designed to equip, encourage, and inspire volunteers in their role as GB leaders. The Programme Team would like to thank Made for More NI, Love for Life, KD Crafts, Rev Aaron Ditty, and the GBNI Spiritual Team for leading the workshops so well. Thanks is also expressed to Newtownabbey Methodist Mission GB Company and the Church for their kind hospitality and very warm welcome.

The Programme Team also developed two brand new resources this session. One resource was produced, in association with HSENI, for girls and leaders looking at the topic of farm safety. A Games Bank—a pocket book of games was also produced for all leaders. Three editions of the Resources4U publication were published, packed full of craft, games, and activity ideas for leaders for every section. KAHOOT! quizzes and interactive activities were developed for all age groups to aid delivery of Brigade Knowledge Badgework, as well as fun Christmas and wildlife quizzes.

Thank you to the GBNI Programme Team for their commitment and enthusiasm all year and we look forward to everything the 2025/26 session brings!

Queen’s Award Team

The Queen’s Award Team were delighted to award The Queen’s Award badge and certificate to 47 young women upon successful completion of their Award programme this session. Between them, the Award recipients completed over 2250 hours of service within their local community. This is in addition to service within their GB company and also in the wider life of their church. As a GB family, we congratulate all the girls on their achievement and thank them all for their commitment to GB.

This year, girls once again completed project assignments to an extremely high standard. Projects completed included: a portfolio of paintings on the theme of fellowship; a photographic display celebrating 200 years of their church; clay sculptures; making a Buddy Bench for younger girls in GB to use; crocheting blankets and cardigans for use in neo-natal wards. Poetry, the history of local landmarks and women of the Bible were just some of the topics researched for project work.

Drumreagh Presbyterian warmly welcomed the Queen’s Award recipients and guests to their church for this year’s Award Presentation Ceremony held on Friday 16 May 2025. Our guest speaker was Ruth Bromley, Children’s Development Officer, PCI. We were also delighted to be joined by Right Reverend Dr Richard Murray, Moderator, Presbyterian Church in Ireland and Councillor Tanya Stirling, Deputy Mayor, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. A special thanks to everyone at Drumreagh Presbyterian for their kindness and hospitality.

During the evening, experiences and lessons learned during their Queen’s Award journey were also shared by Chloe Farley, 337th NI Aughnacloy and Ballymagrane Presbyterian; Jessica Robinson, 82nd NI Ebrington Presbyterian; Zara Gillespie, 252nd NI Balteagh Presbyterian and Faith Murphy, 254th NI First Limavady Presbyterian.

This coming session, we continue to offer a Queen’s Award Programme that will continue to inspire, stretch, challenge, and equip girls by developing skills, offering experiences, and supporting each girl on her journey of faith. We ask you to remember in prayer all Queen’s Award girls as they complete the programme and their leaders who continue to support and encourage girls at each stage of the Award.

Thank you to the Queen’s Award Team for their support, enthusiasm and dedication to GB and the Queen’s Award programme. The time and effort the Team commit to marking initiative tests, assessing projects, conducting final interviews etc. is considerable, and we commend them for their willingness to serve completely and wholeheartedly.

Draft Financial Statements at 11 August 2025 at 11:34:06 GIRLS' BRIGADE NORTHERN IRELAND

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

Queen’s Award Recipients 2024/2025
District 1 Lauren Wright 18thNI Dundonald Presbyterian
District 5 Victoria Lloyd 38thNI Second Comber Presbyterian
District 7 Molly Nelson 138thNI Moy Presbyterian
Lucy Wylie 138thNI Moy Presbyterian
Chloe Farley 337thNI Aughnacloy and Ballmagrane Presbyterian
District 8 Emma Robinson 226thNI Mossley Parish
Danielle Speers 226thNI Mossley Parish
District 9 Ruth Wright 153rdNI Craigy Hill Presbyterian
District 10 Kathryn Nesbitt 88thNI Wellington Presbyterian
Ruby Thompson 88thNI Wellington Presbyterian
Amy Fleming 221stNI Magherafelt Presbyterian
Rachael Shields 251stNI Glenwherry Presbyterian
District 11 Megan Brown 82ndNI Ebrington Presbyterian
Jayne Linkens 82ndNI Ebrington Presbyterian
Jessica Robinson 82ndNI Ebrington Presbyterian
Gemma Crawford 170thNI Magheramason Presbyterian
Eleanor Lowry 170thNI Magheramason Presbyterian
Rebecca Osbourne 170thNI Magheramason Presbyterian
Lauren McLaughlin
248thNI Second Limavady Presbyterian
Taylor McLaughlin
248thNI Second Limavady Presbyterian
Hannah Caldwell 252ndNI Balteagh Presbyterian
Zara Gillespie 252ndNI Balteagh Presbyterian
Rebecca McDonald
252ndNI Balteagh Presbyterian
Erin McMichael 252ndNI Balteagh Presbyterian
Annie Devenney 253rdNI Ballykelly Presbyterian
Lucy Kane 254thNI First Limavady Presbyterian
Gemma McDaid 254thNI First Limavady Presbyterian
Jessica McGinnis 254thNI First Limavady Presbyterian
Faith Murphy 254thNI First Limavady Presbyterian
Sophie Smyth 254thNI First Limavady Presbyterian
Naomi Connell 308thNI Banagher Presbyterian
Aimee Hood 308thNI Banagher Presbyterian
Rachel Hood 308thNI Banagher Presbyterian
Anna Doherty 320thNI Kilfennan Presbyterian
Esther Lawther 320thNI Kilfennan Presbyterian
Jessica McHale 320thNI Kilfennan Presbyterian
Sarah Smith 320thNI Kilfennan Presbyterian
District 12 Rebecca Grey 206thNI Ballinamallard Methodist
District 13 Lydia Wilson 176thNI Rasharkin Presbyterian
Abigail Archer 200thNI St James’s Presbyterian
Rebekah Matthews 200thNI St James’s Presbyterian
Ellen Richmond 200thNI St James’s Presbyterian
Ciara Twaddle 200thNI St James’s Presbyterian
Chloe Brewster 273rdNI Ballymoney Reformed Presbyterian
Katie McCandless 273rdNI Ballymoney Reformed Presbyterian
Abigail Magee 323rdNI New Row Presbyterian
Eloise Markey 323rdNI New Row Presbyterian

