ids. VINEYARD COMPASSION chartered accountants TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023. 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 charily's Igoverning documenll, 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 IFRS 1021" (effective 1 January 2019). Objectives and activities The principal activity of the charity continued to be the provision of social relief within the community. Vineyard Compassion is a charity based in Coleraine. We aim to support people. °from crisis to full potential" by providing practical support for the poor, whi15t empowering them to tackle the underlying root causes of poverty. OUT catchment district is primarily the Causeway Coast and Glen5 Borough. However, our work with the Probation Board and Prison Service helps people from all over Northem Ireland. Our volunteers come from as far away as Belfast and Omagh, although most are local. Poverty in this region is much higher than the Northern Ireland average with 27.5'/0 of people and 30.9°/o of children living in poverty. Coleraine includes some of the most deprived ward5 in Northern Ireland. The mosl vulnerable people in our community are faced with a complex set of barriers such as long-temi unemployment, family breakdown, homelessness, problem debt, mental health issues. ex-offending, low educational achievement and poor self-esleem. For many, these barriers are too big to overcome wilhoul support. This can lead to periods of deslilution, when people go wilhout the bare essentials such as a home, food, clothes and heating. Recognising Ihe signtficant deprivation in the local area and motivated to support the most vulnerable in society. Vineyard Compassion was established. The charity takes a multi-faceted approach to tackling poverty, seeking to maximise the potential for lasting Iransformalion. Ils programmes are making a real difference. We have been privileged lo see dignity and hope restored lo thousand5 of vulnerable people who were trapped in cycle5 of poverty. The support Vineyard Compa55ion offers is available at no cost, to everyone in the community regardless of belief. sexual orienlation, race or nalionalily. Vineyard Compassion's vision is to have.. 'a transfonn8d and thriving community where poverty is unacGeptable and uncommon" Vineyard Compassion's mission in achieving our vision is to.. "provide people with Iinancial, emotional or practical support at their point of need. whilg ompow8ring them to taGkle the undertying root causes of poverty". The charity offers holislic support centred around three core themes.. 1. PROVISION.. we provide immediate financial, emotional or practical support at crisi5 points of need. For example, the provision of food, clothing, emotional support or debt counselling, where individuals lack the resource to meet their own needs. 2. EMPOWERMENT.. we empower people to tackle the underlying root causes of poverty. For example. teaching budgeting skills, building capacity within clients to break the cycle of poverty, moving from dependency towards greater independence. 3. EMPLOYMENT.. we support people on a joumey towards employment that is fulfilling. We know that work is the best route out of poverty, not only providing financially, but building confidence and self- esteem, improving mental health and providing greater community. Staff assisted by a team of over 200 volunteers support the work. Many volunteers are former client5 who are now in a p0511ion to help others. We were delighted to receive the Queen's Award for Voluntary Serwce in 2018 acknowledging the tremendous contribution made by our volunteers in meeting community needs.
ids. VINEYARD COMPASSION chartered accountonts TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED)(INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 The charity works alongside agencies and statutory bodies with the goal of tackling povety- It receives referrals from and signposts clients to these organisalions for specialist support. These include government departments such as Health, Communities and Justice, the Probation Board, Prison Service, Housing Executive and local councils along with many charities including the Simon Communily and St Vincent de Paul. Our activities include.. The Open Door drop in café - this provides a gateway and befriending service to access all support services. Clients only have to enter ONE DOOR and go over their story ONCE. Compassion Support- the Compassion Support team connects with all new clients. Through tailor- made support plans guests are empowered lo move beyond crisis point. Causeway Foodbank - provides emergency food and household essentials. Referrals come from care professionals. We also operate a clothing bank called the Wear House. RESET Social Supermarket - provides six months of low-cosl food along with support services, courses and training to enable people to resel their priorities of food, finance and future stability. CAP Debt Centre- provides debt counselling, support and money management courses. Link Logs offers a voluntary work placement designed lo increase confidence, skills and employability. This mentor led environment operates within a social enterprise slruclure. Some referrals come from the Probation Board for community service and prisoners on day release. The Link Logs social enterprise will see a decrease in production from July 2024 and subsequently a reduction in sales the remainder of 2024. This is due having to dismantle and relocale the Link Logs operation from a leased warehouse lo alternative warehousing on a sile owned by CCV as we were unable to agree a reasonable lease amount. The leased sile will be vacated by September 2024. The new location will be much smaller than the previous location and we're anlicipaling lower production and sales moving forward into 2025. Grow allotment - gives opportunity for people to grow produce in a supportive environment improving mental health and promoting physical and social well-being Compassion Housing- provides short-term accommodation for homeless or at-risk people. Referrals come from the Housing Executive, Social Services. Simon Community, Women's Refuge and Women's Aid. Vineyard Compassion's values supports people in a process of transformation from dependence to independence. The different values build upon each other.. you need worth to have hope. You need hope to have meaningful relationships. You need relationships to deal with the range of complex issues in your life. You need a holistic solution lo be fully empowered. Worth-ALL people are welcome, are valuable and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Hope - we believe that there is hope for the future for everyone, no matter how difficult the situation might appear. Relationships - we believe individual growth and healing happen as we spend time in comrnunily wilh people who care aboul us. Holistio - we recognise and seek to meet the needs of the whole person - financial, emotional, praclical and spiritual - not just their presenting problem. Empowernient- we encourage people to develop ski115 that equip them to meet their own need5 and break the cycle of poverty- moving from a place of dependence to independence.
