Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NI) Limited NCM House 218 York Street Belfast BT15 1GY
T: 02890 740404 E: ncmhouse@yahoo.co.uk
CHARTY NUMBER: 100498 COMPANY NUMBER: NI612678
Annual Report for the Year ending 30th September 2023
The Directors had viewed the reporting year ending 30[th] September 2023 as a year of recovery following the challenges of the Covid restrictions.
However, operational difficulties continued as a result of spiraling energy costs and initial projections suggested had these had the potential to cause financial insecurity. The charity was relieved to note that these pressures eased during the period and it was not necessary to access the financial reserves.
Despite the total removal of the lockdown legal restrictions, a significant number of tenants continued to encourage their staff to work from home for part of the week. This changed the dynamic of the building, and whereas virtually all offices would have been staffed throughout the week prior to Covid many offices were only staffed for one or two days a week during this reporting period.
TRUSTEES / BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mr Tom Penman Mrs Joanne McFarlane Rev Lorraine Bell Rev Caroline McAfee Mrs Deborah Pierce Rev Samuel Robinson
Chairman
There were no changes to the Trustees / Board of Directors during the period 1[st] October 2022 to 30[th] September 2023.
REGISTERED OFFICE
NCM HOUSE 218 York Street Belfast BT15 1GY
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NI) Limited NCM House 218 York Street Belfast BT15 1GY
T: 02890 740404 E: ncmhouse@yahoo.co.uk
ACCOUNTANTS
Neeson Chambers Limited 123-125 Main Street Bangor Co. Down BT20 4AE
BANKERS
Ulster Bank Ltd 202-206 York Street Belfast BT15 2HG
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NI) Ltd is a company limited by guarantee, Registration No: NI612678.
Its conduct is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association.
The Trustees serve on a voluntary basis and receive no remuneration. The Trustees are also Directors to comply with company law.
Directors of Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NI) Ltd are invited to the position based solely on their experience, and their interest in the work of the charity. The Directors include a mix of Ministers of Religion and lay persons.
The Directors held face to face meetings on four occasions during the reporting period, 4[th] October 2022, 10[th] January 2023, 11[th] May 2023 and 14[th] August 2023. In addition email communications were used throughout this period to decide a course of action for minor issues.
The Building Manager met with the Caretaker monthly to ensure compliance with Health and Safety Regulations and to keep the Charity within budgets.
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NI) Limited NCM House 218 York Street Belfast BT15 1GY
T: 02890 740404 E: ncmhouse@yahoo.co.uk
The policies and procedures of the charity were reviewed during the year but no changes were required.
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NI) Ltd employed two part time staff throughout the Reporting Period. Mr David Hutton as Caretaker and Mr Stephen Cairns as Building Manager.
There were no changes to staff during the financial year. However, the Building Manager provided the Directors with advance notification of his intention to step down from his role in September 2024
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NI) Ltd is recognised by HMRC as a charitable body under reference XR16540.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The purpose of Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NI) Ltd is to offer recognised programs for the professional development of ministers and lay persons in Northern Ireland.
To improve the welfare and mental health of persons in North Belfast and those in contact with the Church of the Nazarene. To reduce suffering due to despair, stress and substance abuse.
To provide poverty and budgeting advice to people in North Belfast and those in contact with the Church of the Nazarene throughout Northern Ireland.
To use the building for the Advancement of Religion. As a venue for meetings for Church of the Nazarene and other faith-based groups, to provide a resource library for Pastors, whether full time, part time, assistant, associate, or youth pastors and church board members.
To provide office space at well below market rent to other charities which assists them in carrying out their work.
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NI) Limited NCM House 218 York Street Belfast BT15 1GY
T: 02890 740404 E: ncmhouse@yahoo.co.uk
REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS, CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE
The office of the District Superintendant of the Church of the Nazarene is now operational at NCM House and the Directors were pleased to have this important connection between our building and The Church of the Nazarene.
RESOURCE CENTRE
NCM House has an extensive library of religions texts and holds the required texts for the courses provided by Belfast learning Centre. Talks are currently ongoing with a view to organizing further courses at the centre.
EDUCATIONAL COURSES
There is a significant and developing need among the immigrant community in North Belfast and the education centre has developed into an important education resource centre for minority communities.
This work developed throughout the reporting period and many members of the local community attended classes for education, lifestyle skills and practical classes to enable improvement in job opportunities and the ability to earn a self-employed income.
The English classes are oversubscribed and cover both basic English for daily life and improved English to enhance employment prospects.
The P.S.N.I. visited the building on several occasions to engage with both new and the established members of the immigrant community. The P.S.N.I. ran several workshops to improve relationships with the Police and to listen to the fears and concerns of the community.
Music lessons, I.T. training and sewing classes continued during the year but since the Covid lockdowns numbers attending have been significantly reduced and these courses will be closing down over the next few months.
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NI) Limited NCM House 218 York Street Belfast BT15 1GY T: 02890 740404 E: ncmhouse@yahoo.co.uk
BUILDING
NCM House has continued to provide office space at affordable prices to a number of local charities and community groups. All available office space in the building was occupied during the reporting period.
All the tenants in NCM House during this reporting period were charities and they all had the promotion of religion as a significant area of importance in their charitable work.
Both foodbanks and a clothing bank, which operate from NCM house have advised that they are seeking larger premises to meet with the increasing numbers of people seeking help.
The maintenance contract with Chubb was renewed and technicians carried out several intruder alarm and fire alarm maintenance tests though the year.
Lift maintenance continued to be contracted with Thyssenkrupp UK and their engineers carried out several maintenance tests of the lift throughout the year and engineering reports were issued.
Appropriate insurance cover for Building and Liability was in place and the cover was renewed with Ansvar Insurance during the reporting period.
Mercy Goodness Ministries continue to hold Sunday services on a weekly basis. This has developed into an effective ministry. The Directors welcome the preaching of the Gospel to the local community of North Belfast.
A Bible Study group meet in the building twice a month with 8 – 10 participants joining together to study the word of God.
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NI) Ltd has limited access to financial resources but a schedule of preventative maintenance work has been taking place and this will continue for the next few reporting periods.
DEFRIBILLATOR
The Building manager was approached and asked to investigate the possibility of installing a Defibrillator in the building.
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NI) Limited NCM House 218 York Street Belfast BT15 1GY
T: 02890 740404 E: ncmhouse@yahoo.co.uk
Financial contributions were received from two tenants, with the balance provided by Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. A suitable Defribillator was obtained and has been installed at NCM House.
FINANCIAL STATUS
The financial position of Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NI) Ltd is contained in the financial statements which have been uploaded to The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland website.
Prior to the commencement of the 2022 – 2023 Reporting Year we had significant concerns regarding the financial stability of the charity due to the volatility in the energy markets.
Projections had suggested an income of £40.842.32 with increased expenditure ranging from the region of £69,000 up to £72,500 depending on energy costs.
In answer to prayer, the energy markets pulled back to more affordable levels and with all offices occupied, the income increased to £46,098 and the projected expenditure was significantly lower at £49,154
While this resulted in a deficit we were thankful that God answered prayer and there was no requirement for borrowings.
The bank account balance has remained relatively steady throughout the year and the Directors believe that Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NI) Ltd will have sufficient income to meet proposed expenditure next year.
We give thanks to God for his blessing upon us and look forward to the continued use of NCM House in the work of the Kingdom in the years ahead.