Draft Financial Statements at 11 August 2025 at 11:34:06 GIRLS' BRIGADE NORTHERN IRELAND

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

Spiritual Team

When looking back on the last 12 months of activity, we are often left with a feeling of thankfulness for the blessings we have received. We are also able to reflect on the work carried out by many volunteers within our Teams and Committees. This is no less true of the Spiritual Team. The work of this Team is not only vital to our primary purpose as an organisation but is also a privilege and a blessing to all who are involved.

Our GBNI Chaplain, Rev Ben Preston, has once again led our Team through this last year with enthusiasm, wisdom, and a palpable passion for the Gospel. We are truly thankful for his time and dedication, and pray for energy, rest, and encouragement for the year ahead.

Alongside our Spiritual Officer, Aaron Ditty, the Spiritual Team has worked hard on producing our 2025/26 Scripture Course. The title, this time around is, ‘Meeting Jesus’ and follows the accounts of those who met Jesus in the Scriptures. Each lesson is formed around how meeting Jesus changed everyone. For example, we see Nicodemus change from being someone who was enlightened to being one who walked in the light. It is the sincere prayer of the Spiritual Team that all leaders and girls meet with Jesus in an honest, deep manner, through the study of His Word and the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

Prayer has been the focus over several events in the past year. Firstly, in September, we piloted a GB Week of Prayer. During that week, we encouraged all our members to be active in prayer, both during their company nights and in their personal time with God. We held a Leaders’ Worship Event in First Holywood Presbyterian, where again the theme was prayer. Around 80 leaders joined us for a wonderful evening of praise and prayer. It is our intention to have another week of prayer in late September 2025.

Prayer was also the focus point in February of this year, when we joined with our brothers in the Boys’ Brigade for a day of prayer. Members and supporters across the Province were encouraged to pray for each organisation. Both GB and BB contributed materials that were used in churches and videos on social media that reminded people to avail themselves of this opportunity. It was wonderful to partner with the Boys’ Brigade, and we hope to grow in this area over the coming years.

Finally, in June, we were pleased to have the opportunity to play an active role in our GB Leaders’ Conference ‘Rooted in Christ’. Our Spiritual Officer was the Keynote Speaker, where he encouraged all members in attendance to remember how the foundational aspect of all their GB careers must be rooted in Christ. Members of the Spiritual Team also contributed to the proceedings by leading worship and setting up a prayer space. This collaboration with the Programme Team was a great success. Additionally, in late June, we had the opportunity to run an Exhibition Stand at Summer Madness 2025. This was an excellent opportunity to visit a Christian youth festival and meet many of our members. We were so encouraged by the conversations that took place with those who had GB connections and those who had never heard of GB. It served as a timely reminder that we can, at times, retreat into our little GB world and fail to see the bigger picture around us.

As we look forward to the next year of GB activities, we must be thankful for all God has done through us. We also remain humbled, knowing that we achieve nothing of note apart from God.

Training Team

This year was another strong year for our young women coming forward for both the Officer and Sub-Officer Training courses, with 150 starting their Officer Training and 205 starting their Sub-Officer Training. The trainees have all worked hard, completing their webinars, practical workshops and gaining experience on the job within their GB companies.

We are very grateful for the continued support of each district in running workshops for their Trainee Sub-Officers. It is fantastic to see so many come forward to take up leadership roles in our local GB companies, allowing GBNI to continue its great work with our girls and young women.

Draft Financial Statements at 11 August 2025 at 11:34:06 GIRLS' BRIGADE NORTHERN IRELAND

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the leaders who work so hard to make the Leadership Training so successful each year—Captains, GB leaders, Training Team Reps and District Reps all come together to provide the Leadership Training that helps keep our GB companies well-supplied with leaders into the future.

We also ran workshops for our current leaders, looking at topics such as Special Educational Needs, Nutrition Awareness and Body Image, providing our leaders with up-to-date information and resources to best support our girls. These workshops ran alongside our normal Leaders’ Workshops: Camp Training and New Captains’ Workshop.