ids. VINEYARD COMPASSION chartered accountants TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED)(INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Achievements and performance Throughout 2023 the Cost-of-Living Crisis has continued lo impact more and more families across the communily. A growing number of families are facing financial crisis for the first lime. while others are being pushed further into poverty and despair. Those with very low incomes have experienced a subslanlial reduction in their disposable income. This leads them lo fa impossible decisions on whether lo eat or heal their home., pay the electricity bill or cover unexpected costs such as repairing a washing machine or fixing a boiler. Many working families who previously were able to live comfortably are now living under the immense financial pressure, with mortgage or rent arrears and genuine fear of losing their home. During 2022. vineyard Compassion experienced an unprecedented surge in demand for its services. This momentum continued into 2023, with our Foodbank and Clothing bank serving more than double the number of individuals in need compared to the previous year. Additionally. our Open Door drop-in sessions altracted nearly twice as many participants, lotalling an incredible 4872 visit5 over thè past 12 months. 2023 also marked a significant shift as the first group of asylum seekers arrived on Ihe North Coast. Initially, these individuals were housed in a hotel in Portslewart, followed by families being accommodated in a holel in Portrush. Many others have been dispersed across Coleraine and beyond. Vineyard Compassion has the privilege of supporting these individuals and working alongside slatulory and communilylvoluntary agencies to deliver coordinated support. Collaboratior) and working in partnership are key values for Vineyard Compassion to ensure thal clients receive the very best support. For this reason, Vineyard Compassion hosts and participates in several effecb've partnerships in the local area with various statutory agencies and communilylvoluntary organisations. Vineyard Compassion seeks to avoid duplicalion in service provision whenever possible. and where gaps exist or currenl provision is unable to cope with demand, Vineyard Compassion looks for ways to launch projects that meet genuine needs in a sustainable and effective way. In a recent survey, 920/0 of clients described Vineyard Compassion's support as "life transforming" or 'a greal help" 97Q/o said since working with Vineyard Compassion they were °hopeful" "more confident" and "able lo face their problems" Two clients surveyed slated.. "If it hadn't been for the help and support I received fmm Vineyard Compassion, I would either be dead or in jail." 'The support I r8C8ived has givon me light at the end of the tunnel. I m making good progress with paying off my debts and improving my mental health."
ids. VINEYARD COMPASSION chartered accountants TRUSTEES. REPORT {CONTINUED)(INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Financial review The results for the year are set out on page 13. The charity returned net outgoing resources for the year of £182,273 (2022 nel incoming resources of £198,392). At 31 December 2023 the total funds of the charity amounted to £1,466,672 12022 £1,648.945} comprising restricted funds of £191,113 {2022 £215.865}, and unrestrictedldesignaled funds of £1,275,559 (2022- £1,433,080). The spread of income and expenditure by source is shown in the following graphs.. Income by Source (£OOOs) 350 25D 50 Ind v Idual OrL*anilonS Grants Eccial Enterrrse & Other 5 radin Qther 2023 112022
ids. VINEYARD COMPASSION chartered accountants TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED)(INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 I ncome by Source 2023 Ind v,,dua', OrLTanir:.cnS . Gran <ocial ENrerprse & Other I rad,, Oilier Expenditure by Activity 2023 LomkS1cn <upport Link Logs Coun<eilno FcthLank Debt Centre lal fuperrnarker Other PrCIr5 £upport & GNernance ll Fundra151nu The principal risk faced by the charity continues lo be the potential of receivin9 insufficient funds to continue its activities. The charity seeks to mitigate this risk in the following ways.. Unrestricted resetves are held which are sufficient to cover.. the continuance of operations given a 25 /. reduction in unreslricted and project income, for a period of 3-6 months, and any specific liabilities which are outside of the normal scope of activities.. Wherever possible, projects are developed and structured to be self-sustaining and therefore have the potential lo continue for the long term without external funding., The charity is continuing to develop its fundraising strategy lo continue to diversify core funding sources and therefore avoid any over-reliance on a small number of funders.