Youth Forum

This year has been one of change for the Youth Forum Team, with many Team Members coming to the end of their time of service. The highlight of the year has been a collaboration with Made for More NI, running three miniconferences on mental health for our Juniors, Seniors and Brigader sections. Here, the girls learnt how to look after their mental health and how God sees them, as opposed to how the world can sometimes make them feel. Each session was fun and interactive, finishing off with some fellowship over doughnuts and goodie bags. We thank the Team for all their hard work over this past year and look forward to growing their presence in the year ahead.

GBNI Shop

In August 2024, we launched our new GB Online Shop and POS (Point of Sale) system in-store. Now with all products barcoded in the Shop, we hope our customers have enjoyed an improved customer experience in-store, with quicker processing times at the payment desk and easier returns and exchanges. It has certainly cut down waiting times for customers on busy days in September.

We listened to feedback from the survey and made improvements to our Online Shop, e.g. the layout of Attendance Awards and Badgework Awards. Rather than clicking into each product to add an item to your basket, they are now presented in a list format, so that customers can add their required badges at the same time.

See the table below with sales figures (including returns) listed by category for 2023/24 and 2024/25 (sales figures do not include VAT).

2023/24 2024/25 Difference
Uniform 171,494 179,191 7,697
Leisure Wear 37,501 34,074 -3,427
Awards 28,289 25,980 -2,309
Trophies 8,097 7,788 -309
Gifts 23,258 23,215 -43
Resources 4,983 5,210 227
Scripture 22,105 20,287 -1,818
DofE 7,781 8,068 288
Totals 303,508 303,813 305

Draft Financial Statements at 11 August 2025 at 11:34:06 GIRLS' BRIGADE NORTHERN IRELAND

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

Financial Review

The Trustees are reporting a surplus for the year to 31 May 2025 of £7,819 (2024: surplus of £45,212). Assessment fees were £307,795 (2024: £260,282), and Shop sales were £303,815 (2024: £303,508). Shop expenditure increased to £332,025 (2024: £314,905).

The year ended with an operational deficit of £22,463 (2024: deficit of £49,917). Our investments continued to perform well, providing £25,012 (2024: £27,588) of income in the year. Surplus on sales amounted to £84,286 (2024: £11,195). The overall value of our portfolio at 31 May 2025 decreased it by £51,961 (2024: increased by £122,718). This decrease included a cash withdrawal from investments of £100,000 during the year.

The Trustees regard this as a satisfactory outcome in another difficult year and consider the financial position to be sound, with reserves which are adequate to meet the future needs of the charity.

Reserves Policy

It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use or are not invested in tangible fixed assets should be maintained at a level equivalent to between six and nine month’s charitable expenditure. The Trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. On 31 May 2025, the free reserves of £2,144,657 would have covered 28 months of the charity's expenditure. These reserves include buildings of £877,629.

Principal Funding Sources

Our principal funding sources are Annual Assessments on individual GB companies and Shop sales. The Trustees are grateful for the continuing support of the Education Authority by way of a grant.

Investment Policy

The Trustees, with the assistance of their registered investment advisors, regularly monitor the investment portfolio to ensure maximum income and growth from the investments whilst continuing to pursue an ethical, medium risk policy which is not contrary to the charity's principles and values.

Risk Policy

The Trustees have considered the consequences of the continually rising cost of living and other major risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that systems and protocols are in place to mitigate exposure to those risks. The current and future impact does not create a material uncertainty that casts doubt on the ability to continue as a going concern.

Plans for Future Periods

Given the strength of reserves and the continuing support of our funders for the foreseeable future, the principal plan is to build and strengthen the organisation through monitoring and reviews of the Strategic document and the feedback from our members.

Draft Financial Statements at 11 August 2025 at 11:34:06 GIRLS' BRIGADE NORTHERN IRELAND

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

Structure, Governance and Management

The charity is a company limited by guarantee as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

The Trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements, were:

I McKane

H Lindsay T Davies L Murtagh I Orr

M Meldrum (Resigned 21 August 2024) L Cull

I Bryans (Resigned 21 August 2024) J Budd A Bingham T Erskine B Preston K Orr T Weir (Appointed 21 August 2024)

Recruitment and Appointment of New Trustees

When new or additional Trustees are required, the members are invited to submit nominations, and subject to their compliance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association, they are considered by the membership for election at the Annual General Meeting. Trustees may be co-opted at other times by the Board, and their election as trustees is ratified or otherwise by the membership at the next AGM.

Trustees' Interests

None of the Trustees have any beneficial interest in the company.

Auditor

In accordance with the company's Articles, a resolution proposing that Corrigan CA Limited be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at the Annual General Meeting.

The Trustees' Report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

..............................

T Davies Trustee

Date: 18[th] August 2025

Draft Financial Statements at 11 August 2025 at 11:34:06 GIRLS' BRIGADE NORTHERN IRELAND

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

The Trustees, who are also the directors of Girls' Brigade Northern Ireland for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the Trustees to prepare 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 that year.

In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.