ids. VINEYARD COMPASSION chartered accountants TRUSTEES. REPORT (CONTINUED){INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Total unrestricted reserves (comprising of cash and debtors, less 5hort-term liabilities) were £46,801 (2022 £314,538) Based on the 2024 budget, the range of reserves considered by the trustees lo be adequate (as calculated above} is between £122K - £245K. Unrestricted reserves are currently below this range. Trustees focus in budgeting and planning going forward is to build the unrestricted reserves towards the 3 month run rate. Plans for future periods Following the COVID pandemic. Vineyard Compassion has been developing various partnerships and collaborative projects. A key milestone was the initiation of an Anti-Poverty Network of which Vineyard Compassion is a founding member and one of the main delivery agents. This network was spearheaded by Causeway Coasl and Glens Council with input from the Department for Communities Nl and is now chaired by Ricky Wright, Vineyard Compassion's Chief Exec. A detailed action plan has been developed which will be oulworked in the years ahead. This will be a key emphasis for Vineyard Compassion, to work strategillY in partnership with other local organisations with the shared goal of tackling poverty and social deprivation. A consortium has been created among network members to offer holistic wraparound support to people in crisis, which was piloted in 2021 and will continue into 2024. Vineyard Compassion piloted a new 'mobile' support service in late 2021 to offer crisis support and signposting to rural locations where barriers lo engagement are higher. The 'Mobile Open Door, dropin service has continued throughout 2022 and 2023 and provides a needs assessment, emergency provisions IFoodbank}, Social Supermarket, one lo one support and signposting to other services. We aim to review and evaluate its success during 2024 with Ihe aim of expanding ils service if feasible. During 2022 our supported housing project transitioned formally into a new Emergency l Temporary Housing projecl in partnership with Northern Ireland Housing Executive. During 2024, this project will take significant focus of our senior staff leam to develop the project, ensuring it will be sustainable financially, while effectively meeting the needs of clients who need crisis accommodation. We also be developed a new 'Oulcomes I Impact Framework, to better identify the positive changes within people's lives that we support. This will help us to caplure our impact and provide the most detailed answer to "what does success look like?" for the organisalion. This will be integrated into a new bespoke client case management IT system thal will be developed and launched during 2024. We will also continue lo grow and develop our Fundraising Strategy so that there is greater stability. We aim to secure multi-year grants to give greater security in grant funding and widen the variety of our funders. We will also continue to develop the number and amount of our individual donations, while growing our social enterprises to form a larger percentage of our overall income. We are confident that these plans will be realised. Structure, governance and management Vineyard Compassion is a company limited by guarantee and was incorporated on 1 August 2012. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objectives and powers of the company and is governed by its Articles of Association. The liability of its members is limited in that every member ofthe company undertakes to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 in the event of the company being wound up. The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up lo the date of signature of the financial slatements were.. Mr R Kelly (Resigned 20 October 20231 MrA R Lynas Mr P R Lynas Mr D P Wright Mr NA Young Prof. K C Hutchinson {Résigned 29 October 2023)
ids. VINEYARD COMPASSION chartered accountants TRUSTEES, REPORT {CONTINUED)(INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 New directors are appointed when appropriate. Suitable candidate5 are Gonsidered on the basis of their skills, expeiience and sympathy with the aims of the charily. New directors will be agreed at a board meeting before being invited lo join and will receive appropriate induction and relevant Iraining. Trustees are responsible for selling the organisation's payscales following the NICVA rnatrix and benchmark and ensuring that these are adhered lo. Vineyard Compassion was birthed from Causeway Coast Vineyard church (CCV) and has the same trustees. The trustees have paid due regard lo guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake. New Iruslees will receive appropriate induction and relevant training. We have a risk management assurance framework in operation. This covers areas such as safeguarding processes for children and vulnerable adults. staff training and development, health and safety for staff and public around the sile as well as HR, IT and financial risks (covered by our reserves policy) Two of our board members sil on a risk management SucomMIttee alongside the Operations Director. Any risks are raised, discussed and measures pul in place lo miligale the risk. Risk is a standing agenda item on our board meetings and the risk management assurance framework is reviewed formally at the board meeting every six months. Reference and administrative details The day-to-day management of the charity 15 overseen by Ricky Wright (Chief Exeo), David Mccracken (Operations Director) and Victoria Moore (Finance Manager}. Statement of trustees. responsibilities The trustees, who are also the directors of Vineyard Compassion for the purpose of company law. are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdorn Accounting Standards {Uniled 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 charilable company for that year. In preparing these financial stalemenls, the trustees are required to.. select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP., make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial stalemenls., and prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless il is inappropriate to presume that Ihe charity will continue in operation. 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 lo 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. Auditor In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that IDS Chartered Accountants LLP be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting.
ids. VINEYARD COMPASSION chartered accountants TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED)(INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Disclosure of information to auditor Each of the trustees has confirmed that there is no information of which Ihey are aware which is relevant to the audit, but of which the audilor is unaware. They have further confirmed that they have taken appropriate steps lo identify such relevant information and lo establish that the auditor is aware of such information. This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies exemption. The trustees, report was approved by the Board ofTruslees. Mr P R Lynas Trustee Dated.. 3 September 2024